Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options

What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?

1387388390392393473

Comments

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    If the (your) main (real) issue is finding THE exact car that you want, fully loaded, certain colors, etc., the new MB E550 gasser is the no-brainer. By default, the BT issues are hardly worth mentioning.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    E550 was discontinued in this market after 2014, replaced by the E400. The last of the non-AMG V8 E-class has some appeal, as the engine is very tunable, and relatively economical for 400+ hp. However, I also like the idea of the torquey little diesel in the E250 that will move it along fine, but still get 45 mpg highway. If I found identically optioned and priced cars, it would be tough, but I very well might go to diesel just for the rarity factor,

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    Right ! Don't tell Edmunds.com, as they list 2016 MB E 550 ! ?

    But yes, ( good luck with that) if you are (really) wanting to pick up a 2014 MB E250 2.1 L diesel, they can be had! The sport seems to be most plentiful, followed by the lux, then 4 matic. If memory serves me correctly, I think you had the E250 sport.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    There's still an E550 coupe, but few are sold. I should have been specific, the sedan was discontinued.

    A minty low miles loaded off-lease 14 E250 might not be a bad thing to have.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I would sure like to get my hands on the GLC 300d. I see MB passed BMW for the year. Thanks to a 77% increase in the sales of the GLC. All the SUV class GLA, GLC, GLE & G had nice gains. The MB cars are all off for the year except the SLK. Boomers are retiring and buying that last SUV/CUV to cruise off into the sunset.

    http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercedes-benz-usa-reports-all-time-best-april-sales-of-29236-300261882.html

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    Other than ( usual suspects) supply & demand, I'm not sure why there are app 19 examples of the 14 MB E250 Blue Tec (True Car) (66.4 k produced) vs 1 (ONE) of the 14 MB GLK 250 Blue Tec!? (35 k produced)

    13/19 of the 14 MB E250's (WAY more expensive new than the GLK) are cheaper than the one 14 GLK 250 BT. The GLK 250 BT is being offered for $500 more than what I paid new in 2014!?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited May 2016
    Holy crap, there's a nicely equipped one in my area - unfortunately, I have 6+ months to go. If this is an actual distronic car (I can't tell by the small pics, and the dashboard shots are from another car), it is a real rarity. Not my first color choice, but I could deal with it.

    Are we getting the GLC diesel, definitely? I kind of like it, as it resembles the C wagon I would buy if we could have it here.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I see 23 new 2015 GLK 250 BT in the entire US. The prices seems a lot higher than when I was looking at them in 2013. None in San Diego county. a few in LA. I would think people wanting the diesel will wait for the 2016 or 17 now. The 2015s are nearly two years old.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    Based upon what happened to the MB GLK 250 gen, the 2017 & beyond MB GLC's (300d?) have a higher probability of also being a new car sleeper. This might present a new car buying opportunity. The upside for used ones is it would probably retain a much greater % of its value. (i.e, relative to the MB E250)
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    SUV/CUVs will hold their value better than sedans for the foreseeable future. The Boomers do not all retire until 2030. With 10,000 a day hitting 65 and looking for a change in lifestyle, the CUVs are the vehicle of choice.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    I suspect that the small car (minority) market share is also receding from 25% (2014-2016?). It would be interesting to know the official/actual figures. The fact that the small car % figures are so hard-to-find might indeed be telling. So I think it is safe to say that the majority of the cars (76% + plus) are mid to large size cars to "small" trucks.

    2014 (FARS ) figures indicate 274.8 M PVF. http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

    It's also one of THE safest years EVER, since NHTSA has been keeping the statistics! This is indeed a good thing.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    Surprise! surprise, GM 10 % overstated mpg (for the Chevrolet Traverse etc., & even that is over optimistic) & not much media coverage ? http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2016/05/15/window-sticker-error-halts-sale-59823-gm-suvs/84411670/

    It gets back to what I was saying about the OEM's wanting to sweep some of the industry's practices under the rug for the Eco cons "fairy tales" .

