freaking out about having to buy a car.

[smilingcat]

Why now?? Why does my current car have so many problems all at once??

didn't drive since Friday and had to move my car maybe 5 feet or so. Started the engine and I hear metal clanking sound. Sound not so good. I know timing belt/water pump/thermostat needs replacing $$$$, tires needs replacing $$$$, wheel alignment is needed but the front end needs to be overhauled because the guys at the office tells me that the bushings are wiped out $$$ (I understand what they are saying and why the front will not stay in alignment) and last thing was, I stepped on the brake, my car kept moving instead of stopping . Now I'm really scared to drive the car. I live near the top of a hill. Downhill with no brake is not a good idea

I have my job worries and last thing I need is spending money. Well I'm always cheap but right now is not the time.

looking at

1. Prius
2. FIT
3. insight
4. get a different job closer to home so I can commute more easily by foot or by bike
5. some other car??
6. scooter ?? never driven one.
7. motorcycle?? never driven a motorcycle and I've only been on back of one once. Once was more than enough as it aged me YEARS. Motorcycles really intimidate me. How do you get it back up once it falls on its side? brake, clutch, throttle have no idea which goes where and how...???

Well, if I don't go into work tomorrow, my partner is going to be chauffuring me around to pick up some brochures for a car.

[/rant]

[crazycanuck]

*deep breath* Ahhh...

Right, next question would be..Do you Need a car? If you're a mtn biker, then yes. If not, can you get to & from your work etc on a scooter?

What about public transport such as trains? Is your area well serviced by them? Another thought..if you live near a university, students are always selling vehicles. Same as YHA's-you may find a nice Australia or New Zealander that has just finished their North American Jaunt & need to sell thier vehicle. It could get you through for now.

Just some thoughts.

Yes, we had to decide on a new vehicle as well last year but we needed something reliable to get us accross Australia n back, mtn bike trips, doggie, etc.

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm agonizing over the same thing, but for different reasons. Need another car for SilverDaughter. Here's what I'm finding:

- Started looking for Rav4/CR-V - mileage stinks
- I only buy used...but no one is buy new, so used supply is tight (and precious$)
- In "bang for the buck", is the difference between an '07 30mpg Civic for $11,000 and an '07 45mph Prius for $21,000 worth it...not for someone who doesn't drive much
- Here's what I'm liking for her right now:

- Scion xB
- The new Kia SOUL - it's funky hip - albeit new and unproven
- Honda Accord/Civic

It is odd right now that with used supplies down, some new cars may wind up being a better deal than the most popular used models.

Good luck - let us know which way you go.

[tulip]

Mr. Silver, you can't go wrong with a late model (or early model for that matter) Honda Civic. Safe, efficient, comfortable...I'd pick a Civic over an Accord any day. I've had both, and there's no more room in the Accord.

Does SilverDaughter drive a manual transmission? If not, it's TIME TO LEARN! Better mileage, better control, better handling, better driving. I firmly believe that insurance companies should have lower rates for manual transmission drivers, because we pay more attention when we drive. A manual Civic, driven properly, will easily reach into the upper 30s for mileage.

Smilingcat, in SoCal, it's very hard to go carless. What kind do you have now? How old is it? It will very, very likely cost you less to fix the old car than to buy a new one. Alot less. But there are tradeoffs, like Peace of Mind (a big one!).

[andtckrtoo]

I second the idea of a Civic. In fact that's what my DD gets when she goes to college - a used Civic with about 50k on it - that will last her through college. Great cars, ultra reliable and actually fun to drive. I have an Accord which I love. My only problem with my Accord is that when I pull in front of someplace to pick up my daughter or someone - they can never tell if it's actually me because there are about six other cars just like it (I'm used to driving flashy, unique cars like my Mini Cooper). But, I'm learning to be more part of the crowd.

[Becky]

It is odd right now that with used supplies down, some new cars may wind up being a better deal than the most popular used models.

DH and I found the same thing to be true when we shopped for another Subaru wagon (this one is #4 for us). The late-model used ones were nearly as much as a new leftover. For the first time in our lives, we bought new.

[Irulan]

the cost/benefit for the Prius has yet to outweigh it's price, imsho.
The fit is a nice car too, they are really cool.

[Aggie_Ama]

Seeing how much you can get into a Fit I would go with that. We sold a decent sized dresser of my Nanny's to a girl who pulled up in a Fit. My dad was like "Huh, no truck, this won't work." They put the dresser in, closed the hatch and off she went. You could probably carry several cat crates, a bike, whatever you needed. Not the cutest cars but wow, you can fit a lot into a Fit.

I like the looks of the new Scion XD and really liked the XB I test drove.

I have 70k on my Dodge Caliber which can be found for cheap and despite the anti-American car sentiment of most I have found Dodge cars very reliable for me. I put 120k on my Neon and only replaced the tires and an oxygen sensor. DH's dad has 170k on his Caravan and 260k on his Dodge truck.

