Hey all you car geeks out there - I need advice.
1Okay here goes.
I’ve driven Toyota’s for a long time. Corolla to Rav4 to Prius (now a Prius V). It’s time for something new. I actually was considering a Rav Hybrid but I’m torn.
First, I have a very narrow 1 car garage now. Second, hybrid’s are expensive, not that I won’t pay it, but over the years, gas hasn’t gone up, in fact has gone down from where it capped, and i’m not sure with as little driving as I do these days if it is really worth it. (about 5 miles a day, really.)
What I need:
Decent covered cargo space
I don’t really want a trunk, they are annoying.
Not to low to the ground, not to tall
Not wider than the V by much, and if it is wider it probably needs to be a bit shorter,
Just looking for ideas where to look or whether I should just suck it up and go back to a Rav (loved the one I had before)
- 24 comments, 60 replies
- Comment
I know you are not really interested in a hybrid anymore, but I love my Prius C. It is small, and will fit in the garage with room to spare. I can usually fit 7-10 grocery bags in the trunk, and there is a good amount of space in the back seat.
Subaru Crosstrek ❤️
@heartny I love mine!
@Cerridwyn It also comes in a Hybrid version if you’re interested in that.
@jbartus I’m on my second Crosstrek, after having had 3 Foresters. My last one was blue, as were my 3 Foresters. My new Crosstrek is the special edition red one, since I was trying to get as far away from blue as possible. I hope I don’t get any speeding tickets.
@heartny the red one is sick! I kind’ve want the Tangerine Orange Pearl they had in '13 but not enough to buy a launch year car. Sunrise Yellow is awesome too but IDK if I could do yellow.
@jbartus Be glad you didn’t buy a launch year car. I was constantly adding oil to mine. It’s a known issue, but not under recall. While the orange was interesting/different, I wasn’t too keen on driving around in a pumpkin. The yellow special edition was also interesting, but buying a lemon-colored car is just asking for trouble. The interior of the red one is what really sold me on getting that color.
@heartny what was so special about the interior?
@jbartus It’s black with red trim or stitching and looks quite snazzy. The floor lights are red at night. If you go to http://www.subaru.com/2016-crosstrek-special-edition.html, click on the “See the interior and exterior” link and on the next page at the top click “Interior”. There are some other photos here: http://www.cars101.com/subaru/crosstrek/crosstrek2016photos3.html. I never liked the two-tone color combinations the regular editions, as they look rather cheap to me. I have a long commute to and from work, so I felt the interior was somewhat important since I have to look at it for so long.
@heartny oh, snazzy.
@heartny I’ll throw my rec in for anything Subaru.
The new rav4s are quite nice. My fiancee wants one, so I’m sure one is in our future. The Crosstrek has had my eye for a while now as well.
I cannot speak highly enough of my Hyundai Veloster. It is smaller and may qualify as too low to the ground, but it certainly would park well in a small garage. It has a surprising amount of cargo space because the rear seats fold flat and the hatch opens above them, about 1/3 of the way up the (single) back door. You can fit some surprisingly large things in there. I’ve put 106K miles on mine and only had one problem (the battery, which was replaced under warranty).
Regarding the hybrid option, don’t forget about the other primary advantage of hybrid vehicles: reduced emissions, smaller carbon footprint, better for my planet. Anything you can do to preserve my planet is much appreciated.
Oh ya, and what about the children, do it for the polar bears, etc etc.
Reserve your Tesla Model 3 today!
@givemeyoursoul And wait. I reserved one on the second day it was offered and I’m like 300,000th in line. As it stands, they wont start rolling off the production line until late 2017 and more likely Q1 2018. But I’m patient and my car is fine for now.
@ACraigL You make Tesla money? That is insane, what are you doing on a daily deals site? That’s my dream(and maybe in another life) car. I was going to comment about @Cerridwyn having new Toyota money. Even a Toyota Camry is over 30,000.
@growyoungagain The Model 3 is the mass production $35K Tesla for the everyman–the one that the people that make Tesla money have been funding R&D for.