    LA diesel lawsuit news. http://theadvocate.com/news/15759046-128/attorneys-advising-their-louisiana-clients-against-class-action-settlement-with-vw
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Surprise! surprise, GM 10 % overstated mpg (for the Chevrolet Traverse etc., & even that is over optimistic) & not much media coverage ? http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2016/05/15/window-sticker-error-halts-sale-59823-gm-suvs/84411670/

    I could have told them that 3 years ago. I looked at the GMC Acadia when I was shopping. Talked to two owners. Both told me it was rare to get 16 MPG. So I imagine even the 2016 models are over rated. That would be a dandy sized vehicle to put the same diesel engine going into the Colorado/Canyon. Then the owners would have something to brag about. Another friend just bought an Acadia Denali. It is nice for sure. She just drives never checks mileage.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    16 (/23 mpg) mpg in the real world would put it off by 30.4 % ! Funny how the media gets all wadded up with diesel in comparison!

    If that happen with the diesel, I think they would be bring back drawing & quartering.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    This morning a fellow stopped me in the super market. Asked if I was going to sell my VW TDI back to the company. I said not a chance. He has a 2014 Passat TDI and saw me get out of the Touareg. He does not want to get rid of his as he loves it. Has over 40k miles and makes regular trips to South Lake Tahoe. He gets consistent 49 MPG on the trip to, and 50 MPG on the return from SLT. He said even if he lost 3-4 MPG he would keep it. Nothing else comes close. He did not realize the Touareg has the 3.0L V6 TDI. Nice visit while my wife shopped.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    If you are traveling less than 500 miles, driving makes more sense than flying. And driving a diesel that much more sense. Based on the cost of my trip to Oregon, it would take me $54 in diesel to make the 1000 mile round trip. With the current time of 5+ hours to get through security and fly 500 miles, it is almost a wash time wise. Pretty sad that it takes almost as much time to fly 500 miles as to drive at 70 MPH. That was why I stopped flying to Las Vegas back in the 1990s. I could drive there in less than 5 hours and not have to rent a car and deal with the airlines. After almost a million miles on Alaska Airlines, I am really enjoying travel by road much more.

    These people are crazy.

    http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/05/16/nightmarish-lines-continue-at-airport-security-checkpoints/
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    gagrice said:

    This morning a fellow stopped me in the super market. Asked if I was going to sell my VW TDI back to the company. I said not a chance. He has a 2014 Passat TDI and saw me get out of the Touareg. He does not want to get rid of his as he loves it. Has over 40k miles and makes regular trips to South Lake Tahoe. He gets consistent 49 MPG on the trip to, and 50 MPG on the return from SLT. He said even if he lost 3-4 MPG he would keep it. Nothing else comes close. He did not realize the Touareg has the 3.0L V6 TDI. Nice visit while my wife shopped.

    @ 49/50 mpg (EPA 30c/40h) with a 18.5 gal tank = 916 miles! So he can actually do the Tahoe trip (1,000 miles in his example) and really fuel 84 miles from home on return, or refuel based on price, almost anywhere in between!

    The VW Touareg TDI with 26.4 gals @ 33/ 36 mpg = 871- 950 miles.

    Diesel haters should understand that all diesel buyers did nothing wrong. No CARB punitive actions should be imposed like denial of registration, if one didn't want " the fix".CARB diesel bi annual mandatory smogs never measured ANY emissions levels, let along NOX levels in the real world. Given no emissions measurements, it was purely a revenue generation scam.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    gagrice said:

    If you are traveling less than 500 miles, driving makes more sense than flying. And driving a diesel that much more sense. Based on the cost of my trip to Oregon, it would take me $54 in diesel to make the 1000 mile round trip. With the current time of 5+ hours to get through security and fly 500 miles, it is almost a wash time wise. Pretty sad that it takes almost as much time to fly 500 miles as to drive at 70 MPH. That was why I stopped flying to Las Vegas back in the 1990s. I could drive there in less than 5 hours and not have to rent a car and deal with the airlines. After almost a million miles on Alaska Airlines, I am really enjoying travel by road much more.

