New Car Sedan

[KrazyMofo24]

Sense when did a Toyota cost 30 k last time I checked they were 18 grand.

18k? I thought you wanted a new car. Just like concealer said $20k and up, plus did you forget that you wanted a Nissan Maxima?

You keep forgetting interest, and tax. What was the point of cutting up those cards? You are doing the same thing just this time it'll sting more.

[bigaudiofanatic]

As a guy walking around a dealer will say. Right now I am just browsing.

[Danny Tse]

For a Camry? $20k MSRP for base stripper model with no features whatsoever. Then dealer markup.

If you don't mind not able to choose the color of the car, brand-new 2010 Camry LE automatics can be had for about $19K + taxes and doc fees here in the Bay Area. This is a car with power everything, 7 airbags, a 6-speed automatic transmission, electronic stability control, and more horsepower than a 2009 LE (about 10% increase).

[concealer404]

You are forgetting the new wring harnesses to be ran to the engine bay the new ecu the stuff under the car. I have talked to people before about it. They said it would be around 3,500-4 grand. Which is not bad luckily my dash already has a tachometer so I am good there. Also the new center pieces for the shift knob and boot. That might be an option buy why dump 4 grand when I have already dumped over 5 grand into it for a head gasket and new trans?

You don't need a new wiring harness. You probably don't even NEED a new ECU. Get the interior parts used. You can get that stuff in great shape for cheap.

You could easily do it for $1000 or under. Easily.

And even if it was $4k. Still cheaper than a new car.

[coolsax]

my big thing is why do you feel the need for a "NEW" car, why not a new to you car still under warranty whenever you decide to do it.. that way the first owner takes that big depreciation hit as it drives off the lot instead of you..

[bigaudiofanatic]

You don't need a new wiring harness. You probably don't even NEED a new ECU. Get the interior parts used. You can get that stuff in great shape for cheap.

You could easily do it for $1000 or under. Easily.

And even if it was $4k. Still cheaper than a new car.

You do need a new ecu because the one that is there now will automatically try to shift a transmission that will not be there. Among other things.

[nooshinjohn]

The Subaru Legacy 3.6R sedan should be on the short list if you are considering a Camry. These are great cars and fun to drive on top of it!

[concealer404]

You do need a new ecu because the one that is there now will automatically try to shift a transmission that will not be there. Among other things.

No you don't need a new ecu. You can jump the existing one.

And there's nothing else. ;)

[Serendipity]

my big thing is why do you feel the need for a "NEW" car, why not a new to you car still under warranty whenever you decide to do it.. that way the first owner takes that big depreciation hit as it drives off the lot instead of you..

First things first, I'm not trying to be negative here. But I do know people that will never buy used cars because they have had bad experiences with them.

For example, one of my roommate's friends bought a used rental car, and had nothing but problems with it. And my mom had to have a lot of repairs done on her first (used) car because there were many problems with it.

[nooshinjohn]

found a pic for you...

[BlueFox]

Mazda3S. I have a 2005, and love it. I refer to it as my mini-Lexus. Granted it is not as big as a Camry or Maxima, but I am 6'3" and fit fine. Plus it has Zoom Zoom.

[ohskigod]

Mazdaspeed 3. 4 doors plus a hatch. 260 hp, 280 lb ft torque. handles like its on rails. it's a Mazda 3 with a sweet turbo 4 and chassis stiffening, better breaks and reworked suspension

24k (26 or so loaded with nav) 0-60 in just shy of 6 seconds (would be faster but manages torque off th line)

built on the same platform/chassis as my Volvo was, but stiffer, and my Volvo was a slot car.

95% of a Lancer evo for 10g less = win

[rallyshark]

TAURUS SHO!!!! Four doors/decent highway mileage/ oh and I almost forgot...3.5l twin turbo 365hp V6:D

[TroyD]

I think instead of just reading what others put you should at least read what I post on another thread. Besides 2 cc's left and I am done. :D

I think that you need a nice tall glass of 'Grow the F*ck up'

First of all, three basic necessities. Food, clothing, shelter. Which ones are you paying for? All three? Honestly? Ok...we'll get back to that.

Ok, genius. First of all....let's just assume that you buy a Toyota Camry, we'll go with that....the base model. 20K....that's assuming you can live with the base model. Then there are things like taxes, tags and all the other **** that comes with that. How much you planning to put down? Going to trade the Honda? You got enough to put 10% down? Ok, lets assume that you do....You are STILL looking at a car payment in the vacinity of 450, depending on your credit score, which I'm willing to bet AIN'T sterling. Unless you get Mom and Dad to cosign (which, if you are not in school, don't have your own place....ie: independent, well let's just say those are red flags).

