So anytime after my June 1 lease payment on my Accord, I can return it. It’s that time again, and I’m curious if anyone on here has any advice.
I don’t tend to keep cars for a very long time (3 years has been excruciating), so leasing is attractive to me. Granted, it means I always have a car payment, but I’m only paying for what I use and I’m always under warranty. I’m looking into doing a shorter term lease this time-- somewhere between 24-30 months.
Any recommendations for something fun to drive, decent looking, and with a company that offers attractive lease terms? I’ve been looking into the Volvo S40 T5 and another Accord, but I’m not thrilled by either of them. I’d like to stay in the mid-to-low 20’s pricewise. There are crazy deals on the Volvo’s right now, which is why it’d be affordable.
I love my Jetta…Great handling car and fun to drive with a 5 speed. It’s a 00, the MK IV bodystyle which is my favorite. I can’t speak for the new Jetta’s as I haven’t driven one…But if you want a car that will fill the gap between a sports car and family sedan, check out the Jetta in all it’s forms.
how has the reliability been? i had a friend with a Jetta that was endless trouble, and it’s not the first time I’ve heard of that-era VW’s giving people serious headaches.
[quote]Chip Duglass wrote:
I love my Jetta…Great handling car and fun to drive with a 5 speed. It’s a 00, the MK IV bodystyle which is my favorite. I can’t speak for the new Jetta’s as I haven’t driven one…But if you want a car that will fill the gap between a sports car and family sedan, check out the Jetta in all it’s forms.[/quote]
We just leased an 06 Jetta GLI 6-speed. Though we’ve only had it for a few days, it’s a blast to drive. We’ve driven some of the older Jettas and enjoyed them, but the handling and finish on the new ones is a step above. To be honest, neither my wife nor I were crazy about the new body style, but the GLI version looks nice (due to the black honeycomb grill). The regular version also looks nice in Silver. I’d suggest you check the car out, and if you do internet pricing you should be able to get a good deal.
For comparison, we also drove the Volvo S40 and the Saab 9-3, and the Jetta was the clear winner in handling, engine, and comfort…though I think the Saab is the best looking of the bunch.
[quote]InCorporeSano wrote:
how has the reliability been? i had a friend with a Jetta that was endless trouble, and it’s not the first time I’ve heard of that-era VW’s giving people serious headaches.[/quote]
This is actually the reason I never got an earlier model, but we heard a lot of those issues were fixed…I’ll let you know in a year.
I have a 5speed (unfortunately, not a 6) acura TL and love and drive the shit out of it. I know alot of people who have them, and love them, too. I know alot of people who say they’ve wished they’ve gotten a foreign car (both the volvo and accord, too).
If you’ve got the funds, lexus is a great way to go. My moms got the rx330, she loves it, and the service is unbeatable.
Then again, you could go all out and go with the Aston Martin Vanquish.
[quote]lostinthought wrote:
btm62 wrote:
Yea, get a good used one so you don’t have to eat all that depreciation.
Read the op’s post again. He’s leasing and doesn’t want a used car.
I don’t mean to start up a big argument or discussion…but have you looked at anything domestic such as Chevy or Dodge? [/quote]
I’ve never been an American car guy. I like the lines of the Mustang and think the Magnum looks pretty sweet, but the Hemi is out of my price range and out of my gas budget. It sounds lame, but I like having something to drive that’s a little more interesting. Part of the reason I’m not getting another Accord, which has been reliable to the point of being incredibly boring.
[quote]InCorporeSano wrote:
how has the reliability been? i had a friend with a Jetta that was endless trouble, and it’s not the first time I’ve heard of that-era VW’s giving people serious headaches.[/quote]
Mine has a 109k on it…All I’ve done is scheduled maintenance and repairs that would be expected at that mileage, such as brake pads, tires etc. I’ve also heard the rumors of the Jettas having issues, I myself have not encountered them yet.
I drive a Volvo S80. Most people dont realize how nice a car they can be, good amount of luxury and very fun to drive. New 2007’s comming out offer a v8 with an all wheel drive system. If your looking for a good sized sedan, I’d at least test drive one so you know how they feel.
[quote]DeepRiver wrote:
I drive a Volvo S80. Most people dont realize how nice a car they can be, good amount of luxury and very fun to drive. New 2007’s comming out offer a v8 with an all wheel drive system. If your looking for a good sized sedan, I’d at least test drive one so you know how they feel.[/quote]
My friend has an S80 D5 gorgeous car for long distances.
[quote]InCorporeSano wrote:
I’ve never been an American car guy. I like the lines of the Mustang and think the Magnum looks pretty sweet, but the Hemi is out of my price range and out of my gas budget…[/quote]
I have the opportunity to drive a lot of different rentals when I go out of town on business.
Magnum: Awesome driving. Powerful and even handles well. Horrible gas mileage though.
Dodge Charger (very much like the new Mustang): Rough shifting. Didn’t like the handling at all. Side visibility was crap.
Chevy Impala has been the American sedan that’s impressed me the most. It handles great, accelerates great, and gets pretty good mileage (25-27 mpg).
2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT. Beautiful car, handles very well. I’ve been a Pontiac fan since around 1999 or so, they’ve never let me down.
The ONLY problem I’ve found is that a handful of the 2005 and 2006 Pontiac Grand Am (yuck) and Grand Prix owners – including me – experienced a “hissing” in the speakers. This was caused by a faulty amplifier that the dealership will replace free of charge.
I had this problem back in January, finally discovered what caused it in early March, and haven’t had the problem again.
Again, I love this car and don’t plan on trading out of Pontiacs when my current lease expires.
I bought the new '06 Civic Si. For 19,900, you get 200hp, a 6-speed close-ratio transmission with a short-throw shifter, limited slip differential, stock 17" tires, and a load of other racing-type goodies. 8500rpm redline? Fun stuff.
Oh, and if you look young (like I do), you can probably get some college girls out of the deal too.