    These people are crazy.

    http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/05/16/nightmarish-lines-continue-at-airport-security-checkpoints/

    Yes! This was true even 6 to 9 years ago! Actually the range is more like 700 to 1,000 miles. I can only imagine that delays have actually gotten much worse, despite everyone's assertion that things have gotten better !

    We made three consecutive year trips to Portland, OR from the San Jose, CA area.(658 one way, R/T 1316 miles/ 48 mpg= 27.5 gals, 2003 VW Jetta TDI) We went by car. The majority of the folks, meeting @ the hotel flew. Each time we arrived @ the reserved hotel, either at the same time or slightly earlier. Each time that was leaving @ the same time, including a 1 hour lunch break on the road ! (No forward motion) This also was not including all the pre boarding silliness. (Time in taxi's or public transportation, Boarding delays, Arrive 1 to 2 hours earlier, flight delays)
    I have long since forgotten the price of diesel, but at today's price of $2.39 (27.5 gal R/T), that would be $65.73 . Anyone can google the costs of flight from Oakland, San Jose or San Francisco. Anyone care to bet it is less than $66.00 to transport 3 people?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    The airlines have greatly improved their "on-time" performance numbers.

    The airlines have also greatly padded their estimates of how long it takes to fly somewhere.

    Then there's all that diesel jet fuel wafting around - ugh. :D
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    So... It's not just the price of fuels that have gone down. Here is a partial list of commodities that are still going down. http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-cheese-glut-is-overtaking-america-1463477403

    Europe is removing most price supports for sugar ! This of course puts enormous pressure on US removal of price supports, for an already very low-priced commodity !

    Needless to say except for very specific places, real estate products are also declining in value ! !
  • henrynhenryn Member Posts: 4,289
    ruking1 said:

    So... It's not just the price of fuels that have gone down. Here is a partial list of commodities that are still going down. http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-cheese-glut-is-overtaking-america-1463477403

    Europe is removing most price supports for sugar ! This of course puts enormous pressure on US removal of price supports, for an already very low-priced commodity !

    Needless to say except for very specific places, real estate products are also declining in value ! !

    You must be talking about real estate prices in California? Even with the bust in the oil business, real estate prices have not declined here in Houston. At least not yet, probably later this year though.
    2023 Chevrolet Silverado, 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    A couple things to think about when we, diesel car owners, are being picked on by our worthless EPA. Aircraft on average put out far more pollution per passenger mile than any auto/SUV or PU. Figure air travel has doubled since 1999 and we can see where the cause of GW is coming from.

    The burning of incredible quantities of toxic fuel has impacts that extend beyond the climate. As soon as airplanes leave the gate, they begin to produce phenomenal amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and cancer-causing toxics such as benzene and formaldehyde. 3 This pollution travels miles downwind, contributing to asthma, lung and heart disease, and a large number of cancers.

    The emissions from taxiing and take-off of aircraft help make airports some of the largest sources of these pollutants and major public health hazards. For example, Los Angeles Airport is the largest source of NOx, a key cause of the region’s copious smog, in California and the third largest source of carbon monoxide. 4 Logan Airport in Boston, MA produces twice as much benzene as the next largest source in Massachusetts. 5 Scientists have found that even small increases in taxi time at airports in Southern California contribute to significant increases in asthma, respiratory ailments, and heart disease in surrounding communities. 6 Scientists also believe that particulate matter emissions from airplanes, along with ships and trains, contribute to 1,800 early deaths per year in the United Kingdom alone. 7 These health impacts also translate into large economic costs for society.


    http://www.flyingclean.com/impacts_airplane_pollution_climate_change_and_health
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited May 2016
    I just wish I had Houston real estate prices, I can't even imagine.

    That taxi time idea is interesting, I wonder how much pollution is generated by vehicles idling or crawling in traffic due to insufficient or negligently planned/maintained traffic controls. That's where you'll see the smoky but untouchable old commercial vehicles doing their part. Regarding the planes, then look at ships.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Ships are horrible polluters. We have discussed that at length. I feel the authorities go after the low hanging fruit that are easy to pluck. The middle class wallets are what they look for. The people that own the Planes, Trains & Ships all have lots of smart attorneys.

