W. Randy Hoffman ([info]mrgoodwraith) wrote,
@ 2008-04-29 12:50:00
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Replacement car time
My '98 Saturn SL2 has served me well, by and large, despite needing more work than I thought Saturns were supposed to. But it's time for a change; the Saturn's got a lot wrong with it that I don't want to fix, and the engine and transmission are both giving me hints that they're going to need some love soon whether I like it or not.

Here's what I'm thinking in terms of a replacement. I need a late-model car that's very reliable and gets superior gas mileage. (A hybrid would be great, but I haven't found a decent one for under $25K in this area.) I also need the best warranty I can manage. It must have cruise control and I would prefer 4-wheel or all-wheel drive. I have $3K as a downpayment and I can *maybe* afford to borrow up to $20K if the APR is low (assuming my current job doesn't evaporate). I'd kinda like something that can haul stuff around, because my mom and I have a *lot* of stuff to haul around -- especially if my grandma passes and we have to move out of our present house -- and the Saturn has sometimes been awkward for that.

So I have my eye on three Toyota Matrix wagons. (I test-drove a fourth last night -- an '05 that was being offered for $13K - but various things about that particular car failed to impress me.) The one I'm heading over to see tonight is a white '07 with less than 10K miles on it but front-wheel drive; they're asking $16K. The other two, which I looked over last night but didn't test-drive because they were blocked in, are a silver '06 (less than 10K miles, $15K, also front-wheel drive) and a silver '09 demo ($19.7K, all-wheel drive). Ordinarily I wouldn't think of buying new, but the '09 model is impressively redesigned and 2.9%/60-month financing is available through tomorrow; plus the dealership, which has a good rep, tells me they'll give me the best deal they can to sell that car by month-end.

I'm not wedded to the Matrix; I wouldn't be averse to a Scion xB or a Honda wagon, and my mechanic says I should look at a bunch of other cars and find the one I'm most comfortable with (he suggests I consider Subaru, Hyundai, and even a Chevy Cavalier or Cobalt, among others). However, I really don't know how much longer the Saturn's going to hold out, and I don't want to spend a huge amount of time and gas money on shopping either.

Suggestions? Please?

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[info]drzarron
2008-04-29 05:28 pm UTC (link)
I can HIGHLY recommend the Mazda3 five door. Handles amazingly, fast, great mileage and a ton of reconfigurable space within.

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[info]mrgoodwraith
2008-04-29 05:39 pm UTC (link)
OK, thanks much!

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[info]beamjockey
2008-04-29 06:23 pm UTC (link)
I considered the Matrix, and bought a Pontiac Vibe, which is the same car. Used Vibes tend to be a bit cheaper than comparable Matrices.

It's been great for about 25,000 miles so far, and it gets about 28 MPG on average. The fold-down wagon-like seats have proved useful in hauling stuff.

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[info]mrgoodwraith
2008-04-29 06:28 pm UTC (link)
Ah, I didn't know the Vibe and Matrix were equivalent. Thanks!

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[info]adelheid_p
2008-04-29 06:55 pm UTC (link)
Given that you want all wheel drive, I'd also recommend a Subaru Forester. <lj user=dergeis) and I are considering one for a next vehicle. I've known people who have owned them and have experienced few problems with them outside of the usual wear and tear. For used Hondas I usually recommend Matta Motors but they only seem to have a 1997 Honda Accord station wagon at the moment. You didn't say that you would consider an SUV or mini-van so I assume the Honda Element and Odyssey vans are out of the question.

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[info]mrgoodwraith
2008-04-29 07:29 pm UTC (link)
I've only found one Forester in the Autotrader listings that meets all my criteria, but there a boatload of Subaru Outbacks out there. I definitely don't want an SUV or minivan.

I see a lot of Kia Rondos listed; the Kia I rented to drive to FilKONtario was a nice car. Tower Auto in Blawnox has an '05 Volvo V50 wagon that I'm wondering about also.

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[info]dr_zrfq
2008-04-30 03:37 am UTC (link)
I loves me my Subaru wagon; mine is a '95 and going along nicely. I take her to Pittsburgh every so often and she handles the hills very nicely. Over four years she's cost me about $400/year in repairs, which includes the set of 4 new tires she just got. Cargo space is quite nice, though not quite a spacious as a Forester of course; still, I can haul all my gear for 2 weeks at Pennsic in her (except the pavilion, which wouldn't fit in a Forester either). So I'd check out the Outback and Legacy wagons you find listed.

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[info]hms42
2008-04-29 07:31 pm UTC (link)
I can't advise. I have a '97 SW2 Saturn that is running well and while it runs fine, it has cost me on average about $1000 per year in repairs, its doing what I need it to do. (Transport to/from train station.)

Good luck with what you purchase.

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[info]mrgoodwraith
2008-04-29 08:09 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, I bought Saturn based on their vaunted quality/reliability, but it didn't hold up over time for my car. After the first two years, I think that car's run me between $800 and $1200 a year in fixes (for the stuff I chose to fix rather than just have deactivated); shoot, it's cost me over $600 in the last two months just to pass inspection and get the fuel filter changed.

Thanks for the good wishes!

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[info]cellio
2008-04-30 01:54 am UTC (link)
I'm fond of my new Honda Fit (bought in September). It's a tardis; I'm amazed by how much crap I can fit in there. (Of course, any hatchback is going to be an automatic advance on your Saturn there.) I don't think it comes in 4WD, though.

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[info]robin_june
2008-04-30 03:59 am UTC (link)
Nope, you have to go as big as the Element to find AWD in the Honda line. It's an SUV, but not a very big one. The CR-V is now larger than the Element -- it was plumped up in 2003 when the Element was introduced.

My 2003 has AWD -- if an Element has a skylight over the cargo compartment, then it has AWD, even if it doesn't have the window decal. It's a tardis also -- we named ours Casey the Bass Case because it holds the upright bass violin AND the guitar cases AND the mandolin & banjo & dobro cases AND the suitcases AND the two of us, and that's before invoking the roof rack. Clear all that stuff out, and we can stretch the seats out and sleep on them lying down (not sitting up).

The gas mileage could be a little better, but the AWD has saved my life for several years' of winter snowstorms.

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