I've been driving my 99 chevy malibu for quite a few years now, and it's time to upgrade.  My mom is buying my car from me b/c she's sending hers back to the dealer.  In the end I should have about $4500 to put down on a new car.  I don't know what I want though.  I really like the Ford Fusion.  It's going for around $18,000.  I think I should go lower being that I am really trying to save for a house.  Any suggestions?  I am buying new, looking for payments around $200 or lower/month.  I don't need or want anything fancy.  Just a sedan 2 or 4 doors, good gas milage, plain and simple.

Honda Fit Sport. There is nothing else.

Toyota Corolla.  Not fancy, but shockingly roomy and has a good ride.  We get 39.x on long highway trips with AC running and about 35 in the city. 

Plus it's a Toyota -dependable.

Quote from: john on June 10, 2006, 09:23:29 AM
Toyota Corolla.  Not fancy, but shockingly roomy and has a good ride.  We get 39.x on long highway trips with AC running and about 35 in the city. 

Plus it's a Toyota -dependable.

Are you sure you want to buy new? Econo-cars depreciate pretty quickly. I'd only buy new if you are going to get something that will really hold value. But having said that, and you still want new and have payments under $200, try looking into these:

* Chevy Cobalt (good on gas, sporty looking, way cooler looking than the Fit haha)

* Honda Civic (reliable, good on gas, tons of aftermarket support..)

* Hyundai Accent (reliable, good on gas)

* Toyota Yaris (I can totally picture you in this..haha)

I have an '02 Hyundai Accent, I bought it used and am pretty happy with it. Just a basic car. Nothing fancy. Take a bunch of them for a spin, and don't SETTLE for something you do not absolutely love.

I dunno about that Ford Fusion. I am always skeptical of Fords anyway, especially since it is the Taurus replacement. Would you have bought a Taurus? The Fusion doesn't really impress me. Might as well keep your malibu.  

TOYOTA YARIS??!?     

Honestly, I think you are a Cobalt kind of girl. Go take one for a test drive and see what you think.

I'm researching now...and I'm liking the Toyota family.  Plus, they're cheaper than most other cars I was looking at.

Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla would be on my short list if I was shopping for a new smallish car

Umm, Honda Fit!

I'm sorry...I think it looks like a miniature mini-van.  Not my style.  Do you work for Honda? lol

Umm, Honda Fit      +! 

OK then, Honda Civic LX. If you want an appliance, buy a toyota or hyundai. If you like a responsive driver's car, get a VW Jetta, a Mazda 3 or a Civic.

I do like the mazda 3.  I want a V6, I'm going to check them out.

Honda Jazz

Remember to check out what owner's of whatever car you are looking into think:

http://www.carsurvey.org

While i really love the way the new Mazda's look (especially the 3 wagon/5-door)...i would be wary buying anything owned by Ford.

What's wrong with the Yaris??? 

And +1 for VWs! 

If you like the ford fusion then check out the mazda 6 ,the fusion is built off the mazda platform so basicly the same car but fords warranty is 3 year 36000 mile while mazda is 60000 mile

BMW all the way!  Go used.  You can get a BADASS E46 3-series for under 20K and a mint E36 M3 for less.

It's down to the Mazda3 or 6 and Toyota carolla.  I took a walk this evening around my neighborhood and saw lots of toyotas.  They are really nice in real life.  But who knows, it could all change at the dealer.   Thanks for all these suggestions guys.