Which car should I buy?

Question

Most persuasive / in depth answer gets the best answer
Im looking to spend about 40,000
Not a minivan
It must be at least a 5 seater
i'm enviormently consencoius so mileage is important I would consider a hybrid
I already have a honda but ill by another brand if you can convince me
Saftey is extremely important
Do outhink I should buy american why
Thanks guys good luck best one wins

40,000 is the limit im willing to spend upt 40K

Answer 1

First of all, you don't need to spend $40G
Nor, in the case of a Hybrid, should you go pre-owned, because only the FIRST owner of a Hybrid will be able to take advantage of federal & state tax incentives.

Click on the link below for a side by side comparison that I've compiled for you.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/Escape/compare/details/?vehicles=19019|20184|20665|19297
I highly recommend the Hybrid Escape or (it's sister) Mercury Mariner.
Now, as far as the gas mileage ratings....well...they're compiled by the government & .....well I'll give you my own personal experience:

4X4 Escape my combined average (city & hgwy) 28 MPG (one week test drive & I drove it like I just stole it)
The following week I did EXACTLY the same type of test with a Honda Accord Hybrid.....result..15.8 MPG
The reason for the big difference in gas mileage is (for one) the Ford is a "full" Hybrid while the Accord is a "mild" Hybrid.
All Hybrids are not huge gas savers and there are several types of "hybrid" technology. For more info on this subject, you need to go to http://hybridcars.com >technology>types of systems>terms

Now here's the link for this vehicles safety ratings:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/index2.cfm?myYear=2007&myMake=Ford&myModel=Escape%20Hybrid
The safety ratings on this vehicle are great.....even though...
This test was done WITHOUT the optional side impact air curtain/canopy!!!.....I would opt up for that, if I were you since safety is extremely important to you .

I included the Lexus in the 1st (link) comparison for you only because another answerer suggested it....& because Lexus has been rated #1 for reliability for 11 straight years ( according to J.D. Powers Study (I'm gonna cut & paste one of my previous answers for those results), But I also included the Mercury Mariner ..because Mercury is rated #2

My prev. "Best" answer:
*****************************************************************
Since you ask specifically for reliability , may i refer you to the most recent J.D. Power & assoc. study, rather than each individual "Yamster" opinion ?
The most recentl study was of 2003 vehicles that had been on the road for 3 years. This study lists 37 manufacturers in order of the least problems to the most problems .
I'll list in their order:
1 Lexus
2 mercury
3 buick
4 cadillac
5 toyota
6 acura
7 honda
8 jaguar
9 bmw
10 infinity
11 lincoln
12 ford
13 oldsmobile
<<<<<<<<< 14 chrysler
15pontiac
16 subaru
17 gmc
18 mercedes-benz
19 chevrolet
20 nissan
21 mazda
22 porsche
23 hyandai
24 dodge
25 mitsubishi
26 jeep
27 volvo
28 audi
29 mini
30 isuzu
31 saturn
32 volkswagon
33 hummer
>>>>>>>>>>>>not reliable
34 kia
35 suzuki
36 saab
37 land rover
***********************end cut & paste***************************

SORRY THIS IS SO LONG ...BUT YOU ASKED FOR IN DEPTH
************
Now as for buying Amercan ? Let's not EVEN get me started on that ! I'll be typing all night!!!!!

(but take a look at the top 6 on the above list...50% American!)

Answer 2

Mercedes Benz. You can get a pre-owned E class for 40K with an extended warranty and you will be set for at least four years of comfortable, exhilarating, pleasurable, worry free driving in a car that is designed like an Abrams tank. Seriously, go to www.mbusa.com and search for a pre-owned car. I've bought three like that. You can get an awesome deal on a lease return or a low-mileage trade in. The dealer will provide you with the service record and a carfax report. And don't be afraid to shop nationwide. Go for the bigger markets where they are motivated to sell. Shipping is not that expensive. I found a CL500 in Chicago for 12K under low book and it was spotless. The Starmark inspected cars are like new! C'mon, do this for you!
There is nothing like driving the Star!

Answer 3

Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan. It is very efficient on fuel. One of the best family sedans in its category. It has a fuel efficiency of a Honda Civic 4-cylinder gasoline. It has VSA (vehicle stability assist w/ traction control), also know as electronic stability control (ESC), that can be found in luxury cars only. It has side air bags and side curtain airbags. I like this car and it is under $40,000.

Toyota Camry Hybrid Sedan has the same fuel efficiency as the Toyota Corolla Sedan 4-cylinder gasoline. They have all the same safety features as the Honda Accord Hybrid Sedan.

Answer 4

You should buy my car! No, seriously. I'm selling my '05 PT Cruiser. It is in Excellent Condition with just over 30K miles on it. I've kept it up to date (professionally) on all maintenences. It gets great gas mileage, especially on the highway. I drove from central Illinois to Chicago and back on one tank of gas. It is extremely safe (being an '05), complete with dual airbags. It seats 5 people with a hatch for storage space too. It is the touring edition so the shelf in the hatch moves around from a lower level to a higher one and then also extends out of the car so you can have yourself a little tailgate party or for camping or something. Chrysler is a great brand of cars, very dependable and classy too. The PT cruiser is awesome because you get the benefits of a minivan without actually driving one. I love my PT Crusier and I'm only selling it so I can afford to pay for college, I can't afford to pay for both the car and college :(. If you are interested, please don't hesitate to contact me! I'm selling her for just $12,000 (obo). By the way, she comes with an awesome warranty too! I've been looking for a good home for her and I would love for you to buy her. Do consider it, or at least a PT Crusier in general! Good luck and happy shopping!!!

Answer 5

Lexus GS350 hybrid - pure perfomance, unbelievable economy. Dont know of the availabilty or pricing in your part of the world, but Toyota/Lexus are going hybrid accross the range soon, ask your local dealer. And you want convincing? Drive everything that takes your fancy, then drive a Lexus (or even a top-level Camry), and make your decision.

Answer 6

The best looking car on the road right for around $40,000 is the Chrysler 300. That thing is beautiful.

Answer 7

Get a new Mustang Shelby GT500 :)