Buying a new/used car.

[slim]

Updates?

[slim]

Judging from your lack of updates I bet you bought the POS Audi and already have it in the shop fixing electrical gremlins...

Am I right or am I right?

[pmahnn]

or he drove it off a cliff

I'm in the market for a used ride. Anyone other than VW and Subaru make moderately priced wagons? They have utility I appreciate and are small enough to not be annoying in a city environment.

[slim]

Impreza wagon and call it done.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ctd/2305501070.html

Only other wagons I would consider would be Mazdas... But they really aren't a better option than a subie. In the frigid north? AWD + Wagon = Win.

[pmahnn]

Why the Impreza as opposed to an Outback?

[slim]

Smaller, better on gas, better looking, better handling.

[RockPharmer]

Impreza wagon and call it done.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ctd/2305501070.html

Only other wagons I would consider would be Mazdas... But they really aren't a better option than a subie. In the frigid north? AWD + Wagon = Win.

had the protege5 (precursor to the current 3-series wagon) and was very happy with it. 120K original miles when i sold it and near zero mechanical issues. only FWD but handled well enough in southern NE winters. i see plenty of them here in VT now as well. do miss that gas mileage. unfortunately the new 3-series are butt-ass ugly. the mazdaspeed version does give you some get-up n go

[pmahnn]

Smaller, better on gas, better looking, better handling.

Will this better handling inspire me to drive too aggressive? I have a speed problem with sporty vehicles.

I should probably just buy a f'n buick.

[slim]

Living in the city, I would want the smallest vehicle I could make do with.

The handling thing... meh. Won't make you speed unless you buy a turbo WRX.

The Mazdas are good alternatives, but like Pharmer said they are all FWD and I just HATE the way those cars drive. I've got a buddy in a MazdaSpeed3 and while quick, the thing torque steers like crazy and has a weird interior with annoying gauges and tacky interior lighting...

[pmahnn]

Living in the city, I would want the smallest vehicle I could make do with.

The handling thing... meh. Won't make you speed unless you buy a turbo WRX.

The Mazdas are good alternatives, but like Pharmer said they are all FWD and I just HATE the way those cars drive. I've got a buddy in a MazdaSpeed3 and while quick, the thing torque steers like crazy and has a weird interior with annoying gauges and tacky interior lighting...

I've driven the Mazda 3 a few times through ZipCar. It's not the worst car I've driven, but it's not on my list. It's really loud on the highways. Seems cheap.

Looking at the Subaru website, I see under the Impreza section this Outback Sport. However, that model is listed as 2mpg less than the regular low-end Outback. Of course, stock $3K cheaper. That being said, I don't want to buy new either. I did that once. Waste o' money.

Are you against the Jetta Wagen TDIs? I had a 2005 1.8T that I really enjoyed driving (until the law got me). They're smaller cars, but didn't really feel small.

[slim]

No i like the diesels... But I'm wary of VW. One of the least reliable cars on the roads.

[600#gorilla]

No i like the diesels... But I'm wary of VW. One of the least reliable cars on the roads.

the Car Talk guys aren't fans either.

[slim]

Seriously... Just buy Japanese if you don't want headaches. Buy European if you want refinement and are willing to pay for it.

If you don't care about AWD then get a fucking Honda. I prefer something with a little more soul, but as an appliance you can't beat a Honda.

[RockPharmer]

slim what's you opinion on mini? been interested to see how the new AWD whateveritscalled gets reviewed.

[slim]

Mini gets sub-par reliability reviews as well... But it's mostly for the small things like switches and interior stuff.

For what it's worth, I know quite a few Mini owners that are VERY happy with the cars, despite the problems they have had. Small, fun to drive, and CUTE. My buddy has a John Cooper Works Edition which is a blast to drive, although not as fast as the WRX I have. It's also significantly more expensive at $35,000. From a value standpoint I wouldn't ever buy one. It also has more rattles and things, and the interior looks kinda meh after a few years as the polish fades. The non "S" cars are total dogs. Egg beater engines and mushy suspension.

I guess I kinda liken Mini love to Apple love. The people who are fans don't have a problem forking over extra money for a product that makes them HAPPY.

The new AWD car I have not had experience with. It's bigger and heavier than a regular Mini, and the AWD system is not a full time mechanical system like Subaru or Audi have in their cars. So for outright traction off road or on ice, I'd stick with the Quattro or Symmetrical AWD Subaru offers.

[ipoach]

someone should buy my car



Ill sell it CHEAP

[ScreamingMedic]

Was wondering how I was goin to turn my forester into a somewhat reliable camper, and then remembered you managed with that tiny pos.

Of you are smaller than me too.

[600#gorilla]

[slim]

It is so ironic that those are called "Smart" cars, because you would have to be a moron to buy one.

A Nissan Sentra 1.8 is just a tad bigger, gets better gas mileage, is more reliable, and cost HALF of what one of those do.

But your average Euro influenced art critic doesn't know any of that...

[slim]

No. It isn't safe.

A car with a wheelbase that short is NEVER good for towing. Jeep Wranglers suffer from this problem.

Longer the wheelbase, the more stable the vehicle is when towing.

Darwinism will take its toll.