divided wishes
I'm not in a rush to get a new car, but seeing as how my current vehicle is starting to be less efficient and is already 8+ yrs old, I'm starting the process of educating myself. I want to have as much knowledge as possible in case something happens, and I haven't paid any attention to car stuff in 8+ yrs so..... If I had to buy a car in the next 6 months, I'd need to keep it in the 25k area, but want something closer to "grown up" then "right out of school". I do not want stodgy soccer mom though- since thats not my lifestyle. Fun, useful, smart, etc. I'm somewhat torn between trying for hybrid type fuel efficiency, and just going for something useful. I'm started looking at the Tacoma truck, Corolla S, Jeep, and (just to be silly) And BMW 1 series. Clearly I'm all over the place here, cause I just don't have a set vision of what my next car should be. Since I always ask your advice about this stuff anyway... here i am asking again- what ideas do you have?
Comments
Seaweed's Vision
Seaweed ~
First off, don’t worry.
There’s such a plethora of cars, trucks, SUV’s, crossovers, vans, hatchbacks, wagons to choose from, that it’s no wonder your feeling a bit ADD when it comes to figuring out which type of vehicle you want to move to next. It’s been a while since you’ve been car shopping, so you’re absolutely right in taking your time, educating yourself, and making a careful choice.
Here are a couple of questions I want you to ask yourself. Think about them seriously,
and answer them honestly. Give me those
answers, and we’ll work closer to giving you a shopping list.
this next car?
(And will I encounter any foreseeable life
changes within that
length of time?)
the car’ or ‘aware of my surroundings’ when I’m
driving? (Think about this one both in a
fun driving situation, as well as an emergency
maneuvering
situation…)
rather go as the witch, the sexy kitty cat, the naughty
school girl, or a character off a popular current TV
show?
roads? Or fuel efficient? (Unfortunately, at the moment,
and given your price range, you’re just going to have to
choose
one)
features in your next car (seating for four, navigation
system, cargo room enough for two large suitcases,
push-start, kick-ass stereo system, etc.)
Send me these answers, and I’ll give you a shopping list. Shopping for cars can be fun! I promise--just as long as you’re shopping for the
right one…
CarGirl
its all becoming clearer...
As requested- answers to your questions.... some of which came faster then others.
1-Keeping the car- I always intend on keeping the car until it becomes too troublesome or expensive to maintain, so the majority of the life of the car- certainly beyond making payments by at least a year or 2. ( average 6-9 yrs) no forseeable life change in that time.
2- can I be both in command and aware of surroundings? I've been driving a lite SUV and I really like being slightly higher up (since I'm a short kid) and being able to see everything. But I also really love driving my husbands sport car and having the tight handling and quick response time. i suppose if i had to pick though..... oh jeez, i just can't....
3- i find this question odd, but I'm going with it. I suppose either the witch (cause it's easy) or a popular TV character
4- I suppose the practical answer here is fuel efficient- especially if things don't change in gas prices anytime soon. it sure would be nice to have some fun too though. I certainly don't want something that rides really rough or has tons of road noise.
5- top four must haves: Power everything (which should come standard in this day and age, but doesn't), kick ass stereo with MP3 player adapter, AC- if that needs to be said, comfortable seating, and if I can have a fifth- intuitive layout of the dash- so many cars have really funky dash layout and it's hard to get to what you need while you drive. Oh, and Storage space, we already have one smaller car, so storage space would be a top of the list thing too. Sorry thats 6.
I hope these answers help you and don't make so there's only one car option left to me... and its a 1976 buick....
thanks for your sage wisdom on this.
-Seaweed
PS- after all this, my car got hit on my way home last night, so it's possible this car change might happen sooner then expected.
Fun but functional
You sound practically minded, but fun and but spunky. So, you’re landing pretty squarely in
import-land. As practical and intuitive
as some of the domestic offerings are, they’ll probably be a bit too simplistic
for you. And the ‘fun to drive’ factor,
well, it just usually isn’t there.
You also sound like a perfect candidate for sticking with a
small “crossover” SUV. Unlike your older
small SUV, the newer crossovers feel even more like a car in their handling,
while still taking advantage of the higher ride height of an SUV. And, you’ll get your desired benefit of
better gas mileage (because they’re lighter than your typical SUV, they can
have smaller, more efficient engines without sacrificing a large amount of get
up and go).
Keeping in mind the fun to drive factor, while balancing it
with an intuitive, quality interior, I’d look at the Mazda and Nissan
offerings.
Mazda CX-7
Seating for five, and plenty of cargo room, the Mazda CX-7
is new to the Mazda lineup, but it takes its cues from the very successful CX-9
(awarded Motor Trends’ 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year). Definitely worth a look, as it’ll live up to
your desire fun-to-drive, but still gets decent gas mileage (well…decent for
the category of car anyway), due to its turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine. Opt for the 1MC package option and you’ll get
a Bose audio system (giving you the kick-ass features and sound that you want),
and a moonroof--all this for under $30K.
