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Post by bakerworld on Jan 3, 2024 9:58:18 GMT -5
We just bought a '21 Chevy Blazer. We really enjoy how it handles. We also bought a '21 GMC Terrain and, while it has lots of 'bells & whistles', it is like driving a jar of peanut butter. I told DH we should sell the Terrain for another Blazer. However both were, I thought, extremely expensive for the mileage - 61K each. The two were $48K combined. We hardly drive at all - if I can walk, I will - but DH was sick of not having a vehicle on my babysitting days. I told our youngest when I am done babysitting she can have one. Her car is a '10 Honda Accord with a current mileage of 170+K. I do still miss my GMC Acadia - or rather the remote start and heated steering/seats. LOL
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jan 3, 2024 12:17:40 GMT -5
Honestly a car that I have liked as a car rental in Orlando is the Chevy Malibu We had a Malibu for a rental last month and I was surprised how much I liked it. I thought the seats agreed with me well, and the switch gear (buttons and stuff) were nice. And I didn't have to use the touchscreen to do everything like change the fan speed or something. Well, Saturday we test drove a 2018 Mazda CX-5 and we really liked it. We did not buy it because we don't want to rush into anything, and I wanted to do research. I liked what I saw on the research front, so we were going to buy it yesterday after work, but it sold at noontime. So sad. She found a 2016 that fit our bill a couple hours away, did more research and found things about the 2016 vs the 2018 that might be a dealbreaker, not sure yet. Oh well. This car shopping thing sucks. I understand the reasons (to a point) for the used prices being so high, but only to a point - it's become ridiculous what people think they can get. We started this by wife saying "I kind of want a Honda Odyssey" I say "okay I likes me some Honda" so I search locally, people are selling a 2006 with 247,000 miles for $6000. Whatever. Ridiculous. And it's all cars - all these things I should be getting for a grand or 1500 (maybe) are going for six grand. There's a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder near me with 220,000 on it, the dealer wants $5000 for it, and it's rusted all up and he admitted it's got a pretty rough ride and it's rough inside, and it won't even start without a jump. $5000. And people are paying this stuff. It makes me mad if I think about it too much. |
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Post by helenabear on Jan 3, 2024 12:50:04 GMT -5
Honestly a car that I have liked as a car rental in Orlando is the Chevy Malibu We had a Malibu for a rental last month and I was surprised how much I liked it. I thought the seats agreed with me well, and the switch gear (buttons and stuff) were nice. And I didn't have to use the touchscreen to do everything like change the fan speed or something. Well, Saturday we test drove a 2018 Mazda CX-5 and we really liked it. We did not buy it because we don't want to rush into anything, and I wanted to do research. I liked what I saw on the research front, so we were going to buy it yesterday after work, but it sold at noontime. So sad. She found a 2016 that fit our bill a couple hours away, did more research and found things about the 2016 vs the 2018 that might be a dealbreaker, not sure yet. Oh well. This car shopping thing sucks. I understand the reasons (to a point) for the used prices being so high, but only to a point - it's become ridiculous what people think they can get. We started this by wife saying "I kind of want a Honda Odyssey" I say "okay I likes me some Honda" so I search locally, people are selling a 2006 with 247,000 miles for $6000. Whatever. Ridiculous. And it's all cars - all these things I should be getting for a grand or 1500 (maybe) are going for six grand. There's a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder near me with 220,000 on it, the dealer wants $5000 for it, and it's rusted all up and he admitted it's got a pretty rough ride and it's rough inside, and it won't even start without a jump. $5000. And people are paying this stuff. It makes me mad if I think about it too much. We are still seeing crazy used car prices here as well. It is slightly better, but not a whole lot. Like BRP mentioned, there are a lot of people I know who would have bought slightly used cars who are now buying new just because it's really not worth it to buy used with the prices. We did get really lucky on our 2006 Civic. Do I think it will last forever? No. Should I get my kid through High School unless there's an accident? More than likely as it still hasn't hit 200,000 miles yet Good luck with your search though! I hope you find a good deal somewhere. |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jan 3, 2024 13:09:56 GMT -5
2006 Civic. Do I think it will last forever? No. Should I get my kid through High School unless there's an accident? More than likely as it still hasn't hit 200,000 miles yet Yeah an 06 Civic under 200k, I'd say you will be fine for a while. I've got a 2010 Ford Fusion I picked up for $500 a couple years ago (friend of a friend who just wanted to unload it and I told him $500 and the phone rang the next day) with 195k, still works well but I'm getting nervous about the trans just because of the miles, I want to change the fluid soon because for whatever reason, in America transmissions are marketed as "lifetime fluid" and of course they would last much longer if the oil was changed in them. 200,000 miles is a long ways to go on the same oil. Wish I would have changed the fluid on the Volvo trans a couple years back, it would probably still be working. I did change it when it started acting up but it was too late. That oil looked like motor oil, and as we all know the fluid looks like cough syrup when it goes in. |
