Corolla, Civic, Elantra.

[Food Product]

I received approx 16k from insurance following an accident. I'm looking for people's opinion on these three types of vehicles. I had an '06 civic previously and liked it, but wondering if I should take this opportunity to try something new or stick with what I know.

Another question is how do auto companies put up with a guy playing hardball if I'm paying cash, outright? On a 16k car would I be able to say I'll give you ten, then negotiate or would they say "Lemme ask my manager..." and then laugh around the water cooler? I'd like to save around 3-5k of my 16.5 to invest with.

Edit: Things I'm looking for in a car: Reliability mainly. I'm not a gear head, I want something that'll last forever and when it comes time to repair it, something where parts are abundant/cheap.

[roasted]

well, negotiating from 16k to 10k is unrealistic and probably wont ever happen. The dealership doesnt care about a cash offer...they dont care who pays them, you or a bank. Your best bet for negotiating is giving the salesperson the notion that you are ready to buy today, but not overly eager to buy from them. Dont be an asshole about it, but after you show them you are a serious buyer let them know you arent desperate to buy from them. Also check the BBB's website and lookup the dealer before you buy there...you would be surprised how shady some big dealerships are.

If you have cash, buy from a private party instead of a dealership...it'll save you thousands. Just do your homework (thorough test drive, have a mechanic inspect it before you buy, Carfax, etc etc)

As far as a which car to buy in your price range; I would look for something that is 1-3 years old, but still has a good portion of its warranty left. That way you arent paying the "new car" markup (a brand new car depreciates like 15-20% the instant you drive off the lot) but you still get something that will last a long time. A lot of newer cars have 100,000 mile warranties.

Look for something that is a good value. Ie: Hondas and Toyotas are good quality cars, but not necessarily the best value (they are significantly more expensive than a domestic car). I would look at cars that score well on consumer reports...reliability and cost of ownership. For example, the Chevy Aevo was the cheapest Chevy, but the Cobalt (which costs like $3k more) had a much, much lower cost of ownership. If you drove a Cobalt for 100k miles, you save money over an Aevo.

I would look at domestic mid-sized cars (not the cheapest ones, but the best value). Last summer I bought a 2011 Chevy Malibu with 20k miles for $13k. I still had 80k of warranty left, but I saved like $8k by getting it slightly used. It was Car of the Year, scored high on reliability, low cost of ownership, and it has some good optional equipment.

[Township Rebellion]

Corolla. You won't really go wrong with the Civic either, and I'm sure the Elantra would be okay, but I still wouldn't trust the Koreans to make a car as good as the Japanese.

I've never bought a new car so I wouldn't know how to negotiate with salesmen. Financing a car to me = strings, and I hate strings. If I had 16K and I just wanted a cheap econobox, I'd buy a used one. Just find the one in the best condition for the lowest price you're willing to spend, the thing with even older Corollas and Civics is: they're often still quite reliable and fuel efficient. You could probably get a perfectly good pre-2000 model for well under 10K if you really wanted to save money. Hell you could buy a really oooold beater and save nearly all of it, my $1000 Corolla gave me pretty much zero trouble while I drove it, and I only gave it a minimal tune up and wound up driving it hard.

Just keep it between the Civic and Corolla. If you feel like being adventurous, you could try a VW, which are usually nicer to drive, mk.5 Golfs and Jettas (2005 and up) seem to be much more reliable than they have been in the past.

Edit: roasted sorta has a good point, domestics have come a long way in the last few years in terms of quality. Though I'm not sure the Cruze has been out long enough for you to find a good used one, that car I rate much higher than the Cobalt. Waaaaay better design overall. Also: See the Ford Focus and Fiesta. I would stay away from any small car from Chrysler - they're shit. However, the Fiat 500 mentioned in another thread is $13K for a brand new base model.. Again, Fiats are a hell of a lot better than they used to be. They're sold at Chrysler dealerships seeing as Fiat owns Chrysler now.

[roasted]

Originally Posted by Township Rebellion

Corolla. You won't really go wrong with the Civic either, and I'm sure the Elantra would be okay, but I still wouldn't trust the Koreans to make a car as good as the Japanese.

I've never bought a new car so I wouldn't know how to negotiate with salesmen. Financing a car to me = strings, and I hate strings. If I had 16K and I just wanted a cheap econobox, I'd buy a used one. Just find the one in the best condition for the lowest price you're willing to spend, the thing with even older Corollas and Civics is: they're often still quite reliable and fuel efficient. You could probably get a perfectly good pre-2000 model for well under 10K if you really wanted to save money. Hell you could buy a really oooold beater and save nearly all of it, my $1000 Corolla gave me pretty much zero trouble while I drove it, and I only gave it a minimal tune up and wound up driving it hard.

Just keep it between the Civic and Corolla. If you feel like being adventurous, you could try a VW, which are usually nicer to drive, mk.5 Golfs and Jettas (2005 and up) seem to be much more reliable than they have been in the past.

