Car buying help?

[waves044]

I am looking to buy my first new car and am really torn between the Nissan Altima coupe and Honda Civic coupe... I like the look and finish of the Nissan, but the price tag and the gas mileage of the Civic. Any opinions?

 

[Skippy123]

I like the civic. I think they have higher resale value and they are cute! Just my 2cents

 

[iheartscience]

I agree w/ Skippy. I like how the Civic looks the best and their resale value is off the hook!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I love Nissans. I don''t think you can go wrong with either. I would test drive both and see which feels better to you.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/21/2007 12:07:04 AM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I love Nissans. I don''t think you can go wrong with either. I would test drive both and see which feels better to you.

Ditto. I have had my Nissan Altima for almost 10 years now and I love it.

 

[monarch64]

I think Nissans are great, but the 2008 model will be totally restyled from what I''ve read, so will you be happy after buying a 2007 and then seeing the new ''08? Just something to ponder besides all the other stuff.

For a first time buyer, though, I would say go with the civic. Hondas do hold their value pretty well, plus they are great on gas mileage. It''s a very, very reliable car and you may have it for the next ten years, you never know...it''s a pretty classicly shaped car that will also look great ten years from now if you keep it that long.

Make sure it has standard side airbags (I think most of the cars in its class come with those standard now anyway), and shop around so you don''t end up paying for options you won''t use. I''d even go so far as doing the "build your own" option on their website if possible and if you have time, you''ll be able to pick your colors and options and avoid much of the haggling on the lot. Take a male figure with you, it''s true about the stereotype of women getting worse deals on cars than men. Good luck!

 

[divergrrl]

I had an Altima for 6 years...sold it for high blue book. MAN...I STILL miss that car. I want another one!

My Altima was the first "new" car I''d purchased, and also an incentive to NEVER EVER buy brand new again. Argh..any car will depreciate 5k to 10k in the first few minutes off the lot.

Ever since, I buy my cars one year old (with full warranties intact) with around 10k miles, for about 7k or more less than new, and it really is virtually BRAND SPANKIN'' NEW.

HTH

 

[monarch64]

Sold my 99 Toyota Corolla with 40k miles on it and newer tires for $4500 privately last year...there's another car that doesn't depreciate as much as the norm...definitely check depreciation as a factor into your decision on which make/model to buy if you're at all concerned with resale value. $4500 was a pretty good amount of cash to come into, at 28 yrs. old...ya know? Try to think ahead when you're buying, don't go into a lot of debt even though you'll be bombarded with great offers and interest rates, think about what that finances will look like five years from now when you buy...

 

[codex57]

Don''t forget to check insurance. Civics and Corollas have a relatively high insurance cost. Get quotes first and factor that into your situation.

The Altima coupe is brand new (wasn''t even aware it was out yet) so I dunno how insurance companies will rate it.

 

[Ellen]

Either would be a great car.

Do you need to be practical? If so, you may want to go with the Honda. If not, get the Altima.

I''ve had my Altima 5 years and still love it.