OT: Talking Cars Tuesday - What's Next?
As we all wait for tomorrow's UFR, here's our 2nd (and probably final) in-season TCT.
So - what's next with cars? What are you shopping for? (Good chance someone on the board has one). What are you excited to see at the auto shows in the next couple of months? What are you driving? Hate it? Love it? Real open this time, let's talk cars!
November 9th, 2017 at 11:42 AM ^
baffled by Jeep popularity given their terrible reliability ratings over time. Seems like if they could nail reliability, it would make them more money. Like Honda nailed the Pilot model, with perhaps the exception of the most recent one, there are some who look for 2008-2013 models because they are so reliable and utilitarian. I rented a Jeep Cherokee that had 15,000 miles on it, and it there were loose sounds from different areas, running a bit rough, and some other issues. Not sure what others think, but I wouldn't buy a Jeep.
November 7th, 2017 at 4:42 PM ^
CRV is best in class, but I got a Ford escape (for which the lease is up in 3 months). Solid vehicle, not flashy. Liked the interior and the drive better in the escape vs the crv.
November 7th, 2017 at 10:38 AM ^
Almost certainly a minivan. Though one of those Transit Van style things might happen instead. A very longshot is me convince my wife we should get a Model X. A coworker has one and it's grown on me.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:07 AM ^
Make sure the doors don't leak on the one you get!
November 7th, 2017 at 11:45 AM ^
I don't have 100k to throw at one right now, so it's proabably not an issue.
Any suggestions of minivans to look at?
November 7th, 2017 at 11:56 AM ^
The Pacifica has rave reviews - the stow and go is a gamechanger. The new Oddessy is great. The new Siena is great.
Car and Driver actually has a Pacifica and an Odyssey in their long term fleet at the moment. Happy reading!
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-honda-odyssey-long-term-test-review
November 7th, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^
Currently have a 2012 Volvo C30. Hope it lasts forever. Love my mini-Tumbler.
November 7th, 2017 at 10:58 AM ^
It's on the list for my next purchase. Any issues so far? I drive a lot.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:08 AM ^
It's often referred to as the best 3 Door Focus you could get in the states!
November 7th, 2017 at 11:54 AM ^
No problems yet, but I do not drive all that much. Bought in April 2012, only around 37,000 miles.
November 7th, 2017 at 1:03 PM ^
I drive about 20k per year.
November 7th, 2017 at 10:45 AM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:05 AM ^
I work from home as well and after VW bought back my cheating diesel we just had one car for 4+ months until I needed something and bought a used Subaru.
Since July I've put 1,100 miles on it and much of that was the Mrs driving it.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:09 AM ^
In my opinion a Jeep Wrangler is the BEST fun car you can buy. Especially if you need to fit 4 people in it.
I've had 2, and had 0 in the garage for a while. As my real car it was a bit of a chore. As a toy/extra car it was SO WONDERFUL. If you don't have to take it every trip, you'll love it.
November 7th, 2017 at 12:03 PM ^
Absolutely loved my Wrangler. But then I got a job that has a 45 minute highway commute each way, and a lifted Wrangler was no longer suitable.
November 7th, 2017 at 12:10 PM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 12:17 PM ^
Hold their value better than any other mass-market vehicle.
Look for a 2012MY or newer, there were some engine upgrades that will help. If your wife wants nice and you've got the cash (and you won't offroad it), look at Saharas. That's the "lux" version of the Wrangler.
Bring your kids with you to see if they can get in and out of the back of a 2 door. The seat mechanism isn't as easy to get behind as it was with my TJ.
November 7th, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^
My 2011 G37x has about 125k on it now, but it drives like the day I bought it. Still the best car I've ever owned, but we'll see how long it lasts. I like to put about 250k miles on each car and then donate them (or leave them for dead on the side of a road).
