Car died, what next? [update: bought a new one]

[MikeJ]

Well, it was only a matter of time. Our rust-encrusted 1994 Corsica officially became undriveable yesterday when the screws holding the seat rail of the driver's seat to the floor gave way and our mechanic informed us there wasn't enough sound metal left to try and bolt everything back down. He said I could try driving it but if I hit the gas I'd end up in the back seat looking up and if I hit the brake I'd likely meet the windshield.

So we're having it towed off to the wreckers today but we're now in the market for a new car. (I was hoping the old car would last until the fall, but it ain't gonna happen.) Question is, what do we get? To use rental car language, we were originally looking at an intermediate size car (Grand Am, Intrepid, Accord) but given that our DS turns driving age next year, we're now contemplating getting a compact (Civic, Echo) - something easier to handle for new drivers and cheaper to insure with a 16y.o. male driver - which could potentially become the kids' car in 3 years when DD turns 16 and then we go out and get something a bit more upscale for me. Our primary vehicle will continue to be the Caravan.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? We're having to rent a car for a couple of days to get us through the weekend (got a really good deal through Hertz) and then we're on vacation for a week. So we have a week or two to determine our strategy before we hit the car dealers full swing in August.

- Mike

 

[Scratch42]

I love my Toyota.

Good Luck at finding a good deal!

Scratch

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Hey Mike,

Sorry to hear about your car. Are you planning on buying new or used? There are some great deals out there right now on new cars. We just leased a new 2004 Venture van. We did the numbers and leasing worked for us because we want to make sure that the van will be reliable enough to get us "home" twice a year.

Since the dealers are doing these big sales maybe they'll have lots of used cars in inventory to get rid of now.

Good luck!!

Maybe, Debbie has some insight as she has a few teenagers and has gone through a few cars in the recent past.

 

[mom_rules]

If the consideration is for new drivers-you really can't beat a larger vehicle-Here is my experience.

We leased a Mazda MPV allsport 4 wheel drive van for four years. Just as the lease was coming up DD turned 16 and was learning to drive. The van was in great shape-low miles and the buy out was quite reasonable-so we purchased it. Everything went along fine with the driving (she had taken Drivers training etc) and 10 months later got her G2 in June of that year. In Dec. we allowed her to take the van and two friends on a snowboarding trip to Blue Mountain for the day (it's about a 2 + hour drive in one direction). She dutifully called us when they arrived there safely (breathe sigh of relief) and they had planned to start home before dark. We supper time came and went and it was now dark, we figured they had just stopped for dinner. Around 7pm the phone rang and DD was hysterical. There was an intersection on the hwy near Orangeville and a mid size chevy car pulled out from behind her, passed her then pulled into her lane to make a right hand, last minute turn. She of course ended up plowing into his trunk. Thankfully there were no injuries but the chevy was written off and the Mazda sustained minor damage to the front end. The OPP had no choice but to charge DD with dangerous driving (fine plus 6 points) since she was the vehicle behind. (We fought it in court, at the advice of the OPP constable who appeared for us and it was reduced to failing to turn to avoid a collision - 2 points).
The OPP were convinced, that had she been driving a compact vehicle, the car would also have been a write off and there would definitely have been bodily injury to the occupants of her car.
Now DS is 16 and taking Young Drivers. He is driving that same Mazda and I think the larger, more stable, higher up off the ground my kids are the better off (not that I am anticipating any further accidents) they are.
Now, having said that-my own personal opinion of course, with the cost of gas it definitely is more economical to drive a small car but I feel they are safer in the van.

 

[hockey mom]

Hi Mike- We were in the exact same boat last year when our trusty Transport died. We ended up purchasing a Sunfire which is great on gas but to be honest it has had more little problems in one year than all of my other vehicles- just a little buyer beware tip.

 

[maryliz]

We rented a Toyota Matrix recently when we had some repairs to our van done. It was a great little car! I have a friend who has one, and says she will never buy anything else ever again.

I also like the Toyota Echo. Our Mom has had Toyota Camray's for years and loves them.

Good luck ... I think it's the right time of year to be buying, whether it be used or new. there are definitely some good deals to be had.

Mary Liz

 

[MaMudduck]

I'm going to go alittle off the beaten path.....

serveral years ago we had a VW Jetta, regular not a diesel and it was a great car.

Friend of ours,in her Jetta, had a 5 car pile up on the 401, with of course her car right in the middle.The officer told her because of the frame construction of the Jetta she was able to walk away alive. The Jetta's are boxy and the front end & trunk crunch in but the passager 'box' stays in tack.

The car feels solid and handles well, the only complaint I had was that repairs are more expensive than other cars....but ours didn't need repairing as much as the car I have now. Caddi

And the VW diesel's will get you to WDW AND back on ONE tank of gas!

That's going to be my next car.

 

[mom_rules]

Definitely check into a vehicle for it's safety aspects high on your list. There are some cars that have roll bars built into the ceiling and metal frames surrounding the passengers. Your kids could be the best drivers in the world, but you never know about the one next to them. You might also want to call your insurance company and ask them which they recommend as well. Some vehicles cost less to insure than others and if you have a young male driver it could make a substantial difference in the insurance you will have to pay on him.

For instance, for a 16 yr old male, with Drivers Ed Cert. G2 license, occassional driver-I was quoted $3200 on the Mazda, but $5500 for an Infiniti.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Another Toyota family here!

We are on our 2nd toyota and will never go back!! We have a Camry right now (had a '99 corolla before that) and absolutly love it!

