New Car Search - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

NJ346 · 01-06-2013, 02:04 PM

Looking to take the money I got from the Camaro sale and put it towards a 24 month lease. I plan on test driving some cars this week to get a feel for what I like but the early front runner is the Cruze. I also like the fusion. I have 7k to spend over that 24 month period(between down payment and monthly payments). Criteria for what I'm looking for:

Domestics only
At least 30-35 mpg Hwy
A little bit fun to drive
2 or 4 doors

Any other cars I should look at other than the Cruze and Fusion? And yes, I understand the Fusion is a midsize compared to the Cruze being a compact. Al, sell me on the Malibu if it's something worth looking at.

MyFirstZ · 01-06-2013, 02:47 PM

That leaves you with a payment of around 250$ a month and putting 1000$ upfront for taxes, registration and all that happy horse crap.

dodge dart rallye or focus hatch? gonna have very few choices with limited options

grazi · 01-06-2013, 02:53 PM

The new darts are pretty cool looking

NJ346 · 01-06-2013, 03:10 PM

I don't really like the dart. I have family that can cosign with me to easily get the best financing rates possible so I don't think it will be all that hard to get the deal I'm looking for. I figured throw $2k down and look for a payment around $200/month. I will consider looking at some foreign cars since I only plan on keeping it for the 24 months and dumping it.

MyFirstZ · 01-06-2013, 03:18 PM

I think for the price and styling the cruze may be your best bet. That was one of my choices as well.

I had to have my father cosign since my credit is more then good enough for them but since I have never had such a large payment besides school....... I am still paying 251 with the extras I added for the tire insurance with 1700$ down in taxes and such

NJ346 · 01-06-2013, 03:20 PM

I may have to take a look at that kia. Definitely like the styling. Where'd you purchase it from?

MyFirstZ · 01-06-2013, 03:33 PM

kia of West Nyack.

up here by the palisades mall. Salesman you want to see is Greg if you go.

1000$ cash for leasing a car and 2500$ for having a competitors vehicle in the household. So have to keep that stuff in mind to

NJ346 · 01-06-2013, 03:36 PM

Alright, well my search is only going to last until I go back to school in two weeks. If I don't find anything in that time I will just invest the money for after I graduate college.

Anti_Rice_Guy · 01-06-2013, 03:41 PM

Why do you want a new car for 2 years? Why not just keep the truck and save/invest the money?

NJ346 · 01-06-2013, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti_Rice_Guy

Why do you want a new car for 2 years? Why not just keep the truck and save/invest the money?

Because I want to treat myself to something nice for a bit. And I want something that would only get me through college. At the end of the 2 years I should be settled at my full time job making good $$ and then get something worth owning. Or buy-out whatever I lease for cheap.

NJ346 · 01-06-2013, 03:48 PM

Also, have you looked at investment options lately? With inflation generally at 2.5%, I'd have to tie the money up into something pretty good to try and get any type of appreciation.

sweetbmxrider · 01-06-2013, 08:17 PM

Volt

MyFirstZ · 01-06-2013, 08:36 PM

didn't think they were that affordable

LTb1ow · 01-06-2013, 09:00 PM

Buy used?

mc73nova · 01-06-2013, 09:08 PM

What trim levels are you looking at? Base, middle of the road, loaded?

NJ346 · 01-06-2013, 09:55 PM

Haven't really decided. Id say middle trim level. Something with a sunroof and a FI engine. I'm gonna go dealer hunting tomorrow and find out what's really in my price range

WayFast84 · 01-07-2013, 07:51 AM

The cruze is a really nice car. I'd get one if I wasn't so unhappy with my cobalt with 83k on it.

Anti_Rice_Guy · 01-07-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ346

Also, have you looked at investment options lately? With inflation generally at 2.5%, I'd have to tie the money up into something pretty good to try and get any type of appreciation.

You obviously don't need the money, and have 2+ years on your hands. You're a college student, you have plenty of time on your hands to research

.

I'm just offering up counter-opinions.

PolarBear · 01-07-2013, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ346

At the end of the 2 years I should be settled at my full time job making good $$ and then get something worth owning.

You really think you're going to find a well paying job right after school?

Ask some of the other people who can wipe his/her ass with that degree are doing after school

I am mostly kidding, but good luck!

V · 01-07-2013, 08:42 AM

Have you considered taking over a lease? That way you don't have the cost of initial down payment and a shorter term in case you want to move onto something newer or you have trouble affording it after a while.

If you're interested, I partly looking to get rid of my one car which is a lease. I have no need for 2 car payments and now that im back in nj I don't need 3+ cars. It's a 2011 cruze lt, auto, Bluetooth, cruise, cloth, taupe grey ext. black/grey interior . Lease ends march 28 2014. about 14k miles left, 245 a month.

Mike · 01-07-2013, 09:00 AM

If you have a reliable dd and also have a way to ensure you don't spend the money on stupid little ****. I would save it until you finish school. Then when you are making good money you can use it as a dp on a nicer new car. Or even part of a dp on a house. I wish I would have done this

KevinW · 01-07-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayFast84

The cruze is a really nice car. I'd get one if I wasn't so unhappy with my cobalt with 83k on it.

WayFast, you are unhappy with your cobalt? why is that? I will be looking for a small car for my kid in a while and the cobalt is on the short list. What problems are you having? thx

1320B4U · 01-07-2013, 10:02 AM

Just a question, but are you figuring in insurance in your estimate...new car w/full coverage and depending on your driving record etc?

WayFast84 · 01-07-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinW

WayFast, you are unhappy with your cobalt? why is that? I will be looking for a small car for my kid in a while and the cobalt is on the short list. What problems are you having? thx

Pmed.

NJ346 · 01-07-2013, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

If you have a reliable dd and also have a way to ensure you don't spend the money on stupid little ****. I would save it until you finish school. Then when you are making good money you can use it as a dp on a nicer new car. Or even part of a dp on a house. I wish I would have done this

Best response of this thread. This is my exact thinking but the truck is getting up there in miles and I question how much longer it will continue to be a reliable DD and gas mileage is a killer which is why I'm considering something new.

I don't want to buy used. As of now it's either lease new or keep the truck until it breaks and then lease something new.

Another part of the puzzle is I have to check insurance quotes. I don't think it will be that big of an issue since I have a clean record and NJM is my insurance company