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Post by Norfy the Walrus on Oct 14, 2008 1:45:56 GMT -5
I have no interest in learning how to drive. A car itself is costly plus the monthly payments of insurance, gas, and keeping it in tune. How much are people paying monthly for a vehicle? About $1000 a month from what I can tell. Or I could pay $60 a month for a bus pass. Sure I don't have the absolute freedom that a vehicle owner has to go places but I'm quite fine with public transit. Or simply just walking. Plus you can sleep on a bus. You can't sleep while driving unless you have a death wish.
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Post by UltimateCloud on Oct 14, 2008 3:55:14 GMT -5
Cars can be expensive but they're not the money drainer that a lot of people think they are. It's just you gotta buy smart and do some research. If you go blindly buying cars that you have no idea about then yeah, it's gunna be expensive. The key is to work out exactly what you're going to use it for then research a car that would suite your needs. An example would be if you did like 1000 miles a week, buying a sports car that does 5MPG probably wouldn't be the best idea... As for the Mazda or Honda, both are good cars. Can't really do a good comparison because there are so many different models in the range. Were you looking for a diesel or petrol car? Sporty or economic? I do love those Civic Type R's and S's. They're really nice actually, and pretty quick too. As they're both Japanese they'll be reliable. Especially the Honda, I've never heard of any serious problems with Civic's over here. On sheer looks though, I would go for the Civic. I've always thought about getting a Type R too, I think they are dead good. Basically what I think it's down to cost really... how much you're willing to spend and what you can get for your money. Definitely go test drive the Civic and see how it compares to the Mazda. You might like it loads more, you might not, but at least it will help you decide between the two. Find out how much both will cost to insure; how much they will cost to fill up and what their fuel consumption is. That way you can work out how much they will cost to run and how much you'll be paying on top of actually buying the car. I don't know the most about cars, but having brought a new one recently, I know how to go about it. I'm guessing it will be slightly different over there, but you basically it's the same. What you might want to keep in mind is fuel consumption. If it's costing a lot to fill up now, then bear in mind that fuel prices are only going to rise as time goes on, not go down. Hope that sorta helps... but probably doesn't really. Bottom line, test drive both and see what you prefer driving.
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Post by dejibo on Oct 14, 2008 8:12:50 GMT -5
My money would be on the Civic. here is why.
Mazda is actually a paritally owned ford company. Mazda has been floundering a bit lately, and has products that are more cheaply made. so much so, Ford will soon be annoucing that they will be selling off their 1/3 share of the company. The products fail to wow, and have frequent issues, and repairs.
The AC system tends to be cool as long as you are moving. When you stop at a light in the sun, it pulls hard on the engine power, and sometimes can really heat up the engine. While the electronics tend to be pretty good, and the design lay out pretty good, the materials are inferior. Seats are THIN material, and easily wear down or wear out. Thinner plastics are used for trim, and handles making them easier to stress break, or simply pop off. The zoom zoom mazda they show on TV is ALWAYS the upgraded model, with the V6 engine vs the 4 cylinder. So, of course it has more zip starting power. The thing is most drivers dont stomp on the gas regularly, so who cares! The seats tend to be more molded and or detailed, which gives more seams a chance to split, or tear from lack of quality sewing or stitching. Last, the resale value plummets on the mazda.
As for the Civic. Honda has a great rep, and has the car is just built with better materials. The electronics tend to be equal to or better than MAzda. Thicker materials used in trim, design, and seats. While the whole seat may not be leather, at least the stitches that hold the leather to the sides of the seat are sewn better. The engine tends to run cooler, and hold more power. AC works great even in the 4 cylinder at a stop light in the sun. Paint is many layers thicker, and it has more under coats than the mazda product, so the finish on the car will stay shiney and bright for many years past the mazda.
Please take both for a ride. Really examine the seats, the dash, the knobs, and the levers. Most cars are already undercoated at the factory and asking for undercoating after purchase is a waste of your money now a days. REFUSE to pay for transport charges to the lot. YOU didnt ask for that car to be brought to the lot, so you shouldnt have to pay for the cost to get it there. Work hard, and be ready to walk away. TRUST ME! the salesmen WILL call you at home, and you can say "hey, my bottom line is X. either you can meet it, or ...I wont be buying your car. thanks anyway" and they WILL drop dramatically in price.
Best bet, buy a used Camry. Well designed, well made, upgrade from the civic and the mazda. Has incredible resale, and is a great value to buy a used one that is UNDER 50k miles. The dang thing can run for 300k miles. The gas milage is only like one or two off from the Civic, and is going to be a car that will be more sturdy, more reliable, and less of a headache.
No matter what you buy. GET A CAR FAX. make sure the DEALER PAYS FOR IT! I had a dealer look me in the eye to tell me alot about a nice used car I was paying for. How it was a well known customer that he knew for years that traded that car in, and I could take his word for it. I stuck to my guns, and the Car Fax showed it was a LEASED vehicle that has been in a bad accident. Was part of a fleet of cars leased by a NYC company. Well, i showed it to the sales man and he had nothing left to say. I didnt buy his car. I didnt go back and use his place to buy anymore cars. He called me at home to almost give me that car. HA! no thanks!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE to drive! I love cars! I currently have a nice Acura TL. zip zoom! its paid for, and the insurance is pretty cheap cause of where I live.
