by "Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
Published 08/04/2017 at 22:00
by "Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
Published 08/04/2017 at 22:00
Tags: New Car
; tall
; help
STARS: 1
Yes, a Rolls Royce would have course be my perfect car but I dont have that kind of budget yet. In 10 years, I’ll get back to you.
This summer, Rolla (2003 Corolla S) was totalled in a T-bone, my long term (multi mont) rental 300S was rearended with frame damage and I’m now left car less.
I have a preferred budget of $14-20k Canadian but will go up to $30k +/- if it’s the right fit.
Criteria:
1) I fit comfortably, I’m 6ft 3 and an athletic 230lbs. Imagine an American Football player. I prefer an upright sitting position or “straight back” as my accident from the Corolla has damaged my back.
2) Safety is very important. I attract terrible drivers as you read above. 3 not at fault accidents in 6 months, 2 write offs.
3) Fuel Economy. I’m looking for 28mpg or higher on the highway if possible
4) Reliability, Maintenance, Resale. I drive nearly 6300 miles a month (300k miles in 5 years estimated). This may go down in coming months. It needs to be cheap to maintain and bullet proof reliability. Resale is a long shot but decent resale would be nice, plan on keeping it at least a few years.
5) Wants? Leather, Carplay/Decent Infotainment, Driver assist aids (blind spot/auto stop/radar cruise), Power front seats
6) Type of car? Not picky, SUV/Coupe/Sedan/Wagon/Truck?
A little unique would be nice and insurance is cheaper if the car is less common.
Would like to squeeze a bike or two (wheels off is fine) somewhere in there.
7) It will be winter driven in snow/salt
E.g. 2017 Camaro is 88$ cheaper than a 2014 Fusion SE a month.
Cars I’ve been trying?
Mazda CX-5 GS (2017) - Did not fit, hair was rubbing roof
Mazda CX-9 GS (2017) - Fit so long as it was GS trim or higher with sunroof
Chevy Camaro (2016 and 2017) - Fit with straight spine due to seating position
Chevy Malibu LTZ (2017) - Did not fit, hair touched roof
but love the infotainment
Chevy Silveardo/Yukon/Etc - Fit but the fuel economy is so bad...
Mazda 6 GT (2017) - lol, not even close, head was half an inch from the roof (excluding hair).
"CB" (jrcb)
08/04/2017 at 22:09, STARS: 0
This is when I suggest a Mini Countryman as a joke.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/04/2017 at 22:10, STARS: 0
Your dreams of a luxury edition of a WRX hatch have come true haha
"CB" (jrcb)
08/04/2017 at 22:11, STARS: 0
I mean, pricewise used ones aren’t too far from the mark, and the S models have more go to them. Some have AWD, and it can come with a stick if you’re interested.
"Nibby" (nibby68)
08/04/2017 at 22:13, STARS: 1
miata, infinite headroom
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/04/2017 at 22:17, STARS: 0
hahaha, but if I flip or it rains I’m done for ;P
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/04/2017 at 22:18, STARS: 1
That’s true but I’m concerned about long term reliability on any mini :/ it’s left me straying away from german cars
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
08/04/2017 at 22:24, STARS: 0
I’m not sure about Canada but the Buick Regal checks most those boxes, I’m a big guy as well but only 6'1" I fit.
"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
08/04/2017 at 22:31, STARS: 0
I’d recommend a new Golf (/sportwagen/GTI).
Easy to do for the budget, you can option it up if you like. I can confirm the tall person friendliness (6'5" here, seat goes back far enough to make the clutch out of reach for me, which is uncommon), efficiency (35-40mpg, no problem) and fitting bikes (my roadie and hard tail were easy to throw in there, front wheel off of course).
The only question might be long term reliability if you’re putting in miles at that rate. I only had mine for 2yrs/50k km, so that’s a small sample size, but FWIW I had no reliability issues, despite autocrossing it regularly. All I I ever did was 3 oil changes and had the brakes cleaned up and greased, never even went through a set of pads.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/04/2017 at 22:39, STARS: 0
I had one for a rental a year ago, unfortunately I have to lean back quite a bit and forces my back to arch :(
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/04/2017 at 22:41, STARS: 0
Unfortunately Golf GTIs are well out of the price range here in Canada new ($38k+) and really retain their value over the years. I’m with you on the long term reliability concerns. It’s definitely one for me too :/
It’s hard as well since brand new V6 2017 mustangs are 24k$ + taxes... that’s a steal even with base interior.
"theloudmouth" (theloudmouth)
08/04/2017 at 23:10, STARS: 0
Question, why is it CAD? I know USD is United States Dollars, and then Canadian Dollars. What is the “A” for?
