Car Advice Question

[EagleFan]

My wife and I have been under the gun financially for a while since a company that I went to work for was bought out and I was part of the following layoff and then had tens of thousands of medical bills follow that up just after we stopped paying cobra (to pay the mortgage and keep food on the table instead).

We're still about a year left in our Trustee payments as we ended up going bankrupt after I got another job. The problem is that the trustee payments really eat up the money so even though I am making okay money (far from great but okay enough where we should be able to get uot of livnig paycheck to paycheck if it wreen't for the trustee payments).

I finally realized just how much the house values have gone up and that we can refinance out house and get a sizable amount in the process. Enough to pay off not only the trustee and current mortgage but all of our other debts (leaving us just the new mortgage payment and regular monthly bills).

Basically where this is going is that we have been making do with just one car for quite some time and if this refinance goes through as lpanned, we'll have more than enough cash over and above the debts to place a very nice down payment on a car for me. I would like to get myself a nice car that can be practical but fun to drive (while being realistic in cost).


Ths following cars have started to stand out and I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on these cars. There may be others but these are the current main players. Hopefully the refinance will be done by the end of the month so I can start getting serious (so far it's all hype but I feel like a kid on Christmas morning, I hope the Grinch doesn't steal my Christmas).

new options
Audi A3 - sporty 'mini-wagon' that looks like it has plenty of agility and enough room to be practical

Subaru WRX - the regular WRX, not the STi, though that would be a fun one to drive, and most likely the wagon version

Saab 9-2x Aero - Basically it's the WRX wagon with a different label

low mileage used options
Acura TL - looks like a very nice sedan that has a little boost to it

Nissan Maxima - may not have as many amenities as the Acura but in about the same class




Sorry, that was much longer than I thought. I was going to ask if I should choose a sports team or a car over a woman to see if that would help increase the rate of responses but I'll stay with what I have. ;)

[Swaggs]

The Acura TL is a car I have had my eye on for awhile. Its current model was named Consumer Reports top overall vehicle two or three years ago, so there is not much wrong with it, as long as you are okay with its looks (I think they are beautiful) and its price.

Maxima is similar to the Acura, with 5 or 10 less horsepower, and (in my opinion) is a little more family-looking, rather than sport (although it has plenty of power).

Basically, as new cars, the TL and Maxima are in the same class. The TL generally is in the mid-30Ks and the all come with most of the amenities, while the Maxima can be found with cloth interior/stick shift/etc for around $28K, or with any number of "extras," whereas it can cost over $40K. Both will be very reliable and require little maintainance up until you get to around 115K miles.

[Swaggs]

Of the newer models you listed, I would do a lot of research on the Saab and Audi, as their vehicles are traditionally not as reliable as the other cars you have listed.

Sorry, I am not real familiar with the specs on the others, but I will say that my first new car was a Subaru Forester in August of 2002 and I have been very, very pleased with it. Subarus also give you the added bonus of all wheel drive, which is a nice thing to have in the rain and snow.

[EagleFan]

Thanks. I didn't mention it but a Forester is what my wife wants me to look at. I'm trying to go with the sportier fun to drive angle instead. Here's hoping all goes well and I can also win that arguement ;).

[flere-imsaho]

On that list, I'd go with the Acura TL - I've heard great things about it, and if you buy it used, you don't take the huge depreciation hit as you drive it off the lot.

[Bee]

I'd go with the Acura TL as well with the Maxima my second choice.

[GreenMonster]

On that list, I'd go with the Acura TL - I've heard great things about it, and if you buy it used, you don't take the huge depreciation hit as you drive it off the lot.

I have parked cars on and off while in school and go with the used Acura.. Great car with plenty of room, you can pick up for a good price.. Audi's and Saab's are nice but have problems of there own and won't set you back for nearly the same amount of coin. Haven't talked to a person yet with bad things to say about the Acura..

[Craptacular]

I'd go for the WRX wagon. Audi's are overpriced VWs, which are already overpriced.

Have you considered a Legacy GT? You can get it in a wagon for more practicality.

[Ksyrup]

I have a 2005 TL and absolutely love it. It's got plenty of kick, the sound system is kick ass, and the bluetooth cell phone feature is awesome. We drove it from Florida to Texas with 2 kids in the backseat and a week's worth of clothes and Christmas presents in the trunk, and it was still a comfortable drive. For mileage, I've consistently gotten 20 in the city and 29/30 on the highway. I highly recommend the TL.

[st.cronin]

If there are two or three cars that you like roughly the same, and the gas mileage is roughly similiar, you should always always always buy the cheaper one. There isn't enough difference in reliability to pay a premium for a car with a 'reputation.'

[EagleFan]

Thanks, it looks like Subaru or Acura so far, though I want to test the Audi just to see.