Buying a new car

[Brooklyns_Finest]

Peeps,

My old 10 year old Ford finally died on me today. I am in no mood to put more money in to fixing this vehicle, so I am going to give it to charity and look to buying a new car. For the last 10 years I have had used cars (Toyota Celica & FOrd Explorer), so I have no familiarity of the new car buying market. Anybody have any advice on what would be a good purchase? I am not looking to spend over $18K on a car, I will probably put down $2-3K deposit. I want a 2008 or 2009 model. I am only interested in 4 door sedans with power everything that gets decent gas mileage. I am flexible with everything else.

I am tempted to check out a car made by the "big three" auto-makers. I think it would be my patriotic duty to help one of these struggling companies, but I don't want to get stuck with a lemon and risk not having a warranty if they go out of business or file for bankruptcy.

Should I just stick with the reliable Toyota and Honda? Any suggestions would be great. I live in the Berkeley CA area if anyone knows of any good deals.

Thanks.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. My toyota's been chugging forever, no problems.

[Brooklyns_Finest]

2. Cool

I am looking at getting either a Corolla or Camry. I am leaning toward a Camry because it is a little bigger.

[emilyg]

3. I love my Camry. Plan on sticking with it in future.

[Crazy Dave]

7. Never a Ford again for me

Toyotas until I die. Matter a fact my next Toyota will probably be the car I die with.

[tismyself]

4. car shopping - yuck

I prefer Toyota engineering over Honda. Almost bought an Avalon, but then a deal I couldn't pass up fell in my lap. Bought a Grand Marquis with basically no miles on it for next to nothing, had to put new windshield wipers on it. It has never given me a minute of trouble, dern thing is bullet proof.

My real car is a 1986 truck, with a few exceptions, my longest relationship!! But the Marquis is what I take out on the road.

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. I hate car shopping also. Some people love it.

[elleng]

5. Driving my folks' '93 Camry wagon

(no longer make the wagon!) Just drove it to MD from FL. NO probs, except 'old' tires!