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Post by helenabear on Jan 3, 2024 13:12:59 GMT -5
2006 Civic. Do I think it will last forever? No. Should I get my kid through High School unless there's an accident? More than likely as it still hasn't hit 200,000 miles yet Yeah an 06 Civic under 200k, I'd say you will be fine for a while. I've got a 2010 Ford Fusion I picked up for $500 a couple years ago (friend of a friend who just wanted to unload it and I told him $500 and the phone rang the next day) with 195k, still works well but I'm getting nervous about the trans just because of the miles, I want to change the fluid soon because for whatever reason, in America transmissions are marketed as "lifetime fluid" and of course they would last much longer if the oil was changed in them. 200,000 miles is a long ways to go on the same oil. Wish I would have changed the fluid on the Volvo trans a couple years back, it would probably still be working. I did change it when it started acting up but it was too late. That oil looked like motor oil, and as we all know the fluid looks like cough syrup when it goes in. I had no idea that American cars were suggesting no oil changes? Wow! We do oil changes on our ICE engine cars very regularly. I would have a hard time not doing it myself. Learn something new everyday |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jan 3, 2024 13:22:39 GMT -5
I had no idea that American cars were suggesting no oil changes? Wow! We do oil changes on our ICE engine cars very regularly. I would have a hard time not doing it myself. Learn something new everyday Well I meant the oil in the automatic transmissions, I guess I should have said "transmission fluid". But it is oil and yeah it is not listed in the maintenance schedules for pretty much all cars. They call it "lifetime fluid" which some misinterpret as "they say not to change it because it lasts forever" I even read about dealers and oil change places won't change it for you. We looked at a couple Subarus and they had CVT transmissions, first word out of my mouth "oooooo I don't like CVTs" but everybody's doing it these days. Those are even more susceptible to trans fluid getting old because there are rubbing parts in there, yet not even Subaru specs fluid changes for their transmissions. So I go on a Subaru forum and some dude is bragging about how his car is at 100k, 60k on the trans and no problems yet. So I'm like, "You had the transmission replaced at 40k? This is NOT a glowing recommendation" Edit: I did not type that out for the person to read...I'm not a monster And I'm not calling out American cars, what I mean is "Cars sold in America" for some reason they seem to spec fluid changes like in Japan and stuff. Same car. |
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Post by helenabear on Jan 3, 2024 13:33:59 GMT -5
I had no idea that American cars were suggesting no oil changes? Wow! We do oil changes on our ICE engine cars very regularly. I would have a hard time not doing it myself. Learn something new everyday Well I meant the oil in the automatic transmissions, I guess I should have said "transmission fluid". But it is oil and yeah it is not listed in the maintenance schedules for pretty much all cars. They call it "lifetime fluid" which some misinterpret as "they say not to change it because it lasts forever" I even read about dealers and oil change places won't change it for you. We looked at a couple Subarus and they had CVT transmissions, first word out of my mouth "oooooo I don't like CVTs" but everybody's doing it these days. Those are even more susceptible to trans fluid getting old because there are rubbing parts in there, yet not even Subaru specs fluid changes for their transmissions. So I go on a Subaru forum and some dude is bragging about how his car is at 100k, 60k on the trans and no problems yet. So I'm like, "You had the transmission replaced at 40k? This is NOT a glowing recommendation" Edit: I did not type that out for the person to read...I'm not a monster And I'm not calling out American cars, what I mean is "Cars sold in America" for some reason they seem to spec fluid changes like in Japan and stuff. Same car. Oh! I read oil and didn't think about transmission fluid as oil but just fluid lol Granted, we have our first automatic in our house in a long time. Up until I moved to my EV, we had manuals in our house so that's usually suggested at semi regular intervals. |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jan 3, 2024 13:51:19 GMT -5
Up until I moved to my EV, we had manuals in our house so that's usually suggested at semi regular intervals. Oh I hate the smell of gearbox oil, though! Yukky Some EVs don't even HAVE a transmission! That's a fun thought. |
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Post by sawickipedia on Jan 3, 2024 13:55:58 GMT -5
Up until I moved to my EV, we had manuals in our house so that's usually suggested at semi regular intervals. Oh I hate the smell of gearbox oil, though! Yukky Some EVs don't even HAVE a transmission! That's a fun thought.
