As I mentioned a post ago, I am in the process of replacing my 1998 Mazda 626 car. I loved this car the day I purchased it and it has only recently been giving me difficulty. It is in reasonably good enough condition (the photo above is not my car---my car has a few dents and dings) with >130,000 miles on it, but I am mentally ready for something a little larger and envious of all those nice new technological things like Bluetooth and GPS which will take me years to figure out how to use. A working radio would also be a nice surprise since mine works only on and off these days. Although I am moving away from the endless number of infant and toddler chairs that keep getting put in the back seat, as you know my son is getting married in the distant future, if mother nature agrees there will be more little grandchildren then I must keep this in mind. So, I am keeping two of the 3 infant seats in storage! The third goes to the church store.
I do not want to spend more than 30K and much less if I can get away with it. I have always bought the truly lower end cars because of budget constraints---which I am sure I will get a nice nod from you-all, but this time I think I should reward myself with something a little nicer. I spend 16,800 K on the Mazda that many years ago! (Here she goes talking about MONEY again!)
I have researched the hybrids a little and a mechanic has told us they are a bear to fix if something goes wrong. Therefore total electric cars are out of the picture. I would like to buy American, but many Asian cars are really made to a great extent in America, so that broadens the picture. I do not care about looks, but I do care about safety, reliability and comfort and a good view from that blind spot window on both sides!
If any of my readers have a car they recently purchased or know about that they love...please tell me about it in your comments. I, in return, will give you all the free advice you want this year!
Heh. My current ride, Roddy The Wondercar, is a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am. I'm afraid I have no good advice for you concerning newer rides.
ReplyDeleteCars, what a pain. I can't help you. I consider them a necessary evil.
ReplyDeleteI am genetically predisposed towards German cars, how could it be otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAs car manufacturers are practically all multi-national, does the country of origin matter?
You have said you won't take advice, and I imagine you already have a very good idea which car you'll go for, so here's wishing you many happy years driving around in your new-fangled motor with all the latest gadgets.
WELL---Since you don't want a hybrid like we have, I don't know how to advise you. We love our Prius --and bought it in 2004. It has almost 200,000 miles on it --and we have spent almost nothing on it through the years (other than tires, oil, tune-ups, etc.)... It's been the best car either of us have ever had. We will keep it until it dies, and then buy another Prius.
ReplyDeleteI will say that I've read many times NOT to buy a brand new car. Get an almost-new one (ours had 23,000 miles on it when we bought it) --and you can save ALOT of money.
Or---buy a 2012 one AFTER the 2013's come out... You can get a good sale then.
My son has a Mazda and loves it. I used to have a Toyota Corolla and loved it. George had a Camry and loved it. To us --you can't go wrong buying a NON-American car (sorry to say that)... I've heard that Kia's are good cars and more reasonable pricewise...
Good Luck!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
With 30K I can see you with two rides. One a van for family and road trips, the other a sporty red convertible. Practical and sexy . . .
ReplyDeleteToyota all the way. No matter what make or model they are a winner.
ReplyDeleteThere was a time when I thought it was patriotic to buy American cars only, but then I realized US auto manufacturers weren't listening to what consumers wanted. They've smartened up since then, but now I think you should purchase the best car for the money that you can. But I have no idea which car would be best. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI don't care whether it comes and goes, all cars are necessary but I would like a car that is without diesel or petrol, and doesn't cost too much.
ReplyDeleteWatch for an estate auction!
ReplyDeleteor
Try to buy American. Find a nice, well maintained,, low miles, used vehicle with excellent gas mileage and one that will comfortably fit a few passengers. My brother and sil love their Ford Fiesta and it's a beauty.
Don't know what to suggest. But I wanted to tell you I accidently lost your comment on my blog. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteyou know what - since our SUV was stoolen we have yet to decide on a car -- it's taking to long I want hybrid but we also want comfort to fit well in the seats because we travel a lot -- in our search we have thought of this one and it's under 30,000.00 the 2010 Hyundai Azera..and here is another one Toyota Avalon, a car that's a lot likes Lexus-like comfort on a Toyota budget.
ReplyDeleteI am sure I will surprise myself what we will finally get..
Hugs.. and good search for the best car that fit your needs..
I have a Hyundai elantra that's serving me well and even survived the effects of Hurricane Irene whose winds toppled maples near our drive, totaling my husband's beloved Impala and merely denting mine. I chose not to repair ithe surface dents because I like the visual reminder that my car's a survivor. The dents and dimples help me distinguish it from the sea of other gray and silver cars in parking
ReplyDeleteLots, too.
