Replacement car suggestions

[hwango]

In the event that I need to purchase a replacement vehicle, what make and model would people recommend? I enjoyed my Ford Taurus because it had lots of room in the interior and it felt like it was composed at least partly of metal and wouldn't crumple like a plastic bag in the event of an accident. I have friends who stand by their Saturns, though. It would be cool to get a Hybrid, but I don't know if I could find a used one in my price range...I haven't decided exactly what my price range is, but I'm thinking Used right now rather than New.

Comments

Join the Saturn cult!

[krzzl.livejournal.com]

You may want to talk to Laura M. more about her hybrid. They still seem so new to me that it's weird to think about getting a used one. You would be the epitome of environmental uberness.

I thought about one when I got my car, but I wanted to wait until they got all of the bugs out as they were in the 1.0 stage at that point.

I've heard it's better to buy a used car that is a couple of years old than to buy a new one so someone else can pay for depreciation but you still have a newer car that isn't prone to implode.

Honda Civics and Toyota Camry's are supposed to be virtually indestructible, but are also more expensive to repair and higher on the high-theft list, at least the last time I checked.

I also got a consumer reports type book from the library that helped a lot, (I can't remember the name) and looked at their website. These were better at speculating total cost of ownership etc. AAA also has a car buying service that will help you choose.

Or you can just join the cult! (But feel free to ignore logicallyrouge if he tries to talk you into the Saturn SUV...)

Re: Join the Saturn cult!

[logicallyrogue.livejournal.com]

WHy would anyone want to ignore me ;)

The ONLY reason I would talk someone into the Saturn VUE would be if the like the SL models - but were to big to be comfortable in it. It's not a super truck, it comfortably fits 5 people my size with enough cargo room. It's not too bad of a gas guzzler...

*shrug* I like it - but that's because I like cars/trucks where I don't hit my head on the roof just by sitting in the driver's seat...

[lconover.livejournal.com]

I'd personally recommend a used Beetle. Get one that's two years old - by then, any minor issues that the Beetles have when they're young (plastic bits that need replacing, that kind of thing) will have been worked out by the previous owner.

My Beetle, even just as a regular old car, gets great gas mileage and is very comfy to drive. We just passed the 90,000 mile mark.

[krzzl.livejournal.com]

And they're cute!

[octophobic.livejournal.com]

I'd also second the Beetle because it is a very comfortable ride. If you can navigate through the maze of advertisements edmunds.com has a lot of good buying information. If you check out the specs section it's pretty detailed. Right down to the leg and headroom. They also have a "True Cost to Own" estimator that works for many newer cars. True cost to own is VERY COOL because it factors service cost, gas, expected repairs, and depreciation. For instance if you think a truck will cost you $35k it might actually be closer to $45k within 5 years.

If you're looking for something with 4WD I'd suggest considering a Subaru or something like the Honda Civic CRV. They both have full time 4WD or AWD which is more convenient than my Jeep's part time 4WD. Legroom might be a problem with the CRV though.

lconover's sister seems to really like her Chevrolet Cavalier. It's got a lot of pick up and is fairly comfortable. Plus it depreciates as quickly as a rock falls from a cliff so they'll probably be reasonably priced.

Oh Volkswagen Golfs might have some of the same benefits of the Beetle but be more reasonable in price. It's the same body for both vehicles. The guts are probably a bit different though.

Beware of the enthusiasts.

[krzzl.livejournal.com]

But does it have enough headroom for hwango? (Remember, he's tall...) I actually asked my very tall car dealer how tall he was when I was test driving Saturns to make sure he would fit in my car comfortably when we go places. :)

[octophobic.livejournal.com]

I believe all the cars I mentioned should have enough headroom. The Beetle especially has PLENTY of headroom. :)

I've never sat in a Golf but it should have enough. The CRV might be cutting it close though. It's a little too snug for me - more snug than the Jeep and that's practically touching my knees.

[hwango.livejournal.com]

For the moment, it appears I don't need to worry about this. My car is not totaled after all, and I should be getting it back. I don't know if this is actually a good thing or not.