Post by: raydog on May 25, 2015, 02:42:22 PM
Post by: Special T on May 25, 2015, 02:51:13 PM
Post by: NW-GSP on May 25, 2015, 03:20:46 PM
Post by: Johnb317 on May 25, 2015, 03:21:47 PM
Your question is a fairly open field..... until you get to 30mpg which narrows things a lot.
first things first...... how good a mechanic are you??
Audi's are fun to drive..... but parts and labor can add up.
If you're buying an older car.... is the timing belt due for a change? Not a hard job if you know what you're doing, but if you have to pay to have it done add 1000.00 depending on the car.
Narrow your search, look at maintenance costs, and check with insurance rates too!
Good luck.
Post by: PlateauNDN on May 25, 2015, 03:30:57 PM
Post by: raydog on May 25, 2015, 03:53:46 PM
tdi sounds fun!
Your question is a fairly open field..... until you get to 30mpg which narrows things a lot.
first things first...... how good a mechanic are you??
Audi's are fun to drive..... but parts and labor can add up.
If you're buying an older car.... is the timing belt due for a change? Not a hard job if you know what you're doing, but if you have to pay to have it done add 1000.00 depending on the car.
Narrow your search, look at maintenance costs, and check with insurance rates too!
Good luck.
I'm fairly mechanically inclined. I can get most thing done until we hit electrical issues. I'm glad you brought up insurance too. I'm 19 so they just nail me with insurance costs!
I will try to narrow it down a little. Already have a hunting rig so no need for Awd/4wd. I'm not big on hatchbacks. I would like something with a little get up and go. Can't go over board or else the insurance Co will lose there mind. As much as I tell myself looks aren't what is important, I still pass up on ugly cars :rolleyes:
So basically I'm looking for something that will get decent MPG, Insurance company can't mug for owning, Still be able to get up to speed reasonable, and not look awful. :chuckle:
These are the cars I have been looking at and will be researching:
Mazda 3
Ford Focus
Jetta TDI- worried about repair parts cost though?
Subaru legacy
Maybe a Subaru outback.
Just glanced at Scion Tc but the reviews were terrible
I have considered a 2wd truck like a Ranger or S-10 as Special T suggested
Post by: CAMPMEAT on May 25, 2015, 03:55:35 PM
I have a VW tdi and I'm getting 43-53 mpg around 600 miles on a tank. I even took it to republic dear hunting last season and had no problems.
So you're the guy I saw driving it around in the woods..... :chuckle:
Post by: WA hunter14 on May 25, 2015, 04:37:37 PM
Post by: NW-GSP on May 25, 2015, 04:39:25 PM
Post by: C-Money on May 25, 2015, 04:53:23 PM
Post by: yorketransport on May 25, 2015, 05:33:02 PM
For me, fuel economy is good but not worth driving something that you don't like. If you drive 50 miles a day commuting (I'll call it 300 miles a week just to give a buffer) at 30 MPG, you'll use 10 gallons of fuel. At 25 MPG you're only using an extra 2 gallons per week. That's the cost of 1-2 Starbucks drinks per week @ $3 per gallon and about $300 per year. That's a fair chunk of change. Now factory in the amount of time that you're going to spend in the car. Sometimes that extra $6 in fuel savings per week to get a car with 30 mpg isn't worth compromising the pleasure or comfort of being in car that you like more, but gets lower MPG.
Sometimes it's worth it to just buy the car you want instead of the car you need. I went through this back in November when I was looking for a new daily driver. I already have a truck and planned to keep the Jetta to use as a spare (or for my wife in the even she ever decides to drive :rolleyes:) I commute about 75 miles round trip each day; that's a lot of windshield time just commuting. Then I drive for work in a loud, rough riding step van. A car with good MPG would have the smart choice to cut down on fuel consumption. The reality though is that I spend so much time in the driver's seat that I just want to drive something that I enjoy. I went from looking at the 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrids (to cover the high MPG requirement) to driving home a 2015 Lexus IS 350 F-Sport because that's the car that gave me that warm fuzzy feeling. :tup: I ended up with a car that gets 25 MPG instead of 35 MPG and I don't regret it one bit. You shouldn't dread getting into your car.
Find the car that you like and will fit your budget and needs, not the car that fits your needs and that you just "don't hate". :twocents:
Andrew
Post by: coachcw on May 25, 2015, 06:38:42 PM
Post by: 2labs on May 25, 2015, 06:52:23 PM
Post by: Special T on May 25, 2015, 07:31:30 PM
Post by: kirkl on May 26, 2015, 07:35:44 AM
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on May 26, 2015, 10:14:30 AM
Post by: fillthefreezer on May 26, 2015, 11:11:42 AM
Post by: Skillet on May 26, 2015, 11:15:18 AM
My commuter is a 1999 Toyota Solara (two door camry) with a manual trans. I really like it - 30 mpg on the highway and 24 in town, peppy enough, has been completely free of problems. Based on your list and my preferences, if I'm you I'm looking for that low-mile Mazda 3 with a manual trans. :twocents:
Post by: bracer40 on May 26, 2015, 11:16:56 AM
Every car I've purchased was researched 1st in CR.
Never been unhappy with a single vehicle.
You can probably find the most recent issue free in the resources section of your public library (a gov't funded agency I love!)
Post by: baker5150 on May 26, 2015, 11:19:03 AM
Repair cost may be a bit more than the Japanese cars, but I more than make up for it in fuel savings.
Audi's are 100,000 mile cars. They are just too expensive to repair, you can't even get wiper blades from anywhere but the dealership.
Post by: huntnphool on May 26, 2015, 11:27:03 AM
Post by: fillthefreezer on May 26, 2015, 11:36:22 AM
Repair cost may be a bit more than the Japanese cars, but I more than make up for it in fuel savings.really? my corolla avg 38. with fwy tanks up to 42 and my camry avg 29 in town with 32 all fwy
Post by: TheHunt on May 26, 2015, 11:44:33 AM
If it was me, I would choose a Toyota
Post by: gee_unit360 on May 26, 2015, 12:09:55 PM
toyota corolla or camry. between my last two im at 700,000 miles:yeah: :tup:
Post by: DRobnsn on May 26, 2015, 12:15:33 PM
Prius... All hunters and fisher-people should be driving one. LOL...
If it was me, I would choose a Toyota
It's hard to argue with the idea that at the daily mileage he's talking a Prius will essentially make its own payment in fuel savings over buying and fueling most mid 20mpg rigs. Yes they are ugly and yes they have a stereo type but money is money. Plus they are extremely reliable with very little maintenance. Just tint the windows so no one can see you and put some hunting stickers on it :chuckle:
Post by: Special T on May 26, 2015, 12:26:10 PM