Lulz.
How bad an idea is this?
- Thread starter Da Peach
- Start date
And where, exactly, am I supposed to put the baby seat and uber-stroller?
Could be the newer models are less so? We've got 190K on our 1997 and other than the good ol' 2.5 head gasket issue, it has been mostly maintenance-free. And even the head gasket issue was surprisingly inexpensive to fix considering what they did...
One trick with Subarus is never, ever, EVER drive one with an automatic trans. They SUCK.
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My old man has a 3L H6(2006?) Outback and aside from not running enough caster at the front and being assembled when they had bad luck with wheel bearings it's a really good car.
Seats are a bit flat and you can't read the stereo with sun glasses on, but I'd still buy one, they run a timing chain so the normal timing belt replacement cost can be forgotten about and it's not too bad on fuel for what it is.
Seats are a bit flat and you can't read the stereo with sun glasses on, but I'd still buy one, they run a timing chain so the normal timing belt replacement cost can be forgotten about and it's not too bad on fuel for what it is.
This would be alright...
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=98225&endYear=2011&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&maxPrice=25000&mmt=%5BSUB%5BSUBOUTBK%5B%5D%5D%5B%5DVOLKS%5BTOUAREG%5B%5D%5D%5B%5DTOYOTA%5B4RUN%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=SUBOUTBK&sortBy=mileageASC&makeCode2=VOLKS&modelCode2=TOUAREG&showcaseOwnerId=70223&startYear=2008&makeCode1=SUB&modelCode3=4RUN&makeCode3=TOYOTA&searchRadius=100&minPrice=15000&listingId=338070893&listingIndex=1&Log=0
I think I might just give up on the "fun to drive" part. When the Mazda dies, I'll get something then... An old R32 or something...heh.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=98225&endYear=2011&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&mmt=%5BAUDI%5BS4%5B%5D%5D%5B%5DVOLKS%5BR32%5B%5D%5D%5B%5DTOYOTA%5B4RUN%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=S4&sortBy=mileageASC&makeCode2=VOLKS&modelCode2=R32&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=2008&makeCode1=AUDI&modelCode3=4RUN&firstRecord=26&makeCode3=TOYOTA&searchRadius=100&minPrice=15000&listingId=339253623&listingIndex=5&Log=0
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=98225&endYear=2011&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&maxPrice=25000&mmt=%5BSUB%5BSUBOUTBK%5B%5D%5D%5B%5DVOLKS%5BTOUAREG%5B%5D%5D%5B%5DTOYOTA%5B4RUN%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=SUBOUTBK&sortBy=mileageASC&makeCode2=VOLKS&modelCode2=TOUAREG&showcaseOwnerId=70223&startYear=2008&makeCode1=SUB&modelCode3=4RUN&makeCode3=TOYOTA&searchRadius=100&minPrice=15000&listingId=338070893&listingIndex=1&Log=0
I think I might just give up on the "fun to drive" part. When the Mazda dies, I'll get something then... An old R32 or something...heh.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=98225&endYear=2011&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&sellerTypes=b&mmt=%5BAUDI%5BS4%5B%5D%5D%5B%5DVOLKS%5BR32%5B%5D%5D%5B%5DTOYOTA%5B4RUN%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=S4&sortBy=mileageASC&makeCode2=VOLKS&modelCode2=R32&showcaseOwnerId=0&startYear=2008&makeCode1=AUDI&modelCode3=4RUN&firstRecord=26&makeCode3=TOYOTA&searchRadius=100&minPrice=15000&listingId=339253623&listingIndex=5&Log=0
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My dream car is one of these with a modern drivetrain, top chopped a few inches.
Yeah, that would be pretty sweet. Those things are cavernous. I bet I could fit at least 3 strollers in there!My dream car is one of these with a modern drivetrain, top chopped a few inches.
http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class/Burnaby/British+Columbia/5_18869526_20080522140513203/?showcpo=ShowCPO
Perusing Autotrader on a slow day at work.
This would be pretty luxurious. They don't mention mileage though.
Perusing Autotrader on a slow day at work.
This would be pretty luxurious. They don't mention mileage though.
My wife drives one of those, a 2006 E350 4matic wagon.
Best car ever for our family four + two german shepherds.
We paid just under $20kusd three years ago for ours with ~70k miles.
That one probably has ~100k on it.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
Very reliable but expensive when things go sideways.
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Super nice car - buy buy buy
Ooooh. A money-pit. I like the way you think. Buy it and keep us up to date!
Buy a Racing Honda. You won't regret it.
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Talked my Aunt into renting one in Toronto. Fun car. My Cousin thought it wound up good eh!
I liked my WRX, but the interior def felt chintzy.
Lots of legacy wagons in my neighbourhood, but I figure I'd likely get annoyed with the buzzy door panels and stuff.
I just can't bring myself to get a Ford Escape, but they're so appropriately sized...
An XC70 would be nice....
Lots of legacy wagons in my neighbourhood, but I figure I'd likely get annoyed with the buzzy door panels and stuff.
I just can't bring myself to get a Ford Escape, but they're so appropriately sized...
An XC70 would be nice....
I quite like this car. SH-AWD with torque vectoring and a spunky turbocharged 4 cylinder engine == a lot of fun.
Its a Racing Honda!I quite like this car. SH-AWD with torque vectoring and a spunky turbocharged 4 cylinder engine == a lot of fun.
Having owned BMWs, I don't think I would buy another. It was a good car, spent next to nothing on maintenance, then I hit 6 years old and needed $6K worth of maintenance.
Replaced it with an infiniti that has been really good, but sucks on gas. Only 67K miles after 8 years, so not in the mode of buying anything, but have been eyeing this:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=CX5
Having owned japanese and german cars over the last ~18 years, I would take Japanese over German. They are both approximately the same price, but the japanese have everything standard, for the Germans everything is an option. And a costly option.
But the BMWs are the most fun that I have ever had driving, especially in Germany
Replaced it with an infiniti that has been really good, but sucks on gas. Only 67K miles after 8 years, so not in the mode of buying anything, but have been eyeing this:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=CX5
Having owned japanese and german cars over the last ~18 years, I would take Japanese over German. They are both approximately the same price, but the japanese have everything standard, for the Germans everything is an option. And a costly option.
But the BMWs are the most fun that I have ever had driving, especially in Germany
I love my infiniti, it's relatively low maintenance and it's pretty easy to maintain when it does need it...but the interior is dreadful. That's one thing the germans do sooo much better. Of course, being able to not special order parts is so much better too!Having owned BMWs, I don't think I would buy another. It was a good car, spent next to nothing on maintenance, then I hit 6 years old and needed $6K worth of maintenance.
Replaced it with an infiniti that has been really good, but sucks on gas. Only 67K miles after 8 years, so not in the mode of buying anything, but have been eyeing this:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=CX5
Having owned japanese and german cars over the last ~18 years, I would take Japanese over German. They are both approximately the same price, but the japanese have everything standard, for the Germans everything is an option. And a costly option.
But the BMWs are the most fun that I have ever had driving, especially in Germany
I bought the last years model of the previous generation XC70 with 21000 miles on it for good price. Its been pretty low on maintenance so far. Having just driven a brand new rental car I can feel my car getting older but I am sure it will be good for a long time. Also I don't drive very much.
Btw I rented a Chevrolet Impala. Totally basic car but tons of room, good seats, a lot of grunt from the V6 and you can pick the fleet version up for next to nothing. If only it was a wagon it would have been perfect but a roof box would really be all you need on long trips as the trunk was huge.
Yeah, the whole German car idea sounds like a good one for as long as I'm looking at the photo, then I remember what car maintenance (in general) costs. Then double it.Having owned BMWs, I don't think I would buy another. It was a good car, spent next to nothing on maintenance, then I hit 6 years old and needed $6K worth of maintenance.
