Interested if anyone has bought a new car lately

[philarq]

I am looking at a Chevy Aveo. This is a much more popular car in Europe where it is still sold under the original name of Lanos. It was a Daewoo Lanos, then after Daewoo went under Chevy bought the factory and sells it as the Chevy Lanos. It's cheap, and it gets great mileage. In America the engine is a bit bigger than the European models.

None of the Chevy dealers I have talked to seem to have more than a couple in stock, and I believe this is because they dont make much on them, but it seems to me that for the price they need to market it as a second or third car option to people, or as a "disposable car" --drive it for 3 years, and toss it.

I was amazed at the black hole technology in it though---I swear its bigger inside than it is on the outside.

I hate car shopping, especially in the US, and if I do buy this, it will actually be my first "new" car. I think this car is an attractive alternative to buying a used car.

[Metta]

1. How close can you come to a Honda?

Probably the best small car made. I've had one and have had two Acuras since.

[philarq]

2. looked at a scion

and The chevy is going to come out about 2000 less---I also couldnt get myself to even think about that box on wheels scion model (ugh)

and the only Honda I looked at was the Element, which was about 7000 more than the chevy Aveo

[Metta]

4. How much more is a Civic?

Are even smaller models available in Europe? I know there are two models smaller than the Civic in Japan.

[AirmensMom]

3. Get a Consumer Reports new car guide.

They do a nice job of listing cars and their reliability ratings.

You can also get a report on the car you want that helps you figure out how much you should pay for it. We did that and saved thousands of dollars. The price they wanted was way over what we knew we could get it for and we were able to get them down to the price we wanted to pay. And the report only cost $12.

[Metta]

5. Good idea. That clinched it for us.

nt.

[TroubleMan]

6. I love my Chevy Aveo.....30mpg city is what I'm getting now

Plus it has an MP3 player, which was really why I bought it in the first place, along with the gas mileage.

I got a deal on the hatchback with the spoiler, automatic, and the special light metallic blue paint job. After taxes, tags, title, and everything it was only $13,050.00.

I've only had the car for about 3 months now, but I love it so far. Mostly because I'm an audiophile, and I can play an MP3 cd with 150 or so songs on it.

Also, I have two kids, and one on the way. It has tons of room inside.

(on edit) here's a picture of what it pretty much looks like:

[TroubleMan]

7. I forgot to add that the Aveo has a 5 star crash rating too

Don't mean to sound like a commercial, but I'm very happy with it.