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)!

[Kazz5]

I'd check into Mazda Protege models and Toyota Corollas also, although I don't know if they'd end up in your price/mileage/age range. I'd have a personal preference to go there over either of those you mentioned - but that's a personal preference.

I heard something about engine fires with 4 cylinder ... Sentras? Or was it the Altimas... I think it was the Altimas but a quick search will tell you.

I'd hedge towards the Nissan, actually because they have more reliability record than a Mitsu (gonna get flamed now, aren't I). Otherwise this is a personal/family decision as to what works best.

I showed my wife the STi, the Evo, and then SRT4. She said the Neon was too small and a Neon and the STi was too ugly... so, ta-DAH! *Laughs* Of course, it's what I had planned, but, the point is, if you have to please everybody make sure your choice pleases everybody...

Good luck and do a VIN search...