Buying a new; Honda Civic, Nissan Altima, Toyota Tacoma or..... ?? (vehicle, 2012)
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As some of you may know from my other thread, I am buying a new vehicle in about 4-8 weeks, but not sure what I want. This will only be used about 2-4 days per week (about 80-100 miles per week at the most). I THINK I have narrowed it down these few selections.... the newly redesigned 2012 Honda Civic EX (with the navigation option), or the 2011 Nissan Altima 2.5 S sedan, 2011 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4wd access cab, 2011 Toyota Tundra SR5 double cab (not sure yet if 2wd or 4wd is what I want), 2011 Buick LaCrosse, 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS or the new 2011 VW Jetta SEL sedan. There were many others, I have researched, researched and researched and this is what I have narrowed it down to.
With the exception of the Tundra, all of these have sticker prices around $23K-$26K. The Tundra stickers for $29K-$33K, but I can get one around $6K off of that at any local dealer.
Now I dont need a truck, but I want a truck. I just like them, but its not practical for me, so should I go with one of these 4dr sedans instead? The Civic EX gets a rating of 29 mpg city and 39 highway and I can get one with the navigation, blue-tooth and XM radio WITHOUT having to get things like leahter interior, etc. Some cars like the Altima, you have to get certain (and several) option packages to get things like the back-up camera and navigation, etc. The Altima is much larger and roomier than the Civic and probably more comfortable and I can get the 2.5 S for the same price as the Civic EX that is loaded with everything. Even the leather interior Civic EX-L 4dr automatic stickers for $25,900 at our local dealer. My local Toyota dealer emailed with a quote of $23K for a nice Tacoma access cab, with the SR5 package, automatic, back up camera, etc and its rated 18 mpg city and 24 highway. The Tundra is my favorite, but its just a gas guzzler, rated around 15 mpg city / 19 highway for a 2wd with the 4.6L, but I wont be driving it that much so its not a huge concern. I love the looks of the new Jetta, but you have to get the top level SEL to get navigation, which is a leather interior model, which I am not really a fan of, despite me having a car with leather. Also wonder about the lower resell value of a non-Japanese car. I had also considered the new Sonata GLS, but heard Hyundai resell was poor, but it is still as low as it once was? I also like the new Buick LaCrosse, so that is on my list as well. Mom is soon getting a new Buick Enclave, so would it be tacky to have two new Buicks in the driveway? lol. I know that GM and Hyundai have excellent warranties these days too. ALL of these have high safety ratings, all have earned the highest rating in the IIHS off-set tests and side crash, so you can see safety is a high issue on my list. They also have very good ratings from NHTSA crash tests.
I have yet to drive any of these yet, but plan to soon. I guess that will help me narrow down even more. The Civic is a all-new this year design and I know many will say avoid first year models, especially the first ones, but I think these days most of those issues are over.
Being nice, lol , which one of these would you choose and why or why not the other. Just looking for opinions here to get me to thinking more, perhaps of something I have not thought of yet, lol.
Anyone have any of these cars and if so, do you like them, or what dont you like about them?
The new 12' Civic is ugly as hell, but I guess looks are subjective. I am biased, but do yourself a favor and buy a Civic Si.
Thanks. I am a plain kindof person though, I would look out of place in the Si, LOL. According to the site, you cant get an "Si" in 2012. The 2011 comes in a LX-S that is more like a sport model. According to Edmunds though, it will be available later on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTOlover
drive and test them all and pick the one you like the best that suits your need the best
Thats probably what it will boil down to, I like them all though, good points and bad in all. I really love the Tundra, but is it fool to buy one with gas prices the way they are? The Tacoma is smaller and as nice IMO, then there is the Civic EX and the Altima 2.5 S that I also really like out of all I mentioned. I can get a nicer optioned Civic for the price I would pay for a plainer Altima. The Altima is nice, but getting kinda dated, its design is about 4 years old now, I heard a new 2012 is coming, but I have not seen anything on their website yet.
Last edited by Tennesseestorm; 04-23-2011 at 08:42 PM..
Thanks. I am a plain kindof person though, I would look out of place in the Si, LOL.
