Looking Help Deciding On New Vehicle

Hey everyone, Last Wednesday I fell asleep on the way home from my third shift job took out a tree and totaled my car. Walked away with nothing more than a headache and no recollection of the accident at all. Kinda a blessing in a way. Also the State Trooper who arrived on scene was very kind and didn't even write me a ticket. I just heard back from the insurance company yesterday and they will be paying off the remainder of my loan on the car about $4,480 (Wish I had gotten Gap insurance because that would be nice in my pocket) and I will have an extra $900 left over for whatever. I will be paying off some other debt with it along with buying some stuff for the baby on the way. I am currently using my Fiance's 2009 Toyota Yaris for the work commute since she was taken out of work due to the pregnancy. I plan on doing some paying off on other bills before I dive into another 5-6 year loan, but I am still looking around at what's out there and I have narrowed my search down to 2 vehicles.

Nissan Cube
and
Scion xB

I prefer the second gen version of the xB 2007-on just so we are all on the same page.


I am just curious on how these vehicles on mainly on gas and trunk space as I will need to be cramming strollers, pack-n-plays, ect in it in the near future. I am also open to any other suggestions on a good vehicle. Some requirments however are 1) Needs to have leg room for a 6'1" Driver, 2) Needs to come with cruise control (Most newer stuff does, but my 2007 versa I just wrecked didn't), and 3) Needs to be $11,000 and under.

If anyone can shed some light on these (I know a couple people on here have xB's, not sure on cubes) I would much appreciate the rating.


I drive 40 miles one way to work so I need something that gets close to 30mpg like my last car. With a little more room.




Many thanks,

Kevin

I can't speak for the second gen xB's, I'm actually not as fond of them, but I have a 1st gen and absolutely adore my car. I'm not a fan of the look of the Cube either personally.

Great handling, awesome turn radius, tons of space, great gas mileage. I'm tiny so I don't need much legroom but there's plenty, and I like how the seats sit, almost like a bus seat if that makes sense? Curt, C&H Exotics, has a second gen, maybe he'll chime in or you could pm him. I think he likes it.

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xb ALL THE WAY.

I despise nissan cubes and think they're one of the stupidest looking cars on the market.

I have yet to find anyone who liked the Cube's looks besides me and my father. But that's how it was with the first gen xB's as well. I am leaning more towards the xB for the fact of space as the Cube from what I have seen doesn't have to much "Trunk" room Plus they seem to be a little pricier for what they are really worth IMO, plus I do love Nissans but I feel Scion/Toyota Last a bit longer. I AM a fan of the first gen xB's as well, but it's hard to find any that have less than 60,000 miles on them in the year 2013. Heck less than 100,000.


Honestly I would love to get a 2008 Subaru WRX, but they aren't made auto and my fiance doesn't know how to drive stick nor do I think it would be easy for her to learn....(Don't tell her I said that :p ) Plus they aren't the roomiest either.


Also, FYI how did I KNOW that You and Mike were going to chime in on this Nicole? :cool:


Kevin

I'm not big on Nissan's unless like the 350z or 370z. So I would never say get the cube.

I would say go for Scion because if I recall correctly, then Toyota owns Scion and I know a guy who has 260k miles on his Scion and it still runs strong. The main thing is keeping up the maintenance on a vehicle.

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Originally Posted by Neal

I'm not big on Nissan's unless like the 350z or 370z. So I would never say get the cube.

I would say go for Scion because if I recall correctly, then Toyota owns Scion and I know a guy who has 260k miles on his Scion and it still runs strong. The main thing is keeping up the maintenance on a vehicle.

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True that. My 2007 Nissan Versa that I just wrecked had over 160k on it, ran just as strong as the day I got it, still could get it up to 120mph without issue and I blame this soley on my maintance. Oil and oil filter changes every 5k with full synthetic oil. Premium Fill ups once a month, and all that good stuff. I always said I hated that car and regret buying it, but it did a great job for what it was and I do miss it. :(


Also, yes Toyota owns Scion, Just like BMW owns Mini.

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Originally Posted by kevinb

True that. My 2007 Nissan Versa that I just wrecked had over 160k on it, ran just as strong as the day I got it, still could get it up to 120mph without issue and I blame this soley on my maintance. Oil and oil filter changes every 5k with full synthetic oil. Premium Fill ups once a month, and all that good stuff. I always said I hated that car and regret buying it, but it did a great job for what it was and I do miss it. :(


Also, yes Toyota owns Scion, Just like BMW owns Mini.

