New Car Shopping
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@smorg I want the fuel efficiency as I plan to have th is car for the next decade, but i also want to be comfortable while driving it, so I will spend the extra
@bane DOES THAT THING ONLY HAVE THREE WHEELS? nice idea, but the deer I hit in that thing would just laugh and stomp me to death for pissing it off.
@everyone Thanks for all the good ideas to think about. Some I hadn't considered. This just got a whole lot more drawn out I think. There is strong support for the Hyundai and the Kias here, and I have read good things about them. I do currently own a BMW motorcycle that I use to commute most of the year, minus the snow/ice/below freezing. It gets 60MPG and it fun, I am kinda looking for the same in a car... i know I won't get 60 AND FUN...
@bane DOES THAT THING ONLY HAVE THREE WHEELS? nice idea, but the deer I hit in that thing would just laugh and stomp me to death for pissing it off.
@everyone Thanks for all the good ideas to think about. Some I hadn't considered. This just got a whole lot more drawn out I think. There is strong support for the Hyundai and the Kias here, and I have read good things about them. I do currently own a BMW motorcycle that I use to commute most of the year, minus the snow/ice/below freezing. It gets 60MPG and it fun, I am kinda looking for the same in a car... i know I won't get 60 AND FUN...
I'm gonna ditto the problems with VW - I had to ditch my Passat, continually in the shop. I'm gonna say, toyota is where it's at.
I drove manual for about 40 years. Love the control of the power especially with a smaller engine. Never had to replace
a clutch or tranny. However, at some point, when your knees and hip joints begin to discuss arthritis with you, the fun
fades. Along that line, some makes, I think especially Honda, trade ride for cornering; so if you have any hip, lower back,
or bladder issues, they will just wear ya down. A friend was healed of a problem by trading in a Honda. For folks under
50, this is probably irrelevant. For others, think it over. Love that orange Challenger, a snazzy ride. I like shopping for
cars until I talk to salesmen -- want you to make a big investment decision after a seven minute discussion and a ten
minute test drive. I need to drive six or seven cars, and hate the resentment that comes with that. I've heard the end of
the month on a rainy day when people aren't out, is the best time to deal. Don't buy a new model the first year it's sold.
a clutch or tranny. However, at some point, when your knees and hip joints begin to discuss arthritis with you, the fun
fades. Along that line, some makes, I think especially Honda, trade ride for cornering; so if you have any hip, lower back,
or bladder issues, they will just wear ya down. A friend was healed of a problem by trading in a Honda. For folks under
50, this is probably irrelevant. For others, think it over. Love that orange Challenger, a snazzy ride. I like shopping for
cars until I talk to salesmen -- want you to make a big investment decision after a seven minute discussion and a ten
minute test drive. I need to drive six or seven cars, and hate the resentment that comes with that. I've heard the end of
the month on a rainy day when people aren't out, is the best time to deal. Don't buy a new model the first year it's sold.
I want to chime in with a car opinion. We just got a new car, a Honda CR-V. Everyone says it is a great car, including some cousins who are on their 3rd or 4th of these. Here are my complaints: the rear visibility is poor because of styling. No excuse for this. They have a video camera to show what is behind you, but the wide angle lens makes everything seem much further away than it is. I am being very careful, but hope I don't kill someone by backing into him. The pickup on this car is poor, and throttle response, what is that? It doesn't have any. The controls, on stalks, where the shift used to be, are completely confusing. I would prefer some switches on the dashboard. Why is the odometer hidden? Why can't I adjust the side mirrors with my hands? And today, I read that someone was killed by shrapnel from an air bag in a Honda. There is not enough leg room or space to get in and out. I preferred my 1974 Beetle which cost $1800 new, and my 1964 BMW for $4000.
& when the batteries go bad...for the eco/battery cars
When I had diesel trucks, the standard was 60,000 miles just to pay the difference between paying the premium of diesel vs gas motor at time of purchase.
You have to drive a lot of miles every year to benefit by going diesel at todays diesel prices. Years ago when diesel was cheaper & our Gov. was not taxing the crap out of it, was an easier decision.
When I had diesel trucks, the standard was 60,000 miles just to pay the difference between paying the premium of diesel vs gas motor at time of purchase.
You have to drive a lot of miles every year to benefit by going diesel at todays diesel prices. Years ago when diesel was cheaper & our Gov. was not taxing the crap out of it, was an easier decision.
I am with huskysibe on the BMW. I looked at them n 04 and just could not wrap my head around $40k for a 330CI and moved on. A few mos ago I found a 07 Z4 with low miles and grabbed it. I love it, I don't know if I would call it the ultimate driving machine as I had a 82 Rx7 way back and the Z4 and Rx7 drive the same although the Z4 has A LOT more power. If you were to buy new I would also consider the fly n buy or whatever they call it. You buy the car at a discount and the difference covers the air fare and pick up in Germany, I think you have a month to drive around Europe before dropping it off for the boat ride home. Would make for a nice vacation if considering new.
Just bought the wife a 2014 Kia Soul (2.0l). While not as fuel efficient as other 4 cyls.(I think its the boxy shape that kills mpg) We did get just over 30 mpg on a recent trip that was mostly highway. Usually about 25-26 in town/mixed. She loves it.
I drive my 1999 Mustang GT and with mixed driving get 22 mpg. Cannot hate that with a V8 and it's been dead reliable for 15 years.
I drive my 1999 Mustang GT and with mixed driving get 22 mpg. Cannot hate that with a V8 and it's been dead reliable for 15 years.
