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Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-22 15:19:31 (edited 2012-02-22 15:21:20)
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Hey guys. I'm currently in the process of planning to buy my first actual car (well, my first brand new car anyway). I kind of have myself set on the Kia Optima right now, but I would like some opinion's on some of the vehicles on the market if anyone here has any experience with them. I'm not a car guy in the mechanical sense. I love looking at the aesthetic design aspects of cars (as in, how they look on the inside and out), but I have little to no knowledge of the mechanical stuff (aside from how to refill fluids and some possible reasons as to what the various noises that signal problems are). So I'm hoping there are a few car enthusiasts around Gendou that can help me out, even if they haven't actually driven the vehicle in question. I guess I should lay out a few reasons for my current desire (the Optima): -I like larger vehicles. My old car was a 2001 Impala (it kicked the bucket back in August, after 250,000+ km. I'm mostly driving mom's old Chrysler Intrepid at the moment) and I loved the space and comfort. I have to drive my mom's Honda Civic from time to time now, but I really dislike how cramped I am in it. A mid-sized sedan, or something close to that size, is the type I prefer. -It's too early to count on this, but once I graduate and am able to get out into the real workforce full-time, I am hoping that my car budget will be roughly $250 bi-weekly. -I do (and am very likely to continue doing) a lot of highway driving. I live outside the major city area, so I will probably end up with a job in that area. It's a 30km (about 20 miles) drive on pretty much straight highway, so that will be a daily trip of 60km (38 miles). Anyway, what I'm mainly wondering is if anyone has any experience driving the Optima or has any complaints about it. I am still open to suggestions on other vehicles that I would be better off with if anyone has one (just keep in mind the points I laid out above. Minivan's, for example, are useless for someone like me). And yes, I have read some reviews, but I like to get comments from actual people I can relate to, as opposed to critics. A test drive is still a little ways off at the moment (The financial plan I have probably won't be ready until July), so I'm keeping options in mind. Any help would be really appreciated.    |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-22 16:52:25 (edited 2012-02-22 16:53:24)
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First of all how long have you been driving? If it's your first time fresh out of the program, I suggest you buy a used car instead of a new one. This is just for you to get hands on experience without paying lots for repairs.  |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-22 17:41:05 (edited 2012-02-22 17:42:11)
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@Frozen - That's not really an issue. I've already had 2 used cars (as I stated). A 2001 Chevrolet Impala, which I drove for about 4 years before having it die out on me, and a 2000 Chrysler Intrepid, which I've been driving since August when the Impala gave out (Granted, the Intrepid is not actually mine in terms of ownership). Also, I'm not sure what you mean by saying that a used car will result in me paying not as much for repairs. I'm pretty sure it's the opposite of that for a used car, judging by the amount of money I sunk into that Impala. Finally, not sure what you mean by 'fresh out of the program'. Do you mean driving program, or are you referring to that 'financial plan' thing I mentioned (because that's a personal plan I'm working on. That's more of a budgeting thing, as in how I should handle my income). |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-22 18:14:39 (edited 2012-02-22 18:21:44)
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Optima said to be having problem with driver's sight to the back, you will encounter this problem when you parking it. Other than that the only problem it has that any big friends of yours will not fit in the backseat. I recommend you go see some new diesel-machine cars. their technology are much better now and only taking a bit of petrol to go far. better if you answer these question, so we can help you better how much budget you are intend to spend for the car? what is your requirement? where are you?  |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-22 18:30:46 (edited 2012-02-22 18:34:55)
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@Schaz - Problem with people getting into the back seat, really? It looks roomy enough, but then again, I haven't actually attempted to get into the back seat of it. Not an issue though, since I'm not exactly the kind of social butterfly that has friends to drag around. The back seat likely won't be used for much (unless I somehow end up as a father in the next 5 years). As for budget, I'm not considering spending any more than $250 bi-weekly on a car that has been financed for 60 months. That's the limit I've set on myself. I'm hesitant to finance for 72 months, due to the fact that warranties typically only cover 5 years, and I don't want to be left paying for a car for a year after that warranty is gone. That just opens up a boat load of new expenses in terms of repairs. I typically spent $90 every payday on gas when I had the Chevy Impala, so $45 a week to get me back and forth to school and/or work. Sometimes I had to spend a bit more, and sometimes a bit less (if I carpooled). Gas mileage is another minor issue for me, as I already know that the Optima has better mileage than both of the cars that I'm used to driving. As for diesel vehicles, what would you name in that regard? I haven't really heard of diesel based cars on the market that also get good gas mileage. I should clarify that I live in Canada by the way, so you might be referring to a style of car that isn't available in my country. Diesel where I am is strictly limited to heavy transport vehicles or some trucks, like Dodge Ram or whatever (and there's no way I'm getting better gas mileage from a pick-up compared to a sedan). I listed basically all my requirements, which aren't a lot. Truth be told, I don't really have any 'requirements' for a car. It's mostly preference for me. I don't have children, I don't transport anything heavy or large (unless you count my fat butt), and I don't typically pick-up many people. All I can really say is that I don't require a vehicle that can carry a lot of stuff. |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-22 19:35:43 |
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Well you can give the Rexton a try. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SsangYong_Rexton It is made by a Korean company under Mercedes Benz. In other words, the interior and engine is pure Benz. Honestly I own this car and I absolutely love it. it's diesel and has really impressive millage. Often I wont need to top-up for at least 2-3 weeks after the last top-up (and I drive a lot). It is extremely comfortable, great diving control, high speed, can fit a lot of people and stuff and built like a tank.   |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-22 23:28:38 |
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lol people talking about not fitting into the backseat, how many people do you intend to drive around all the time? Personally I've driven a Kia, not an Optima but my family owns a Kia Suv something. It drives really well, quiet engine which I like, good power, good MPG, and overall Kias are good price-wise. Even new. If you plan on driving highway a lot you can't go wrong with Kia, though I'm sure mathematically there are better options (for of course, more money). But if you plan on buying a Kia Optima or something Kia related brand new you can't go wrong. I forget if our SUV was used or not, but we traded in the same model for a different color and no issues at all yet. My parents wanted a SUV (we used to have a Hyundai Sedan until I got into that accident a few years back), so they wanted something taller, more suitable for weather like snow and rain which also drives really well, etc. Safety is a must and Kia's cars have good safety ratings. If you really just don't give a f#ck, buy a Lambo or something. XD I probably won't be buying a car for a while since I plan on (one of these days) getting back into school and branching overseas. Would your parents help you with insurance? I'm not really knowledgeable to that extent so I can't help you there. 
