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What's the best vehicle for my needs?
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I plan on driving the truck until it quits, though I've heard with proper maintenance, that 4.3 Vortec V6 will run forever. I managed to suck up some water into the engine on one day :sick: , but after draining, drying and new fluids, it runs even better (mileage actually went up from 12 to 14 after that, though I can't figure out why ). :confuse:
I've looked at numerous small SUV's (RAV4, CRV, Element, new FJ Cruiser, Escape Hybrid, HHR among many) and even some cars, though I don't really need another car since my 96 Beretta with just over 80,000 miles is still running strong and delivering right around 30 mpg.
The only requirements necessary are being able to drive the vehicle from on or half-of the passenger seat without sitting on a gear shifter and plenty of storage space.
The Element seems to fit the overall package, but I'm a little concerned with some reports of poor gas mileage, and that's just regular driving, not the hard stop-and-go I subject my truck to.
Plus, I don't know if I void any warranty coverage since I'm sure the hard work will strain some parts. I ask this because one of our other rural carriers bought a right-hand drive Jeep Wrangler (made specifically for rural mail delivery) but was told if she used it in that manner, she voided her warranty coverage. How crazy is that? :confuse:
Sorry if I rambled on, but if there are any other rural carriers out there, I'd like their thoughts. Any other thoughts are appreciated as well.
Steve
Panama City, Florida
the link is
Disabled and elderly
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Anyone got any suggestions for bigbutr or yorose?
Thanks!
tidester, host
I'll second this recommendation. The Ford Five Hundred has a similar step-in height to a minivan (I believe it's the same platform Volvo uses on its XC90 - station wagon looking thing). My mother uses a Nissan Quest (and Pontiac Montana before it) to tote my disabled 90 YO great aunt around.
I would try to find a Ford Ranger with a bench. Those things will literally run forever, and are much heavier-duty than something like an Element.
I've seen local mail carriers using Ford Escapes, but you can't get those with bench seats.
There are many crossover utility vehicles that may fit your needs. I have osteoarthritis in my hips and currently it is hard for me to get out of my Intrepid. Examples of crossovers are the Toyota Highlander, Ford Escape, Acura MDX, Mercury Mariner, Honda Pilot, etc. My favorite and the one I will buy is the Hyundai Santa Fe. I'm getting it because it is easy to get in and out of. I have also tested the Highlander and it was easy, too. The others would be similar.
Its finally time to think about my first car to use on the road. As I near 16, my old truck will just not be enough. My parents have descided to get me a new car that will be broke in before I leave for collage in the coming years. A few alternatives that I have come up with is the Kia Rio/ Hyundai Accent. Any info on those cars will be greatly appreciated. Another would be the Chevy Aveo. Possibly, I might consider the new Nissan Versa, and the Suzuki SX4. Any advice will be greatly appreciated in relations to this topic. Any input on the cars listed above or any others you would reccomend along those lines will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I am looking to get into a newer car. I dont mind used, I have '05 Tahoe now, wife has a '03 Audi A4 1.8 convertable, I want to trade in Tahoe to get something around $30,000, keping in mind we will be having babies on the way. I have never been a big import guy but am open to anything, my auto will be the main car. So i need 4 doors, not big on getting another big SUV, but would like something cool. I just need some ideas on what to look at,
Thanks
Crossovers are kind of nice in this regard because they allow you to get kids in and out of the vehicle without being a contortionist - you can plop them right in at your waist level or higher.
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Don't knock the minivans. Sales have gone up and there are more choices on the market. Best use of space in a passenger vehicle adn they get decent gas mileage. BTW if you are about to be a daddy, forget cool.
I made a mistake and bought a 2006 Scion xB. Its a great little car but not for me. Now that I owe so much on a new car the only thing I can afford is a new Ford with the 0% financing going on in my area on 06 models that havent been sold. My dream car has always been the new mustangs. I have a chance to get one of those or go with the safer choice of an 06 Ranger. I had a truck before the scion and I live in Pittsburgh, PA so the truck would be better for the winter and im also a big guy 6'2. I drove the mustang and im not uncomfortable and i freakin love it. What should I do?