2002 I35 is still going strong at 185k +. Sure, it's starting to rust and it looks like crap, but it has been reliable as hell (even with PS and Trans fluid pissing all over my driveway). All the electronics still work, including the heated steering wheel and heated seats (front and rear!). The damn exhaust system breaks all the time though. I think I've had to have it welded back together at least 7 or 8 times.
Kid might need a car next year if she decides to live at home instead of on campus. No idea what to get her.
November 7th, 2017 at 7:12 PM ^
My 2008 G35x is the best car I've ever had. I only have 88k on it, but it runs like new and still fun to drive. Surprisingly fast.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:00 AM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^
zero percent financing is plenty of reson for me to buy new. What - no interest loans on discounted 2017 SUV's ... works for me every 5 years.
Go Blue!
November 7th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:09 AM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^
I test drove one and ended up with a GTI instead. Make sure you fit comfortably in the Focus ST's seats. Those Recaros are grippy, but weren't comfortable for me.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^
You'll like the ST, and you can save some decent cash by not getting a fully loaded one in terms of interior accessories. A car that small doesnt need a camera for going into reverse. Super fun car to drive.
November 7th, 2017 at 1:08 PM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 1:12 PM ^
It'll save 30-40 kids lives per year.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:10 AM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:17 AM ^
which had 20K miles on it when i bought it last year. like it very much. quiet, rides very nice, excellent mileage (45+), killer stereo, solid. oh, and the 'cheater' thing is a bonus in that my mileage is better.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:14 AM ^
I have a '16 300 right now and my lease is up in March. I'm a bit of a speed junky and as long as the deals are good, will be getting a 6.4 variant of the Challenger or Charger (Scat pack R/T or SRT). I have two young kids 5 and 2, so getting them into the back of the Challenger every single day might be a bit of a struggle, but... I've been wanting one for a while so just might pony up and "deal with it".
November 7th, 2017 at 11:23 AM ^
my dad just bought a 69 mustang so we're gonna have our hands full for a long while here. tons of work to be done, though I'm sure that doing the work will push me towards finally pulling the trigger on one of my own.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^
That couldn't be related to the fact that it's lifted and on 37"s, right?
(Keep in mind I'm a former lifted Jeep owner... and engineer for a company that does supply GM, and everyone else)
November 7th, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:32 AM ^
I bought a Ford Focus for my sons to drive, and one of them managed to (i) take off the side mirror within a week of getting his license (easy fix, but a harbinger of things to come), (ii) get in an accident at a four-way stop (not his fault, no ticket, but major repair and now the Carfax is screwed), and (iii) I just learned he managed to dent the other side with some dents that will cost four figures to fix. All in a year and a half.
So the Focus additionally now has a rattle that my (great) mechanic hasn't diagnosed, but doesn't like. His advice is get rid of the car while it's still running.
So I'm in the market for a new used car that's a "beater". Like maybe a Ranger, older Tacoma or some such that I could at least get use out of. Any advice on the best way to exchange my current beater for another beater that runs well?
Until I saw the new damage, I was going to cede my daily driver to my sons, and then get myself something nice (decent sedan) or fun (Wrangler Sport). But I'm re-thinking that, since I suspect my one son will just ding the shit out of my daily driver.
Dealer trade? The death we call Craigslist? CarMax?
Thoughts?
November 7th, 2017 at 11:36 AM ^
is my go to if I need to dump a car and do it quickly. Just be prepared to be offered next to nothing for it.
Last car I sold was a 98 Jag XJ8. Took $2,500 for it.
New owner probably spent more than that in repairs the first month he owned it.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:42 AM ^
I've bought a ton of guitar equipment off CList, and it's been great for that. I've not sold on Craigslist though - I like the idea of it, because it's a total caveat emptor environment. (To be clear, I'm not aware of any particular issue with the car, but my mechanic says it's time to dump the Focus and I trust him on that.)
Of course I could also use it for trade bait at a dealer. A dealer would be taking the Focus straight to auction, but I don't have to let them know I know that when I bargain with it.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^
One suggestion, the heat shield on the exhaust and the exhaust itself are known issues on previous gen Foci.
