About to Spring for a New Car......input appreciated

14 years ago

After fifteen years of faithful service, it's about time to retire Nellie, my little green Jeep Cherokee. Her engine's still cranking and is just a little shy of 100K, and her body's still in good shape, but it's getting to be nickle/dime time and I have to make a decision before winter really sets in what I'm going to do about dependable transportation.

I want high mileage (something Jeeps aren't famous for), would still like to have a 4WD because there are places and times I simply need one and after having one don't want to do without it.

I'm thinking I can go the expense of fixing Nellie up and running her for another 100K or behind door number two, springing for one of those super high mileage vehicles and keeping Nellie for winter backup or farm use, or compromising and getting as good a mileage as I can find on a 4W or all wheel drive car.

I do not want/need bells and whistles. Can drive a stick shift, hate air conditioning, am fine with crank up windows. So, I am all over the board now looking at vehicles. Even considering a hybrid, and don't care if the car/van/truck looks nerdy.

I can buy a more expensive car, but unless it's something gonna pay me back in the long run don't see any reason to. Does anyone own a hybrid? Are they really dependable? Are there battery issues? Heck even a mini cooper gets comparable mileage to some and is a heck of a lot cheaper.

Help.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

schoolhouse_gw
14 years ago
Don't buy a Cobalt.
meldy_nva
14 years ago
SIL bought one of the first Prius available; 400,000 +/- miles later, she traded it in for another Prius. To really appreciate it, understand that she works literally on the other side of the mountain, so daily driving (45 miles each way) involves going up, up, up and across to down, down, down on a twisty road that makes me carsick every time I drive it -- to the point that I will go out of my way by 80 miles just to avoid that nasty 20 mile stretch of mountain driving.

DH has a Honda which has been a jewel, I have a Toyota and wish I had gotten a Prius. No, what I really wish is that Mazda had kept on making a *little* car because the one I got lasted almost 200,000 trouble-free miles before hitting the nickle&dime stage -- which these days involves hundred dollar bills instead of coins.

In your moccasins, I'd keep the Jeep until the third major repair (transmission, radiator) but if the pennies were available, I'd put it in the second stall for local use, and buy a Prius for any trip not involving 4-W drive. If Prius was beyond the budget, then a small Honda. IMO, a well-designed front wheel drive is as good as most 4-Ws, just lower slung so they don't do ravines too well, and deep mud is the sole area of superiority for 4_Ws. BTW, you are likely not to find crank windows anymore... I think I bought the last one :).