If I were buying new, then EVs would be the choice b/c the TCO (total cost of ownership) will be so much less because of the lack of moving parts, transmissions, etc. You can find a VW ID4 (small SUV EV) for $40k and subsidized leases for ~$600/mo - pretty good deal given electricity costs about 1/4 of gas on a per mile basis. So $40k same as an ICE car and 25% TCO after that. Pretty good math at that point.
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Post by helenabear on Jan 3, 2024 14:11:56 GMT -5
Up until I moved to my EV, we had manuals in our house so that's usually suggested at semi regular intervals. Oh I hate the smell of gearbox oil, though! Yukky Some EVs don't even HAVE a transmission! That's a fun thought. I believe the Porche Taycan has a 2 gear where others are one. Oh I hate the smell of gearbox oil, though! Yukky Some EVs don't even HAVE a transmission! That's a fun thought. If I were buying new, then EVs would be the choice b/c the TCO (total cost of ownership) will be so much less because of the lack of moving parts, transmissions, etc. You can find a VW ID4 (small SUV EV) for $40k and subsidized leases for ~$600/mo - pretty good deal given electricity costs about 1/4 of gas on a per mile basis. So $40k same as an ICE car and 25% TCO after that. Pretty good math at that point.
I have had mine for 3 years now and I love it! I believe the only work I've had done on it was to check the brake fluid. My brakes are in amazing shape since I use regen braking all the time. My car is not due for a service until 2025 and last checked a year ago. I think that one again is to check the brake fluid. The only other thing I do is swap out my summer and winter tires since I opted to stick with separate for each season. The amount I have saved even with paying Ohio's ridiculous registration fee on EVs supposedly to make up for not getting gas tax (they really hose most of us, it should be more like $75 max) I have been saving quite a lot! When either my sons or my husband's car eventually dies (more likely the kid's car) we will replace it with an EV. If it is my son's car that dies, will likely just give him my husband's Civic. Which is in part of why I need him to learn to drive manual this spring. I have an L2 Charge Point in my garage with a cord long enough to reach wherever either car would be parked. Filling up has never been nicer in the winter than it is now  |
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Post by brp on Jan 4, 2024 11:27:02 GMT -5
The joke I always use is, "Two guys walk into a bar. The third one ducked." But nobody ever gets it. Which is why I like it! Years ago, I heard it as "two penguins walked into a bar, which is really stupid because the second one should have seen it." So I do get this version as well 
Cheers.
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Post by brp on Jan 4, 2024 11:30:17 GMT -5
Oh I hate the smell of gearbox oil, though! Yukky Some EVs don't even HAVE a transmission! That's a fun thought.
If I were buying new, then EVs would be the choice b/c the TCO (total cost of ownership) will be so much less because of the lack of moving parts, transmissions, etc. You can find a VW ID4 (small SUV EV) for $40k and subsidized leases for ~$600/mo - pretty good deal given electricity costs about 1/4 of gas on a per mile basis. So $40k same as an ICE car and 25% TCO after that. Pretty good math at that point.