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I'm not big on synthetic, because I wouldn't use it in a higher mileage car. I stick with Mobil 10w-30 every 3k miles. The filter isn't the problem, what happens around 3k and after is oil starts to break down, and then the oil gets diluted from gas and other stuff. The larger filters you can actually keep on because it still has great filtering capability, but since they've started making these tiny filters you can't do that. For example, a Motorcraft FL1A is a big filter, it fits the ford straight 6's(not sure of the year) and it's the filter for the 289-302 ford motors, not sure about the 302 in the newer mustangs as that's a different base. You could leave that filter on for two oil changes, though I wouldn't do it people have and no negative results. I just like changing my oil/filter every 3k miles, and I change the air filter as needed but I check it with every oil change. Once a month or sometimes every 5 refuels I use Lucas fuel treatment with premium. I would never recommend using any additives in the oil though. Oil works just fine how it is made and has the additives it needs already. I had an 1989 LX 5.0 5 speed that I raced and ran hard for well over 150k miles. If I recall once I got to around 175k-ish miles I had to add a little oil between oil changes but that car was driven hard everyday.

You get back what you put into your car. I do all my maintenance myself, and I'll even do preventative maintenance along the line. A lot of people don't and this is why I hate dealing with used cars, especially from the car lots. I'd rather meet the person I'm buying the car from so I can see how they take care of things, because to me that says a lot. I would never buy a car from a girl who has the attitude of being stuck-up because I can almost guarantee you she doesn't get the oil changed regularly. Sure it's not good to judge people, but asking simple questions always gives me the answers I need to know. I don't buy cars with rims either, because that normally results in transmission problems. People don't realize in automatic cars you should change the transmission fluid every 30k, because it breaks down and doesn't lubricate as good. Having huge rims on these cars is like towing something 24/7. It's bad on the motor and on the transmission, especially stopping & going.

Overall when you look up stuff depending your location what we think is "Normal Use, or Normal Service" is actually significantly wrong. Stopping & Going added with the heat of being down south is Extreme, and people don't realize that. Then the last pet peeve is when somebody is selling a car and says: "All Highway miles". So you mean to tell me you haven't driven one mile in the city? That's bull. Show me proof you owned the car since new and that you've only driven it on the highway, oh what is that? You can't? Well then to me those miles are hard miles. Same thing when people says this and that is rebuilt or changed, do you have papers, or can you show me proof? No? Then it didn't happen.

I've got a first gen xB and I love it!! We have taken this thing to Colorado and back, New Mexico and back twice and like one billion trips between Dallas and Austin. The gas mileage can't be beat and I haven't had to do a thing to it besides regular maintenance. I would get another one after this one dies.

I've seen plenty of used 2nd generation xbs with under 100K miles for around $10K. I almost got one but it was too new for me to be able to afford the insurance on it. It was an '11 or '12. I went with my '05 impreza that i have now and i've been happy with it. About 5K miles in and zero problems with it. Good gas mileage and good in the snow. The only thing i don't like is how low to the ground and sporty the interior is. I'm more about usability than looks. I don't LOVE it, but i like it. It's a good car.

And one more thing...
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/25/se6ajy9a.jpg

I'd take the Toyota over the Nissan...

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Originally Posted by sho220

I'd take the Toyota over the Nissan...

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I'd take the Nissan over the Toyota. :p

I'm a huge Nissan fan.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I'd take the Nissan over the Toyota. :p

I'm a huge Nissan fan.

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Mechanically you probably can't go wrong with either. :)

Get the xb I have a 2009 and love it. I'm 6' and drive 100 miles everyday. It has a lot of room in it. A lot more then you would think. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/25/zupebahu.jpg

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I am thinking xB, I do love my Nissans as it's all I have ever owned other than BMW's. But the room and gas milage is drawing me to the dark side, plus after driving my Fiance's Yaris for a bit I am starting to love the Toyota vvti engines a lot better.

Glad to hear you walked away from your wreck unscathed.

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Originally Posted by kevinb

Honestly I would love to get a 2008 Subaru WRX, but they aren't made auto and my fiance doesn't know how to drive stick nor do I think it would be easy for her to learn....(Don't tell her I said that :p ) Plus they aren't the roomiest either.
Kevin

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I drive a 2007 WRX, and although sporty and fun, is not the greatest on mileage due to the turbo. I also have a pretty heavy foot so that doesn't help :D They do come in automatics that are rated at 27mpg highway and 20mpg city, FYI. Also, you must remember that the manufacturer recommends premium fuel for the turbocharged engine, so that would be an extra expense. The 5 door WRX's have more room than the sedans, but you are right, they are not overly roomy.