@djslack I looked it up after I posted and saw that it starts at $35,000. I was thinking of the models that the celebs. drive.
@growyoungagain @djslack Yep, that’s the one. I definitely don’t have S or X money, but I think I can swing a Model 3. What I do have is a 2004 Infiniti G35X, purchased new, which has only 62k miles on it (I take the train to work). I love the car, but the tech is so old in it that I really want an upgrade (at some point).
That said, once you add in the options (autodrive, weather packages, etc) the price will still balloon up to 50k or more. But given that I’ve had no car payments for 12 years, I’m willing to consider it once they become available.
I have liked my two Honda Fits. Small on the outside, big inside. My GF is attracted to the HR-V for the AWD. But I’m thinking about the Prius V for my next car cuz it’s bigger, quieter.
@cerridwyn for that short of a commute you are nearly ideal for either a Pure EV, or a Plug in Hybrid.
my commute is twice yours (a Whole 10 Mi round trip) and if i could afford the associated “ego tax”(ie: the hybrid/EV premium you kind of referred to) an EV would definitely be in my sights for my next vehicle.
Nissan Leaf maybe? I hear decent used ones can be had quite cheaply…
that all being said, two vehicles that hold a special place in my “if i had the money right now” fantasies currently are the crosstrek, and the Jeep Renegade.(which is really a Fiat 500x under it’s jeep flash)
and if those are too big, I’ve REALLY wanted to get a Fiat 500 for a while, they just look like they’d be so damn fun to drive…
@earlyre I would NOT recommend any Fiat/Chrysler product. “Fix It Again Tony” still applies.
@narfcake oh ye of little faith…
There are a few lemons and everyone poo-poos on the whole brand…
@earlyre “This year we gathered data on more than half a million vehicles …”
… and the results are:
Chrysler - 22nd
Dodge - 23rd
Ram - 26th
Jeep - 27th
Fiat - 28th
Total brands - 28.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cars/how-car-brands-compare-for-reliability/
And I don’t think Alfa Romeo is going to help them any bit, what with not being able to get up a normal driveway.
@narfcake a neighbor has that Alpha. Everybody hates him. It sounds like a gorilla pissing in a coffee can. Nothing musical about it. Just irritating. And he seems to like triggering the double clutch tranny twice as often as is necessary, further adding to the irritation.
Get a plug-in hybrid. Great for short distances like yours, but can still use gas for those longer trips.
I am pretty sure it is not the best overall, but the Ford C-Max is pretty big and comfortable for a hybrid. (The trunk space sucks, but you can lower the two back seats if you ever need to get something big in there.) Really high roof!
@ELUNO YES! I always seem to forget about the C-Max, but it certainly should be in the running…
it looks a bit like a bloated focus(which it is)
but no “uglier” than a Prius.
@earlyre It is a focus that wants to be an Escape. It is pretty comfortable, and it even has space for three people on the back.
Toyota, smoyota, how much crap do you have carry? “Fun to drive” has never been the forte of the Japanese version of a Buick.
@anthonymiller8 The MR2 was a blast to drive…
/image 2000 Toyota mr2
Get a MINI
I’ve had 3 so far 
/image volvo 940 wagon
For that short of a commute, a hybrid or EV is not going to be cost effective in terms of the higher cost vs. fuel savings.
Have you checked out the Honda Fit or HRV? If you don’t mind the boxiness, maybe a Kia Soul?
@narfcake
My KIA soul has needed 1 alternator, 1 cabin fan, 1 clutch, 1 cabin fan switch, a compressor, a condenser, over about 240k miles.
Plus brakes tires oil. Not so bad.
Not my only car, but is the one I drive the hell out of.
Subaru Forester.
Elio - $7K and 80mpg. And it’s classified as a motorcycle so you can use HOV lanes. www.elio.com
@mbharrington … and you might get it never!
http://jalopnik.com/elio-motors-just-delayed-its-deliveries-again-again-1764881066
They still don’t have any definitive engines either, let alone having gone through the whole EPA approval process. Their prototypes are still running on engines from the Geo Metro, which hasn’t been sold in the US since 2001 and has been out of production since 2003.
