Author Topic: How do you pick a car? (Read 1161 times)

Questor · « **on:** December 04, 2009, 03:00:24 AM »

I love cars for the travel it enables. But I see them as utilitiarian in that regard. I pick them because I think they'll meet my needs for a period of time, usually 10 years, and then I pick something that better fits my expected lifestyle for the next period of time.

I used to get econo-boxes, but learned that they don't cost much less to operate than a more feature laden and comfortable car, so now I get things with good air conditioning, heat, comfortable seats, and up to date stereo. I like good brakes, sufficient power for accelleration when I need it, and good handling. I like good visibility and enough cargo space for taking a cross-country trip. I like to be able to tow my boat. I like room for five people. I won't buy a car that gets less that 20mpg on the highway. I like safety features like air bags and a fundamentally good design that takes safety into account. I like cars that cops and thieves have no interest in.

On reading this, I don't think I'm a good candidate for something like a Prius, but I don't need or want a Suburban either.

How do you pick your cars?

hillbill · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2009, 03:33:32 AM »

i usually choose my vehicles by researching vehicles that are capable of doing what i need, then slowly narrowing down the field by research on reliability,price,mpg,and just general quality of manufacture.i always know the exact car i want before i even start in the purchaseing process.now yu are looking for a pretty versatile vehicle, yu need towing ability, 5 passenger seating and decent mpg. thats going to be a tuff one.you didnt say what your price range is or if yu are buying new or used?or if you are partial to american or inported cars?myself, i like nissans. they are not as expensive as toyotas or hondas but are fairly good quality, resonably price with a decent ability to hold thier value.and ive had good luck with them.you might look at some of the subaru station wagon type 4 wheel drive cars. not sure if the are 5 passenger. i recently looked at some of them and was really impressed except they had bigger engines than what i wanted, correspondingly lowering the mpg.but still above what yu are needing for mpg.almost every type of car has some sort of web disscussion forum where yu can go to learn about all the inherent defects of that model, ask questions of people who actually own them and just generally git a feel for what yu are getting into.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2009, 04:47:18 AM »

Quester,

You have perfectly described our previous car, a Ford Crown Victoria. I bought is used for the wife and it did all the things you mention and more. It was actually an unmarked police car and very high performing with good mpg as well. It pulled our boat like it was not there. The Interceptor package was nice but not needed.

The car would go 140+ mph.

Cheese

Greenbug · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2009, 05:27:49 AM »

I always buy pickups, haven't owned a car for so long don't even remember the last one. I'm interested in gas mileage same as many folks now and have owned a 6 cyl Silverado for the past couple years, it is a plain model as I'm not a fan of all the bells and whistles... power this and that, or fancy cd players, don't like the electronic 4x4 engagement either, etc. I'm hoping my next one will be a Ranger diesel 4x4, if Ford will bring em to the states.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2009, 05:56:17 AM »

I don't buy cars. I've not had one in so long I can't recall when or what the last one was. I buy TRUCKS and I don't call trucks cars like the do on TV and in movies.

I buy the biggest truck I can find but am kinda picky on brands. I won't own a GM or Chrysler product. My last two have been Toyotas a 2005 Tundra and 2008 Sequoia. Before that it was Fords since I picked up a new '85 Bronco. About all I consider are full size pick up trucks and large SUVs.

I average driving 5000-7500 miles per year depending on whether we take a long trip that year or not. I don't worry about gas mileage. I want creature comfort and the safety a huge vehicle offers me on roads filled with tiny death traps. The last wreck I was in a small red car piled into the back of my '86 F150. It bent the bumper on my truck which I've still not fixed tho I did try to bend it back out a bit. It totaled the car and had she not been wearing seat belt and shoulder harness and had air bags it might would have killed her. I'd estimate she was still going 60 mph or more at impact. Luckily I heard the brakes and saw her coming so pushed the accelerator to the floor so we too were moving at impact. I was parked at my drive waiting to turn when oncoming traffic cleared and she just piled into me.

williamlayton · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2009, 06:25:02 AM »

My last 5 purchases since about '82 have been Ford Pick-ups or Expeditions. Pretty loaded--don't like moon roofs or such.
Just buy a Ford Expedition---good hwy milage. On my wanderlust in "08 I got 19 1/2 MPG out of the Eddie Bauer and that was about what I got out of the one I totaled the year before.
I like ford's.
Blessings

The Hermit · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2009, 09:42:10 AM »

Hmmm. How do you PICK a car? Neighbor's boy says you use a small set of picks and a long handled screw driver. He does work for the chevy dealer.

