I have to replace my car: What's your best advice?

[SOteric]

And for the first time, I have to make my decisions without Dad's input. Models you love or hate? Things your friends, family and coworkers have told you about their cars? Any Gearheads care to comment?

[flvegan]

1. Gearhead checking in!

What do you need, what do you want, and what is your budget?

In order, what are your top 3 priorities in a new/used car?

[SOteric]

3. I need a good commuter car that will not seduce

my lead foot. Something that will reliably get me around town and out to the far reaches of the peninsula from time to time without breaking down. Fuel economy and environmental friendliness is important. Maneuverability is important, there's a lot of varied terrain, steep inclines and wet pavement in my driving. My budget is around $20,000.00. I tend to buy used or certified pre-owned 'cuz I hate financing a car.


Top 3:

*Reliable
*Economical/Environmentally Friendly
*Not Fuggly


Thanks for the input! - You feeling any better?

[flvegan]

4. I am, thank you sweets.

Are you thinking two or four door?

[SOteric]

6. Oh, two is plenty. StirFry doesn't insist on having his own door.

[flvegan]

10. Are you positive you don't want to seduce your lead foot?

You can get some pretty brilliant, fun cars for that money.

[SOteric]

11. My collection of

impressive speeding tickets is "all stocked up." :blush:

[flvegan]

13. But if you invested $500 of those $$$$ in a Valentine1, you'd be free to

do whatever you wanted with your right foot.

I'm such a bad influence.

[SOteric]

15. So you might think, but that won't help me

when the FAA cites me for flying too low.

[flvegan]

17. Okay, seriously now

Reliable, relatively inexpensive to own, decent on wet pavement (means front or all wheel drive). Few things.

First, you can't go wrong with a Honda Civic. Try as hard as you like, but you just can't. I little snug on the interior for me, but I'm much bigger than you so you won't notice.

Second, as good as the Civic is, the Mazda 3 is better. It's either 4 doors or a hatchback, but it's cheaper to buy, insure and overall is every bit as good (if not more fun) than the Civic. Downside: doesn't hold resale value as well as a Honda. I'm on my second Mazda (a PR5 and now a 'Speed3) and I recommended one to my mother, and I'd never put my mother in a car that wasn't as safe as can be. Consumer Reports loves this car year after year.

Third, the Subaru Outback. You can't beat Subie for reliability plus it has four wheel drive. A little more pricey on the front end, pays for itself through it's life.

[Brickbat]

9. Get thee a Ford Focus!

We've had two so far and love them. Mr. Brickbat gets 40 mpg on his (2-door).

[SOteric]

12. Oooh, that's tempting.

I hear the Fords are easy to repair...I'll put it on the list, - thanks!

[glinda]

21. I love my Subaru Outback. Just like the commercials say.

[Initech]

24. Wait for the 2012 model. I badly want the electric model.

No gas = win.

[alfredo]

63. The Focus looks like a winner. I hope the Fiesta works out.

Wish they sold the two door hatch in the US.

Does the Focus have "Idle Stop Go"?

[alarimer]

64. I have a Mazda 3, a hatchback.

But the sedans are pretty nice too and probably cheaper. Decent gas mileage. All for less than 20K. Used would be even cheaper.

You might consider the Mazda 2 or the Ford Fiesta or Focus. The new ones look pretty nice. Not sure about price though.

Consider a used Honda Civic. At least they are reliable, if not very exciting.

I guess it depends on what you like. Do you like sporty or practical?

[Brigid]

2. How about this one?

:evilgrin:

[SOteric]

5. Now ~that~

is a FINE-lookin' car!


(But I'm pretty sure it's not in my stars...)

[JeffersonChick]

7. A couple of ideas

My 20 y/o son just got a car. He wanted an old Honda, because he's had a couple of friends who've had them and they last forever!! He got a 98 Accord.

Personally, I have a Hyundai Santa Fe (I know, I know, I wasn't thinking back then). And I've never ever had a single problem with it. I would definitely recommend it. Maybe Elantra? Or some small model?

[SOteric]

8. Thanks!

I'll look at those and see what the consumer reports have to say!

[old mark]

34. We had an Elantrra for about 12 years, have a Santa Fe now-they are hard to beat,

the Santa Fe is great in snow, and the Elantra was very good overall-drove it to work for many years.

mark

[struggle4progress]

14. These don't guzzle gas:

http://www.bestpicturegallery.com.nyud.net:8090/horse-picture-brazil-a-velhaca-Eduardo-Amorim-horse-best-picture-gallery.jpg

[SOteric]

16. As true as that is...

They sure do take a long time to get up and down a mountain and my vet bills are high enough with just the kitty.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

18. No, but the emissions -- oh my!

And by the way, ya leadfoot, stop making that horse do wheelies!

