Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

at our house the wife parks on the right (as you look into the garage) and I get the left. So she opens the door into the middle. Just always been that way. Partly because there is a little more space on that sides (door in front of her, I have shelves on my side) and her car was always longer in this house. And there is not much space against the wall and she wanted more room to get in and out. and after all this time, even if we move to a new place with a different garage layout, I don't think we would ever change. It's tradition at this point. Muscle memory!

Sandman6472

Sat in a new 2020 Toyota Corolla hatchback today, an XSE I think, and I liked it. A bit too low to the ground but besides that, great vehicle. Perfect size, great ergonomics, comfy seats and Sirius/XM audio with Apple CarPlay. Whats not to like! Just wish it were about 4" taller to be honest. Just want to be able to slide in and out again like I did with the Tucson. And I know, don't remind me of that debacle, but...I was able to slide in and out perfectly in it. Just was a couple inches too wide and a few more to long. Hate to say it but, the Kia Seltos, new for 2020, is the perfect sized vehicle for what I really want. And it's got the ever important turbo engine that I need for my speed that I really must have. I'd be too unhappy to have any vehicle that was too slow to get up to speed. I admit this "need for speed" addiction, so won't get anything that can't move!
But, the big elephant in the room is the AWD that I'd have to live with on a daily basis and the mileage penalty that comes along with it. Only reason I haven't tried it yet because I'm afraid I'll love it and buy it on the spot! And I still have to see what VW plans to do about importing the new Golf to this side of the pond. And also want to see what Honda does with the HR-V.
Today, I put in gasoline for the first time in over 2 weeks...and was just a hair under a 1/2 tank! I drive only a small fraction of what I used to do and just found out that my Orlando trip has been postponed until the last weekend in June.
And the Golf has been behaving itself so well since the front door locking issue. Folks at work compliment me on it almost daily and no really good reason to trade it in. So, I won't...for the time being!

stickguy

Sandy, I will bet that you won't really notice a difference in normal driving around. will probably just drive like a FWD. and the real world MPG will be close enough to be a non-issue. especially with the amount you drive now. Definitely not significant enough hit to make you not drive what you really like..

jmonroe

@Sandy, like I said, I park on the left side to leave as much room on the right side of my car as possible so Mrs. j can pull in and open her door without whacking the passenger side door of my car. Also like I said, the drivers side mirror on my car is no more than 2 inches from the left door jam when I pull in. So, as you can see by now, I'm doing my part about the space we have to work with. She just ain't doing her part. :@

jmonroe

suydam

Corolla is a fine economical vehicle, but even the well equipped ones seem very cheap to me interior-wise. I like a little more luxe than that. That’s always been my complaint about most Toyotas. I want to like them, but — they’re so plain!

ab348

suydam said:

Corolla is a fine economical vehicle, but even the well equipped ones seem very cheap to me interior-wise. I like a little more luxe than that. That’s always been my complaint about most Toyotas. I want to like them, but — they’re so plain!

Interesting point. But is there a vehicle in that same low-price class that is less plain or uses better materials? One of the things that keeps me away from Chevys for the most part is their interiors. Nissan has not been known for good interiors either. Mazda has tried moving upmarket so they're out. Ford has been the king of hard black plastic inside their vehicles for some time. I am less certain about Hyundai or Kia, who tend to layer on the features icing but I don't know about their material quality.

A good question for discussion.

qbrozen

Curious as to thoughts/opinions ...

Taco SR5 V6 4-dr (10-way power seat, carplay, 8" screen, 278hp, 19/24 mpg, $36.8k MSRP), 24/12k, $1500 DAS and $190/mo

vs

JGC Laredo E (8-way power seat, 7" uconnect, 295hp, 19/26 mpg, $37.6k MSRP), 24/12k, $1500 DAS and $240/mo

Which would you choose and why?

corvette

I’m pleased with the Tundra. The Taco is going to have a wider turning radius and be less maneuverable than the GC. I don’t think either would be a bad choice.

kyfdx

Leaving price out of it, the Jeep would be an easier vehicle to live with, unless you absolutely need a pickup bed

qbrozen

But price should NEVER be left out of it. ;b
Seriously, if both were the same price, I think the Jeep would be the way to go. But for $50 less per month, tough to argue that the Taco doesn't present a great value. I should drive both, yes. Not sure I'll get to anytime soon, of course.

tifighter

Jeep. Because you'll actually have to sit in it. I find the Taco to be uncomfortable.

stickguy

Taco because it’s useful and cheaper. Plus I don’t want a Jeep, but that does seem like a good deal.

