Buying a Car
Wichita
Submitted by Steven Davis
My car is nearing its end of life care, perhaps it is already there. It is now time to decide what to do. My sweet wife owns a very nice 2001 VW Beetle that has low miles. But to change a tail light on her vehicle, I have to have a proprietary screw driver. This goes against my very being. I think I should be able to do maintenance on any car with non-proprietary tools.
Thus, I am thinking I want to buy an American used car. My sweet spouse is thinking I should do what I said I would, which is to buy a Toyota Prius. I think she is wrong, for reasons alluded to above. Please readers, help me out; don't make me call "click and clack."
darwinsdisciple said:
Sort of at the basis of my issue here is the fact that I think that when it comes to "overall" economy, it is better to buy an American car. Would welcome any advice/suggestions. I have been thinking that a PT cruiser would be a good "mid-life-crisis-mobile".
Vaughn Tolle said:
dd, I may be wrong (no big surprise there), but are not at least some Priuses manufactured in the U.S.?
On the PT cruiser; I've talked with a few owners of them, biggest complaint(s): difficulty with vision in the rear; underpowered. Don't know if these are representative.
Why not look at a Prius to ascertain if a "proprietary" screwdriver would be needed? Also, there is, with the Prius, the issue of the appropriate replacement/disposal of the batteries in five years or so.
On the PT cruiser; I've talked with a few owners of them, biggest complaint(s): difficulty with vision in the rear; underpowered. Don't know if these are representative.
Why not look at a Prius to ascertain if a "proprietary" screwdriver would be needed? Also, there is, with the Prius, the issue of the appropriate replacement/disposal of the batteries in five years or so.
lindainks55 said:
Tonya, my daughter, owns a Prius and loves it! She drives all over Kansas with her job. It actually is roomier than you would think. I went with her to Emporia recently and it is weird when you're tooling down the highway and the gasoline engine shuts down for the batteries to take over. All the noise disappears and my first thought was that the car had quit running. She bought hers used about two years ago and has nothing but praise to offer.
We're also beginning the process of thinking about looking at comparing options and someday replacing a vehicle. That last sentence was an indication of how long this might take us. We keep cars until they disintegrate.
We're also beginning the process of thinking about looking at comparing options and someday replacing a vehicle. That last sentence was an indication of how long this might take us. We keep cars until they disintegrate.
Predestined said:
DD, one of my daughters had a PT and ended up trading it in for something else because of lack of space inside. If you're looking for something at all roomy, a PT is not it. Granted, she has two small children, so that may make a difference to you.
As for the Prius, check out whether or not the battery CAN be replaced. I've heard that the companies who make the batteries do not have replacements. One car, one battery for the life of it, no matter how long that is. Once the battery has been charged so many times, it will no longer take a charge and you're SOL.
As for the Prius, check out whether or not the battery CAN be replaced. I've heard that the companies who make the batteries do not have replacements. One car, one battery for the life of it, no matter how long that is. Once the battery has been charged so many times, it will no longer take a charge and you're SOL.
lindainks55 said:
Sorry, I don't have more to offer but needed to post so I could "unsubscribe," to this thread. My mail box doesn't need to be overworked.
Danny said:
DD,
I use a Honda CR-V, recently purchased. I've nothing but alot of like for that car. For an SUV style vehicle it gets decent gas mileage(not as good as the Prius), but it is roomy, especially since I'll have two kids and a zoo(dog, cat, and rabbit) when my wife and I go out to visit her parents.
If that kind of size isn't necessary, one of my friends really likes his Prius. It isn't too bad, but I don't about the battery replacement on them or how that will work when it quits working and taking charge.
I use a Honda CR-V, recently purchased. I've nothing but alot of like for that car. For an SUV style vehicle it gets decent gas mileage(not as good as the Prius), but it is roomy, especially since I'll have two kids and a zoo(dog, cat, and rabbit) when my wife and I go out to visit her parents.
