Car Shopping

[DADoES]

 
I'm pondering a new car.  Has been 13 years since I last shopped.  I've had enough of running out-of-town for service and the occasional recall that always seems to happen so want to buy local this time.  That limits to Ford or GM (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet).

The people in this group have much collective experience in various things, so am seeking opinions.

Considering Chevy Malibu or Ford Fusion, with stronger lean toward Fusion ... and possibly the Fusion Hybrid SE.  I often go for 4-week+ spans driving only short trips around town.  What are the "gotchas" on a hybrid (maintenance costs, more breakdowns, etc.)?

 

[joelippard]

GM

You'll get my vote for a Buick or Cadillac.  I absolutely love my new Lacrosse but I'd stay away from the 4cyl model.  The V6 is big (305 hp) and it's not exactly thrifty.  So much of it just depends on personal desire, taste, and budget -- for example I don't care about efficiency.  I want power, torque, and fully appointed luxury that turns heads when it passes by.  I shudder to think of what I've spent on cars in the last 23 years.

 

[xraytech]

My suggestion is towards Buick, as that is my preference. I currently have a Lucerne, but have test drove a new Verano last year, it was nicely appointed good price and for a 4 cyl performed good, but it was just too compact for my liking. I have been in a few LaCrosses while much nicer and a bit bigger they are also small for my taste,

 

[wayupnorth]

GM

I have owned over 40 different vehicles from various manufacturers so far in my lifetime and I have had the best luck with GM. Cavaliers were said to be junk but my 91 went over 150,000 miles before it was traded with just normal maintainance. I do like the new Buicks alot but I need a full size truck now and there was only one brand and one dealer I was going to buy my new one from, my local Chevy dealer.

 

[super32]

Fusion

My vote would be the fusion. FYI, the alleged mileage for the hybrid may not come in at what is stated on print. The Buicks wouldn't be bad choices either. The last crash report i read on the Malibu stated it did not fare well.

 

[hydralique]

You're lucky . . .

There probably isn't a really bad choice within the Ford and GM lineups today. I don't know a lot about hybrids but Priuses are everywhere, it is the most classless car since the original VW Beetle. I've driven one and didn't care much for the feel of the steering and brakes but they are evidently quite reliable. Hybrids are at their best in city mileage so if you like the way the Fusion hybrid drives and the price is right then it could be a great choice. I would do some investigating to make sure there aren't any known problems but Ford seems to be pretty good these days with the possible exception of info-tainment dashboard stuff.

 

[westie2]

I would go with the Fusion. I have one and it is great. I drove the Hybrid and it drive like my regular Fusion SEL.

 

[DADoES]

 
I don't need a large car or an SUV, and I don't race or drive urban freeways on a regular basis so am not power-hungry.    Previous vehicles are a 1986 Buick Somerset (a bit troublesome), 1993 Mazda 626 (best thus far), and 2001 Infiniti i30t -- mostly OK, leather seat wore badly, expensive headlight bulbs changed twice, sunroof hasn't worked in years, alternator, starter went bad few years ago, in-dash CD player quit although the separate changer does work, O2 sensors need attention, A/C out now -- most of this is probably reasonable, it is 13 years old.

I'm aiming to keep this purchase $25K to $30K-ish.  Also might consider used 1 to 3 years.

Mainly seeking opinions on the hybrid choice.  Seems like it would be beneficial to my pattern of short around-town driving ... although there are of course the occasional longer trips.

 

[polkanut]

What about a Dodge product?  You can pick and choose any and all options for the model you choose.  The Dodge Dart while not a hybrid is a very fuel efficient car.  It is surprisingly roomy inside too.

 

[dustin92]

I would recommend you take a look at a used or new Chevy Impala. I have a 2003 and it is by far the best vehicle I have owned. I have 175,000 miles on it (bought it a little over a year ago with 162,000), and it hasn't needed any major repairs, just normal maintenance and oil changes. I plan on keeping it until at least 200,000 miles, longer if it holds up. Even with the high mileage it will go 80+ on the expressway with no trouble at all, and at more moderate speeds (60-65) it can get 31mpg.

I would recommend you stay AWAY from Mazda though, apparently they aren't what they used to be. I had a 2000 Mazda 626 and started having issues at 105,000 miles, and by 120,000 miles it burned more oil than gas, and I was informed it needed a new engine.

 

[DigAPony]

As mentioned, if you don't mind used I'd look into a low mile 2012 or 13 Chevy Impala before dropping a boatload of cash buying new.

With the release of the new 2014 Impala you can get a heck of deal on the prior models and they are equipped the latest 3.6L engine and 6 speed transmission.

Autotrader - page unavailable

 

[DigAPony]

Here is a working link, I hope:

Autotrader - page unavailable

 

[petek]

The yearly CR April auto issue just hit the stands. Some great info in there on best bets, new and used and which to avoid.

 

[retropia]

Both the Malibu and Fusion are widely available as rentals, although perhaps not the hybrid models. I'd recommend trying both as rentals for at least a few days, to see how you like them.

Having rented current models of both recently (non-hybrids), I preferred the Malibu. I find the controls on modern Ford products to be infuriating.

Whatever you get, I highly recommend getting one with a backup camera. Rear visibility is almost nonexistent these days in modern vehicles, making parking a crapshoot.

 

[firedome]

The Fusion

is certainly a handsome car, evoking the Aston Martin, no wonder, given that they were designed by the same fellow. Beyond that a decision based to a large degree on the dealer's reputation for honesty and customer service might prove to be the most prudent relevant factor to consider.

 

[toploader1984]

Gm

Ive had 4 gm cars since 2003 all brand new, had nothing but trouble with every car! I lease a 2013 chevy cruze and already problems started with 2k miles on it! My fuel economy is only 24mpg and i drive mostly freeways! My 2008 pontiax g5 got 25mpg! Me heat quit working in the winter, blows cold at stop lights and idle, my mom bought a 2013 buick verano and her defog/defrost does not work! It takes 30 minutes to clear HALF of the fog off the drivers side window! Full blast high speed full defrost mode!