Edit: I don’t think I really want a Tacoma either, but if those are the only 2 choices, probably wins.

stickguy

Got postcard today our plates are in already. Guess I’ll take a road trip tomorrow just to get out of the house!

28firefighter

The Taco will be very utilitarian if you ever need the bed and it will also be more reliable.

Jeep will be the better driver and more comfortable. Build quality will be what you expect - my SIL has a JGC Summit and it is has been back to the dealer no less than a dozen times in the 3 years she has had it for various issues.

ab348

As @Sandman6472 said yesterday after driving one, you never forget you're in a truck when in the Tacoma.

nyccarguy

I'd say go for the GC. I LOVE my Tacoma, but I know you are 6'5". You won't be comfortable.

mjfloyd1

You really have to drive both and decide. I personally didn’t like the seating position in the Taco - it was like sitting with your legs straight out.

qbrozen

I have yet to have a particularly bad chryco product. Guess I have been unusually lucky. And, actually, out of my 50 vehicles, 6 have been Dodge/Chrysler, which is more than any other maker on my list. The ‘08 T&C started falling apart, but it was nearing 100k miles, and it was all accessories/electrical issues, so nothing that ever stranded us.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

I have yet to have a particularly bad chryco product. Guess I have been unusually lucky. And, actually, out of my 50 vehicles, 6 have been Dodge/Chrysler, which is more than any other maker on my list. The ‘08 T&C started falling apart, but it was nearing 100k miles, and it was all accessories/electrical issues, so nothing that ever stranded us.

Funny you mention the ChryCo products. My best friend has a Sierra 1500 Denali he leases. He LOVES it. It has stranded him a few times and they cannot figure out what is wrong with it. His wife drives a GC (on her 2nd lease) and his Dad drives a GC (also on his 2nd lease). Of the 4 GCs, none has been back to the dealer for anything other than routine maintenance.

He likes the GC, but says it feels light compared to his truck. His wife suggested they get another GC when his lease is up. He doesn't want 2 of the same car.

tjc78

I think you should go for the JGC. It will be more comfortable for you and probably won't give up that much utility for what you may do with it.

The JGC is 4x4, correct?

Michaell

He likes the GC, but says it feels light compared to his truck. His wife suggested they get another GC when his lease is up. He doesn't want 2 of the same car.

Back in 1991, my first wife and I bought a '91 Mazda Protege LX. Dark blue, automatic. Nice car.

A few months later, it was my turn to get something. We found an almost identical Protege, except it was light blue with a stick shift. I passed on it for the same reason your friend doesn't want another GC.

Big mistake - I ended up with the '91 Sentra SE. This was the car I took with me when I moved to Denver a couple years later. The Protege would have been a much better choice - cruise, PW, PL, PM, AC.

Sigh.

28firefighter

Also, buy the car and not the deal. Pick whichever one you like better.

stickguy

When you only keep them 3-6 months tops, better to buy the resale.

pensfan83

Even with a power seat standard now I think you may find the Tacoma tight and if you don't have a need for a truck bed I think the JGC is the better daily driver if you'll be in the car a lot.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Also, buy the car and not the deal. Pick whichever one you like better.

If only the folks who post dozens of requests for lease numbers would recognize that.

I can't tell you how many folks score an amazing lease deal, only to dislike (or outright hate) the car they picked.

I remember a guy who got a killer deal on a Jaguar F-Type (less than 1% of MSRP). After a month, he came back to the F-Type lease thread asking about his options for exiting the lease, as the car he picked was too slow.

stickguy

Roadburner leased a Jag and I missed it?