:hi:

[Gold Metal Flake]

19. I have two Ford Focus. Focuses? Focii?

A 2001 and a 2007. I love them and would not hesitate to buy another if I were in the market. Except if I were in the market, I think I would go ahead and buy the new Ford Fiesta. Cool car, lots of features, low price and great fuel economy. And, like the Focus, it's supposed to be surprisingly good handling. So you can have some fun, go fast, go around corners and get over 30mpg (closer to 40 if you drive easy).

We also have a 2009 Corolla S 5 speed. Great car but I would still go for that Fiesta.

[OhioBlue]

20. I want my next car to be a Chevy Equinox

I've read great things about them. For me, living in a rural area and always driving small cars... I really, really want something that lets me sit up a bit higher. My little cars always bottom out in the driveway with even a little snow, get blown all over the road with a little wind, keep me from seeing well at some intersections or possible oncoming traffic when wanting to pass an Amish buggy or tractor... I've never wanted a gas guzzler nor really an SUV... but I've looked into the Equinox and they seem to get gas mileage that equals my small cars of the past and are priced reasonably.

[boppers]

22. So, I have my two dream cars.

One is my 2000 Saab 93 Turbo. It's supposed to hit 146 mph before the failsafes kick in, but I wouldn't know about that, as I've never had it over 132 mph. It gets about 30 mpg, and when I'm commuting across Oregon backroads, can shave an hour off of a 4-5 hour trip. However, it's not great on snow. The other is a 2002 Subaru Outback. All Wheel Drive. Nothing is better on rain slick roads (Oregon), icy mountain passes (Oregon), etc. It gets about 20 mpg, which is low, but the mpg of a car skidding off the side of an icy mountain isn't very good either.

Basically, I have a summer, and winter, car. Both are 4-door, one manual (the Saab), one automatic.

Things I hate: US brands (got burned too many times), SUVs and high center of gravity (I was the first one to a 7 teenager rollover, 5 died), and useless trim (people pay absurd amounts for a car that "looks" fast).

edit: wrong word

[MorningGlow]

26. +1 on the Saab

I got a 2000 9-3 turbo convertible for $5K last summer when my Wrangler became too expensive to keep repairing. OMG it's turning me into a speed demon!

It didn't do too bad in the snow this winter, either. But I can't wait to put the top down again. :evilgrin:

[Initech]

23. I'm heavily eyeing Ford for my next car.

I'm particularly looking at the Focus Electric, the regular Focus, and the Fusion hybrid (first choice).

[old mark]

25. We have had great luck with Hyundai's - we have our second one now,

the first lasted almost 12 years and we used it as a trade in for the one we have now, a Santa Fe SUV.


mark

[guitar man]

27. The last 3 Ford products I've owned

Have all been fantastic. I've got a '95 Lincoln mark viii sitting in the driveway with 247k miles on it and it still runs like a champ. I've gotten lots of miles with little fixing out of all of them :hi:

[PassingFair]

28. Do you have people that have to ride in the back seat?

If so, and if don't mind buying a Japanese car, I have
been VERY happy so far with my CUBE.

My teenagers fit comfortably in the back, with PLENTY
of headroom, and the gas mileage and handling make it
perfect for my job, which involves tons of driving.

They are inexpensive and fun.

[NV Whino]

29. Honda FIT or Civic

I own a FIT. 33 to 38 mpg, lot's of carrying space, can carry 5 people. Civic is a bit more pricey, but also gets a bit better mileage. So hatchback (4-door) or sedan. Both great affordable cars.

[snooper2]

56. 5 people in a Honda Fit?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Raven]

30. Subaru Forrester! Best car I have ever had. I've had 2 and the

one I am driving now has 100K miles on it and purrs. Up here in NH, I live on a dirt road and travel a lot of other dirt roads. This car has 4wd and is great in snow and fabulous in mud season. It always starts and never gives me any trouble and I beat the shit out of it.

[old mark]

33. My brother has his second one now...had over 250K miles on the first one, and it

was still in great shape when he sold it to buy #2...


mark

[bif]

31. I absolutely love my Saturn

And I'm not into cars. It's a 2003 L200. Best car I've ever owned. I'm a "Buy American" kind of guy and I think it's one of the best American cars on the road.

[BlueIris]

32. If Henry Ford were alive today, he'd be building Subarus.

Or so wrote the Car & Driver folks in one of their editorials last winter.

[Supply Side Jesus]

35. Saturn

dependable and economical

[david13]

36. Honda or Toyota. dc

[Sanity Claws]

37. Used car

Please listen to the others regarding the manufacturer and model.

