What car should I get

[quakerboy]

There are still too many cars. I was tongue in cheek hoping that they would all go out of business and make it a much simpler choice for me,.but my last one burned itself to a crisp recently, so i no longer have the luxury of time. In that light, make your advice here.

[astral]

1. Oops, I hit the wrong button.

Sorry, I didn't mean to pick Toyota Camry.

Your Ford Focus spontaneously combusted?

[JonLP24]

2. You voted?

I also picked Toyota Camry but it is showing 1 vote. :shrug:

[quakerboy]

11. Indeed it did

We came home several Sundays ago after going grocery shopping. The only indication that anything was wrong was that the trip meter stopped working. Odometer was fine, but the trip meter set itself at 0.0 and didn't budge. 3 hours later, the fire department was knocking at the door to ask if we knew our car was on fire. It fried everything in the engine compartment but good.

We are still haggling with insurance. Apparently even tricked out focuses(fouci?) in superior condition are considered to be relatively worthless. This is the first car insurance has ever low balled me on.


Edited to add What did you mean to vote on?

[old mark]

3. Get any Hyundai - AVOID EVERY VW!!!! Unless of course

you want a great driving car that stops running for no reason anyone can detect,time after time.

We have owned a Toyota Camry,lots of GM cars, a Dodge, several Fords and a Nissan, and I have owned 5 VW's. I might buy a Toyota again but never another VW.

I really LOVE my Hyundais.

mark

[quakerboy]

17. This has been an interesting thread to read

Until reading this thread, I have never had any reason to have a negative thought toward VW. Granted, Ive never owned one, nor have any of my family, excepting a couple old beetles and a vanagon that passed through our lives. I have always considered them a solid brand, known for reliability and remarkable mileage, especially on their diesel cars.

I note that all of the cars i listed, save the focus, have very similar consumer ratings on KBB. However, it appears I should do more research.

I don't think I can do a Hyundai. I appreciate the advice, but I have known them to be an extremely untrustworthy brand. Every single person I know who has purchased one ran into serious problems right around the time the warranty ran out. The lucky ones had their engines die right before, and the unlucky ones right after.

[old mark]

38. VW relies on people thinking they have a great reputation. Read this site:

Link:http://www.suckercars.com/lemon_cars

The aptly named Sucker Cars - VW. Much of this also goes for Audi and -alas-Porsche. German makers really dropped the ball on customer satisfaction/quality control and are riding on their percieved reputation.

My first Hyundai lasted 11 years - my second one is even better.

mark

[taterguy]

4. What exactly are your needs and desires?

Scions are nice for hauling a lot of stuff and get good mileage.

They're also good if you frequently have tall passengers.

However, they don't have many creature comforts and they're a bit underpowered.

Of course, how much you're willing to spend is also a big factor.

And yes, I can't believe I'm posting in a car thread.

Sue me.

[quakerboy]

20. Many and varied

a few key points can be condensed, however.

I am a large person, in all three dimensions. I am thick, wide, and tall. It would be nice to fit reasonably comfortably. I felt I was able to do that with anything on my list, excepting perhaps the focus, which I was still able to drive with no problems.

my wife would like to have something with a little more git up and go. I was satisfied with the xD that we drove. She was too, until we drove a GTI next, particularly since she has wanted one of those for a long time. The Fit was the only one that struck me as underpowered for our needs, but the mileage keeps it on the list for the moment.

The one we have not tried yet, because we have not found one, is the older style xB. The new XB has window issues for me, in the rear viewing blind spot, and the side windows are set way too high for my taste. I just did not like it. But my wife assures me the older ones are better, if uglier.

For regular use, it will probably only do a hundred miles a week, mostly the couple miles to work and back, and the weekly trek to her mothers home, and the grocery stores, including costco. But I rarely end up with more than 5 bags, so space is not a regular concern. But we would like the ability to occasionally hit the road, to visit family and friends in other states and Canada.

