"yamahog" (yamahog)
05/02/2014 at 18:24 • Filed to: None
1
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"yamahog" (yamahog)
05/02/2014 at 18:24 • Filed to: None | 1
| 17 |
Backstory: Urgently needed a used DD in October that would plow through Michigan winter commutes and the occasional trips to New York and Canada. Settled on a 97 XJ for just over $2000. It's not breaking any landspeed records at the salt flats, but it's a running mud truck and minor project, and it's been fun to work on.
My dad was not so impressed (read: really pissed, but I'm 24, living 10 hours away, and spending my own money), telling me it was a piece of shit and a waste of money and I should've gotten a Sebring or some other crapcan like his Malaisemobile, pictured below. I brushed it off and gave him some crap back for driving a mid 90s Olds with no other 4-wheeled vehicles in the stable for backup since he'd sold his truck and given the Mustang to my sister. But he's a cheapass, and sacrificed style and reliability for gas mileage.
WELL GUESS WHO'S CAR JUST LEFT THEM STRANDED IN BROOKLYN?
Not mine! I just made an eight-hour round trip from Toronto, over 240k on the clock and still ticking. Poor old guy's gonna have to ride his brand new Yamaha into Brooklyn (scary) or *gasp* take public transit until he gets a new ride. Trying not to be too smug as I offer him my discount on new leases. Ok, I'm being very smug, but I had to let it out somewhere.
So the fun part: New/used car shopping! What should I tell the old man to get?
Has to be American, as in one of the Big 3
Has to be good on gas
....well shit, I think that narrowed that down plenty, but less important points
He does his own maintenance, but should still be reliable
Should be sturdy enough for NYC commutes with nasty potholes
Shouldn't have a high risk of theft
He's pretty cheap, so the car should be too.
Eh, maybe it can be fun, but he still has 3 motorcycles for that.
Towing potential would be a plus, but he's a bachelor with grown kids so it doesn't have to have 4 seats
My grandpa just got a Fusion that meets most of the criteria, but maybe Oppo has better ideas?
jkm7680
> yamahog
05/02/2014 at 18:29 |
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Dodge Dart, Avenger, Fusion (As you said) Charger, sEbRinG (Gah)
All 'Murican, big three.
Sorry about that situation though, I think you made a good choice!
Osiris - I can haz Euro spec?
> yamahog
05/02/2014 at 18:32 |
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In all seriousness, Aveo/Sonic. My aveo get's 35ish MPG, has a good amount of ground clearance for a small sedan (pothole issue) and is a Chevy. And let's be honest, I could probably leave the thing sitting on the side of the road in Brooklyn with the keys in the ignition and no one would steal it. Reliable as shit too. no major maintenance on it yet. And, if you're like me, you can drive a slow car fast and have fun in it.
Dunnik
> yamahog
05/02/2014 at 18:35 |
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The new Impala. Haven't yet driven one, but the model I saw at the Toronto Int'l Auto Show was pretty impressive.
dogisbadob
> yamahog
05/02/2014 at 18:38 |
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Focus, Fiesta, or Sonic, if buying new.
Price range?
Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull
> yamahog
05/02/2014 at 18:38 |
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If it weren't for not-great MPGs and probably being oversized for NYC (yes, I know cabs, but still), I'd say something Panther. Mostly on the towing, cost, durability, and reliability+ ease of working on.
Crocket Bernet
> yamahog
05/02/2014 at 18:40 |
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Focus ST.
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yamahog
> dogisbadob
05/02/2014 at 18:52 |
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He just told me he doesn't want new or leased because of the hard miles he'll be putting on it, and that he's willing to look at Mazdas from the time they were owned by Ford, so he's checking out an 04 Mazda 6 tomorrow... Wonder how much used Fiestas and Sonics are going for, too.
Garrett Davis
> yamahog
05/02/2014 at 19:25 |
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I can't believe he was harping on the XJ. Those are absolute tanks when it comes to reliability. I miss mine :(
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yamahog
> Osiris - I can haz Euro spec?
05/02/2014 at 19:44 |
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well, looks like he's not a fan of the Sonic...
AMC/Renauledge
> yamahog
05/02/2014 at 19:55 |
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1998-04 Buick Regal. Unkillable 3800 V6, bulletproof transmission, parts aplenty, and pretty well-made. Rides great, too.
STREPITUS
> AMC/Renauledge
05/02/2014 at 20:04 |
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Really anything with that 3800 can't steer you wrong.
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yamahog
> AMC/Renauledge
05/02/2014 at 20:14 |
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oooh, sounds good, and looks like there's a bunch in his area with low miles. Do you know what kind of gas mileage they get?
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AMC/Renauledge
> yamahog
05/02/2014 at 20:15 |
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They were rated at 19/29 back in the day. But I know plenty of people who get 32 or so on the hwy.
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yamahog
> AMC/Renauledge
05/02/2014 at 20:20 |
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Nice, pretty much the same as he was getting in the Olds.
Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> yamahog
05/03/2014 at 00:17 |
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Early 2000s Impala. Better looking than it's successor and has the unkillable 3800 V6.
Plus there are plenty around because they were used as cop cars.
handsoff
> yamahog
05/04/2014 at 22:44 |
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Newer used Buick. Either the Regal as stated below, or even one of the newer, Opel ones
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Osiris - I can haz Euro spec?
> yamahog
05/05/2014 at 10:50 |
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Ha ha you actually made me laugh out loud with that one. Seems like your dad has a good sense of humor!