A new car is worth it if you hold onto it until it is run into the ground. I have my car 15 years and can now say that it was worth buying new.
I don't think that in 15 years from now we're going to be using the same kind of gas fueled cars that we currently use. There will be a lot more electrical and flex fuel cars and they will be far more efficient than what is available now.
I guess my advice is buy a car that will last maybe 5 years; you don't want to be stuck with a car that has a lot of useful life left in 5 years from now. Lots of changes coming.

[pink-o]

38. what? No respect for the Corolla?

I'm on my 3rd Corolla, a 2001 model, and I just got it serviced at 129,000 miles. Cost? 20 bucks! Only needed the oil change, everything else was in perfect condition. I don't need new brakes or filters for another 50,000 miles.

You can probably get 'em a little cheaper nowadays as well since Toyota's rep is somewhat tarnished. (Man, has Karma been sticking it to the Japanese this year or what?) And you can go online to see the models that have problems with pedals. I made sure mine wasn't on that list. It's not exactly an objet d'art, but you don't want anything that attracts attention of Police or Thieves, right?

[pitohui]

46. being only fifty-mumble i'm still on my first corolla, the world's only immortal car

honestly i don't know why people buy anything else

i paid cash, go to the toyota dude every year and say, i might drive a lot this summer, do everything, and it's never more than $500, this year it was $200, and knock on wood the damn thing never breaks down

don't ask me, go to bolivia, go to the middle of a deforested random unpopulated place w. no gas stations and no mechanics and see what every drives...it;s the toyota corolla, peoples, that's it, when you're lost in the stone age and have to drive out, those fancy-pants delorean gullwings aint gonna cut it...

the corolla is what the old-time (when it was still a reliable car) VW bug was to mexico....except the corolla still is...

[MrsBrady]

39. i have a honda fit

love love love it

93000 miles and not ONE, not one problem. none.

My husband says buy a honda because they are usually unusually reliable and wont require much repair

OR

buy a chevy and the parts will be cheaper when it does break...although he can do his own repairs.


so I would stick with the honda. :)

[Sky Masterson]

40. I purchased a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 a few years back.

It has been a great truck.I've had it for over 5 years now and I haven't had to put a dime into it beyond oil changes.
It was really nice having it this last winter. :)

[trof]

41. Price range? I LOVE our Prius.

Every time I drive past the filling station.
And more cargo space than you would think.
Very comfortable ride.
:-)

[TheCanadianLiberal]

42. VW Diesel (TDI) Jetta's

I've had 2, the first one had 250,000KM on it but got in a car accident and now the second one has 322,000KM on it. I've only had very minor issues along the way and would recommend one to anyone.

I get on average 46MPG and dispute diesel costing more, driving this car is still cheaper then an average gas car by quite a bit.

If you get one I'd personally go for the manual and not auto. Manual VW's are all around better, especially when they're diesel.

[quakerboy]

43. Hate the Focus, love the Matrix/vibe, diggin the new prius

The Focus we had caught itself on fire. Plus the AC was weak, the service expensive and continual, and it never got the MPG it was supposed to.

Currently have an 09 Vibe. I like it because I get the Toyota design at a Pontiac price made in a union shop. We got the slightly larger engine, which shaves a couple off the mpg, but gives it noticeably more pep. Its got acceleration without drawing the lead foot, which is nice. Plus I learned it can carry a whole lot of cinderblocks at once, if you happen to need that at some point.

At work we have a few '10 Priui(priusi? Priuses?). Its hard to beat the MPG on those, and its fun to watch the various readouts. Plus they seem to be decently drivable.

[Bertha Venation]

44. If funds are short, can't beat a Toyota Corolla

Ours is six years old and has 113K miles. Runs like a champ, never ever a single problem, no "oh shit" moments while driving, never had it in the shop for other than routine maintenance.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

45. Smart Car

http://www.smartusa.com/

[GoneOffShore]

47. I've got two cars for sale.

But I don't think they'll fit your needs.

A Lincoln Town Car 1999 and a Porsche.

Going cheap though.

[SOteric]

48. Thank you all SO much!!

I'm printing this thread for my research. You guys are da bomb! (and a special thanks to you, 5gan! ;) )

[UrbScotty]

49. Chevy Volt! Someone I know just got one - he says it's GREAT!

[Throd]

50. '68 Coronet on Cragars

But I'm probably not the guy you should look to for rational input on these matters

[krispos42]

51. Subaru Impreza Outback Sport

I had a 2005 model; wrecked it on the interstate last year. Some fuckwad in a Volvo hit me. But it got about 28 mpg with the 5-speed stick, had all-wheel drive, decent power, and the sportwagon body style was useful and functional. And with the remote lock/unlock, the rear hatch was treated as a door instead of a trunk, which was very convenient.


And they're safe, at least in side impacts.

[Paradoxical]

52. Weekend warrior mechanic and car enthusiast checking in.

You pretty much cannot go wrong with anything from Honda or Toyota. Like literally anything.

