So if you just came across a nice pile of cash... *Warning Long Post*

[BurningDinosaurBones]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Congrats on the new job!

If you don't buy a brand new 4x4 pickup -- whether you need one or not -- then jack it up and slap giant aftermarket Tonka wheels on it, you won't fit in around Fort McMoney!



Keep in mind that western vehicles are exposed to a lot less salt (or none at all), so the used market is a lot more solid (pardon the pun). I saw some real gems in BC and across the praries on a recent trans-Canada road trip (got back last week).

So why not just get a newer (but used) Golf TDI? A Prius is definitely a lot of fun to drive too (in that nerdy way).

Glad to hear you're planning to go used, anyway. So many people blow their new, higher incomes on even more debt. You've got a golden chance to bank a pile of money while you're still used to living a certain (modest) lifestyle. By all means, treat yourself a little, but keep living below your means and bank as much as you can (or pay off debt)! Squirrel it away for things that really matter.

Thanks for the congrats!

Hahah actually I already did the new 4X4 tonka thing in my own home town. I used it as you should use a 4x4, driving up and down mountains at 2km/hour many a weekend, and my favorite, seeing how far out in the woods I can get in full on snow. My 9MPG low for that truck can attest to this!



I'm a little more practical nowadays and if and when I get another off road-able truck it will most likely be a small used rig.

I will probably end up buying something like a used TDi when I arrive there. But it will most likely end up rotating to the use of my girlfriend when I upgrade, and as you put it, "treat myself" with something a little more substantial. As far as picking up a Prius or Insight, I'm not quite sure I'm there yet, if you know what I mean. A Civic Hybrid is a more realistic vehicle for me but I have heard a lot of bad things about their reliability and people claiming their mpg falls from the 60s down to the 30s and the dealership won't fix them. They seem to sell surprisingly cheap, but what good is a hybrid with a dying electrical system that's expensive to fix?

I'd rather drive a straight up gas car that could get >50MPG with hypermiling, but I haven't seen anything that appeals to me in the <5 years old range. Maybe I just haven't look hard enough yet?

[ps2fixer]

I personally would stick with the car I have, or look for one that is rust free and "rust proof" it. Perform your normal aero mods and if all goes well 60mpg.

[larrybuck]

Since you are in Canada, it would seem to me that you could find a nice Diesel
Toyota 4X4 perhaps in more rustfree BC, and have the most BALANCED solution.

[drmiller100]

Originally Posted by BurningDinosaurBones

Sounds like a sweet project! Do you have a thread on it?

How many survival suits would I have to wear to drive one around in -50 winters?

It has a heater, and air conditioning, and windows and doors and stuff.

enclosed.

havent' done much on it in a few weeks. time to get back to work.

NVNTRS.com

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by BurningDinosaurBones

As far as picking up a Prius or Insight, I'm not quite sure I'm there yet, if you know what I mean.

I have an idea what you mean.

Do yourself a favour and go try a Prius. You have to drive it long enough that it warms up and you can experience EV mode, or don't bother. I predict you'll get a real kick out of it if you've never tried one before.