For creature comforts, I like power locks and windows, but that is standard on all these. Same with heating and AC. My wife wants auto, which limits our craigslist finds for any one of these cars. I like cruse control, but it is not a make or break thing.

I appreciate your posting, even if it is a car thread.

[taterguy]

23. Get the car your wife wants unless you really hate it

And of course if you're only driving a couple miles to work, switch to a bicycle for that task.

Trek makes some nice bikes designed for commuting.

:toast:

[quakerboy]

28. Its oregon

and it rains an aweful lot.

In an (no, I'll be honest, in MY) ideal world, we would have a garage, where we would keep our electric car and bycicles. But given the rain and the number of roadside "shrines" in that few miles to work, I dont think that will be happening soon. Plus, I dont have a garage.

[taterguy]

31. Portland's in Oregon. Isn't that one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country?

Of course I realize that Oregon is an entire state and the climate might not be the same everywhere.

[quakerboy]

32. It is and it always amazes me

My old boss used to bike almost 20 miles to work at least a few times a week, and one of my current employees is known to do the same when time permits. There are a lot of bikes here, especially in the core areas.

I am a little further out, but we still are pretty bike friendly out here. And there are still at least 5 current shrines within a mile of my home. General bad driving plus lots of rain plus pedestrians and bikers is going to make for casualties. Plus, to be completely honest, I am making excuses. I have yet to find a bike that is even remotely comfortable for a man my size and shape. It wasn't long ago I was over 400 lbs, and that makes for some tricky seating, and easy damage to bikes, as my similarly sized cousin can attest. And even on the downswing of weight and the upswing of condition, I do not know if I am up to that much of a ride, much less on a regular basis yet.

[Mutley]

5. VW. Personally I like the style of the GTI.

If you're tall, though, that car will be too small for you. Someone else said no VWs, but I've had mine for 6 years with no problems at all. My parents had VWs all throughout my childhood, and they never had any problems either.

http://image.automobilemag.com/f/11053506+w750+st0/0810_01_z+2009_volkswagen_gTI+profile_view.jpg

[quakerboy]

19. I tried the fit of both the golf and GTI

Honestly, save engine power, I didn't see much difference between the two. And both were good on the headroom. I am a taller guy, and sit even taller thanks to an ample hind end, but I had no problem there, I imagine because the seats were so low. Which is fine for me at this point in my life. My wife has always wanted a GTI.

I was a bit surprised and dismayed to find that the mileage for either was far less than for the Scions or the Honda. And I did find the seats were a bit narrow for my comfort. It was less noticeable while I was driving, but in the passenger seat, I had enough room for my legs side to side, but the seat ended short of the door, and the ridge at the edge meant to hold you comfortably, instead rose into the back of my leg. It wasn't horrible, but I was only in the car 10 minutes, and I am not sure if there are any simple solutions, or if its something I can live with.

[Mutley]

24. Maybe they did something about the legroom, then.

I test drove one a few years ago, and I felt like my legs had no room at all.

[quakerboy]

29. wow

I am 6 foot even, and when I put the seat back, I felt like I was too far back, which is a rarity for me. The only point i felt cramped was when the saleman, a medium sized guy, sat behind the passenger seat, and I moved it forward so he didn't die on the test drive. I didn't dare try the rear seat fit. Don't plan to sit back there anyway.

Interestingly, the Salesman had my name. Exactly my name. Now I know 2 people with my name in my city, a bank teller and a car salesman.

The golf and GTI we tried were both 2 door models, and I am wondering if the fit/feel is much different on the 4 door models

[txwhitedove]

6. Toyota Matrix for plenty of head-room, 30+ mpg, cargo space, and

lots of zip on the road. I love my Matrix.

[quakerboy]

12. I love the style of the matrix

However, when I was last shopping, in 05-06 approximately, I tried one out, and had trouble fitting in the drivers seat. I have lost some weight since then, but for fit between the steering wheel and the seat back, that was the most constricted car I have ever sat in.

