# Need help/advice with purchasing a new car

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\
**Created:** [March 9, 2008, 1:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689 "2008-03-09T13:05:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Janus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@Janus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Janus)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 1:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/1 "2008-03-09T13:05:26Z")

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First- I know there are a million of these threads, so I apologize in advance.

Second- I have been searching cars on nyspeed for the past week to educate myself on them before I even suggested them as possibilities.

OK! So Tues night in the ice storm Rochester had i spun my car out on 390 and it was deemed totaled (1999 Maxima, I got 7000 for it). It forced my hand and now I need a new car. I am in a rought spot though, so aside from help with cars i need to entertain all options. I plan on going to medical school this fall (waiting on three more schools so its not a definite), so i have to do this wisely.

Things I need:  
-Warrenttee. I am not going to mess around with $1000+ repairs anymore. I dont mind normal wear and tear like brakes and tires ect, but I want internals and anything else i can cover, covered.  
-reliability, decent gas milage (\>25mpg HW, 21 city), fun to drive

Things I want:  
-5spd, sedan

Options:  
-Lease, so that things are covered, payments are low, and my taste in cars changed anough that in 36 mos i am always looking for a new car. Milage limits work fine for me (10-12K seems typical). My issue with this becomes years of cars i can look at. Can you lease an 06? or does it have to be brand new. I have never bought a car from a dealer. this is new to me.  
-Finance through a dealer  
-NO private sellers, unless they have a transferable warrentee.

Price range: I need to keep payments \<250/mo, preferably lower. I have a 6000-7000 down payment. I also need to consider the addition of a warrentee if I finance.

Cars I am considering (avalibility becomes an issue with some):  
-2005 Altima SE-R  
-2005-07 Altima 2.5S (if i cant have the SE-R I dont want 6cylinder)  
-2005-06 Saab 9-3 (strongly considering. I do not want the Aero. I would want the 2.0T varient. 210hp Arc for 05, or just the 2.0T for 06… they melded the Linier and Arc in 06 and only put in the 210hp 2.0T i guess)  
-2004 WRX  
-… Name some.

CLIFF NOTES! Totalled my Max and am now 7000 richer. I need advice on purchasing options, as well as cars. I will entertain ALL suggestions. Thank you guys!

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**Author:** ![The\_Russian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the_russian/32/7414_2.png) [@The\_Russian](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The_Russian)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 1:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/2 "2008-03-09T13:19:01Z")

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I think I saw you wiped out on 390.

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**Author:** ![Janus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@Janus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Janus)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/3 "2008-03-09T13:20:54Z")

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thanks for stopping :)~ jk. it was tues night, 390N. I spun out changing lanes at ~40mph and hit the 104E exit sign. Hit dead center on the Right rear wheel, snapped the axle in half, ejected the R curtain air bag. I was ok though.

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**Author:** ![The\_Russian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the_russian/32/7414_2.png) [@The\_Russian](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The_Russian)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 1:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/4 "2008-03-09T13:31:25Z")

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was your maxima red?

there was a Red car I swore was Mercury cougar in the exact same spot round 12:20 at night and there was a trooper already there.

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**Author:** ![Janus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@Janus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Janus)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/5 "2008-03-09T13:51:09Z")

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no Gold. Would look silver at night i would imagine.

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**Author:** ![IanK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/iank/32/5016_2.png) [@IanK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IanK)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 3:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/6 "2008-03-09T15:21:57Z")

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Get a E46 330I BMW, awsome car, and I’m sure you can keep the payments pretty low

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**Author:** ![The\_Russian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the_russian/32/7414_2.png) [@The\_Russian](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The_Russian)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/7 "2008-03-09T16:05:34Z")

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alright then i guess i dindt see you, but that spot swallowed someone else that night.

Glad to hear your ok, and a E46 sounds right up your ally.

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**Author:** ![Janus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@Janus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Janus)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/8 "2008-03-10T19:34:24Z")

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Now also considering:  
08 Accord coupe (4cyl)  
08 Altima coupe (4cyl)

Does anyone work at a dealership and could hook me up with leasing?

