New Car Survey

I'm looking for a new car.

I've narrowed it down to:

Nissan Altima

Toyota Camry

Pontiac Grand Prix...(FYI, my present car is a 2003 Grand Prix, I also had a '99, 96, and '93 Grand Am and a 1985 Fiero before them, before that a '65 Pontiac Ventura...)

Chevy Impala...

I'm fairly (90%) sure I know what I want
FWIW, your comments/choices will probably not influence my decision. That's not the point of this survey.

I figured what the hell...what's everyone else think about these cars?

You think you're going to be around long enough to wear-out a Japanese car with your attention to routine maintenance?


No-way man.

I drove an Impala until last year when I traded it in for a Trailblazer (needed more room when we got our 3rd dog).

I would definitely buy one again.

I say hold out for a G8! RWD and a V8, have fun drifting in a 4 door, WOO- HOO!

ETA:
I didn't realize the G8 wasn't available with a manual tranny, forget the suggestion. I'd go with the Altima, with a manual, if it's available. I'm really getting tired of only having auto trans available in 4 doors these days. Of course I'm currently driving a '00 Buick Century with a 4 speed AT, but I got the POS free, so it's a gift horse situation...

I'm holding out for an Alfa Romeo Mi.To, or a Fiat 500 if they ever get stateside, and are sold with Turbo Diesel powerplant options. Yes, I know about Italian cars and reliability, heck I ride an Italian motorcycle already and Ducati parts cost more than Harley parts.

Are you looking for function over form? I'm not really into modern sedans and I am 100% MOPAR so I'd probably not choose any on the list... If i had to make a choice... i'd choose Toyota. They are dependable.

If you like the Camry... I doubt you'll find too many people who say that they regret having bought a Toyota. If you get sick of it, it should hold its resale value the best of all of these.

I love my Impala. But if I were to get a new car Id go for something more fuel efficient. But
I love my Impala.

I personally love camrys they have been great ever since they came out My bro in law has a 91 that has 271,000 on it and it still runs great. I just dont think you can go wrong with a Toyota.

BuffaloSabresBrewer said:

I love my Impala. But if I were to get a new car Id go for something more fuel efficient. But
I love my Impala.

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I thought Impala's were quite good on gas. what is you mpg?

Out of those Toyota, Im a chevy guy, but for a daily driver Toyota's can not be beat.

2008 Subaru Legacy 2.5i

Bill, do you want a poll on this thread?

I don't have a camry, but I have two corollas. The older corolla models are like the camry in size, engine, and function. I have a 96 corolla with almost 200,000 miles on it, and a 2000 corolla with 125,000 miles. I have spent $0 on work on them, except for tires and some minor things like oil changes. The 96 is my husband's everyday work car and he drives 100 miles round trip to and from work. The bodies on both are still very good, too, even living in our climate with the salt covered roads. I would definitely recommend the Toyota. (Our 96 Corolla gets 37 MPG).

the impala with the 303 is a fun car, but it's too much power to the front wheels.

Toyota is the most reliable, and has the best resale of the cars you've listed.

I've been pretty successful with my Pontiacs. I gave my Fiero away with 216,000 miles on it (with 2 cars already I couldn't take it with me)...150,000+ on the Grand Ams, Grand Prix will be hitting 100,000 later next week...other than a blown gasket on the Fiero, none of my cars have ever been in the shop. Yes, I did the general maintenance and brakes, etc., but those are no reason to send anything to the shop when I am an Equipment Specialist for Self Propelled Artillery and have basically been a mechanic all my life. Beside, I like tinkering

I also do my own home repairs...tiling, plumbing, sheet rock, etc.

All good comments so far. I appreciate your time.

Yes, I've been waiting for the G8 to come out so I can see/drive one.

RICLARK said:

I thought Impala's were quite good on gas. what is you mpg?

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I clocked my 2000 Impala on a road trip and I got about 26 MPG.

My son is a mechanic at Toyota actualy he is the team leader . Has been for about 4 years worked at Honda before that .