Ok, so you got this COOOL new car...and a 450/mo car note....oh, and did we mention insurance? ****, man, that sucks! There is ANOTHER couple hundred per mo....so, all of a sudden, you are looking at 650...700 per month. Wait, wait, wait....maybe I'm overly pessimistic. OK, let's just say for nice round figgers....500 per month for payments and insurance. Let's just say.....that's 6K per year. You can afford 6K per year? (though I'm betting it's closer to 8).

Now, let me get this straight, you want to spend this 6K per year because you are afraid that your present ride MIGHT break down??? MIGHT??? Ok, let's just say that the tranny falls out of your Cervix tonight. Take it to the shyster DEALER and it ain't costing you no frigging 6 grand. But, let's just SAY that it does. You've got some SERIOUS **** wrong with your car. It's as f*cked up as you are clueless......there is NO WAY that buying a new car (new, as in brand new Camry) is the more economical alternative. NO WAY, NO HOW.

Oh, back to that food, clothing, shelter thing.....ok, you are tethered to this car for at LEAST 5 years (put me in the camp of financing a car longer than that is stupid). However, the warranty runs out in 3....so in 36 months, you are sorta in the same boat. If it breaks, you got to pay for repairs...which, oh btw...you get to pay for AND still make the car note. Unless you decide to repeat this cycle, in which you owe more on the car than it's worth....which if you think that a car depreciates at the same rate as the amortization...you are deluded.

Oh, right, shelter.....sorry, got sidetracked. Shelter. So, you are shacking up with mom/dad. Right? Ok, so lets just say you want to, oh, I dunno, grow up and move out on your own. I know, novel concept...but, lets just dream a bit here. Ok, so you wanna move out and get this swinging pad.....and you are making what? Well...that's beside the point....F*CK, I've got this 500/month ride (that is now, a USED car) that is eating into my disposable income. SH*T, they pulled my credit report...and my frigging car has my debt/income ration all out of whack and Shaggin' Arms Apts REALLY doesn't think that I'm a great credit risk....so I'm back to whackin' it at my parents house, bummed cuz I can't get a place of my own, can't get a girl because 1. I'm living at home 2. can't take her out to dinner because I cut my credit card up (maybe snow can pay Applbee's with his Visa?) and 3. I'm still driving a USED (albeit newer) car....

That about sum it up?

Now, before you get all pissy and in a huff.....these things that I lay out here are not just figments of my imagination. I've either DONE it or I've seen it done.....a LOT. Now, you could be thinking 'nah, that's not my scene...I'm smarter than that'....lemme clue you in, I've seen you post, I've seen your attitude...and no, I'm right in your wheelhouse, broham.

BDT

[Serendipity]

And this is exactly why I am happy with my 10 year OLD car (even though it has some electrical problems) vs. a new one even though it won't require the constant repairs.

[bobman1235]

Troy for President.

[TroyD]

Oh, btw, I do have a Toyota Camry...2007 loaded XLE. I LOVE it. GREAT car. Bought it used and saved about 30% over new....

Bob, now way....I'm WAY to honest for that.

BDT

[Serendipity]

You make a good point. Even if the engine in your old car needs replacement, it's not going to cost anywhere near the amount for a new car.

[concealer404]

My newest car has been a 1993. For that very reason. If it break, i fix it for cheap. If it costs a crapload to fix, i junk it and buy another one. No big deal.

That's not to say that i drive crapboxes, either. (Well, they may have started as crapboxes)

I rent an apartment. I feel like having fun after i pay my $1200 or so a month in rent and assorted bills, not use all my fun money on a car payment and required full coverage insurance.

[Rodeo0530]

You are right on point there Troy. I got myself into some trouble a while back cuz I needed to buy a nice new Accord that had a price tag of more than I was making in a year at my job. Why I didn't think about that before I signed all those damn papers just makes no sense to me now. I've had my own place since I turned 18 and have never been late on that, but I sure as hell was late on my car...a few months late. Getting your car repo'd at you rplace of employment is not cool, but it happened. I ended up paying the buyout of the car by getting a loan through my credit union and ended up buying a 1997 Ranger from a buddy for $1000. I've gotten 4 years out of it and invested about another $800 on tires and some necessary body work. Now, I have no CC debt, no loans to pay, and will never buy a new car again in my life. I loved my car when I had it, but I'm perfectly content with driving this Ranger till it dies on me and I have to find another diamond in the rough. I wish you the best of luck with this and this is a story that I don't exactly tell a lot of people, but if you've got debt, you have no reason to go buy a $20k+ car. I would have been able to pay for the car for a little while longer if I wasn't paying $160+/month for insurance.

