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| Blitzkrieg in his car seat in our ZX2. |
The engine block cracked.
Ugh!
The estimate to rebuild the engine is a mere $9,000.00 – almost half way to the price of a new car.
The plan changed. Instead of repairing our car, we have to replace it. With what? I don’t know. I haven’t done much in the way of research. I didn’t think I would be car shopping because until a few days ago we thought the car was in good condition.
Help me out. What kind of car do you drive? Do you like it?
Here’s a few things we want in our next car:
- Husband and I like small cars for our small family. We aren’t into SUVs. They are good for some folks but not for us.
- Must get good gas mileage.
- We’re open to a new or used car. There are pros and cons to buying either type.
- Not sure if we we’re going hybrid or conventional. We do more highway than city driving. I believe hybrids only pay off if you do more city than highway diving. Is this true?
- We are open to the make of the car.
- Either a hatchback or sedan is fine. We’ve owned both. Currently we have sedans, which seem like more a “grown up” style of car. In the past, we’ve had hatchbacks, which are more convenient for toting stuff home from the home improvement store :)
- Blitzkrieg wants a rocket car or a hovercraft. We told him we’ll consider it if he has the means to contribute to the car payment.
The reports on Edmunds.com knocked two cars off our list. If you have any suggestions on what car you like or what you don’t or another site for good car research please let me know. It will help steer us in a more informed direction.
Thanks everyone!
Thanks everyone!
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Bummer about your car:( Since you asked:
ReplyDeleteI drive a 2001 Toyota Echo Coupe 5-speed. It's bright red, roomy for a small car, very comfortable and gets 40 mpg +/-. I say +/- because the mpg is impacted if you run the ac a lot or drive really fast or do lots of stop & go (city) driving. But even so it still gets in the 35+ range. So far it has been trouble-free and I am probably jinxing it as I write. And my dogs love riding in the back seat even though they don't have a cute carrier like Blitzkreig does.
Blitzkrieg has a car seat because he's too small for a dog seatbelt. He flies off the seat trying to look out the window. The car seat solves both problems.
ReplyDeleteI lurve my Honda Fit. Best car I have ever driven.
ReplyDelete4-door car plus rear hatch is incredibly useful. Seats 4 adults comfortably, even tall people in the back seat.
There is a 5th seat in the middle, but it's a bit cramped for adults.
Size example: I drove, my 6'2" husband in the passenger seat, and his 6' friend in the rear seat directly behind him, and there was plenty of legroom. That friend actually ended up buying a Fit for himself after that - and one of his key selling points was that he could transport a folding massage table.
The rear seats do a "flip and fold" so that you can either:
a) flip the seats vertical against the seat backs and have a lot of vertical space in the rear seat for something tall like a plant or TV; or
b) fold the seats completely flat against the floor of the car to transport something bulky. Big bonus for me: The headrests slide under the front seats, so you have an uninterrupted flat space for transporting something large.
Most versatile small car ever, and I used to drive everything under the sun in my former life working at a rental car company.
The only downside is that the A/C is a bit underpowered. The front seats cool fine, but to cool the rear seats you really have to crank it.
It is Honda's small car, so there is more road noise than you would get with a larger car, and it's a bit stiffer ride. But plenty of zip!
We are a family of five who recently decided to get rid of the SUV and go back to a car. I was nervous, and I am in love. We bought a 2002 Toyota Camry. I could not be happier!
ReplyDeleteWe adore our toyota matrix. We owned a 2003, sold it to get a honda fit, hated the comfort and less-than-stellar mpg of the fit, and bought a 2006 matrix when our friend sold hers.
ReplyDeleteOur fit didn't get above 30 mpg ever. The seats were not very comfortable and the low bumper scraped on everything. Rear seats folded but not as much space as the matrix.
The matrix is very comfortable. Rear seats fold flat and are easy clean plastic - convenient for hauling firewood, garden soil, or lumber. Handling is good and gas mileage is 30-35 depending on the drive.
If you go for the matrix, buy used. The redesign in 2007 lowered the gas mileage according to fueleconomy.gov.
Lesse... I drive a 1995 Suzuki Swift- Love it- cheap to drive, great gas mileage! And I drive a 2006 Toyota Tacoma pick up. Wish it got great gas mileage but 18 mpg isn't too bad.. and I drive a 1979 MGB convertible for when I am feeling European and sporty. But I also drive a 2010 Public D-3 3 speed bicycle!
ReplyDelete2006 scion xb for the win!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, I am looking myself and think I'm going to go with a used Suzuki SX4... Carmax sells used ones and I found this quote: "Suzuki's award-winning mid-size sports sedan offers premium styling and ... no wonder AutoWeek said: "The SX4 is the AWD bargain of the century." I think you might appreciate the all wheel drive, and it comes in hatchback or sedan. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteWell the difference between Japanese cars and American cars is neglible.I say go American. Ford and Chevrolet have great cars. Depending on the size of car you need and based on what you have go for a Ford Focus or a Chevrolet Cruze. I am a GM guy but Ford's are also great cars. Both cars get great mileage and the Cruze has a version that gets 42 MPG. It is a manual shift. My mom rented one I loved it. Test drive and make sure the seats are comfortable. You can't change those after you buy it. If you want to go one step up in size go for a Ford Fusion or a Chevy Malibu. Get a 4 cylinder for better mileage. My 2005 Malibu has one and it has plenty of pickup. Not a gas guzzler. You can get the Fusion or the Malibu new to you. I would go that way rather than buying new. The Cruze or Focus cannot be bought used. Don't get a lot of options like 10 speaker stereo, expensive navagation systems etc. The Malibu and Fusion have been on the market for about 4 or 5 years in their current form. You can get a good buy on one. I suggest one with 35,000 miles or less on it. With proper maintenence you can get well over 150 to 200 thousand miles out of a car. Good luck. Oh and to me the Malibu is classy.Styling amazing. My son puts the Fusion in the sporty category.
ReplyDelete