So... my car is dead. What should I buy?

[Shockeye]

Since it'll cost ~$1600 to fix my car, I think I'll buy something else. Basically what I need is a vehicle that's comfortable and gets me back and forth to work. Should be comfortable since I have to drive out to see schild every so often. I don't need anything big or expensive since I don't drive enough to warrant spending a lot of money. Any suggestions?

[schild]

Is this the van? I figured the engine would fall out while you were on the road. Was I rite? Was it truly as unsafe as I thought the moment I got in it?

You tried killing me, didn't you?

[HaemishM]

He did, but turns out you are immune to cynaide and compressed hatred.

[Shockeye]

Is this the van? I figured the engine would fall out while you were on the road. Was I rite? Was it truly as unsafe as I thought the moment I got in it?

You tried killing me, didn't you?

No, it's my Ford Taurus.

[schild]

He did, but turns out you are immune to cynaide and compressed hatred.

Actually, I'm not immune. It makes me stronger. You just hit on the actual recipe that causes that reaction from my body. Lucky guess.

Edit: Damnit. I was really hoping I was right with that van comment. It was so much fun to type. Le Sigh.

[Llava]

Honda Accord.

It's what I'm driving (2002), it's doing quite well.

I don't recommend a Hyundai Elantra.  I don't know if it's the Arizona heat, but I had issues with the windows- namely, the little motors that control them getting fucked up and the windows sliding down of their own (or gravity's) accord... whether the car was on or off.  And you had to physically push them back up.  This happened with 3 out of the 4 windows, and I had noticed passing by a few other Elantras with duct tape along the tops of their windows as well, leading me to believe that it wasn't exlusive to my vehicle.

Maybe later year models are better, though.  Mine was... 2000 I think.

[WayAbvPar]

I bought a Hyundai Elantra GT a couple of years ago, and have no complaints other than the relatively mediocre gas mileage it gets. I think if I had it to do over I would have spent the extra 5 grand for a hybrid Honda or Toyota, but it is a good little car for less than $20,000.

[Signe]

We have a Mustang GT now.  Don't buy one.

[Murgos]

Dude, cop car.  From an auction.  Chick magnet - well hick magnet, which is only one letter off.

[HaemishM]

Hick girls are easy.

[Shockeye]

Dude, cop car.  From an auction.  Chick magnet - well hick magnet, which is only one letter off.

Only if I can get an old Mt. Prospect Police car.

[Murgos]

Dude, cop car.  From an auction.  Chick magnet - well hick magnet, which is only one letter off.

Only if I can get an old Mt. Prospect Police car.

It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Shockmobile or what?

[WayAbvPar]

Fix the cigarette lighter.

[Hokers]

Only if I can get an old Mt. Prospect Police car.

They no longer have kickass cop cars in the Chicago Burbs.  They know that there is too much traffic to have a high speed chase.  Get a car from Huntley, thats on the edge of civilization.

[tazelbain]

I'd wait for the flying cars.  They should be here any day now.

[Strazos]

No, it's my Ford Taurus.

*Not suprised*

I've actually been hearing nice things about the Scion tC (wtf is that supposed to mean anyway?), and the new, higher-end Civics.

[Big Gulp]

If you can find one you could always join me in my Fiero fanatacism.  It's my little go-kart, and I put much love (and larger engines and better transmissions) into it.  Plus it's nice having kids nowadays not even know what the hell kind of car it is.  The fact that it's a mid-engine car still tends to blow some people's minds.  Not to mention that in three more years my car's a classic!

[Bunk]

Ah the Fiero. Fond highschool memories of kneeling on the back, hands in a deathgrip on the edge of the sunroof. Usually were two of us at a time on the back, with three people inside the car (the middle guy's head stuck up through the sunroof).

[Shockeye]

My first car was either going to be a Fiero or a Trans Am. I went with the Trans Am. Fiero's had trouble with snow and ice.

[WayAbvPar]

My first car was either going to be a Fiero or a Trans Am. I went with the Trans Am. Fiero's had trouble with snow and ice.

Get a lot of that in the Valley, do ya? 

I remember being in middle school and high school wanting a Fiero so bad. They were one of the few cool American cars around. Heard all kinds of horrifying tales about maintenance issues for them.

Also really dug the Honda CRX too. I was in hog heaven when a very hot girl I worked with insisted I borrow her CRX during my lunch hour when I was about 18.

