Poll: Looking for a good first car -!Serious Car Thread!-

[Rewdalf]

You can treat this like any old thread and post witty opinions, or you can try to help me, either way I just want to hear what you have to say.

If this thread is in the wrong place then it can and should be moved
Otherwise, I've seen people who have posted "Help me buy a PC" threads who got pretty good results, so this shouldn't be too different...

Anyway, I can't say I'm too close to buying my first car, but I can say that I've gotton somewhere...
For now though, I just need some quick feedback under a few points regarding four different cars.
If you can help, great! It'll be appreciated. If you can't, that's fine too. Feel free to post anyway.

To begin

Here are the four cars I'm talking about. These aren't the only cars I'm considering. There are hundreds of options, I just need feeback on these now...

-1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
-2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
-2002 Pontiac Sunfire
-2004 Dodge Stratos

All four have similar milage, similar engines, and similar price tags.
85,000-95,000 miles, all 4 cylinder engines, all between $4,000-$5,000.

Things I'd like to know

First off, reliability. I've been told by different people that each one of these cars is reliable, and that each one of these cars isn't reliable. I know roughly that all four are pretty okay choices either way, I just need reinforcement for whichever seems like the best one. Obviously, the Stratos is the newest model, therefore it'll be more reliable, correct? Well, maybe, and maybe not.

Second, insruance. Again, I know that the Stratos may probably be the most expensive to insure, seeing as it's the sportiest of the four. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd still like input on this.

Third, underlying problems. A friend of mine said that Pontiacs are notorious for their automatic transmissions. I trust him, seeing as he's quite a ways more knowledgable with cars than me. Other than that, I don't know much...

And finally, which one of these is more... interesting? Tossing practicality aside, which sounds like the overall more charismatic car of the bunch?

I don't know how clear I'm being, but if you have information that would benefit me, then please don't hesitate to share it.

While you're at it though, and seeing as some may not have much to input, why not talk about what your first car was, or perhaps what your current car is. That's also something I'd like to hear about.

Er, that's all for now.

 

[Gaiseric]

I don't know anything about those cars, but I can tell you do NOT get a Ford Contour or Mercury Mystique(I hear they are very similar mechanically). I have a Contour and it has been a ***** to keep running(but always cheaper than buying a new car). Uncommon parts(expensive) and it breaks down/develops a problem often.

edit: from the little(only my experiences) I know about cars you should look at Escorts, Corollas, or Civics because they are reliable and common which means cheaper parts and more mechanics can easily fix them. And if you get them used or shop around should be within your price range.

Oh, and if you know anyone who works at a dealership you might be able to get a discount. And get whatever car you want checked out by a third party if you can. I got my Contour when I was naive and believed that the only problems were a rusted frame and some paint damage. In reality the transmission was on the way out, the battery sucked, and the alternator was going bad. Please learn from my mistake!

In case you can't tell I'm bitter. Something else is going wrong and I don't know what.

Last thing I swear. Find a good mechanic that you can trust and doesn't rip you off. Get receipts and estimates. I had a shit mechanic that probably did more harm to my car than good.

 

[Josh Horton]

This is really biased but go for the Stratus, it would be more comfortable to sit in. (The other cars I cannot fit in the driver seat). I myself own a Chevy Lumina, lots of leg space, pretty reliable, good gas mileage, and only paid $2800 for my '96. Could consider a Lumina too. But that is just my opinion lol. Good luck with the car hunt

 

[Sassafrass]

Well, on the first point I can't help you, Britain doesn't get many Chevy's, Pontaics or Dodges on our roads.

Insurance may depend on how old you are and whether or not you're employed[footnote]If insurance is done like it is here on Britain anyway[/footnote], which I'm guessing you are as you can afford $4000-5000 worth of car. They 1996 Chevy would be cheaper to insure probably due to age, probably.

Third point, can't help you there.

And for the fourth point, after a quick image search on all of them, I'd say the 2004 Dodge Stratos is definitely the best looking car of the four.

Well, that's all I've got on the cars but I really honestly know fuck all about cars so either look at this post as a friendly bump or a very very very rough piece of advice.

As for my first car, it was a 1999 Ford KA, free from my sister as she got an MG something or other. It was a nice little run around, cheap to fill up and maintain too. Only problem at the time was my insurance which, when you're 18 and unemployed, costs £3000 on a car that was only worth £500. It was sold in the end for £500 and I'm now currently stuck, relying on public transport to get me to where I need to go. Cheaper in the long run but I'm slowly beginning to loath old people and children now.

Oh, and if you don't get one of the four listed, try and get a small hatchback. They tend to be pretty good first cars, plus they tend to be cheaper to insure , I think. Again, this is a rough piece of advice so don't take my word for it.

 

[Rewdalf]

I don't know anything about those cars, but I can tell you do NOT get a Ford Contour or Mercury Mystique(I hear they are very similar mechanically). I have a Contour and it has been a ***** to keep running(but always cheaper than buying a new car). Uncommon parts(expensive) and it breaks down/develops a problem often.

edit: from the little(only my experiences) I know about cars you should look at Escorts, Corollas, or Civics because they are reliable and common which means cheaper parts and more mechanics can easily fix them. And if you get them used will be within your price range.