Wife successfully fired up google maps (well, I helped instruct) on the new car today to navigate to a doctors office she never went to before. Was proud of her. Now have to see if it sticks.

qbrozen

Other vehicles I've tagged on Rodo just for watching purposes:

stickguy

Cheap on the gladiator. If I was needing a 2nd car and wanted a cheaper lease now that I would look at! Man, my wife would likely hate it though

28firefighter

I find the Gladiator more intriguing than either the Tacoma or the JGC.

stickguy

I’d definitely try a gladiator before getting a taco. At least to compare.

But the ridgeline has to be the vastly better overall car if you actually need to use it as one regularly.

pensfan83

My brother would love that Gladiator, I don't dare send something like or my Dad might have my head. They've pretty much settled on an Elantra Sport and are leaning toward a buy vs. a lease. The covered maintenance for 3 years is a nice bonus.

xwesx

Michaell said:

Back in 1991, my first wife and I bought a '91 Mazda Protege LX. Dark blue, automatic. Nice car.

A few months later, it was my turn to get something. We found an almost identical Protege, except it was light blue with a stick shift. I passed on it for the same reason your friend doesn't want another GC.

Big mistake - I ended up with the '91 Sentra SE. This was the car I took with me when I moved to Denver a couple years later. The Protege would have been a much better choice - cruise, PW, PL, PM, AC.

Sigh.

That generation of Protege was really a great package. They had nice features and space (for the time), and they also aged well.

xwesx

ab348 said:

As @Sandman6472 said yesterday after driving one, you never forget you're in a truck when in the Tacoma.

Meh. There's no such thing as a "truck ride" anymore. If those of you with Tacomas don't believe me, you're welcome to visit. I'll take you for a ride in my '69 C20. I might even let you stay for some lunch.

xwesx

stickguy said:

Wife successfully fired up google maps (well, I helped instruct) on the new car today to navigate to a doctors office she never went to before. Was proud of her. Now have to see if it sticks.

Meh. Think of it as being a bit like slinging mud.... Every time you throw it, a little more is going to stick.

qbrozen

not too keen on that color on the gladiator. that would be A LOT of blue. They have a much better looking green one, but quite a bit more just for the color.

Michaell

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Back in 1991, my first wife and I bought a '91 Mazda Protege LX. Dark blue, automatic. Nice car.

A few months later, it was my turn to get something. We found an almost identical Protege, except it was light blue with a stick shift. I passed on it for the same reason your friend doesn't want another GC.

Big mistake - I ended up with the '91 Sentra SE. This was the car I took with me when I moved to Denver a couple years later. The Protege would have been a much better choice - cruise, PW, PL, PM, AC.

Sigh.

That generation of Protege was really a great package. They had nice features and space (for the time), and they also aged well.

We took the wife's Protege on a road trip to Northern CA to attend a friends wedding. Came back through Reno and US 395 - I remember that being a long, long, long drive home. During the drive up I-5, one of us accidently bumped the shift lever into Neutral - scared the bejesus out of both of us when the engine revved up to 5-6K.

But, the car itself was really well put together. Would have loved the ES trim with the twin-cam engine. But, the 7/8-scale E-Class look was quite handsome.

qbrozen

oh, wait a sec. That blue one is a SOFT TOP. Hell no.

stickguy

I prefer the green, but not at nearly $1,000 more over a 2 year lease!

Though I do drive a bright red car now.

added bonus to that blue on something that size. Super easy to find in a parking lot!

pensfan83

Looks like the Army Green that graces the TRD Pro line for Toyota.

breld

Thanks @kyfdx for clarifying the tax issue on the leased trade (and kudos to @stickguy who had it right).

Makes sense I suppose - I forgot when I traded in our leased Kia Sedona I didn't have to make up the taxes either. And appropriately, I didn't get a tax credit on the trade.

@qbrozen - fun choices! Nothing you don't know already, but it seems the JGC and Ridgeline would be easier to live with on a day-to-day basis, but the Gladiator seems like it'd be a ton of fun. Guess it depends on your expected use. One way or another, I suspect your gas mileage will increase from the Ioniq.

laurasdada

I had a couple of Chrysler prodcucts in the '90-00s: Compnay car Dodge Intrepid and a '99 300M I purchased. Besides communist block build quality, each were reliable, a bit noisy and fun to drive for yacht sized sedans. However, no way was I going to keep 'em past 70k miles; I could hear the tranny of my 300M actually counting down/ticking like the time bomb I'm sure it was...

