Lincolnite

I’m due on my lease in May so I’ve started to look.  I really like the Saturn Aura.  I’m also looking in the Accord area, but the Aura (also the Chevy Malibu) give you quite a bit from the start.

I don’t think you can go wrong with a Camry. You may pay slightly more upfront, but it will hold its value better than anything out there. If you take care of it, you could get 150-200,000 miles out of one.

You didn’t indicate new versus used. Financially speaking, your best bet is to pick up something that’s slightly used. About 2 years old is optimum - let the first person take the brunt of the depreciation. You’ll be driving a used car in 90 days either way. a 2-year old Camry won’t have depreciated as much, but it’s a smart buy.

My sister-in-law has a Honda Accord and loves it. You can’t really go wrong with a camry/accord, IMHO.

Back in April I purchased a 2006 Sonata.  It’s even better than I had expected.  I did quite a bit of research and found it was very comparable to a Camry, just under the Hyundai name, thus it’s at a better price. Ours has been great, we’ve not had a problem with it. It’s a very smooth ride. 

If you are looking for a new car, you can’t beat the warranty on the Sonata.

Just like most other people, I hate car shopping. So when my car was totaled (not my fault), I was not looking forward to what was ahead. Here are my tips…these pretty much apply to buying a new car:

1. I’m not fond of Saturns. They don’t seem to hold up well…at least that’s my experience when I was in college, things may have drastically changed.

2. The biggest tip is RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. From the time my car was totaled to the time I bought my truck it was 8 months (Granted, I had to ask for rides here and there, and I don’t expect you to wait that long). During that time, I researched as much as I could between my favorites (Chevy Silverado and Ford F150). It was extremely helpful when I went to the dealership and knew more about the truck than the sales floor person. It gave me a little bit of leverage, and I think that helps show you mean business, and aren’t going to be an easy sale to the salesman.

3. I did a lot of e-mails telling the dealerships exactly what I wanted. If they had exactly what I wanted, I kept an open line. If they tried to sell me something I didn’t want (with all the bells and whistles, or no bells and whistles) I didn’t reply. It helps to have offers from one dealership, so you can get into bidding wars with a different dealership.

4. Look outside of Lincoln as well. Look at Omaha, Beatrice, GI, KC (if needed). I know you’ll hate me for saying that, but I thought it helped on getting the price I got for my truck.

5. Good luck and be patient. It may take a while to find the deal that suites what you want to pay, but when you do find a deal you like you don’t feel like you ever got screwed or bought something you didn’t want.

I’m surprised your Tempo has held on this long…

I’m surprised, too. But take a look around on the road and in parking lots. Believe it or not, you’ll see quite a few Tempos and Topazes from around ‘93. They’re apparently resilient little buggers.

I had a 93 Tempo for a couple years.  I still believe it’s one of the greatest cars Ford has ever produced.

I don’t think you can go wrong with the Honda Accord.  Before I started bike commuting, I was beginning the process of car shopping, since I was going to have to buy a car by the end of this year.  I was looking in the same class as you, and my focus was on the Accord.  Hondas across the board are known for their longevity, as it’s extremely common to get 10 years and 150K miles, if not more. My brother bought one new a few years ago, and has had only one minor thing wrong with it, and that was covered by warranty.

Having said that, there are certainly reasons the Camry has been the best selling automobile for several years.  You probably can’t go wrong with either of those two.

As for dealerships, the list of ones that I would do business with is very small, perhaps down to 2 or 3, and Williamson Honda is one of those.

I’m definitely looking outside of Saturn this time, but I lease through my business and I’m on my 6th Saturn without a problem.  What I’m more disappointed with now is their lack of fixed pricing.  I actually got the ‘what payment would get you into this car today’ crap.  I loved it because I would bring in my company info, get a price and drive away.  Now I’m looking elsewhere too.  If I have to get sales slop all over me, I may as well see what else is out there.

is a very good car.  Since you have a Tempo, you could get the four cylinder in an Altima too.  But if you can swing it, get the V-6.  The Maxima is good too but more money.

The Honda and Toyota products are good, the Nissan’s aren’t as boring in my opinion.

We bought a Hyundai Santa Fe several years ago and we had a good purchasing experience at Sid Dillon and we’ve been very happy with the quality of the car.

I would give Hyundai a look. Like Boomer said, the warranty is great and the quality is great too.

Can’t go wrong with Camry or Accord either.

From what my friends tell me, stay away from the renamed dealership that was at 48 & O and is now on N 27.  They are still pulling their “tricks.”

I’ll second the Hyundai.  I’m up over 60k and I haven’t had to take it into the shop once.

Park Place now known as Performance was perhaps the slimiest experience of my car buying life.

Sid Dillon and Williamson Honda are both great dealerships.

I own a 2003 Honda Accord bought it used a couple years ago from a dealer auction in KC.  I love my Honda!  I had a windshield wiper issue with it, but again, it was covered under recall/warranty.  I expect my Accord to last a long time (I too hate turning over cars).  Never again will I own a GM, been there, done that twice.  I test drove the Sonatas everyone’s talking about, I wasn’t overly impressed and the new one I was in was ‘burning’ something off under the hood.  Salesman said they all do that, I couldn’t stand the smell…he said it’d take a some miles b4 it went away??  I didn’t believe him, anything smelling like that can’t be good.  My 2nd choice b4 buying my Honda was the Nissan Altima…sporty, and Nissan’s a good company.

This guy: http://www.georgewitt.com/

...is a reputable guy that I LOVED when I had my Honda.  They only service Honda/Acura/Toyota/Lexus, but it sounds like you might be getting one of those.  His small business has grown - I presume largely because of word-of-mouth.

Why do I mention him?  Because not only do they repair your car, but they also buy/sell ‘em. (at least when I used to use him).  It would probably be worth giving him a call if you start seriously looking.

Also, big fan of http://www.autotrader.com/

And I have recurring nightmares about my experieces with Husker Auto Group.

Park Place became Husker Auto Group. Most of the “I-80 Auto Mall” is best left alone, but at least one of the worst is gone… for now.

Sid Dillon and Williamson are OK. For used only, B&D;on 48th and Cornhusker is worth checking as well.

I have a 1995 Honda…275000 miles…only minor issues…nothing close to what you’d see with a Ford or Dodge or Chevy at that age…Great gas economy too. I’ll always get an Accord.