Car Shopping

Kevin · GMPenguin

Car Shopping

ifcar · Moderator

The Freestyle should work, for $25K you could get a used one with leather if it's the standard cloth seats that she disliked. Similar concept with slightly inferior execution would be the Chrysler Pacifica. It's unfortunate that you hicks don't have a Mazda dealer, because she might also go for the upcoming Mazda5.

Among vehicles without a third row, I'd recommend looking at the wagons. The Malibu MAXX, Ford Focus wagon, and even the Dodge Magnum are worth a look. Again, your lack of dealers is disappointing, because the Subaru Legacy wagon is quite nice.

Good luck!

thewizard16 · V-12

For three rows you really only have the Freestyle or Pacifica as choices.
For cars without three rows but bigger than the Grand Am:
Malibu MAXX- ugly, but a good car, overall, and it's a wagon that doesn't look like a wagon.
Ford Five Hundred
Toyota Camry

If I were buying, I'd get the Camry (a nice XLE can be had for under $25K) or the Five Hundred. I'm not wild about wagons, and the Focus Wagon isn't roomier than the Grand Am. The only reason interior volume is higher is due to it being a wagon.
All of those will be better cars than the Grand Am (your parents should appreciate that) and all of them are good choices.

cardcheat · V-6

Is she looking for something sporty or is she more into comfy cruisers? Manual or auto?

I'd suggest the Chrysler 300/Dodge Magnum 2.7L and the Ford 500 if interior space is a big issuse. Both should have lots of room, but not be very exciting.

If shes looking to go the sporty root the Acura TSX sounds pretty good, though I don't think it would be a hell of alot bigger then your Grand Am but it's certain to be a blast to drive and have better reliablilty and fuel economy then most. I'd aslo have a look at the Mazda6 wagon. Again probably not alot bigger but fun to drive and very pracitcal.

This might sound dumb but what are considered to be the big 3? I appolgise in advance if something I suggested doesn't fall into the category.

-- Edited by cardcheat at 19:59, 2005-03-29

ifcar · Moderator

Kevin lives in Hicksville, MO. He probably doesn't have the best dealer selection.

thewizard16 · V-12

quote:
Originally posted by: ifcar
"Kevin lives in Hicksville, MO. He probably doesn't have the best dealer selection. "

Kevin, what is the name of your town? It surely can't be that isolated...

Kevin · GMPenguin

quote:
Originally posted by: thewizard16
" Kevin, what is the name of your town? It surely can't be that isolated... "

Brookfield, the only dealers around are the Big 3 and a Toyota dealer in Kirksville.

It'd be more of a comfort vehicle than sport, so automatic.

Thanks, I hadn't really thought of a Pacifica, and my parents said a Camry was still rather small (but I think they're on crack).

thewizard16 · V-12

quote:
Originally posted by: Kevin
"
Brookfield, the only dealers around are the Big 3 and a Toyota dealer in Kirksville.
It'd be more of a comfort vehicle than sport, so automatic.
Thanks, I hadn't really thought of a Pacifica, and my parents said a Camry was still rather small (but I think they're on crack)."

Jim Robertson is a good dealership, my uncle bought two Solaras from them a couple years ago. If they think a Camry was rather small, they either haven't been in a new one, or haven't actually looked at the Grand Am. The new Camry is considerably larger than the Grand Am. Maybe they're thinking of the last gen? I don't know. Have them look at one.

ifcar · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: Kevin
"
Brookfield, the only dealers around are the Big 3 and a Toyota dealer in Kirksville.
It'd be more of a comfort vehicle than sport, so automatic.
Thanks, I hadn't really thought of a Pacifica, and my parents said a Camry was still rather small (but I think they're on crack)."

If they think the Camry is too small (get them to sit in it first) and they still want a sedan, a Five Hundred/Montego would be an excellent choice. I still prefer wagon-type vehicles though.

ElBarto · V-6

quote:
Originally posted by: ifcar
"

If they think the Camry is too small (get them to sit in it first) and they still want a sedan, a Five Hundred/Montego would be an excellent choice. I still prefer wagon-type vehicles though."