@mbharrington have to admit it is damned cute
@mbharrington This is supposedly being built in my neck of the woods. There’s not much going on yet towards production.
If it does get made, sells around the price they propose, and is not a steaming pile of shit I’ll buy one in a heartbeat. But I have been burned by one too many kickstarter campaigns to have put any kind of down payment on one in concept form.
@mbharrington You are safer on a motorcycle, because if you see an accident about to happen at least you can lay the bike down and slide.(if you’re wearing leathers or kevlar) With the smart car or this proto.you’d just get smushed.OUCH!!!
@growyoungagain 3 wheelers can lay and slide too!
@narfcake haha…
“How do you drive it?”
“In straight lines.”
Mazda 3 Hatchback or go slightly larger with the CX-3. I drive a CX-5 and love it.
@cinoclav @Cerridwyn I’ve loved my CX-5 since I gave it to myself for a birthday present two years ago. Before that I had a Highlander, before that a Camry. If I were to trade up I’d go CX-7.
@cinoclav Mazda 3s are great. Mine is a 2012 and gets over 40mpg on the Highway, about 38 average. Its easy to get a good deal on certified used ones. Its also not hard to park in tight places.
@OldCatLady @jkump150 You’d kind of be trading down with a CX-7 since they’re not made anymore. I’m actually driving my gf’s 3 today. I had a flat yesterday and can’t find the source. As I drive about 37 miles to work and it’s mostly highway I didn’t want to drive on the spare. Nothing like trying to keep your speed down while everyone else is blowing by you doing 80. I’m almost due for new tires anyway so I may just replace them all tomorrow. Driving the 3 is always fun and a nice change of pace. When it’s time to replace the CX-5 I may seriously consider a 6.
@cinoclav You know of the soapy water method, right? I usually start at the valve stem, then work your way around.
/youtube soapy water to check tires
@cinoclav Well, crap. Now I have to adjust my Christmas list. Hey, Santa-
@narfcake I’m well aware of it. Tried it last night to no avail. The OEM’s are Toyo A23’s and don’t have particularly good reviews for tread life. I’m over 35,000 miles in 18 months and I don’t feel like there’s enough tread to get me through the winter. I could possibly get another 5k out of them but they’re getting slick on wet roads and I absolutely have to get to work when it snows. Pretty sure I’m switching to Continental TrueContacts. Great reviews, 90k tread-life, which means I should at least get 50k out of them.
@cinoclav Yeah, replace them.
@narfcake PIcked up a depth gauge to verify my gut feelings. Yup - Pretty much measuring 4/32" all the way around so it’s definitely time to replace them. I could pick up the tires I want at a Tire Rack warehouse in Delaware and have them installed near there. However, I spoke to a local retailer (Mavis) and persuaded them to match the ‘out the door’ price I would’ve paid. There’s a rebate so final cost will be $696. Not too horrible for great tires that are 225/55R19.
@OldCatLady We love our Highlander Hybrid - “Scottie”
What about Scion? I currently drive and LOVE my Scion Xb. Scion was made by Toyota…and is currently Toyota.
@lilsrm123 Yeah, they are no longer going to be calling them Scions. My family had a 2005 tC which is being discontinued this year. It was cheaply made, honestly. I’m not sure if they got any better after the years.
@RiotDemon the entire Scion line was targeted as first cars for college kids who are likely to beat it up and not have big money for repairs. Cheap was kind of the name of the game
@lilsrm123 Scions were targeted at 20-30yr old unemployed males… They’re the douchbag car for millennials… (As opposed to douchebags in the 90s that drove Eclipses)
@jbartus And they weren’t really that cheap.
@lilsrm123 True, they were cheap. But reliable (hince Toyota) Had mine for over 6 years now, drove it from NY to Texas and back, Has 140k miles on it, and still rides wonderful for me.
Chevrolet Volt…we had a 2011 and the newer model Volts have even better mileage per charge than our ❤️2011. Wish we didn’t have to sell it but when I lost my job, we had two car notes and one car note had to go. Put both cars with car notes up for sale and our Volt is the one that sold.