So, USE the internet to research the lot you are goign to. View cars on line first, then go to bluebook places to learn what the actual value of that car is. Do you belong to BJs or Costco? they negotiate for you. AAA also offers good financing for cars. your local credit union will give you a MUCH better deal for that car than Ford credit or GMC credit. Buy the extended warantee PRIVATELY! its 10cents on the dollar vs what the dealership offers unless you arm wrestle the guy to give it to you for HALF price, and include it in the loan.
Damn, I wish I could go with you. I love to make car salesmen cry. Ask steph! they hate me!
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Post by masaia on Oct 14, 2008 16:06:57 GMT -5
I kind of like the mazda salesman though XD He didn't try to push anything on me, and kept asking me what I wanted. I couldn't even get a guy to look at me at the honda place. Was wandering around the lot looking at the exteriors of cars. Most of them didn't even have a stat sheet with the cost, mileage, etc. I definitely started liking the Civic more. I drove one at my last job and enjoyed it. Maybe when my dad is there with me they might actually pay attention. I want to drive whatever I can. Been on the internet, talking to everyone I know, and harassing people I don't (ok not really ). Not going to just blindly buy something. I need something that fulfills every need, cuz I'm going to be using this for a long time. By the way, it was the Mazda 3 I test drove, as it was the comparable model of the Honda Civic. I haven't heard about the cheap paint or plastic in the Mazdas yet. Even looking at it, didn't seem so bad. These are the 2008/2009 models mind you. Maybe they shaped up a bit. Appreciate the opinions. I want to make sure I get the best deal for my money, not a exploding death trap.
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Post by Office Ninja on Oct 14, 2008 20:05:02 GMT -5
Who on earth pays $1000 a month for a car?
My car payment is $200, and my insurance is about $100. I might pay $50-75 a month in gas depending on how much I end up driving.
I have a Hyundai Elantra. Great car, i bought it used but it was in great shape. had it almost 2 years now and the only problem is the person who rear ended my car in the parking lot and drove off. I cant afford ot fix it sadly.
Hondas are great cars. They have good parts and are for the most part pretty reliable. The only downside to a honda is, if something does happen to go wrong, it will cost you a ton of money to fix it. They use high priced parts on just about everything in the car.
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Post by Norfy the Walrus on Oct 14, 2008 20:17:35 GMT -5
Well $60 a month is still cheaper regaurdless.
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Post by masaia on Oct 22, 2008 18:59:18 GMT -5
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Post by Norfy the Walrus on Oct 22, 2008 20:38:06 GMT -5
Very nice! Very sexy! Just make sure that old lady in the background doesn't steal it.
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Post by dejibo on Oct 23, 2008 10:04:47 GMT -5
Sweet! congratulations! way to go!
its very cute. I bet its great on gas too. ;D
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Post by df2506 on Oct 26, 2008 12:32:34 GMT -5
Hey guys. Been awhile...
Things haven't been great lately...
First, my computer was infected with a few virus/spyware.Tried to fix it by buying a virus/spyware remover...but that didn't help. So, I can't use my computer online at all now (using my PS3 to write this). Heck, the computer still gives me problems offline... Second, I get sick. I'm still sick. Been about a week now..
Third, my mom gets sick. Worse than me. Dad took her to the hospital on Thursday. She's still there. Though, she seems to be getting a little better.
So, ya, things haven't been good.
The only bright spott was getting LittleBigPlanet yesterday! Its such a great game.
Anyway, hope you guys are doing good.Take care.
df2506
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Post by Norfy the Walrus on Oct 26, 2008 13:11:01 GMT -5
Geez, what are you guys sick with?
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Post by dejibo on Oct 26, 2008 16:22:23 GMT -5
Feel better df! we miss you!
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Post by Norfy the Walrus on Oct 30, 2008 20:22:04 GMT -5
So, down in the States are you guys having as many people getting freaked out about Halloween as Canada? I just saw a broadcast on the news saying that several religious communities (self rightous nutcases) are offended and even scared of Halloween. Even demanding that the event not be made public but rather private for familys to continue their demonic rituals at home. One family said that halloween has traumatized their family and they are considering moving to the States to escape it (yeah, I'm sure you'll find it MUCH better down there).
What these people need is simple education on the event. First of all, its not a religious event to worship demons or god or anything for that matter. At one time, centurys ago, it was a religious day but it has changed since then to become a fun day for kids and adults alike. And the fun comes in dressing up in costumes. Sure, the costumes are a usually based on a horror genre, and I can understand some people not familiar with it to get confuzed. But to go THIS far? To get this freaked out about it? Its sickening! I can't stand how sensetive society has become this past decade. Firs the diary of Ann Frank gets banned from schools cause it was deemed to be too violant. Then there was that fiasco with LittleBig Planet......now this? Why can't people just grow up? XD
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Post by Yvondith on Oct 30, 2008 20:33:58 GMT -5
I don't think they are here, at least I haven't heard of it. These religious nutcases piss me off. If you're gonna go against the mainstream, then do it in your own home, don't whine and complain publicly about it. Just makes yourself look like a giant obnoxious asshole who's probably off his rocker. I agree, Halloween isn't some demon/devil worshiping holiday, it's kids and adults playing dressup, eating candy, and having a good time. A bit backlogged here on my posts. I hope your Mom gets better, DF. It sounds like she's had a rough year. Granny is camping out at my house for the next 2 days to avoid the previously mentioned candy eating hoodlums.
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Post by Norfy the Walrus on Oct 30, 2008 23:04:09 GMT -5
My Halloween wil be spent watching horror movies. I bought Diary of the Dead and the Day of the Dead remake. I love zombie movies. I still have a whole bunch of Friday the 13th movies on VHS.
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