Replaced it with an infiniti that has been really good, but sucks on gas. Only 67K miles after 8 years, so not in the mode of buying anything, but have been eyeing this:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=CX5
Having owned japanese and german cars over the last ~18 years, I would take Japanese over German. They are both approximately the same price, but the japanese have everything standard, for the Germans everything is an option. And a costly option.
But the BMWs are the most fun that I have ever had driving, especially in Germany
That CX-5 looks a nice, but a little small. Kind of a slightly inflated 3. But I admit I haven't REALLY looked all that closely at it. I think I'd prefer that new 6 wagon I've seen photos of. It's not on the Mazda website, so I guess it's still a ways off the market.
Kind of moot as I'll never get a new car... I did see one of those Infinity FXs listed too. Those seem like a rather impractical machine. They sound neat though.
As for the Acura, I dunno. Never been a fan of the styling. If only they made a Japanese Touareg....
MAzda 5 is great. get one
But again....yeah the parts on the Jetta were crazy expensive. But I still have the original clutch after 266000 kms. How many clutches have you had in the Mazda 3? (of course your sucky driving doesn't help).
And how many times did you change brakes? I think I changed mine....twice in 8 years on the Jetta.
In the grand scheme of things, the Jetta treated me VERY well
But again....yeah the parts on the Jetta were crazy expensive. But I still have the original clutch after 266000 kms. How many clutches have you had in the Mazda 3? (of course your sucky driving doesn't help).
And how many times did you change brakes? I think I changed mine....twice in 8 years on the Jetta.
In the grand scheme of things, the Jetta treated me VERY well
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Yeah the FX is friggin tiny inside. I love the car, it's great in the snow (today) but holy shirt, there's no room whatsoever inside. We're probably going to have to upgrade to a larger vehicle or get a rooftop carrier if we have a second kid. We JUST made it with one at Xmas...
What about the MDX? That's like the biggie version of the RDX. There's also the why-bother ZDX, which sure looks cool.
The more I think about it, a rooftop box would probably solve most of my griping about trying to fit anything beyond a Bob stroller into the car. Probably cheaper than a whole new car... I even already have a roof rack!
But yeah, Volvos have always piqued my interest. Unfortunately I have had 2 friends with them who experienced a lot of irritating electrical faults, so I'm hesitant on those too.
Any Ford rental car I've ever driven has been great. Lots of bells and whistles, good on gas, plenty of power, space, etc...
I've got another slow day at work ahead, so plenty of time to troll for other options!
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I have the CX-5. It's ok I guess. It doesn't really do anything for me to be honest. I'm a little dissapointed by fit and finish and the cabin noise. It's not in the same league as the other fancier cars you've been looking at. at all.
Here's what I'm not impressed with:
- when it's cold, there's a rattle coming from the defrost vent when I start her up.
- I got the base model so I could have a manual (the manual is only offered in base level trim), so it doesn't have heated seats.
- This morning the car wouldn't start after I dropped my kid off at daycare. It was -25°C (-13°F), but I have a block heater on it and plug it in at home. It started fine at home, but after drop off, when I went to start it again to come to work it wouldn't start. I think it has something to do with the push-button start (the most useless gimmick ever).
- I can't fit a long yakima roof box on the factory rack because it's too low and the tailgate won't open all the way.
It runs fine I guess. It's spacious (2 kids, no dogs), and gets decent mileage (better than my old 3), which is all I should be asking for from a car I suppose. But it's nothing to write home about. And this morning's problem with the re-starting has got me concerned. I live in a cold climate, with two small children. If this thing can't handle the cold, then we have a problem...
Here's what I'm not impressed with:
- when it's cold, there's a rattle coming from the defrost vent when I start her up.
- I got the base model so I could have a manual (the manual is only offered in base level trim), so it doesn't have heated seats.
- This morning the car wouldn't start after I dropped my kid off at daycare. It was -25°C (-13°F), but I have a block heater on it and plug it in at home. It started fine at home, but after drop off, when I went to start it again to come to work it wouldn't start. I think it has something to do with the push-button start (the most useless gimmick ever).
