Car Shopping
The Plymouth Acclaim, the car that brought us cross country from school to Calgary, the car that has lasted my driving style, has, well, had a major organ burst which causes it to go into high fever when it runs. Stupid water pump. Anyway, it has gotten to the point that Robyn and I no longer want to shell out cash every 2 months to keep this thing on the road…
So, it’s car shopping time… something we knew was inevitable but avoided like the plague - mostly because I’m cheap. [or, for you Ontarians, "conservative"]. Anyway. Last night we checked out the Hyundai dealership, and tonight we went to Toyota. Over the next few days we’re going to look at Honda, Mazda, and VW. Car shopping would be much better if we weren’t under duress, but, I digress. At least we’ll get something new and shiny… I like shiny.
10 Responses to “Car Shopping”
As we discussed on MSN, the new Hyundai’s are almost as good, if not as good in many ways, as the Toyota and the Honda. Personally I’d choose a Toyota Corolla, despite the ABS issue. Mazda 3 is nice too, and the interior build quality is great (a buddy of mine up here is leasing one, and I’m always impressed with it). VW is nice too. It wouldn’t be my first choice though.
Personally I’d go with the Toyota or Honda Civic first, the 3, VW and Hyundai would be second choices, and I’m not sure which of those I’d pick first.
If it helps, I’ve heard that driving the new Civic feels vaguely like piloting the Millennium Falcon, what with the new A pillar that extends out to the top of the wheel wells.
We love our Civic. :)
If money wasn’t as much of an issue as it was when we bought our car, I would have wanted a Golf or Jetta.
What! No Subaru? ;)
out of my price range.
I do like my civic. My folks recently got a corolla, and liked it. My mother in law has an echo, and it meets her needs, but to me feels a little light (can get blown around a lot by wind) and ah, conservative. I’m currently curious about the Yaris and Fit, and even the Rabbit.
I dont know about the new civic, since mine is an 01, but it would be worth checking out if it comes with a vest and a blaster. Bonus points for wookie.
Hey buddy,
I would suggest that the two vehicles you will be most impressed driving will be the Civic and Mazda 3. They feel the most solid out of your choices (of the vehicles I have driven). Interestingly enough, the Civic has superior real world gas mileage - by far. From there, resale on the Civic would be better, but a vehicle is an expense, it just doens’t matter how you look at it.. Anything you get later on should be considered gravy… (not Turkey, but Beef).
My two bits…
KRF
Go to a GM dealership. Get a 2005 or 2006 cobalt (just my humble suggestion but any GM vehicle will do as they are desperate to sell).
You can also drop off the acclaim and give it to them under the ‘car heaven’ program which pays you $1000 toward your new car ie. downpayment just for taking your old shit box/less efficient car off the road. It was great. Liz and I put none of our own money down for our cobalt and we got her 1990 barretta off the road.
Cheers,
P
I hate how the cobalt drives.
Ok so don’t get a cobalt. Its still 1000 towards any new vehicle. GM and I think ford also has this deal.
It also gets rid of old less efficient cars.
Cheers,
P
yeah, but the vehicle needs to be driveable… Either way, the Kidney foundation is picking up the old Plymouth tomorrow, so they’ll get a donation and I get a tax receipt. Which is always good when the tuition credits have run out…
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