[HyundaiLvr87]

I have a 2008 Santa Fe SE and while I love it, I'm ready for something new! I have kept this car for just over 2 years and have put 36,000 miles on it (my fiancee put about 15,000 on it). This is the longest I have kept a car. I told her I want a new car and she is going to be getting something she wants. Now I know everyone is going to say save your money for getting married, but I've thought about it and I can budget for a new car as long as my payments stay the same. I was set to buy a 2011 Sonata but I only liked the SE and couldn't stand the ride. The Limited it out of my price range. Then I was going to get a 4 cyl Santa Fe Limited but I realize the new Santa Fe will likely be out in a year or so. With that said, he are my choices:

1. 07 or 08 Lexus ES 350. I have always wanted a Lexus and 2 of the ladies I work with have them and love them. You can get them pretty cheap now.
2. 2011 Kia Sportage
3. 2010 Santa Fe 4 cylinder Limited...later on in the year.

I keep going back and forth on this so any opinions are greatly appreciated. I'm not in a rush to buy. I work at a car dealer so I'm hoping maybe something used will strike me too.

 

[HyundaiLvr87]

'You have a 2 year old vehicle which you love, yet you're ready for a change?' Like I said this is the longest I have kept a vehicle. All my others I traded before a year. While I do love it, I have had the radio replaced twice and I'm having a problem with the trip computer/ fuel range and they need to drop the tank to do that. My trim also cracked on a hot day. Even though I didn't keep them long, my 05 and 06 Santa Fe's were rock solid.

"How does you fiancée feel about this?' she wants what she wants and while she likes the Santa Fe, she wants something different.

'Does it make her worry about your relationship?' Nope

'How often do you change girl friends?' Actually my fiancee was my only girlfriend. I'm 22

'Why are you changing cars so often?' My first Santa Fe, only got 14 mpg, then I wasn't getting much better on my Sonata and with my second Santa Fe, I traded it after 3 months because I got an amazing deal on this one.

'Why not change cars more often?' If I were rich, I would!

'You must have too much money.' Unfortuntely, no but I always have equity in my cars and I never put any money out of pocket.

'Don't buy another car. Get a bike.' I should because I need more exercise

'How often do you change TVs?' I've had the same one since I was 12!


I'm not looking for comments telling me to keep it. I'm simply looking for opinions on the vehicles I listed.

 

[HyundaiLvr87]

That's right, I have been here for almost 4 years and and have 1,200 post and I'm here to upset people, you caught me. Everyone keeps a car for 4 years? My uncle leases a new car every 3 years, my brother buys a new car every 2 or 3 years, my dad keeps a car 7 or 8 years. Everyone is different. I'm not bragging, I'm just asking for an opinion on what I should buy.

My family has owned many Hyundai's since 1995 and they have been great, this is the first one we have had problems with. Warranty on the radio is only 3 years, are you going to pay for it if it breaks again? What about when the bumper to bumper is up? Will you pay for whatever else may go wrong?

Sorry for stirring the pot by asking a simple question. I guess i should warn others that if they are looking to buy a new car, they may be shot down by you. I guess alot of people who are trading in a few year old Tucsons for a 2010 or the people who are trading 07 and 08 Sonata are bragging and are dealers because they are buying 2011's...shame on them.

Mods, feel free to lock this thread.. I love it here and I didn't realize I was starting trouble.

 

[HyundaiLvr87]

Don,

Your first sentence is so true and thanks for your input! I'm really considering the Lexus because I've always wanted one and you can get them pretty cheap because of the recalls. One of the ladies I work with has an 07 and the other an 08. Both of them love their cars and they haven't had any problems with them. I admit this isn't the best financial decision but I'm planning to keep my payment the same. Insurance is already high for me since I'm under 25 and living in the city.

I'm still young and making mistakes is a part of life and if this is mistake then it is but I don't think it will be.

For those of you considering a hyundai and reading this post, do not let it deter you! Like I said, my Santa Fe has been good to me but with the couple problems I'm having, it's time plus I'm ready for change.

 

[HyundaiLvr87]

QUOTE (lungdoc @ May 20 2010, 09:53 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=324607

Don't take this wrong, but you're a 22 year old guy and thinking of a Lexus ES 350?? That is the ultimate old man car in my opinion. Doesn't make it a bad car - it's solid, reliable, above all quiet and sedate, well built. My mom would enjoy it. At 22 wouldn't you be thinking of an IS Lexus? If you want/need SUV then what about Rx 350?

