Need advice...girlfriend lookin for a new car....

nmcgrawj · Feb 22, 2006

I dont know much about the foreign cars, so i figured i would post up and see what info u guys might know.

Right know its between these cars:

Pontiac Grand Prix-base model
Nissan Altima-2.5s
Scion TC-Really dont know much about these, kinda cool lookin, has the toyota driveline i believe

I think thats it for now, open to suggestion though. She's lookin to keep the payments around $250 a month or so if possible. Shes 20 so insurance is a killer

What do u guys think? I like the glass roof of the scion, and right now the monthly is about the same as the altima, well they are all in the same range really. I cant really decide between the altima and scion....each has their benefits. I dunno, let me hear your opinions.

:SNSign:

broken_joke · Feb 22, 2006

i like the altima of the three you got picked out.

drakesdad · Feb 22, 2006

I do like the look of the Scion. My wife has a GTP and it rides and drives awsome........Take this Saturday and do some test driving and enjoy the day......

JOEGTS · Feb 22, 2006

The TC has the same drivetrain as the camry. I am a master Toyota tech and have not seen any problems from them whatsoever. The TC is also a good price for the way the vehicle is equipped.

badstang123 · Feb 22, 2006

I work for Toyota as well. The TC is a lot of car for the money and will last forever with very little problems or maintanence. I definately recommend it.

nmcgrawj · Feb 22, 2006

Well we've been test driving....the grand prix, the altima, the eclipse, the tc, the tibouron.

We're waiting to hear the final word on insurance costs so i guess that will hopefully help narrow it down. I have a feeling its gonna come down to the altima and tc.

nmcgrawj · Feb 22, 2006

Anyone know any ways to get a rebate/discount on the tc? Im able to get a pretty decent discount on the altima since i work for the University of michigan. The guy said scion doesnt have anything like that

zZsKyZz · Feb 22, 2006

Personally I love the GTP. It's a nice 4 door car, and it has a supercharger. A guy I work with has one and a few minor things done to it and it's a blast to drive. Not only that, it's comfortable.

I do NOT like the eclipse or tiburon. The first intent I got when sitting in one was that it was like a cockpit of an airplane or something.. It was nice, but then I noticed how uncomfortable it was to sit in and it wasn't even fun to drive.

The Altima is a nice looking car but it's a bit large for my tastes. It does look comfortable, but something about it seems "tinny" to me, like it's built cheap.

On another note, what about a Ford Fusion or a Cobalt? My dad works at a Ford dealership and he said that the fusion is a pretty nice car. It's comfortable like the Five Hundred, but is a little peppier and smaller, while still being a 4 door car. Also, what about a Mazda 3 or 6? Something about them I LOVE. And Mazda has always been a pretty good company.

Just a few ideas to throw around....

94gts · Feb 22, 2006

i like the 3.5l 6 speed altimas

but since that wasnt an option i say the 2.5 altima. they are nice cars. I think all the scions are a little too cheesy (idk if thats the right word for the way i feel but you get the idea)

69clark · Feb 22, 2006

What about an 03-04 cobra? That would make a decent car.

Seriously though, my g/f has a scion and it is a great car for a woman. Cheap, good mileage, well equiped, cheap insurance, and so far no problems. Its made by toyota so keep that in mind. I say scion!

nmcgrawj · Feb 22, 2006

GTP = too expensive for the car...let alone insurance rates.

Fusion is pretty nice, although i think she would take the altima over that. Cobalt...eh...i dont think so. The G6 comes in before that one if anything.

Whatever it is, its gotta be a good balance of cost of the car and insurance. Keep in mind she's only 20 and its in her name, although her record is clean, rates dont seem to be the best. Thats where the altima and scion seem to do a good job at. Good equilibrium between style/cost. I think the exterior of the altima has a slight edge, but the scion has a nicer interior...to go along with the all glass roof that comes standard man i wish the stang had that

SWYZ721 · Feb 22, 2006

What do you do at U of M?