Sandman6472

But by him streaming it through his Apple Car Play, won't that eat up his data unless they have an unlimited plan? I know when I streamed XM through my phone in the chase van, it used up a lot of power like Waze does but also used up a lot of our data and we don't have an unlimited data plan with our AT&T account.
I know at work now, I use either my iPhone and listen to my iTunes or I have a usb flash drive with a good part of my iTunes music on it. Just easier to put the flash drive into the usb port of the vehicle and listen that way. No more using my iPhone and cord to listen.

Michaell

Well, darn.

Just read an article where VW wanted to put the turbo 5-cyl engine from the RS3 into the next iteration of the Golf R.

Audi flatly refused the request.

tjc78

Sure it will use data. I tend to forget about that as we have the top unlimited plan with AT&T. When we are at the shore house cellular is the only internet as their WiFi stinks especially for the price.

andres3

Michaell said:

Well, darn.

Just read an article where VW wanted to put the turbo 5-cyl engine from the RS3 into the next iteration of the Golf R.

Audi flatly refused the request.

I think the upper badge holding the line on the lower badge has been going on a long time. Rather than trickle down, you are getting "do not improve too much" mantras.

Sandman6472

I was surprised at how nice the interior of the Corolla hatch really was. Sure it was black but looked and felt like a nice place to spend some time. Perfect size to for my side of the garage. And it has XM radio, so it could work. Definitely on the short list right now.

rayainsw

Had my first opportunity to take a real road trip in the new M340i.
Drove to Anna Ruby Falls – just outside Helen, GA.
Filled the tank this morning.
Round-trip – 153.3 miles.
DIC showed 33.2 MPG after returning to town.
[ Was not trying for max fuel mileage. ]
- Ray
Car drove sublime . . .

xwesx

Michaell said:

Well, darn.

Just read an article where VW wanted to put the turbo 5-cyl engine from the RS3 into the next iteration of the Golf R.

Audi flatly refused the request.

That's silly. Doesn't VW OWN Audi?! Hahahaha

xwesx

Just went through RockAuto's monthly newsletter (available here). It's stuff like this that keeps me coming back each month....

Kids and Cars

Toilet paper may be in short supply, but there are now plenty of children wandering around aimlessly after their schools shut down and booted them out the door. Now is a great opportunity to get kids interested in cars. A little tinkering on cars can help teach them how to use their minds and hands to prevent and solve problems. Increased confidence and competence will make them better able to handle and enjoy life's challenges.

If they have replaced heater hoses on a car, then they probably will have the confidence to replace a leaky bathroom faucet in their own homes someday. Instead of feeling helpless and panicky when the toilet paper shelves are empty, they will stay calm, trusting in their ability to come up with their own solutions if necessary; rags, shop towels, thimbleberry leaves, dad's old hankies... (note: RockAuto is not suggesting using shop cloth/towels or any other parts or products for non-automotive uses. Be sure to consult the proper authorities (medical, legal, government, plumbing, botanical, etc.) before using anything new for personal hygiene.)

While their high school education is on hold, I plan on helping my youngest daughter get to work changing the Spark Plugs and Coil-On-Plug Boots on the transverse V6 in her 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe and help my oldest daughter install a Back Up Camera System in the family van, a 1992 Dodge B250.

Car "tinkering" does not have to start big. A child's first car project could be as simple as learning how to properly wash a car. It is easy to forget that a younger child may not even yet know how to connect a garden hose to a spigot. He/she will beam with pride once he/she has that knowledge and sees how nice the family vehicle looks after winter grime is washed away. The adults involved in all this mentoring will have memories of good times spent with the kids that drown out insignificant memories of empty toilet paper shelves.

Tom Taylor

stickguy

music streaming does not use up all that much data. And I don't drive constantly so the actual amount of hours will not be that high. and if you buy more data that is offset by not paying a 2nd XM subscription.

right now we share 3 gigs and didn't come close to using that all up last month.