I buy new pickups, usually Chevy Silverado, and keep then to 200,000 miles and give them away.

The Hermit

rex6666 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2009, 09:49:11 AM »

It is easy for me, best deal i can find on a Ford pickup
right now that is a four door , short bed, f-150, with most of the whistles
and bells. I have convinced my self that i am paying for it and will buy what
I want. When i take off on a trip i like to be comfortable. I am willing to
pay to play.

Dee · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2009, 09:56:37 AM »

I used to buy pickups, and they were Chevys, then I switched to Van, and they were GMCs, and then the wife wanted an Expedition. Beautiful vehicle, and had radar for every gas station on the road. Traded that for a Chrysler 300 Limited with the high out put six. Great car, 25 to 30 mpg depending on how you drive it, and plenty of comfort. She lets me drive it on Sunday and trips. The rest of the time its my Jeep.

scootrd · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2009, 10:12:45 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard on December 04, 2009, 05:56:17 AM

I don't buy cars. I've not had one in so long I can't recall when or what the last one was. I buy TRUCKS and I don't call trucks cars like the do on TV and in movies.

I buy the biggest truck I can find but am kinda picky on brands. I won't own a GM or Chrysler product. My last two have been Toyotas a 2005 Tundra and 2008 Sequoia. Before that it was Fords since I picked up a new '85 Bronco. About all I consider are full size pick up trucks and large SUVs.

I average driving 5000-7500 miles per year depending on whether we take a long trip that year or not. I don't worry about gas mileage. I want creature comfort and the safety a huge vehicle offers me on roads filled with tiny death traps. The last wreck I was in a small red car piled into the back of my '86 F150. It bent the bumper on my truck which I've still not fixed tho I did try to bend it back out a bit. It totaled the car and had she not been wearing seat belt and shoulder harness and had air bags it might would have killed her. I'd estimate she was still going 60 mph or more at impact. Luckily I heard the brakes and saw her coming so pushed the accelerator to the floor so we too were moving at impact. I was parked at my drive waiting to turn when oncoming traffic cleared and she just piled into me.

Same here. started out with cars .. years ago I went through the teenage muscle car stage then gradually migrated into Trucks. Will never go back. Always 1/2 ton or larger. Never have bought new. Was never Brand loyal, I've owned , Dodge, Chevy, Ford. (who ever offered the best deal when I was buying.) My latest is a 2004 F250 V10 Gasser with 56k on it. Very nice for towing. lots 'o umph!!! Doesn't even wince towing 7k worth of loaded down trailer. Gotta love Detroit Iron (so to speak I know it has foreign parts on it as well).
Can never see myself back in a Sedan. My trucks are utilitarian and with that much real steel up front I'm less concerned about getting squished if I get into a wreck. Went off the road last winter in an ice storm. Only thing that got hurt was my pride , barely a dent in the truck.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2009, 10:41:00 AM »

Oh, oh, oh, oh, get a japanese anything it will be so awesome, you'll never, ever ,ever have to do anything to it except drain away the excess fuel. Defininatly get the fart can muffler, unless you are married, cause the lady's flat won't leave you alone.

I pick based on worse case scenario, sorta. Imagine a camping vacation with a wife and three daughters. Multiple 1200 mile trips per year, occasionally pulling utility trailers and ice fishing and hunting adventures. For whatever reason I have little faith in GM products and the styling turns me off. Dodge styling interests me but, I was raised on the idea that one transmission should last a vehicle till the engine is shot, or 150k so no joy on the mopars. You have probably surmised my opinion of asian auto's. That left Ford which meant an Expedition, cause I didn't own a pole barn to park the Excursion in.

If you are a proud AARP member, always eat before 5PM, and drop the little lady off for a wash and set friday afternoon, go to Buick. Tell them you want the Geezer lite, or LaCross as they badge it. It's a pretty nice car geezer or not. Me being the stud I am would look at a Ford (can't get past my demons) Fusion, test drive every Mustang on the lot, and leave in a used Taurus, traded in by a geezer needing a Mercury Grand Marquis.