Your list of cars is also a bit odd in the sense that the Kia and Santa Fe have nothing in common with the Lexus. Do you want a medium-large near-luxury sedan or an SUV? Nobody on the forum can tell you that so you won't get a lot of valid feedback. Be more useful if you told us what you need or plan to routinely put in the vehicle or use it for, whether kids are in the future, (or large dogs etc.) and what sort of things you value or look for most in a vehicle - e.g. quiet ride? sporty handling? space? mileage? reliability? repair cost? What is the actual budget? Ever tow? Ever off road/soft road/significant winter?

Example of a post that might get you more useful feedback: Looking for the best value for a vehicle in the range from 20-25K. 07 or newer. 22, about to be married, no kids for next 4 years expected. Keep vehicles 2-3 years as get bored (and nothing wrong with that BTW, keeps our car industry alive!!). Enjoy outdoor sports and need to carry bikes and gear on weekends to a cottage with dodgy dirt roads as well as ski gear. Need something bigger than a Tucson but prefer 4 cylinder for fuel economy. Drive 10 000 miles per year.

Thanks for your input! Is it an old man car? Absolutely! but I would also own a towncar or an azera anyday. I have driven the IS and I don't like it because it's small. I like bigger cars and suvs which is why I have owned suvs. I like the RX but it's out of my price range. I don't need an suv, I just like being up high and I like the space. Everyone always asks to borrow it and they only real use I have for it is when I go to sell at the flea market.

The Kia and the Santa Fe would be 4 bangers and get good gas mileage. The reason I am considering the ES is because they are very comfortable cars and both of the ladies get around 24 mpg city and one told me she got as high as 33 on the highway, so it's a very efficient V6. I'm looking for reliability, repair cost( I can just take the Lexus to the toyota dealer down the road from my work), a great sound system, and a quiet ride. I have owned 3 Santa Fe's and a Sonata and I'm thinking it's time for a change to luxury. When I was looking at the 2011 Sonata, they tried to talk me into a GLS and I told them I have an Santa Fe SE, why would I downgrade? I guess the luxury features and smooth ride are what entice me on the Lexus.

My budget is around $23,000.

 

[HyundaiLvr87]

QUOTE (ThunderLizard @ May 20 2010, 09:57 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=324608

Hey all,

The bottom line is that each of us has the right (an earned right) to do what they want with their money. When you boil it all down, most of what we purchase on a day-to-day basis can be rationalized away as not the best financial decision. We could live in much smaller houses, dress in more modest and cheaper clothes, and wear the same pair of shoes everyday...but we don't. Food can be plenty nourishing, but really boring, if we stuck to the bare essentials!

So, though I don't agree with the mind-set of ditching a car at 36K (not even broken in yet??) I respect the lad's right to do what he wants with his earned cash (if he were on the Government take, I'd feel differently! ).

That being said, I'm in full agreement, that if you're gonna trade because you're bored, whatever you do, don't trade down! You'll end up dissatisfied as soon as the "newness" wears off, and you'll be right back where you started! If you can't afford to trade for what you want, then don't trade yet. Hang in there for a while, save some money, and get what you'll be happy with. (It not like your current ride sucks, you're just tired of it.)

But keep in mind, I'm the guy who routinely puts 150K+ miles on my vehicles...so I'm probably not the best guy to tell you what to do in your situation!

Finally...I like the comment Trucker made about "Buy a bike"...and I think he was referring to a motorcycle! Trust me, you'll get WAY more enjoyment out of that then you would a new car! (JMHO!! :right: )

Excellent post and alot of what you are saying makes sense. While I do like to trade cars, I'm not a big spender and I'm a saver. Everytime I purchase a car, I say I'm going to keep it until it dies, but I'm never able to do it.

That is why I haven't traded yet, I'm undecided and don't know what I want. I don't want to purchase and then regret it. Circumstances could change and I may have to keep this car for a long time, who knows? I do have equity in my Santa Fe and I'm thinking about selling it privately for more of a down payment. Work offered me $15k for it.

:bwekk: