So I'm almost 28 and I've never own a car, not even an old used car, but now I need one, and I want a brand new car. What I really want is a fully equipped Mitsubishi Lancer (2009), but it's like $30 000 with taxes in Canada. Yes we still pay way more for our cars even though our dollar almost has the same value as the US dollar now.

So hoping this topic has never been done before, what are YOU driving, and what criteria guided the purchase of your most recent new/used car?

2003 Honda Civic EX / Black, it was new in 2003 with 100 miles on it. Today, it's got 97,000+ miles and remarkably no major issues beyond a brake replacement, oil changes and a few tire sets. I was a senior in high school when we got the car so I was going for efficiency (30 MPG/City, 38 Hwy) and durability -- both have provided me with just that in 5 plus years and almost 100,000 miles.

My car is quite the adventurer... here's a picture of it in the Woburn, Mass. Toys 'R' Us parking lot in early-mid 2006.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2097/222 … 78c7_o.jpg

Adoru, could you just drive south of the border and buy one in the US?  That totally sucks about the price.  As for me, I showed it off a bit in the July Purchases thread, but I recently got a new 2008 Subaru Outback

http://www.highlyderivative.net/~joe/Car/subie1.jpg

I like the idea of the "sport utility wagon" because I get most of the advantages of an SUV (more space for hauling stuff, AWD for Chicago winters) without a lot of the drawbacks (won't roll over, gets better mileage, isn't an ENORMOUS ANNOYING ROAD HOG, etc.).  There are fewer options for that kind of vehicle in the US than what I saw in Japan, and my only other choices would've been Volvo or Audi models.  Obviously those are WAY out of a teacher's price range, so I went with the Subaru.  That said, the Outback is my favorite of all the wagons I've seen, and I've liked them ever since being in Japan.  Wish I could've gotten the Japanese-style grill on the front instead of the ugly gigantic thing that's on the current US models, though.

It depends on which level of existence you are referring to. In this place of reality I drive an '05 Cobalt. In the place of unreality I drive a car that generates its own surface, much like antigravity, but not exactly. For instance, when I drive in unreality I take a straight shot to work, since I can make a surface over every structure along the way. I also don't need to worry about speed limits since I am in the only vehicle on that surface. The friction coefficient is very low, so my tires last longer than usual. I can also curve the surface and create a 'roof', in the event of bad weather.

This one:
http://www.bigscreencarhire.com/images/ … e_view.jpg

sometimes this one:
http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/up … hboard.jpg

and sometimes even this one:
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/elantra/trim/gls.aspx

edit: 'course, I prefer walking
http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/gallery_image … 9a_mid.jpg

Hey, I'm 32, and I've never owned a car either.  Fortunately, my girlfriend does have a car, which she lets me borrow from time to time.

2006 ford escape. 4 cylinder, stick shift, gets 26mpg city 28/29 highway

i folded down the rear seats the first week i got it and never put them back up.
plenty of space for toting around bikes or cartons of dolls and the best mileage of any non/hybrid SUV.

Still cruisin' the '06 Mazda 3.  No complaints in the two-plus years that I've owned it, 'cept it's an absolute bitch to work on yourself.  Seriously, Mazda just makes it so difficult that even doing an oil change is a hassle in frustration.  (I'm looking at you, engine-cowl cover.) 

And here's a shot of my most recent baby, the alternative "no groceries allowed" vehicle.

2007 Suzuki SV650:
http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/3687/sv650ig7.jpg

Now we're talkin'.  I really want this one myself:

The Jump Jacks are standard, right?

Judging by your name, maybe it's a good thing you don't!

Pretty much.  That's where the old nickname came from.  I think I was in five car accidents between the ages of 17 and 25.  I was a passenger in the first one, was rear-ended at a stop light a week later, totaled a car when I fell asleep while driving, ran a red light and hit someone in an intersection, and skidded on a patch of ice during a blizzard and hit a guard rail.  That third one was by far the worst, and thankfully it was a one-car accident (it was 1:30 a.m. on a freeway in New Mexico).

Oh, and I almost forgot about hitting someone's car in the IKEA parking lot while I was driving a moving truck.