- I can't fit a long yakima roof box on the factory rack because it's too low and the tailgate won't open all the way.
It runs fine I guess. It's spacious (2 kids, no dogs), and gets decent mileage (better than my old 3), which is all I should be asking for from a car I suppose. But it's nothing to write home about. And this morning's problem with the re-starting has got me concerned. I live in a cold climate, with two small children. If this thing can't handle the cold, then we have a problem...
Get a mazda 5. George's friend just got one too. We followed each other into George's driveway the other day. And each commented on the other's vehicle. We both said the same thing. We WANTED to hate. But it's a great car. I sort of behaves like a minivan, but it definitely doesn't drive like one. I'm as big a proponent of 4WD as anyone....but how often does one actually NEED it? Especially in Vancouver.
re the Ford.
My brother just bought the new Escape, got it two weeks ago. The trunk seems slightly less roomy than the CX-5. I have neighbours with the new Escape too (funny enough, in the same colour and trim level). It's super nice inside, and both my bro and my neighbours are perfectly happy with it. The multimedia package in them is pretty sweet.
My brother just bought the new Escape, got it two weeks ago. The trunk seems slightly less roomy than the CX-5. I have neighbours with the new Escape too (funny enough, in the same colour and trim level). It's super nice inside, and both my bro and my neighbours are perfectly happy with it. The multimedia package in them is pretty sweet.
Best advice I ever gave, eh?
As for the fancy cars, my thread title is a hint at my level of seriousness... After banging up my WRX, I pretty much decided that I no longer believed in nice cars being worth it.
If I had absolutely no money concerns, I would DEFINITELY waste a bunch of it on cars. That not being the case, I think I'll stick to sensible.
Are the CX-5 and Escape the same in the same way that the Escape and the Tribute were the same? I'd forgotten about that.
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really? I'm kinda opposite on this one. From what I've read 4WD and AWD only help in acceleration. for cornering and decceleration, it doesn't really do anything. The way I see it, it lulls people into a sense of security and they drive like they have better overall traction... which isn't the case.
Anecdotaly, it seems you see more 4 and AWD vehicles stuck in the ditch as a result of this false sense of security...
No. They separated a while back. The CX-5 is Mazda's first attempt at a bottom-up design of a CUV of their own. It was also the first vehicle to get the full "SkyActiv" suite of technologies... (if I remember correctly, this includes a lighter chassis, lighter materials for the engine block, straighter exhaust routing, and a smaller engine with higher compression ratio [while still taking regular octane gas])
Edited to add, I think the CX-7 was still based on the Tribute platform... I think.
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Almost never as long as one has snow tires. At least 'round here. And on those days 4WD is "required":
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This is the truth. It's the TIRES, man... the answer is always the TIRES.
I think that's one of the biggest misconceptions on the intertubes. AWD is not the traction be all end all, but it is really, really helpful (depending on your system). There is no match for a car with GOOD AWD and snow tires on snowy roads. 4wd is good only when you get stuck, and FWD is never good, unless you have a limited slip, which you don't. RWD is negative good unless you have a mid engine AND a limited slip.
There are always exceptions, nothing is great on ice besides studs, and a FWD car with brand new snow tires is probably better than an AWD car with bald all seasons in most circumstances, but 90% of the times you slip is when you're accelerating or braking or turning, and extremely rarely when you're going straight. So if you brake appropriately for the conditions, leave yourself some good space, then AWD will help you turn and accelerate more safely and controllably. My car drifts so perfectly that when it breaks traction it's difficult to tell, and it's just as easy to pull it back in line (no fishtails and no snowplowing into a bank in front of you). I've driven nearly every drivetrain in the snow, and AWD makes a huge difference. I would rather drive this car with all seasons (FX35 65%RWD viscous diffs) than any other with snow tires, including three iterations of quattro (open, torSen, locking center), a mid-engined open diff car, and a FWD open diff car. The MR2 was arguably more balanced in a drift, but getting any speed was impossible and the urquattro was a hoonmobile.