Buying New Car

My husband recently bought an Ion and it seems to be a good little basic car. This is our third Saturn and they've been reliable. Someone also suggested that we check out a Volkswagon Jetta, which we didn't do, but I've heard lots of good things.

Hey R.,
My husband and I have both owned Saturns and have always recommended them to our friends & family. Mine was still going strong with 200k+ miles on it when someone hit me on the interstate so the insurance totaled the car- I was so sad! We have a friend working on her 2nd Ion (the first one was a pretty basic model she bought used and she now drives the Ion she bought new 2 years ago that has a little more features). My husband's cousin and his wife both also drive Saturns. We talked him into buying his first one about 7 years ago and that's all they will drive now. The Ion he drives has almost 250k miles on it and it's still going strong. As with any car, regular maintenance (oil changes especially) is a key to long-life. Even still my husband and I have had our fair share of other vehicles that did not hold up like our Saturns did and we are nearly anal about regular maintenance on our vehicles. Saturns are actually one of the only American-made cars I would consider owning again based on reliabiltity. Now if I wasn't so practical, I would love to own one of the new Skys - they are soo cute (definitly no room for kids or groceries though!)

Good luck!

Hi R.,

I don't really know anything about the Saturn Ion, so I'm not much help there but have you guys considered looking at Hondas? I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my Honda Accord! Not only are maitenance costs very resonable but Hondas also retain their value more than any other car. Last but not least, they have a really good safty record too!

Well, I hope that I was some help :) And, enjoy the rest of your summer!

If you are looking at a small SUV, I would suggest a Honda CRV or a Toyota RAV4. A friend of mine has a RAV4 and it is a GREAT automobile, never given her any trouble and has done fabulously driving cross-country and back.

All of the reading I have done highly recommends both models. Now, if you are planning on growing your family, a Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey minivan might be something to looking into, though both the CRV and RAV4 would fit another child quite comfortably.

Good luck.

I highly suggest looking at Consumer reports. They have unbiased, factual information to help you sort through all of this.

I have a 2004 Honda CR-V that I love, but I am selling because we are trying to get out of debt. It's on ebay if you're interested ;)

Otherwise, in my research for small suvs, the cr-v, toyota highlander and rav-4, and subaru tend to get the highest ratings.

Good Luck!

You should check out Edmunds.com or JD Power associates online. They have great reviews of cars from the pros and customers. It will really help you decide and you can even check prices... Good Luck!

Even though this wasn't MY question, I found everyone's comments here quite helpful and it solidifies the information I have been reviewing about both the CR-V & the RAV4. I compared warranty information and Honda has a better warranty than Toyota. A certified used Honda has an even better warranty than a new one from what I understand. I hope to buy one of these myself. I will be looking to sell my 1997 Honda Accord. It is a great car, but I now require more cargo space and the versatility of a mini SUV with great mileage. I also like the Kia Sportage so that is my only other favorite option.

I have one since September 2006, no problems so far, it rides very nice, it's not very big inside, I mean, we' re four now, I have a baby, and there's not much space left, but it's nice car!!!!! and it's very safe, I like a lot of the features that come with it
hope this helps

i don't know anything about your particular car. but i can say to truly consider a mini van, especially if you are planning on having more children. i know that some people won't drive a "mini van" believe i am twenty three and it took my husband half a year to even get me to look at one. but we looked at the explorers, tahoes, suburbans, 4runners, rav4 every SUV made and most cars--and we couldn't find anything more spacious with still reasonable gas mileage
than a mini van. we bought a pontiac montana--it's used but got a great deal and didn't go into debt it's in excellent condition and i have had it almost a year and not a single problem. and i have put almost 40k miles on it myself. love it and wouldn't have anything else!!