The Garage

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Lots of people seem to be doing the "Zipcar" thing these days...if you drive once a month or even once a week, it's a pretty cheap way to ride I guess.  And their stuff looks pretty new...lots of 162 HP Minis, some nice new Subaru compact pickups, and even a few long-hooded Mercs.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

rut roh

Too bad I have the power to see deleted posts

[PANatsFan]

Lots of people seem to be doing the "Zipcar" thing these days...if you drive once a month or even once a week, it's a pretty cheap way to ride I guess.  And their stuff looks pretty new...lots of 162 HP Minis, some nice new Subaru compact pickups, and even a few long-hooded Mercs.

Full line of Mazda small cars

[PANatsFan]

[Nathan]

Isn't a *lease* essentially like renting a car?

I believe the estimate the resale value of the car, and you pay the difference of the new price and the estimated resale value, or in other words, you are paying the depreciation estimated for the term.  You also pay an additional amount based on a "money factor" thats like a finance charge.  At the end of the term, you have the option of purchasing the car for the estimated value of the car.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Well, I want a '67 Vette or a nice 1960's Jag with a 12 under the bonnet, but in my rat-infested and vandal-prone alley, I guess I'll need to stick with yawners like my Rav4 until I manage to brick up a garage.  And even a Rav4 is hard to protect, no matter how much bobcat piss one sprays over the engine. 

[PANatsFan]

Well, I want a '67 Vette or a nice 1960's Jag with a 12 under the bonnet, but in my rat-infested and vandal-prone alley, I guess I'll need to stick with yawners like my Rav4 until I manage to brick up a garage.  And even a Rav4 is hard to protect, no matter how much bobcat piss one sprays over the engine. 

Nothing says granola eating hippie like a 12 cylinder Jag (I want one, too).

[Nathan]

Nothing says granola eating hippie like a 12 cylinder Jag (I want one, too).

Captain Slow

[Nathan]

I like a lot about the Nissan Juke.  AWD for the snow, small hatchback design, 1.6l turbo for fun and fuel efficiency, sweet looking profile and rear end.  Too bad it looks like a frog from the front.

[PANatsFan]

sweet looking profile and rear end.  Too bad it looks like a frog from the front.

That's what I said about JO MOMMA!

[Nathan]

That's what I said about JO MOMMA!

I'll be sure to let her know your true feelings

[tomterp]

Lots of people seem to be doing the "Zipcar" thing these days...if you drive once a month or even once a week, it's a pretty cheap way to ride I guess.  And their stuff looks pretty new...lots of 162 HP Minis, some nice new Subaru compact pickups, and even a few long-hooded Mercs.

The zipcar concept has got car companies worried.  It's a far more cost effective way to maintain an viable automobile option for those living in high density places where keeping a car is costly, and other transportation options abound.  Whenever I see them, however, I give them wide berth, thinking "there goes a driving newbie".   

[HalfSmokes]

The zipcar concept has got car companies worried.  It's a far more cost effective way to maintain an viable automobile option for those living in high density places where keeping a car is costly, and other transportation options abound.  Whenever I see them, however, I give them wide berth, thinking "there goes a driving newbie".    

mazda hatchback with dc plates and a zip car logo may scream keep away more than student driver

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

We have a Zipcar (yes, a Mazda) parked right next to our house, and watching its drivers trying to get in and out of the alley in several feet of snow was partly scary and partly hilarious.  There are a LOT of them around here...I think that car ownership is now fairly unusual in places like Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle. 

[The Chief]

Haha, some Chevy commercial boasting that the "Cruze" can outcorner the BMW 328i.

[Nathan]

Haha, some Chevy commercial boasting that the "Cruze" can outcorner the BMW 328i.

I'm sure it can.  Maybe the 328i is riding on 4 donuts.

[HalfSmokes]

Haha, some Chevy commercial boasting that the "Cruze" can outcorner the BMW 328i.

may at 15mph

[The Chief]

The stupid name reminds me of something I was discussing with a co-worker recently - American automakers really don't have much in the way of model recognition, at least not among the ranks of their daily drivers.  Sure everybody knows the F-150, the Mustang, Corvette, etc. but I really can't think of any American cars that compare to the name recognition of Civic, Accord, Camry, etc.

Maybe they should stop creating stupid new names every 3 years and just stick with something?

[tomterp]

Starting the process of deciding what the successor will be to my 2000 BMW 323i.  I recently broke down for the first time (radiator expansion tank blowout) and it's obvious that, at 168,000, things are starting to go wrong. 

Upon compiling the history of my maintenance on it, I found I have spent $20,400 in repairs and maintenance since I bought it in 2005.  I paid $18,000 for it, and have driven it 107,000 miles.  While the car is GREAT to drive, it hasn't been the most cost effective option. and the down time is annoying.

I want a car with some similar attributes - a quiet, firm ride, superior handling, 30+mpg, power when needed, quiet interior, great sound system, attractive styling.  I think I can get $5-7k for the BMW if I sell it myself, which I ALWAYS do.  Trading in is giving money away.

What to consider?

I once had a VW Jetta - not great with the maintenance costs, but a very nice handling car (for a front wheel drive model).  I'd consider another one (new), but I think I am developing a fondness for the CC.  I sat in one in the DC auto show 2 seasons back, and it fit me like a glove.  Aweome ergonomics, and very stylish to my taste.  And the model I would go for, the Sport, is the very bottom of the line, has the 5 speed I require.  The turbo 4 cylinder is spirited and thrifty.  I can get one for $27k plus taxes, fees etc. 

Time is on my side.  What else to consider?

[Nathan]

Price range?  Going for compact or midsize?  4 doors or 2?

[HalfSmokes]

Subarus? Good ride, relatively low cost maintenance, and they last

[The Chief]

Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty Black Ops edition?  Seriously?

[tomterp]

Price range?  Going for compact or midsize?  4 doors or 2?

Say up to $30k.  4 door, prefer the "sport coupe" or "sport sedan" classes, though not sure the difference.  No smaller than a Golf, no bigger than an Acura TSX.  Has to be a car that I can rip through turns on country roads fast enough to create distance from the trailing vehicle.  Currently, that is not a problem.   

[HalfSmokes]

Impreza

[Nathan]

Subaru Legacy GT might be worth a look.  Another turbo 4.  I believe it starts at $31k though.  The H6 model is cheaper, but I believe there is no row-your-own option.

Coupes are 2 doors.  So you'd want a sport sedan.  I think the Cadillac CTS is good looking, but over your price range.

Really, it looks like the CC might be the best fit tbh.