Also BTW: check into the commonly installed in-built GPS... if you want it, great, but I suspect you'll have my opinion [1984] so be aware that the new cars mostly have it.
Related Discussions
New appreciation for hostas....
Q
Comments (7)
i did that, and the roots, that had no plants on them, they came back this year also, i never understand the whole thing on hosta's BUT i must admit, they have a "certain" prettiness to them, like the white one's with green mixed in. LOL those are sure pretty!! and i just got a very pretty variegated one, LOVE it!! i can't wait till next year when it get's more, now for a true story, LOL i have this ummmm.....i call a peace trumpet, called it that all winter. i was trying to find it's true name. well so ifnally i post it, i had been babying it along all winter and it bloomed in the winter and smelled so awesome!! almost intoxicating. turns out the only place i could think of posting it was in the lily forum, someone there said that's a hosta!!! i got to thinking about it! DUHHHH it was that's the only explanation!!! hee hee so i was babying a hosta!!! HEE HEE only me!!! LOL i thought ya'd find that funny!! LOL :'))
...See More
I want to understand about spring growth in fruit trees
Q
Comments (7)
Do not trust your master gardener to understand the variables of pruning fruit trees unless that person has an orchard of their own- it is unlikely fruit trees were seriously covered in courses provided in that program and even if they were, it would be only very superficial. I have given lectures as part of courses in this program, so I know of what I speak. I assume you mean 7 feet, not inches, but can't be sure if you are talking height or width- either way you need a specific rootstock to keep a Fuji small AND fruitful. Cutting back the branches annually will keep the branches vegetative and devoid of fruit. For a Fuji on free standing rootstock (M7 or more vigorous) the most important thing is to remove any branch more than a third the diameter of the trunk at the branches point of attachment to that trunk. This is about all you can do to keep the tree reasonably compact until it begins to fruit, besides removing branches that crowd your chosen scaffolds (main branches, of which you only need 3 on about the first 6 feet of trunk). Branches should be spread or tied to about a 70 degree angle from the trunk if they don't spread on their own- this also encourages early fruiting.
...See More
New to Organic Lawn Care. Advice Would Be Greatly Appreciated.
Q
Comments (2)
I'm not a fan of Corn Gluten Meal. It's expensive, it's not really proven to work all that well at stopping the weed germination. Might I suggest one simple organic weed control measure: Patience. I've been doing organic now for four years, and weeds are less and less of a problem every year. Mow right, do organic fertilization, I've done worm tea the past two years, mulch your grass clippings, aerate in the fall (don't give the weed seeds room to land and germinate by opening up the soil in the spring), and you'll be well on your way to having healthier soil and turf- and less weeds. Here is a link that might be useful: More helpful tips for reducing weeds naturally
...See More
New to ponding - any advice appreciated!
Q
Comments (9)
One thing you will need to purchase and learn to use is a pond test kit. Doing a test every week or so allows you to keep your water healthy and clear. Things that can mess up water chemistry are overfeeding, fish poop and other organics like the muck at the bottom of the pond, heat, insufficient oxygen, rainwater and a bunch of other things. Most of the bad things can be caught early with the test kit. Don't waste money on test strips. They are often inaccurate. Not all shop vacs are designed to pump out the water continuously. It will say on the box that it has a pump feature. I found mine for $85. There are other devices that work with water running from a water hose. The one I use most often for a quick fix is this type. It's found at WalMart and is for childrens pools. It costs $20. I am looking for one of a similar design with better construction. It is just plain flimsy and repairs don't last. Python also puts out a similar device. It is hard to hold, the capture jar is too large around for me to open and it is overpriced at $89.It is complicated. The shop vac removes water. You can run the hose that you attach to it to your garden. The dirty water is good fertilizer. The other two add water to the pond so I pump some water out with a sump pump or I drain the filtration tank. Either way is simple to do, even for someone with my current physical problems. LOL, sometimes I must be a sight to see. The fishies sometimes get curious but if you keep the nozzle moving slowly, they will lose interest without getting scared. Are you saying the pump and tubing are not submerged? If so, it is a different type of pump than I use. That isn't a problem but we need to get another forum member to discuss them. Mine are submerged and I hesitate to give advice on a type I have no real experience with. The other things function enough alike that I don't have a problem talking about them. If I do, someone else will be along. While the pond is dirty, that foam filter in front of the pump will need to be cleaned fairly often, just like Sheepco says. Most pumps can handle dirty water with some small abount of debris but larger debris needs to be stopped from going into the impeller as it can cause damage. I hate that tiny little filter. It is just too inefficient for words. I found a prefilter for a well pump at Menards. I used some stepdown PVC connectors, also at Menards to make it fit the tubing. It keeps anything above the size of a small pea from entering the pump and a decent pump can handle that with no problem. I threw away the tiny foam filter that came with the pump. The water exits the pump and tubing runs to a 100 gallon Stock tank which is my mechanical filtration It also serves as a home for the bacteria that cleans up organic matter in the water. That black bucket thing behind your waterfall is likely to be a mechanical and bio filter. The details are just a little different. My filter is called a Skippy Filter. It is not the only design out there. I just happen to like playing with this kind of stuff. Another small pond I have the care of changes drastically every year. No matter what kind of system you are using you should look at how effecient it is, whether it works for you and if it does what it is supposed to. There are many sites that explain how filter systems work. To see how my skippy works, google Skippy stuff. My pond is 1000 gallons so my system is probably oversized, but I want to enlarge it this year or next. I have to get my body working first then I can use it as physical therapy! You have either EPDM or plastic(PVC)as a liner. If it feels like rubber it is EPDM. EPDM is rubber, just like they use in innertubes or on roofs. 45 mil is best but it comes in a thinner version as well. The plastic liner isn't as durable but some people do like it. To figure out how many gallons your pond holds(useful for medications, additives, pump size, etc.)go to the link named pond volume calculator at the end of this post. Then you can figure out how much water you have, how much your pump should be moving, how many fish inches you can support and all sorts of other things. If you don't like this one, there are others. That is likely to be enough for now. As you think of questions just add on. Enjoy, Sandy Here is a link that might be useful: pond volume calculator
...See More
Janis_G
14 years ago
Didn't Sheila buy a Prius?
Michelle just bought a new car and she loves hers.
Me, I go for the bells and whistles. I bought the Avalon Limited. I love that car but it is loaded.
calliope
Original Author
14 years ago
Oh, I don't have anything against 'loaded' cars. But, I am a function over form person and frugal. If there is an extra I want, I'll pay for it, but really don't like paying for functions I don't want. I have had my rag-tops and a caddie and a lincoln in a former life, but when I get in a Wrangler or a pick up, it feels more like "me".

