I was ready to return to Ford but it looks like they aren't ready for prime time yet. Looking at blogs, people say they will nickel and dime you after 100,000 miles.
I found this great site to research cars:
http://nada.com/I wouldn't buy a car now without looking at this site. They give specific details of all cars with reviews from experts and consumers if available. You can also search your area for what's for sale with all kinds of search criteria. It lists mostly dealers who give full details on their cars. You can describe the exact car you want down to the color, save it and get emails if one becomes available and nearly all major dealers in the area list their vehicles on it, complete with numerous photos. You can enter a car's VIN # and get its entire history from the day it was sold and all maintenance, repairs if any, wrecks if any, etc. It's a 5star terrific site! (how did people survive without the net?)
After a lot of research and test driving I've focused on the 4 cylinder
Honda EX. The EX is identical to the LX but with a button operated sunroof, alloy rims, heated seats for making out with your girlfriend on cold nights and on some a super sound system. It has a couple other amenities but can't recall now. The EX L comes with leather seats.
I drove a 2008 EX yesterday with about 35,000 miles and I was blown away at the experience. It feels solid which is something not easily explainable but comes with decades of driving many cars. It's very roomy and the amount of glass gives a wonderful all around view but the car has great industry recognized safety features. Gas mileage on the 4 cyl on the hwy is over 30 which I haven't seen on any comparable vehicle. It was very quiet, a joy to drive. I'd like to hear if anyone has one and what their experiences are.
I also drove a 2010 Altima SX something I believe, which the dealer told me is their equivalent to the EX. First, it had cheap plastic inside, completely unlike the Honda. The steering wheel was loose and the all around view was noticeably restricted compared to the EX. There was just no comparison with the Honda.
I'm thinking about waiting for a month or 2, save some more, and get what I really want, a 2010 EX with around 15,000 miles. These go for about $24,000 but they are next to new. I'm not rushed bec the Maxima is running fine and I intend to keep it since I would get little on a trade in. The best I can do now is from a Honda dealer with a 2008 EX with 30,000 miles for around $20,000, which is a good deal. I haven't looked really close into the Hyundai but I agree with Scuzzy & Bill and will check it out further now.
I've got a 95 Maxima and at 177,000 miles I've yet to have a significant problem. Nothing but tires, on the 3rd battery, 2 tuneups. No brake jobs yet. It's starting to get noisy in interstate traffic probably due to seals wearing out. I had one problem with the engine light coming on not long after I got it. First, the catalytic converter was replaced but the light came on a month later. Then, this shop replaced 3 oxygen sensors for about $400 each and the dang light still came on. Another shop cleaned dust out of the flywheel without charge and the light went off and has never came back on.
I'm not returning to Maxima bec I think they are overpriced a little now and not making them as solid at the 95. The Altima experience soured me on Nissan.