Need help chosing a new car...

[Kimberly]

Thanks for the info.

We drive 2 trucks. My Yukon XL is getting 12mpg and dh's Tahoe is getting 13mpg.

I drive 10,000 miles per yr on my truck. 770gallons at 3.25gal equals 2500/yr in gas money.

Comparison.....35mpg (random throw out mpg)

I would save 1600/yr just in gas. So car would not "pay for itself" at 3.25.

Gas would have to be 7.00 in order for the car to "pay for itself" or I if I double my mileage, I will need a different car to drive. We will just park the truck.

DH did the calculations. We have 2 jet skis and a boat we pull so getting rid of our trucks is not an option.

Some 4 cylinder cars may be capable of pulling the jet skis. I've seen a civic tow a single ski before...

Definitely a Subaru Outback can handle the jetskis...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Some 4 cylinder cars may be capable of pulling the jet skis. I've seen a civic tow a single ski before...

Definitely a Subaru Outback can handle the jetskis...

Yes, for short drives however not for 200 miles and in the Ozarks hills.

We have pulled them on car before, dd has a Pontiac Grand Prix, and it just tears up the motor mounts and she shocks and springs get beat to death.

 

[DawnM]

We are starting to consider another car. Our 15 year old Saturn is starting to putter along.

I would love a hybrid, but not sure that is in the budget.

I do anticipate gas climbing to $5/gallon before too long though.

I think we are looking at a Honda Civic most likely.

Dawn

 

[PigletsPal2]

If you can find one (people just don't sell/trade them in) you can get a later model Volvo V50, a small-to-midsize wagon, for less than $25,000. Volvos are just workhorses and they get surprisingly good mileage. Reliability is good and safety is the best. We have three "old" Volvos, and we love them and will drive them until they or we die:

1997 Volvo 850, 200,000+ miles, 20 mpg (this is the big V8 engine)
2001 Volvo V40, 120,000 miles, 25 mpg (small wagon)
2002 Volvo S60, 185,000 miles, 23 mpg (4-door "sport" sedan)

Good luck in your search!

Queen Colleen

 

[tvguy]

Chevy Impala.......I bought a 2009, it is the smoothest, most comfortable ride I have ever owned. I get great gas mileage commuting to work, satellite, auxiliary input, 3 power ports, remote start, OnStar (which provides monthly diagnostics) plus the biggest selling point of all when you need to kick it that good ol' Chevy engine takes off like a rocket...I have left many fools in the dust......

I have only owned Pontiacs or Chevys, this is my 3rd vehicle. My first was a 1998 Pontiac Sunfire that I bought brand new when I was 17 years old, I ran it into the ground and never had any major service issues with it what-so-ever. I gave you my age of purchase to give an indication that I didn't take care of it and it still lasted me until 2003 with close to 140,000 miles on it with no major repairs. My next vehicle was a brand new 2003 Pontiac Grand AM which again lasted me until 2009, 120,000 miles with no issues, I then bought a brand new 2009 Chevy Impala. It is easily the best vehicle I have ever driven, like I said above it is smooth, comfortable, roomy, safe and a beast if/when you need it to be. Since purchasing it I haven't had any troubles 27,000 miles in what-so-ever and nothing has been identified by the OnStar diagnostics. In other words I have had nothing but great luck with GM, but then again it may just be luck

As the owner of a 1987 Chevy, purchased new, I'm one of those people who looks at your post and asks, "if they were such good cars, why did you get rid of them so soon?".

 

[LBKB]

Not sure where they live but our cars would never last that long due to rust issues here in MI.

 

[tvguy]

Not sure where they live but our cars would never last that long due to rust issues here in MI.

No rust in California, for sure. HOWEVER, as my wife's family in St. Louis and Texas has found, with modern factory rust proofing, and Ziebart rust protection (or simnilar) , rust does not have to be an issue. If you bring your car in for annual inspections, if it rusts, Ziebart fixes it for free for as long as you own the car.
Although they did find that, after they got a free, minor rust repair on their 13 year old Chevy, they suddenly started getting mailers from all the local car dealers offering them deals on a new car!

 

[Megan_J]

We are starting to consider another car. Our 15 year old Saturn is starting to putter along.

I would love a hybrid, but not sure that is in the budget.

I do anticipate gas climbing to $5/gallon before too long though.

I think we are looking at a Honda Civic most likely.

Dawn

I'm on my second Civic and they are great cars.

 

[metalis4ever]

As the owner of a 1987 Chevy, purchased new, I'm one of those people who looks at your post and asks, "if they were such good cars, why did you get rid of them so soon?".

LOL a bad habit I picked up from my father, growing up we always had a new car every 3-5 years So yeah my previous vehicles had plenty more life left in them I just traded them in the second I paid them off or the value was greater than what I owed. Probably not the best strategy but like I said bad habit The one positive is that I have always managed to keep my payment under $300 so at least it isn't a habit that gets me in over my head.

