OT: Talking Cars Tuesday Year-End Event
In awesome news, next week is a Game Week! That also means the end of OT season and thus, our last car thread of the offseason.
August used to be the best time to buy a car, due to the end of hte Model Year and the new ones coming out in the fall, but now launches happen just about any time.
So, who's got car questions? Car answers? Is your car the best tailgate car there is? Football!!
August 23rd, 2016 at 2:28 PM ^
Although you've never had the bells and whistles, I've found that even now-basic things like bluetooth are a gamechanger, particularly with all the new hands-free laws. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you no longer need to separately pay for a navigation system.
You can get a really decked out Civic for well under $30k. You could also look at other compacts, like the Mazda3, Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra, and VW Golf or Jetta.
If you want something a little bigger, you can get well-equipped cars like the Accord, Sonata, Optima, Fusion, Malibu, and Altima for under $30k and still have an average fuel economy around 30 mpg.
I've rented the Mazda3, Forte, Elantra, Optima, Sonata, Fusion, Focus, Malbu, and Optima (and probably more I'm forgetting) and have nothing bad to say about them. I also love that Bluetooth is pretty much standard on all the cars these days.
I also agree that safety is more or less a wash and it really comes down to personal preference in terms of how comfortable you feel in the car and price. Think also about how you're going to be using the car and make sure it fits those use cases. If you make frequent trips to home depot for sheets of plywood and 2x4s, maybe an SUV or wagon is a better bet than a sedan.
August 23rd, 2016 at 4:42 PM ^
As a post-grad 20-something I've generally found that the day-to-day needs of myself and/or my peers/friends/etc is best served by a "compact" car. If you're biggest priorities are safety (including bad weather handling, etc), gas mileage and <$30k price tag I would look into the following (no particular order):
Mazda 3
Honda Civic
Subaru Impreza
All offer 35+ mpg highway. All do well on even the most damaging of small-overlap crash tests. Each has their advantages / disadvantages. I presonally like the Mazda of that bunch, but even other choices like the Focus are very nice choices.
If you want to stretch your budget into "family sedan" territory then:
Chevy Malibu
Honda Accord
Kia Optima
Mazda 6
Subaru Legacy
A bit less city mileage and bit more money up front but again 35+ mpg highway, and all of them are fairly safe. I took all my picks from Car & Driver's "Best Sedans" list except the Subarus. I know that Subaru adapted to new safety regulations for small-overlap and corkscrew roll crash tests earlier and better than most others (safe) and the AWD is a big advantage during the snowy months. The interior might be a little more basic, but that sounds like it would be OK by you.
So there's 8 cars. I'd recommend hitting dealer lots for a Saturday (with a friend - dealers will try to pressure you into BUYING TODAY if you have the wife with you), test driving all of them, scratching a few off the list and narrow it down. Make it clear that you're a serious BROWSER trying to make the right choice FOR YOU and that you're not going to buy today because "this is the first car I've looked at" (little white lie after the first one, but still).
Once you've narrowed it down to 2 or 3 spend some time with the online configurators and try to figure out which one is the right value. And also look at them and figure out which one you might have to look over your shoulder at every time you walk away. That feeling is hard to put a price on. :p
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:10 AM ^
I put a Curt hitch on my '05 CRV last weekend. (Waits for the laughter to die down). It is kind of ridiculous, it's a class 3 hitch rated at 3,000lbs but Honda suggests not exceeding 1500 with the CRV. It's a hell of a lot cheaper to tow a UHaul trailer full of stuff for my son's apartment at school than it is to rent a truck. I used to have a real truck with an actual frame before I got divorced. For some reason my ex wanted it, the reason being it was really expensive.
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:16 AM ^
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:28 AM ^
Or... just shop for an RS4 :-)
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^
August 23rd, 2016 at 11:07 AM ^
The mechanic is going in dry.
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:09 PM ^
My Cousin is an Audi mechanic. Says you have a pretty wallet....
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:17 AM ^
Until we meet again spring when OT season returns.