I still have my license, but I only drive in the case of emergencies.  It's better if people like me are not on the road.

2005 Honda Civic.  I picked it because I wanted a new car that was cheap, fuel efficient, and reliable.  I have about 34,000 miles on it now and haven't had any problems so far (knock on wood).

Almost acquired an FC3S at one point. Life happened, and I didn't. A friend slapped some economic sense into me a little while later, halting a second attempt. We'll see what happens in the future.

As for right now, I don't own anything at the moment, but would love to drive an EA11R. They look fun!

http://www.terra2imports.ca/images/mode … lpaper.jpg

Edit: My criteria for an auto has changed over time. Though I still favour FRs, I am not as hateful of FFs as I used to be. As long as it is naturally aspirated, I am happy; Cars with turbo make me uncomfortable.

In June, I got a 2008 Ford Mustang convertible (V6 Premium).  It's pretty much loaded with everything except navigation; I have ABS and traction control, too.  I'm not too crazy about the stereo, but it'll do for now.

I love my car.  But there are times when I wish I'd gone for the GT convertible instead. 

I drive a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix SE. I bought it used outright since I didn't want to pay a car payment every month. I've had it for over a year and I like it a lot. Last winter (in PA) was pretty harsh on it though, the salt and ash on the road ate at the area below the door and I need to have that worked on. The back tail light needs replaced as well (not the light but the entire fixture) as the seal has begun to give and there is always moisture in it - I'm sure it'll eventually short out. Those repairs will cost some but I can't complain.

Outside that the stereo is decent enough for me to use tape adapter to plug in one of my mp3ish divices and still sound good. If I was on the road more I'd put in a better system but can't justify ripping the deck apart as it stands now.

Basically as long as it runs and I can listen to music I'm cool.

Edit:

And to Adoru, this is my first car and I'm 25 - so don't feel bad.

I needed a car when I left home to go to university in another city so I've had my own car since I was 19.  It's a 1998 Dodge Neon.  My parents leased it originally and then I bought it from them later on.  It's been in a couple minor smooshes but it still runs just fine after 10-11 years.  I had a stereo originally in there but that got stolen .  I just put back in the factory stereo (doesn't even have a tape deck) and the speakers in the car are pretty bad now, so I just listen to the radio during the drive to and from work and I listen to my iRiver during long road trips.

I've been considering getting a newer car, but it's not a high priority on my list...  And to Adoru, sometimes you can't bring cars into Canada from the US, unless that model has been certified by the Canadian government to be able to be driven in Canada.

Never would've guessed you were a rider too.

An old Suzuki Swift <_>

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/6849/dsc05742bl9.jpg

There's something videogame related to find in that pic

Ah ha.  Dude, you sure you ain't driving Captain Falcon's leisure vehicle there? ;)

I have 1997 Toyota Camry.  I love this car... and I don't think I'll ever go back to an American car again.  It's my second car, only had it for a few years.  I'm not a car note person, I'd rather pay $4,000 to $6,000 up front on a quality used car, do the initial fix-up work (i.e. oil change, fresh break pads [& rotors, if needed], etc...) and get my maintenance schedule together, and take it from there.  Full coverage (comp & collison) on a vehicle where I live (which happens to have the highest claims rate in the state of Pennsylvania) is not gettin' it.

So I ride nice with minimal money put out (aside from regular maintenance, obviously) for upkeep and at a fraction of the cost had I bought a brand new or used car with a lien & full coverage.

High five! I've never enjoyed a car as much as my RSX Type-S.

Ha ha ha, nice "save" there Shoe.

Didn't catch his original post..... but if it was derogatory, I probably didn't want to see it.

It was... and you're better off.

Anyway, I still have that '93 Ford Escort. It was a fast purchase after the last car (and the better one ) crashed but so far, it has been treating me reasonably well, lack of air conditioning excepted. I don't drive often so that's probably a factor.

Now I'm curious.

DC5, huh? Nice choice! As far as Hondas go, I've always loved the EK9 and NA1 (NA2 looks way too aggressive). Don't think I'd be able to afford the latter, though.