Oh, and if you know anyone who works at a dealership you might be able to get a discount. And get whatever car you want checked out by a third party if you can. I got my Contour when I was naive and believed that the only problems were a rusted frame and some paint damage. In reality the transmission was on the way out, the battery sucked, and the alternator was going bad. Please learn from my mistake!

Civics are a main looking point for me. I've found many many years and models that fit my price range, year, and milage. I just don't think they have very much character. Practicality though, plenty...

Also regarding dealers, the guy who has all four of these cars at his shop is a friend of my dad's so we're definatly going to get an insider deal.

Insurance may depend on how old you are and whether or not you're employed[footnote]If insurance is done like it is here on Britain anyway[/footnote], which I'm guessing you are as you can afford $4000-5000 worth of car. They 1996 Chevy would be cheaper to insure probably due to age, probably.

And for the fourth point, after a quick image search on all of them, I'd say the 2004 Dodge Stratos is definitely the best looking car of the four.

I'm leaning towards the Stratos mostly because it has the lowest milage, is the newest, and looks the best, in my opinion. Although yes, the 96 Chevy seems like it'd be the cheapest to insure.

 

[Rewdalf]

you should get a Jetta bro.

Honestly, if I could, I probably would. Thing is though, getting parts for a European made car in the US, while not crippling, is a bit more expensive, and I'm looking for a first car.

This is really biased but go for the Stratus, it would be more comfortable to sit in. (The other cars I cannot fit in the driver seat). I myself own a Chevy Lumina, lots of leg space, pretty reliable, good gas mileage, and only paid $2800 for my '96. Could consider a Lumina too. But that is just my opinion lol. Good luck with the car hunt

Doesn't sound like a bad car. Luminas are pretty decent looking, and I've heard good things about them...

 

[manaman]

The cheaper option isn't always the best for insurance rates. Your best bet if you really want to know is to call in for a quote. Insurance companies have more statistics to determine price then they know what to do with.

As for the car, well I can't really speak because I bought new for my first vehicle (don't look at me like that I paid for the thing all by myself). However if my friends at the time are anything to judge by I don't think reliability is going to really enter into this. You probably aren't looking to keep the car around for 10 years. Just something to last a few years, and seeing as you are new to having a vehicle not exactly going to be the best caretaker.

 

[Rewdalf]

The cheaper option isn't always the best for insurance rates. Your best bet if you really want to know is to call in for a quote. Insurance companies have more statistics to determine price then they know what to do with.

As for the car, well I can't really speak because I bought new for my first vehicle (don't look at me like that I paid for the thing all by myself). However if my friends at the time are anything to judge by I don't think reliability is going to really enter into this. You probably aren't looking to keep the car around for 10 years. Just something to last a few years, and seeing as you are new to having a vehicle not exactly going to be the best caretaker.

Yeah, I've realized that what I buy won't necesseraly be expected to last more than two or three years, probably less even.
But if it is a truly good car, then maybe I can get more out of it without having to switch to another car...

 

[sinny777]

I am gonna give you a heads up as a Stratus owner. Good car, good mileage, a ***** and a half to fix. Headlight goes out? Remove entire front bumper. Need new battery? Good luck finding the damn thing... To replace the battery you have to remove the front driver side wheel and wheel well. Everything in the engine compartment is so damn cramped it is hard to replace just about anything without some level of disassembly. On the plus side tho, if you want to install a sweet new stereo, the bezel pops right off. I remember in my old truck i had to just about remove the entire dash. Stratus, easy peasy. Just pop the cover off and disconnect the AC controls.

 

[Rewdalf]

I am gonna give you a heads up as a Stratus owner. Good car, good mileage, a ***** and a half to fix. Headlight goes out? Remove entire front bumper. Need new battery? Good luck finding the damn thing... To replace the battery you have to remove the front driver side wheel and wheel well. Everything in the engine compartment is so damn cramped it is hard to replace just about anything without some level of disassembly. On the plus side tho, if you want to install a sweet new stereo, the bezel pops right off. I remember in my old truck i had to just about remove the entire dash. Stratus, easy peasy. Just pop the cover off and disconnect the AC controls.

Sounds interesting. The front end of a Stratos has never looked "small" to me, but I've yet to take a look at it under the hood, which is what I'm planning on doing my next visit to the dealership...

 

[RaNDM G]

Pontiac made nice cars back in the '70s and '80s, but the quality has gone down tremendously since the 2000s. The company closed its doors awhile ago, so that makes it harder to find maintenance for it.

Chevy makes very nice sedans, but Cavaliers really aren't that safe for side passengers to ride in. You should be fine if you're a careful driver, but just know the buddy sitting next to you won't be as safe in a crash as he would be in a Civic.

If you do get a Cavalier, make sure you get one with an LD9 2.4 Liter engine installed. It can crank out 150 hp and 155 lbs of torque, and the M45 Supercharger Kit can crank up the performance even higher. The only problem is that they stopped producing the LD9 for the Cavalier in 2002, so the '96 is a better bet.

