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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!princeton!eosp1!norris
From: norris@eosp1.UUCP (Cindy Norris)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: WHAT NEW CAR TO BUY
Message-ID: <602@eosp1.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 21-Feb-84 14:02:32 EST
Article-I.D.: eosp1.602
Posted: Tue Feb 21 14:02:32 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 22-Feb-84 02:29:00 EST
Organization: Exxon Office Systems, Princeton, NJ
Lines: 126

For those of you following this inquiry and interested in
the kinds of responses I've gotten, here is the run down I
promised last week.  I have gotten about 25 responses in
all, and here is a ranking of the numbers:
       Auto             Recommended by             Comments
VW (Rabbit GTI) or Jetta     8 persons    Someone said it has a good
					  warranty.  I also got a couple
					  of comments that this car's
					  service record isn't what it
					  used to be.  For my needs, I
					  found it to be priced higer
					  than I wanted.  You even have
					  to pay for decent exterior
					  colors!  I was shown a 4-dr.
					  Jetta GLI.  Nice car, but I
					  figured with Automatic, Air
					  and cassette, etc.  it would
					  have been close to $11,000!

Mazda 626 or GLC Sport       4            Comments I received were that
					  the Mazda has great handling,
					  is zippy and has map slots, etc.
					  Unfortunately, I can"t locate
					  a Mazda dealer and it doesn't
					  make a lot of sense to me to
					  buy a car 80 miles from where I
					  live.  I never got to check the
					  Mazda out.

Datsun NISSAN Stanza/Sentra  3            People said it was roomy and
					  I didn't get all that many other
					  comments about the NISSAN models.
					  Check at the bottom for my personal
					  auto choice.

Toyota Camry or Corolla      3            The Camry was expensive (over
					  $10,000) for what I wanted in it.
					  I drove a Corolla LE around a
					  parking lot and really liked it.
					  (Freehold Toyota)  It has a 1.6
					  liter engine, which drove well
					  in a parking lot (automatic
					  trans.) but I don't know how
					  peppy it is on the highway.  The
					  interior was very nice.  This car
					  was a close second for me.  Freehold
					  Toyota quoted me $8,800 which
					  sounded good to me - BUT they seemed
					  not to be able to guarantee DELIVERY
					  in what I thought was a good time
					  frame.  I also would not have been
					  guaranteed the interior color I
					  preferred, etc.  

I also got one recommendation each for Honda Civic CRx, Subaru, and
Mitsubishi (Cordia or Tredia).  And I know many people very happy
with their HONDA Accords.  

I also had about 6 responses on OMNI/HORIZON.  Four of the six were
negatives, citing reliability as the major drawback.  The people who
had good luck with theirs were enthusiastic and liked the car a lot.
I know the OMNI has a great little 2.2 liter engine that is extremely
peppy and all.  That was what I liked best about the car.  

In general, I found the Japanese cars to handle better and be
more "user friendly" (!).  They think of the map slots, thingee
hiding places, etc.  The American models often miss out on these extra
conveniences.  I also think the Japanese cars look "richer" and more
stylish.

Among American cars, I drove the Renault Alliance (not bad at all-
seemed to have a good engine, better pick-up than I expected), the
Ford Tempo (nice interior, nice styling, but had trouble getting up
a hill - not enough power for me).  I also tried a Pontiac Sunbird,
which had absolutely NO PICK-Up.  The guy tried to sell me the TURBO!

Anyway, you must remember I tried ONLY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS and
there is a good deal of difference between the Automatics and what
you can do with the manual shift.

I have ordered a NISSAN SENTRA 4-dr. sedan. (LE package, and air-
conditioning, am/fm/cassette, automatic).  I dealt with a couple
of Datsun dealers, but got the better price from Freehold Datsun.
I also like the Stanza which lists for about $10,300. with the
options I want.  Freehold Datsun gave me a price almost $400. below
that.  I went with the Sentra, however, as it was less expensive
and although I may lose a little in "classiness", it has just about
the same things as the more expensive STANZA.  My biggest hesitation
about it is that it has the smaller engine (1.6 liter) and I have
NOT been able to drive one of them yet!  It seems these cars are
never on the lots!  I am promised delivery within a month!  I
figure that if I drive it and it is pooping along at too slow a
speed and I don't like the acceleration and all, I will maybe just
go for the Stanza at that point, or maybe one of the Hondas.  The
Stanza has a 2.0 liter - and is extrememly peppy even with automatic.
I only hope the Sentra is good.  

The other part of my inquiry concerned dealerships to avoid.  I
got the following NEGATIVE recommendations:
     Reedman in Langhorne, PA
     Garden State Ford, RT. 22, North Plainfield
     Burns Honda/Pontiac (Cherry Hill/Marlton NJ)
     VIP HONDA
Someone also said "Avoid ANY dealer on Rt. 22".  I know of people
who were pleased with Richards Honda in Freehold (Rt. 9) and
Picarin (Rt 1 - near Langhorne) Honda.  I felt pretty good with
the treatment I received at Freehold Datsun and Toyota.  Solomon
Datsun at 130 and 571 in Hightstown was a bit higher priced on
their Datsuns (maybe not a volume dealer), but they were nice.
I also like Greenfield Dodge on Rt. 1 in Lawrenceville.  If anyone
wants to check out Freehold Datsun or Toyota, I can give you the
sales reps name if you want.  Anyhow -

I have now discoverd people with Sentras and have heard no 
negative remarks on the car!  

Again, thanks to all of you who rose to the occasion and took the
time to mail me ideas on cars to check out - I really appreciate
it!  I don't have time to respond individually to everyone, but
if anyone wants any other specific info, I can be reached at
(609)734-9200 days.  

-- 
CINDY, EOSC, Princeton NJ
...!{allegra,ittvax}!eosp1!norris