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**Author:** ![snowracer101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@snowracer101](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/snowracer101)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 8:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/9 "2008-03-11T08:52:58Z")

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dude, with 7 grand down… you can lease a new BMW 328/330 for minimal monthly payments.  
You’ll have a baller/fun car…and EVERYTHING is covered. including regular maintence.  
The only the BMW doesn’t pay for is gas.

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**Author:** ![OfficerK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4da419/32.png) [@OfficerK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/OfficerK)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 8:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/10 "2008-03-11T08:58:17Z")

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If you are putting 7K down, you probably don’t want to lease.

Think about it, you are essentially going to lose that 7K.

You can outright buy a new car with 7K down for a low monthly as you are looking.

Keep in mind…it is approximately $20/month for every $1000 you finance.

so $10,000 in loans would be ~$200/month. This is good to at least give you ballpark figures.

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**Author:** ![Justin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/justin/32/7459_2.png) [@Justin](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Justin)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 9:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/11 "2008-03-11T09:11:47Z")

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Don’t lease. It’s just throwing away money. Find a nice used car for 6K and drop the other 1K on a warranty.

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**Author:** ![Joe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/joe/32/7219_2.png) [@Joe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Joe)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 9:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/12 "2008-03-11T09:13:32Z")

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If you want to lease an 06 check out [leasetrader.com](http://leasetrader.com) or [swapalease.com](http://swapalease.com). Keep your 7k in the bank, move into something with nothing down, and make your first 1-2 years of payments out of it.

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**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 9:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/13 "2008-03-11T09:13:57Z")

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> [@sedlmeier101](#):
>
> dude, with 7 grand down… you can lease a new BMW 328/330 for minimal monthly payments.  
> You’ll have a baller/fun car…and EVERYTHING is covered. including regular maintence.  
> The only the BMW doesn’t pay for is gas.

no such thing as a 330 since 06. With $3k down, GOOD CREDIT you could lease a 08 328i for around $300-$400 a month, depending on options

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**Author:** ![MaximaSE98](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maximase98/32/7600_2.png) [@MaximaSE98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MaximaSE98)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 9:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/14 "2008-03-11T09:20:04Z")

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y wouldnt u take a v-6 non se-r altima

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**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 9:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/15 "2008-03-11T09:26:35Z")

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I’d cross the 9-3 off your list given that you need something reliable.

The numbers in here are interesting. Lets work through them for real.

Known:  
$7k down payment  
$250/mo max payment

Assume:  
5 year max financing  
7% interest rate

So 250/mo @ 7% for 5 years gives you a principle of about $12,500

$12,500 + $7000 = $19,500.

Take out 8.75% sales tax and $100 for licensing and registration

You can buy a car for about $17,800. You’ll end up paying a total of about $22k with interest. Maybe you can sell it for $5k in 5 years. Total out of pocket = $17k, or about $3400 per year.

Or you could find a 3 year lease at $250/month. It would probably be about the same car as your $17,800 dollar new car, but limited in mileage. You’d pay about $3k per year. Or you could put $7k down on a leased higher end car, and pay $250/month for the lease. That’d be $5300 per year. That blows. Don’t do that till your done with school.

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**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 9:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/16 "2008-03-11T09:49:39Z")

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3 yr Lease, zero down (tax & tags), cash in the bank to pay the lease payments (7k / 250 = 28 months) & earn a little interest.

New car, no car payment, trade up in three years when you have some cash saved / bills paid.

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**Author:** ![93gspeccivic](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/93gspeccivic/32/5137_2.png) [@93gspeccivic](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/93gspeccivic)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 10:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/17 "2008-03-11T10:36:18Z")

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> [@66impalass](#):
>
> With $3k down, GOOD CREDIT you could lease a 08 328i for around $300-$400 a month, depending on options

^is what ill be looking to do this summer

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 10:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/18 "2008-03-11T10:49:39Z")

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> [@93gspeccivic](#):
>
> ^is what ill be looking to do this summer

dude, srsly?

> **Occupation** : Tim Hortons

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 11:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/19 "2008-03-11T11:05:31Z")

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> [@Nikuk](#):
>
> dude, srsly?

:lol: Maybe he owns a few? :shrug:

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 11:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-help-advice-with-purchasing-a-new-car/44689/20 "2008-03-11T11:35:40Z")

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I’ll believe ya when me shit turns purple and smells like rainbow sherbet.

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