Most Dodge and Chrysler cars suck, but I know the Stratus isn't a bad choice. The only major problem I can think of is the way it's built. If something breaks down or you need to replace a battery, there's no easy way to fix it without taking out the dashboard.

If I had to choose between the cars you listed, I'd go with the '96 Cavalier. It's just a better quality car over the others.

But if you want my advice, you can't go wrong with a Toyota or Volkswagen. Both companies have been making great cars in the past five years, and you can get a new Corolla or Jetta for around $16k each. That's pretty damn cheap for a new car.

 

[sinny777]

Sounds interesting. The front end of a Stratos has never looked "small" to me, but I've yet to take a look at it under the hood, which is what I'm planning on doing my next visit to the dealership...

By no means should this discourage you, it's still a damn good car. Just know what you are getting into.

 

[Rewdalf]

Sounds interesting. The front end of a Stratos has never looked "small" to me, but I've yet to take a look at it under the hood, which is what I'm planning on doing my next visit to the dealership...

By no means should this discourage you, it's still a damn good car. Just know what you are getting into.

Yeah, I didn't take your comment as discouragement. It's just an important piece of advice... I've only heard good things about the Stratos, albeit none of them have been from Stratos owners until now...

 

[Phlakes]

If they're all around the same price, go with the Stratus. You'll save a lot on repairs with a more recent car.

But honestly, if I were you I'd consider a Honda Accord/Civic. They're extremely reliable and get some of the best gas mileage for a sedan ever.

 

[octafish]

If they're all around the same price, go with the Stratus. You'll save a lot on repairs with a more recent car.

But honestly, if I were you I'd consider a Honda Accord/Civic. They're extremely reliable and get some of the best gas mileage for a sedan ever.

Never buy a Honda that has done more than 120,000 Kms (I don't know what that is in miles) they are really good cars until they suffer a serious breakdown at that stage take the car into a quiet area and set fire to it, the same with Subarus. Good cars but ungodly expensive to fix.

My recommendation? Toyota Yaris, not sexy but safe and ecconomical, Mazda 3 a bit sexy, to some, safe and ecconomical, and the Toyota Corolla, safe ecconomical and they just go on and on and on and on and on. You can do over 250,000 ks in any of these cars and as long as you keep servicing them they will be relatively trouble free. If you are a risk taker then the Diahatsu Cuore/Mira from 2000-2002 is a great city car, fun to punt around when you are in hurry and incredibly reliable. Deadly in a crash though, hit anything bigger or harder than a throw pillow and you are in trouble. Severly restricted by budget? A 2000 Mazda 626 is very reliable and safe transport.

 

[YuzL]

If they're all around the same price, go with the Stratus. You'll save a lot on repairs with a more recent car.

But honestly, if I were you I'd consider a Honda Accord/Civic. They're extremely reliable and get some of the best gas mileage for a sedan ever.

Never buy a Honda that has done more than 120,000 Kms (I don't know what that is in miles) they are really good cars until they suffer a serious breakdown at that stage take the car into a quiet area and set fire to it, the same with Subarus. Good cars but ungodly expensive to fix./quote]

I've never heard of that. I know plenty of Civics and Accords with over 300,000 miles on them and people will still rip on them.

OT: I myself own a 95' Toyota Corolla with ~178000 miles on it and it still is going strong. I have not worked on a Stratos or a Sunfire but I know plenty of people who drive them and to me they see pretty reliable. But I have worked on plenty of 96' and 02' Cavaliers and about 93.523% of them have either the beginnings of some major rust problems or just rust problems in general. Not much else to say on that just wanted to share some info and hopefully you'll make the right choice. :3

 

[Rewdalf]

If they're all around the same price, go with the Stratus. You'll save a lot on repairs with a more recent car.

But honestly, if I were you I'd consider a Honda Accord/Civic. They're extremely reliable and get some of the best gas mileage for a sedan ever.

Never buy a Honda that has done more than 120,000 Kms (I don't know what that is in miles) they are really good cars until they suffer a serious breakdown at that stage take the car into a quiet area and set fire to it, the same with Subarus. Good cars but ungodly expensive to fix.

I've never heard of that. I know plenty of Civics and Accords with over 300,000 miles on them and people will still rip on them.

OT: I myself own a 95' Toyota Corolla with ~178000 miles on it and it still is going strong. I have not worked on a Stratos or a Sunfire but I know plenty of people who drive them and to me they see pretty reliable. But I have worked on plenty of 96' and 02' Cavaliers and about 93.523% of them have either the beginnings of some major rust problems or just rust problems in general. Not much else to say on that just wanted to share some info and hopefully you'll make the right choice. :3

Yeah I think I heard something about rust, actually from the dealer himself... He's reliable, friend of my dads, so I know he isn't trying to screw us (much) but seeing as the Cavaliers are older and more prone to rust, they may not be as good a choices as the Stratos or Sunfire...
Except they'd be cheaper to insure...