Picking the Best One

[SwamiSalami]

Hey guys--

Well, I've got two years and three months to decide what kind of car I'll next get. It'll be that long before I'm in the states again. I'm very excited to have the chance to ponder what will be best for such an extended period of time. As I know, the market will change in terms of used vehicles as well as new ones, but this is all part of the excitement.

I'd appreciate some of the senior members of the site subscribing to this thread so I can use it to ask questions and seek opinions as they come up.

For now, I'm stuck drivin' the family-mobile in Metropolitan Daegu.

[tjts1]

You should get a 2012 VW Touareg Hybrid. Its the perfect car for you.

Just look at the size of that hybrid badge.

[SwamiSalami]

Originally Posted by tjts1

You should get a 2012 VW Touareg Hybrid. Its the perfect car for you.

Just look at the size of that hybrid badge.

haha

"Just when I think you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do somethin' like this ^^...AND TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF!!!"

[larrybuck]

What part of the country will you be living in?
Rustbelt? Muggy must have AC? How much stock mpg do you want to start with?

Bottom line: What is your $ level you have in mind? So many variables!!!

[California98Civic]

I'm just a middle-aged member, not "senior," but in 2.5 years I think you'll see some of these Prius C2 models used at the dealers. There will probably be a used Volt or two (I'll be looking). And hopefully that Ford Fiesta 3-cylinder 1.0L turbo eco-boost will be on the market too (new, at least, if not 1 or 2 years used).

[SwamiSalami]

Originally Posted by larrybuck

What part of the country will you be living in?
Rustbelt? Muggy must have AC? How much stock mpg do you want to start with?

Bottom line: What is your $ level you have in mind? So many variables!!!

Larry, honestly have no clue where we'll be living in when we get back. That's the beauty of being gov't owned. Pretty much must have a/c (or at least the ability to use it when necessary) because of my youngster. would like to have a four door for the same reason, but i could live with a 2 door. As far as stock mpgs, the minimum I think is acceptable (on 5-19-2012) would be around 35/38 city/highway ISH. Budget at this time is around $8000, of course I would like to spend much less, but also as time goes on, the budget grows.

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I'm just a middle-aged member, not "senior," but in 2.5 years I think you'll see some of these Prius C2 models used at the dealers. There will probably be a used Volt or two (I'll be looking). And hopefully that Ford Fiesta 3-cylinder 1.0L turbo eco-boost will be on the market too (new, at least, if not 1 or 2 years used).

Yea, I'm really excited about the direction cars are going. We're officially winning.

...

Right now:

I'm willing to sacrifice a few mpgs for personality and fun. I'm really liking the tercel 4wd wagon from the early 80s for several reasons. Hypermiling, I feel like I could get pretty good gas mileage, the car starting out is incredibly unique AND affordable, I'm able to work on simpler cars without all the computer shiz, and once the motor craps out I can try and do a swap of some sort, maybe hire out a garage to do an EV conversion or something.

See...the fact that I'd be paying very little for the car makes it very attractive. I'd be less hesitant to experiment with modifications and I'd also feel better about when something goes wrong with the car.

I'm very excited about inexpensive gas sippers from the 80s/90s, because they're relatively simple mechanically, easy (or cheap) to fix and I won't have to worry about messing it up.

I don't really drive all that much, either.

I like the Toyota Echo kind of.

I think ideally I

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by SwamiSalami

Larry, honestly have no clue where we'll be living in when we get back. That's the beauty of being gov't owned. Pretty much must have a/c (or at least the ability to use it when necessary) because of my youngster. would like to have a four door for the same reason, but i could live with a 2 door. As far as stock mpgs, the minimum I think is acceptable (on 5-19-2012) would be around 35/38 city/highway ISH. Budget at this time is around $8000, of course I would like to spend much less, but also as time goes on, the budget grows.



Yea, I'm really excited about the direction cars are going. We're officially winning.

...

Right now:

I'm willing to sacrifice a few mpgs for personality and fun. I'm really liking the tercel 4wd wagon from the early 80s for several reasons. Hypermiling, I feel like I could get pretty good gas mileage, the car starting out is incredibly unique AND affordable, I'm able to work on simpler cars without all the computer shiz, and once the motor craps out I can try and do a swap of some sort, maybe hire out a garage to do an EV conversion or something.

See...the fact that I'd be paying very little for the car makes it very attractive. I'd be less hesitant to experiment with modifications and I'd also feel better about when something goes wrong with the car.

I'm very excited about inexpensive gas sippers from the 80s/90s, because they're relatively simple mechanically, easy (or cheap) to fix and I won't have to worry about messing it up.

I don't really drive all that much, either.

I like the Toyota Echo kind of.

I think ideally I

Some kind of engine swap into a first gen insight hybrid body would be cool too.