Car shopping, part 1

[dvandom]

My current car has lasted me about six years, and is at 95,000 miles, so it's time to start looking for a new one. And, for once, I'm starting to shop while my current car still works (I bought my second car when I did because I wasn't sure my first would get back home from the dealership, and I ended up having to walk to a dealer to get my current car). Because the class was in something of a fallow period last time I was shopping, I've decided to look at station wagon-ish things first.

Dodge Magnum (test-driven Feb 25): Pluses include really nice power, looks cool, no taller than a regular car (I don't want an SUV or anything too much like one), lots of storage space. And it's Red Alert's altmode. The main minuses are that the sight lines on the sides and back are too blocked for my tastes, and it's also pushing at the top of my desired price range (set roughly at a year's after-tax income). Also, the positions of some of the controls are moderately annoying, but nothing I couldn't get used to. I have tentatively taken this one off the table, with a twinge of regret.

Dodge Caliber (test-driven today): Dude, this is a 2007 model year car. WTF? Will the 2010 cars come out in 2008? Anyway, good handling, I felt a lot more comfortable with the interior and the sight lines, and it's a lot less expensive. However, it really strained going up hill (and yes, there are some serious hills here in town). Granted, it's not fair to compare its engine power to the Magnum or to my current V6'ed Buick Regal, so I'm going to wait until I've tried a few other cars more in its class before calling it. I also sit higher than I'm used to, it's creeping into mini-SUV territory on that mark. (Edit: Caliber, not Calibur, sigh.)

Toyota Matrix (only sat in one): I need to get around to test-driving one. Last time I stopped by the Toyota dealership, they only had the XRS, and I don't drive stick (nor do I really want to learn in a town this hilly). thandrak has the XRS and likes it, though, so I won't make any decision until I get a chance to try one of the automatic transmission models. Nothing about the interior really bothered me.

Mazda3 Wagon: I've only seen pictures, but it's another in the Caliber/Matrix size that's gotten good reviews. I'll try to get to it over spring break.

Subaru Impreza Wagon: Another one I haven't really done anything with, but it's still on the list of possibles. Edit: Oops, no Subaru dealers within 50 miles. Guess it's off the list unless I stumble on a nice used one.

PT Cruiser, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Chevy HHR, Kia Spectra, Ford Focus: All of these have been stricken from my list for various reasons.

And, of course, if I find I don't really like any of the wagon options, I'll go back to sedans and start poking at those. Given that all three of my cars have been Buicks, I'd probably check out the current Century.


I will note that the only car dealership within a reasonable walk of my home is the Dodge dealership, so I plan to test drive some of their other offerings when I get time, just so I have a good idea what their range is in case my current car dies suddenly and I need to repeat my 2000 experience. :/

Comments

Auto stuff

[drewdederer.livejournal.com]

Hey Dave, why'd you kill the Vibe but not the Matrix? They're sisters under the skin, heck they're even built in the same factory. (dealers?)

The Mazda 3 is a good car from what I hear, but a bit of a rocket. You might want to check out the Mazda5 (it's a 5-door hatchback, not the Miata replacement thats the MX5).

I replaced my little CRX last year. Only changed one letter and picked up a certified used CRV. Took me about 3 days to get my inner ear around the fact that I wasn't sitting on the road (I was getting scared turning on exit ramps for a week), I found it excellent.

Problems (for you)
1. It's an SUV (not a big one though and on a unibody Civic base).
2. It's only a 4-cylinder (but a really torquy one) won't smoke anyone at the lights, but it'll climb and highway pass no worries.

Pluses
1. Ridiculous amounts of head and shoulder room, I could almost wear a top hat. Had a Bonneville as a loaner when I got hit and it was like being locked in a box.
2. Decent (not great) milage 20-26 mpg depending.. Comparable to the Magnum.
3. Can come 2WD or AWD (AWD is wonderful for those 50 days a year when the weather REALLY sucks). AWD also gets you around corners with easy (the secret is to keep on the gas just a bit, the rears will get you around).
4. Can hold stupid amounts of stuff (used it while I was deploying computers, could hold a 4-wheel-cart plus monitors). The seats fold all the way forward with 2 levers each, 4 flicks and a light lift. I regularly carry a boatload of emergency and other supplies under the cargo floor, old Boy Scout you know.
5. Does not require a stepladder to get in.
6. Has theater-style rear seats that people actually enjoy sitting in (heck my CRX didn't even HAVE a back seat).

Re: Auto stuff

[dvandom.livejournal.com]

I nixed the Vibe because it's the Matrix under the skin. It's cheaper in every sense of the word. If I'm going to get that vehicle, I'll get the higher quality version for a grand or two more. :)