If that kind of size isn't necessary, one of my friends really likes his Prius. It isn't too bad, but I don't about the battery replacement on them or how that will work when it quits working and taking charge.
darwinsdisciple said:
Thanks for the good advice. My father told me once that he had heard that emergency workers are afraid to work a scene where a prius has been wrecked for fear of getting shocked. I thought that sounded a lot like an urban legend.
The most expensive trip one will ever make is from the new car lot to your drive way. I never buy new (well, I did once). I had wondered if there would be any used Priuses for sale - apparently there are. Guess I will have to check on the battery issues.
The most expensive trip one will ever make is from the new car lot to your drive way. I never buy new (well, I did once). I had wondered if there would be any used Priuses for sale - apparently there are. Guess I will have to check on the battery issues.
lindainks55 said:
Tonya found hers advertised in the newspaper. When she called she found a family "overrun," with vehicles. They had just sent a couple of the kids off to college, purchased something new and ended up with fewer people but an excess of transportation. They loved the prius but were getting rid of two or three vehicles for good reasons. So Tonya not only got a new-to-her car but some new friends too.
Wayne and I are mulling over the need to buy for economy and being kind to our environment vs. comfort and satisfying the occasional need to haul "stuff," along with the occasional driving vacation. It all gets so complicated that sometimes we think our family of the two of us might need three or four vehicles. Well, that doesn't make sense and surely isn't affordable (by us anyway!). So we're still talking. Or thinking about talking about...
Wayne and I are mulling over the need to buy for economy and being kind to our environment vs. comfort and satisfying the occasional need to haul "stuff," along with the occasional driving vacation. It all gets so complicated that sometimes we think our family of the two of us might need three or four vehicles. Well, that doesn't make sense and surely isn't affordable (by us anyway!). So we're still talking. Or thinking about talking about...
Vaughn Tolle said:
Linda, depending upon how frequent the need for "hauling stuff" and driving vacations, why not consider buying something that meets your everydays needs, then renting a vehicle for the other functions (assuming the same do not recur frequently)? Just a thought.
Vaughn Tolle said:
BTW, the above "course of conduct" was engaged in by us when taking our girls on college visits and the elder to school in MN; we didn't do this when we took the younger to ME, as our favorite rental company didn't want us going through NY due to some sort of insurance issue, and, as anyone can tell by looking at an atlas, there's no way to get to ME from KS without going through NY state, unless one travels through Canada, which created another set of issues.
lindainks55 said:
We've done that too VT. We rented a car to drive to visit my sister in Indianapolis -- a big comfy car with every nicety -- and talked about how much sense that made. Really, we're just dragging our feet on this need to buy a car, we always do. I hate the whole experience of shopping for a car. I'm not a shopper for anything but some things are more tiresome to shop for and cars are one of those MOST tiresome.
rm6046 said:
Buying a car is, more often than not, an excruciating experience...especially at a damned car lot. I just got lucky and got a new one with no hassle at all, since it was my best friend/partner's wife's car...no muss, no fuss, no bother. But that's the exception, for sure. Anyway, I have had several (more than you can count on your fingers and toes) over the last 10+ years who have had Saturns, (every model from the sporty high-powered coupes to the mini-SUV's, and I have never heard a single complaint from any of them. A few of them are on their 3rd or 4th one, and say they'll simply replace it with another when the current one needs to be replaced. I was seriously considering buying one (a year or two old) when this other plan emerged, and saved me the trouble. But if it hadn't, I was definitely leaning that way...(the sporty turbo screamer coupe, BTW).
My first "midlife crisis" was a 'Vette (bad plan), so now my "oldlife crisis" is an STS (sporty, quick, but too obviously "oldlife". :)
My first "midlife crisis" was a 'Vette (bad plan), so now my "oldlife crisis" is an STS (sporty, quick, but too obviously "oldlife". :)
Predestined said:
I'm renting a car to drive to Dallas in July and found a good price on an economy model. It makes sense to do this, because you're not putting mileage or wear and tear on your own car, and if something happens along the way, most rental companies will get a replacement to you quickly.