His girl just bought a new car ... He talked her into a Honda.

over the past few years Toyota in its push to be #1 has in fact drasticly increased its recalls in the process.

The '08 Impalas are really nice. My wife has one and she likes it. I would recomend a test drive before you decided.

I had 2 Toyotas as everyone said they were the best and had no luck with them at all. I have a 2001 Grand Prix and the only thing Ive had a problem with was a clogged catalytic converter and bought an after market 1 for $260. my wife has the Grand Am and it to has been very good to us. Ill never buy a Ford again. I also loved all my jeeps bu just need the good gas mileage of a ca now.

I'm a Toyota Guy through and through. BUT, just this past weekend I saw the new Impala, and I have to say that it is the best looking 4 door Coupe I have seen in years. It it were me, I'd be buying a hybrid Camry. If I were using your money, I'd go with the new Impala.

It wouldn't be my personal choice, but since it was on your list, I like the Impala (if you are going new). I think the Grand Prix is a good choice also. If you can wait, I would definitely drive a G8. I have been grousing about the lack of RWD & AWD offerings from GM. You can probably tell that I am a GM man...

Have a 2006 Camry 4cyl. It has NEVER had to go back to the dealer for one thing. Gets 28mpg in town and 33 hiway. 500 miles to a 15gal fillup makes it look pretty to me. Son has 2007 RAV4. Same thing, no problems and great gas mileage. Both have very comfy interiors for such small efficient cars

Be a man, buy a grandma car and say FU to all those idiots driving their big pickups and SUV's

the_bird said:

Bill, do you want a poll on this thread?

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No, a poll is not necessary, but thanks for asking...I was just curious as to what others thought about them. They are all good cars.

BuffaloSabresBrewer said:

I clocked my 2000 Impala on a road trip and I got about 26 MPG.

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I get 26 on my Pontiacs, but I drive in excess of 85 mph sometimes...OK, a lot...

16 hour trip from Savannah to my place is usually 16 hours...made it in under 14.

19 hour trip to Tampa done in under 16...

You have to remember I lived in Germany for 9 years and owned 2 Beemers...my top speed is 156 mph (Audi A6 TDI)...

mrk305 said:

The '08 Impalas are really nice. My wife has one and she likes it. I would recomend a test drive before you decided.

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I've driven a couple of them. They are comfortable enough, but they (and the Grand Prix) have an annoying yellow light that tells you the passengers airbag is working. I know I could cover them both up with electrical tape...

The design on the little digital spec read out on the GP sucks IMO and the single dome light pulls down on the headliner.

Picky, I know. But when you're spending 30 grand...

RLinNH said:

I'm a Toyota Guy through and through. BUT, just this past weekend I saw the new Impala, and I have to say that it is the best looking 4 door Coupe I have seen in years. It it were me, I'd be buying a hybrid Camry. If I were using your money, I'd go with the new Impala.

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Thanks for helping me spend my $$$.

I thought about the Camry Hybrid, but the batteries reduce the truck from 15 to 10 cf...

mr_goodwrench said:

It wouldn't be my personal choice, but since it was on your list, I like the Impala (if you are going new). I think the Grand Prix is a good choice also. If you can wait, I would definitely drive a G8. I have been grousing about the lack of RWD & AWD offerings from GM. You can probably tell that I am a GM man...

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Yeah, the G8 is going back to rear wheel drive...wife doesn't like that...

That's basically one of the reasons I am steering away from the Pontiacs...future supply support. I know legally they're supposed to keep 10 years of supplies in the pipeline after ditching a style, but...

jbford said:

Have a 2006 Camry 4cyl. It has NEVER had to go back to the dealer for one thing. Gets 28mpg in town and 33 hiway. 500 miles to a 15gal fillup makes it look pretty to me. Son has 2007 RAV4. Same thing, no problems and great gas mileage. Both have very comfy interiors for such small efficient cars

Be a man, buy a grandma car and say FU to all those idiots driving their big pickups and SUV's

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say FU to all those idiots driving their big pickups and SUV's..I say that anyway.

