Thinking about a New Car..

[Rosewoodsteel]

Ok,
The 95 Honda has 206K on her and may not last forever.
I've saved up for another car and may actually buy a brand new one this time around.
I'm gassing (yes..., that word again) for a 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium, but will be test driving a 2013 Honda Accord, as well.
I'll most likely keep the old Honda and let it get beat up at the train station parking lot.
Anyone else going through the new car process (CR, test drives, dealers ringing up your phone...) ?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I have a 94 and am just praying it makes it another year. I think my next automobile might have to be a mid-life crisis car, I already have the young woman, ponytail, and beer gut, so I might as well get something red and unpractical.

 

[Shawn@PRS]

Our cars are from 2004 and 2005, both with 130,000 plus miles. I'd love to get something newer but I need to wait until my wife finishes her degree this spring. Neither car is giving me any trouble, so this would be purely an emotional purchase.

 

[Jet Whitey]

I use to buy new cars everytime the weather changed when I was married to my ex. I haven't bought a new one since 1997 and not being car broke is a good feeling. I just read an article a few weeks ago that a new car purchase is worth about 32% of it's original price after 5 years. With interest rates at "Free Money" lows I would take the money you've saved and keep it banked and use someone else's. There's no sense at throwing your saved money at a depreciating asset. If you can find a lease return or program car from Ford you'll save money versus new. I rented a 2012 Fusion Titanium AWD when I was up in Alaska this past July. I was truely impressed with it and I haven't been impressed with anything Ford has done in a sedan in a long time. I can see the " Big Airplane Co." technology and other aerospace engineering changes since Alan Mually took over. He's the "Father of the 767 and the 777" and the guy knows quality. He stuck his neck on the chopping block back in the day when he told the board to adopt the Japanese way of building and to apply it to airplanes. He also stuck his head out there again when he accepted the job from Bill Jr. He worked for $1 a year until the company turned out a car he would buy and until they made a profit. Honda's are great also!

 

[tiboy]

A friend of mine got the 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium a few months ago. She is very happy with it. She is quite the discriminating buyer.

 

[László]

I already have the young woman

You, sir, no longer need the unpractical red car.

 

[Shawn@PRS]

My recent experience with the Ford Fusion has been a bit different than others here. My car was in the shop for paint work and I had a Fusion for a rental car for two weeks. Every time I stepped on the excelerator the engine felt as though it was going to fall out of the car. The problem was really noticeable at hiway speeds. It wasn't an alignment problem because the vibration stopped when I took my foot off the excelerator, but returned as soon as I gave it any gas. I called the rental company about it but they gave me such a run around I didn't return the car until my own car was ready to go. It was all covered under warranty and I wasn't actually paying for the rental car, so I didn't feel like raising too much hell over the crap rental car.

 

[watelessness]

Sitting at a Dodge dealer right now because because the dogs can no longer jump into the Subaru. Sigh

 

[Rango]

Doing it now.... my wife's Prius that's coming to the end of it's lease and will be BUYING another.... Nice car, cheap to operate and trouble free.

Consumer reports just did it's best value/cheapest to own report - they est. the the Prius costs .49 a mile - the best.

The worst was a 5 series BMW at $1.80 a mile!
http://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2012/12/27/consumer-reports-best-value-cars/index.html?section=money_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fmoney_topstories+%28Top+Stories%29

 

[László]

Doing it now.... my wife's Prius that's coming to the end of it's lease and will be BUYING another.... Nice car, cheap to operate and trouble free.

Consumer reports just did it's best value/cheapest to own report - they est. the the Prius costs .49 a mile - the best.

The worst was a 5 series BMW at $1.80 a mile!
http://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2012/12/27/consumer-reports-best-value-cars/index.html?section=money_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fmoney_topstories+%28Top+Stories%29

Well...if cost per mile played on a guitar was figured up, I'm guessing Consumer Reports would determine that the "best value" would be something like an Epiphone LP Jr. for $149.

It isn't always about the money.

 

[Jet Whitey]

My recent experience with the Ford Fusion has been a bit different than others here. My car was in the shop for paint work and I had a Fusion for a rental car for two weeks. Every time I stepped on the excelerator the engine felt as though it was going to fall out of the car. The problem was really noticeable at hiway speeds. It wasn't an alignment problem because the vibration stopped when I took my foot off the excelerator, but returned as soon as I gave it any gas. I called the rental company about it but they gave me such a run around I didn't return the car until my own car was ready to go. It was all covered under warranty and I wasn't actually paying for the rental car, so I didn't feel like raising too much hell over the crap rental car.

Broken motor mount......The common neutral drop Days of Thunder syndrome found in rental cars.

 

[veinbuster]

I think your car is at the point where a replacement makes sense, especially if there are times when it must work.

I look at cars quite frequently just to know where the industry is going when it is time to buy again - every ten years or so and always over 200,000 miles.

 

[IRG]

I'm always looking at new (and sometimes used) cars, sort of a hobby of mine. The new Accords seem really good. I have a 2011 Camry (technically a 2010) that I'll be trading in soon (leased) and I probably won't get another, even though it's been a fine car, and all maintenance costs included too. But the recent report of the new Insurance Institutes off set crash test gave the Camry and the Prius a poor rating, so that concerns me. The cars that did well included the Subaru Legacy, the new Accord, VW Passat, Kia Optima...can't remember the others at the moment. The Nissan Altima is a really solid choice too. Any of these choices would be really solid imo. Reliability is hardly an issue anymore, but safety still is apparently. And resale is a moot point if you're going to drive it forever. Kia/Hyundai offer the longest warranty if that's an issue for you.

The Fusion seems like a solid choice, as does the Chevy Malibu - I'd be happy with either choice. A lot of it comes to price too, which one fits your budget the best. But something fun is always nice too. Live in a winter climate like I do? The Subaru's are hard to beat then. If you're considering the Accord, maybe check out the new CRV as well. Looks wise, I like the new Accord a lot, especially the Sport model, with a couple of extra hp under the hood too.

 

[Jester]

If it is not going to be your daily driver you can go in many directions. Jeep, truck, sports car or convertible?

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

My wife and I are doing the new car thing as well. We have decided on the 2013 Ford Escape (Titanium Package). We test drove every make and model of crossover we could find... Which is pretty daunting these days! It's comfortable , drives and handles great, looks cool. The Kia Sorento was surprisingly nice as well... But , we both kept going back to the Ford. It is the first time we have agreed 100% on a vehicle in 16 years....kinda scary....

 

[Rango]

Well...if cost per mile played on a guitar was figured up, I'm guessing Consumer Reports would determine that the "best value" would be something like an Epiphone LP Jr. for $149.

It isn't always about the money.

So true...
Just like guitars there are emotional and aesthetic considerations.

But as it turns out there is a beauty all it's own in exceptional function. :biggrin: The Prius isn't going to win any beauty contests but it's exceptional function...saves money that I can spend on GUITARS. :top:

I've seen guitars that were "plain" to me but when you play them their tone and playability win you over! :beer:

Of course I've bought guitars for their beauty and happily they have exceptional function !
22:

 

[Rosewoodsteel]

Doing it now.... my wife's Prius that's coming to the end of it's lease and will be BUYING another.... Nice car, cheap to operate and trouble free.

Consumer reports just did it's best value/cheapest to own report - they est. the the Prius costs .49 a mile - the best.

The worst was a 5 series BMW at $1.80 a mile!
http://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2012/12/27/consumer-reports-best-value-cars/index.html?section=money_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fmoney_topstories+%28Top+Stories%29

A friend of my has a Prius, and he loves it. I've thought about hybrids, but I drive cars until the doors fall off (and than some). I would like to take a newer car into retirement and have it for as many years as possible, without worring about having to replace an expensive battery system. Hybrids, on average, are more expensive initially than conventional cars. So, it takes many years to break even and recoup the gasoline savings. If you keep the car long enough to need a new battery system..., you may not have saved much at all.
The day they provide a 20 year warranty on the battery system, is the day I become very interested.

 

[Rango]

A friend of my has a Prius, and he loves it. I've thought about hybrids, but I drive cars until the doors fall off (and than some). I would like to take a newer car into retirement and have it for as many years as possible, without worring about having to replace an expensive battery system. Hybrids, on average, are more expensive initially than conventional cars. So, it takes many years to break even and recoup the gasoline savings. If you keep the car long enough to need a new battery system..., you may not have saved much at all.
The day they provide a 20 year warranty on the battery system, is the day I become very interested.

Who provides a 20 year warranty on a regular drive system? I guess you could look at the cost of an extended warranty to compare?

Don't take my word for it... Consumer Reports did the math - cost acquisition, repair and operation - taking everything into account - best value Prius. Maybe not "Best looking" or "most fun to drive"... best value.

I don't know anybody with a current generation Prius that has had to replace the battery pack. It's under warranty for 5 years/100K. I personally know two people with over 200K on their Prius with no drivetrain repairs. I don't keep cars past about 80K but it's nice to know I could.

Buy what makes you happy and makes sense for your situation. :top: But more expensive, reliability or overall expense than non-hybrid? The numbers don't support that.... I'm an engineer by day - the math doesn't lie. You should at least check it out for yourself.

Oh and with the back seat down you can get 3 guitars, two combo amps and a pedalboard Pro in with no problem.

 

[alantig]

Oh and with the back seat down you can get 3 guitars, two combo amps and a pedalboard Pro in with no problem.

Trust me - if my wife is with me and I buy 3 guitars, 2 amps and a pedalboard, there is a problem. :wink:

 

[Rosewoodsteel]

Who provides a 20 year warranty on a regular drive system? I guess you could look at the cost of an extended warranty to compare?

Don't take my word for it... Consumer Reports did the math - cost acquisition, repair and operation - taking everything into account - best value Prius. Maybe not "Best looking" or "most fun to drive"... best value.

I don't know anybody with a current generation Prius that has had to replace the battery pack. It's under warranty for 5 years/100K. I personally know two people with over 200K on their Prius with no drivetrain repairs. I don't keep cars past about 80K but it's nice to know I could.

Buy what makes you happy and makes sense for your situation. :top: But more expensive, reliability or overall expense than non-hybrid? The numbers don't support that.... I'm an engineer by day - the math doesn't lie. You should at least check it out for yourself.

Oh and with the back seat down you can get 3 guitars, two combo amps and a pedalboard Pro in with no problem.

Rango,
I believe Consumer Reports took it out only 8 years. My guess is that battery systems start reaching their life expectancy around 10 years.
I have an 18 year old car which I have maintained personally. (The only work I've "contracted out" was the first timing belt replacement.)
Hybrids are great! I just don't know that they would fit my lifestyle of long term car ownership.

What type of Engineer are you?