Give it some thought, Linda. And for hauling large loads, there's often a friend or relative who has just the thing if approached right. ;)
Give it some thought, Linda. And for hauling large loads, there's often a friend or relative who has just the thing if approached right. ;)
Vaughn Tolle said:
dd, forgot to post this earlier; if you decide to pursue the used American vehicle, you should take a look at rental vehicles that are being "retired" from the fleet. I've several acquaintances that have done this and who plan on doing it again. Usually, these vehicles have been maintained well; maintenance records are available for inspection; the downside, as I have heard, is that there's very little "haggling" on price available to a prospective buyer.
Hank said:
I have a full size Chevy PU. I need it to 'haul stuff'. I need something that can pull a horse trailer. Momma has an old Cadilac El Dorado, the old sporty coupe.
Of course you all know where I come from, but I want my wife to drive something that is a little bigger than the nest guy.
An interesting aside, though, I read something the other day that claimed that all-in-all, in the long run a Prius was more harmful to the environment than a HumVee. Seems like the manufacture and eventual disposal of the battery is the problem.
As far as buying a used car, the only thing I'll buy by the way, I'd go to a reputable new car dealer's used car lot. I've been pretty lucky with used cars, one always seemed to come along when I could afford it and needed it.
The last new car we bought was a '95 Saturn SC2. We bought it in November of '94. A year ago September Saturn was having a sale that allowed you bluebook plus 50% on your old Saturn if you traded it in on a new Saturn. I was in the process of making a deal when the man that owned my present truck brought it in to trade for an Ion. Bought the truck instead. Still have the Saturn.
Hank
Of course you all know where I come from, but I want my wife to drive something that is a little bigger than the nest guy.
An interesting aside, though, I read something the other day that claimed that all-in-all, in the long run a Prius was more harmful to the environment than a HumVee. Seems like the manufacture and eventual disposal of the battery is the problem.
As far as buying a used car, the only thing I'll buy by the way, I'd go to a reputable new car dealer's used car lot. I've been pretty lucky with used cars, one always seemed to come along when I could afford it and needed it.
The last new car we bought was a '95 Saturn SC2. We bought it in November of '94. A year ago September Saturn was having a sale that allowed you bluebook plus 50% on your old Saturn if you traded it in on a new Saturn. I was in the process of making a deal when the man that owned my present truck brought it in to trade for an Ion. Bought the truck instead. Still have the Saturn.
Hank
WSClark said:
As a self-confessed Gearhead, let me offer some totally useless and idiotic advise, SD.......
GM started the proprietary bolt/screw head design with the Torx. You can save your self a lot of hassle and buy one of those multi-bit sets along with a good handle. That is what I have done and I basically don't need much in the way of drivers other than that.
A hybrid auto sounds like a good idea, but you have to be dedicated. The increased cost of the vehicle will not be made up by the fuel savings. I am not suggesting that you NOT purchase a hybrid, but be aware that over time, your wallet may not appreciate it.
One thing to consider is a diesel vehicle. Any street diesel can be converted to bio-diesel for about $800. That is something that can be done down the road when bio-diesel is more readily available, if you are not interested in sourcing your own.
The best option is to buy a high quality gasoline powered automobile that provides high mileage. Consumer Reports is a very good source for info.
As a former Detroiter and a confirmed American, it pains me to say that you are probably better off buying a used Honda or Toyota. Many, like the Camry, are made in the US, and they have better mileage, safety and features than their American counterparts.
... please feel free to send me $0.02 in payment for my advice. If you have specific questions, please let me know.
GM started the proprietary bolt/screw head design with the Torx. You can save your self a lot of hassle and buy one of those multi-bit sets along with a good handle. That is what I have done and I basically don't need much in the way of drivers other than that.
A hybrid auto sounds like a good idea, but you have to be dedicated. The increased cost of the vehicle will not be made up by the fuel savings. I am not suggesting that you NOT purchase a hybrid, but be aware that over time, your wallet may not appreciate it.
One thing to consider is a diesel vehicle. Any street diesel can be converted to bio-diesel for about $800. That is something that can be done down the road when bio-diesel is more readily available, if you are not interested in sourcing your own.
The best option is to buy a high quality gasoline powered automobile that provides high mileage. Consumer Reports is a very good source for info.
