What Kind of New Vehicle Would You Buy for $18K?

[MN Cummins Lvr]

Here's the situation... I recently starting a new job and after one year on the job, I will be getting a $18,000 allowance to purchase a new vehicle as a company benefit. Unfortunately, it has to be a new car, otherwise I would buy a nice old 12 valver

The other stipulation, it has to be manufactured by one of the Big 3. I don't really give a rat's a$$ about what I drive, I think it is a huge benefit. So, what would you pick out?



Paul

 

[klenger]

Can you spend over $18,000 if you pay the difference? $18K seems to be just short of what most nice cars start at. Can you get by with a small car? If so, my first stop might be to a Saturn dealer.

 

[boonsur]

Jeeps would count...

 

[jponder]

man that is too bad you cant get a tdi, thats what i would want.

 

[Dane]

Hmmm...



1) New GTO with a 6 speed



2) New Chrysler 300 with the Hemi



Say, can I get a job at your company?

 

[SMorneau]

Too bad you can't buy an American made car like the Nissan or Toyota



If they are going to give you $xx/mile than a TDi would have been a great choice. How long do they expect the car to last before they fork over another $18k?



I guess a PT cruiser is out because it's a truck.

 

[Hohn]

Shoot, $18K will barely get you into a vintage Yugo in mint condition... ...

 

[emarsh]

i paid $19,400 for my 03 VW jetta wagon TDI 5 speed, epa hiway 50 MPG!

 

[KBennett]

Saturn or Jetta TDI.

 

[jponder]

he cant buy a VW read his post

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

I would probably buy a Stratus, RT if price permits, if not, get a 4 door with the larger 4 cyl. They are good runners.

 

[TPCDrafting]

My wife's on her 3rd Saturn. The first two we traded at or near 150k miles and both felt like they could go another 150k w/o problems. The local livestock brand inspector had one with 380k miles. He was gonna see how far it would go, but someone T-boned him. (He walked away) Our latest is a 2000 L200 with V6 and auto. It runs very well. I think you can get them not loaded, but nicely equiped for under $20k.

 

[Eric Kahn]

You can get a new impala for that right now, along with a new taurus and if you pony up to 19 grand, you can get a new grand marquis, car prices are really low right now, I have driven the new impala and it was nice

 

[TPCDrafting]

Just checked, you can get a Saturn L300 with V4 and Auto for $16,900. Their 4 cyl. motors have been real reliable. Nothing special, but reliable. But if you can, swing up to a V6 3. 0l. They move out real nice.

Build one at Saturn.com

The TDR for Saturns: www.saturnfans.com

You'll find most of the problems are trivial...

 

[Champane Flight]

Buy

A real buy would be a Kia Sante fe, you got a small SUV with four wheel drive and room for a mild load of whatever, plus a ten year 100,000 mile warranty. I think they have a V-6 for power to.

 

[krs]

"A real buy would be a Kia Sante fe"



and it's made by the Korean Big Three too.

 

[mcoleman]

Neon SRT-4s list for around $21000. 00. Good fuel mileage and 13s in the 1/4 as a side benefit. Not many things out there in the 18,000. 00 bracket that I would want.

 

[FATCAT]

Go with a Ford Torus or Merc. Sable ... proven reliability and comfortable.

 

[Iwant1]

Originally posted by mcoleman

Neon SRT-4s list for around $21000. 00. Good fuel mileage and 13s in the 1/4 as a side benefit. Not many things out there in the 18,000. 00 bracket that I would want.

Yes by all means get one of these. Very fun to drive and play with.