Thats probably what it will boil down to, I like them all though, good points and bad in all. I really love the Tundra, but is it fool to buy one with gas prices the way they are? The Tacoma is smaller and as nice IMO, then there is the Civic EX and the Altima 2.5 S that I also really like out of all I mentioned. I can get a nicer optioned Civic for the price I would pay for a plainer Altima. The Altima is nice, but getting kinda dated, its design is about 4 years old now, I heard a new 2012 is coming, but I have not seen anything on their website yet.
hmm with the huge used market on 1-2 year old certifiend pre-owned full size SUVs and trucks you can pick up a nice fully loaded model as long as you can justify the higher gas prices but a nice tacoma TRD off-road would be nice IMO
woo-hoo
Although gas prices will probably go down again after whatever the peak will be this time, in the long run they have to keep tending upwards. So to me it would make more sense, being that you say you like all those cars, to choose among the ones which get the best gas mileage. You might own your choice long enough to be real sorry if you don't pick one with decent mileage. And I don't know whether this motivates you or not, but it is in the best interests of the country as a whole for us not to choose gas guzzlers. Just one more factor to consider, if it makes sense to you.
hmm with the huge used market on 1-2 year old certifiend pre-owned full size SUVs and trucks you can pick up a nice fully loaded model as long as you can justify the higher gas prices but a nice tacoma TRD off-road would be nice IMO
woo-hoo
Yeah, I love those Tacomas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Escort Rider
Although gas prices will probably go down again after whatever the peak will be this time, in the long run they have to keep tending upwards. So to me it would make more sense, being that you say you like all those cars, to choose among the ones which get the best gas mileage. You might own your choice long enough to be real sorry if you don't pick one with decent mileage. And I don't know whether this motivates you or not, but it is in the best interests of the country as a whole for us not to choose gas guzzlers. Just one more factor to consider, if it makes sense to you.
yeah, well the sedans I have chosen all have really good to excellent mpg, the Civic rates 29 city and 39 highway, which is amazing. However, the larger Altima rates 23/29, so thats good good. BTW, I looked a 4wd V8 Nissan Titan... stickers 12 city /17 highway mpg!! Now thats insane!
Quote:
Originally Posted by outafocus
They're ALL excellent vehicles. Buy the one that fits your needs the best.
I have been doing alot of research on Edmunds.com and its pretty informative with information about the cars and the pricing. I have looked at all I was interested in and have even went to the "get a dealer quote" option and will go from there. Most were in the $22K-27K range after picking options I wanted. The Civic EX would be the nicest optioned for the price, some didnt have options I wanted for the same price or even more. The Buick LaCrosse looks like its going to sticker around $27K and thats without factory navigation.
Edmunds is disappointed in the Civic and Jetta for its interior materials, but pleased with the assembly. However, many cars seem to rate this that once had high scores. Even the new Camry and Corolla they state that they are not pleased with the interior materials, or even the build quality on the Camry that it is not what it once was, which I knew that. Pre-97 Camrys had very high quality interiors.
However the Toyota Tacoma gets high marks for its interior quality.
I have been doing alot of research on Edmunds.com and its pretty informative with information about the cars and the pricing. I have looked at all I was interested in and have even went to the "get a dealer quote" option and will go from there. Most were in the $22K-27K range after picking options I wanted. The Civic EX would be the nicest optioned for the price, some didnt have options I wanted for the same price or even more. The Buick LaCrosse looks like its going to sticker around $27K and thats without factory navigation.
Edmunds is disappointed in the Civic and Jetta for its interior materials, but pleased with the assembly. However, many cars seem to rate this that once had high scores. Even the new Camry and Corolla they state that they are not pleased with the interior materials, or even the build quality on the Camry that it is not what it once was, which I knew that. Pre-97 Camrys had very high quality interiors.
However the Toyota Tacoma gets high marks for its interior quality.
sounds like you have already choosen the Tacoma which sure it may not get the best fuel mileage but getting a nice 2 year old certified pre-owned low mileage version and an extended warranty and a savings of 10-12K off the MSRP on a new one.
means a savings of $12K can buy alot of gas and you have a top of the line fully loaded truck with a full factory warranty still in effect for peace of mind.
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, which one of these would you choose and why or why not the other. Just looking for opinions here to get me to thinking more, perhaps of something I have not thought of yet, lol. 
Taking a long view of things