I would go with the Tc, no doubt.

Killercanary · Feb 22, 2006

I really like the look of the Tc. How's the gas mileage compare between the two?

SeventyMach1 · Feb 22, 2006

Fusion. Tell her that NASCAR uses them .... so they're fast when you want them to be ..... yet pretty safe.

Out of the 3 you listed .... I vote Pontiac. I'm one of those firm believers in "supporting the American company". Even though the GP's are built in Canada now (as is alot of GM stuff) .... they're still an American company. Even though I don't favor GM alot ... I'd like to see them get back on track. Besides ... the GP is a really nice car for daily driving.

SeventyMach1 · Feb 22, 2006

BTW .... I think Nate is using this thread as a "cover up".

Blackened302 · Feb 22, 2006

69clark said:
What about an 03-04 cobra? That would make a decent car.

Seriously though, my g/f has a scion and it is a great car for a woman. Cheap, good mileage, well equiped, cheap insurance, and so far no problems. Its made by toyota so keep that in mind. I say scion!

i agree--my gf also has a TC. it's a nice little dd, rides smooth, looks sporty (gf's car came w/ 17's, glass roof, etc). it helps that it's got some toyota in it, too. i say TC, altime, then gp (never really liked pontiac, or GM for that matter!).

GRGT1994 · Feb 23, 2006

Your first list is pretty miscellaneous. How did those 3 completely different types of cars get on the same shopping list? I would think a G6 would be closer on point than a GP, but maybe the TC is the outlyer in the first list.

Anyway, take a look at Mazda. If your GF is anything like you, she may like those.

nmcgrawj · Feb 23, 2006

SWYZ721 said:
What do you do at U of M?

I would go with the Tc, no doubt.

Well i go to school here...mechanical engineering. And i also work for the engineering school. Its just in the mail room for the engineering buildings...REALLY EASY stuff.

Killercanary said:
I really like the look of the Tc. How's the gas mileage compare between the two?

Ummm i cant think of them off the top of my head, but i think the tc is the leader, maybe followed by the altima, and then the grand prix. But there is no HUGE difference between them.

SeventyMach1 said:
BTW .... I think Nate is using this thread as a "cover up".

haha nah, dont gotta worry about that. I'll tell u right now, when i get done with school, im either gonna be getting a truck or im gonna find a 02 triple black WS6.

GRGT1994 said:
Your first list is pretty miscellaneous. How did those 3 completely different types of cars get on the same shopping list? I would think a G6 would be closer on point than a GP, but maybe the TC is the outlyer in the first list.

Anyway, take a look at Mazda. If your GF is anything like you, she may like those.

Its money driven. The G6 coupe was her #1...we actually have a friend at a pontiac dealership. But they wouldnt be able to get her in one for the price she needs. Then thats when the GP came up. The eclipse was too much, and nissan is right next door, so they sent us over there. They offer the U of M discount so thast why its in the running. Then i thought about the scion line up...and how they are pretty cheap. So we stopped there on the way home.

nc_stang_girl · Feb 23, 2006

I would have to say that the Altima is going to probably be the most reliable and durable out of the 3 you've listed.

And I agree with Justin, the Fusion is a nice little car. Got a buddy getting ready to purchase one right now...

1slow95 · Feb 23, 2006

The Mazda3 is in the same price range as the Tc. I havn't driven a Tc, but I hear the Mazda is funner to drive, slightly quicker, and gets better gas mileage. I know that insurance is cheaper for the Mazda because I've checked on both the Tc and 3. I would go with the 2.0L engine in the 3 because it gets about 5mpg better gas mileage than the 2.3 and has almost the same power. I went with the 2.3L only because the better looks(front bumper) and more options you get with the S model. My only complaint is the radio, which isn't bad, but I don't think it looks right with an aftermarket HU.

I usually get 30-33mpg with my car, mostly highway. I've seen some people getting 38-40mpg with the 2.0L.

Need advice...girlfriend lookin for a new car....

nmcgrawj

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