Getting things fixed and selling...(sigh)

[wendysmiling]

I just can't afford the gas. Two vehicles that each get around 15 mpg is killing me. The VX is for sale in the garage forum. (sniffles).

Is e-bay a good way to sell a vehicle? It's been a really good truck, hubby thinks it'll be easier to trade it in on something for the same price at a dealership. I have no $$ for another car payment.

I think we should try to sell it on ebay or the AutoTrader and go buy something. We can't be without a car for even a day (unless it's Saturday) as we work different schedules.

I need something DEPENDABLE. Does it really matter if it's high mileage import or a lower mileage domestic? Or does it just depend on the car? I'd die if I bought something that started nickle and diming me.

I'll have whatever the VX goes for, less registering the new car so maybe $7500 - $8000 (I hope)

I was thinking about: (ugh no more cool truck)
Toyota Corolla - test drove one. Drove nice
Ford Escape - friend said she gets about 23mpg <shrug>?
Saturn ion - don't know much about Saturns - not test driven yet
Ford Focus - not test driven yet
KIA - Not test driven and no nothing about them.
Hyundai - Not test driven heard they were pretty good and cheaper than a Honda or Toyota (which by the way are great but for my price range would be over 100k miles)

Any thoughts here? You all have been just great.
I did test drive a Dodge neon and didn't like the way it drove. Too bad cause it was cool looking with a spoiler, sun roof, and cool blue accents on the dash.

[johnnyapollo]

Take a look at the Scion - have a neighbor that has one and she loves it (boxey, can-o-spam thing that it is). For mileage look at any of the Honda Civics - they all get over 40 mpg. I rented a Mazda 3 from the airport once and was really surprised by it - great gas mileage and it actually had more room inside than it looks outside.

-- John

[wendysmiling]

Take a look at the Scion - have a neighbor that has one and she loves it (boxey, can-o-spam thing that it is). For mileage look at any of the Honda Civics - they all get over 40 mpg. I rented a Mazda 3 from the airport once and was really surprised by it - great gas mileage and it actually had more room inside than it looks outside.

-- John

I like the Mazda 3s. They might be out of my price range, but they look nice. I don't think I could be my hubby to drive a Scion. <giggle>.

[Joe_Black]

I tried out a Toyota Yaris LB recently and it was the funnest test-drive I've ever had in my life. No kidding. I would be daily-driving it today but it didn't really ring my wife's bell and she reminded me that we can't make gasoline, so we bought a new VW Jetta TDI instead. If you can swing the extra $$$ go for a VW diesel. They're peppy (intercooled turbo diesel), comfortable and in a pinch you can make the fuel yourself. Not to mention up to 50MPG.

[Mr.Badguy]

Just wanted to add some thoughts.

My sister just recently bought a hyundai tucson. she loves driving it and seems to be a good SUV with good gas mileage.

A coworker went and bought a ford escape after owning subarues. the subarues costed him more to maintain, but he said he wouldn't buy an Escape again.

My personal picks?? I would go with Toyota, the corolla or camry if you want a car, or the RAV 4 or Highlander if you want to stay with an SUV, both are getting decent gas mileage

other considerations?? Honda...and i can't believe i'm going to say it, Daimler Chrysler vehicles. its the second year for most of their new cars and trucks, and they have the new "lifetime powertrain warranty", on all their vehicles.

I have to say that i haven't had too many issues with my VX but once i stop owing on it, i'm getting something else. So i guess i kinda gave you the companies that i'm looking into. Hope this helps.

[JAFO]

...If you can swing the extra $$$ go for a VW diesel. They're peppy (intercooled turbo diesel), comfortable and in a pinch you can make the fuel yourself. Not to mention up to 50MPG.

For your price range (approx $8000) you might be looking at high mileage car(~200K). You may want to keep in mind that turbo repair/replacement is not cheap possible $1000 to $2000 est. to fix. Just a thought.

Also here is a fuel economy comparison website:
www.fueleconomy.gov

[JAFO]

Here is a little fuel cost comparison table that I whipped up for a person who drives the average 12,000 miles per year.

If you change from 15 mpg to 45 mpg your will save (2,400 - 800) = $1,600/year or $133/month.



I included up to 120 MPG, as motorcycles commonly get 60 to 100 mpg and there are some scooters in the 100 to 120 mpg range.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Take a look at the Scion - have a neighbor that has one and she loves it (boxey, can-o-spam thing that it is).
-- John

If a car isn't out of the question...how about the Scion TC coupe. A gal bartender I know bought one early this summer and she loves it! Scion is an offshoot of Toyota. You can buy it mild....and later make it wild! The dealer sells them in different trims too. She bought hers with ground effects and rear spoiler @ dealer. Has a nice sunroof too. Auto or Stick.

Mild:




Wild (you know its gotta be cool if they make a "toy" of it!):

[Spike]

Stay away from the Saturn Ion - friend has one and has had nothing but problems with it.. everything just short of lemon laws. It also got some of the worst reliability ratings in consumer reports. I think they killed it off and replaced it with the slightly larger Aura ... supposedly designed by GM's Opel division in europe.


I happen to think the Scion xB box is the most hideous looking thing on the planet.. even a step below the Honda Element. I don't even see how it can be safe.. seemed made of 'tin' when I saw it at the car show few yrs ago.


The Scion tC coupe is another story completely. It is what Toyota would be selling as a Celica if they ever decided to bring the name back.
Solid build and performs great (was a fun test drive). Quite cusomizable too.. both at the dealer or aftermarket.

[etlsport]

i havent driven one personally... but ive heard really good things about nissan sentras

[WILLY]

Well what ever u decide to buy after u (86) the vx will cost u $$$$$ no differently than the vx or any other vehicle weather it's from gas guzzling or mechanical failure,they all cost a crap load of $$$$$ and in the end u are out thousand's for very little service.

[Navigator]

A motorcyle, scooter, moped, or bicycle depending on what suits you will save you $$$ in gas & insurance over a car for those short trips and commutes. Save the VX for special occasions, don't dump it. My 2 cents.

[wendysmiling]

Gimme some money. I'd love a bike!

A motorcyle, scooter, moped, or bicycle depending on what suits you will save you $$$ in gas & insurance over a car for those short trips and commutes. Save the VX for special occasions, don't dump it. My 2 cents.

[JAFO]

A motorcyle, scooter, moped, or bicycle depending on what suits you will save you $$$ in gas & insurance over a car for those short trips and commutes. Save the VX for special occasions, don't dump it. My 2 cents.

True big savings on Insurance. I never realized how cheap motorcycle insurance is. I checked on Progressive and for full coverage on a new Kawasaki Ninja 10R ($10,000 bike) was $200/year (motorcycle terms are annual not six months). I pay almost that in one month for auto insurance.

Everyone generally says well with a motorcycle the risk of bodily injury should be higher. But this is not consistant with the price, otherwise motorcycle insurance would be more than auto. So the conclusion that I came to is that it has to do with the amount of damage the insured is capable of doing with the vehicle. The damage that a motorcycle can do pales in comparison with the damage that a car can do.

[circmand]

(Everyone generally says well with a motorcycle the risk of bodily injury should be higher.)

It does not matter how bad the body injury is if the driver is dead. Ask the airlines dead bodies cost less than hurt bodies.