Automobile Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

Hey Everyone,
I am at the time where I am wanting to buy a car and have a few in mind but I am wondering what everyone else thinks.

I am turning 21 on January 16th and one of my goals is to get a newer car when I turn 21. I have a few cars in mind, but my biggest decision is whether I should go new or used. Here is the few cars I have been looking at:
~ Pontiac G5 GT
~ Cadillac CTS
~ Saab 9-3

I really want the GTO but because of mostly insurace reasons, that can't happen. I am looking for a sporty car with a manual but because of insurance, I can't get a car with a V8 which is what I would like to have (so the CTS would have to be a V6). Also, I would like the car to be an AMERICAN BRAND. I like to actually represent my country unlike a lot of other people out there.

So anyways, The G5 is going to run around 20,000, while the other two I can find used for around or under 20,000 as well. I guess I am wondering what everyone else's opinions are on what way you would think would be a better route for me.

The big bad evil insurance is what has been keeping me from getting a newer car. I am a male and have a couple speeding tickets. Although I am hoping when I turn 21 plus I will only have one small speeding ticket then, that my insurance will go down some. I am paying just a little over a hundred a month for my Ford Escort right now.

So any suggestions on what I should would greatly help!

Thanks all!!  

Jesse-

If you are looking for something that is fun to drive, the G5 is not the way to go. The 9-3 is not bad, but in our experiences they are prone to a lot of electrical issues. The CTS is a lovely choice--it looks tough and is quite nice to drive (especially the 3.6 liter with variable valve timing). If you are concerned about insurance, a Cadillac (or a Saab for that matter) may also be out of your range. Neither will be too cheap. If you insist on buying American (a lot of other things are built here, and that Pontiac is built in Canada) try looking for a used Neon SRT4. Those things are quite the little rockets.  

my suggestion is sort of off topic. but here it is:

pay cash for a cheap car.  you won't have to carry expensive insurance on it, and you'll sleep better at night without worrying about a car payment and a huge insurance premium.

besides, the challenge of finding a cheap but fun-to-drive car should be exciting by itself.

you're going to be 21 years old: the time to drive a crap car and save your precious income for other things is now.

having said that, there are tons of cool old cars out there.  pick yourself up a scrappy old honda prelude or bmw 3-series. they're still great to drive and reliable, plus you won't feel bad about throwing it around a bit because you didn't pay an arm and a leg for it.  

I agree with Dave. Before you get a nice car, you need to put some quality time in with a real junker. Besides, there are a lot of other things to spend your money on, and few investments will depreciate as quickly as a car. So unless you have a really large collection of money, I'd go the eBay Motors route and find something a little bit older, a lot cheaper, and with more character.  

My relative soupes up cars for a living.
If you want something new and American because you are patriotic, get a new base model of the present Ford Focus 2Dr Hatchback.  I had a 2001 Focus before. It handles great and its built well.  A 2007 base Focus will sell for roughly $14,000 with incentives.  Then you spend $1500.00 on 245VR18 inch wheels and mags of your choice. Go get it supercharged or turbocharged for about $1500.00 more dollars. (you might get 200hp from that)The suspension bits are fine. You get a fast good looking car for under $20,000 and everything is new. Just the Ford warranty might not work since you've altered the engine. Insurance though will remain the same in most cases (almost the same as you pay now). Don't forget you pay tax on the car too which is cheap for this brand new Ford! After its all done, go hunting for new VW GTi's and make Ford proud. PS: This 2 Dr is only around 2600lbs - lighter than a 3100 lb GTi...you just might win the drag race with the mods! Furthermore, you've saved about $7000.00 dollars in total getting this car over a GTi (foreign brand).  

I can't believe you just recommended a new Focus. I'm stunned.

To be fair, the hatchback SVT Focus from a few years back was pretty cool. I guess look for that.  

Yup, I recommended a Focus. This guy wanted only a new or newer American car for a low overall price with everything included (like insurance mainly).  Come'on, this car ain't so bad if he modifies it using the money he saved on the purchase price. Some new cars on the market can be really cool if you soupe them up; If you leave them stock then they suck big time.  

Insurance WILL DESTROY YOU if you buy any of these cars.

Ford dealers are having a panic sale on their base models right now.

In the D.C. area,I've seen base model Focus's for $9,000 BRAND NEW.

If you don't mind the gas mileage(20mpg-falling out of an airplane)baseline F150's are going for $12,000 with the underpowered but still very niceley equipped Ranger pickups XLT!going for around $10,500.

All three vehicles should be cheap to insure.