Car Buying Help V.234857

497 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by ZERK, May 25, 2008

ZERK

Discussion Starter · May 25, 2008 (Edited)

So here's the deal. My dad purchased an 06 Dodge Ram Quad Cab a couple years back and loaded it up with just about everything possible. Now, two years later Gas prices and his ridiculously high car payment are killing my parents pockets. The truck alone is costing my parents around $900 a month.

So, my parents are trying to trade in the truck and get a car for my mom, who makes a pretty long commute to work every day. My parents are reasonable in realizing my dad owes money on the truck, and dealerships are going to have trouble getting a Hemi off the lot with gas prices the way they are, so my mom is looking for something cheaper than she thought she was going to be able to get. My question is, can you possibly help me with some suggestions of some decently priced vehicles, with decent gas mileage for my mom?

We are going to start shopping around this coming week, and we really have no idea where to start. Right now my mom drives a 2000 Mazda Miata Special Edition, so anything along those lines is fair game. Though my mom is looking for something with a tad bit more room given it gets slightly uncomfortable to drive in on a long commute. Thanks everyone.

EDIT: I'm thinking decently priced would be in the mid 20's given we figure the dealer will tack on 5,000 in negative equity for the Ram.

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Regulator

· #2 · May 25, 2008

Maybe an Altima coupe? How much bigger does she want?

On a side note, Dodge dealerships down here are offering the Hemi as a no charge upgrade and they will offer gas for $2.99/gal for the first 12k miles for 3 years.

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Sam

· #3 · May 25, 2008

The highest way to leverage the best trade in value on that truck is going to be staying at the Dodge dealership and trying another model. Otherwise I have a feeling that negative equity is going to be a lot more than stated if you try another car makers lot; good luck though!

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ZERK

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 25, 2008

Regulator said:
Maybe an Altima coupe? How much bigger does she want?

On a side note, Dodge dealerships down here are offering the Hemi as a no charge upgrade and they will offer gas for $2.99/gal for the first 12k miles for 3 years.

Hmmm yeah, something along the lines of the Altima Coupe. She doesn't need a sedan, a coupe will work just fine. Pretty much everything is bigger than her miata. :lol: I only have one beef with the Altima Coupe because it's a tight squeeze for me (and FWD), but of course my mom isn't as big as me, and I don't know if she really cares about FWD.

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ZERK

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 25, 2008

Sam said:
The highest way to leverage the best trade in value on that truck is going to be staying at the Dodge dealership and trying another model. Otherwise I have a feeling that negative equity is going to be a lot more than stated if you try another car makers lot; good luck though!

Eh that sucks. The thing is, my dad got 0% APR financing on his truck, so he has paid off a considerable portion of it. So it isn't as bad as you expect, I think he owes around 20k or so for it. He would stick it out and pay for it, but my little sister just started driving, and we have the Mazda paid off, so my mom is giving her the miata, and needs a new car pronto.

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Sam

· #6 · May 25, 2008

Well, guess the easiest way is to find a model of car you think your mom would like and seeing how that goes with the trade and what not; I know that Nissan has had some very aggressive sales, (for this weekend only) that you may want to give them a try if there is a Nissan she likes.

As for choices, two door, more room, and decent gas mileage?

Mini Cooper Clubman
Civic coupe
Accord coupe

I can't really think of anything else that is actually appealing ( to me at least :lol: ).

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ZERK

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 25, 2008

Sam said:
Well, guess the easiest way is to find a model of car you think your mom would like and seeing how that goes with the trade and what not; I know that Nissan has had some very aggressive sales, (for this weekend only) that you may want to give them a try if there is a Nissan she likes.

As for choices, two door, more room, and decent gas mileage?

Mini Cooper Clubman
Civic coupe
Accord coupe

I can't really think of anything else that is actually appealing ( to me at least :lol: ).

:lol: That is the problem. While she is looking for something affordable, she doesn't want to be driving around in IDK what the word is, something shabby. Hmmm, I haven't thought about the Mini, that might actually be a viable option. :bigthumb:

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Bios24

· #8 · May 25, 2008

Check out the Mazda 3 or 6. I just got done test driving both and you can get a pretty nice one for under 20k. If you don't need options they can be had for less than $15k brand new. Didn't drive the 2.0L, but the 2.3L felt very quick.

I would say anything in that range is worth a test-drive. Civic, Sentra, Altima, perhaps a Volkswagen?

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ZERK

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 25, 2008

Bios24 said:
Check out the Mazda 3 or 6. I just got done test driving both and you can get a pretty nice one for under 20k. If you don't need options they can be had for less than $15k brand new. Didn't drive the 2.0L, but the 2.3L felt very quick.

I would say anything in that range is worth a test-drive. Civic, Sentra, Altima, perhaps a Volkswagen?

I would look at V-Dubs, but from what I've heard on here their reliability blows. Or maybe I'm just making an assumption. :dunno:

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