So, what vehicle should I buy?

[shuamort]

Backstory:After many years of not driving (about 5), I got a car for a couple months. I live and work 3 blocks apart and hadn't needed or wanted one, but my parents are moving out of state and wanted me to use their car 'til spring. Well, whaddya know, I actually like having one. So, after I bring 'em their car in April, I'm going to buy a new one for myself.

Here's the question. What should I get? What is a politically and relatively environmentally sound car to buy? I've been looking at the hybrids and the flex fuel E-85 cars.

Any ideas/comments?

 

[GarzaUK]

All I know is don't buy American hybrid cars. I heard they break down too much. But I don't know if you guys can get hands on European or Japanese models. Probably be more expensive too. That's all I know.

 

[kal-el]

From my experience working on cars, busting my knuckles, I would say don't purchase a Ford or a Chrysler, as those cars are a bitch to work on. But on the bright side, the only tools required to work on a ford is a slegehammer and duc tape!:lol: They tend to have all sorts of problems after the warranty expires. If I were in the market to buy a new car, it would probably be a foreign car of some type. Honda's and Subaru's tend to not really have many problems.

 

[jamesrage]

Backstory:After many years of not driving (about 5), I got a car for a couple months. I live and work 3 blocks apart and hadn't needed or wanted one, but my parents are moving out of state and wanted me to use their car 'til spring. Well, whaddya know, I actually like having one. So, after I bring 'em their car in April, I'm going to buy a new one for myself.

Here's the question. What should I get? What is a politically and relatively environmentally sound car to buy? I've been looking at the hybrids and the flex fuel E-85 cars.

Any ideas/comments?

If you are poor like me then get a cheap car for under a $1000.If you doing quite well and hate driving to a gas station alot then get a hybrid.If moeny does not matter then get what you want.

 

[Deegan]

Pinto, black, with Krager mags.....yes, that would be you exactly.

 

[128shot]

I'd buy a chrysler right now.


2 free years of gas? Hot dang

 

[The Real McCoy]

From my experience working on cars, busting my knuckles, I would say don't purchase a Ford or a Chrysler, as those cars are a bitch to work on.

Agreed. 100%

shuamort, if you're in the market for a hybrid I'd say go with the Honda Civic.

 

[SKILMATIC]

Here is a list to go by. Honda hybrids(ie civic or accord or insight) Toyota(ie prius). Those you cant go wrong. IMO I would get a prius just because i love toyotas but thats just me.

However, I hear in about 5 years there will many many many more to chose from. They also have suv hybrids like the toyota rx400.

 

[ShullsM]

I say go Honda, Nissan, or Subura. I've had luck with all of those cars and they seem to go forever. That's what makes or breaks the deal for me. I just want a car that will run into the ground.

 

[aps]

I vote for the Toyota hybrid. I know several people who bought that car because Virginia allows people in hybrid cars to use HOV lanes. Anyway, they all love that car.

Toyota makes great cars. My parents have been buying Toyotas since 1984 and they have always loved their cars. My mom gave me her 1994 Camry, and it's still in fantastic shape.

You will save tons of money on gas using a hybrid, and what I am told, it has good acceleration.

 

[SKILMATIC]

I vote for the Toyota hybrid. I know several people who bought that car because Virginia allows people in hybrid cars to use HOV lanes. Anyway, they all love that car.

Toyota makes great cars. My parents have been buying Toyotas since 1984 and they have always loved their cars. My mom gave me her 1994 Camry, and it's still in fantastic shape.

You will save tons of money on gas using a hybrid, and what I am told, it has good acceleration.

Yeah toyotas the shiznit

 

[Billo_Really]

A '67 Shelby GT Cobra! You need a chick magnet.

 

[SKILMATIC]

A '67 Shelby GT Cobra! You need a chick magnet.

Hey cumquat, he is looking for a hybrid or somehting with very few emissions and economy. Shelby offers the opposite of that. :rofl

 

[alphieb]

Buy a 1967 Cadillac boat. It will help GM.

 

[Billo_Really]

Originally posted by SKILMATIC:
Hey cumquat, he is looking for a hybrid or somehting with very few emissions and economy. Shelby offers the opposite of that.

Shows you how much I know about cars.

 

[SKILMATIC]

Shows you how much I know about cars.

I was just messin with you.

 

[Billo_Really]

Originally posted by SKILMATIC:
I was just messin with you.

I was being truthful. When I get under the hood, I'm like Alex lost in wonderland. I hate auto-mechanics! Having to stick your fingers in places they can't go. Having to look around corners you can't get to without those telescoping mirrors. Your hands are never completely clean. And you always wind up with one more part than what you took off the car.

 

[SKILMATIC]

I was being truthful. When I get under the hood, I'm like Alex lost in wonderland. I hate auto-mechanics! Having to stick your fingers in places they can't go. Having to look around corners you can't get to without those telescoping mirrors. Your hands are never completely clean. And you always wind up with one more part than what you took off the car.

BWAHAHAHA! Silly but true.

 

[The Real McCoy]

You could also go with a Hummer H2.

 

[scottyz]

What kind of driving do you plan to do? Are you looking for utility, fuel mileage, towing capacity, comfort, speed...?

For a basic good car you should look at Honda Accords and Civics, Toyota Camrys and Accords, Mazda Protege, 3 and 6. Hyundai is getting good marks for reliablity and build quality lately plus they offer a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Based on my experiences I wouldn't touch an American made car from the last 30 years. Modern American trucks/vans are ok though.

 

[scottyz]

You could also go with a Hummer H2.

Or you could save a bundle of $$$ and buy a Tahoe or Suburban which is exactly the same thing with a different skin.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I just bought my second Ford Escape this week. First one (2003) nearly trouble free (one minor recall). This time I got the Escape Hybrid. So far -- great. First tank I got 35.43 mpg. I'll will be surprised if I can't coax 40 mpg out of it and won't be surprised if I don't eventually get 50 mpg. Plenty of power (more than the regular V6). I really like the dead silence when it is sitting still in traffic or at stop lights and the engine drops to 0 rpms. It doesn't start until about 25 mph except when pulling. I've seen the rpms drop to 0 when coasting downhill at 35 mph. The brakes regenerate power to the battery which is warranteed for eight years or 100,000 miles. So I'm unconcerned about that as well. This is one well designed SUV. Small on the outside and large on the inside, even for someone like myself who is 6'6" and 265 pounds.

I've owned about a dozen new Fords and my experience has been darn near trouble free. Earlier in the year I bought a new F-150 and it's done fine. Last two tanks have gotten about 20 mpg. I can live with that for what it is designed for. My $0.02.

P.S. There is also oodles and gobs of room under the hood in the event one wants to work on it. Personally, I just have it serviced at the local Ford dealership.

 

[SKILMATIC]

What kind of driving do you plan to do? Are you looking for utility, fuel mileage, towing capacity, comfort, speed...?

For a basic good car you should look at Honda Accords and Civics, Toyota Camrys and Accords, Mazda Protege, 3 and 6. Hyundai is getting good marks for reliablity and build quality lately plus they offer a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Based on my experiences I wouldn't touch an American made car from the last 30 years. Modern American trucks/vans are ok though.

I THINK HE WENT OVER THIS IN HIS ORIGINAL POST.

 

[teacher]

Pinto without a rear bumper.

 

[scottyz]

I THINK HE WENT OVER THIS IN HIS ORIGINAL POST.

All I see is a question about hyrbrids and E85.