A question for the lazywebs...

[compilerbitch]

I am thinking about getting a new car sometime very soon. My Golf, like it though I do, is old enough that I'm going to have to spend a bit more on it quite soon than I'd really like to (brakes, dampers and exhaust need doing, as well as a couple of new tyres), so I'm thinking of swapping it out. I also find it a bit small for my photography trips -- taking both cameras means the boot is completely full with the three camera cases, so my clothes bag and the tripods end up needing to go on the back seat, which is not something I'd prefer ideally. Also, I want something capable of long trips, potentially including ice and snow at high altitudes in winter.

I like the Subarus, but the Impreza is too small (the boot looks actually smaller than the one in my Golf -- I was parked next to one this morning coincidentally). Not sure about the bigger ones. Their SUVs are a bit expensive I think.

I'd consider an SUV, but I'm not really keen on something that eats petrol like it's gone out of fashion. The smaller-engined versions of the Ford Escape (not to mention the hybrid version) look OK -- fuel economy isn't as good as my Golf, but actually not that far off (29 as opposed to 35mpg), and my day-to-day mileage is virtually negligible.

So, any suggestions? I'm prepared to pay something like $15k-ish second hand.

Comments

[mhw.livejournal.com]

We love our Prius.

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

They are nice, yes, but I'm not sure they would be up to winter mountain roads in the High Sierra, which is basically a bit of a must for me really. I found it a bit limiting (and not a little bit scary) when I did my big road trip earlier this year, having to skirt around the snow line in Arizona and New Mexico.

[parthenogenocid.livejournal.com]

The Prius is huge inside. It's amazing how much you can get in there.

I haven't done any snow driving in it, but after a quick look at the forums, it sounds like it does well, with the only complaint being that models with Vehicle Stability Control won't let you spin the wheels. You would want to put snow tires on it, of course.

[x-mass.livejournal.com]

kay you bought a prius?
why?
they aren't even as efficient as good turbodiesel, there fine if your going spend your life in central london but...

[mhw.livejournal.com]

We didn't buy it; it's a work's car, though it's what Jus asked for.

The last time I looked, it was doing 50+ miles per gallon average, which isn't at all bad.

[x-mass.livejournal.com]

ok, I was wrong
I had heard that you actually got something in the 40+ mpg range which is certainly possible with most modern diesels. Supposedly the lupo diesel can match that but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[mhw.livejournal.com]

Of course, it'll vary depending on your driving style and conditions, but the Wikipedia page gives 46-50mpg as typical driver consumption. It also indicates that hypermilers have been able to coax 100mpg out of it!

It's really spooky how silent it is when it's only using the battery: all you can hear is the tyres on the road surface.

[battlekitty.livejournal.com]

I used to have Toyota Corolla's - I found them very reliable and economical, and have driven one of them long distances without any trouble (Adelaide-Melbourne. Something like 700km, give or take 50).

That said, it was in Australia, so i can't comment on mountains or weather conditions below 10C.

[x-mass.livejournal.com]

tdi passat :)
actually seriously you should look at a tdi from whoever now that low sulphur diesel is around in the states and it meets American regulations, besides you can also run biodiesal
you should also look at volvo's, Ok they are made by ford but you used to have one
honda is very good although there first diesels were so good
actually looking at the JD power survey if you can get skoda octavia that would be a really good choice - its basically built on the new golf platform. You could also if you have the time import one from mainland europe. next is the honda accord and I know that is sold in teh states
if your looking for a bigger station wagon then have you thought about mpv's. Ok everyone will think your a mum on school trip but still...

one other option is I'll try and talk to my mate mat who works in the car business - admittedly he's in either detroit or pittsburgh but he has good contacts

[x-mass.livejournal.com]

actually if you the DB in surviability and go anywhereness then it can only be a landcruiser, prefereably a tdi landcruiser. I can see you in a landcruiser with smoke black windows. mind you I was looking on ebay and it looks like getting a tdi comes down to a choice of volkswagen etc

of course you could try and old friend http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-Black-Volvo-850-Turbo-Wagon_W0QQitemZ280120783317QQihZ018QQcategoryZ31878QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

v70 turbo estate 2001 15K 15 miles from you in belmont

[x-mass.livejournal.com]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=220521157&dealer_id=555663&car_year=2001&search_type=both&num_records=&keywordsfyc=&make=VOLVO&model=V70&transmission=&distance=200&address=94035&make2=&advanced=&certified=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceASC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=14

[x-mass.livejournal.com]

having a wander through autotrader (ok I'm bored)
a few thousand more but its a beemer
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?result_car_id=222858787&dealership_view_name=allisonbmw&car_id=222858787&dealer_id=548822
could go old school
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=219180428&dealer_id=54376142&car_year=1985&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=MB&transmission=&model=300TD&distance=300&make2=&address=94035&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=128&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&body_style=WAGON&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=2&cardist=212
saab 95 wagon 2002 87k 12k$
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=209954212&dealer_id=498107&car_year=2002&num_records=25&search_type=both&make=SAAB&keywordsfyc=&distance=300&model=9-5&transmission=&address=94035&make2=&certified=&advanced=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceASC&min_price=&body_code=128&end_year=2008&color=&keywordsrep=&start_year=1998&drive=&engine=&body_style=WAGON&style_flag=2&doors=&fuel=&cardist=22
audi quattro 100K 10K$
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=219934109&dealer_id=918786&car_year=1999&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=AUDI&model=A6&transmission=&distance=300&address=94035&make2=&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceASC&min_price=&body_code=128&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1998&drive=&engine=&body_style=WAGON&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=2&cardist=46
audi quattro 100k 15K
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=217488916&dealer_id=498107&car_year=2001&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=AUDI&model=ALLRDQUA&transmission=Automatic&distance=300&address=94035&make2=&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceASC&min_price=&body_code=128&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1998&drive=&engine=&body_style=WAGON&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=2&cardist=22
audi quattro 63k 17K
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=213766551&dealer_id=498107&car_year=2001&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=AUDI&model=ALLRDQUA&transmission=Automatic&distance=300&address=94035&make2=&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceASC&min_price=&body_code=128&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1998&drive=&engine=&body_style=WAGON&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=2&cardist=22

all of these from autotrader.com

I was thinking that your a brit used to European cars that are actually built to handle, so its got to be either european or south east asian

[shevek.livejournal.com]

I love my Volvo 940SE, RWD estate. Immensely practical, comfortable, rather enjoyable to drive, easy to service, and cost me only 500 quid, although I gather they're cheaper now. I've probably done about 2.5K of work to it though. It's basically a large luxury car of the previous generation.

[zaitcev.livejournal.com]

IMHO $15K for an economy SUV (with a target of 29mpg) is unrealistic. The best you can get is a 2001 RAV4 or something. There simply weren't any back then, and newer ones cost more. I have a 2006 RAV4, it's daily average is about 24mpg. I can coax 28 out of it, but it takes driving at 65 mph. I think you're out of luck with your set of requirements. You can get a decent Montero for $15K (either the "Sport" or the new one), but the economy is just not going to be there. Reliability, I suspect, might be absent as well. So, forget an SUV, get an FWD car with a manual tranny, and a set of chains. That's the only way to hit the price and mileage targets.

[compilerbitch.livejournal.com]

I paid slightly more than that and got a year-old Mazdaspeed 6. Basically it's a 4WD car with very good traction control, plenty of room, nice interior. It has a 6 speed manual. If I was going to do a lot of winter stuff with it I'd probably get a second set of wheels with higher profile, narrower tyres with mud/snow tread, but as-is I think it should do the job very well.