Hell, most of the time they're under the speed limit in the left lane on the phone...

As for the Grandma car...don't you know I'm a GREATgrandfather? Wife has 3 daughters, 6 grandkids (had 8) and 4 great grands...

I want to thank everyone for their input, but like I said in the beginning I've just about decided to buy the....$30K 2009 Camry SE, black with black leather, moon roof, 6 CD changer, etc., etc., etc...

I retire next year so I want to treat myself to something nice. Since I didn't hit the lottery in the UK, or anywhere else, the Testerossa will just have to wait...

Now I have a guy who wants to sell me an Altima for under $23K...maybe I'll test drive one this week...

Again, thanks.

Mod can you close this thread for me please? Thanks.

Now let's start talking beer again...

Is Honda an option???

Beertk said:

Is Honda an option???

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I thought about an Accord, but then again no...I don't know why...looks, I guess, but thanks.

say FU to all those idiots driving their big pickups and SUV's..I say that anyway.

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Some of us actually need the Trucks.

But thats why I got a bike for the summer!

Toyota - Keeps the dream alive!
Nissan. Pissen Nissan.

Looks like you have had GREAT luck with the Pontiacs... Why change?

My money is on the Toyota. We have owned 3 X RAV4's and loved every one of them.

Moved up a notch on the Toyota line last purchase and went for the Lexus RX330.

I think you will have to look a long time to find anyone saying bad things about Toyota. (Other than they are WAY overpriced here in AUS.)

Pete

We have an 01 RX300. I am not happy with it but the wife loves it. Gas milage sucks compared to what I would have thought that it should get.

Ive heard the 330s were much smaller on the inside. How is it?

MikeFlynn74 said:

Pete

We have an 01 RX300. I am not happy with it but the wife loves it. Gas milage sucks compared to what I would have thought that it should get.

Ive heard the 330s were much smaller on the inside. How is it?

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To be honest, all of the Rav's and the 330 have been the wife's car, and I only drive them when we travel together. I find the 330 to be a little bit softer and less powerful than a $100K plus car should be, but other than that we are very happy with it. There are only two of us, so the 330 is PLENTY big enough... certainly bigger than the 03 Rav was inside.

Ahh thanks- 2011 I hope to switch to something a bit bigger. Like the Cayenne-

An 07 Cayenne by then should be affordable by then.

OK, it's official I am now the proud owned of...(drum roll, please)...a black 2009 Camry SE...black leather, heated seats/mirrors, stability control, JBL 6 CD changer, tinted moon roof, etc., etc., etc...

I had it up to XXX mph (not going to incriminate myself, but there were a couple of 1's showing up) on the way home last night...handled great.

Thanks for everyone opinions. Very enlightening.

Cheers to all!!

homebrewer_99 said:

OK, it's official I am now the proud owned of...(drum roll, please)...a black 2009 Camry SE...black leather, heated seats/mirrors, stability control, JBL 6 CD changer, tinted moon roof, etc., etc., etc...

I had it up to XXX mph (not going to incriminate myself, but there were a couple of 1's showing up) on the way home last night...handled great.

Thanks for everyone opinions. Very enlightening.

Cheers to all!!

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Good choice. We own a Sienna. Hands down, the best vehicle I have ever owned. I have a 98 Malibu, and let's just say that car alone has convinced me that GM will not get any more of my hard earned money until they start producing reliable vehicles again. AND I can get GM at cost as a perk.

zoebisch01 said:

Good choice. We own a Sienna. Hands down, the best vehicle I have ever owned. I have a 98 Malibu, and let's just say that car alone has convinced me that GM will not get any more of my hard earned money until they start producing reliable vehicles again. AND I can get GM at cost as a perk.

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Been a few years but I decided to split the difference. Got the the Pontiac Vibe. Used my GM connections and old GM card rebates to buy a car built right next to Corollas and Matrixes. Probably would do it again today as very little else provides the interior volume with a compact exterior and the fuel efficiency of our Vibe. Plus it handles nice and looks good.

As for the choices above, none really interest me but a Camry looks like a good choice.

Craig