"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
12/24/2014 at 14:27 • Filed to: None
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"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick)
12/24/2014 at 14:27 • Filed to: None | 0
| 26 |
I've already made the mistake once of purchasing a new car and foregoing all the things that I wanted and could have easily gotten in a used car back in 2013. Granted the car was nice and all but it got old quick and that $400 car note every month for a car that didn't fulfill all my wants and dreams was just a bad decision. It wasn't a bad car by any means but by stretching my budget so far I didn't really have anything left over to make it my own or purchase a project car to tinker around with.
Here's Natasha aka Black Widow (Bonus points to whoever figures out where I got the name from)
She was nice and all but didn't actually fit me as I thought she should. Currently I have 3 vehicles in particular on my radar. I'm sure most won't garner much love but all of them match my utilitarian ways and are vehicles I have come to appreciate as I got older.
1. Mazda 5 1st Gen (Manual Transmission of Course)
It's simply a tall wagon with sliding doors. It can be somewhat stylish with proper modifications.
2. Honda Element (All trims except base model) Unfortunately if you wanted AWD you had to forego the manual.
I still kick myself for not getting a used one of these instead of the Civic. This thing is so spacious and comfortable. Many a days as a Honda salesman I took a nap in these during my lunch break.
3. Ford Flex 1st Gen (Budget restricts me from the current generation)
This should be an attainable dream vehicle for Jalops especially those with a decent sized brood. It's even available in turbo form with AWD. It's a very good looking wagon that seats 6 or 7 depending on your configuration and you can even have sunroofs for everyone!
Well those are my three unpopular choices. What would you suggest for me. Something $15 or cheaper and utility minded.
JR1
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 14:31 |
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The flex is hard to beat. I love that thing
PS9
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 14:34 |
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Ecoboost flex.
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SlickMcRick
> JR1
12/24/2014 at 14:36 |
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It's pretty much everything I'll ever need. I have a rather big family and for some odd reason a lot of them don't drive. I want something that can sit at least 6 people but without being a gas guzzler. I'd love to get a late 80s Suburban but I want something reliable for the sole factor that it's newer. Something that has no rust issues and doesn't have 20+ years under it's belt. Already have my beater car, don't want or need another.
jariten1781
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 14:37 |
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Utility minded, unpopular, but awesome? Transit Connect wagon. Should be right in the price range too.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
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SlickMcRick
> PS9
12/24/2014 at 14:38 |
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Maybe they'll be more in my budget when they're aged one more year, which shall be in about a week. Currently finding one around my price requires something well in the triple digits unfortunately.
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SlickMcRick
> jariten1781
12/24/2014 at 14:41 |
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Funny thing, I was just looking at these the other day. Couldn't figure out what trim level came with the seats in the rear and got frustrated looking for it. What caught my eye is how affordable they are. I can find Connects from $11k-$15k all day.
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jariten1781
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 14:44 |
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Seats came with any trim I believe, though you had to specify wagon to get them and the side windows. Good luck searching for that though, none of the listings on the secondary market are correct.
The new ones are even better for this duty. You can get glass in the rear 3/4 windows and there's an option for a panoramic sunroof. Probably out of budget for the time being though.
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SlickMcRick
> jariten1781
12/24/2014 at 14:49 |
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You're quite knowledgeable of a little vehicle that get's no love. I think the new one's would be out of budget as well but it's nice to know they are actually making it a more habitable place to be. But the ways these things seem to depreciate, who knows what the new year will bring in prices close to my range.
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jariten1781
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 14:53 |
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I convinced a guy at work to get one over a ragged Quest that he had his eye on so I got to do a bit of research. He ended up getting an older wagon with a conversion package (crappy wood, DVD system for the kids, nice leather seats) for ~17k. Beat any of the other small family SUVs or Minivans IMO.
The new three row long wheelbase looks really nice...they did a lot more for the interior this gen:
Local Miata Bro
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 15:06 |
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My parents just traded in their 2006 Mazda5. It served us mostly problem free, for 163,000 miles. the only issues were with the power lock/keyless entry system. It was a small practical sporty wagon. It is obvious that the engineers that designed the Miata also worked on it. It would be hard to go wrong with one that has a manual too, ours was a 4 speed auto.
