Briggs said:
I think the question should go to someone else here, since my overall
knowledge of cars is on the verge of being surpassed by my 6 year old son...
Perhaps I should think the way you do and be totally logical and cautious.
And while I also did extensive research before purchasing, and had much the
same concerns you have now, the bottom line (as I posted in my original post
to you way back when), was that of the cars I test drove in winter 2002 -
Nissan Altima, the basic Infinity (G20?), Honda Accord EX V-6, the car I
liked the best by far was the XG350. I guess I didn't worry (perhaps I
should have) about the difference in resale value of a couple of thousand
dollars. I simply thought it was the very best car I had driven in the
price range that I could afford - and then some.
As for resale value - my optimistic thinking was that by the time I'd have
to worry about it, hopefully the positive word about Hyundai would settle
in.
My question for you: how is/are the test drives going? What do you think of
the Sonata and XG350?
-Briggs
About test drives, you won't believe this - I haven't had one yet
although I have sat in both. My Accord lease terminates the end of
April, so if I take my test drives now, I'm afraid I won't remember them
well enough for when I make a purchasing decision in early to mid April.
So waiting for that time so its fresher in my mind. (Actually, I do
plan to rent one of each between now and then to see how day to day
driving is and getting up the hill where I live). I'm assuming I'll
like both the Sonata and XG from everything I've read from all of you.
(I even think I would like the manual Elantra, but not seriously
considering it). I tend to like upscale, luxury, but the Sonata may be
fun to drive, more agile, a little more sporty (from what I've read
here). I did test drive a Nissan Altima about six months ago and loved
the ride, very zippy, much more agile ride than my Accord, but I also
like the heavier, substantial feel of a more luxurious car which I
imagine the XG will be, similar to how I find my Accord EXL V6. A
friend of mine drove my Accord the other day and said it was like
driving a Mercedes. I agree. What I really want is one
sporty/luxurious car (Sonata) and one very luxurious car (XG), yes!
that's the ticket!

. What I do will be based on how long I think I
can keep a car and stay happy with it, meaning lease or purchase. If I
lease, it will be the Altima. If I purchase, either the Sonata or XG
(leaning toward the XG). I will follow someones' suggestion from this
NG to do the spreadsheet thing, factor in car cost, resale value, mpg,
insurance, etc, and weigh this against how long is realistic I would
want to keep the car. This is my second lease, both at 3 yrs, and each
time felt that I would have liked to keep the car another year or two,
still was/am happy with it. Before my two leases, I had a Toyota
Corolla that I kept for ten problem free years. So, if I plan to keep
the car 4 yrs or less, I will lease. (Don't recall if I mentioned this
in other posts, but I can write off a leased car, I'm a business owner).
I'm leaning toward purchasing, with highest probability to keep the car
a minimum of 5-6 yrs, hence, the reason for this post.
Robin