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2009, 10:42:49 AM »

I'll only consider a Toyota or a Honda. It needs to average at least 40mpg. I can't afford to put gas in a truck. I can't afford to maintain an American made car or truck.

myronman3 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2009, 11:09:40 AM »

it is really easy for me. i get what i can afford. to me that means if i have 5000, i am looking at 4000 price range.
i like vehicles that are reliable and do what i need them to do. i drive a buick la sabre, and i have a ford f150 4x4 with a manuel tranny and straight six. neither of the two are glamorous, but the payment plan is perfect (none), and they have cost me very little in maintance and repairs. they stop when i need them to, and go when i step on the gas peddle. works for me.

red364 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2009, 11:27:40 AM »

I just go with the prettiest color!

oldandslow · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2009, 11:41:51 AM »

I buy trucks. They have GM written on them. The first new vehicle I ever bought was a 1/2 ton GMC pickup when I graduated high school in 1956. They have always served me well and the Duramax I drive now will knock out 22 mpg on the highway. It also drags a 30' fifth wheel camper effortlessly. I'm 72 and doubt I will ever buy another truck.

As to buying cars, I just buy what my wife decides she wants.

Swampman · « **Reply #15 on:** December 04, 2009, 11:53:48 AM »

You won't be able to buy a new truck with GM or GMC on it anymore.

scootrd · « **Reply #16 on:** December 04, 2009, 11:55:37 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 04, 2009, 10:42:49 AM

I'll only consider a Toyota or a Honda. It needs to average at least 40mpg. I can't afford to put gas in a truck. I can't afford to maintain an American made car or truck.

A little off topic , but this reminded me of a conversation I had with my step- brother. He made the statement he would never buy an american truck (he owns a Tacoma) Me being the instigator I am saw my opportunity. So you don't buy American (between us whatever that means anymore concerning Autos). and then you complain when the big 3 start to go under. He said , they were saved by the bailout. I said no they weren't. Bailout money was squandered. Jobs haven't come back or increased, and were going to be paying it back for generations just where do you think the money came from. He said that's not my problem. I said , so then don't complain about the unemployment %'s like you always do and higher taxes. He said that's the Govt's problem. I said no it isn't . That's our problem cause we don't buy American to stimulate growth in our ecomomy. He said but they make crap trucks. I said my Ford isn't crap you commented on how much you liked it just a few weeks ago. And didn't you call me awhile back to haul all that concrete away because your your little foreign pickup couldn't handle it.? At which point he reverted back firmly stateing his fuel efficiency is better with his Tacoma then what the big 3 offer - I said no it's not and I'll bet ya a six pack. so we did a quick little compare . After a quick bit of research here's where they stacked up.

Ford Ranger approx 23mpg
Chevy Colorado gets approx 21mpg
GMC Canyon approx20mpg.
Dodge Dakota approx 18mpg

Now the so called foreign trucks:
The Mazda B series gets 23mpg
Nissan Frontier 21 mpg
Suzuki Equator 21mpg
Mitubishi raider gets 18mpg
and my step brothers Tacoma 22mpg.

So Pete (my step Brother) wheres the better fuel efficiency buying Foreign? Seems about the same to me!!
At which point he told me to go do something to myself , started to mumble and walked off , Where as I opened the fridge grabbed a nice cold American beer and yelled out this is my last one so please pick up a six of Bud when you come back. (he hasn't talked to me in 2 weeks) - no great loss.

My wife told me not to pick on him as much as I do - I told her it's just to easy to resist.

Questor · « **Reply #17 on:** December 04, 2009, 02:40:06 PM »

Scooterd:

I wish the Ford Ranger got 23mpg in a good configuration. The ones that get over 20mpg are the 4 cylinder 2wd models. Not something I'd buy. The 6cyl 4wd models are 18 or 19mpg

Oldshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** December 04, 2009, 03:32:42 PM »

Quote from: Cheesehead on December 04, 2009, 04:47:18 AM

Quester,

You have perfectly described our previous car, a Ford Crown Victoria. I bought is used for the wife and it did all the things you mention and more. It was actually an unmarked police car and very high performing with good mpg as well. It pulled our boat like it was not there. The Interceptor package was nice but not needed. The car would go 140+ mph.