44444444444
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 15:15 |
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Volvo V70R.
Chris McMays
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 15:27 |
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I'd go with the Ford Flex, simply because the Element is hideously ugly and I've never been a fan of the Mazda5.
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SlickMcRick
> Local Miata Bro
12/24/2014 at 15:32 |
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That right there inspires a bit of confidence. Haven't heard too many reviews on the on it because nobody seems to have one. I've liked them since back when I found out the came with a manual. Did you get a chance to drive it?
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SlickMcRick
> Chris McMays
12/24/2014 at 15:34 |
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I used to hate the Element until I had to drive one for like 50 miles at work. It's a great vehicle that gets no love. I'll admit it's an acquired taste.
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SlickMcRick
> 44444444444
12/24/2014 at 15:37 |
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How's reliability on those? I'm scared of the possibility of something breaking and being ridiculously expensive to repair.
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Local Miata Bro
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 15:37 |
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I got to daily it for 3 months when I broke my leg in 2012. My only complaints were on how slow the automatic shifted. It was also convenient for carrying around my friends due to seating for 6.
DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 16:03 |
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You should be able to pull off a 2nd gen 5 for that.. I /almost/ bought one, and part of me wishes I had.
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SlickMcRick
> DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
12/24/2014 at 16:06 |
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What stopped you from getting it?
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DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 16:07 |
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The fuel economy on the 3 hatch was about 10mpg better with the Skyactiv, for the same money. Plus, at that time, I didn't have a need for a nice, roomy wagon to haul parts, like I do now. (Yay, project car hell...)
The one I test-drove was even a manual, like my 3.
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44444444444
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 16:19 |
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Well they're almost as reliable as every other Volvo aside from 4 things:
Struts are expensive to fix when when they start leaking every 100k ish (300 each)
Clutch slave on the manual cars every 100k ish (500 for the clutch and slave + labor)
Angle gear collar for the AWD every 100k ish (120 for the collar + labor)
A few Rs have had cracked cylinder liners with stock boost levels... (2k to sleeve the block and never ever worry ever again)
All 5 cylinder Volvos suffer from these shortcomings:
LCA bushings fail prematurely. (150 each + labor)
PCV system needs replacement every 120k miles. (300 in parts + labor)
Timing belt every 120k miles. (250 in parts + labor)
Coil packs start to fail and you just gotta replace them as that happens... 5 minutes to replace per. (50 each)
If you can do the work all of those except the block and clutch are weekend projects. My R has 280k miles on it. But I have only owned it for a few thousand and have maintenance records from mile 0.
If I had 15k I'd buy a manual V70R and a 2006-2007 XC70.
Arben72
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 18:17 |
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Being a Subaru fan boy I'd have to remind you about the Forester xt with a manuél. The Ford Flex would have to be my favorite out of those and chances are on the used market the Lincoln version might not be much more.
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SlickMcRick
> Arben72
12/24/2014 at 19:58 |
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The Lincoln and Forester never crossed my mind. Wasn't the Forester XT essentially a larger WRX?
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Arben72
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 20:00 |
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Pretty much a wrx on stilts. It's a fun, practical car.
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JR1
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 22:44 |
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In today's market not much else can compete. Especially if you don't want a gas guzzler. Unless you want to go the mini van route and that is a dark partner indeed
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SlickMcRick
> JR1
12/24/2014 at 23:16 |
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No need for a minivan here. I'm single with no kids. I just love bigger and useful vehicles. Used to drive my uncle's suburban when gas prices were low back in 2009. Which are amazingly pretty much the same prices now. Well not really they're still 60 cents off but each day it's getting closer. I really think I'm leaning towards the Flex. I figured out what I want. 7 passenger, with the sunroof option and AWD. That's all I need, now just to save up for a decent down payment. Hopefully I'll have it by the summer or early fall.
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JR1
> SlickMcRick
12/24/2014 at 23:43 |
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Good luck buddy! I hope you can get it.