    How 16 ships create as much pollution as all the cars in the world

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1229857/How-16-ships-create-pollution-cars-world.html
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Definitely low hanging fruit. It's also more profitable.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    henryn said:

    ruking1 said:

    So... It's not just the price of fuels that have gone down. Here is a partial list of commodities that are still going down. http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-cheese-glut-is-overtaking-america-1463477403

    Europe is removing most price supports for sugar ! This of course puts enormous pressure on US removal of price supports, for an already very low-priced commodity !

    Needless to say except for very specific places, real estate products are also declining in value ! !

    You must be talking about real estate prices in California? Even with the bust in the oil business, real estate prices have not declined here in Houston. At least not yet, probably later this year though.
    CA is indeed one, but why are you ignoring the other 49 ? (PR, etc. also) There are many cities & more rural ares in CA where ( agricultural) unemployment rates are up around 25%; that they will admit to. It is of course far higher than that !
  • henrynhenryn Member Posts: 4,289
    Wait a minute, wait a minute. Are we talking about unemployment? I thought the subject was real estate prices? I follow the business news on a fairly regular basis, and overall home sales are strong, and home prices are stable or climbing across most of the country. So exactly WHAT are you talking about?

    And gagrice, why do you say the EPA is picking on diesel car owners? Best I can tell, they are going after cheaters, and I applaud that. Furthermore, as I have stated here before, I strongly resent you calling the EPA worthless. I am old enough to have experienced acid rain, and the EPA stopped that. Which definitely takes them out of the realm of "worthless".
    2023 Chevrolet Silverado, 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2016
    Yes, the same question! Where you will find really high unemployment, you will most likely find really low real estate prices ! But it would seem an off topic diesel discussion.
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    Just got back from at trip, LA to ABQ and back. Ran at 80 MPH most of the way, up and over the continental divide. 41.5 MPG average for the trip. This 2.0 diesel in the Passat is amazing. Never lacked power, even on the steepest uphill portions.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    edited May 2016
    HenrynAnd gagrice, why do you say the EPA is picking on diesel car owners? Best I can tell, they are going after cheaters, and I applaud that. Furthermore, as I have stated here before, I strongly resent you calling the EPA worthless.

    Like many agencies they started out well. Getting rid of leaded gas, cleaning some of our rivers etc etc etc. They have devolved into a NEAR worthless monster, that would rather make regulations so tough on diesel cars it is nearly impossible to build them competitively. I say that as someone that has watched the regs get tougher for diesel every time the automakers succeed. Then you have CARB that has openly stated they hate diesel cars. The two together have all but destroyed the potential of diesel saving fuel. It has been proven that ships, trains and planes are the major polluters in the transportation. According to the UN IPCC report cars and trucks contribute 15% to CO2. Diesel passenger vehicles could lower that number. Not as long as the EPA will not coordinate with the diesel manufacturers in Germany. The EU has far more of a problem with pollution than the USA. Yet they work with the industry not against them as the EPA/CARB does.

    How about forcing the airlines to take the old jets completely out of service. The very high polluting ones. The airlines sell them to private carriers and freight haulers and they continue to pollute. Take about half the planes out of the air and raise the rates to cover the cost of medical care for those being impacted by the doubling of pollution by the airlines since 1999.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    edited May 2016
    Just found out it is all the passengers fault for the long lines. The fact that they would like to have a toothbrush and a change of clothes when they get to their destination is slowing down the process. No mention of the airlines high fees to take any luggage on your flight.

    Best solution is the buy a good vehicle for that trip. If you don't like stopping frequently for gas get a diesel.

    New Yorkers can blame themselves for unbearably long lines at area airports, the Transportation Security Administration said in response to criticism from the Port Authority.

    http://nypost.com/2016/05/12/its-your-fault-airport-security-takes-forever/
  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    gagrice said:

    Just found out it is all the passengers fault for the long lines. The fact that they would like to have a toothbrush and a change of clothes when they get to their destination is slowing down the process. No mention of the airlines high fees to take any luggage on your flight.

