Best Car for under 35K

[ryanduff]

I advised her to stay away from the German cars because of their high maintenance in later life.

Hey now... I have a 99 VW Passat that just hit 150,000 miles Thursday.

Its not a beast to maintain and runs like a champ. I know plenty of others with similar cars.

What is more expensive are the luxury makes of those cars. Brake pads for an Audi A4 are double the price of those for a VW Passat despite the fact they're interchangeable.

For the most part, cars you mentioned are going to have high maintenance costs.

Also, what is the rational for the $35,000 or less? Did you just need to come up with "a really big number" or do you need a vehicle for work that you might have drive potential clients in? You can pick up plenty of good cars now that are reliable and cheap to maintain for under $20,000.

 

[LibertyEagle]

I've had good luck with Hondas and Acuras. But, then again, back when I bought them, you could get ones made in Japan. I have a '91 Acura Legend right now, that is still goin' strong.

 

[MrNick]

Not buying American = you are part of the problem.

Not buying a crappy car! He's a horrible person.

 

[gb13]

VW (Jetta, Golf, Passat) TDI. It is the turbo-diesel model. 50mpg highway, the 5-spd transmission is nearly indestructable, nice features, nice looking.

The real reason I have wanted to get one of these for the past couple years is that you can easily (and very inexpensively) make your own biodiesel fuel, by using waste vegetable oil, or even growing your own feedstock. I want to completely eliminate my personal usage of foreign oil. You could literally be making fuel for about $0.50/gl. Plus, it's much better for the environment.

While being able to make your own fuel may not seem important to most people now, if the SHTF, and gasoline/petro-diesel prices skyrocket (or petro becomes scarce), biodiesel-savvy people will be completely unaffected.

To me, being able to make biodiesel is almost as important as being stocked with food, guns, gold/silver if SHTF... and, it's actually very easy to do.

 

[smartguy911]

Acura TL - Ugly
Infiniti G35 - Maybe
Nissan Maxima - Ugly
Lexus IS - Perfect for a Girl

 

[dealerjim]

Not buying American = you are part of the problem.

What's wrong with not buying a car from a company that should be bankrupt? If it weren't for the government robbing the American people in order to prop up these failing companies, perhaps new American automakers could come in, buyout these failing companies and build profitable, desirable, long lasting cars.

Basically, our government has taken away our choice to buy longer lasting, better built vehicles from the competition. It's as if they're saying, "since you won't buy American cars, we'll just steal your money and buy them for you". If the U.S. auto makers built anything worth a shit, for a decent price, Americans and foreigners alike would buy them.

I won't directly do any further business with any U.S. company that has received stolen taxpayer money. I believe in the freedom of choice.

 

[Bossobass]

VW (Jetta, Golf, Passat) TDI. It is the turbo-diesel model. 50mpg highway, the 5-spd transmission is nearly indestructable, nice features, nice looking.

The real reason I have wanted to get one of these for the past couple years is that you can easily (and very inexpensively) make your own biodiesel fuel, by using waste vegetable oil, or even growing your own feedstock. I want to completely eliminate my personal usage of foreign oil. You could literally be making fuel for about $0.50/gl. Plus, it's much better for the environment.

While being able to make your own fuel may not seem important to most people now, if the SHTF, and gasoline/petro-diesel prices skyrocket (or petro becomes scarce), biodiesel-savvy people will be completely unaffected.

To me, being able to make biodiesel is almost as important as being stocked with food, guns, gold/silver if SHTF... and, it's actually very easy to do.

You took the words right outta my mouth.

I have a Y2K Golf TDI and a 2006 Jetta TDI. The Jetta is a bit bigger and better equipped with doo-dads and more horsepower. They both are sticks and both average 50mpg. Great cars.

Diesel=no spark plugs and twice the longevity of a gasoline engine. WVO fuel costs me around 75 cents per gallon.

Funny, it doesn't show up on any 'highest mpg' lists because they don't include diesel vehicles on those lists.