As a former Detroiter and a confirmed American, it pains me to say that you are probably better off buying a used Honda or Toyota. Many, like the Camry, are made in the US, and they have better mileage, safety and features than their American counterparts.
... please feel free to send me $0.02 in payment for my advice. If you have specific questions, please let me know.
Vaughn Tolle said:
dd, and anyone else interested: an example of what I was posting about earlier re: car rental agencies selling off their inventory may be found at www.enterprise.com where an amazing number of "used" vehicles of various types and kinds may be reviewed, together with price and mileage information.
Mary Caruso said:
I'll never buy a used car again, we've just had too much trouble with them. I bought a Toyota Echo 3 yrs ago, it has almost 100,000 miles on it now and I haven't had one thing go wrong (once the radio quit working and they replaced it free, then I put a new set of tires on last year).It gets about 35-40 highway miles to the gallon, it's been a great little car for all the driving I have to do for my job.
I'm thinking of getting a Mini Cooper when I finally retire my Echo...anyone have any experience with those? I just like the way they look, and I think they make convertables now. Unfortunately, it's an English car, that gives me some pause.
I'm thinking of getting a Mini Cooper when I finally retire my Echo...anyone have any experience with those? I just like the way they look, and I think they make convertables now. Unfortunately, it's an English car, that gives me some pause.
WSClark52 said:
MC, the Mini is actually a BMW, and yes, they do make a convertable version. They actually get extremely good mileage and are highly rated.
VW and BMW have bought the rights to several English cars. BMW owns Rolls Royce and VW bought the Bentley name. Both are still made in England, in case you were thinking of buying one of those.
VW and BMW have bought the rights to several English cars. BMW owns Rolls Royce and VW bought the Bentley name. Both are still made in England, in case you were thinking of buying one of those.
WSClark said:
Mini Cooper links......
The official website.
http://www.miniusa.com/#/MINIUSA.COM-m
Edmunds, the acknowledged authority on automobile reviews.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstD...=117072
The Gay Life car reviews? I had no idea that automobiles worked differently for gays. I had no idea that there was a Best Twinkmobile category. I never even considered a Best Lesbian Moving Van. If you're interested, the Subaru Forester won that award ofr 2007. BTW - The Mini lost it's Twinkmobile title in 2007 to the Scion tC.
http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayproductreviews/tp/g...
BTW - MC, I am not suggesting anything with the gay link, it just came up on the Google and I thought it was interesting.
The official website.
http://www.miniusa.com/#/MINIUSA.COM-m
Edmunds, the acknowledged authority on automobile reviews.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstD...=117072
The Gay Life car reviews? I had no idea that automobiles worked differently for gays. I had no idea that there was a Best Twinkmobile category. I never even considered a Best Lesbian Moving Van. If you're interested, the Subaru Forester won that award ofr 2007. BTW - The Mini lost it's Twinkmobile title in 2007 to the Scion tC.
http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayproductreviews/tp/g...
BTW - MC, I am not suggesting anything with the gay link, it just came up on the Google and I thought it was interesting.
Mary Caruso said:
Thanks for the info WS, I feel much better knowing that it's actually a German car. I really want a convertable that's some wild color, I'm going to get a vanity plate that says "GRMAMRY" (GRANDMA MARY). My grandkids will love it!
WSClark said:
MC, the prob with most convertible is that the top down mechanism takes up so much room in the back seat....
But check this one out......
http://www.pontiac.com/g6convertible/index.jsp
The Pontiac G6 has a hardtop convertible mechanism that stores the top in the trunk when down. Chrysler will join the parade next year with the Sebring.
Good luck with the Topless Granny (!?!) routine. I had a roadster years ago in college. It was almost as much fun as my first Harley.
But check this one out......
http://www.pontiac.com/g6convertible/index.jsp
The Pontiac G6 has a hardtop convertible mechanism that stores the top in the trunk when down. Chrysler will join the parade next year with the Sebring.
Good luck with the Topless Granny (!?!) routine. I had a roadster years ago in college. It was almost as much fun as my first Harley.
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