New Car - What Should I Get?

[KrazyHorse]

Because my wife likes how it looks so we bought it.

It's actually been a really good car to us. The only problem we've had in 3 years of ownership came due to my wife getting rear-ended while stopped in traffic.

And the part-time 4WD IS nice when you don't have snow tires and it snows (twice a year or so).

[MOBIUS]

That's certainly not the impression I have of German cars. Although I've never had one myself, mine is Japanese.

Although saying that, I once had a French car. Never again

I've got an Italian car...

[Arrian]

Is this what the kids call a "slam dunk"?

Classic.

I'd actually prefer to *not* have AWD, because AFAIK, if you have to replace 1 tire, you have to replace them all. The reasons we will likely buy the Outback are in spite of the AWD (want station wagon or smallish SUV w/enough room in the back to fit our 2 dogs, has to be decent quality, has to get decent gas mileage, has to be available on the used car market). The Highlander is in the running as well. CR-V, Forester, Jetta SportWagen, & Rav-4 are out.

-Arrian

[MOBIUS]

I didn't think this could get any better than the Nuguyen stuff, but man, does Oerdin deliver.

What I'd like to see is a Nuguyen family having a picnic eating their 48" pizzas out on a bench in front of their Subaru...

[Asher]

Classic.

I'd actually prefer to *not* have AWD, because AFAIK, if you have to replace 1 tire, you have to replace them all. The reasons we will likely buy the Outback are in spite of the AWD (want station wagon or smallish SUV w/enough room in the back to fit our 2 dogs, has to be decent quality, has to get decent gas mileage, has to be available on the used car market). The Highlander is in the running as well. CR-V, Forester, Jetta SportWagen, & Rav-4 are out.

-Arrian

My parents have an '03 Highlander and still love it. It's got the height and AWD of an SUV but the smoother ride of a car (it's Camry-based), and fairly good fuel efficiency (especially if you go for the hybrid). Insanely reliable, also.

[Arrian]

They don't make a 4-cyl hybrid Highlander, do they? Only the 6. That irritates me, b/c hybrid 6 gas mileage is basically a normal 4-cyl. For several thousands more dollars (cost of V6 + cost of hybrid drivetrain). Plus IIRC it's got the typical hybrid reverse split (better gains in "city" driving versus highway).

The Legacy Outback (non-turbo version) rates out at 20/28. This car will be the trip car, so it will be almost exclusively a highway car... so I care a lot more about the 28 than the 20.

-Arrian

[Asher]

Apparently as of 2009, you can get a 2.7L I4 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_AR_engine ).

Gets 20 MPG city and 27 MPG highway, sans hybrid.

The Outback seems to be 175hp, vs 187 on the Highlander.

[Arrian]

2009 = new, and is therefore out. But thanks. The '06/'07 Highlander with 4 cyl gets decent mileage. The Outback is slightly better, IIRC, and I think we would prefer the wagon to the SUV. But it's close. If I test drive them and like the Highlander a little better, considering the generally good reliability of Toyota, I may go that route.

-Arrian

[Arrian]

Incidently, today I had to pay for the 2nd thing I can remember ever going wrong with my 2002 Accord (80k miles). The heat shield on the cat converter went (rusted out, I think). $185.

It pisses me off that both the Accord & Camry wagons were ditched in the US. Of course, back when they were ditched, I'd probably have scoffed at the idea of buying a wagon myself...

-Arrian

[Japher]

Ford:

Escape - to tiny, rather have a car
Edge - Good size, nice interior, AWD starts at 30k
Fussion - your average car, no AWD on the lot, if I want it will have to find another dealer

They did have a 2008 Tarus in the show room with 4800 miles on it. Am told it was the dealer's car for about 8 months. It's an AWD and had all the bells and whistles (no sync yet, but leather seats). Tarus is larger than the Fussion. I offered them $25k for the car and he said that could be doable. Told him I'd think about it.

[Asher]

[Japher]

What you shaking your head at? I will look at Mazdas tomorrow or Saturday. I man has to at least look like he's working.

[Arrian]

Dealers drive like maniacs, in my experience.

$25k for a 2008 Taurus? Really? That's what they go for?

-Arrian

[Japher]

I assume the dealers car is like a new car, so I'd get the warranty?

Or would be just like buying a used car

[Provost Harrison]

I've got an Italian car...

6 gears I bet...5 of them reverse