[Signe]

What was your first car derailment!

This was mine:



Not the same one, but it's just like it.

[Big Gulp]

What was your first car derailment!

Full size '72 Chevy van.  It had blue shag carpetting all over the walls and roof, and I was a collossal nerd that only got some nookie in it once.

[NiX]

First car was a 95 neon sport. That thing took a beating and hit 160 KM/h without vibrating. Fuck, that thing had ram-air for some god awful reason.

I'd suggest cars to you, but I have no idea what cars can withstand heat. I buy my cars to make sure they withstand the cold.

[andar]

Get a '93 Acura Integra.  You too can drive a broke grandma car.

[schild]

1997 Limited Edition Twin Turbo Toyota Supra.

Oh wait, you have kids.

Get a[nother] van.

[voodoolily]

I'm thinking about getting myself a Scion XB for my 30th. Number 10 in fuel efficency, in the top 5 for reliability in Consumer Reports. And they're like baby Elements. A little spendy, though ( I guess?) My first car was a '78 Buick Limited. 15 miles took a half a tank of gas (on the freeway). I paid $300 cash for it.

[Shockeye]

My wife has a friend who's willing to sell me their Infiniti for $3,000 under book. I may jump on that. I like me some luxury.

[TheWalrus]

Can't go wrong with Toyotas. (Which is what Scion is)  Hondas are swell, as are most GM products. I'm biased against Ford because I find them to be such a pain in the ass to work on, and slow to fix engineering stupidities.  I don't really have any complaints about Dodge either.

I'll stick to my first three though. If I was going out to purchase a vehicle today, I would select a Toyota, GM or Honda product due to ease of maintenance, longevity, inexpensive failure repairs and general comfort. The most important thing I would say though is to buy something you genuinely like. Fuck what other people like. If you sit in it and it says drive me, buy the damn thing. You won't be happy otherwise.

[Fabricated]

Go get another Taurus, try for an early 2000's model. They're middling quality used cars, but they get from point a to point b and since parts are available everywhere on earth for the things it shouldn't cost an arm and a leg to fix outside of the engine or transmission falling out of it.

[Jimbo]

Man, I would kill to have my '71 Ford F-100, burnt orange with white stripe, an in-line 6, 3 speed on the tree, and more than enough shag room when you went out in the boondocks and parked.  Most people are amazed at the shifter being on the column.

I just got a new car too, needed one for school, since I will be attending Butler University in Indianapolis, IN for Physician's Assistant school, and the drive is an easy 75+ miles to and from school (not moving since my son is pretty set in his school district).  I came up with a neat little list of fuel economy cars, I left of Scion and VW because we don't have dealers in Terre Haute, IN for them.

Car:            MPG            Price

Toyota Corola         32   41         $18,000

Hyundai Accent         32   35         $14,000

Kia Rio            32   35         $14,000

Honda Civic            30   40         $19,500

Mazda 3            28   35         $18,500

Pontiac Vibe         25   34         $19,000

Dodge Caliber         28   32         $19,000

Ford Focus            26   34         $16,500

I ended up getting a nicely spec'ed Dodge Caliber (1.8 engine, 5 speed, power sun roof, heated front seats, sport package, cruise control, protection package) for about $18,000 and they gave me an awesome trade-in price for my jeep.  Plus I get the benefit of having a cooler in my glove box, the glove box is cooled so you can throw 4 big bottles in there and keep them cold.

The Toyota was the 2nd place, since I know a couple of mechanics there, but Toyota's sales staff was a bunch of dicks to me the first time.

Oh and to all the companies that won't make a manual transmission in the trim and model I like, fuck you (jeep especially!).

[Big Gulp]

Oh and to all the companies that won't make a manual transmission in the trim and model I like, fuck you (jeep especially!).

Don't blame the companies, they're just responding to market pressures.  Blame the student driving programs out there that only buy automatics to teach kids on.  Were I God-King of the universe I'd mandate manual transmissions as the vehicles that people need to learn on.  There are way too many people out there intimated my manual transmissions and who have no idea about the joys of actually driving a car rather than just steering one.

[RhyssaFireheart]

Oh and to all the companies that won't make a manual transmission in the trim and model I like, fuck you (jeep especially!).