[Demiurge]

That post was brilliant. He's helping you if you just shut up and read it. If your dad ever said to you "one day you'll thank me for this."

This is one of those times, except it's coming from some dude you don't know on the web....and it's dead on the nuts.

[MrNightly]

Umm... isn't this LSI boy we are dealing with here?

Do we all not remember? I wish you the best BAF, but common man... you are really a joke at times!

Good job on cutting up CC's if you can't control your spending, but why in the hell would you go buy a new car, just because? Dumb Dumb Dumb.

[Hawkeye]

BAF hold on to your money. Do you have any idea of the real state of the economy? Christ, dude, you have life by the horns. Living at home and a couple bills. Hold on to your money and pay your CC bills. Then put something in the bank for the future. Do you think you can afford to live with a $600 a month car note if mom and pop croak? You going to live in your car?

Grow up a bit, dude. Pay off your CC, save some money, drive what you have and don't succumb to the slick advertising that says you HAVE to have a slick ride.

Gordon

[mark090852]

Anyway I have been looking at the Toyota Camry and the Nissan Maxima. has anyone had any experience with them? Also one to other options. I might be buying used but more than likely going to buy new.

One week ago I bought my wife a new 2010 Nissan Maxima. Sticker was just a little over $38K. She has had several Altimas in the past and this is a much nicer car. It's a 4 door sedan but with 295hp it's a pretty strong performer for a 4 door sedan. It's a much nicer car than any of the Altimas she's had in the past. We've had Nissans and BMWs for years now and have had practically no significant mechanical issues with any of them.

We've only had it for seven days but so far I can't say anything negative about it. It's everything she expected and more.

[nguyendot]

I'd keep your car, listen to these people, they're older than you and many of them have been there done that. I've been there done that. My 2006 cadillac STS was $760/mo + 100 insurance/mo on top of it. It got 18mpg costing another 110 a month in gas. Close to $1000/mo for a car. Then I bought a house, had bills. You know how handy $1000 extra a month is? Thats a 50" 1080p plasma each month. Yeah I liked the car but it was a waste. Any new car would have been.

TroyD pretty much hit all my points on the head. Getting a new car will kill your DTI (debt to income) ratio. That is what's important on getting any other loans for cars, house, apartment etc.

I got lucky, I never missed a payment on the car even after buying a house. My credit score went to like 8xx or so. But I paid dearly for it. Traded in for the CTS ...yeah you don't like GM, but it's one of the highest rated cars out there period. Payment dropped to 500/mo and some change ;) 500 is still a LOT. I wish I didn't have a payment at all.


Ask yourself, what's your credit rating? On top of that what is your credit HISTORY (more important). That doesn't mean your credit cards. That means have you ever had any lines of real credit such as car or home payment (the two biggest that will affect your credit rating as well as credit score). If you don't have good credit and aren't making enough disposable income to pay for a place to stay, food, and health in addition to a new car, don't do it. If you do, I'll expect to see all your gear in the FS section shortly.

[nguyendot]

One week ago I bought my wife a new 2010 Nissan Maxima. Sticker was just a little over $38K. She has had several Altimas in the past and this is a much nicer car. It's a 4 door sedan but with 295hp it's a pretty strong performer for a 4 door sedan. It's a much nicer car than any of the Altimas she's had in the past. We've had Nissans and BMWs for years now and have had practically no significant mechanical issues with any of them.

We've only had it for seven days but so far I can't say anything negative about it. It's everything she expected and more.

I like the new Maximas. I just don't like FWD anymore after RWD and AWD have spoiled me. What are they using in those things now anyways? still the VQ35HR?

[BlueFox]

Pay cash. EOM.

[Jstas]

but I'm perfectly content with driving this Ranger till it dies on me

Hope you REALLY like it 'cause I have yet to have a Ranger die on me. They are like the energizer bunny. They just keep going.

Umm... isn't this LSI boy we are dealing with here?

Do we all not remember?

I do.

[Rodeo0530]

I'll be very happy if it keeps going! Savin money.

[mark090852]

I like the new Maximas. I just don't like FWD anymore after RWD and AWD have spoiled me. What are they using in those things now anyways? still the VQ35HR?

I believe you're right about the engine. And I know what you mean about FWD vs RWD. I drive a BMW 530i and much prefer its RWD character.