I suppose I should try one out again. Your reminder is impetus enough to do that, even over my dubious nature. Thank you.

[quakerboy]

71. Tried another matrix

It actually moved to the top of our list after a test drive. My wife likes it. I like it. Now we just have to find a deal on one.

[txwhitedove]

74. Great! I've had mine for over 4-years with no problems, and Toyota

has wonderful customer service. Good luck!

:hi:

[quakerboy]

75. By their rarity in the listings

I am guessing you are not the only one who likes theirs.

[EndersDame]

7. My brother is having less problems with his Chevy than I am having with my Mazda

And his has a better warranty. Serves me right for buying an import although mine is more stylish.

[quakerboy]

13. Oh... mazda

I forgot that. We meant to go test drive a mazda 5 or something of that nature. Thanks for the reminder. Even though that was not your intent.

I would love to buy a domestic, however the way things sit currently, its hard to know which are actually made here in the us, or if anything remaining still is/was, and that is equally important.

What problems are you having with the mazda? Which model did you get, if I may inquire?

[Deja Q]

8. Ford Focus

Or Ford Fusion.

[quakerboy]

15. The main issue there

well, there are three actually.

a) the last one spontaneously combusted for no known reason. This is a deterent to wanting another of the same
b) there is a cup holder in the focus that hits my leg in just the wrong spot and really gets to hurting after any time in the car
c) insurance seems to value them VERY low, which makes me wonder why. Also, Insurance value is more of a factor for me than I suspect it is for most people. Every car that I have owned has been destroyed through no fault of my own, within a year, 2 at the outside.

I am actually getting really tired of that last point. I thought i could maybe break this trend by just not buying a car after my last one was demolished in, but apparently it the universe was not yet satisfied. I would dearly love to buy a car to last me 20 years, and drive it till in returns to dust. But so far, that does not seem my lot in life.

[Swede]

9. Check out "My Volkswagon Lemon" before you do.

Ever since BMW and VW started assembling their cars in South America the quality has gone downhill fast.


http://www.myvwlemon.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000063.html

[quakerboy]

25. that thread you link to... hoboy

Apparently car sites are not for the weak of heart.

The problem I have is that I can find equivalent sites for Toyota, Ford, etc. I have heard many allegations that as Toyota has grown to become a dominant car company, their quality has dropped substantially. Thus the whole "rapid acceleration" issue, and the recent recall. And Fords have an apparent penchant for catching fire, though mine did it slightly differently than most, apparently, and was not on any of the recall lists.

[Swede]

57. Yeah,that's true,the worst problems will cause the most noise on the net.

Go to the library and check out the lemon aid for cars.

[david13]

10. Honda or Toyota. Those are about the best. VW are pretty good too. dc

[NV Whino]

14. Hnda Fit

I have one. Great car. Even big guys are amazed at the space and head room. 33 to 38 mpg. Inexpensive.

NO VW PRODUCTS! EVER. The lemon law was written because of the VW Rabbit.

[quakerboy]

16. I did notice the head room

Test drove new one a few days ago. I liked the spacing. And the mileage seems really good.

The cost was a little on the high side for what I wanted. And I did notice a severe lack of giddy-up.

[NV Whino]

47. I don't know about your giddy-up situation

but I drive up and down a significant hill all the time and mine has plenty of giddy-up. I frequently leave bigger vehicles eating my dust.

[grace0418]

50. I agree about the Fit and about VWs.

I carpooled with two people who had VWs (one Beetle and one Jetta) that were both newer than my Civic. They were zippy and fun, I will admit that, but damn those cars were forever needing one thing or another fixed. Usually little stuff like knobs, locks, lights, door handles, etc. but annoying and expensive all the same. I've had my Civic for 10 years and have never had to fix any of those items except for the bulbs in the lights, not the lights themselves.

