A New base '09 Camry stickers for $19k, so I'm sure you can get it for $17-$18k... and that's with "0" miles.
How small of an SUV do you want? If I were looking in your price range and reliability was my first concern, my list would stop and start with 4Runners. They might be the best built car on the road today. If you're going smaller, I'd echo the CRV, and add the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner. According to the people that track this stuff, it's the most reliable small SUV, and I think it has more usable room than the CRV or its copycats.
The figures I saw were CR-V got 20/27 and Accord got 22/31. Yeah, the Accord does better but it is comparable. Really? I like it, in fact I like the design of all Nissans (except the new Maxima) but when you mentioned reliability issues I froze and they took a backseat to Toyotas and Hondas. Still wouldn't mind snagging one if the price were right.
Yeah, I have been looking at 4Runners but I have not found one under $27,000 yet and that is a little steep for me even with the large amount I can put forward. I'm looking at mid-sized and compact SUVs as long as there is enough room in them. I just don't want a civilian tank. I was staying away from American but I'll look into those too. Thanks!
Yeah, new ones start at $27-28K. Buy used. A well-maintained 4Runner with 50,000 miles on it will last longer before rattling than any new compact SUV.
Yeah, but this pretty much exemplifies where you're getting screwed. The Accord's 4 cylinder is more powerful than the "SUV"'s and it gets better mileage to boot. BTW, 2-4 mpg is nothing to scoff at. That adds up. Heck, you could move up to the V6 Accord and still get the same mileage as the CR-V which is a 4-cylinder. The CR-V is really a car, not an SUV - I think it's built on the Honda Civic platform. You may gain some room in it over a car if the seats are foldable (I don't know much else about the CR-V, to be honest), but it's got a dinky engine. The looks are subjective, so I was kidding, but I honestly can't stand the looks of the Murano. Nissan's reliability isn't horrific or anything, so don't let that deter you, and I'm not sure specifically about the Murano, but I don't put their quality as high as Honda, Toyota, Buick, etc.
Wow, Buick, etc.? What else do you have above Nissan? I'm sorry but whenever I think of Buick I think of my grandmother and mother's cars. LOL! My first car was a 1996 Buick Regal handed down to me from my mother. The I handed it down to my sister when I got my Mazda. It finally left our family last year. My mom still has a Regal as does my grandmother.
Looking there, the base comes with everything standard that I would want. The problem, I have not been able to find a base Camry, every one of the suckers is loaded with something extra. How much would a nav system up the price of your vehicle?
Buick has had fairly reliable cars for a while, but they didn't sell for the very reason you mention - it was your granny's car. I think they're starting to come around. I like the looks of their upcoming 2010 Lacrosse. It'll probably run $25-$32k. But honestly, if I were looking for a car right now that's reliable and priced below $30k, I wouldn't stray away from an Accord. I don't know much about SUV's in that segment, though. BTW, the supercharged version of the Buick Regal GS of the early 2000's could haul ass for a "family sedan"!
I don't know if those are easy to find though. It's as if Toyota only produced 5 of them. The lowest sticker on a new one I've seen in my area is 22k.
It depends, but it's usually anywhere around $900-$2000. It depends on the vehicle. Hey, nav is a luxury ... stop that! I've never used Carmax to buy a new car, but I see some 2009 Camrys on there with mileage listed as "New" for around $18-$19k. I don't know if that means it's like 0-100 miles or what. I'd call and ask. Some dealers also have inventories online that you can search.
Honda just recently started a low apr or $1,000 cash back to dealers on new Accords till 5/14/09. If you're lucky, you could get a New Accord $1,000+ under invoice + 2.9% apr. Toyota has $1,500 off or 0% apr for Camrys. Good luck with whatever you purchase and check edmunds for special incentives/rebates/apr and invoice pricing. Eh, the deal for Camry's end 3/31/09. Before you purchase your new vehicle, test drive and play with them first. There were several vehicles I thought I would like until I test drove them.
Are there any makes or models you would definitely stay away from? I noticed DoD stated Volkswagen and Kia but are those the only two to be wary of?
You know last time wed turned this into a financial forum, but im staying consistent. If you have 7-12k, buy a used car in that range. No need for payments and such, just ride car note free until you get into your career and trade that car in. Use www.autotrader.com and specify the price range,make and model. You can also do the feayuers,miles and every other iems you want also. Don't fall into the same game like most and have to get a car note to feel good about yourself. Feeling good is when you can pull up and drop 50k in cash and not blink. Getting a solid used accord,camry,maxima,altima, or whatever in cash is also a great feeling. No need to worry about the gas prices, when something goes wrong you have money in your pockets, plus you can get a 100k warranty on just about any car for about 2k.
Also, use www.consumerguide.com and you can research the long term results, cost of ownership, and all kinds of goodies. Like DOD said about buick and saturn as far as american goes are pretty good. The Buick Lucerne , the Saturn Vue as far as suvs are pretty good.
Also, what about insurance rates? The newer the car, the higher the rate? What cars get good insurance rates?
It starts with dollar value of vehicle, driving record, type of vehicle and they crunch it into a formula. They value is first and formost becaused they have to consider what happens if you total out the vehicle. Your driving record shows habits both good and bad. Vehicle type deals with safety. Anything with sport will be a little more, sedans and minivans are the cheapest because they're normally safer with more material. Of course a 2 door whatever will cost you a little more. Like I've said, used the autotrader link and just specify exactly what you want.
