hey guysss i haven't been on for a while since my accident..

ive been car shopping for about 2 months and im conclued to either a 2007 honda accord sedan/coupe I4 auto or a 2008 volkswagon rabbit auto/tiptronic

i test drova the the nissan altima, sentra se-r, vw gti, vw jetta, mazda 3, honda fit, honda civic, subaru wrx impreza, scion tc

the vw rabbit and honda accord shined

I.m looking for a car around 20k or less. I use to own a 2001 accord v6 sedan and was satisifed but since i have a low budget I was looking for more of a subcompact/ versatile car.

my impressions on the accord were soso. I was amazed when i floored the car. I couldn't believe how peppy 166hp cocould be for such a heavy car. it felt secure and the ride wasn't to stiff or soft. since the 08 model's came out, honda is giving rebates out on all 2007 accords. dropping prices 2k-4k. maybe more.
i know i could never go wrong with a honda. i mean come on now.

the vw rabbit got me hooked from the start. the steering was precise. it was spacious yet small and was a very safe car. it weighs 3100 curb weight. so i know i wont fly if i get hit like the honda fit. i checked on consumerreports (a non profit organizations who rate cars reliabilitys) because of volkswagons reliability issues and they rated the 2008 rabbit above average. i was shocked. as usual, all the other vw's hd way below average reliability.
the car has a 2.5l inline 5 170 hp and 177 torque. it has a 6 speed auto with tiptronic and sport mode. its an amazing car and the 4 door has seat warmers, 10 speakers and traction control standard. optional stability control, it has 6 airbags standard and optional 8 with the side curtain for back occupants. its an amazing car but im not sure if i want to move to german motors. i realize maintence wil lbe more expensive and that of course its not gonnana last 250k miles like almost all hondas. but i know illtake good care of it and make the best of it. the price of the vw rabbit 4 door is 18k with the options im interested in.

kellys blue book rated the 2008 rabbit best resale value.

the honda is a nice car but i feel like they dont make me say WOW anymore. they're just to plain.

i want a fun car with versatility, power and gas mileage and of course reliability.
the honda fit had all this but was so underpowered.. I felt like i was gonnan get hit when i was merging on the highway.

hope you guys can help me decide. im thinking of buying the car either the end of this month or next month

 

Hi Nate...here goes my anology about your question...
Buying a new car is attuned to picking out a New Wife or Girlfriend (whichever floats your boat) and then having to live with it..Only you can be the one which makes that decision for your self as to which one fits the best you get my drift

Good Luck and Glad to see your back...

WheelBrokerAng [sm=americanasmiley.gif]

 

What was the price you found on the 07 Accord?

I used to own an 1984 VW Rabbit, Wolfberg edition (imported to the US for real!!! Made in Germany and floated over on a boat!).
While it was an old car when I owned it (1998 - 2002), I worked on it from time to time replacing your standard parts (alternator, battery, radiator, cv joints, and eventually shocks)....
However, with 450k miles on it, it had the ORIGINAL: engine, transmission, starter, springs, bearings, interior, etc...

After 2002, I bought an 86 4Runner and gave the Rabbit to my Sister, who trashed it by spray painting the exterior different colors (bright pink, yellow, and red... YUCK!) and hardly changed the oil.. Non the less, after 2 MORE years she sold it for $1000 (poor guy who bought it!!! he was a pizza boy and wanted a ride for the town while he delivered...) and it actually still ran pretty good, less having to bleed the brakes due to a minor leak.

I loved that VW Rabbit, but I've heard nothing but problems in the last decade about their electronics failing and often causing the cars to be non-functional without spending 2-3k fixing the entire electric system. But again I've only heard these things from VW Jetta/Pasat owners..

Also, the comment about Consumer Reports being a NPO may be true (which I doubt is true under the table/sheets), but I can personally attest against their declaration of being "Unbiased" as stated on their front page... I know for a fact they are biased, as you can read very clearly in their articles, as well as you'll often see (especially in the electronics area) their continual choice over sub-par products at higher prices. I've had about 10yrs experience with them, and have never agreed with them.

 

i'd stay away from volkswagen if you plan to keep it past warranty, plain and simple.

 

Eh.. I think that could be said about any car really...

I haven't owned one car that didn't need work immediately after the warranty expired, nor have I known anyone that hasn't either... You know they make the cars with the perfect amount of warranty time to handle just barely enough and then blammo.. it expires and your car is stranded on the side of the road.

 

i disagree 100%.

my 94 accord. after warranty it needed cv boots, drivers side axle shaft, drivers side window regulator, radiator.

this all happened between 36,000 and 231,000 miles. i dont consider that too much.

 

I've bought new cars & kept them way past warranty. Couple VWs ('82 Rabbit & '86 Jetta GLi) haven't been unusual for repairs after the warranty was up.

 

repair costs for VW's are much higher than honda, and they are a pain to work on if you plan to do work yourself. Keep that in mind.

 

i really cant pick between the two. yeh vw reliability isnt shining but they sure are fun to drive. the 07 accord i was looking at were either a accord 4 dr Lx I4 and bfore neogoiating the price was i beleve 20k or 22. they have a 2000 rebate on all I4.

the other accord was a accord v6 coupe stick shift EX. 4000 off msrp. the rebates are crazy. i i think it was about 22k..

the I4 just isnt peppy enough for me but i want good mileage nd i feel as if the rabbit has a balance of both.

i was considering a mazda 3 and after i found out ford car parts were being used now. it was crossed off my list..

i appreciate you guys helping me out.

ive never heard any complaints about the MKV rabbit and ive been searching around car forums for the rabbit for awhile. ive heard the 5 speed has some clutch issues. thats about it. but then again the MKV has onlybeen out for liike 3 or 4 yearsi believe.

just remeber the rabbits transmission+engine was made in germany. while the jettas tranmisson and engine was made in mexico.