    Best solution is the buy a good vehicle for that trip. If you don't like stopping frequently for gas get a diesel.

    New Yorkers can blame themselves for unbearably long lines at area airports, the Transportation Security Administration said in response to criticism from the Port Authority.

    http://nypost.com/2016/05/12/its-your-fault-airport-security-takes-forever/

    Such ARROGANCE!

    I haven't been on a plane in 6 years. SO glad I got away from that...
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I last flew in November, international flight. Worst bit was going through customs once back at home, the lines at the security theater were immense and the whole process wasn't exactly efficient. I have no current plans to fly domestic or international this year. Road trips all the way.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Not to change the subject too much. My wife and I are thinking again about moving to Hilo Hawaii for our last move EVER. I of course contemplated taking my Touareg as my vehicle for the Island. A quick check of Gas Buddy, was a shocker. Diesel in Hilo is $3.99 per gallon while RUG is only $2.59. What's Up With That????
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    No home heating oil use for diesel, so not much is imported?

    Are you sure you want to be stuck on a rock where you'll have to fly to get anywhere?
  • henrynhenryn Member Posts: 4,289
    My understanding is that the cost of living is very high in Hawaii. Food, rent, pretty much everything costs quite a bit more than in the mainland. Which makes it sound like a very bad idea for a retirement location.

    Unless of course, you have enough money that you're not concerned about prices. But if that were true, you wouldn't care about the cost of diesel, would you?

    Don't get me wrong, I think Hawaii would be a great place to retire. I'll bet the kids and grandkids would be much more likely to come visit. (smile)
    2023 Chevrolet Silverado, 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    A few things about Hawaii many people are unaware of.
    1st: they do not tax defined pensions or SS.
    2nd: property taxes on the Big Island are very low compared to many other good retirement places like AZ, FL or TX.
    3rd: you can eat very healthy for less than you can in places like CA. Every day is farmer's market day.
    Five papaya for a buck. Every fruit and vegetable needed for a healthy lifestyle. Raise a pig or goat for meat.
    Great fish are available fresh everyday.
    4th: Buying or renting is cheaper than where I am in CA. So I start out about $16k per year wealthier just on CA income and property tax.
    5th: The weather on the Eastern side of the Big Island is tropical. With day time highs under 85 night time lows about 60 F. That is year round.
    Lastly, I could replace my home here in San Diego and have a couple hundred thousand left for a new SUV and boat. No the price of Diesel would not be a big factor.

    http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/12-7158-Loke-Pl-LOT-130-Pahoa-HI-96778/2099011219_zpid/?z7&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=emo-savedhomeremind-address
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Are you sure you want to be stuck on a rock where you'll have to fly to get anywhere?

    Once there I would probably never leave. Did I mention they have a big Kaiser Hospital in Hilo. Which is another factor with us both being happy with Medicare Advantage with Kaiser Permanente. My son would move to Hawaii in a Heartbeat. His wife has never been and thinks Alaska is a great place to live. :D
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    You still have the farm over there?

    Dunno, can't beat the fragrance, but after we discovered Mexico, we dumped Hawaiian Air for Alaska's flights to Puerto Vallarta.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Sold the anthurium farm. Still have an acre lot we could build on. Probably buy in Hilo close to the library and farmers market. We shop daily at the farmers market when we stayed there. Rarely went to the supermarket. A home like this in Hilo is more likely to catch our fancy. I like all the Koa wood cabinets. And single level wide open.

    http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/257-W-Naauao-St-Hilo-HI-96720/555260_zpid/

    I spent time in PV also back in the 1980s. Mexico has lost its charm for me with all the drug cartel business. I love Mexico and the people. I fell in love with Zihuatanejo and almost bought a condo there in 2000. When they murdered a bunch of people we started going to Hilo and that sold me. One plus for Hilo, as wet as it gets it is not as humid as the coast of Mexico.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    That house would fit right in here in Las Cruces.

    Except for the grass. Maybe you could convert the lawn to biodiesel production. :)
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Maui is a big biodiesel place. I don't think anyone is producing bio on the Big Island. Also VW does not have a dealer on the Big Island. I would probably buy a Ram diesel PU truck. And a small electric car for in town errands. The house has solar so it would not be so expensive to run.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited May 2016
    Well, if it didn't work out, you could always move back to the Mainland.