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/04/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
I believe it’s the first two letters CA then D for dollar :) .CA is our domain as well
"Shift24" (the-nope)
08/04/2017 at 23:34, STARS: 0
Dark horse candidate, but Duramax Colorado? Crew cabs 4x4 get 24mpg. Used are around $30k US here. Will hold its value due to Max logo alone. Not sure on fit but should be ok.
With in price range, Acura TL. Reliable, has some luxury, quick, and good power. The 3.5l can get 29 mpg and takes regular. 3.7l is 26mpg but take premium.
"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
08/04/2017 at 23:42, STARS: 0
I’m in Canada too, I thought the GTI started around $30k before tax, like my WRX. :/
I had a base Golf, it’ll have the android auto/car play and with that budget you can probably get some extra features like leather seating and more of the gadgets you’d like.
I’d say check it out despite a concern about reliability. I think you might really like how it fits you/your needs (because they were/are similar to mine).
"E92M3" (E46M3)
08/05/2017 at 00:14, STARS: 0
The CRV is the closest fit I can think of, or Toyota Highlander. You’ll have to forget about radar cruise control at that price point. Both are reliable, get close to the 28 MPG freeway, can fit bikes, and have above average resale value.
"Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08)
08/05/2017 at 00:23, STARS: 0
Honda Accord Coupe. Headroom could be iffy, I’m 6' but all leg and I have a few inches of headroom.
I’ve had mine for almost 2 years and not a single issue (no surprise there though), pretty fun to drive, really comfortable on my commute (power seats with lumbar are the best) and got it for less than $30k CAD or the door. I average about 7.2 L/100km during the summer in mixed city/highway driving; I’ve been looking to do a good road trip, I reckon I could get 1000 kms on a tank on the highway (with the CVT; which is more fun than you think once you learn how to hoon it BTW). Bonus party trick: you can roll down the windows and open the sunroof with the key fob!
TL;DR comfortable, safe, good fuel econ, still fun, resale value, bulletproof. Honda Accord coupe: all the car anyone needs.
"theloudmouth" (theloudmouth)
08/05/2017 at 02:28, STARS: 0
How about a N eh? How about a D eh? Like that?
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/05/2017 at 08:31, STARS: 0
I think most dealerships order them pretty specced up. Out here in Quebec, they’re actually pretty common in 4 door, leather, tech pack, grey configurations which are 35k+. Apparently there’s only two 2 door GTIs in Quebec according to the salesman’s search last week.
I’m buying in the GTA (Toronto) and it seems like they’re not that popular, there’s 7 on Autotrader in the high 30s :/. They do drive nice.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/05/2017 at 08:34, STARS: 0
CN is china isn’t it?
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/05/2017 at 08:37, STARS: 0
They seem a bit new to find used here. The only used ones are super high trims :/ Up here they start in the low 40s which is a little insane considering how cheap the Ram 1500 with the V6 diesels are.
That’s not bad, what is the TL based on?
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/05/2017 at 08:37, STARS: 0
They seem a bit new to find used here. The only used ones are super high trims :/ Up here they start in the low 40s which is a little insane considering how cheap the Ram 1500 with the V6 diesels are.
That’s not bad, what is the TL based on?
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/05/2017 at 08:38, STARS: 0
Oddly enough ya, the CRV can fit very tall guys haha. Up to 6'7 from what I’ve heard. I’ll have to give one a test drive
"E92M3" (E46M3)
08/05/2017 at 11:57, STARS: 0
For what it’s worth, it is ranked 1st in it’s class by Car and Driver. It also got one of their “10 Best”of 2017 awards. I can’t say it will be fun dynamically, but it’s definitely a smart choice all things considered.
"Shift24" (the-nope)
08/05/2017 at 21:41, STARS: 0
Ouch but I think that’s due to the name, Duramax vs FCA diesel.
The Honda Accord platform but lengthened some. The 3.5L is the same motor, with minor tweeks, in every odyssey, pilot, Ridgeline, past 2 gen Accords, V6 RDX, V6 TLX/TSX, and the newest MDX. The 3.7L was shared between the 2nd gen MDX and TL which was primarily an AWD platform. Now it’s Japanese luxury so not as nice as the Germans but everything you need and won’t break. The only down side to all of the TLs is they have timing belts which needs replaced 110k miles (~175k km). Its assumed normal maintenance but about $500 each time. They are great cars that have respectable handling and performance. Though not every one is a fan of the styling.
"Vítor" (vitorcesar)
12/27/2017 at 21:19, STARS: 0
CN is China and CD is Democratic Congo