[XemaSab]

18. You should go look at the Honda Element

We love ours.

Yesterday the dog puked ALL OVER the back seat. Today it's like it never even happened. :)

[quakerboy]

22. Dont have a dog

I get what you are saying, though. My wife was impressed with that feature, and even I am willing to admit the utility of that. I think that is a bigger vehicle than I want, with lower mileage.

[vadawg]

67. toyota FJ, wasily cleaned inside, lots of room, good on bad roads if you have them

i presume that oregon has some bad roads you may want to travel ,not brilliant gas milage but you dont drive much...

[Critters2]

42. Wait. What? A car that eats dog puke? I want that!! nt

[MorningGlow]

21. VW Golf

So sayeth car guru James May, whom I worship.

All things to all men (and women and vicars)
If you want my advice on which car to buy, the answer is always going to be a Golf, no matter how flash you are

"...On four separate occasions now, I've been approached by television production companies with the same idea for a series. I am to meet real people in the real world struggling to choose a car, spend time with them, analyse their lifestyles and requirements, and then choose the right one for them.

"It sounds like a good way to turn consumer advice into Sunday night family entertainment, but on closer examination it doesn't work, because the answer is always a Golf.

"Nigel and Fiona have two small children who enjoy a range of outdoor pursuits and they live in the country. They need a Golf.

"John is a retired company executive whose children have left home and who enjoys occasional recreational motoring with his wife Susan, but might sometimes be called upon to take the grandchildren on day trips. A Golf would be ideal.

"Bob is a driving enthusiast who must also consider the requirement to appear restrained and dignified in the eyes of his clients, because he's an undertaker. A Golf should do it.

"Sarah is a 22-year-old struggling sculptor who leads a Bohemian garret lifestyle but needs dependable transport to take her work to exhibitions. I'd like to see her in a Citroën XM, but if this is going on national television and I'm spending other people's money, then the answer is a second-hand Golf.

"And so it goes on. Try it on yourself. You might think you will look better in something challenging from Renault, but if you approach car-buying in the way you would buying a tumble dryer, then you will arrive at the VW Golf...." (more)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/columnists/jamesmay/5277622/All-things-to-all-men-and-women-and-vicars.html

[flvegan]

27. Which is odd considering

he swears by his Fiat Panda.

[MorningGlow]

30. Maybe he wants to keep the greatness of the Panda all to himself

Ensure it's a well-kept secret, perhaps? :P

Still can't wait till the Fiats show up stateside. Want 500 Abarth. Badly. (Unless Fiat/Chrysler/Whatever mucks up the US version so bad it turns into a pale imitation of its Euro-self...then not so much...)

[quakerboy]

33. that seems a rather tepid endorsement

if an endorsement it really is.

[MorningGlow]

34. Exactly

"Best", "wisest", and "most practical" isn't necessarily the ideal choice. Go with your gut. ;)

[quakerboy]

36. My gut says

http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/26/top-gear-team-builds-ev-shows-how-complex-car-production-really/

[MorningGlow]

37. Yes!

With TWO WHOLE BATTERIES, guaranteed to make you run out of juice in the most inconvenient of places, especially if you use the tape player or direction signals. (This ep was a riot!)

[flvegan]

48. Episode 3 is up, BTW.

The torrent is pretty quick already.

[MorningGlow]

51. Yeah--way quicker than Mininova

I'm opening the file now--that also takes ages even though we have cable internet. We're not sure why our bandwidth is so sucky. But that seems to be going quickly as well. (Hope nothing's wrong with the file...)

[MorningGlow]

53. Dang it!

Didn't work. I'm trying another. x(

On edit: Phew. Worked! Yay!

[JVS]

59. UK car culture is a bit different from the US. An undertaker needing to appear restrained and...

dignified would not be able to drive a Golf here. A sedan would be required.