Fixing the dents? Great opportunity to learn about bondo!
November 7th, 2017 at 11:49 AM ^
That's good to know! If the rattle is just the heat shield or a loose exhaust issue*, I may batten that down and stick with the Focus. I like it for the kids because it's a slowish four-banger, pretty safe for both the people inside (good safety rating) and outside (slower and doesn't encourage grandstanding).
I have had very little trouble avoiding dents, dings, and collisions in a larger city for years, but I get the sense my son's "driving by braille" days are not fully behind him - if he could ding the shit out the current car for another couple of years, I'd call it a "win".
*Which would make sense after having major body work done - stuff does sometimes get loosened.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:59 AM ^
yup, had that rattle on my old focus. couple self tapping screws did the trick, just make sure you don't go near the gas tank if you have to stray too far from where it was originally attached
November 7th, 2017 at 11:41 AM ^
and as for a 'new' vehicle for your boys, i can tell you that our new drivers start with the farm truck ('02 dodge 2500 diesel 4x4). large, great visibility to see and be seen, runs forever, actually gets about 20 mpg.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^
Your solution would be fine if we were country mice. We're city mice, with congested streets, Mexico City-like driving culture, and my son's driving record ain't so great anyway.
So giving the boys a big farm truck to drive would be like giving Ted Kaczynski a postage meter with an unlimited Pitney-Bowes account.
November 7th, 2017 at 12:59 PM ^
shift" that is a nice way of saying make sure you are alive so you can go home. same with driving. big car/truck that is slow is much more likely to keep sons alive. besides, the junior EM's need to learn to drive like their name-sake!
(picture in head of EM's sons flying down the e-way with heads out the window, yelling at the top of their lungs, 'no deductible!!'
November 7th, 2017 at 5:20 PM ^
was a '79 LTD II. 351 and (I think) 130hp. Drank gas. Huge. Had a transmission leak that I had to keep pouring fluid into so the thing would move.
I think that car kept me out of trouble as a kid. It wasn't fast, took away money that I'd use for nefarious ends, and kept me well protected. :-)
November 7th, 2017 at 1:23 PM ^
I had a broker buy for me at the Flint Auto Auction. In 2009 I got a Pontiac G6 for $8,900 with about 40k miles. Just turned 100k with nothing besides brakes/tires. Unfortuantely the broker got out of the business so I hace no one to recommend.
You can go in person to the Auction site - or look online - to check out ther cars. Give your broker a list of cars and what you are willing to pay. They charge a fee - like $500 for doing the transaction.
That G6 has a few bruises from 60k miles of two young drivers but still looks pretty good.
November 7th, 2017 at 10:36 PM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^
I am really happy with my Chevy Colorado. It fit my rather specific needs. Tow a 4,000 pound camping trailer (it has a 7,000 capacity), decent off road capability and comfortably seat a family of four (kids are small). The lower cost and more reasonable size compared to a full size truck is nice. It also is surprisingly fast (0 to 60 in 6.1) and fun to drive. The computer does a good job towing in the mountains relative to shifting to maintain consistent speeds which was a nice surprise the first time I took it up there.
The ZR1 package has a decent amount of features but it does seem like Chevy is a bit behind Ford on offering the latest technology in their top trim packages. Specifically things like adaptive cruise, lane assist, park assist, etc are not offered. My last car was 10 years old so I would have liked to have all the newest tech in a new truck.
Ford is bringing back the Ranger so the mid-size market is going to get more crowded in coming years. It will be interesting to see if the added competition leads to more innovation and updates in the market. As an example, the Tacoma has always been a strong player in this segment but it really seemed like it needed an update when I checked out the 2017 model.
November 7th, 2017 at 11:40 AM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:46 AM ^
I have had it up to 90 or so and it was smooth. When towing the trailer at up to 80 it did great.
November 7th, 2017 at 12:15 PM ^