I know that Ford has come a long way with the Fusion and Focus but if you're looking at compact seriously look into the Chevy Cruze it's a very affordable compact car. I would have held out for the new Cruze but I am way too big so I went with the Impala.

 

[LBKB]

No rust in California, for sure. HOWEVER, as my wife's family in St. Louis and Texas has found, with modern factory rust proofing, and Ziebart rust protection (or simnilar) , rust does not have to be an issue. If you bring your car in for annual inspections, if it rusts, Ziebart fixes it for free for as long as you own the car.
Although they did find that, after they got a free, minor rust repair on their 13 year old Chevy, they suddenly started getting mailers from all the local car dealers offering them deals on a new car!

A friend has gone this route and grand prix's are know up here for rust around the gas tank they fixed it and next summer it was 3 times bigger bubbling through. other than that they have been awesome.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I am partial to the Hyundai Sonata. It's rated tops by Consumer Reports, and has lots of nice features.

THIS--- I never thought about HYundai's before---my husband previously owned a BMW, so we were partial to high-end vehicles until we test drove the new HYundai Sonata....the warranty is OUTSTANDING---it looks beautiful---like a really high end vehicle...over the top ratings for safety and crash testing... it is the nicest car for the money---no question. http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Hyundai_Sonata/
ranked #1 in affordable mid-sized cars

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I have a 2010 Fusion and I love it. I had driven Camrys for the last 2 cars I had, but I think my Fusion edges out the Camry.

I drive ALOT, I bought it new at the end of April and it already has over 28,000 miles on it and I haven't had that first thing wrong with it. I get the oil changed at 7,000 miles too which is nice.

I love the sync. My DH has been a Ford fan for many years and I was the Toyota person, but I think he may have converted me. He drives a Focus and loves it. Its too small for me, but it works well for him.

I have to get a rental car on Monday because my car was hit in a parking lot and has to be repaired, so I will see how other cars compare to my Ford.

We have been Ford fans since our first Taurus wagon in 1991. My 1995 sedan was 14 years old before it finally died. We were on a budget so I replaced it with a Hyandai Elantra which I like alot. I wanted a Fusion but it was out of reach.
When my D starting driving in 2009 we found a great Focus with low mileage.
We all love that car. It's fun to drive.

 

[indimom]

Thanks everyone. We're still looking and I appreciate all the suggestions.

 

[clh2]

We love our Mercury Milan, and while the commpany Mercury technically no longer exists - there are still some new cars on the lots that are available. (Technically they can't be considered "new", but I dind't understand that.

DD and I were at a Ford Lincoln dealer about 2 weeks ago that had MANY, MANY on their lots. great prices too!

 

[never_enough_pooh]

I have a 2010 Fusion and I love it. I had driven Camrys for the last 2 cars I had, but I think my Fusion edges out the Camry.

I drive ALOT, I bought it new at the end of April and it already has over 28,000 miles on it and I haven't had that first thing wrong with it. I get the oil changed at 7,000 miles too which is nice.

I love the sync. My DH has been a Ford fan for many years and I was the Toyota person, but I think he may have converted me. He drives a Focus and loves it. Its too small for me, but it works well for him.

I have to get a rental car on Monday because my car was hit in a parking lot and has to be repaired, so I will see how other cars compare to my Ford.

I drive about 25,000 miles a year and I absolutely love my Ford Fusion. It gets great gas mileage, roomy, and I too absolutely love the Sync and Sirus package. My DH also drives a Focus which is great as well, but I prefer the roomier Fusion especially since my car is where the car seat(s) are. My previous car was a Ford Escape and it had over 100,000 miles when I traded it in and I never did a thing to it except for routine oil changes and it ran great!

 

[tonilea]

I love, love, love my Dodge Caliber and it has a life-time power train warranty. I did have an issue with the paint on the hatch, but it was fixed by the dealer with no problems.

 

[Mixie]

Reliability: Subaru. Safety: Subaru. Great service: Subaru. Price: Subaru.


I think you should look into a Subaru. Forester or Outback may well suit your needs.

 

[tvguy]

Reliability: Subaru. Safety: Subaru. Great service: Subaru. Price: Subaru.


I think you should look into a Subaru. Forester or Outback may well suit your needs.

I respectfully, and totally disagree. However, I will admit my only experience with Subaru's has been in fleet use where I work. Drive train was fine, but the darn tailgate hinges and door hinges kept breaking. Ever have a tailgate fall off on the freeway at 70 MPH? Not counting the cost of buying a new tailgate and having it installed, my company had to lay out $14,000 to repair damage to the 6 cars that hit that tailgate!

 

[Mixie]

I've never heard of a tailgate problem with Subaru. What year and what vehicle?

We have 2 - Forester (03) and WRX STI (08). Good friend has an Outback wagon (07). Neighbors have an Impreza (?? 99, 00?). None of us have had issues with any of our cars. Subaru gets excellent ratings from government crash tests and consumer reports.

 

[bicker]

It's been a few years since I traded in my Subarau for a BMW, but I do miss it. It's really a great option, and much more affordable. :!