Hi Gia: I’m so sorry to hear about your accident and I agree with your thoughts on the used car market – it certainly doesn’t seem to be what it used to be. You’re right to pass up any vehicle that doesn’t meet your expectations and I’m glad to know your doing your research, too.

Most Cars for Girls readers know how much I love my Nissan Altima, but it’s not new. I checked out Consumer Reports before I bought it to make sure it received above average ratings for that year (and it did!), so I can’t give you any advice on the new Altima’s, but maybe check ‘em out while you’re out looking. The Toyota’s always seem to have a good customer satisfaction rating, as well.

Hopefully other readers will stop by and make suggestions, too,

We’re only looking for a new car as opposed to a used because we’ve left frustrated at all the used ones we’ve seen, the used car owners don’t want to budge their prices because they’re so cash strapped in the first place and want to sell at the highest, firmest price they first offer up. That and so many used car owners don’t seem to take care of their cars as much as I thought they would. They tout their amazing radio with six subwoofers, heated seats, DVD, GPS 4WD, and other luxuries but when you look under the hood, you can tell that it needs a major overhaul – I test drove a used Volvo and the check engine light came on while I was test driving, the guy said it was nothing but an emissions problem, then a sound came from the car that I could tell was definitely an engine problem…come on!!!!

So now we’re in the market to buy a new car and that’s how I stumbled upon this website. Buying an American-made car right now makes me nervous, doesn’t mean I am not open to them, I loved my Malibu and I put alot of work into it, but I know that research is key to new car shopping. I’ve been looking at Hyundai, Volkswagen, Audi and Mazda, and I’ve been reading the Cars for Girls PDF book. If anyone has any suggestions of a car I should look into that you are in love with, I’d love to hear your opinion.