I'm going to be a new grannie come spring, and wanted something where safety wasn't an option, too. I don't put a lot of miles on my cars, but the ones I do are rugged miles on country roads, some of which aren't even paved. And I don't expect fuel to stay under three dollars a gallon forever.

I went into a showroom today and got my new baby. Spent the last three nights reading specs and reviews and think I found a match. You either love the styling or hate it. Definitely was soft on the pocketbook, and had a lot of stuff come standard one would usually have to order extra on the new very low priced models. (and yes, Meldy, crank windows are coming back! on the very basic models. I drove one today) I got myself a little Nissan Cube. Six on the floor.
Janis_G
14 years ago
Suzy, you are a woman who knows what she wants and goes for it.
Love the new car. I've seen a few of them on the streets around here.
I always put a bunch of miles on my cars so the comfort on a long trip is the first thing I have to have.
I did get the GPS option on mine but it isn't user friendly so
I seldom use it. That was one thing I could have done without.
I get lost anyway.

I'm glad you got your new car before the winter set in.
Have fun breaking it in and congratulations on the coming addition to your family.
What a wonderful gift grandchildren are.
jazmynsmom
14 years ago
Congrats Calliope. I had no words of wisdom so I remained quiet. I am having stupid amounts of fun in my new Mini Cooper Clubman S. Six speed standard transmission. Ridiculously zippy... sticks to the road... great for hauling dogs and butt... today I loaded it up with (house) plants and groceries and had room to spare.

My baby wouldn't handle worth a darn on unpaved roads, but it is a pleasure on the paved, curvy, country roads on which I do most of my driving... I sprang for a few extras: heated seats and mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, double sun roof, Bluetooth, and the stereo system has a USB port, so I can download all my NPR podcasts onto a flashstick and plug them into my stereo...

I did have a bit of a reality check the other week when I got pulled over after having accelerated into some tight turns... The nice officer complimented the handling of the car and let me off with a warning, which I did not expect and very much appreciated...
calliope
Original Author
14 years ago
OMG Michelle. I had a basic Mini on my list of cars to consider. Had I made it to the showroom, I think I'd have driven out in one. But our closest dealer and mechanic would have been driving all the way to the capitol city. No, can't do that. But, I'm sure happy for you. Of course you are gonna have fun in it. Do not be too quick to discount a mini on a country road. You might be very surprised. LOL.

My problem was I was all over the board with things I wanted/didn't want in a new car. There is a world of difference between the Wrangler I considered, and a Cube for heaven's sake. If I coulda taken part of one care and part of another and welded them all together.

But, it was one of those love at first sight deals. I've been known to pick out puppies the same way. sigh.

Laughing about the cop and the ticket. I imagine your grin and exuberance just disarmed him. How could he spoil your fun?
rob333 (zone 7b)
14 years ago
Where is KathyJane? Come give us your expertise dear lady! 'sides I miss you terribly.

Suzy, all I can say is high miles+4WD=Subaru. Not hybrid, but highly dependable on those two fronts. Best wishes on your car hunt.

Here is a link that might be useful: Subaru outback
kathyjane
14 years ago
Just 'talked' to Marda---she said to come chime in----
Good Morning, everyone! ---it's SUNNY today!!!!!!!! More leaf work after I unplug the *&%$####! Leaf-Vac hose again!

Suzy---So GLAD you kept the Jeep!!!!!!
No matter what you have, it's gonna cost money---you can duct tape that Jeep together, and it'll still run down the road---or up the side of a hill!
Anything Nissan is good---I have a lot of respect for their vehicles---right there with Toyota and Honda....you'll never regret having that nice, NEW car, AND you'll ENJOY fewer trips to the gas station.
I'm very happy for you---even excited---even though I'm not really in the car loop anymore---I still get excited over cars and REALLY worked up over trucks!
PS---have a friend who bought a Prius a few years ago---goes over Afton Mtn. every day to Charlottesville---has never given her a speck of trouble---LOVES it!

Good seeing you guys!
Janis_G
14 years ago
K J what a treat to see you here.
Oh! how I miss you.

About to Spring for a New Car......input appreciated

Comments (10)

schoolhouse_gw

meldy_nva

Related Discussions

Janis_G

calliope
Original Author

Janis_G

jazmynsmom

calliope
Original Author

rob333 (zone 7b)

kathyjane

Janis_G

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

About to Spring for a New Car......input appreciated

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

calliopeOriginal Author

calliopeOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

calliope
Original Author

calliope
Original Author