Best new auto for the money

I'm looking at the new VW Jetta TDI - gorgeous, fantastic car, and the diesel engine gives simply amazing fuel economy.

 

I been checking out the KIA's.

 

Camrys traditionally hold their resale value better than most!

 

Checked out the new Kia Sorento SUV over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised, the only drawback being low gas mileage, but good safety and comfortability ratings.

 

Thats the same Kia I been looking at Wally! I also checked the gas mileage out compared with other SUV models that had the same safty ratings as the Kia and it was the best bang for the buck and the gas station. (If I'm not mistaken on the gas and safty rates? I looked at the AOL car rating for SUV's.) I always look at the safty ratings first then I go for economy.

 

Dr. Bob, I would not expect you to drive a luxury car. You save your $$$ for all of those luxury cruises that you take - not a bad trade-off BTW.

For the $$$ and re-sale for a car, I would recommend a Camry. Regarding an SUV, my neighbor has a Santa Fe and loves it - a good, small SUV for the money.

 

We just bought a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe about a month ago, with a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty, we got a great deal on it!

 

I bought a Suzuki Frenza for my daughter and love it. It was inexpensive, came with a base package that included things like power-locks that are activated by the key in the driver's side, cd player and radio, a/c and heat, trunk release, daylight running lights.

Power steering and power brakes.

The gas mileage is fantastic.

It came with a roadside assistant gurantee.

So far she has put 10,000 miles on it without a bit of trouble.

It was 1/2 the price of anything American made.

 

Have had 3 Pontiac Bonnevilles. Over 200,000 on the 3.8 engine. Never had to replace a trans, air conditioning or anything major. Have had 2 trailblazers 2003 and now a 2005. For a midsize suv is was great.Even though I was reluctant to buy the first year it came out I was very pleased with it. I use to buy forgien cars but there is no need to now. There are some american made cars that can compete just fine with them.
I have had 2 celica's, two supras. Great cars. But I work for GM now. I am not one of those who think you have to buy from what ever you company you work for though. That is eaches own personal peference. You trade 40 hours of your life for pay you should be able to buy what you want with it.

 

I like Subarus which were not in the poll, the frame will fall off the things before the engine completely quits, my parents bought my 1987 Subaru with only one owner before them in the 90's and it still runs, the only thing we've had to replace is tires, and we're getting ready to replace a radiator, which actually radiators wise isn't that expensive. My best friend has a almost Brand-New one (since 2004) and hasn't had to replace anything, not even windshield wipers yet.

 

I just purchased a 2005 Honda Accord LX about 2.5 weeks ago. I am enjoying it very much. I traded in my GMC Sierra which I also enjoyed very much. But I enjoy the gas mileage my Accord gets even better.

 

Most likely, my dad's Honda accord gets way better gas mileage then our German Audi...But you know what all German cars are made for.

 

I would say the best car for the money would be a 2 to 3 year old car with low mileage. That way, you've let someone else lose ~ 40%-50% of the value of the car. It will still depreciate, but not at that rate.

 

We just purchased our second Kia back in December. The first Kia we had was a Kia Rio Cinco (the wagon) and we really needed something bigger so now we have the Kia Sedona. It's great and really afordable compared to all the other vans on the market. 5-star safety rating, 10-year/100,000 mile warranty and the lower end model is really nice.

 

I'm down to the Accord, the Altima, or Mazda 6. Our 93 Sentra is worn out, at 300K except the engine.