For a new driver (not that I have much experience... my kids are 6 and 12 yrs away from getting their learners permits (phew!!lol) but I'd think bigger would be better!!

Our other vehicle is a '93 Nissan quest but are looking at replacing that within the next year

mom_rules..... how did you like the Mazda MPV?? We've been looking at picking one up to replace the quest b/c it's on it's last legs.

 

[LisaSt]

Mike if you are looking for a compact you may want to look at the new Chev Optra 5 it is very similar to the civic hatchback.

 

[mom_rules]

That is our fourth Madza MPV-but the only allsport 4 wheel drive-you switch it into 4 whl when you need the extra traction-great for winter driving-we have not been stuck the entire time we've had it. My DH had 3 hondas, 2 camrys, a couple of GM's and has liked all the Japanese vehicles. I personally love my Mazdas-the kids drive the MPV now and I bought myself a Mazda Tribute All wheel drive about two years ago-other than the gas thing I love my mini SUV.

 

[Debbie]

Well, we have been through a couple of cars these past couple of years.

I personally like my Toyota Echo. I had the Tercel and loved it, but when it died (It wasn't my fault it caught on fire, Mom ) I bought a Neon-it was a good price. I didn't like it much at all because of the way the back window slants. When that one went into the creek last December (It was black ice, Mom, honest! ), I went back to the Toyota. I love the way it handles and I love the way it isn't horrific on gas (I'm just going to the movies, Mom The movies are 40 minutes away!). There is the problem of speed, though, and that would be me. When I took the 5 hour drive to Queen's, I managed it in just over 4-and that was stuck in Toronto traffic for. . .a while

That said, I do feel more confident when they drive the van, which my (or is that my D S) has been driving since IT was less than a year old and HE was less than 15. It's hard to do doughnuts in it.

The only REAL prerequisite for any vehicle that we own is. . . an antenna for the Mickey ball! (and guess how feel about THAT!

 

[lilsonicfan]

Well it doesn't look like you've got enough choice here so i'm gonna stick in a vote for an Acura EL . Mine is now seven years old, and it's fantastic. When we got it, it was basically exactly the same as a Civic (although Civics had a 1.8L engine, the EL then was 1.6) - but it was about $3000 less. It's great on gas, gets at least 10 km/L city driving, has all the features. No idea about insurance differences btwn different cars, as we BC'ers don't think as much about that as you folks out there

 

[madge62]

Our 94 Taurus Wagon bit the bullet a couple of weeks ago, needed new brakes, new transmission, etc. Poor creature, had to give it up and get something new. We LOVE our Toyota Matrix! Zippy car, not too big, not too little, they actually call it a CUV, compact utility vehicle. Has cargo room when you need it, spiffy design and my 16 yr. old daughter loves it and loves driving it, when she can pry the keys out of my hand.

Good luck on your car hunt. The first car we looked at was the Matrix and still we hunted the other car lots but came back to Toyota.

Marjorie

 

[snoopyandpooh]

maryliz, which company did you use to rent the Toyota Matrix? I heard good things about this car would like to rent one to see how it handles. Thanks.

 

[mbb]

We're looking as well....

We LOVE our Honda Civic...it's over ten years old, nearly hitting 300,000km...and goes like the day we bought it new...

although now of course that I've said all that, it'll die tomorrow.

We've also got a Jeep Grand Cherokee...love it too, but we're thinking of u/g for more passenger space with a Highlander...or a Grand Caravan...:

snoopyandpooh, did you know that the Pontiac Vibe has the Toyota Matrix's "innards"??? My girlfriend just bought a Vibe and loves it

 

[snoopyandpooh]

mbb, thanks for the information. I am looking forward to rent either a Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe. Does anyone know which car rental company carries them?

 

[LisaSt]

Mike look at the Pontiac Vibe same car as the matrix but less money it even uses the same motor. Go talk to Craig Stott at Brian Finch he will help you out with the car and take great care of you.
Darren

 

[Rebecca P.]

Went to the Toyota Dealership yesterday to talk to them about a Sienna AWD. Does anyone have a 2004 Sienna that could give me some advice.

Right now I have a 2000 Windstar which is a really nice van to look at but is the biggest lemon I've ever had. Very expensive to maintain. I promised myself I would never buy another Ford at least until quality becomes Job #1 again!

Rebecca

 

[pkitty]

I'am a loyal Vw driver (had one since I was 16). My husband (an OPP Constable) and DD where in a head on collision on Feb 14 2002 and the only thing that saved them was our 97 Jetta's frame construction. My husbands accident occured in his area and the guys all confirmed that had it been just about anything else I'd be a widow right now. The car was 3 feet high it was crushed that badly and the front axel was underneath the car in the back seat...they walked away with minor injuries. I drive a Jetta Wagon TDI...it gets 1100 kms to a 38.oo fill up. It drives amazing and came with an 80 000 km comprehensive warranty. I had a Golf before this and it was awesome (especially in the snow). Our oldest Jetta diesel gave up the ghost at 700 000 kms. My dad is driving a new Passat but still drives his 95 Jetta Diesel with 725000 kms on it. I've got no complaints and they really retain there value. The 97 Jetta that was in the head on has just been paid off (it's remaining lease but out had been 10000.00) 2 weeks prior to the accident. The insurance company gave us a replacement dollar amount of 14000.00 plus the GST. The car had 275 000kms on it. I'd say that's pretty reasonable! Happy car shopping!!!