Hi Sajeev and Steve, I’m looking to buy a new car in the next year or two.  I have a 2006 Toyota Corolla CE with 35k on the clock.  It’s a manual transmission, which is the only thing that’s kept me from going insane.  When I bought it, I didn’t have much choice in the matter (time crunch) and the price and gas mileage (something like 41 mpg hwy, though I regularly get 35 mpg in stop and go traffic).  It has been servicable, reliable (mostly), cheapish, and gas efficient.  There is nothing wrong with it, other than it’s just kind of boring.

I’m looking for something a little more fun.  I want something that is fun to drive, not just a machine to get from point A to point B.  I used to have a fabulous 1991 Nissan 240SX SE Fastback (again, manual) that I loved.  However, I moved to Phoenix and didn’t have the funds (because of the move) to take care of the things that it needed.  I still regret selling it. So now I’m looking for:
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[Editors note: TTAC’s new car-buying column “New or Used?” wants to help you find the perfect car. Submit as much information about your car-buying scenario (needs, wants, budget) to mehta@ttac.com and TTAC’s new and used car experts will get you started on your quest for the ideal conveyance.]

Almost Retired writes:

I’m nearing retirement age, and I want a nice large sedan. It should be safe, quiet, reliable and comfortable for freeway traveling, but not too flashy or expensive. $40k maximum budget, but I’d prefer to stay well under that.

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Welcome to TTAC’s latest feature “New or Used?” In this series, your car-buying questions will become a battleground between the forces of the used-car market (as represented by our in-house auction specialist Steve Lang) and the new-car market (as represented by Mr Sajeev Mehta of Piston Slap fame). Send your automotive scenario to mehta@ttac.com, and let these skilled pundits for the new and used car markets battle it out for your business before handing the debate off to TTAC’s Best And Brightest. This week we have a hypothetical scenario to get things started, in which a young family finds itself in need of a lot more space. Will they be swayed to buy new or used? Let’s read on…
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