Newer car purchase Options

[Taxiwardance]

Anybody have any experience with either the Mitsubishi Lancer ES (2004-2006) or the Nissan Sentra 1.8 S (2003-2006) I am looking to buy a car on Monday and have narrowed it down to the two. I can get the Sentra for 13,990 brand new off the lot or the Lancer 2004 for 10K with 30K miles. Both are autos. I drove the Sentra and it seemed OK but the ride wasn’t that great. Haven’t drove the Lancer in about a year but I drove stick when I took it for a test drive before. I have the wife and 2 kids and just looking for a cheap get around car with 4 doors and great gas mileage. Any opinions, will be buying first thing Monday so I can make a cross country trip and I can’t make up my mind. Any other cars I should be considering, under 13K if possible. Insurance is cheaper on American cars but I can’t find anything that gets good MPG and doesn’t look like a piece of ass (Aveo)!

[Taxiwardance]

I’ve looked around at a lot of Civics and will be checking out one Monday morning but I have one of those “Capitol One Blank Checks” maximum value is 14.5K and the car must be at or under 30K miles and 2000 or newer from a franchised dealership. So trying to find a civic that meets that criteria has proven to be a real PITA! If they would let me do a private party purchase then that would be my first choice. Only thing holding me back on the Sentra is the depreciation of a new car. Especially a Nissan Sentra! The lancer has a bit of that removed but I’ve never really cared for either much.


*EDIT * I know there is no 06 Grand Am i let that slip by me