Edit: roasted sorta has a good point, domestics have come a long way in the last few years in terms of quality. Though I'm not sure the Cruze has been out long enough for you to find a good used one, that car I rate much higher than the Cobalt. Waaaaay better design overall. Also: See the Ford Focus and Fiesta. I would stay away from any small car from Chrysler - they're shit. However, the Fiat 500 mentioned in another thread is $13K for a brand new base model.. Again, Fiats are a hell of a lot better than they used to be. They're sold at Chrysler dealerships seeing as Fiat owns Chrysler now.

I wouldnt buy any Chrysler other than a Cummins Dodge Ram...but thats just me. I agree with you about the Cruze and all new model cars. It usually takes a few years for manufactures to shake out the bugs in a new model.

Hyundai and the domestics have stepped up their game in the past couple years. I think right now they are a better value than Japanese cars. My dad bought a Sonata a few years ago and its like a Korean Lexus...its fast, reliable, good built quality, and every option you could need (I still dont trust Kia though). Jap cars are still great obviously, but I'm not sure the price justifies the quality when you consider the rest of the market...they arent a no brainer choice like they used to be in the 90s.


FYI...I'm not crazy about the Cobalt, I was just using it as an example versus the Aevo. I would stay away from all super cheap cars, the initial cost is low but the cost of ownership is inordinately high (there are exceptions, but thats the general rule)

[MediumD]

Cash means little to most dealers. There are dealers out there that "work with" finance companies who really prefer a customer who is going to finance over a cash offer. They'll flex more on finance and make it up in interest later without the schmuck ever realizing it. Similar to how the trade-in game works.

Originally Posted by roasted

If you have cash, buy from a private party instead of a dealership

slightly used.

These are the most important points in this thread. Pay attention to them.

The 3 cars you mentioned are all pretty much going to end up working out the same, though I'd also recommend looking into the Focus and Cruze, which will be essentially more of the same (low cost of overall operation throughout the life of the vehicle.) I'd actually put the 12- Civic behind the curve these days. What matters between them is the minor details that may or may not matter to you, and that you need to look at yourself.

[Food Product]

Thanks for all the input I appreciate it. I was looking through the newspaper and a dealership is selling many new 2012 ford focuses type S for 12k. I'm really excited about it, I plan on checking it out tomorrow or the day after. Next to zero luxury perks but I'm OK with that.

I am especially excited about the deal because some of the used civics I've seen cost 3-4k more than this car new. I have a few days to take advantage of the offer so in the mean time I'm going to look into the elantra but the pre 2010 look pretty ugly and are about the same price as the civic. Anything after is out of my price range.

I'm leery because of the universal opinion that civics are bullet proof and wont die until I set it on fire and report it as stolen.

[pill popper]

Originally Posted by Food Product

I received approx 16k from insurance following an accident. I'm looking for people's opinion on these three types of vehicles. I had an '06 civic previously and liked it, but wondering if I should take this opportunity to try something new or stick with what I know.

Another question is how do auto companies put up with a guy playing hardball if I'm paying cash, outright? On a 16k car would I be able to say I'll give you ten, then negotiate or would they say "Lemme ask my manager..." and then laugh around the water cooler? I'd like to save around 3-5k of my 16.5 to invest with.

Edit: Things I'm looking for in a car: Reliability mainly. I'm not a gear head, I want something that'll last forever and when it comes time to repair it, something where parts are abundant/cheap.

Get the elantra. The waranty is better and you get a lot more for your buck option wise

[CountBlah]

[Optionryder420]

Originally Posted by Township Rebellion

Corolla. You won't really go wrong with the Civic either, and I'm sure the Elantra would be okay, but I still wouldn't trust the Koreans to make a car as good as the Japanese.

I gotta agree with this. I'm waiting a while longer before I fully trust the Hyundais. They are REALLY nice now, but I'm still not sure about longevity on them.

OP, I see nobody has helped you with financing the car so let me give you a few ideas.

One way to do it, is to send emails to all the dealers that may have the type of car you want and just give them the price you're willing to spend. Let them know you have cash in hand. Try to get them bidding between each other. I've heard of people doing this and getting pretty low deal.

Bring a trade in and once the deal is closing, pull out the trade in and let them know you're paying cash. Have a cashiers check ready for them with the price you're willing to pay for the vehicle. If you get the price negotiated to around the amount of that check, I think they'll have a hard time saying no.

Unfortunately for you, the best time to buy a vehicle is at the end of the month.

[moron]

Originally Posted by MediumD

Similar to how the trade-in game works.

details plz?

[MediumD]

The way dealers tell you that whatever pile you're trading in is worth three times what they'd pay for a similar vehicle at auction, then tack the difference in on the new car's principal or sometimes through finance.

