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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 247
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 247 |
I can deal with small quality issues on a 245hp car, and as far as long-term tests go (Motortrend, Car & Driver, etc.) it seems to be pretty much trouble-free mechanical wise. Again, you have to remember that new vehicles, as well as "redesigned" vehicles have their "first year" flaws until the bugs get worked out (for the most part). I'm not expecting a TOTALLY trouble-free car for the price, as I'm NOT spending more than 25K on a car. If I wanted a really good quality vehicle, I'd be at the local BMW or Mercedes dealer, but not with a second car payment, mortgage, and over $30,000 in Masters degree loans to pay. Right now the Altima is at the top of my list of a LONG line of cars in the $18,000-$25,000 range which I've driven SO FAR. I have yet to drive my "second choice", a WRX, but that'll have to wait until after New Year's.
02 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE, FULLY LOADED
Old car- 99 SE Sport ATX w/ SVT body kit (for sale...asking $4,200 OBO), nicely modded, high-flow exhaust y-pipe back and KKM. 95K, but 95% are interstate highway miles back and forth to college everyday.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851 |
Actually the Mazda6 has a Duratec block (the 3.0)...so it's not all Japanese. In fact I'd not be surprised if it had a 3G alternator, an FS-15 AC compressor, Mechatronic ABS, etc...
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,069
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,069 |
How long will it be before all of CEG has bought friggin Masda 6s??? Nice car though , gotta admit.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851 |
Originally posted by rob:
Ah, I make 75k a year. I would like something NEW. Not five years old. If I can afford a nice, decent quality new car, and not have to worry about repairing an "older" car on an almost MONTHLY basis, what's so hard to understand??????
I make about as much as you make a year. I don't have to repair either of my older cars on a monthly basis, and when I do, it's usually not a big deal. I'm not afraid to break out the toolbox and take care of it. As someone else said, if you don't want to deal with it, get something new.
I'd be interested in knowing what repairs your five year old car has required in, say, the last 6 months, but if you'd rather not go into that, I understand.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851 |
Originally posted by rob:
If I wanted a really good quality vehicle, I'd be at the local BMW or Mercedes dealer
My boss has a Mercedes, a 1997 C230 to be exact.
After getting reamed for $1800 in maintenance at the Mercedes dealer, he said, "If I ever think about buying another Mercedes, shoot me."
The check engine light is still on and dealer said it needs a new mass air flow sensor for only $700 (No aftermarket replacements are available).
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,580 |
You all came up with very good points. For awhile it seemed like everyone on CEG was like "I'm keeping my car forever". Since I have a 2000 model Tour, i'm not too worried about age, just depreciation. I got it for $7500 in April, now it's worth $6500, if I am lucky. Soon will probly hit $5000. Anyway, its a good idea to think through the next car purchase instead of impulse buying. Dealers get rich off that and buyers get ulcers the day after! (Guess who has done way too many impulse car buys??? Moi!  )
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 SE, Code Red. '00 Tropic Green Ford Escort SE [Contour's little cousin]
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851 |
Interesting article from Edmunds: Confessions of a car salesman
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,228
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,228 |
Originally posted by brianl703:
Interesting article from Edmunds:
Confessions of a car salesman
dang - post the cliff notes and i'll read it... WAY to much to read on Christmas morning at 12:04AM 
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 851 |
Basically, what I got out of it is: Shop a new car by the price, not the monthly payment.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,228
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,228 |
Originally posted by brianl703:
Basically, what I got out of it is: Shop a new car by the price, not the monthly payment.
i see... one of the coolest compliments was from one of my non-car enthusiast friends - he honestly thought i paid over $40k for my Mazda6  LOL
when i told him it was only $17K, he freaked out!
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