@AttyVette I agree on the volt, never thought I would buy a Chevy but the Volt is awesome, it still qualifies for the federal $7500 tax rebate too
This isn’t even a real question! Seriously, pony up and get the damn rav you want. Your dad would have or will tell you the same, "buy good shit. . .the stuff you really want, even if it costs more. You only live once, or in my case - 1/2. Otherwise you are going to walk around telling people how you had a rav four and you shoulda got another one. . .and that is gonna be annoying for you and everyone else.
For fun! http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/quiz-which-car-matches-your-personality.aspx
@galmaegi I’m a Ford F-150. Which is totally wrong. Totally. But it was fun, I guess.
@galmaegi It suggested a Jaguar convertible. YEAH right! – I like my cars to work more than just “some of the time”.
/image Lucas smoke
@ACraigL I got a Tesla Model S. “You are an environmentally conscious person.” is what they say.
@galmaegi I got Mini Cooper. “You’ve got that carefree, fun personality that people gravitate to.” I’ll take it as long as it has AWD so I can get to the ski slopes.
@ACraigL Me to, LOL, and sorry, wouldn’t be caught dead in one. And there was no right answer to any of those questions
@ACraigL same here, also completely wrong.
@narfcake Hey there’s a 2004 XK8 w/ less than 50k miles for sale in Roanoke, VA. I think it can be had for $8-9000. I’ve heard these hold up pretty well
@compunaut
It is certain
/8ball Is $8000 of catshirts a better use of money than a 12-year old Jaguar?
@narfcake You’ll never be able to wear $8000 worth of catshirts
@compunaut Not saying that I would, but apparently, I’d be better off than with the Jag
/8ball Has the /8ball ever been wrong?
Concentrate and ask again
@narfcake And if you want to take a trip, the catshirts won’t take you there. Unless it’s an imaginary one
/giphy imaginary trip
@compunaut There’s nothing imaginary about this catshirt. Nope! None at all!
http://shirt.woot.com/offers/cat-drinking-coffee
F150.
Couldn’t pick a celebrity. Perhaps if they’d had a serious peacemaker, writer, scientist, techhead, or hero on the list.
And then there was that celebrity whose most important attribute was left out of the recitation of accomplishments. Hmmm.
/giphy f150
All you various car geeks:
Filter out all POS vehicles.
Now, which are the contenders for the lowest cost of ownership-per-mile?
Must have decent a/c. Not be hideously expensive to repair or need bunches or repairs. At least somewhat safe. Kinda comfy. A little space to carry random boxes, like a wagon or mini-wagon. Hopefully not trendy. Ok be a car nobody loves and everyone wants something else cause so boring. Whatever.
Would be extra-cool if owner were likely to get 350k miles off the original engine.
Results? Thoughts?
@f00l My gut feeling is:
Used: 2nd gen. Scion xB.
New: Prius V.
Burgundy Subaru Crosstrek.
Thanks all
@Cerridwyn Pure Red Special Edition Subaru Crosstrek as well.
@Cerridwyn Congrats, enjoy it!
@Cerridwyn Congrats!
@Cerridwyn Welcome to the Subie family! I’ve owned 5 Subarus. Have never been let down yet.
@Cerridwyn Oh, congrats! Didn’t realize you were the one who started this topic. Welcome to the Subaru family! I hope you’ll love it here. I’ve had 3 Foresters and I’m on my second Crosstrek. You might want to join the Crosstrek forum at http://www.subaruxvforum.com if you have any questions or need additional information about the car from other owners. Now that Subaru dropped the “XV” from the name, I guess they may need to change the forum name too
Honda Element. When my 25 year old ghetto van blew an engine bearing I bought a 10 year old one. So far one repair when I first bought it and from there on out (20 mo later) nothing other than routine maintenance. It only has around 169,000 miles on it. Gas milage isn’t all that great - around 23 mpg but then considering it is a box on wheels that isn’t bad and is better than the ghetto van. I do miss the van’s space though.
/image 1968 rebel rambler station wagon