I am all about Japanese manufacturers. In my opinion, they have been manufacturing the best cars for 20+ years: early to mid 90's Mazda FD3S RX-7, Nissan Skyline, Nissan Silvia, Toyota Supra, Subaru WRX/STI just to name a few. Some may say that is a long list of 'rice', but when it comes down to it, most of them were extremely well performing sports cars from that era, and many, with a few minor tweaks, can still challenge some of the higher priced sports cars today.The 'rice' fad of today's generation is more in the looks of the car: a giant useless wing on the back, florescent colour schemes, decals and cartoon stickers, etc. Thanks Paul Walker..

Anyways, I digress. I could talk cars until the wee hours of the morning, one of the reasons I got myself educated with an automotive engineering degree I guess. When it boils down to it, you can get all the recommendations you want, but I would suggest always taking your potential purchase for a test drive. Ask the owner plenty of questions, if he/she doesn't seem able/willing to answer, walk away. It is extremely easy to purchase a lemon when it comes to used vehicles, because as was said, you can never trust them unless they have documentation regarding services and upkeep.

When I purchased my WRX, the previous and only owner of the vehicle handed me a folder with receipts from every oil change, every scheduled maintenance at the dealership, the one insurance claim form from hail damage, etc, and was completely up front with me with all my questions. It made me feel extremely comfortable purchasing the vehicle.

At the end of the day, purchase a vehicle that fits in your budget that you feel comfortable driving.

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Originally Posted by Kensa

Glad to hear you walked away from your wreck unscathed.



I drive a 2007 WRX, and although sporty and fun, is not the greatest on mileage due to the turbo. I also have a pretty heavy foot so that doesn't help :D They do come in automatics that are rated at 27mpg highway and 20mpg city, FYI. Also, you must remember that the manufacturer recommends premium fuel for the turbocharged engine, so that would be an extra expense. The 5 door WRX's have more room than the sedans, but you are right, they are not overly roomy.

I am all about Japanese manufacturers. In my opinion, they have been manufacturing the best cars for 20+ years: early to mid 90's Mazda FD3S RX-7, Nissan Skyline, Nissan Silvia, Toyota Supra, Subaru WRX/STI just to name a few. Some may say that is a long list of 'rice', but when it comes down to it, most of them were extremely well performing sports cars from that era, and many, with a few minor tweaks, can still challenge some of the higher priced sports cars today.The 'rice' fad of today's generation is more in the looks of the car: a giant useless wing on the back, florescent colour schemes, decals and cartoon stickers, etc. Thanks Paul Walker..

Anyways, I digress. I could talk cars until the wee hours of the morning, one of the reasons I got myself educated with an automotive engineering degree I guess. When it boils down to it, you can get all the recommendations you want, but I would suggest always taking your potential purchase for a test drive. Ask the owner plenty of questions, if he/she doesn't seem able/willing to answer, walk away. It is extremely easy to purchase a lemon when it comes to used vehicles, because as was said, you can never trust them unless they have documentation regarding services and upkeep.

When I purchased my WRX, the previous and only owner of the vehicle handed me a folder with receipts from every oil change, every scheduled maintenance at the dealership, the one insurance claim form from hail damage, etc, and was completely up front with me with all my questions. It made me feel extremely comfortable purchasing the vehicle.

At the end of the day, purchase a vehicle that fits in your budget that you feel comfortable driving.

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I was unaware that they made a auto version...every single one I have found have all been stick. I would love to have a WRX but I would get into way to much trouble with it. I think a xB is my best bet.

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Originally Posted by kevinb

I was unaware that they made a auto version...every single one I have found have all been stick. I would love to have a WRX but I would get into way to much trouble with it. I think a xB is my best bet.

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See my next vehicle I want to get is a Volkswagen Jetta TDI. It's a 6 speed manual turbo diesel. It gets 42 mpg highway and 34 city. Plus diesel engines easily last 300k+

I like the Jetta TDi's as well, but they are a little out of my price range unfortunately....trust me I have looked at them, used to own a VW GTI and a Jetta and loved them both.

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Originally Posted by kevinb

I was unaware that they made a auto version...every single one I have found have all been stick. I would love to have a WRX but I would get into way to much trouble with it. I think a xB is my best bet.

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They do make automatics, but they are pretty rare I think.

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/...eed-automatic/

Not sure about the 2008's, but the rear seat in my 2007 does not fold flat. Kind of limits the amount of stuff you can carry in the trunk.

Yea an auto wrx must be VERY rare since i looked for cars (specifically subarus was one of the brands i looked at) for about 6 months and never saw one. I don't even think its an option anymore when buying them so maybe it was a limited thing that they just tried out. For that reason i'd stay away from them.

Jordans xb is really nice. I've seen it. It looks kinda boxy and maybe small, but the insides of them are huge.

I have made my decision....xB it is....I will even give you a ride Mike when I get it. :cool: