My car current car is 16 years old and sounds like a lawn mower when starting. It recently spilled (read exploded) coolant over the eclectics and killed most of them. Any suggestions from the community?
Budget?
How important is the driving experience? Do you lean more toward comfort or performance?
Fuel economy a big deal or not a top priority?
Body style preference?
Take a look at Consumer Reports for info on cars in the category of car you are interested in. Each April they have 5? 6? years of reliability and comment on new car/model change cars. Based on personal experience this is useful. I had a car that was on their breaks a lot list - yup it did. My current car is on the doesn’t break all that much list - that’s about right too.
Honda, Honda, Honda. My Civic’s a 2008, I haven’t paid a cent in maintenance repairs yet. I change the oil regularly, change the tires, brakes, battery and other consumables as needed, and drive like every trip to the supermarket is the Daytona 500.
seriously consider something electric. either hybrid, plug in hybrid, or battery electric.
the Future is electric.
my Brother is a V8 Pickup and Pony car guy. the last 4 cars he’s purchased until recently went Mustang, Challenger, Mustang, Challenger.( all used as commuter cars.)
last summer he bought a used Volt.
LOVES IT! Now wishes he had bought one back when they came out instead of the first challenger…
/image Ford expedition
I love my expedition, but I also haul around all of my search and rescue gear all the time, occasionally tow, and now I have a baby. My four mile commute kind of makes the 11mpg not really matter, because even my old car that was rated for 30mpg only got 18 during the work week.
@cinoclav Zoom Zoom! I owned a Mazda 626 that got me through college. I was gonna buy a new Mazda 6 after getting my first job in my field of study, but instead landed in an Impala (still drive to this day) because it had more interior space and slightly better gas mileage.
@medz The new 6’s are really sweet. I’ve been thinking of one as my next vehicle. If only they were available with AWD. Between skiing and having to get to work in bad weather, I’m not sure it would work for me.
Hot Wheels. I’ve had several over the years and none have had issues sounding like a lawnmower or running after a spill. The car line is huge with a lot of variety and will fit most budgets.
Get one with leather.
Too much maintenance - get one without.
Rich CORINTHIAN leather.
I’d get a '69 Camaro, if I were you.
Needs analysis. Budget? Primary use? Cargo and passenger capacity? Cool factor? Parking space?
Budget?
How important is the driving experience? Do you lean more toward comfort or performance?
Fuel economy a big deal or not a top priority?
Body style preference?
Subaru.
VW beetles
Something styled by Sergio Pininfarina:
@aetris How about one of these, though not by Sergio it IS a Pinanfarina design…
@earlyre the cup holders are crap in that one.
I didn’t know those were pininfarina designed. That is the only redeeming factor I’ve found for them. They make truly shitty sodas.
@djslack - You’re missing the whole point of Pininfarina - it’s what’s OUTSIDE that matters!
I’ve got a newer Kia Optima (sxl) and love it. Worth looking into.
I am very big on safety features. Whatever car you get make sure to get the updates safety features. All the air bags, lane control, ECT.
@CaptAmehrican I think safety is over-rated.
Stick with a pre-seatbelt American made Chevy with a V-8.
Maybe a '57 Bel Air?
Lane control is your mirrors. Air bag is the bag of french fries on your lap.
Throw caution to the wind & have fun!!
@daveinwarsh actually a 61 convert with a 409 will get your jollies better. Don’t miss a shift though.
@daveinwarsh But not an X-frame GM, please.
Take a look at Consumer Reports for info on cars in the category of car you are interested in. Each April they have 5? 6? years of reliability and comment on new car/model change cars. Based on personal experience this is useful. I had a car that was on their breaks a lot list - yup it did. My current car is on the doesn’t break all that much list - that’s about right too.
go to a dealer where all of the sales men wear terrible sport coats?
Honda, Honda, Honda. My Civic’s a 2008, I haven’t paid a cent in maintenance repairs yet. I change the oil regularly, change the tires, brakes, battery and other consumables as needed, and drive like every trip to the supermarket is the Daytona 500.
A Prius. Rarely needs work, has great cup holders.
@cranky1950 cup holders are great. I don’t know if I’d ever get another prius though unless I knew I was only going to keep it for 10 years or less.
@RiotDemon Exactly, I’m driving this one till the wheels fall off.
seriously consider something electric. either hybrid, plug in hybrid, or battery electric.
the Future is electric.
my Brother is a V8 Pickup and Pony car guy. the last 4 cars he’s purchased until recently went Mustang, Challenger, Mustang, Challenger.( all used as commuter cars.)
last summer he bought a used Volt.
LOVES IT! Now wishes he had bought one back when they came out instead of the first challenger…
/image delta 88
@medz They ain’t no mo.
@cranky1950 I bought one for $500 and it got me through most of highschool
@medz oh sure 25 years ago.
Subaru
/image Ford expedition
I love my expedition, but I also haul around all of my search and rescue gear all the time, occasionally tow, and now I have a baby. My four mile commute kind of makes the 11mpg not really matter, because even my old car that was rated for 30mpg only got 18 during the work week.
/image the Homer
Consumer Reports article on best new car deals:
https://www.consumerreports.org/new-cars/best-new-car-deals/
Mazda CX-5.
/image mazda cx-5
@OldCatLady Seconded. That’s mine parked behind my gf’s 3 the day she bought it. I’ve become a big Mazda fan.
@cinoclav Zoom Zoom! I owned a Mazda 626 that got me through college. I was gonna buy a new Mazda 6 after getting my first job in my field of study, but instead landed in an Impala (still drive to this day) because it had more interior space and slightly better gas mileage.
@medz The new 6’s are really sweet. I’ve been thinking of one as my next vehicle. If only they were available with AWD. Between skiing and having to get to work in bad weather, I’m not sure it would work for me.
Problem? SOLVED.
@haydesigner And be subjected to endless memes? Think of the pedestrians, dammit!
Hot Wheels. I’ve had several over the years and none have had issues sounding like a lawnmower or running after a spill. The car line is huge with a lot of variety and will fit most budgets.
/image mitsubishi starwagon 1991