Not bad…not bad at all.
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=CX7
Nissan Rogue
Quirky, funky, organic, a fresh approach…The Nissan Rogue is
the stylish entry in this seemingly functionally-driven category of cars. Along with the functionality of seating for
five, decent cargo room and plenty of upfront storage options, the Rogue makes
you feel like you got the deal of the century.
Interior appointments feel luxurious and soft, components appear
specifically-designed and well-integrated (very closely mimicking those found
in Nissan’s luxury make, Infiniti), and opt for the Premium package and you’re
loaded with all the technology you usually find in much more expensive cars:
MP3 player, in-dash 6-CD Bose stereo system, paddle-shifters, steering wheel
controls….all this and the window sticker still stays under $25K (and for just
a little bit more you can have Bluetooth, xenon headlamps, and iKey). This recommendation does come with a warning
though: the beautifully raked exterior design compromises front seat outward
visibility and headroom for some. Sit in
it, adjust the seats, adjust the mirrors, and if you’re even slightly
intrigued, take it for a spin. I think
you might find yourself frantically adjusting the seat and steering wheel
height, in the hopes that you can find a comfortable seat height in the
car…because it’s just that much fine to drive.
The CVT transmission is smooth, but responsive, and aids in providing
great gas mileage despite the high amount of get up and go out of the engine.
http://www.nissanusa.com/rogue/index.html
BMW X3
I have to throw this one in here, because the lease rates on
BMW X3’s are so great. They’re not the
most chock-full of technology vehicles (one must pay for each upgrade it seems,
including visor vanity mirrors…), but BMW rests comfortably on its laurels
because of the drive experience. I know
you’re looking to buy a car…but if you’re even remotely interested in leasing,
take a look at the X3. You might be
disappointed in the interior appointments (I personally find their material
choices, shapes, and switch controls depressing in their blandness and lack of
luster…and don’t count on comfort for long drives…you will certainly suffer
numb-butt from the stiffness in the foam of the seats…and while we’re on the
subject of stiffness, I don’t even think a surgical knife could cut through
their leatherette it’s so stiff…and yes, I said leatherette, because real
leather is an upgrade….), but you will certainly not be disappointed in the
drive.
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/vehicles/2008/x3/30si/default.aspx
Toyota RAV4
I’m purposefully steering you clear of RAV4… The new generation RAV4 is not only much
larger, but it’s become bloated, both in its exterior and interior design, as
well as overall size. The seemingly
purposeful “plastickiness” (one hopes that it was purposeful anyway) of
interior components, and the generic-insert appearance of the radio and a/c
controls leaves the vehicle looking old, and it was just introduced to the
market. And what’s up with the ‘large
edition print’-sized fonts on all the switches?
Are they trying to insinuate that those who buy the vehicle are old
enough to need reading glasses? And the
drive, well, it’s a typical Toyota
drive…mushy and disconnected. Some people
like that, but you don’t seem to be one of them…
Honda CR-V
I’ve also steered you clear of the Honda CR-V. Certainly a much more entertaining execution
of the small crossover than the RAV4, I think it might straddle the balance of
practical and fun too far on the side of functionality for you. It’s an excellent family-hauler, but since
that isn’t in the future for you… If the
CX-7 and Rogue don’t peak your interest, then the CR-V is certainly worth a
look. I just wouldn’t place it at the
top of your list.
I hope this gives you a good start! Check in with me, and let me know how it’s
going…and happy shopping!
Although the nissan rogue
Although the nissan rogue did peak my interest, and I still plan on test driving that eventually, i think in general your tips made me realize I'm not really wanting a Crossover/ SUV type car again. I'd had that for so long, i think i want a change the next time out. So, as a result of that realization, AND learning some stuff from driving a rental recently, I would to restate some of my priorities.
I'm now looking for either a 4 door car, or a small light pickup (although I realize a pick up might not be possible once decent mileage is factored in, i'd still like to know what my best options are). Again, we're still needing to stay within an under $30k price range (inc all optional stuff)
For a car, My must haves are: again, power everything and AC, a good stereo system with MP3 jack, Fully adjustable seating- a total must for a short person, fold down back seats, and a bonus would be a remote for unlocking the doors
For a truck my must haves would be: power all/ AC, Stereo as above, NO BENCH SEATS, back window that opens, bed liner, and again, that remote would be a nice bonus.
Sorry to make you do this again, but when its been this long since you have to picture yourself in something new, it takes a little while to figure out what you want, as opposed to what you have. I had to get past the idea of just replacing what I had well enough to see what I wanted to start looking at.
Thanks CarGirl!