Bosso

 

[paulim]

VW (Jetta, Golf, Passat) TDI. It is the turbo-diesel model. 50mpg highway, the 5-spd transmission is nearly indestructable, nice features, nice looking.

I drive myself a 1.9 TDI VW with 150HP. 50mpg is achievable. The car is now in its sixth year and I have no major difficulties so far.

 

[Scribbler de Stebbing]

Buy used -- even just two years old -- and you'll get a lot more car for your money.

 

[gb13]

You took the words right outta my mouth.

I have a Y2K Golf TDI and a 2006 Jetta TDI. The Jetta is a bit bigger and better equipped with doo-dads and more horsepower. They both are sticks and both average 50mpg. Great cars.

Diesel=no spark plugs and twice the longevity of a gasoline engine. WVO fuel costs me around 75 cents per gallon.

Funny, it doesn't show up on any 'highest mpg' lists because they don't include diesel vehicles on those lists.

Bosso

Well, I'm jealous of you

I've been looking for a while, but my credit isnt great, and it's hard to find an affordable TDI (read: affordable for me... I want low payments), w/ less than 100K. I'd have no problem driving a TDI w/ 100k+ on it; they run forever. But, trying to get financing on a "high mileage" car is damn near impossible if you have less than perfect credit. The banks dont make any exceptions for diesels, unfortunately. I'm patient though, and I absolutely will not buy another gasser if I have any choice.

Do you use SVO in your cars, or do you make bio from the WVO?

EDIT: I think the main reason people don't buy diesel in this country is that there is a ridiculous stigma attatched to diesels thatthey are slow, loud and smelly. Maybe 20 years ago this was the case, but NOW it couldn't be further from the truth. They're not at all loud anymore... and slow? Bullshit. Those cars are so much fun to drive! The torque is unbelievable. Also, the diesel smell doesn't bother me at all. It's barely even noticable on any well maintained later-model TDI, and if you use bio, its completly nonexistent.

 

[rockandrollsouls]

Buy used -- even just two years old -- and you'll get a lot more car for your money.

Yes. Additionally, the new Hyundais are fairly reliable cars now. I've driven the Genesis, and it's pretty inspiring.

If you want a great sports car (supercar) for your buck, check out the Lotus Elise. You won't be disappointed

 

[ladyjade3]

I love my new Beetle. However, I did find out that Hitler had a hand in their design and introduction.

 

[bossman068410]

You're missing out on an amazing car (new Ford Taurus).

Actually I agree.
Maintenance and Parts will be cheaper.

I have had a torus for years and it's been good to me
150,000 miles on it.

 

[LATruth]

Precertified Lexus/New Lexus or Infinity. IMO

My favorite car of all the cars I've had was my '99 Oldsmobile Aurora (with northstar v8)
Great car...

 

[LibForestPaul]

Not buying American = you are part of the problem.

HeHe

There is no American in NWO.

 

[LibForestPaul]

VW (Jetta, Golf, Passat) TDI. I want to completely eliminate my personal usage of foreign oil. .

Hehe, another one. Do tell, which commodities exchange can I purchase this domestic oil you speak of?

 

[LibForestPaul]

Best automobile, is one that is three years old, no damage, with a high initial depreciation (Ford Taurus, Buick's). Think bigger cars, that old people like.

Both Buicks and larger Fords usualy have high initial depreciation. Yet their reliabilty, both by JD powers and CR, are usually average or above.
Whereas a used Honda or Toyota, will have a linear depreciation. No need to buy used.

 

[slamminshaun]

Acura TL...you can get this for under $35,000.

Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are well below $35,000.

 

[JohnMeridith]

another car to check out is the lincoln mkz. I drive/buy them quite a bit for my store and love them. With the quality cars that ford/gm make I wouldnt buy foreign.

Another car is the caddy cts.

 

[jy006m]

I would prefer Ford Mustang and you could get it for under 35k

I like sporty cars