Other than those two brands, I'd say Subaru (Forester). Hyundai's are also very good cars.

As far as American cars go, the Ford Ecotec engine is basically bullet proof. Find a Focus with one and you'll be in pretty good shape. Saturns are also very well built cars but the brand has recently been dissolved. So finding parts may become difficult in the future.

[meow2u3]

53. Can you drive a stick shift?

If you can drive a stick without running the risk of burning the clutch, I'd advise you to get one. They're better on gas than slush boxes (automatic transmissions), for one. Second of all, a stick is less expensive because they're less in demand. Sticks are also good for beating speed traps; you can always downshift when the speed limit's too low for road conditions instead of having to use your brakes.

I got myself a 99 Kia Sephia with a stick shift when my Olds got totaled and now I get 31-34 mpg. I only paid 2 grand for it. It did have 146K miles on it, but it was a country car with a lot of highway mileage. The previous owners took good care of the drive train, thank God, but the only work I need on it are cosmetic improvements: a decent radio; seat covers; and the shifter boot.
The Korean cars are underrated, cheap, and last quite a while IMO.

[SOteric]

62. Yeppers, that's a roger.

Will add your advice to my criteria, - Thanks!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

65. Both kinds burn out in the big city traffic.

Automatics burn up in the heat in Houston or any southern city.
Sticks burn up clutches in stop and go traffic in the city.

[Paper Roses]

54. For the last 3 years, I have been driving a Honda Pilot.

We had a lot of cars through the years but I like this the best. Has tons of space, when back seats are up. will seat 7, with seats down, huge cargo space.
It is a 2005 and has had nothing go wrong. Replaced things like tires, batteries and have followed the scheduled maintenance. I'm a Stickler about timely oil changes too.
I have seen low mileage Pilots advertised for under $20,000.

Whatever you do, buy used. Let someone else take the depreciation and pay the excise tax. Sales tax can't be avoided. In my state, you have to pay sales tax whether you buy from a dealer or private, they get you at the RMV. Maybe it is the same everywhere.
Good luck on your search,

[LynneSin]

55. First - never EVER buy new. 2nd, carfax is your friend - no carfax no sale

Finally - Subaru Legacy

nuff said :D

[RT Atlanta]

57. Carmax (or similar type place)

Sorry if this info is repeated (didnt want to review all the replies). I personally recommend looking for replacements at a facility that sells well-maintained later model used cars. There's a significant cost saving, and in almost all instances, those vehicles are under a continuing warranty.

Good luck!

[Deep13]

58. 3-year-old Honda Civic.

Get one coming off a lease. Honda checks them thoroughly. Meets all your criteria.

[mentalsolstice]

59. Get a used MINI Cooper

It's fun, gets good mpg, and holds its value well. And it does remarkably well for a small car in a crash. My friend had hers t-boned, with herself and 3 passengers in it. Only one injured, with a neck sprain. I drove a 1982 Mercedes 240D for a long time, it was a heavy car that hugged the road well. My MINI drives just as well, heavy and it doesn't feel like it will fly off the road when I take a curve or an 18 wheeler flies by. I wish they would bring the diesel model to the states, I would consider a trade-in, but I don't drive much. My other suggestion would be a VW Jetta diesel, that's what my husband has for his commuter car...his commute is 30 miles of interstate, he gets wicked good mileage. However, on weekends, and short weekend trips, our MINI is the go-to car.

on edit: I have to add that we had a Subaru Outback that we loved.

[bluedigger]

60. I'd get a Willys with four wheel drive.

Okay, maybe I'm not the guy to ask, either. Just get a Subie. Avoid the turbos.

[Gold Metal Flake]

61. AutoCheck, excellent alternative to CarMax

I used http://www.autocheck.com/?WT.mc_id=2191&siteID=2191&WT.srch=1">Autocheck when I was looking for my last used car. It cost less than Carmax and the term I bought was longer so I could take my time and search VINs like mad.

BTW, do you know any gearheads? People who are good at finding body repair in cars that are claimed to have never been hit? Could be useful to you.

[ChoralScholar]

66. I like the new Chrysler 200

but I'd never buy a car in it's inaugural year. I'd wait about 3 years until they have the 'early adopter' bugs worked out.

[CRK7376]

67. Toyota or Ford

Toyota Prius vs Toyota Fusion Hybrid....
Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Ranger
Toyota Tundra vs Ford 150.....

I'm a Tacoma guy, wife is in a Toyota Sienna for about 6 more months then will be in a Prius or Fusion. 22yo son in a Ford Escort hand me down, 16 yo son wants anything with an enginge, wheels and looks cool in the sports car world (I laugh constantly at that request) 12 yo daughter still happy with her Trek Skye SL bicycle. Good luck on your seach for new wheels.