growing up - getting a car
My graduation from college has forced me to do what I have put off for a long time; get a car.
In Texas one is also expected to have a car, people look at you as if you are missing a limb or two if you tell them you have no car. I view them as overrated (in terms of necessity) and overpriced, but life breaks us all.
I am a public transportation guy, and were it not for other people's aversion to using it, I would live my entire life using public transportation. I have always loathed the idea of owning a car to drive everywhere, but my job prospects are forcing me to consider the option.
Give me some recommendations people. I am looking under $20k, not necessarily new but with lowish mileage. I would like to get to 60mph in under 5 minutes, as well.
So far I am thinking 2002ish Accord or new Civic.
FIE!
In Texas one is also expected to have a car, people look at you as if you are missing a limb or two if you tell them you have no car. I view them as overrated (in terms of necessity) and overpriced, but life breaks us all.
I am a public transportation guy, and were it not for other people's aversion to using it, I would live my entire life using public transportation. I have always loathed the idea of owning a car to drive everywhere, but my job prospects are forcing me to consider the option.
Give me some recommendations people. I am looking under $20k, not necessarily new but with lowish mileage. I would like to get to 60mph in under 5 minutes, as well.
So far I am thinking 2002ish Accord or new Civic.
FIE!
Comments
....don't be afraid of going into the 150-200k miles range.
I'm 36, never owned a car and only ever drove once. Boston is a great place for public transportation (as far as omnipresence not quality or frequency but that's what books are for).
Never needed a car. Can't understand the obsession.
Actually I do love cars themselves. If I ever become the Omega Man and can drive around empty cities, maybe I'd think about getting a car.
Has had zero effect on love life too, by the way. Just have been lucky to be with women that hate the car-obsessive lifestyle equally. City dwellers do pretty well without cars.
But if ya really really need one...what the heck.
My roomate swears by his Accura.
Have you though of moving?
It is certainly not about image. My dream car is a Volvo wagon. I wouldn't even know what image to project.
I am moving... to a worse situation. The fiancee (wife in October) has a great job lined up in Houston for next May.
Houston is worse than Austin for public transportation, I think it is the 2nd largest city in the US land-wise and you must have a car. It might even be worse than LA like that, maybe not.
I like the Acuras, too, but those are too spendy for me.
How much driving do you intend to do? You can get a early 2000-ish Volvo for less than 20k, looking at the Houston Chronicle website's want ads.
I've got a Civic, but I don't consider it my dream car- it's reliable, and good in city traffic, but darty and and not well planted on the freeway.
Just don't get a VW. Their quality is in the crapper.
I am with you on the VW. Those things look cool as hell but I would rather buy a Hyundai. The fiancee's dream car is a loaded Passat, maybe that would be more reliable than a bug or the Jetta.
I'm almost dead set on a V-6. I drive hard.
If you really get a referral fee I will keep you in mind if I get something from there.
I'm going to hit up a bunch of the used car lots like Chapman Motor Sales and such. And yes, I will tell them Kimmarie Lynn sent me. (inside Austin joke)
Pros are its low purchase price (again, used), very good handling (for a large car), full standard features, comfortable (firm) ride, reasonable gas mileage (on the highway) and reasonable reliability.
Cons are that its reliability is only reasonable ? compared to the excellent reliability offered by Japanese cars - and its crappy gas mileage for city driving (it is just too heavy to be efficient in stop and start traffic). It also may be a bigger car than you want/need at this point.
Japanese cars are great, but I find that their used prices are outrageous and are not worth the money even when you factor in better reliability. Also, I generally don?t like the handling of Japanese cars on the highway. Most European cars seem to have great handling and ride all around, but are no more reliable than most U.S. models and are overpriced. I agree that you should stay well away from VWs: made in Europe pricing for a made in sweatshop quality.
But those are just my assessments. I strongly recommend that you get the annual automobile issue of Consumer Reports (I think that this is now on the newsstand) and make your own evaluation.
The big problem with Houston is that from May to September, the weather is 95 deg F, 70+% humidity, and random showers. Walking the mile or two between bus stations will be very unconfortable, possibly dangerous. Where I work, we even offer to drive people from the office to their cars if one is parked close.
Mazda 3s: 2.3L I4, 160hp w/5 speed manual, $17k. Like a Civic or a Corolla, but not boring.
Mini Cooper S: 1.6L I4 supercharged, 163hp w/5 speed manual, $20k. The non-S version will be ~$2k less. Handles like a BMW, but the 4 seater really is just a 2 seater.
If you buy used... there are too many options to list.
it'd be nice to hear more about this "social pressure" to have a car... if you mean something else than that your new home doesn't have good public transport.
I've been looking at cars myself, features roughly in this order: reliability-price-performance. Subaru and Honda are very good in these respects, they are near the top of the list in German TÜV reliability rankings along with the likes of Porsche. Even if you don't go for the top-of-the-line engines but settle for a little less, you'll keep up with traffic no prob, and save a lot. If 4WD's are of interest to you then any Impreza should be good.
Basic questions - do you want auto or manual? FWD/RWD/4WD? Why a V6? (okay, you say you drive hard, but for instance the Civic Type R and Impreza WRX give you power/weight = acceleration *far* over most V6's... meanwhile, base model Civic with VTEC would save a lotta gas) 2 or 4 doors? 2 or 4 seats? What kind of cargo space / car form factor?
That being said, and having owned over 30 cars in my life from the US and various countries, my '87 Honda is the MOST reliable car I have ever owned. It's the car I have kept the longest.
http://www.sharexperiences.com/picfo...php?album=3421
It's economical, handles well and has some guts! Never have to worry about jumping on the freeway with California's speed obsessed driving public. My next new car will be another Honda.
Ps. The Z comes out from under the cover in the garage about 1 month's worth out of the year. High maintainance and upkeep cost's for a poorman's version of a "supercar"...
I got a great trade in value for my Truck and came way off Retail MSRP on the Acura.
Grove I saw above in one of your posts you think you want a V6 for a lot of power etc...
Let me say the 200 HP VTEC engine on this small car is much more than you would ever expect in this car. The Type S has a 6 speed stick and does it drive like a rocket or what!
Regular "Non" Type S RSX cars start new at about 19,000 I believe. Great for the money.
Best wishes Grove.... My 2 cents is... if you are not too thrilled to have to get a car is to get one that is a pleasure and a blast to drive..
I would direct you to the Acura RSX Type S
Take a look at this Link to the RSX Type S
When you get there be sure to click the link labeled "click here" to see more about the Type S version of the RSX.
Peace Brother and Best Wishes on your car hunt!
Fellows
Secondly, I had a friend who thought he needed a V6, and got a Camry V6. Now, he's regretting it. It guzzles gas incredibly quickly. Small cars really don't need a V6... just so long as they have a half-decent engine.
I like the Acura TSX... well..
anyway.. back to subject.
How about the Scion xA? It should be pretty good in the city. The Nissan Sentra is not a bad choice of the Scion is not yet available in your area.
what's that? "I would like to get to 60mph in under 5 minutes, as well."
Where's the patriotism? :eek:
*ducks away from angry crowd*
(For the record, I own a 95 Jeep from when Chrysler used to be an American company and the latest car someone in my family purchased was from GM).