Hey all, My truck, after 7 years and 200,000 miles of faithful service, is starting to develop some engine issues that are not worth fixing. Sad day, I know. However, this now gives me the opportunity to acquire a newer vehicle. I am looking for a Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe (or Honda Element, or Mazda3/Protege5) under the $10,000 mark. I am faithfully combing Craigslist and local dealership lots for the right one....and was wondering if any of you fine folks might know of something? Essentially, I need a fuel-saver that can still haul a drumset (or hockey equipment) around and still look nice. I plan on keeping the vehicle several years (like I did with the last one). Anything out there of interest? I greatly appreciate the assistance! - Joshua
Sorry to hear Josh, I guess there are no loaner cars could pick up for a song from your current employer? Can anyone head out to Manheim AA to find something you might like?
HAHAHA...you have no idea how many people have told to just pick up a car off our lot. Minor detail, seeing that they cost 3-5 times more than I make annually. I guess a "song" would be only 1.5 times what I make annually. As far as I know, our sales manager doesn't go to the auction. I think our GM handles all of those transactions, and they are usually done remotely. One of my sales-guys is looking, but nothing so far.
....thought I had a vehicle. Turns out it has had the transmission open and the cylinder head looked way too clean for having 36,000 miles on it (other issues found as well). No record of work being done under warranty. :-s Anyone know of anything?
For a fuel saver, I'll tell you that the Mazda 3 wouldn't be considered so. My friend has one and he gets around 18-20mpg, and he drives pretty conservatively.
Much the same story I replaced my '85 2WD 4 cyl. Toyota truck with a new one. If you insist on the 4 cyl. 2.7L 2WD, and NO OPTIONS you would roll out the door at $17K +/-, or I did, in September 2006. Crank up windows, 4 speaker CD, AC and Carpet mats were the base package. Standard transmission, too as the auto tranny was a weak link in the old truck. Add a secure lid on the bed and you are good to go, with a Warranty!
Thank you for the info. The Mazda is a ways down on the list, but no doubt they will do better than my truck. Sadly, even $17K is beyond my limit. Need to go used. I would love a Toyota Tacoma crew cab, though. Mhmmm....maybe in a few years.
Josh have you thought about either a Honda Civic or VW GTI? I've always had hatch backs for hauling music equipment around, and they are relatively fun to drive.
Thank you for the recommendation! The Civic always seemed too small. I like how the VW's drive. Hmmm.... Funny you should mention a GTI. An acquaintance of mine who sells cars down at Strickland Chevy just called and told me that they just received a GTI. It just seems like such a small car. Would a drumset really fit? I guess I could drive down there with my drumset and find out.
I have fit drum sets, a Marshall 1/2 stack, p.a. system with mixer at different times. Just yesterday I had 20 cases of slate tile (although the tile did compress the suspension *a bit*) in the back of my Golf. Go check the GTI out.
VW Diesel of some sort. My wife has a Jetta Wagon (2005, the last year of them till they bring the new one out the end of this year) and gets 40mpg she has put 70,000 on it in a bit over 3 years with no problems.
I did check it out....for insurance purposes. My insurance would more than double over my truck with the GTI. I am having to add collision coverage to my insurance (requirements of Capital One). That does nasty things to my insurance premium as I am still under 25, not married, and have one ticket on my record. Can't pull that off. Dang it, I like the GTI too.
Yeah......insurance. I guess I got around that initially by my Golf being a 4-door, even though it has the same 1.8t as the GTIs. Have you checked different insurance providers? After 10 years with Progressive, for kicks I checked Geico......and my insurance dropped $80 a month. And that was with switching the wife's car from a VW Passat to a MINI Cooper S. Maybe look around for a Golf with the 2.0. Those can be easily had for well under 9K. Just thought of the perfect car Josh. Dead reliable.....plenty of space.....mpg......well.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Caprice-Classic-1994-CHEVROLET-CAPRICE-STATIONWAGON_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6162QQihZ015QQitemZ250213047306QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW Hmmm......now that I look at it........I kinda want it.
Wow... that wagon is really clean. How many of those things are in that condition? Snap it up and park it and sell it at Barrett Jackson 2034.
Josh, sounds like your perfect car is... your pickup! Given your parameters of fuel efficient and room for stuff and cheap insurance. Not the perfect date-mobile but whadda ya do. Do Mazda and Toyota even make the small pickup any more? Surely they do, right? But after driving a pickup myself for 10 years, I understand wanting to go a different direction.
Wylie! HAHA! Great car. That's funny. Yea...mpg? More like gpm. DAVE!!! DUDE! How are ya? How's business? Haven't talked to you in a while. *blush* I should call...yea....I know. However, your statement is becoming increasingly more attractive. If I look at it like this: rebuild the engine or put a new one in = about $3500. Transmission hasn't given me any troubles. Clutch probably needs changing in 20,000-40,000 miles. Another $800 (overshot just a bit). That brings me to a grand total of $4300 output over the next year to two years (not including maintenance). If I were to pay that off over time, say $400 a month (easily a car payment, not including the increased insurance rates), I'm done in less than a year. Then, I have at least 1 more year, if not more, to squirrel away money for a newer vehicle...not to mention paying off student loans (now down to $11,000). The goal is to be out of debt as soon as possible without starving. This appears to be the most attractive choice, so far. As it stands, if I finance $10,000 for a car at 8.65% interest, my payments are over $350 a month. Not to mention the $200/month in insurance for full coverage + collision. That's money that can go elsewhere, not to mention the strain it would put on my budget. I think I'll hold off on a vehicle purchase. Thank you all for your assistance and wisdom!!! Ya'll rock! Oh...and yes...Mazda and Toyota make small pickups still. However, the Tacoma is quickly approaching "mid-size" status. Great truck...just expensive.
I bought a Ford Ranger on Ebay with 5000 miles for 8995 last year. Truck is awesome and as long as you don't mind no power locks, windows or mirrors it is great transportation for the dough.