I had a 1982 Mazda - perfect for me and it stayed in the family for about 25 years. I liked that it had power nothing, a stick shift, and fold-down rear seats.
ReplyDeleteI now drive a 2007 Lincoln MKZ. Although it has power everything (no built-in GPS, etc, though) and automatic transmission, it does have fold-down rear seats and a deep (vertically), accessible trunk. I've carried a wheelbarrow, concrete blocks, 10 bags of mulch, or 4"x4"x8' lumber during its life - only 30K miles, as I am retired. I have had zero squawks on the MKZ and highly recommend it to you as a Mazda owner.
That said, nearly all modern automobiles are really reliable.
Good luck!
Cop Car
Ah, you should talk to my husband the "car guy." LOL Consumer reports gives a good account of the various automobiles out there. I would start my search there in the comfort of your own home.
ReplyDeleteMy comments: I have a simply wonderful Toyota Corolla that gets 41 miles to the gallon on a ZZ1 4 cyl engine. The new ones don't get that. It's all we need in a car and I don't love it. I tolerate it and it has all those features you love.
I love my wearing out truck. It's comfortable, I sit above the masses, and it's fun to drive tho it get's only 17 mpg. GM offers a Trailblazer that has all the new stuff I want plus I fit comfortably in it. Not good mileage tho.
Look at the outpouring of opinions you get when you ask our thoughts. Got me laughing. Now, go choose what you like or fix the radio. LOL
Tabor I have a 10 year old Aurora, which they do not make anymore and it has 60,000 miles on it. Going to see how long it last but I am not on the road that much and have a truck with same mileage.
ReplyDeleteMy professdor nighbor bought a Kia.
She said she did a lot of research and that is what she purchased.
I like something simple and the thing has a computer like screen on the dash that tells you everything and even talks to you.
Good Luck...
I'm still driving my '98 Chevy S10, have no idea what car would be a good fit for you!
ReplyDeleteI hate car shopping- Once every dozen years or so is too often for me...
I'll only buy American, n never new. Mostly old clunkers before I got Little Truck in '01 with only 9k miles. Always see older S10s still around, why mine was bought!
Ha. My first comment went up in smoke. Stupid computers!
ReplyDeleteI drive a Honda as you already know. I said a lot more in the first one, but that is the gist of it.
We purchased a new Nissan Pathfinder in 2002 and I'm still driving it 10 years later and still really enjoy it. It has low miles since I'm a homebody... I'll probably drive it another 10 years if it lets me. No mechanical problems with it... just maintenance well and it goes!
ReplyDeleteCars are such a personal thing...I have a 91 Ford Explorer that I bought as a used 2 yr old. It's gone 250,000+ miles for me with no major problems. It gets regular servicing, oil changes, tire rotation...etc. Love all the room for grandkids, dogs, and treasures. Thinking my next vehicle will be a used Range Rover.
ReplyDeleteI try to stick with Honda. I think they have the best consumer report reviews for durability.
ReplyDeleteI hope you've found some advice that you'd like to take, or (perhaps more like it) spotted a car you like! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you've found some advice that you'd like to take, or (perhaps more like it) spotted a car you like! :)
ReplyDeleteFrank has recently purchased his third Hyundai Santa Fe and absolutely loves them. He does his research very carefully but of course, everyone's criteria is different.
ReplyDeleteI've driven Subraus for over 25 years now. The one I'm driving now has 99,000 miles on it and will most likely get another 50,000. The dealer I work with says Subaru has fixed the rust over the rear wheel well problem. They can be expensive to fis (exhaust and brakes and major things like that) but they hardly ever need fixing...
ReplyDeleteI personally loved my VW Bugs....including one that was a convertible. We also had an Chev. HHR which we really liked....
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ReplyDeleteWe have a Toyota Prius and a Toyota Venza. We like both. Only thing about toyota that I don't like is that they nag - time for maintenance time for maintenance time for maintenance. On the prius its just a warning light but on the venza they actually black out the temp display to show the message. Other than that, its pretty good, with decent mileage.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor got a second Honda Hybrid, they love theirs and had no trouble and my client enjoys her Prius. If money is a concern I believe a lightly used car gives a lot more bang for the bucks.
ReplyDeletewe had a hybrid for a decade and it didn't break and parts came in pretty quickly when I managed to scrape up the body.
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