new car search

[jwbouch]

Hey everybody,

Its getting to be time to start thinking about replacing my Grand Prix. I just got back from the Dodge dealership where I test drove a '12 Charger with the new 8 speed auto. I wish I could buy it, but by the time I add the options I want, I can no longer afford it. I guess this brings my search to the used car market.

I really want a RWD vehicle, but other than the Charger, the only things I can think of are BMW's and Mercede's or other foreign vehicles. I am a little nervous about buying a BMW or Merc with 40-50k miles on it, because of repairs and general cost of keeping it running. I like the G8, on one hand, but on the other hand I just don't know. I don't know if there is really anything out there right now that is rear wheel drive, about the size of a G8 or Charger, or just a little smaller, and sorta decent on fuel mileage. Any good suggestions?

[Turbojett]

does it have to be a sedan? I'd say go V6 Mustang/Camaro/Challenger. Earlier Charger V6 could work as well. Other than that, you'd have to go foreign lux or near-lux.

Edited December 18, 2011 by Turbojett

[A Horse With No Name]

Second the thought of a new V6 Mustang esp...best in class fuel economy, great resale, and the new interior with the premium package is sweet.

A new V6 Camaro would do well also....I am also looking for another car, and the Camaro and Mustang are both on my short list.

[Blake Noble]

It's time for me to put my biased ballot into the voting box: I say Challenger or Charger.

My Challenger has been exceptionally reliable since I've had it. All 19,126 miles have been completely drama and worry free. The fuel economy is decent when you keep 89 octane gas in it -- I've seen about 32 to 33 mpg highway and about the mid 20s mixed.

From what I understand, the same is true of the previous generation Charger.

Also, if you like the styling of the new 2011 to 2012 models better, look for a used base model. If you are drawn to the eight-speed auto because of the increased fuel economy, well I wouldn't sweat it too much. The five-speed auto wasn't any slouch there, trust me.

Edited December 18, 2011 by black-knight

[ocnblu]

2012 Charger SXT, only option, 18" rims. Net MSRP after $1500 factory discount: $28,145. And I'm sure a good dealership would give a nice, further discount of their own. SXT is equipped just about right, imo, without going overboard.

Edited December 18, 2011 by ocnblu

[A Horse With No Name]

It's time for me to put my biased ballot into the voting box: I say Challenger or Charger.

My Challenger has been exceptionally reliable since I've had it. All 19,126 miles have been completely drama and worry free. The fuel economy is decent when you keep 89 octane gas in it -- I've seen about 32 to 33 mpg highway and about the mid 20s mixed.

From what I understand, the same is true of the previous generation Charger.

Also, if you like the styling of the new 2011 to 2012 models better, look for a used base model. If you are drawn to the eight-speed auto because of the increased fuel economy, well I wouldn't sweat it too much. The five-speed auto wasn't any slouch there, trust me.

I am thinking of this for myself as well. A larger car than my wife wants to drive, but it comes with the lifetime powertrain warranty IIRC. Glad to know that you are getting that kind of fuel economy out of that thing.

[Blake Noble]

I am thinking of this for myself as well. A larger car than my wife wants to drive, but it comes with the lifetime powertrain warranty IIRC. Glad to know that you are getting that kind of fuel economy out of that thing.

The EPA seriously underrated these cars on fuel economy. There are quite a few Challenger owners seeing numbers in the low 30s on the highway.

Like I mentioned, though, 89 octane is a must to wring every last mile to a gallon of gas out of the 3.5L. I've had nothing but mixed results using 87 octane; on some occasions, there isn't any penalty in fuel economy, other times it'll just chug it down. I chalk that up to the inconsistencies of regular grade gasoline from different chains (Shell is probably the best 87 octane gas to run through the 3.5L ; regular gas from BP or Marathon goes through it like water).

EDIT: Wait a sec -- when did Chrysler start back with the whole Lifetime Powertrain warranty? Or are you talking about a used one?

Also, one final note: bouch, just for the record I bought my Challenger for around 20k brand new (sticker was a little over 24k). Of course, I bought my Challenger with a small cosmetic defect and from leftover inventory, but that's the key to getting a new car for the price of a used one.

Just do a nationwide search for a leftover 2011 Charger through AutoTrader and see who has the cheapest one leftover. Then have your local Dodge dealer grab that car from that dealer and sell it to you locally.

Edited December 18, 2011 by black-knight

[Northstar]

The Genesis would be an option. I'm not sure what they sell for after a year (it's $34k to start new) but I would guess you can get good deals on them since they have a difficult time selling Hyundais for that price and have to discount them pretty heavily.

[ocnblu]

I sure do wish GM still sold a Pontiac and a Chevrolet affordably with RWD, 3.6L power and everyday practicality. The G8, if not sentenced to death, could have been even greater in a gen-II version, built in the US, with Pontiac bodywork in 2- and 4-doors. RWD Impala... wow, such a sad "what-if" scenario.

As it is, it's Dodge/Chrysler all the way.

[Robert Hall]

I sure do wish GM still sold a Pontiac and a Chevrolet affordably with RWD, 3.6L power and everyday practicality. The G8, if not sentenced to death, could have been even greater in a gen-II version, built in the US, with Pontiac bodywork in 2- and 4-doors. RWD Impala... wow, such a sad "what-if" scenario.

As it is, it's Dodge/Chrysler all the way.

Yes...I'd really like an American RWD fullsize car for my next new car. The Charger and 300 are my only choices, since the Panthers are gone at Ford w/ no replacement and GM is FWD only for larger cars. I like the Charger and 300 quite a bit..the hard choice for me would be the V6 or V8..the V6 w/ 8spd sounds like a great choice for a daily driver.

[knightfan26917]

Definitely like the Charger. I've seen some used 2011s for ~20-25,000.

*sighs*

I still can't afford/justify a new(er) car, though. Ba humbug.

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

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