[flvegan]

26. Mazdaspeed 3.

Low price, very versatile, great mileage, totally bonkers to drive.

I love mine and highly recommend it to anyone.

[quakerboy]

41. Will add it to the list to test

I was thinking to try a mazda 5. Hows the mileage?

[flvegan]

44. I get 23 mpg city

and I drive with my foot buried. I've heard of folks avg roughly 30 mpg (city and highway). Not bad for such a fun car.

[quakerboy]

45. that sounds quite manageable

hmm

[flvegan]

46. And that "get up and go" that your wife wants?

263 horsepower, 280 ft/lbs of torque means 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.

[quakerboy]

54. Ah. we test drove the 3 and the speed3

I like them. They both drove wonderfully. Cept for one thing. I dont fit. The seat was unbearable, particularly when in the passenger seat. My legs would go numb in under 15 minutes, and thats not good for driving skills.

How hard is it to pop a new seat in a car? Ive never done this, but I liked them enough that the thought crossed my mind.

[flvegan]

55. Ooh, I have no idea.

Sorry the fit wasn't good for you.

[quakerboy]

56. No worries.

It was well worth the drive. I can definitely see why you like yours. I just happen to be blessed with good German farmer genetics, nourished by the best junk food the US has to offer.

[Bennyboy]

35. Honda Element....Just so...

You could say "I am out of my Element" whenever you get out of it.


It is up to you to decide if that joke is worth 20 grand though....

[quakerboy]

39. I think i can get better jokes for less

For instance, with a fit, everytime I hand my keys to anyone else, I can say "have a fit" or anytime i get into it, "this is a good fit". Or i could just go for annoying, and yell "THE FIT IS GO" at everyone i see throughout the day.

The Matrix offers movie reference potential. The Vibe offers off color humor potential. The golf is more subject material, but I am sure i could work up something given time. The GTI and the x_'s are a little harder.

[Bennyboy]

60. Nice to see you've thought it through....

There are no lack of Golf Jokes (Why do they call it golf? Cuz FUCK already meant something else....Good for the course and the car actually...)

[Critters2]

40. I have a Focus with 96,000 miles on it and it's been a great car.

I had an Escort that ran to 304,000 miles. Wish they still made them, but the Focus is the replacement line for the Escort. So, I got one. Not a bit of trouble so far. Sorry about yours. Might be a glitch specific to your car. Based on my experience with my Focus and that Escort, I'd say get another Focus. But that's me.

[quakerboy]

43. My parents loaned me my first car, an escort

That was a hardy little car. I didn't know better at the time, so I ran it for months without any oil at all. It was still running, though the pinging had started, when my dad decided it was unsafe to drive and got rid of it. And I learned about the importance of engine lubrication.

Good luck with your Focus. If the trip meter ever zeroes itself out, though, watch out. I am tempted by the fords, as overall I've been hearing the later models have been "better" and its domestic. But convincing my wife to seriously consider another one would be a big challenge.

[Critters2]

66. LOL! I did the same thing with oil myself. I mean, it seemed to be running

just fine. I'd finally change the oil when I got around to it, but somehow it never seemed that worrisome when I was young. Wouldn't do it now, but the damn thing still ran to 300,000 miles. So, no harm done. That little car ran like a Sherman tank. Can't imagine driving anything but a Ford after that.

[astral]

61. Your Escort went for 304,000 miles?!!

What kinds of major freak-out expensive car disasters / breakdowns did you go through to achieve that?

Just wonderin' . . .

[Critters2]

68. None. In fact, I got it when I was young and stupid in the ways of the

automotive world, and would drive it way too long without changing the oil. Apart from the time all four tires went flat within a month--hardly the car's fault--I had no trouble with that car until the day the engine block froze up altogether. My cousin was my mechanic at the time, and came to my house to take a look at it. I went into the house and left him to work on it. Pretty soon, he came into the house and said, "You'd better sit down. I have some devastating news...your little car has finally done it. It's dead. Really dead. So dead I'm going to have to get the tow truck to take it to wherever you want me to take your dead car." Me:"We should take to your garage." Him:"No, it's too dead for that. It's really dead. Surprising, I know. But it was bound to happen sooner or later."

