What Car Should I Get?

[KingM]

Back in 2005 I asked a similar question and after all of the hand wringing about never needing a new car again, I ended up buying a Honda Pilot. It has served me well, but it's getting a bit long in tooth, and I want to buy another one. I'm thinking something smaller, since the kids will start moving out in a couple of years, at about the time I'm expecting the Pilot to die. I'd like something that is relatively inexpensive and fuel efficient and likely to last until 2020 or beyond, or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Any recommendations?

[dsula]

fiat 500 or smart.

[dsula]

or Dodge Viper, that one's cool too.

[Plantagenet]

Chevy VOLT (assuming you never have to drive more than 35 miles in a day).

[dsula]

Chevy VOLT (assuming you never have to drive more than 35 miles in a day).

Never ever get a hybrid or electric. Better take the bus from Essex or Willison to Burlington, then.

[dinopello]

Get a 1972 Gran Torino with a rebuilt 351 Cleveland. You can get them around for about 17K. You can be like Clint and argue with chairs.

Those old muscle cars are fun to drive. The last I drove regularly was a 69 Cutlass Convertable that a friend of mine was selling and he let me tool around when I lived at the beach for advertising.

But, I see you wanted small and probably new. I am on my third Mazda, currently have a 2002 Protege5 (hatchback). They are cheap and reliable.

[SeaGypsy]

What modern car won't last 8 years or 150,000 miles? My answer: buy any bloody car you like.

[KingM]

I'm just looking for people who have good experiences with recent car purchases. I loved my old Accord, but had to sell that to accommodate the growing family, but frankly, have not been all that impressed the Pilot and am thinking of giving an American car a try. Or not. Undecided at this point.

[Shaved Monkey]

For reliability I would stick with Jap made.
Unless you have money then go German,but they will gouge you at every service.

[Logic]

Depends upon your priorities and how soon you think gas will become much more expensive or even rare/hard to get.
If not using gasoline at all is a high priority but you have to have a car that can take you long distances on occasion, I would second Plant's suggestion of a Volt. As long as you stay under 32-50 miles (depending on location and season) it will run on virtually no gas. If you regularly drive much longer distances a Prius may better fit the bill.
If looking at the Volt, leasing is much cheaper than buying at the moment. However, it may still be more expensive than you want to spend.

[seenmostofit]

Back in 2005 I asked a similar question and after all of the hand wringing about never needing a new car again, I ended up buying a Honda Pilot. It has served me well, but it's getting a bit long in tooth, and I want to buy another one. I'm thinking something smaller, since the kids will start moving out in a couple of years, at about the time I'm expecting the Pilot to die. I'd like something that is relatively inexpensive and fuel efficient and likely to last until 2020 or beyond, or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Any recommendations?

relatively inexpensive and fuel efficient? Sure. I tracked down a 2011 Ford Fiesta, 3200 miles on it, 5 speed stick, local trade, offered them $10.5K and they took it. 31 mpg around town, 40-42 mpg at 75 mph cruising, 41-45 mpg at 60 mph cruising. A/C, power locks and keyfob for keyless entry, get a cable, hook up your iphone to the decent radio, and you are in business. Fine for two adults, small kids in the back (bit short on legroom for adults). Easiest car to change the oil on I've ever owned, cheap insurance, etc etc.

21k on it now, no problems.

[bochen280]

Back in 2005 I asked a similar question and after all of the hand wringing about never needing a new car again, I ended up buying a Honda Pilot. It has served me well, but it's getting a bit long in tooth, and I want to buy another one. I'm thinking something smaller, since the kids will start moving out in a couple of years, at about the time I'm expecting the Pilot to die. I'd like something that is relatively inexpensive and fuel efficient and likely to last until 2020 or beyond, or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Any recommendations?

[Beery1]

Raleigh Sojourn.
It's relatively inexpensive, VERY fuel efficient and likely to last until well after 2020, and easily able to go 150,000 miles without even filling up the tank.

[EdwinSm]

Fiat Panda - easy to get in and out if you develope back problems, four passanger doors and hatchback. Same mileage as the smaller Fiat Punto.

But for this forum I am sure some will demand that you get a 'Gold standard' car rather than a Fiat

(ps. the badge names might be different in the USA from Europe)

[SeaGypsy]

To me a 10 year old car with 180,000 on it is something I can afford. A recent convert to little diesels; after running a 24' RV around Oz for a few years and finding it's 3.5 litre diesel as efficient as a standard petrol 6 pulling a car if driven appropriately. My ancient Peugeot turbo diesel 1.8 is the best little goer I have driven. 1000km a tank (600 mile) city, 1200 country, on 60 litres. Haven't had a chance to put the boot into it and see what it would do, but very easy 120kmh on quarter throttle. Plus I can run it on coconut oil (or whatever) when push comes to shove. Friend of mine runs his toyota diesel bush truck on the oil from the local chicken chain. Smells like roast chicken and chips when he drives past. Aint gonna save the world, but it's doable without wrecking your engine, unlike petrol alternatives; besides being novel.

[SILENTTODD]

Raleigh Sojourn.
It's relatively inexpensive, VERY fuel efficient and likely to last until well after 2020, and easily able to go 150,000 miles without even filling up the tank.

I'm with Berry1! Now a days you can even get one of these beauties with disc brakes!

[Blacksmith]

This is a no brainer. Get a Volt from Government Motors. Where else but from a union owned company with a huge government bailout can you get a car that costs $75,000 to make for a list price of $41,000. That's a huge savings of $34,000. Where else in this crazy world can you get a deal like that.

[seenmostofit]

This is a no brainer. Get a Volt from Government Motors. Where else but from a union owned company with a huge government bailout can you get a car that costs $75,000 to make for a list price of $41,000. That's a huge savings of $34,000. Where else in this crazy world can you get a deal like that.

Actually, the gov then throws in a few tax rebates and presto! Get your Volt for less than $30G's!

However, while the Volt is a wonderful solution to the current peak oil / fuel price crisis, it is not for everyone. A garage comes in handy for a place to charge it, a suburban/urban location/destination is needed to take advantage of its EV range to avoid using gasoline, etc etc. But it is a one of a kind auto for the right commuter, and for the price you pay for what you get, it is truly exceptional.

[KingM]

To me a 10 year old car with 180,000 on it is something I can afford.

Fortunately, I didn't take the bunker advice on this web site and I can afford a new car. As for the bike comments, that's great until I need to drive around VT, picking up groceries, getting my kids to soccer and from school, etc, or when the snow starts falling in another six weeks or so.

[Quinny]

My mum's just bought a Hyundai i10. I've driven it and it's brilliant!