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Recommend a Car?
Soo my car sucks. It's falling apart which is really sad since it's a 2006 and only has 60k on it. My warrenty is up too which realllly sucks.
Today. . I lost power steering on 440, My battery light is on, theres a whacking noise coming from the right front side of the car, the driver side airbag is out (I've already replaced this once before) and the hood is dented where the latch is, so I have to wait until DH gets home before I can evaluate the car (need his help popping the hood).
It's a Chevy Aveo 06. . .apparently, according to my searches, this car now sucks A$$.
Oh, and I owe more on it than it's worth at this moment & I've got midterms tomorrow at State, while I live in Fuquay. . .Yay?
Anywayyssss. . .DH is being a great sport and calming me down and has told me to go ahead and start looking for another car since this one is going down the tube. We've been talking about getting another car to replace mine for a while, but I guess this is the last straw for the little aveo (Maybe. . .I've driven worse cars for much longer).
What would you recommend? I'd like to find something that I can haul stuff in (like maybe small furniture inside the car) with the option of attaching a tow package later on (for a small trailor). I'd also love great gas mileage, but looking at SUV type cars. . I know it wont come close to my 35 MPG I get now 
(
Also, something that wont fall apart and it's a tin can on the road when its windy would be nice.
Soooo any recommendations?
Re: Recommend a Car?
Pitching for Nissan! Only b.c I work for a Nissan dealership - have you ever checked out the Nissan Rogue? They arent too big nor too small. You can also get some pretty good rebates on them right now as well. I drive a 2006Kia Sorento and LOVE it - the 2011 models are gorgeous - but you could do well with my year model or to a 2008 if you want a good used car with lower price range. Also if you are thinking SUV and your price range is higher - the Nissan Murano is niiiiiiiiicccccccceeeee.
I will say that I fill my Kia up once a week and I drive 40 miles round trip daily to work. So I think the gas mileage is pretty good on them.
HTH!
I love love LOVE my Toyota Matrix. Seriously, BEST car I have ever had! And I think it meets all of your criteria. It comfortably seats 4 adults. And it can haul quite a bit of stuff since the back seats fold down flat and so does the front passenger seat. In addition when everything is folded down the floor is all hard plastic. This has been amazing when carting around messy things (plants, mulch, etc.). We have also fit quite a bit of furniture in it on the way home from our Ikea runs.
We just attached a hitch to ours this summer so that we could put on a bike rack. But our hitch could also pull a little trailer thing too.
And it does have good gas mileage. I can't give you specific numbers because i don't really pay attention to that stuff. But I know DH checked into that before we bought it.
My car is a 2006 and just hit 100,000 miles and is still going strong! I'm hoping I'll be able to see 200,000!
Ditto this! We got our car loan 5% less since we went through a credit union instead of the dealership financing.
We'll def. look into the credit union and might go to carmax to test drive, but I wont be getting another car from them. I got the Aveo from the one in Raleigh and haven't had a great time dealing with their warrenty process (I had purchased an extended warrenty, which JUST ended like 2 weeks ago, go figure) and I've had to have work done on the car a couple times.
I wish there were some deals going on where the dealership pays off your previous cars balance (around 7k) and has other incentives *sigh*
It's halfway exciting thinking about a new car, but also nerve racking since I don't have a job (well. . I ride horses, but that pays tops of 700 a month IF weather is good and I have time to make it to the barn) and Im a full-time student getting killed with course work. DH assures we can handle something around 20k or under, but it still makes me nervous :-?
Squeesh might be able to correct me if I'm wrong, but I've heard the rumor that December is the best month to buy a "new" car--because whatever is left of the current year 2010 they want OFF their lots. Think you might be able to hold off until then?
I don't have any suggestions for you--in fact, a lot of what you were wanting is similar to what I want (though I don't need a hitch). I was thinking Subaru Outback--but don't know if we can swallow the price tag (probably not new--I don't like the 2010/2011 models anyway) but that might be a good option for you since you'd know its got the "get up and go" for hauling.
I'm sorry that you have a lemon! Good luck in your search for a better -mobile!
I've heard that rumor too, about buying in December. . like right before the new year. I've also heard go at night / on a rainy day. .does that sound familiar ???
Alrighty. . it was one of the belts. . I dont know which one (I think its the timing. . but DH said the guy at the shop said it was another one?. . I know nothing about cars) The belt was completely shredded. .. so the whacking noise I heard was the belt slapping the engine and other parts of the car. . joy!
Hopefully that's all that got damaged
)
Thank you for all the suggestions!
I love my Ford Escape, and would absolutely buy another one. There's that Ford dealership on 401 so it's at least convenient enough to at go check them out. I'm not sure about that particular dealership. We bought mine from Crossroads and have had a great experience.
I have my eye on a mustang next though.
I'm glad someone still loves their '06 Kia. I have the spectra and mine has ghosts. It randomly died on us this weekend at a rest stop. Turned off for 2 minutes. HOW does that happen? I keep having little quirky things happen like that, DH really hates my car b/c of this.
LOL my Kia is great - it has given me NO problems thank goodness.
As far as paying off a vehicle, you can still get the incentives/rebates if there are any for that car. Also - I wouldnt say December is the best month really - we have been getting 2011 vechicles since June so anytime right now is the best time to buy a 2010 car - esp with the rebates. Also try the end of the month - if a small dealership like us havent met their quota - you can get a pretty good deal then as well.
I also second going to a credit union - you will save LOTS more on your APR - UNLESS your credit is perfect the percentage rates will be high.
Damn I been in the car business for too long.
You may not enjoy it, but I can tell you that I usually DO listen to my "friends" that have experience/expertise in the fields in which I know nothing about. So, your tidbits really help out! Thanks a bunch for sharing.
I completely agree. . this is all very helpful information! DH want's to sell his jeep to get me a new car, which I'm highly against because he LOVES that thing AND it wouldn't fix the situation, we'd still have the AVEO. So, we'll def. be looking for good incentives to help us out.
Again, thank you soo much ladies!
) You're all making me feel much better about this situation 
)
I can't recommend a car. However, I will throw out some advice. Go to a few car lots maybe 2-3 days before the end of the month. Sit down with them and haggle out a price. Be willing to walk away!
As Squesh said, at the end of the month if they have not met their quota, they will call you back! This has recently happened to a friend of mine where 3 dealerships were calling him battling back and forth w/ lower prices!
Good luck car shopping!