Don't blame the companies, they're just responding to market pressures.  Blame the student driving programs out there that only buy automatics to teach kids on.  Were I God-King of the universe I'd mandate manual transmissions as the vehicles that people need to learn on.  There are way too many people out there intimated my manual transmissions and who have no idea about the joys of actually driving a car rather than just steering one.

Gods, I so miss driving my stick.  I don't regret switching from a Saturn SC2 to my Santa Fe (got so tired of stepping up to get out of the car), but finding a nice SUV with manual is nigh impossible, much less one that's got 4WD.  What I find funny is the spec sheets on cars all seem to list manual transmission as base with automatics as an upgrade, yet except for certain models, try getting that car with a manual.  It does not exist.

First car I owned was an '84 Ford Escort Pony, 4-speed manual.  My parents bought it for me because I wanted to get into driving the coach busses at my college job and work year round (actually, I think they bought it because they were tired of driving me to and from college) and the "starter" drivers got to the older busses to drive like the GMCs that had manual transmissions.  Nothing like going from a bus that you had to double-clutch to shift to my little Escort after getting off a trip.  Or getting stuck making a trip from the convention center in downtown Chicago out to the airport in stop and go traffic on the Kennedy.

First car I ever drove was a '76 Dodge Dart (Spirit of '76 edition).  I used to hate having to take my brother and his friends to HS because they were always late and made me late getting to my HS (didn't go to the same one as my brothers).  That was an awesome car, and my brothers and I beat the hell out of that thing.  Or I got to drive grandpa's Buick LeSabre.  That thing was a fucking tank, but we never did get the smell of cigars out of it.

Back on topic, type of caris all preference, but always make sure you at least sit in any car before you buy it, in all the seats.  I learned that you can't assume the front passenger seat is comfortable unless you check it out as well.  I'm fine in my Santa Fe when I'm driving, but on the very few occasions we take my car anywhere, my husband drives and I feel slightly cramped on the passenger side.  It's worse for him since he's a man and larger than I am, so we take his car almost all the time.  His Envoy is comfortable for me as a passenger, but I don't like the layout of everything if I"m in the drivers seat. 

[Flood]

Well, in growed up life (uhh 30+ life) and buying a car, I will relate my experience with my ubiquitous Honda Civic.

I own a 1999 Honda Civic, base model (uhh DX?).  I've had mine about 3 years.  I bought it as a Honda Certified used car, from the Honda lot.  It had 28,000 miles on it when I bought it.  I got every warranty and repair option possible since I have about a chimpanzees level knowledge of auto mechanics.  Walk out price after a bit of good ol' boy dick dancing due to my redneck town: $9780.00

I'll spare you the monthly payment amount, but my actual point is - if you just want a car to drive around town and get to work in, this car is great and very reliable.  I drive the shit out of my car, zipping all over town starting and stopping and generally driving too fast while listening to my iPod. (You get AM/FM radio only in the base model, baby)  I'd say 80% of the miles I have put on my car are in-city driving.  All I ever do is wash it and have the oil changed, and sometimes check my tire pressure.  Once a month I drive a couple hundredish miles (round trip) south into LA or Ventura and even though I have to stay in the middle lane (and have no cruise control) my little car gets over the mountains just fine.

Sorry for the bio on my ride, but I do have a point about buying a new car.  I highly recommend a Honda Civic.  I get some of the best gas mileage (I can drive about 5 days on 10$ of California priced gas), it drives pretty well and has a little pep for a economy car, and the car is decent looking even though you'll be 1 of 9700013285 Civics on the road.  I've never had any problems with it mechanically and even if I did the humps back at Honda have to fix it all for free.

It's a reliable, unglamorous vehicle that is cheap to drive and maintain.  I rarely, if ever have to worry about anything concerning my car other than washing it.  (Although I'm sure I just jinxed myself)


P.S. - I'm sure the 1972 4-door Ford Maverick that was my first car will be waiting for me in the 3rd Circle of Hell, dripping out all of it's steering fluid and waiting to not start so I can be late for work. 

[Strazos]

First car was a '96 Mustang GT.

Current car is a '01 Stage 1 Roush Mustang, and I love it to death.

Too bad I'll end up trading it in if I end up going to Graduate school in Colorado or California. I'll need a small SUV so I can go skiing.

[Murgos]

A friend of mine buys only two year old cars that didn't have a major engine or transmission change in that year and only keeps them for three years before trading them in on another two year old car.  He also does a 60 month loan to keep the payments low and the interest low.

I think he's on to something.