I have been traveling the last week and so have missed a bunch of threads but felt the need to chime in on this one.
I am a bit of a car nut, but I don't own, and have never owned, a VW diesel. However, based on what I have read, the VW diesel gets way better gas mileage than advertised. Usually when cars are tested for fuel efficiency in real world conditions their actual fuel efficiency numbers are considerably less than the EPA numbers. Based on what I have read about the VW diesels, the real world numbers were actually a fair bit better than EPA estimates. Something to throw in the hopper - I have no vested interest one way or another.
As for buying a Hyundai or a Toyata or a Honda or an Acura . . . yeesh . . . I guess that works if you view a car as nothing more than a soulless "transportation appliance" much like a toaster or an oven. Personally, I have to love (and feel a personal connection with) the vehicle I drive, and the way it drives, and I wouldn't be caught dead driving most of the cars made by any of those brands. But then, I wouldn't drive a car that had less than 300 HP, but that is just the way I roll. One day, when I have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel, I will probably have my first Acura.
I would also note in passing that the worst experience I have witnessed with a vehicle is the experience my wife had with her Toyota - it spent more time in the shop than in the driveway, with horrific customer service all around. I realize though that one bad apple does not mean the entire tree is rotting - nevertheless, this experience only serves to solidify my view on that particular brand.
Good luck in your shopping.
I am a bit of a car nut, but I don't own, and have never owned, a VW diesel. However, based on what I have read, the VW diesel gets way better gas mileage than advertised. Usually when cars are tested for fuel efficiency in real world conditions their actual fuel efficiency numbers are considerably less than the EPA numbers. Based on what I have read about the VW diesels, the real world numbers were actually a fair bit better than EPA estimates. Something to throw in the hopper - I have no vested interest one way or another.
As for buying a Hyundai or a Toyata or a Honda or an Acura . . . yeesh . . . I guess that works if you view a car as nothing more than a soulless "transportation appliance" much like a toaster or an oven. Personally, I have to love (and feel a personal connection with) the vehicle I drive, and the way it drives, and I wouldn't be caught dead driving most of the cars made by any of those brands. But then, I wouldn't drive a car that had less than 300 HP, but that is just the way I roll. One day, when I have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel, I will probably have my first Acura.
I would also note in passing that the worst experience I have witnessed with a vehicle is the experience my wife had with her Toyota - it spent more time in the shop than in the driveway, with horrific customer service all around. I realize though that one bad apple does not mean the entire tree is rotting - nevertheless, this experience only serves to solidify my view on that particular brand.
Good luck in your shopping.
I thank my lucky stars for someone like Peck on here who like myself, cringes has second thoughts at the thought of driving a.......dare I say it? Japanese car! Or Korean car, or Chinese car. And it doesn't change my mind if they are built in the US. No offense intended, so please keep it calm.
Well, the OP cited the VW TDI (I assumed he referenced a Jetta) and his budget, so my suggestions were in that price range. I'm not surprised you like the Hyundai and again, I assume you mean the Sonata. The Kia Optima is the same car in slightly edgier clothes (I like it in white with the black top). I also assumed that given your daily mileage commute, that a lease is out. That also is a budget limiter. As long as you remember that the salesmen are all thieves, who just haven't been caught yet, you'll do fine in negotiations.
My wife and I bought two 2013 VW TDI SportWagons at the end of '13. She has about 15k on hers, I have 45k on mine. These cars have been, hands down, the best cars that I've ever had. Previous cars included a '12 Subaru wagon, '03 Subaru WRX, '99 Subaru wagon, '95 Audi 90 and a long lineage of Subaru wagons before that.
The TDI engine has torque out the wazoo, and the handling exceeds that of the WRX. The diesel engine starts easily in the coldest of Pennsylvania mornings. I do not use additives. As someone with serious lower back problems, I find the car quite comfortable on long trips.
Reliability has not been an issue. VW service has been excellent.
The only con is the lack of AWD. It's a glaring omission, but not something that would stop me from buying the same car again.
The TDI engine has torque out the wazoo, and the handling exceeds that of the WRX. The diesel engine starts easily in the coldest of Pennsylvania mornings. I do not use additives. As someone with serious lower back problems, I find the car quite comfortable on long trips.
Reliability has not been an issue. VW service has been excellent.
The only con is the lack of AWD. It's a glaring omission, but not something that would stop me from buying the same car again.
@woodsroad - I thought the TDI's required a fuel additive from VW called Urea (like the Mercedes Blu-Tec fluid)? I believe that lowers the emissions emitted.
I 100% agree. I see a bunch of Toyota Camry's/etc on the road and think do they not care? Its an appliance, a rolling refrigerator plain and simple. I have always had a connection with the vehicles I buy. My wife buys what she likes, just a different "like" from me. Her Kia Soul may be a 4cyl economy car somewhat, but it does have character and "soul". It also has an abundance of features I like.
The Mustang is me, I have had 5 in total. From a 1966 to the 1999.
At my age all I want from my Truck is to start. For those of you thinking people are looking at you in those fine cars, here's a fact, from the time you are born till about 40 you proceed in life as though everyone is looking at you, then you turn 40 and say to yourself F€%k those people I"m gonna do what I like, at 60 or 65 you find out they weren't looking at you at all, :rofl:
Diesel is the superior fuel and in general the engines last longer. Yes, you'll hear about gas-powered cars making it to 250k sometimes, but you hardly ever hear of a diesel-powered car or truck going less than that. Plus, having torque available at about 1200 rpm is nice.
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