Buying a New (Or Not So New) Car?

Maj.Striker

Maj.Striker

Swabbie
Banned
Okay, I've been doing some research and negotiating and what not to purchase a newer car. As of the moment I have limited my options to two cars. I can buy a used 2003 Acura TL Type S with 48,000 miles on it after I trade in my car (Grand AM GT1 with about 38,000 miles on it) for $15,500. I really like this car however the higher mileage scares me.

The other car I am considering is a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. If I went with this one it would be brand new. I still have some negotiating with them to do but potentially I could buy this for $17,000 (Max of $18,000). Obviously the Grand Prix doesn't have as many options as the Acura but it does have no mileage on it and would be under full warranty.

Here's a quick list of what the Acura has that Grand Prix doesn't:

6 disc CD changer
Bose Premium Sound
GPS Navigation System


Here's what the Grand Prix has that the Acura doesn't:

Heads Up display

Okay, so what are your thoughts? I know most of you probably don't care but I just thought I'd try to bounce this off a few of you and get some impressions.
 
i believe you could go and get all the options of the Acura put into the Grand Prix at a store like circuit city or a car shop for maybe 1000-3000 depending on the place. personally, i'd go with the Grand Prix because it's newer and has less wear and tear. and the options of the Acura, while nice, aren't a necessity and could get added on later when you get the chance.
 
The trick is - don't buy either. Stereo systems are just gravy - what you want is a good car. Know how to get the best one? Look for someone trying to get out of a lease and buy that. The milage will be low, the price will be the difference of the lease and you'll get a nicer car.
 
Hmm, that's wise, Lehah...unforunately I'm anxious and wanting to do this like immediately (I know I'm being stupid). I did however find a different deal today though so now it's the Acura versus fully loaded Chrysler Pacifica.

Quick Summary:

Acura has GPS integrated which Pacifica does not. Pacifica has a dvd player which Acura does not. Other than that they are pretty much the same equipment wise. Pacifica has 9000 miles while Acura still has 48,000. Pacifica has a 7 year / 70,000 mile warranty while Acura has virtually only 2000 miles left under warranty.

Price:

Acura - $15,400
Pacifica - $17,000 to $18,000.

Now what are your opinions?
 
eh, nothing. It's been in a total of 5 wrecks (3 of them were my fault). It's nice but it'd sure be nice to upgrade to something a little more luxurious.
 
Maj.Striker said:
Okay, I've been doing some research and negotiating and what not to purchase a newer car. As of the moment I have limited my options to two cars. I can buy a used 2003 Acura TL Type S with 48,000 miles on it after I trade in my car (Grand AM GT1 with about 38,000 miles on it) for $15,500. I really like this car however the higher mileage scares me.

The other car I am considering is a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. If I went with this one it would be brand new. I still have some negotiating with them to do but potentially I could buy this for $17,000 (Max of $18,000). Obviously the Grand Prix doesn't have as many options as the Acura but it does have no mileage on it and would be under full warranty.
Click to expand...

Well, I'd say between an Acura with 50k and a Grand Prix with 0 miles, the Acura has more life left in it. As long as there were no accidents that created an impending problem there, I'd go with the Acura. I'd personally look for a third option.. You can get other new cars for $18,000 that'll be a bunch better than the Grand Prix: Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Subaru WRX, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Ford Focus, etc.
 
Disregarding all the gravy, Acura's tend to be more dependable and last longer with little maintenance. Honda knows how to make a care you won't mind driving for many years. I have an Accord that's 8+yrs old and other than the paint job not being the best thanks to TX heat, it runs like a dream. The few problems I've had with it were either covered by warranty and totaled less than $500. So the warranty (and extended warranty) is something for you to check into.
 
ChrisReid said:
You can get other new cars for $18,000 that'll be a bunch better than the Grand Prix: Civic, Accord, WRX, Legacy, Camry, etc.
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The best car I ever got - a 98 Escort - cost me all of 3,100 and it only had 60k on it.
 
Personally, having at most a CD player in your car is good enough. When I bought my car I had the option of upgrading to a six-disc changer but I just don't think they're worth it.

I almost bought a used '02 VW GTI that had 50,000 miles on it. They're nice cars but I was willing to invest in a new car and plus the color was red and I hate red cars.

I guess whether you want to buy a new car or a used one considers where you may be in life. This year I bought an '05 VW Golf. I decided with how far along I was in school and age that it was time to make a big investment in the form of a car. Having the piece of mind that comes along with a new car is really nice I think. Sure it set me back quite a lot, but it's just normal to be in your twenties and have a car payment.

You say the Grand Prix has a heads up display. What is that exactly? Cause I'm picturing something like in a jet with all this stuff displayed on your windshield.

At any rate, I'd go with the Grand Prix out of the two. But if it weren't those two, I personally like Toyotas and VW's. My first car was an '89 Tercel hatchback and that thing was just not willing to be drove into the ground. It lasted me forever and I spent very little on it in repairs.
 
I sold cars for 3 years in Southern California, so if you want help negotiating on a car, you can pm me.
 
LeHah said:
The trick is - don't buy either. Stereo systems are just gravy - what you want is a good car. Know how to get the best one? Look for someone trying to get out of a lease and buy that. The milage will be low, the price will be the difference of the lease and you'll get a nicer car.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I just did. Traded in my crappy 91 (I didn't pick it) dynasty for an 'O5 Chevy Malibu LS (V6 and all the goodies) Still this years model (I dont think th '06s are out yet) with 24000 KM on the odometer. Runs perfect, and is in near perfect condition (it even still smells like new car) I avoid the depreciation that happens when you buy a new car, I still have 2 yeas left on the waranty that can be extended for another two.

It's true that hondas hold their value longer, but the deciding factor, aside from the fact that I liked the way it drove, was the fact that the cabin is roomy. I'm tall and the Civic/Accord seats curve in all the wrong places. My head litteraly hits the ceiling in a lot of the new chrysler cars. Even with the seat back all the way in the malibu there is still plenty of room for someone to sit behind me.
 
Well, gang, I went the Chrysler Pacifica. It's a fine ride and I think it'll be a good fit if I do ever go on and get the family to go in it. :) I'll probably regret the payments but for now...I'm happy.

The HUD on the Grand Prix is really just that, fantastic looking thing. On your windshield directly in front of your steering wheel is a heads up display that shows your speed and current gas mileage and things like that. Looks very much like the HUD on a fighter jet. Very cool thing. Unfortunately Pontiac wasn't interested in making me a good deal so I moved on. Yeah, the Acura was very nice and it is built to last but ultimately the Pacifica was just a better deal. Only had 8,000 miles on it and had a great warranty and all the options so...there I am.
Thanks guys!
 
AD said:
It's true that hondas hold their value longer, but the deciding factor, aside from the fact that I liked the way it drove, was the fact that the cabin is roomy. I'm tall and the Civic/Accord seats curve in all the wrong places. My head litteraly hits the ceiling in a lot of the new chrysler cars. Even with the seat back all the way in the malibu there is still plenty of room for someone to sit behind me.
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I'm confused. Are you saying that the Accord suits you well? The 04 (my family owns one) models have ridiculous amount of cabin room.

Like someone else said Honda, and Japanese auto makers in general, know how to make reliable vehicles. I'd go with the Acura.
 
Since I have no kids I figured it'd be nice for when me and a few friends go on trips we can use the DVD player to watch movies or since there is video/audio input jacks we can hook up an xbox and do some gaming. (heh, 4 player Halo on a 6 inch screen. :) ). Just a little option that might make a long trip a little more bearable. It came with the car...I didn't add it extra.
 
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