OT: need to get a new car, any suggestions? Options

[andys]

Andy,

If your immediate need is a daily driver, I suggest you go with a small Japanese sedan, preferably Honda or Toyota. When the time comes to tow your 914, sell the car and get yourself a mid-sized truck. The Honda/Toyota hold their resale value, and are easy to sell (a very important advantage). The new crop of Toyota Tacoma's and Nissan Frontier's are both powerful and are rated quite high for towing capacity, and by then the used prices will have dropped to something more affordable. I own an '05 Tacoma TRD. It is no longer a small compact truck, 245HP 4.0L V6 and has a very high (I'll have to check to be sure) towing capacity. The Frontier is 265HP and is rated even higher for towing capacity.

Andys

[TravisNeff]

Make sure you fit in a Honda comfortably. I hit my head on Kylie's Civic unless I put the seat way back so that my arms are at full extension to reach the steering wheel. It drives me NUTS. Also the rear view mirror is right in my field of vision all the time. I hate it! Other than that it drives ok I guess. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
My ex has a 2004 2 door civic. Getting in and out is a pain just as Jeff states.

I got a used 2004 dodge neon 32-36mpg with 36K miles for 10K a year ago. I doubt it will last as long as a honda but it is pretty roomy inside for the overall size. And 15K miles later it has no issues.

[Ferg]

My vote... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-Dodge-...1QQcmdZViewItem

Ferg

[Porcharu]

since you're planning on tracking the 3.6... sadly, i'd say to get a truck.

a full size half-ton truck from the late 90's/early 00's with 60k+ will have depreciated enough to easily fit into that budget. the down size is the 20mpg and dirty looks from SF vegan peace-activists -- but it can tow, haul parts, and still be reliable enough for daily use.

20 MPG - more like 8-12 in commute driving.
Get your self a real truck if you want to tow without stress. A 3/4 or 1 ton diesel (I would get a Dodge, I have a Ford - the Dodge has a better engine the Ford is a better chassis take your pick) with a manual transmission - I hate, hate and hate the auto trans I got stuck with, when it fails it will be replaced with a 6 speed manual. This combo will get you 20+ mpg and you can tow anything and arrive at your destination ready to go. A half ton towing a car on a trailer is a handful and will wear you out. I towed a 7500 pound trailer with my 1 ton 700 miles in one shot and was able to unload my mill when I got home. I only got 16MPG on that trip.

[r_towle]

I always ask this question...

If you put 300 per month into your current car...would it work ok...
Would you have to do that for three years to keep it running?

First choice would be
any of the three cheap VW products, all under 17k today, and could be had for less than 300 per month.

Second
Jeep liberty 14k new

Last
A ford truck..the rest will die on you.

Rich

[Porcharu]

If you want a bullet proof plain and simple car that you can fix with duct tape and some wire look into an OldVo. Early 80's Volvos are fantastic basic cars (and you can turbo them or toss in V8...) My daily driver was an 81' 240 for 5 years. Now I have a much nicer 80' 240 that I plan on driving another 10 years.
Steve

[Lou W]

I have an 2004 Chev. Silverado 1/2 ton shortbed that I bought new, 68914 miles on it now. It has the 4.8 litre V8. It gets consistantly 17 mpg back and forth between Riverside CA and Roseburg OR averaging about 80 mph. My biggest concern was buying a truck that could tow and still manuver easily in the city where parking can be a problem.

My previous truck was a 2003 Toyota Tundra, which I think would also be a very good choice.

[cnavarro]

My appliance is an '06 aveo 5 door. Cheap, lots of room, quiet, good warranty. Not much more you can expect for $12000. Plus 0% APR. I don't hate it, I don't love it. It gets the job done. It can move out of it's own way (manual only) and the a/c doesn't kill acceleration. Tons of head room. Lots of air bags. Radio sucks, replaced that for $100 to let me plug in my ipod. Lets me spend the rest of my money on the P car. I let the wife drive a W8 Passat. That's my compromise.

[Sparky]

I'm not gonna wade thru all the friggin posts, yet. I need more port first. Contact your local bank/credit union and find out when their next repo sale is. Most have them or dump them to the local auto auction service. Look for a good private deal either thru craigslist or your local want ads. Stay away from evilbay...