fair point
fair point
Dunno about the Coupe, but the MS3 is a nice little car for the $$. It was one of the cars I looked at before I bought the Caliber SRT4 for my wife. The CSRT4 has a bit more room, and I like it's styling better (that's totally subjective though, lots hate the CSRT4's styling) Unfortunately, though the Cali is still being made, the SRT4 is not.
My honest advice (if this is the first car you will finance) GF, is to buy the cheapest POS you can stand, drive the snot out of it, pay it off, then sell it (not trade in) Then go buy something you like better.
I'm not sold on the Mazda 3 styling myself. But that Mazdaspeed is definitely a powerhouse and it well equipped for the money.
I did just what you said Kev - when I was around GF's age in 1987 - got a VW Fox for 8 grand new, and drove it for 200k, then got the car I have now for 15 grand in 1992. It has 300K on it now. Regular oil changes and attention every 6 - 8 months are the keys for longevity. And, regular "Italian Tune-ups"
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I financed my first in 87 as well. It was a 1 year old chevy S-10, base model, had about 10,000 miles on it iirc. I got it for $6k with 4 year warranty, ect. I drove it for two years (early payoff) then a month after I paid it off, I totaled it mountain racing. I didn't buy another vehicle (financed ) until a few years later (the 93 T-bird) I don't know about now, but when I was that age, it was difficult to get financing if you didn't already have good credit. I financed the S-10 though the Air Force Credit Union, and the interest was really low: 3.2% iirc.
I tend to keep my vehicles until I can't cobble them back together any more, and you are most correct. It is imperative to perform regular maintenance. My 99Z28 has about 190k miles and going strong, the 03 Ram has 210k miles and still has lots of life (it will go to my daughter in 2 more years) then I'll buy myself another truck. Hopefully the wife's CSRT4 is still running good then.
Last edited by KevinD; 02-01-2011 at 03:50 PM.
I'm going to try this again. image thingy wouldn't work for me last night.
My first, 64 Dodge Dart
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My present, 06 HHR
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Meh, I drove a piece of shit in high school and for a few years after. It was fun, but I should have died in it My current vehicle is in decent shape and paid off but no good if I'm driving across town every single day for work gas wise and in the city.
Time for a respectable car! My parents have a fully stocked Mazda 3 (leather and all), 2005 with low millage that they would sell to me. I could pay them back without any financing which would be great. Dad wants a BMW, mom wants a hybrid so neither of them want the Mazda anymore
Sounds like my best option for a good car and the payment option is hard to turn down. For the same price I guess I could get a new Hundai or some shit... not really into that idea. In a perfect world I'd drive a truck but the gas isn't worth it.
I loved the look of them up until the last couple years... they made the front end look like a smilie face or some shit. Not a huge fan. Yeah they haul ass though
Oh, I thought you were talking of buying/financing a new car. Getting one you like in good shape from someone you know is always a win/win.
I lie
You wish?
Hell, I'd take (and be happy) with the 86 Camaro in the background!
Yes, and I would die in a horrible car accident with a smile on my face
OPPS, I meant '68, not 86, hahahaha.
Me too, you know yer cars eh?