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-23 00:16:38 (edited 2012-02-23 00:21:59)
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right, I found out no isuzu products there and no captiva... anyway, talking about fuel efficiency, chevrolet spark is a good option, using a litre for around 13 km. I recommend SX4 (a suzuki), but dunno if you think it's not big enough to fit your liking. it's good in city but also strong enough to challenge rough road. the fuel usage is around 11 km for a liter and has good handling. you can try some nissan SUV since they always got good record in fuel efficiency. And, yes, KIA is not a bad option. if you have no problem with the rear sight and the back seat.. (a kid will have no problem of course, but someone hmm... fat will have problems, at least feel uncomfortable) taking optima is good. Also you might want to try their SUV, like DA said, they are not expensive and have a good record. and, if BMW is not too expensive there, try 335d. -sorry if this got you confused, I try to give you more option. anyway, you are going to buy it in a 60-month-contract, so be careful and read the contract word by word. I know some people who missed some little word and regret it. additional info, pick up cars fuel efficiency aren't always bad |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-23 12:15:40 |
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@Roxas - That does look nice, but it's way too expensive. From a quick glance online, the Ssangyong Rexton goes for like £20,000, which would end up costing a Canadian like me almost $32,000. @DA - A Lambo? I will admit, that would be a kick ass 2 months of driving before bankruptcy. I know the Kia SUV's are pretty solid, and while an SUV would be super comfortable (as well as good for the winter where I live) I just think that I should avoid SUV's. I won't use it for what it's intended for (hauling lots of stuff) and the gas mileage would probably be worse than (or at best, on par with) that old Impala I had. @Schaz - I haven't actually looked at Nissan yet, although I'm not sure if there is a dealership near me. The Altima looks nice though, although it has fewer standard features compared to the Optima. BMW is certainly too expensive. I don't think they have any vehicles less than $40,000. I'm just an Office Administrator, so my annual salary is probably only going to be like 17,000 to 21,000 (I aim low when it comes to expectations). Chevrolet Spark is a bit small for my taste. Also not a big fan of hatchbacks. The Chevrolet Cruze might be a good alternative though. |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-24 05:52:36 |
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Cruze fuel usage is not as efficient as Spark, but considering some Taxi company use it, I think it's good enough. Plus, it's shouldn't be expensive. But some does said Cruze's handling isn't as good as the company claim. Anyway, if there's any nissan dealer near you, I think you should give it a shot. |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-24 19:04:30 |
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The Kia Optima looks nice. Personally, I'm more of a fan of the Soul, but either way you can't go wrong. Other options that I would consider are the Chevy Malibu (I've had some experience with this car, my Mom and I rented it for a vacation in Florida last summer and it really is a good looking car. It gets good gas mileage too, we could go for quite a bit of time without having to fill it up.) and the Ford Taurus (I've been caught looking at this car and saying that it looks nice whenever I see one XD). Then again, I only recently got my first car so I don't have too much experience with cars at the moment, and like you, I'm more into the aesthetics aspect of a car.  |
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Re: Looking for Car Advice
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on 2012-02-27 15:19:20 |
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@Schaz - I did look that up, but apparently the nearest Nissan Dealership to me is a pretty long drive. Too long for me to make with the vehicle I have now. I'll have to check on the Cruze's handling, because that was one that I was also considering if the Optima fell through. @Toyumi - Not a fan of the Soul myself. I like a sleeker appearance as opposed to the boxy look of the Soul or most 5-Door cars. The Malibu is a nice vehicle, and more affordable than the Impala. The only thing holding me off from that is the higher price point for fewer features. The LT Model has a lot of features I believe should be standard on those vehicles by this point (like Bluetooth) but the base model does away with a lot of that stuff. For a $24,000 mid-sized sedan, I should at least get basic features such as the one listed above. I have had a good experience with Chevrolet though, and that is a factor in keeping the Cruze on my short list. Despite the problems I had with the Impala, I can't deny that it lasted far longer than it should have. As for the Ford Taurus, I honestly would probably pick that car over the Optima in a heartbeat if I felt that I could afford it. I had a look at that one late last year when I first started checking out dealerships and it is very nice. The interior is the thing that catches my attention with the Taurus, especially the main console that kind of curves down to separate the driver and passenger sides of the car. Unfortunately, price is the major roadblock to the Taurus. It starts out at $28,000, which I can imagine would soar up to $34,000 after taxes, licencing, registration, delivery and accessories get added on. |