Anyways my vote for the DUMBEST way to buy a car is the old "Tent Sale". One of dad's best friends growing up was a Pontiac salesman (back in the day when people made a career ouf of selling cars) and we would laugh his ass off at people who flocked to the dealership just because they stuck the cars under tents. Made zero sense to him but man they sure do work....nothing like the site of a car under a tent to get the buying juices flowing.....
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:17 AM ^
Rented a Nissan Rogue last week. Holy cow, what a piece of crap that thing was. Couldn't get out of its own way, and the CVT would run the engine up to 4,000 rpms at the drop of a hat. Everything inside the car screamed "cheap." It had been a long time since I'd driven a Nissan - not impressed.
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:03 PM ^
And traded it in this year. Hated the CVT, felt like I was driving a snowmobile. I bought a Ram 1500 v6 with the 8 speed auto and couldn't be happier. Same fuel mileage as the wistlin shit can I traded in for it. I have always hated Autos but the 8 always seems to be in the right gear, it is a vast improvement over the older generation. I have Pentastar v6 in my truck and Jeep, OK on gas and plenty of power. Chrysler has it right on this motor.
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:39 AM ^
OK I have a good one. So we have one of the VW Deisiels from Deiselgate (TM). Here are the details:
- 2012, 64,000, no major issues. Little rust from the door hinge, wear & tear nicks, I wax it yearly-ish, detail it myself 2-3 times a year.
- KBB says $9-11k value but who knows what they will be worth in reality, especially after the fix changes the HP/mileage
- we like the car. good for a 50 mile commute (RT) for my wife, she loves it; we planned on handing it down to my daighter in 6-7 (!!!) years. gets 35-45mpg city-hwy
- we owe about $6900 on it.
- We have till mid 2018 to take either a flat $5800 cash + FREE fix (TBD) OR sell back the car for $20,100
Right now I'm delaying the decision as long as possible to see what the fix is, and how the KBB value settles. Leaning toward (heavily) selling back and turning that $20k into a 2016-2018 vehicle. TIA for the input.
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:45 AM ^
Do I read it right that you have almost two years to decide and you can still sell the car back for the same $20K in two years?
If so, I think you'd be crazy not to hold on to the car til the last minute and then sell it back - there is no way you'd get that kind of money for a six-year-old, 90K miles, non-luxury-brand car otherwise. That is one hell of a down payment on a brand-new car, and it's unlikely your car will get the same mileage that you like, post-fix.
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:52 AM ^
that's what I'm thinking, tho the more miles the car has, the less we get back. I'd guess we'd get 18k in June 2018, say.
ED: looks like I'm about right. 85,000 miles gets us $19,000 or $5,600 +free fix
August 23rd, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^
Then take the 19k.
Any kind of rust on a 4 year old car would concern me, otherwise I'd say have them fix it and just keep it.
August 23rd, 2016 at 11:14 AM ^
Yeah....that's a pretty damn favorable depreciation rate they're offering.
August 23rd, 2016 at 11:36 AM ^
Agree with the Hatter.
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:41 AM ^
Question for the experts: My '06 Mustang has developed a mild case of road rash - small pinholes in the paint job - and I intend to fix it with Dr. ColorChip, which looks like just the thing for the job. However, I'm concerned about putting paint directly over rust, which is what some of these holes have. They're very small, the biggest is no more than a couple millimeters. What's a good way to remove the rust before applying the paint patches? Or, do I even need to?
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:58 AM ^
I'm looking to buy an SUV with a 3rd row, AWD/4WD, and modest towing capabilities. It's amazing how much SUVs cost once you add the 3rd row so I've been looking into some with higher miles and/or several years old. Any advice out there for what models I should consider to get a good bang for my buck?
Ideally <$20k but am flexible for a good deal. My neighbor has an '08 Audi Q7, which looks sharp and appears to hold value pretty well, but the only ones for sale around here are >100k miles which makes me a bit nervous.
August 23rd, 2016 at 11:10 AM ^
Buy a minivan instead of a 3 row SUV.
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:05 PM ^
Minivans but only the Sienna has AWD if that's what he's looking for. And from what I'm told by my buddies who drive them in the snow in Northern Michigan, the AWD on the Sienna is just okay.
Stil, if you don't need the AWD, I'd be all on board with the minivans. They are great vehicles.
