I have been given a $24,500 budget in which to purchase a new vehicle. Just so you know a little bit about my taste in cars, I have been the proud owner of a 1980 red-on-red Corvette… and years later, a 1987 red-on-red Nissan 300ZX-Turbo. My sports cars need to be red… but that’s just me!

And, during more budgeted times in my life, I have owned such family-type sedans as a 1973 302 Comet, and a 2005 Elantra.

Speed is no longer “an option,” but I do sooo love sport cars like the Pontiac-Solstice-GXPPontiac Solstice GXP (like the one pictured here), and the Saturn Sky.

The Corvette is no longer within my price range, and none of these cars are meant for winter driving!

This will be the ONLY new car I will have EVER owned, so I want it to be THE best choice I could ever make!

    Here’s the criteria for my decision:

  • I live in southern Ontario, so winter driving is “a given.”

  • Vehicle needs to be versatile; When shopping, I have been known to purchase sizable items. The Hyundai has been my favourite vehicle for allowing me to easily fold down the back seat (extending the trunk space by several feet), and returning it to its original position, once I arrived home and removed the over-sized item(s). In other words, this vehicle has allowed me more independence.

  • Must have great gas mileage! I will no longer even consider buying gas guzzlers.

  • High insurance cost is NOT an “option” either.

  • Reliable; This vehicle must be parked in my garage more often then at the dealership for maintenance.

  • My garage can only fit one vehicle, thus this new vehicle will replace the used car I now own.

  • The vehicle selected must have a 5-year true, bumper-to-bumper warranty at the very least… but I would be very grateful for a longer termed warranty. When I purchased the 2005 Elantra as a used vehicle, it came with a 4-year warranty that has been fully honoured. Never did I hear the Hyundai service department say: “that’s not covered by the warranty.” … not once … and, oil changes have been only $3.75!

  • Must be a General Motors product!

  • I have until February 2011 to decide which vehicle to purchase.

If you were me, what vehicle would you purchase?
And … why did you select this particular vehicle?

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