[smilingcat]

Eating lunch, bagel with creme cheese, lox, onion, tomato but no capers and listening to big band music at my favorite coffee house I came to stark realization that Honda Insight and Toyota Prius will not do. We like to take our golden and white lab for a ride in our car. We drive them to a greenbelt, converted rail road track for a nice walk. I don't think Prius nor Insight can accomodate the dogs in the back.

tulip-- my car is 2000 model year Audi A6 Quattro station wagon with 221k miles on it. I asked several of the motor head at my office on estimated repair cost. Sounds like $5,000 to $8,000. There are other repairs needed which I didn't list. And yes there is also the knowledge of "peace of mind" I went with the other extreme end of cars when my uber cheap Toyota pkup (prior to the Audi) was totaled in a "slow speed" crash from the rear end by a Ford Taurus. The bed of the pkup was shortened by about 3 feet.

Subaru is good especially if I decide to move to Seattle area or out to Oak harbor area...

Another suggestion was for a Scion.

And yes new model is not much more expensive than the used one and with 0% financing, I'm contemplating the financing angle and going with a new car. Tis the time when dealers want to unload last year model so I think I can get a good deal I just have to get in before there is a huge influx of car buyers when the gas price hits $3.50 or more for regular.

public transportation in LA is well hmm not so good. Might be able to finish a novel while waiting for the bus to shows up.

so my stop before going home is for collecting brochures... Brake seems to be working okay this morning and rattling sound was gone still not feeling too confident about the car.

[tulip]

You have gotten alot of miles out of that Audi, Smilingcat! Good for you. Older Audis (and maybe new ones, I don't know) are expensive to repair, and with so many miles, it probably would be a better use of your money to get a different (new or used) car.

I can only say what I would get...it's kinda fun to dream, right? Well, first off, I love my car. It's a 2007 VW Rabbit and it holds everything I need it to and then some. It's also very fun to drive. I would only get a hatchback or wagon. If not the Rabbit, I'd look at a Toyota Matrix, Mazda 3 wagon, and maybe a Subaru wagon but they get pricey very quickly if you want anything other than the basic of basics. My VW is a base model, but it has things like seat heaters (not practical in LA!), blinkers on the side mirrors, electric mirrors, etc. The base Matrix had none of those things. I like a warm bum!

I would really prefer a diesel hybrid, but since I can't have that in this country, I'd settle for a diesel. VW makes Jetta and Passat diesel wagons. The diesel VW Jettas, all Passats and all Rabbits are made in Germany. The gas Jettas and Beetles are made in Mexico. There have been reports of quality differences. All I can tell you is that my Rabbit (made in Germany) has been fantastic and that my brother's Jetta (Mexico) had multiple problems. It was totaled while parked (no one inside/hurt), which was a blessing.

Audi and VW are sister companies, so that's why I bring it up. I also really like the Audi A3, but it was over my budget. Best of luck in your car hunting!

EDIT: I'd also go for the Honda Fit. I did not like the Prius because the view out the rear window is very limited. I need a big view. It was also about $10k over budget. Nothing like a small budget to focus ones choices, eh?

[maillotpois]

the cost/benefit for the Prius has yet to outweigh it's price, imsho.
The fit is a nice car too, they are really cool.

Plus the Prius is really a remote emission vehicle - the environmental costs of mining the lithium for the battery (which will only last 100 miles) far outweighs any savings on gas mileage. I love my Fit.

[ny biker]

FWIW, anyone thinking about buying a Prius will find pretty much all the info you need at www.priuschat.com. The Prius does have a lot of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. On a cost/benefit basis, the savings on gas will probably not make the added cost worthwhile (this is true for most if not all hybrids, I think). For me, low emissions was important in addition to the fact that it does everything I need a car to do.

[smilingcat]

Right now thinking about FIT. cheap, GOOD MILAGE, meets our needs for hauling. and I can replace both front seat with something more comfy. Suggestion made by one of the motorheads.They like to install racing bucket seat. In my case, a more comfy seat.

I really don't have anything against "American cars". I just look at the MPG rating and it leaves me ho hum... and styling is bit ho hum too...

[Irulan]

I don't know why'd you'd put Subaru on your list. Their mileage is less than impressive. Sure they've got all wheel drive all the time, but do you really need it?

I just got 30 MPG in my Mazda last weekend, on mountain two lanes roads. I'm stoked!!!

The only reason I didn't get a FIT was they didn't have a nice upgrade level of trim.

[badger]

I'm in a similar boat, though probably not as dire yet. I drove my little Mazda Protege off the lot in 1995. She's needing more and more work every year, but I'm trying to get another year or two out of her before I bid her farewell.

I'd say go for a smaller car like Fit. Yaris looks nice but isn't terribly well-thought out in terms of cargo and seating like Fit. You can go up to a Matrix, the seats go down flush, including the passenger seat, and is lined with plastic for easy clean up. Mileage is still good, and there should be plenty of used ones out there as they're really popular.

My next car is definitely going to be a hatch back.