Any suggestions on a new car?

[kittenpants]

I'd love a Prius but don't think I can afford one. Even used they're more expensive than new sometimes! I'm thinking about an Echo because it gets good MPG and has pretty good resale. What do you drive & do you like it?

[MissMillie]

1. You're with the right car company, that's for sure

Toyota.

I have a corolla. It's about to turn 200K, and I've never had any trouble with it.

[radwriter0555]

2. SCION SCION SCION SCION SCION SCION SCION SCION

WAY more hip than the Echo, and just a fantastic, solid, fun, sporty, zoom, clean, nice car!

I've had my XA for 1 year and LOVE it. It comes loaded with all the niceties one wants; power this, power that, cd, airbads, etc. (the after market stuff is kind of silly.)

Out the door under $13K LOADED. GREAT on gas.

Try to get your financing via your credit union; if you don't belong to a credit union, JOIN one, to get rates under 5%. Toyota financing even with my great credit was a whopping 10%.

ENJOY!

[radwriter0555]

4. AND SPEAKING OF RESALE...

I'm selling mine because we're moving to France. I'm selling it for $11,500, which is awesome. I paid $12,500 a year ago. It's REALLY holding it's value.

[kittenpants]

11. I was thinking about a scion XA actually

but I didn't know much about them or how they held up. Thanks for the info! Lucky you, moving to "old Europe"!

[GOPisEvil]

14. They are built by Toyota.

So, I'd say they will have good reliability over time.

[MemphisTiger]

3. What's your budget?

The new honda civic hybrid is about $21k

[kittenpants]

13. I thought I'd try to stay under $20K

and I thought about the civic hybrid, but if I'm going to spring for a hybrid I've heard the Prius is the way to go... but even a used Prius is like 25K now!

[SCDem]

16. I bought my Honda Civic Hybrid for under $20k

and it is equally comperable to the Prius. Visit www.greenhybrid.com and they will help you learn more about the differences and about how great both cars are.

[Coventina]

5. I love my Forester.

So I recommend that.

[Abies]

6. second the Honda Civic

I bought one (non-hybrid) last year and I love it. They are very inexpensive for what you get and the resale value is excellent.

[goodboy]

7. yeah. don't ever buy a 'new' car. don't get hit with the depreciation.

www.autotrader.com put in your search criteria, and price range.

[XNASA]

8. Madza 3 or a Corolla.

I recently read a review about which new car is least expensive to operate in the real world when you factor in things like insurance and gas and depreciation.

The winner was the Corolla. It holds it resale value really well and is a pretty economical yet comfortable car.

However, the car judged best as far as value for initial price was the Mazda 3. Mazda makes some really nice cars.

[GOPisEvil]

10. If you are so inclined, you can buy Union-made Corollas.

I believe those built in the US are built by union members.

[XNASA]

15. Hey D...

What's goin' on?

Of the 5 cars tested....only the Corolla holds more than 50% of it's price after 5 years. It actually only depreciated about 40%, a lot better than most cars that cost less than $20K.

[GOPisEvil]

18. Same ol'...

Nothing much new.

When the current Evil-mobile needs to be replaced, I'm definitely looking at the Corolla and Mazda 3. I like the looks of the 3, and I had pretty good luck with the last Mazda I owned.

[prole_for_peace]

19. i am looking at a mazda 3 also

all the reviews are good and i like the sporty kinda-european look of it. and they are very inexpensive.

[SCDem]

9. Honda Civic Hybrid

I bought mine at end of March for under invoice. It is a wonderful car!

First car I have financed but I say it is worth it.

Good luck!

[Redstone]

12. I'd wait until the new Shelby Mustang with the

450 horsepower is available, but that's just me.

Just stay away from Volkswagens, Mercedes, and Audis. They break ALL the time.

Redstone

[LynzM]

17. Toyota Matrix....

Or any of the smaller Toyotas... great gas mileage, decent to drive and hold value pretty well... or a VW diesel, they get great mileage, too.

[Taverner]

20. Prius!

I love mine, it was only $23K and I didn't have to wait.

Toyota is responding to the demand.

Oh yeah, and 50 MPG!!!!

[Kathleen04]

21. Any Toyota or Honda

And if good gas mileage is one of your primary goals--one of the smaller varieties of either.

Someone mentioned Scion too, they're made by Toyota and worth looking at.

My family is big on Toyotas and Hondas--collectively we have/had a Hybrid Civics, Accords, Corollas, a Camry, Avalons, Tacomas, and a CR-V. Reliable cars. The CR-V's mine..and not the way to go if you're going for gas mileage, sigh, maybe one day they'll come out with a Hybrid?

In any case, I'd go test drive a Toyota then its comparable Honda and then make your decision based on "feel". :)