[pill popper]

Originally Posted by muffins

I 2nd this, I had to sell my elantra earlier this year since my g/f couldnt drive a stick and fuck do i ever miss that car. It rode very well had good power and had power everything (which would cost more on a jap car)

Hyundai has a hell of a good warranty as well, and if you keep up with maintenance itll last a very long time

I am very happy woth my Genesis. Best part is that when the thing needs service they come to me and get it and leave me another Genesis as a loaner. Four months after i bought it they had a promotion free oil changes and tires for life. They called me up and said we know you didnt buy it during this promo but we are extending it to you anyway. They have also done some nice shit for me as well. I had a bigger sub installed in the back and the installer fucked up bad and my dealer fixed it for free
my mothers 2011 accord has spent half it's life at the dealer. New tranny and master cylinder issues and so forth. My companies 2010 civics have all had major engine and axel issues and we have 25 of them. I am sorry Honda has let it's quality slide brutally.

[moron]

Originally Posted by MediumD

The way dealers tell you that whatever pile you're trading in is worth three times what they'd pay for a similar vehicle at auction, then tack the difference in on the new car's principal or sometimes through finance.

it's amazing how learning a few relatively basic car maintenance principles can dramatically lower the cost of purchasing and owning a vehicle, and how many people would rather throw $90/hr BIG problems that popped up because they didn't follow a maintenance schedule

[slicknickns]

The elantra is a good car, equal to its Japanese counterparts in drive and reliability. Its just, as a valet, I've noticed a far higher quality of materials in side the Honda than I do the camry or elantra. Isn't the sonata a little more comparable?

[pill popper]

Originally Posted by slicknickns

The elantra is a good car, equal to its Japanese counterparts in drive and reliability. Its just, as a valet, I've noticed a far higher quality of materials in side the Honda than I do the camry or elantra. Isn't the sonata a little more comparable?

I haven't. The interiors of the civics my company have look as cheap as fuck and my mothers accord for a fourty five thousand dollar car looks terrible. I came close to buying thhe wife a sonata and was fucking impressed style wise. I bought her a veracruz and i love the fucking thing. Hyundai deserves a lot of credit for the way they turned around

[007GoldenShower]

I've got an 08 Corolla and it's been super reliable. I get it serviced through the dealer on the cheap so can't really comment on part availability... surely in abundance wherever you live. Can't really go wrong.

Don't know anything about the others.

[tomjohens]

My friend had an 2007 Accord that had a major tranny defect. He went through 3 BRAND NEW transmissions in like 10k miles, under normal use. Hondas are over priced, over hyped pieces of shit. I will never own a honda in my life. At one point they might have been good cars, but Japan as a country (and everything they produce) is going to shit.

Hyundai's = win. The Sonata is better than an Accord in every way possible. The Elantra is better than any Civic. And the Genesis is cutting into Lexus/Acura market share...

-Tom

[The Pat-Man]

ever think about a volkswagon? i know im about to get flamed hard for this but if i had to get a new midrange sedan itd be a volkswagon diesel. especially if you have a smallish import dealer around as they like the cash.

[roasted]

Originally Posted by The Pat-Man

ever think about a volkswagon? i know im about to get flamed hard for this but if i had to get a new midrange sedan itd be a volkswagon diesel. especially if you have a smallish import dealer around as they like the cash.

JD Power ranked Volkswagon sub-par in overall dependability...I'm sure most experts and publications would agree that Volkswagon is not a good investment.

[The Pat-Man]

lol u got me


on the srs anyone know anthing about the chevy cruze though?

[slicknickns]

Originally Posted by pill popper

I haven't. The interiors of the civics my company have look as cheap as fuck and my mothers accord for a fourty five thousand dollar car looks terrible. I came close to buying thhe wife a sonata and was fucking impressed style wise. I bought her a veracruz and i love the fucking thing. Hyundai deserves a lot of credit for the way they turned around

That's why I said to compare the Sonata, it's a great car, whoever aesthetically the front end looks like a rip off of the Camry. The Civic and Honda cars in general feel to have a much better build quality, i.e the materials and assembly together just seems to be much heavier and solid, it's not something I see in current Toyota's or any Hyundai's for that matter.

[pill popper]

Originally Posted by tomjohens

My friend had an 2007 Accord that had a major tranny defect. He went through 3 BRAND NEW transmissions in like 10k miles, under normal use. Hondas are over priced, over hyped pieces of shit. I will never own a honda in my life. At one point they might have been good cars, but Japan as a country (and everything they produce) is going to shit.

Hyundai's = win. The Sonata is better than an Accord in every way possible. The Elantra is better than any Civic. And the Genesis is cutting into Lexus/Acura market share...

-Tom

Agreed. If there was any justice the Genesis would be cutting into merc and bmw. You will never get me out of mine except if i traded it in on a new one with that 5.0 with 429 horse
I aint't complaining about the 375 under my.right foot by any means and the bastard gets over 500 k to a tank of gas which is damn good for a v8

[Food Product]

The dealership didn't accept my offer on the Focus so I think I'm gonna shop around for an elantra. Thanks for the continued input guys.

[pill popper]

Originally Posted by Food Product

The dealership didn't accept my offer on the Focus so I think I'm gonna shop around for an elantra. Thanks for the continued input guys.

I highly doubt you'd regret getting one