My Car Search So Far 

"Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise) 11/17/2015 at 11:42 • Filed to: Car Buying, advice

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1st Gen CRV didn’t like that I felt like I was on in instead of in it. Felt like a toy to me.

2nd Gen CRV didn’t fit in (oddly worse than the smaller first gen)

Toyota Solara- not enough headroom

Mercury Montego- fit but don’t really want

2nd Gen RAV4 fit but uncomfortable seating position

1st Gen Toyota Highlander- Fit on short list

Kia Sportage- didn’t like

Honda Pilot- Trans issues

2nd Gen Acura TL- liked but bad headroom and transmissions

1st Gen TL- Liked but then realized it requires premium fuel which is $2.95 where I live

2005 Crown Vic(current car)- needs $2000 in parts and a new front seat (Water pump, shocks and springs, 4 new tires, a front right outer tie rod and a potential transmission problem- clunky shifting including slipping and grabbing hard into downshifts. Plus I would have to buy it off my Dad for probably $3000-$4000.

This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I’m tall and broad shouldered which is eliminating a lot(I hate you sunroofs!) but I also drive 40 miles per day for college and work so I can’t just get a truck because I need good mileage.

I have a budget of $6000 but would be more comfortable at around $5000. I want about 20MPG combined and for it to be reliable(I can wrench pretty well but don’t want to have to work on it constantly plus I make a little more than minimum wage so constant repairs could make me go broke) and comfortable for the 2 hours a day I spend in it. I also have recurring back spasms so a good seat for my back is important. I travel on a mix of city and urban freeway(55 mph with Michigan Lefts) in all weather.

Any ideas OPPO?

CalzoneGolem > Captain of the Enterprise 11/17/2015 at 11:53

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As always I will recommend a 4th gen Taurus/Sable. A nice example can be had for ~$3k, comfy, spacious and I average 25mpg on my 60 mile round trip commute. The wagon is cavernous and has rear facing jump seats.

Captain of the Enterprise > CalzoneGolem 11/17/2015 at 12:01

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Yeah, I just really don’t like them in general. I may have to just get over that though.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Captain of the Enterprise 11/17/2015 at 12:09

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I’m 6’3” and about 300 lbs with wide shoulders and a really short inseam so I understand the need for good headroom. For your back issues you’ll want a seat that’s both firm and comfortable. Think European-style seats.

I’d say try a Matrix/Vibe or Escape/Mariner/Tribute. The VW Golf/Rabbit can be a little troublesome in your price range but it’s big and nice inside for a relatively small hatchback. Don’t leave the Focus out of the running because it’s tall inside and has good shoulder room.

CalzoneGolem > Captain of the Enterprise 11/17/2015 at 12:12

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About a year and a half ago I shattered a vertebrae and my lower back is filled metal. Seats still comfy AF. Drove to NYC from Maine (~7-8hrs) no problems whatsoever.

Captain of the Enterprise > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 11/17/2015 at 12:20

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I looked at a Matrix but with the seat in my position the steering wheel was really far away, I had to have my arms fully outstretched to reach it. But I will look into the Focus/Escape for sure now. I like the VW but am wary of issues with them.

Sam > Captain of the Enterprise 11/17/2015 at 12:20

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I'll probably be crucified for this, but I'd say check out the late 90s Corolla (you can get it with a manual) and... a 1st gen Prius. The 1st gen Prius is not a bad car at all. We have one that gets something like 40 MPG, and since it's a first gen, it's just a normal car.

Captain of the Enterprise > CalzoneGolem 11/17/2015 at 12:21

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I’ll give them a second look, Plus a wagon would be cool because of the practicality.

Captain of the Enterprise > Sam 11/17/2015 at 12:25

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It doesn’t have battery packs?, On the corolla front I haven’t been in one but for my price range I could definitely get a nice one. Or even go with the Chevy Prism.

Sam > Captain of the Enterprise 11/17/2015 at 12:29

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Oh yeah, it's a hybrid. My point was that they didn't try to make it a futuristic spaceship like the later generations.

Captain of the Enterprise > Sam 11/17/2015 at 12:30

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Okay, do you know off the top of your head the life expectancy and replacement cost of the batteries. That would be my biggest concern honestly. I think it could be funny to drive a prius.

Sam > Captain of the Enterprise 11/17/2015 at 12:33

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I think the local pull yard wanted about $300 for the battery pack. I’m not sure on the life expectancy, but our has something like 80k on the original and it’s still trucking along. Also, I’m not going to lie, it’s prettyrelaxing and nice to drive.

dogisbadob > Captain of the Enterprise 11/18/2015 at 07:37

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Sunroofs are awesome. Stop the hate :p

The late 4th-gen Camaro/Firebird with the 3800 V6 might get you 20 mpg, and T-tops offer infinite headroom.

You could probably get away with regular on the first-gen TL, which would be my favorite car on the list you provided. What’s the price difference betwen regular and premium?

How about a Maxima/I30/I35?

There are 4-cylinder trucks out there. The Ranger, S10/Sonoma, Frontier, and Tacoma might be viable.

Suzuki made some awesome cars you might like. The Aerio SX with its digital dash should be a contender, high ceiling, and no sunroof was available on them. The later SX4 might also be within your budget and has the same virtues as the Aerio except they took out the digital dash, but is otherwise a better car. And who can forget the Tracker/Vitara?

The Echo is a really tiny car, but has plenty of headroom, no sunroof available, classic Toyota quality, and awesome mpg, and needs your consideration.

ALL crossovers will feel like you’re on the car instead of in it. That’s why they’re so popular among suburban types.

Captain of the Enterprise > dogisbadob 11/18/2015 at 07:40

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Premium is about 80 cents higher than regular where I live

dogisbadob > Captain of the Enterprise 11/18/2015 at 07:49

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eeeeeeeeeeeeek! In that case, I’d just use regular. Probably cheaper to use regular and add a can of NOS octane boost ($10 at walmart)

Also, the Maxima “recommends” premium but doesn’t “require” it. Needless to say, I use regular, and so could you.