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:34 PM ^
But 95% of people don't "Need 4WD". You'd be better off buying snow tires instead on FWD minivans.
August 23rd, 2016 at 1:08 PM ^
I live in TC. Some would say I don't 'Need' AWD. But my sub isn't plowed unless it hits 2-3 inches because we own our own roads. AWD up here is a life saver unless you live in town. I've had snow tires on 2wd cars, and its not the same. So I try not to judge if people really need AWD/4WD.
August 23rd, 2016 at 1:07 PM ^
We've been looking at this too- SUV or minivan? We have 4 in the family and they have sports, etc. The Escape we have now is nice, but already cramped with all of us in the car (kids are 10 & 7). Looking for a bigger SUV with maybe a 3rd row, but have read about the idea that if you are looking for a 3rd row, just go with a minivan.
Personally, I don't see the big savings in the minivan, mileage isn't *that* much better, cost isn't (unless you get a Dodge Caravan, but LOL whose gonna do that). I guess it's the convienience and versatility at comparibale prices points that favor the minvan over the SUV?
August 23rd, 2016 at 1:16 PM ^
Its efficiency of space.
I have yet to see any crossover or even full frame SUV do what a minivan can in terms of carting people around comfortably with their shyte.
Most minivans can even to reasonable amounts. My BiL towed his pop up with his 3 kids and wife in the body of the van (a Honda).
If you aren't using them for van stuff, you can pop the seats and make them awesome utility vehicles. 4x8 sheets in some. Or lay down some plastic and put in wood. Or kayaks and bungie down the hatch.
They make great tailgate/Drive in/camping vehicles.
And they are still manueverable enough to mall crawl and get groceries and park in the garage.
They are flexible as all hell. And if you take long trips with your fam (Say an annual spring breaker to Florida or wherever) they beat the pants off SUV's in terms of overall efficiency.
I know (by sales) the Millenials aren't thriled with them. But as a Gen X'er who grew up when they first hit the scene I love them. Beat the hell out of the old Country Squire.
August 23rd, 2016 at 1:18 PM ^
...don't knock the caravan. Under Cerberus they made some stinkers, but the more recent ones are fine in general. And, as you say, cheaper. YMMV but the Chryslers I've driven (the hell out of) have served me well *if* I followed their maintenance schedules.
I'd look at that, the Odyssey. all of them. I'm not a huge fan of the Sienna, but mainly because I don't jive with its interior layout. But its a fine van.
I like the Pacifica, but its way out of my price range now.
August 23rd, 2016 at 3:04 PM ^
Yes - I'm aware that minivans are an extant alternative to the SUV. That said, not in my case (the stated preferences for towing and AWD/4WD are priorities for me). SUV it is. I appreciate all the advice - keep it coming!
August 23rd, 2016 at 11:57 AM ^
A few options we have considered:
1. Jeep Grand Cherokee
2. Ford Explorer Sport
3. Audi Q7
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:03 PM ^
throw in the Highlander and Pilot.
The JGC's I love (I'm a Jeep enthusiast) but they don't have the 3rd row.
The Explorers I'm told are quite nice.
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:01 PM ^
What about the Pilot or the Highlander? If you aren't off roading they both have reasonable 3rd rows* and decent mileage.
Here's a 2011 with decent miles.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=20…
* reasonable for people. Don't expect to have both people and luggage
August 23rd, 2016 at 11:00 AM ^
I'd like to make it my hunting/fishing/camping rig but not with such shitty mpg.
End of boring, useless story.
August 23rd, 2016 at 11:06 AM ^
Ask Mel Farr.
August 23rd, 2016 at 11:29 AM ^
Just passed 50,000 miles on my Civic Si.
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:08 PM ^
I know they get made fun of, but I love my Blue 03 Aztek. Body/paint still looks good with 230K miles and counting. Back hatch is good for tailgating.
Still believe the Aztek was ahead of its time.
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:18 PM ^
Ahead of its time is definitely true. If they'd waited to sell it til after the Nissan Cube came out, nobody would've said a peep about it being ugly.
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:46 PM ^
Anyone drive one of the new model Escape Titaniums? Is it markedly different from the prior model?