(now ducking to avoid all the posts sure to follow)
Eric, how much do you owe on the Scion? What are your payments? Do you have any equity?
I suspect that the majority of advice you're going to get will be of the type "stick with the Scion until its paid off".
We'll see.
Put as much cash into the deal as you can possible afford to without going hungry. Finance as short a term as possible too. Friendly advice from some who sees $5K, $7K, $10K, $15K :surprise: negative equity on a daily basis.
I'd look at the usual suspects: Toyota Corolla -- last year of production for this generation, should be able to get deals, plus super reliability. Honda Civic, probably a tad pricey. Honda Fit, you'll love it or not. I think it's a great car.
The littler Scions, maybe. The styling is a little, uh, different. A used Protege for $10 or $11 if you can find a newish one in great condition. A cheapo Tacoma, if you can handle transporting only two people or three for short distances... GREAT resale value.
A Pontiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix if you can handle the noise. Great car otherwise, I used to own one and will again. The Vibe sometimes gives you a good deal if the incentives are aligned right. It's the only domestic I would recommend, except maybe a good deal on an '03+ Focus. The earlier ones can be a mess. Prices are low for what you get.
Oh, and get a stick if at all possible. Econoboxes with auto are a pain, with a stick, theyr'e kinda cool.
There. That ought to get you started...
-Mathias
I am sure you could get a more base model corolla for 16k OTD or less.
Thanks
british_rover is in the business, so he will be taken seriously over the phone. You're not, and chances are you will get nowhere with a phone call.The reason behind it can be found over and over on this board, I won't go into it.
For details on what stuff costs, check TMV right here on edmunds, and then go and check the "prices paid" forums for the cars you're interested in.
Be aware there is a certain amount of, ah, embellishment going on in those forums. Discount the ones that got their car "$2000 behind invoice, minus the rebates, and free oil changes for life".
If you stick to the serious posters, you'll get a good idea, I think. Most cars (probably not the Civic, yet) sell for close to invoice when new. Rebates can be found on cars.com a little easier than here on Edmunds, but they are available both places.
And always always ask the dealer nicely before you decide what to get... I've been surprised at times at what was available.
Once you've figured out a car and the price you're willing to pay, if the negotiation takes longer than ten minutes, you're doing it wrong or the store isn't run properly.
-Mathias
It also helps when you know when he is lying his [non-permissible content removed] off. The first guy my sister was with was just no good but he tightened up after I called his BS.
I think I got the car for a couple of hundred behind invoice. My sister qualified for a 400 dollar marketing support for being a recent college graduate. So they made about 200 bucks on her that way. Then they put 4650 on her VW which seemed fair to me but I don't know the market down there so maybe 5,000 dollars was real money.
She seemed to get a good rate for her credit history which is minimal so the rate was pretty high but it was also fair. She did buy an extended warranty out to 100,000 miles which I told her not to buy but she bought it anyway.
All in all they probably made 1,000 to 1,500 dollars off of her depending on what the trade was worth.
So basicly she bought the car for invoice after the 400 dollars in marketing support.
Then because of the way Toyotas distribution system is set up in most of the country it is very difficult to get certain options and impossible to special order anything.
The problem is not nearly so bad today as ABS, etc., has become virtually universal. Sadly, some companies (notably Ford) are still lagging although I will say in Ford's defense that at least theiir optional safety options are (usually) readily available.
so, is invoice a good deal or can I go lower, or what I should I do if dealer refuses to offer invoice?
thanks, advice is appreciated
also, I looked back at one of your old posts and you said that I could get a "less loaded" compared to your sisters S for 16k OTD or less. how is this possible? even a barebones LE or S is ~16k invoice, meaning OTD price would be more than 17k. maybe I'm missing something here.