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Car Shopping

We're car shopping. The 1994 Saturn station wagon I inherited from Blair's mother may soon be delivered down the line to another relative, meaning Dena gets a new car!

"New" meaning "used" of course.  I will never own a new-new car. Waste of money driving it off the lot. Years and years ago, we bought a brand new Toyota Corolla. The thing was cursed. Made me a believer that "new" doesn't always mean better.

So your role, loyal blog readers, is to offer your opinion on what type car Dena should get. Hopefully you will render your opinions in a nicer tone than my best friend Trisha who, when informed I had my eye on a 2002 Toyota Camry, blurted out, "That's a great car... if you're a hundred and five." (She loves me. She does. She just has a  hard time showing  it.)

Here are my requirements:

  • Good on gas mileage. No SUV's!
  • Safe. Reliable.
  • 4 door. Automatic.
  • Something that won't cost $1000 just to set foot inside the dealer service station (read: Lexus)
  • $8-$11k range
  • Looks decent. I don't care about sporty. My focus is no rust, dings, or mismatched doors.
  • Average size. Don't want itty-bitty but don't want to haul around a sedan, either. Trunk space is nice.
  • Sunroof is nice, but not required.

Resale value isn't important as I drive a car until it dies. Which is why this decision is vital. Whatever we go with, chances are I'll be driving it for the next 10 years.  There is an adorable neon green (my favorite!) Volkswagen Beetle for sale right up the street. The price is right and I considered it, but I think I'd grow tired of it after a year or two. Think long-term when choosing a car for me.

Are you ready? Okay... let's play...PICK... DENA'S... CAR!!!!!

Posted on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 02:04PM by Registered CommenterDena Harris in | Comments5 Comments

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Reader Comments (5)

Being the almost ex-wife of a used car salesman.....You can never go wrong with a Honda Accord... Great gas mileage, always rated well and repair cost friendly...... and I bet you will meet all those other requirements with a Honda!



March 17, 2008 at 03:10PM | Unregistered CommenterAmy Barrett
dang. i want to be the first to say HONDA!

The only problem is that the resale is so high on them, I'm not sure what you can find for under 11K.

there is this...
http://flowhonda.com/CarDetails.aspx?carID=209629
and this...
http://flowhonda.com/CarDetails.aspx?carID=209464

I have had two VWs including the one my daughter drives now and they seem to get a little shakey after milage over 100K.

I have suspected lately that the real sleeper in the auto market may be the latest Suzukis (sp?) out there. If Honda can do it, why not them?
March 17, 2008 at 09:25PM | Unregistered Commentertheo
What's wrong with another Saturn? Yours has proven its worth many times over, it's reliable, comfortable, roomy but frugal on gas, and you do your bit to help keep the folks in Detroit employed. You may even be able to find a used hybrid Saturn. Now there's a challenge for you!
March 17, 2008 at 11:59PM | Unregistered CommenterBernie
I love my Suburu. I've had it almost 11 years and will probably have it 11 more. As you know I have the Outback but the Impreza is really cute. I think the back seats fold down to make the trunk larger. So I vote Suburu.

However, my coworker just got a "new" used Saturn and loves it.

Go to Carmax and look around.
March 18, 2008 at 08:57AM | Unregistered CommenterKay
Just a quick note about the VW Beetle. I also wanted a green bug for a long, but there is zero trunk space and I hear the electrical can be bad with VW's. My mother-in-law had them and she was constantly having electrical problems. I like the looks of some of the newer mazda's and hyundai's actually, but I'm not sure about their prices. Good luck with the hunt!!

Nicole
March 19, 2008 at 08:30PM | Unregistered CommenterNicole

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