    Be a good chance to get rid of all your junk too, and avoid the rush. And the shipping fees.

    I'd rather be in downtown Honolulu though, maybe over near the Salt Lake Elementary School neighborhood. Bike and Uber for groceries. :)
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    One important lesson I have learned now that I have all my stuff in one spot. I still don't use 90% of it. We would travel light to Hawaii. My shorts and 80 Hawaiian shirts.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I kind of like that place, with the big garage and traditional exterior, and the wood interior reminds me of the custom 70s era houses around here that will no doubt be knocked down more often soon. Almost 600K though, I dunno...if I was retiring and had that to blow, I'd go to eastern WA, buy a nice place for 200K, and have a lot of fun for many years with the rest B)

    I just saw an early 00s Gold TDI that was doing an impersonation of an ill-maintained late 70s MB diesel.
    gagrice said:
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    At one time I would have moved to Eastern WA or Coeur d'Alene, ID. Beautiful country. Just not the best weather. Not interested in shoveling snow. Even Oregon may be colder in the winter than we like. A big heated Green house would give us a place to keep our tropical plants through the winter months in a mild climate like Oregon. Oregon's 9.9% income tax makes it less than ideal for retirement.

    If we moved to Hilo I would likely sell the Touareg here and buy a diesel Grand Cherokee over there. They have a big Jeep dealer in Hilo. Or a Ram 1500 diesel as a second choice. Though the GM Colorado/Canyon diesel may be an option. Though I cannot imagine paying $55k to $65k for a Chevy PU truck.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    South eastern WA isn't too snowy in the winter - the summer heat may be more annoying. But it is nice and dry,. and any snow is usually not too heavy or long-lived. My dad retired there, and I could see doing similar - much of the west side is just too pricey now, and many of the cheaper areas aren't the nicest. Fuel is often cheap over there too, going to a large city is often a road trip, just made for a diesel :)
  • henrynhenryn Member Posts: 4,289
    Now that I'm 65, the idea of retirement crosses my mind. And where to live once retired is very high on the list of what I think about. Northern New Mexico is one area I have considered ( I lived there for one year when I was about 7 years old). Reading stever's comments about Las Cruces has led me to look at that area as well.

    Buying a house for $600k is NOT on the list of possibilities, though!

    I have known people who lived and worked in Hawaii. They all talked about the high cost of living, how much it cost for a gallon of milk, etc. Offhand, I don't think I know anyone who has retired and moved there. Most of my friends who have moved away after retiring have gone somewhere specific to be close to family, not giving a lot of consideration to weather and housing costs, etc, just where their kids and grandkids are.
    2023 Chevrolet Silverado, 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    C'mon on down and we'll give you the nickel tour.

    We considered other areas of the state, but I wanted lots of heat. I'd be fat and happy in Phoenix weather but even Tucson is too hot for my wife, so this makes a nice compromise. Median home price here is more like $160,000 with the sweet spot for a lot of retirees being $250 to $300k. The more expensive houses sell, but may take a year to get sold.

    Diesel gas is $1.99 a gallon. Cheap. B)

    But after a bump, regular has fallen below diesel again and you can find it for $1.95.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    HenrynI have known people who lived and worked in Hawaii. They all talked about the high cost of living, how much it cost for a gallon of milk, etc.

    I would imagine if they were working in Hawaii it was likely on Oahu. That island is outrageously expensive. Maui, Kauai and the Kona side of the Big Island are all very expensive tourist traps. The only area I like is the Eastern side of the Big Island. Where in the USA can you buy Ocean front homes for less than $600k? Not to mention the most gorgeous sunrises. This is the last of Old Hawaii. I would like to take my family with me to enjoy it.

    http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/15-2685-Welea-St-Pahoa-HI-96778/539975_zpid/

    http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/15-1831-Beach-Rd-LOT-131-Keaau-HI-96749/2098687560_zpid/
This discussion has been closed.