Car shopping

[icepixie]

So, seeing as I'm going to be moving to Knoxville in less than four months, I need to get a car sharpish. (Yes, there's public transportation, but I've done the relying-on-a-bus-to-get-groceries thing, and unless you're somewhere like NYC or Chicago, IT DON'T WORK. Plus, driving home for vacations, etc., and, depending on my luck with finding nearby housing, to campus...yeah.)

I...would pretty much be okay if all we had was the modern equivalent of the Model T. No, seriously. This sucks. I have no idea what to buy, I have a relatively small budget, and seriously, all I want is four wheels, an engine that won't break down all the time, and enough steel around me to keep me from being crushed in an accident. All the different brands and models have such minute and arcane differences that do incomprehensible things to the price, and I can't even begin to wrap my mind around it. The only reason I'm not giving up and investing in a bicycle is because my dad is helping me shop, and at this point has probably done more looking than I have. (Also, biking back to Nashville would be a bit difficult.)

I'm looking solely at used cars, because my budget would allow me to get, um...a new tricycle, I think. (Well, okay, if I plunked down the entirety of my savings account, I could actually get something rather nice, but I also, you know, want to eat next year.)

Anyone have any tips? Brands you like? Bad experiences? I'm leaning towards something from Honda or Toyota because the idea of being stranded on the roadside periodically does not appeal (nor does shopping for another car for AT LEAST ten years), but of course that increased reliability and longevity comes with a corresponding increase in price. Sigh.

Comments

[alto2.livejournal.com]

I have a 2002 Civic and there's absolutely no problem getting that baby up a hill. I'm rather stunned that you've even mentioned it, in all honesty, because it's a damn fine automobile and it's never remotely occurred to me that such a thing might be a problem. It also goes faster than 65mph, just in case you were worried ;) I do drive a 5-speed, so I control how the car is powered and can't speak for automatics, but I can't imagine you'd have to get out and push.

The gas mileage on the Civic is excellent, too. I think it has a 13.2 gallon tank, and I can go about 350-400 miles on that. I drive about 5 miles to work and back, and various other errands. Now that I'm doing grad school I don't make as many side trips as I did before, but I only have to fill the tank about once a month. Considering the price of gas these days, that ain't nothin'.

I had Saturns before I had the Civic and I always liked them, too. The only reason I didn't get another one was that I didn't like the look of the newer models. They're very reliable, safe cars, too.

[icepixie]

(Is that Sarah Jane hiding from a Cylon? Awesome!)

but I can't imagine you'd have to get out and push

Heh. See, our old Escort? You did. Hence why we've had six-cylinders since then.

It looks like the Civic gets on average about five miles more to the gallon than an Accord of the same year. The car I share with my parents currently gets about 17, so anything above 25 average, which both are, I consider an improvement. ;) Filling up the tank only once a month would be awesome. It's certainly something to consider, given that I have no idea where I'll end up after these two years are done.

What about the OMG SUVS ARE GOING TO CRUSH ME ON THE INTERSTATE!!! factor? This is a big concern with my parents. I haven't been in a car smaller than Accord-sized since I was about nine, so I really have no frame of reference; however, my lizard brain is saying "the bigger the better."

[alto2.livejournal.com]

That is indeed Sarah Jane and a Cylon. Hadn't realized how much the Giant Robot looked like a Cylon (or vice versa) until I saw the icon, which made me laugh. Had to have it :)

I'm pretty sure I tend to get around 35 mpg. Again, though, I drive stick, and that can mean better gas mileage, so if you're not willing or able to do the same, your mileage may not be as good.

As for the SUV thing, honestly, if that's such a big concern, I don't know why you'd even get on the road. You can be smashed by an SUV while in an SUV yourself just as much as you can be in any other car. And really, the idea that an Accord is going to do anything more for you than a Civic just because it's slightly longer is rather amusing to me, because it's just not going to make any appreciable difference.

[icepixie]

The mileage I was comparing was for automatics, because I haven't the first clue how to drive sticks. :)

As for the SUV thing, honestly, if that's such a big concern, I don't know why you'd even get on the road.

Not to be facetious, but in a perfect world that would actually be my preference. I just don't want to live in a city big enough and public transported-enough to offset the need for a car.

And really, the idea that an Accord is going to do anything more for you than a Civic just because it's slightly longer is rather amusing to me, because it's just not going to make any appreciable difference.

I tend to agree with you (although I wonder, does the fact that it's heavier make any difference?). I know it's an issue for my father, though, and since my parents are going to help me pay for the car, whatever it turns out to be, that's something to consider.

[asinpterodactyl.livejournal.com]

Gas mileage: my '99 Civic is an automatic, and it always gives me between 32 and 34 mpg.

[icepixie]

Sweet; thanks.

[nickless.livejournal.com]

does the fact that it's heavier make any difference?

Yes.