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Originally Posted by cfg83
When I burn time "building my own" at auto web sites, it seems that you can "add A/C" to the Pontiac Vibe and keep the rest base (power NOTHING!!!!!!). I just priced a 1.8L + A/C + auto for $17K in the St Louis zipcode.
See how easy it is for ME to spend YOUR money,  ?!?!?!?
CarloSW2 |
LOL. That's where my cash has been going!
I've been doing the same (building cars on Sites for a while too) and it seems I get the opposite most times. Toyota is the absolute worst. Want cupholders? You need the Limited model with Navigation. Most others have the same caveats. The introduction of option packages ruined the whole works.
But to make make the announcement firm, an automatic gearbox is
required. I'm fortunate enough to get a newer car, but the compromise is that we need 2 reliable slushboxes around. Since my car-rental credits are diminishing, we need a good, long-trip runabout that even my Mother-in-Law can drive...
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If the Insight 2 is too spendy, what about a used Civic Hybrid? With requirements of 40 mpg, AC, automatic, and just mild eco-driving, I think that's about the only Honda that fits the bill.
EDIT: I'm sure the marketing geniuses at Honda would rub their hands in glee to read this. No longer do they have us aiming to the bottom end of the lineup for mileage; we've been trained to accept that you have to cough out the word "hybrid" if you want low fuel consumption.
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The Civic Hybrid. That's a good thought -- I see them all over town, so they're not
too rare. I'm not crazy about the idea of a brand new car (read: depreciation), but I don't want a worn out beater either. Ugh. They say Medical Staff make the worst Patients. Hobbyist "car critics" can't pick a car for themselves but instead for everyone else.
But yep, you're right. You can't get a new Civic VX, but instead that little "Hybrid" badge that makes it all better. But how much can you Eco-Mod a Hybrid? I like getting under the hood and fooling with stuff.
(This isn't happening tomorrow, but being the car fanatic that I am, the months-long research begins).
I even looked up Hyundai -- I recalled an Elantra Wagon at the Auto Show. Of course, you have to get the top line "Touring"-only edition to get the wagon part. $18K
with rebates. What's the world coming to? A one-option wagon for 2010.
I think I'll look up some HCHs. I used to filter the search to only manuals, but the CVT should open up some options...
RH77