Update from the DEBTMONSTER! I signed today! Woo hoo!

[debtmonster]

Nissan's website says $9990 for the 1.6 Base model.

http://www.nissanusa.com/configurator/app?service=external/SelectTrim&mo=2009:ve&bs=vrs

I don't want the base model. I want power windows, power locks, etc. I don't want to be making payments on a car I hate. It's not worth it. You either buy the vehicle you're happy with or don't buy it. My wife says that car is ugly, so we can't get it.

We need to have get-together meetings and then you can rank on her in person about this.

I still want the smart car. I need the 30+ MPG in the city. The Yaris was close, but the crash test crushes the car. Hopefully by 2010 they will fix that and then I can consider a Yaris.

[bxphae]

WOW!!!! Thats wonderful, I hope all goes well for you. I'm hoping to be debt free in 2010 as well ! What model of BMW are you giving up again?

I'm stepping down from my 04 M3 to a 95-99 Nissan Maxima, stripped with no options (hopefully!) 5speed manual under $3,000

[debtmonster]

$3,000 for a Maxima is CHEAP! WOW! Just make sure you have an extra $1500 ready when the timing belts need to be changed.

Anyway... after reading this message about the Versa, I decided to go to Nissan and take a look at what they have.

I drove to Nissan, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Chevrolet since they were all near each other and checked out cars at each and every dealership. The Hyundai cars were expensive and seemed to bland for me.

The VW was the nicest of them all, but all of the cars I like are twice what I can afford.

The Nissan had some very nice cars. I checked out the Versa and Nissan Cube. The Cube is really nice. TONS of space inside. I was amazed that it gets 28 MPG in the city. That's incredible for a vehicle that size to do that. The Versa also has a 1.8L engine like the Cube and only gets 24 in the city. I don't understand that.

The Chevy dealer was D-E-A-D. I feel so sorry for the people there. What a ghost town. I would be scared to death to buy a car from them. I'd be too afraid of not being able to get parts a long time from now.

[bxphae]

$3,000 for a Maxima is CHEAP! WOW! Just make sure you have an extra $1500 ready when the timing belts need to be changed.

Anyway... after reading this message about the Versa, I decided to go to Nissan and take a look at what they have.

I drove to Nissan, Hyundai, Volkswagen and Chevrolet since they were all near each other and checked out cars at each and every dealership. The Hyundai cars were expensive and seemed to bland for me.

The VW was the nicest of them all, but all of the cars I like are twice what I can afford.

The Nissan had some very nice cars. I checked out the Versa and Nissan Cube. The Cube is really nice. TONS of space inside. I was amazed that it gets 28 MPG in the city. That's incredible for a vehicle that size to do that. The Versa also has a 1.8L engine like the Cube and only gets 24 in the city. I don't understand that.

The Chevy dealer was D-E-A-D. I feel so sorry for the people there. What a ghost town. I would be scared to death to buy a car from them. I'd be too afraid of not being able to get parts a long time from now.

Maximas haven't used timing belts since 1994 in the VG engine series on the Maxima GXE models

+1 on the Cube, It's a neat car. Although you are scared of the Chevy dealer, I really wouldn't pass up on the oportunity to drive the new AVEO. While you're at it, a Yaris drives very solid as well. I've actually used my company's many-o-times and it's pretty enjoyable to drive with a rockin stereo to boot.

[debtmonster]

Aveo?!?! EWWWWWWWWWW! KOREAN JUNK!!!!

Just look at any 4 or 5 year old Aveo and look how bad they are. YUCK! No way!

I saw one today. They look great when they are new and then look like crap once they get old. That's why they don't hold their value.

Watch this video at the 20 second mark and tell me how COOL that Yaris is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GKCAQCcdEA&fmt=18

I am floored that Toyota would sell a vehicle like this to the public.

[hamburgervol]

Aveo?!?! EWWWWWWWWWW! KOREAN JUNK!!!!

Just look at any 4 or 5 year old Aveo and look how bad they are. YUCK! No way!

I saw one today. They look great when they are new and then look like crap once they get old. That's why they don't hold their value.

Watch this video at the 20 second mark and tell me how COOL that Yaris is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GKCAQCcdEA&fmt=18

I am floored that Toyota would sell a vehicle like this to the public.

Speaking of deadly cars, check out this Chinese test...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5SRyG6UR2A

[debtmonster]

Speaking of deadly cars, check out this Chinese test...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5SRyG6UR2A

LOTS of cars here in the US do almost the same thing. This is why I want a smart car so badly.

People can knock those smart cars all they want. You can watch a lot of Formula One racing and watch those people crash at 150 MPH and walk away without a scratch. The same people who designed the roll cages in the Formula One's designed the roll cage in the smart cars.