Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site eosp1.UUCP 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