I have an older (2008) Saturn Sky. It went into the shop for multiple weeks and $$$. At that time I decided to buy an EV and it was the right decision for us. With solar, the gas is free, and maintenance is low. Very pleased.
Cheers.
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Post by Brian5581 on Jan 5, 2024 0:05:13 GMT -5
Behind again…. Oh well.
Crappy Jets make Browns look like a Super Bowl contender…. With a quarterback who couldn’t even move for us. Figures.
Sorry about your Lions, Dan, Kim, Pam, and Dave,
Congratulations to your Cowboys, Dan.
Congratulations to your Ravens, Tom.
Sorry about your Dolphins, Kim.
Sorry about your Patriots, Nancy, Kristin, and Fess.
Congratulations to your Colts, Karl.
Congratulations to your Bears, Sue, Gary, and Beth.
Sorry about your Giants, Mike and Mike.
Sorry about your Eagles, Janet and Janet.
Congratulations to your Steelers, Patty.
Sorry about your Chargers, Amy and Mike.
Congratulations to your Broncos, Tony.
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jan 5, 2024 11:52:57 GMT -5
the TCO (total cost of ownership) I know you said "If I was buying new..." Considering the opposite end of the spectrum, in the not-too-distant past (15 years ago) I acquired a Toyota wagon for $200. I think over the years, I put in a car battery, a starter, alternator, and maybe a little bit of brakes. Let's say that including the purchase price of the car I spent about a thousand. I ran that thing for over seven years as my daily driver, so not counting fuel (which as an old toyota wagon, it did quite well) it cost me $150/year. I probably drove it from 2006 - 2013 or something, which I why I say those numbers are mostly current numbers, not like I'm talking about when burgers were 19 cents. I'm in my late 40s and most of my life, my cars have cost less than most people's monthly car payments. I've even rubbed off on my wife - yesterday we were talking about a car and I said "yeah it's $25,000 though" and she said, "You could buy like...(sounds of math)...50 cars for that!" I commented that I'd rather have 50 garbage cars - way more fun! |
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Post by captjacksfamily on Jan 6, 2024 5:55:37 GMT -5
Cool a car conversation, been a while since I was really into cars but love discussing them.
We went EV in 2018 with a Tesla 3. Love the car and tech but hated the Tesla customer service. The TCO on EVs is indeed low but what you have to watch with at least the Tesla is the cost of repair once you go off of warranty. You also will have a huge bill if you keep them too long so you have to change the batteries. Haven't owned it for a couple of years now so the situation may have changed. I will say that commuting in an EV is great but if you are doing long road trips you do have to take charging availability into account. Again it has been a couple of years but we needed to plan our routes as to where charging is instead of where you want to go.
I love German tech so to replace the Tesla we were looking at the BMW SUVs and while I love the handling the TOC is pretty high and frankly here in the Orlando area then closest thing to a challenging road to drive is not slowing down in the traffic circles. We decided to go with the driving couch approach and get a Lexus RX. Love the car, the user interface is a bit hooky but it is super comfortable on long trips. There is also some comfort in knowing if I need to get it fixed while on a road trip no matter how small the town is there is probably a Toyota repair service there, not really the case for German tech and seemed even worse when we were considering the Volvo.
Our daughter owned a Chevy Malibu for several years and just recently bought a Blazer, she loves both cars, but the biggest issue with the Malibu (and I think is common to gm) is that the paint failed in the hot Florida Sun. The car was in a garage at night but sat unprotected while she was at work.
ATF will last a long time but it does depend somewhat on the use case, if you are hold the car in gear on a slop or towing (people with lighter trucks towing boats on a steep boat ramp is a worse case example). The ATF can overheat and break down and then you are screwed, this is why most trucks have trainee coolers on them. EVs still have ATF of some kind because they need to lub the CVT, I can't remember if it was part of the maintenance schedule on the Tesla or not.
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