Cheese

Which describes the 2004 Crown Victoria we own now! The kids call it The "maw maw" car! My son calls it the "Police interceptor" Seats 4 - 5 comfortably gets an average of 23 mpg and is sooooo comfortable on a road trip!

I'll prolly go to a "Big" Honda next, anything but an obamamobile.
I like comfort and good mileage in a car! Now a truck is a horse of a different color.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 04, 2009, 03:47:03 PM »

the motor in the ranger in my 88 was just poor.. ive gotten 332.000 out of a festiva..
over 230.000 .. in my current nissan... but no matter what i did that ranger motor was just not gonna perform like that..i keep the oil so you could see through it.. the air filter clean ...in short...
clean air ,,clean fuel an clean high grade oil..its my opinion ,with technology available today..
a motor should be good at least close to 300.000 for simple driving,,not heavy pulling an such...... my nissan does not use oil today ..knock on wood... for a long time it was my understanding,,some american made cars..
were made with a specific limited lifetime ,, built in..if so they just suffered from poor corp. decisions ,an shot thier own self in the foot..jmo slim

cochise · « **Reply #20 on:** December 04, 2009, 04:23:45 PM »

All this bologna about buying American is ridiculous. All these car companies are multinational and could give two sh$!ts about the American worker. My ford truck has a sticker that says made in Canada and Mexico. It has all kinds of little things that go wrong all the time and you can forget about finding a plain old truck. they are all gussied up like a pimp's Cadillac inside. When are the idiots that design cars going to figure out that you can't make chrome stick to plastic parts for any length of time? Oh and I especially love how they put the shiny fake wood crap on the top of the dashboard so it can direct the sun's glare to my eyes. I am getting only nip cars until the fordchevdodge morons start making a decent product.

hillbill · « **Reply #21 on:** December 04, 2009, 05:27:29 PM »

ford chev dodge lost me in the mid 1980's, the crap they put out then and since just turned me off. i dont mind driveing something that needs a little work from time to time. but when they go waaay out of their way to make it almost impossible for a man with even better than average mechanical ability to keep running, then im done.at one time i was almost militant BUY AMERICAN.i still am but not in the 4 wheeled vehicle department.ill go out of my way to avoid any kind of imported crap where possible but ill always buy the higher quality nip car or truck.yu can give me all yur stories about how yur ford this or chev that went forever and a day. however if i look under the hood and it looks like its gonna take me 3 days just to get a head off, i aint buying it.a little old fashioned i know but thats the way i was taught by my pops.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #22 on:** December 04, 2009, 11:56:57 PM »

Quote

however if i look under the hood and it looks like its gonna take me 3 days just to get a head off, i aint buying it.

aint that the truth!!!!!

My last chevy was in 2001, the fuel pump went bad and 2 (Two) dealerships told me that they could not find the problem. One gave me my keys back and had to push it outa the bay before it would start! Now this truck was under warranty. A local shade tree guy looked at it for 15 minutes and and said; "its the fuel pump" Fixed it for $700.00 bucks. When I contacted GM, they said "well unless our mechanic confirms your guys diagnosis we cant help you". Soooooooo I said " well fellas since your mechanics could not even determine why my truck would not run, I am sure he wont agree that mine did fix the problem and that your guys are just incompetant!" Sold the chevy and wont own another! Its not that it broke(everything breaks) but that they would not and could not make it right! now obama owns GM

williamlayton · « **Reply #23 on:** December 05, 2009, 12:07:57 AM »

Hillbill
Your arguement falls on deaf ears. Try getting the head off a Toyota today---I will even give odds you can't find it.
Fords/Chevy's, in the good old days, were a piece of crap--designed to be a item that was built into the budget as an expendable item.
Those days are past and if you want to continue to view overseas products as the cats meow of dependability, you are, well you are blind.
Todays Fords will out perform, out milage, out last any foreign product, on the road, in the world today.
you get the milage and comfort you pay for---your choice.
I would never own anything but a Ford---thay have proven their worth too me.
This comes from a guy who would not just buy American, if, it were not worth it.
Blessings

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 05, 2009, 12:35:55 AM »

wonder why they don t just put a kohler 4 cylinder water cooled,, inum..