Then, I briefly had a Taurus in which the carburetor was cracked when I bought it, and it over heated within a week of purchase. That was the beginning of lots of problems, all of which, according to two different mechanics, pointed to it having been in an accident at some time. Won't buy another car without Carfax.

Now, I have a Focus which has been every bit as trouble-free as that Escort. Of course, now I change the oil at the appropriate times.

[PBS Poll-435]

49. Toyota Corolla XRS

0% to buy or .00040 money factor to lease.

[GoneOffShore]

52. Go for a Mini Cooper.

If you can afford it get an "S". Don't tweak the paint job, but get the winter package.
Don't go for fancy trim options, but go for the performance stuff.

[pengillian101]

58. Saturn Sky.

[Blue-Jay]

69. A bigger picture would be nice.

[pengillian101]

70. Sorry about that.

I should have viewed here first. The pic I copied looked normal size.

Oops.

[TreasonousBastard]

62. How about a Chevy Equinox? Not too big, not too small...

great gas mileage, and should be a lot cheaper to run and fix than anything Japanese or German.

Others I've been eyeing (some depending on how that lottery plan turns out)

The new Buick La Crosse-- great interior

Jetta TDI-- great mileage, and I met a dealer mechanic who told me no one has had a serious problem since it came out.

Chevy HHR-- way down on the list after seeing the Equinox

Mercedes 500 hybrid-- lottery time, but I'm drooling

Porsche Panamera-- really, really, drooling

[Deep13]

63. 1975 Cadillac El Dorado. Or a Honda Civic coming off a lease.

I view these as equally practical choices. :evilgrin:

[TommyO]

64. Since you're already considering the Camry, look at the Honda Accord also

I'm in the market for a used Accord EX with a five speed manual. I've driven my brother's and it offers everything I need including great front seat room, decent back seat room, though the trunk is a bit smallish for the class. With the 4-cylinder, my brother gets a real-world 34mpg highway, and averages right around 29mpg for his normal driving.

[BlueIris]

65. Other: VW Passat.

Just a feeling.

[LeftyMom]

72. You live in Oregon. Get a Subaru.

There's a reason that so many of your neighbors have one, and that reason is the neverending, ceaseless, soul-sucking rain.

Seriously, AWD is the bestest thing ever when dealing with hills, standing water, snow, cyclists who don't get out of the damned way and other delights of Oregon driving. Their models all work beautifully (I have a Forester and I love it, but I've never heard anybody complain about any of their models really) so grab whichever one is the right size and you're good to go.

-LM, just back last night from her annual Tofurkey Day pilgrimage to Portland

[krispos42]

73. How about a Ford Fusion?

I drove the Mazda version and it had ample room inside. The rear seats fold all the way down, from one side of the car to the other, so there is a massive pass-through for carrying bulky cargo. I was moving a four-drawer bureau about 4½' high and was able to get it in the trunk and push it through to the passenger compartment. Also, the latch releases for the rear seats (to fold them forward) are located in the trunk instead of in the cabin, and the seats are spring-loaded so they fall forward under their own power. Very convenient. Just pull one or both, and the seat(s) fold down. I though that was pretty neat.

The seats were comfortable and there seemed to be plenty of room. FWIW I'm about 6' tall and about 250 pounds. I'm used to a Subaru Impreza, which is a bit narrower than the Fusion/Mazda, so the latter felt pretty big. Not that I have a problem with the Subie, either.

If you want to try one out, see they still make the Impreza Outback Sport... it's a compact sportwagon with AWD and a few extra inches of headroom. I find mine pretty useful, and it gets 28+ mpg on the highway.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

76. This one.

You asked.