August 23rd, 2016 at 1:49 PM ^
It so happens I own a '14 Escape Titanium but have also driven the '17. Had the chance to do so for about a week.
- The interior layout is vastly improved in the '17.
- The '17 has Sync 3, which is way better than previous infotainment versions.
- The steering wheel, somehow, felt even cheaper than in my car. I don't think most people care, but I think the leather they use feels cheap as hell. It's rough and grippy, not smooth like a lot of steering wheels.
- The start-stop function on the engine worked very well. I think that's a high-level option, but I'm not sure. The one I drove had it. I normally get about 22.5 mpg on my commute. I got about 25.5 with the start-stop and that was on a brand-new engine that wasn't broken in yet. (Car had about 400 miles on it.)
- I personally think the front and and back end are uglier on the '17. The taillights were chopped off supposedly to give the impression that the car is bigger. The only impression I get is that someone made a big styling mistake. But the nice part is you don't have to look at the taillights when you're driving it.
Otherwise, they're quite similar. The new model is a refreshing rather than a total overhaul. If you like the earlier model, you'll probably like the new one better.
August 23rd, 2016 at 6:39 PM ^
August 23rd, 2016 at 10:34 PM ^
Pretty sure you can get the park-assist feature on the '17 Escape for the easy-to-park department, and positive you can get the kick tailgate and AWD.
August 23rd, 2016 at 12:49 PM ^
Ion guy was looking for a new safe car <30k
The Honda CR-V isn't exciting, but it is safe & dependable. It gets decent mileage & you can haul some stuff in it. Its good at most things you need in a vehicle. The WIfey drives a 2011 with AWD and he loves it.
I have two friends with Ford C-Max's. They love them, but have not let me drive them yet. They claim gas saving and comfort.
I had a 2005 Ion. It was the most boring car to drive ever, but it never failed me. I got to 100k and moved on.
August 23rd, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^
....My thanks to JeepinBen and the main contributors. This is an awesome OT topic, and really makes for a fun read to ease the OT season.
August 23rd, 2016 at 1:51 PM ^
We just bought a 1998 4Runner with 140k miles for our daugher to use while at WMU. It has some rust in the wheel wells and rocker panels, but is otherwise clean and straight. SR5 (mid-trim), 4x4, moon roof, almost new tires. That car, here in Seattle, would be $7000-$8000, at least. We paid $4000 near Kalamazoo and probably could have done a couple hundred better.
Seattle has just gotten crazy expensive, like Bay-area expensive.
Insurance is a different matter. According to USAA, Michigan is the most expensive state in which to insure a vehicle. Not because of no-fault (which I prefer), but because of a lack of liability caps.
August 23rd, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^
We're planning on tradng in our car for something else, and one of the criteria is the dealership has to be in our town (for ease of service). We have both a Volkswagen and a Mazda dealer right around the corner (and a Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealership across the street, but that's not happening). Between Mazda and Volkswagen, which should we choose? We need a medium sized hatch that's fun to drive.
(Yes, I've posted this before, but we still can't decide)
August 23rd, 2016 at 3:26 PM ^
You're giving up the GTI?
The answer is either the GTI or the Mazda 3. They're both amazing (as is the base Golf).
Pick whichever you'd rather have.
August 23rd, 2016 at 3:45 PM ^
August 23rd, 2016 at 5:21 PM ^
I'd go GTI/Golf over Mazda 3 and CX5 over Tiguan (wife has one, loves it, but it's small for the segment and expensive. However she wanted a Golf, but we got a much better deal on a Tiguan, so that's what she's in).
A Golf S could probably be had for dirt cheap (may need to order it?) and be a perfect first car for the kids. http://www.vw.com/models/golf/trims/2016/s-2-door-trim/edit/tab/summary/exterior-color/z2z2/
August 23rd, 2016 at 3:11 PM ^
To a british car show in Shaker Square near Cleveland last Sunday. Took third place. Once football season starts, that car won't see much drive time before finally putting it away for the winter.
August 23rd, 2016 at 3:36 PM ^
I'm having a new spec miata built for SCCA. I'm thinking of a Michigan helmet theme, similar to below. What do you think?
August 23rd, 2016 at 6:33 PM ^