..on my ztr s [zero turning radius mowers]
i always picked kohler if i could ..
now on my work trucks i did have a 78 ford 150 ,,at least thats what i remember,,that other than the clutch replacement,, just kept on running ..until i sold it ,,when gas got outa hand.. i think that was before the wet clutch ..then if you knew how to set you points ,,you was good through another 50 thousand mile clutch..
back then it was all about the ford long stroke versus the chevy short..slim

Swampman · « **Reply #25 on:** December 05, 2009, 02:40:18 AM »

Cars are like guns. If they don't work trade them if. The Toyota's heads will never need to come off.

williamlayton · « **Reply #26 on:** December 05, 2009, 04:41:01 AM »

Tell that too my son in law.
Blessings

DDZ · « **Reply #27 on:** December 05, 2009, 08:24:15 AM »

I have a Ford F250 super duty and had to replace the control arm at 15,000 miles. Before the truck had 22,000 on it all four rotors needed replaced. It now has 25,000 miles on it and I have to use a wrench to turn the hubs in and out. Just haven't got around to pulling the hubs apart yet. The front tires also have started wearing badly on the inside. I guess there is a reason that the big three have been behind other makes of vehicles for years in reliability and ratings. For every story I hear about someone owning a good Ford, I have heard a story about someone owning a Ford that is a piece of junk. From my experience I lean more toward the later.

Quester, if you are looking for a car that does everything you listed, go drive a Subaru. Many are assembled in the US. If you want additional power look at the 2.5i turbo. The regular 2.5i is plenty for normal driving. The AWD system is about the best and most reliable you can get in a car. Subaru engineers know what they are doing, they have been building AWD cars for years. I think the Subaru's offer the most bang for your buck. Just ask anyone that has owned a couple of Subaru's. They are offering the CVT transmission in a couple of their 2010 models.

Sourdough · « **Reply #28 on:** December 05, 2009, 10:45:11 AM »

First I have to fit and be able to get in and out. I have arthritis in my spine and neck so that cuts out things like Subarus and most VWs right off the bat. I'm 6'2" 250lbs the wife is 4'11" We both have to reach the shifter and peddles.

I usually drive trucks, I currently own a F-350 diesel Lariet XLT duelly. With a sun roof. Peddles move up to reach the wife's feet, or move down to give me room.

But I also bought a car a year ago. And the wife drives a car.

1. It has to be able to travel 80MPH plus for hours on end.

2. Safety rating.

3. Mileage is important.

4. Creature comforts are important.

5. Good sound system.

6. I have to fit.

Last year I bought a one year old Mitsubishi Eclipse GT. Loved it, but while I was in Florida Mama gave it to our son. Now I get to drive it sometimes. My son changed the air intake and exhaust, boosting mileage to over 30 mpg. Increased HP by 10%. Got on it once, scared me.

Helped the wife pick out her car. She drives a Mazda RX-8. Not quite as fast as the Eclipse, but more class and style.

ruppster · « **Reply #29 on:** December 06, 2009, 02:16:39 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 05, 2009, 02:40:18 AM

Cars are like guns. If they don't work trade them if. The Toyota's heads will never need to come off.

Last truck I had the head off of was a Toyota (230k), before that an Isuzu (160k). I think they were both good vehicles. My dad has an 02 Tacoma (ext cab, 4x4, TRD) that he won't say anything good about, just remains neutral. It has had electrical issues, water pump replaced, and front suspension work by 150k. He really wishes they would build trucks like they did his 86, but with better sheetmetal. He got rid of it with 270k due to rust.
I wish they would build simple vehicles again. The emphasis on crash tests keep raising vehicle weights and decreasing mileage. (Airbags are good, right? Why are firemen/EMTs directed to treat them as loaded weapons?) People think they need 200hp in a small car. Folks think they need 12k lb tow ratings on 1/2 ton pickups.
My 2003 4x V10 F250 weighs 6800lbs. It makes something around 300+hp and 450+ ft/lbs, yet still can manage 15-16mpg on the highway. Imagine if it only weighted 5000lbs. I once drove a big block 2wd dually that weighed under 4K.