They think the Camry is too small? Actually, I'm not going to start on that, my Dad has started looking for a replacement to his 02 Camry because he now thinks its too small.

I would recomed the 500. We went to look at one the other day and its f***ing huge. Its much bigger than the camry. The trunk is huge, which is why my dad wants a new car, he and my brother have started taking golf clubs with them when we go on trips and they take up quite a bit of space in the trunk.

Kevin · GMPenguin

They have been in Camrys at dealerships and at the KC show, but I don't think they've ever been in the back of the f***ing Grand Am on a 3 hour trip.

It's sad to say but I think either the Five Hundred or Freestyle is really our only options, unless they warm up to the Camry.

ifcar · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: Kevin
"They have been in Camrys at dealerships and at the KC show, but I don't think they've ever been in the back of the f***ing Grand Am on a 3 hour trip. It's sad to say but I think either the Five Hundred or Freestyle is really our only options, unless they warm up to the Camry."

What about the Pacifica, MAXX, and Focus? If you didn't want suggestions, don't ask for them.

thewizard16 · V-12

quote:
Originally posted by: ifcar
"What about the Pacifica, MAXX, and Focus? If you didn't want suggestions, don't ask for them. "

If they think the Camry's too small, they'll never go for a Focus.

ifcar · Moderator

They need to sit in both cars first. Both are far roomier than the Grand Am.

Kevin · GMPenguin

quote:
Originally posted by: ifcar
"What about the Pacifica, MAXX, and Focus? If you didn't want suggestions, don't ask for them. "

Oh yeah, sorry iffy, the Pacifica and Maxx are also some options, especially with the new front fascia on the Maxx, but I think they'd go for the sedan instead of Maxx (I'd personally get the Maxx but they don't like the rear). While the focus may be larger than the Grand Am, it's not nearly a big enough change in size, or big enough car for what they're wanting.

So, Pacifica, Five Hundred, Freestyle, Camry and Maxx/Malibu. I really like the Pacifica, but how does it drive?

ifcar · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: Kevin
" Oh yeah, sorry iffy, the Pacifica and Maxx are also some options, especially with the new front fascia on the Maxx, but I think they'd go for the sedan instead of Maxx (I'd personally get the Maxx but they don't like the rear). While the focus may be larger than the Grand Am, it's not nearly a big enough change in size, or big enough car for what they're wanting. So, Pacifica, Five Hundred, Freestyle, Camry and Maxx/Malibu. I really like the Pacifica, but how does it drive?"

http://ifcar.net/reviews.comparisons.midsizeSUVs.chryslerpacifica.htm

Kevin · GMPenguin

quote:
Originally posted by: ifcar
"http://ifcar.net/reviews.comparisons.midsizeSUVs.chryslerpacifica.htm"

Aaahhh, I see, well that's not good.

Also your interior picture is kind of odd, it needs to be darkened.

thewizard16 · V-12

quote:
Originally posted by: Kevin
"
Aaahhh, I see, well that's not good.
Also your interior picture is kind of odd, it needs to be darkened."

It's not hard to see, but the contrast might be off a little.
Anyway, have your parents gone and looked at the Camry, Malibu, and Pacifica yet?

Kevin · GMPenguin

quote:
Originally posted by: thewizard16
" It's not hard to see, but the contrast might be off a little. Anyway, have your parents gone and looked at the Camry, Malibu, and Pacifica yet? "

They've been in Camry's, but I think they need to ride in the back of the Grand Am and then the Camry. We looked at a Pacifica when they first came out, and I don't think they've been in a Malibu, they might have at the KC show.

ifcar · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: Kevin
"
Aaahhh, I see, well that's not good.
Also your interior picture is kind of odd, it needs to be darkened."

Kevin, remember that the Pacifica is being compared to the best in its class in that review. No offense, but your family's Grand Am level standards should not find a problem with it.

And I know the pic looks a bit bright, but any darker and the whole instrument panel disappears.