We want your input as to what kind of a car you think we should buy. Do you think a couple in their 50's should buy a: sedan (grandparent car), a Hummer (a wannabe wealthy car), Nissan (Ashlee, Natalia, or Krachel look alikes), Ford F250 crew cab pickup (good for lots of adventures), Subaru (looks good, goes anywhere, a little tree huggerish), Honda Accord (no brainer - lost one in the wreck, looked good, worked great even at 233,000 miles), Hybrid (lots of driving not so much gas guzzling) Honda SUV (more leg space, even crutches and boots(casts) fit). We are starting to think more serious, but really would like all our family to give us some advice. Layne can't do any test driving and you know it really stresses him to make payments. His dream would have been to keep driving our Accord for 5 more years. So keep all our needs in mind.
no silver or gold cars, good gas mileage, and as few $$$ as possible (this is Layne you know)
Please leave your suggestions and we will weigh each of them carefully. As always, family we love you and are always glad to hear from you. Keep on Blogging!
Friday, August 8, 2008
NEW CAR SURVEY
Posted by Layne & Ilene at 10:19 PM
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30 comments:
I'm sure Matt will have some strong opinions regarding this poll... but I'll start things off:
sedan - NO (you're not old enough to drive that)
a Hummer - MAYBE, if you want the payment and the gas guzzlin' Nissan - YES we've enjoyed ours so far, we studied SUV's for about a year (Matt wrote home from the Army with new statistics on a weekly basis) and narrowed it down to the Nissan or a Honda. In the end we figured we're only paying about $200-$400 more a year for gas in the Nissan, compared to what we paid in the Accord. definitely one to consider!
Ford F250 - YES I know you do enough pulling trailers and boats that this could be a good choice
Subaru - NO! They DON'T look good! (unless you get one that's not a hatchback. you're right... a little too tree huggerish. sounds like a car Bryce would drive, no offense Bryce!)
Honda Accord - YES (no brainer - lost one in the wreck, looked good, worked great even at 233,000 miles)
Hybrid - YES (if you can find one)
Honda SUV - YES (see above notes about Nissan)
Good luck making the final decision!
I agree lots with Krachel! With my auto experience I would defenitly say get something that gets good gas milage! My opinion would maybe be another Honda since they go forever and you already have a SUV... then you'll have something more economical for when you take those super long road trips to Michigan and Boise:) Anyways we love our Nissan but cuz of the lift and the tires it's a gas guzzler...
Good luck. Too bad you have to deal with this:(
I say that you should just get two mopeds instead!! They are good on gas and you can pretty much park them anywhere. Think of all of the extra room you would have to do crafts and things in your garage! Or I also think a hummer would be good, I can just picture mom driving to school wearing one of her flashy bandanas in a hummer. That's my vote...it will be a tough decision!
Honda-NO. Expensive to buy and Fix. Overrated.
Hummer- Come on. You two?
Subaru- worth the money. Better reliability than any other on your list.
Ford F250- If you keep pulling stuff, it would be good but expensive.
Hybrid- Yes.
Any SUV- NO.
andy
Well, I think it comes down to three things: dependability, fuel efficiency and cost. First, you already have an SUV capable of moving trailers and hauling your family, so I would put to rest the idea of obtaining another SUV or Pick-up. What two people like you(that are "rich" in years) need, is a car that would transport them the most economically on various outings and of course on the long roadtrips to see the grandkids. To tackle the first issue of dependability, you really need to view the overall statistics for each car manufacturer to see who really makes the most reliable cars. We have had great success with both of the Hondas that Krachel and I have owned. I think they're well worth the money. Your own experience with your Accord is proof of Honda's superior caftsmanship. J.D. Power and Associates listed the following manufactures as the most dependable auto makers:(Luxury Class) 1.Lexus 2.Cadillac 3.BMW
4.Acura 5.Jag; this was followed up with the non-luxury class which included: 1.Toyota 2.Buick 3.Honda 4.Mercury [source:http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/dependability-ratings]
You should note that Lexus is number one for Luxury and Toyota (the maker of lexus) is number one in the "non-luxury" class. This would be enough to narrow it down for me but let's take a look at problem #2 - fuel efficiency. Toyota holds 2 spots in the top five "most fuel efficient cars" category. These are the #1 Toyota Prius and the #4 Toyota Corolla. Honda is on the list as well with the #2 Civic Hybrid. (Toyota also makes a hybrid Camry). The majority of the focus in the auto industry is shifting towards hybrid cars which will increase your "city" driving mileage while maintaining a similar "highway" mileage as a nonhybrid. Keep in mind that there are alternatives such as the Honda Hydrogen fuel cell and the Civic GX which runs on natural gas - has lots of great benefits and would cost about $5.00 to fill up!! So, so far we have two of the most reliable car manufacturers (Toyota and Honda) also on the list for the most fuel efficient cars. So let's look at the number 3 concern, cost. You can expect to pay under $30,000 for the highest trim for a Civic, Accord, Corolla, or Camry sedan. Hybrids will push you closer to the 30K mark but usually not over unless you get an SUV (which we already discussed you wouldn't do). Annual cost for the afforementioned Toyota and Honda sedans are not high, nor is the fuel cost, or "cost of operation." This should be enough for you to narrow down which sedans visually appeal to you the best and start deciding on a trim and color. The bottom line is this, are there cheaper cars out there? Yes, but they're not as reliable. Could there be cheaper, reliable cars out there? Maybe, but probably not and probably lack in fuel economy. My point is, for convienence, comfort, fuel efficiency and reliability you'll need to expect to pay more than 20-grand but you shouldn't have to pay much more than that, you shouldn't have to sacrifice any of those qualities and you shouldn't expect to be disappointed in your purchase.
Wow - Matt really did have some opinions on the matter! I think I agree with Ash. I could totally see Mom driving a little scooter or moped to school with her "Goth" hair flying behind her! I have a friend that drives one to work - they go 60 mph, and get great gas mileage! Even though you weren't planning on getting a new car so soon, it always seems fun to get something new!
I actually think you should get a honda pilot!
I don't think I would ever pay 20 grand for a vehicle.
Even if you don't ever pay $20 grand for a vehicle you'll end up paying more than that by the time you fix it each time it breaks. My Civic had 105,000 miles on it when we traded it in. I had driven it for four years and had never, EVER, EVER had it in the shop. I stayed up on my oil changes and that's the only thing I ever paid for. I also bought the Civic for $16,900.
We did have to take the Accord in last summer. That's because a lady backed into me in the parking lot and did some damage to the bumper. But no mechanical problems. Not one in 3 years. So I'm not 50 years old and I haven't owned a lot of cars, but I'd say 8 years and not one trip to the mechanic speaks highly of Honda.
Is that Ashlee that posted last or Andy?
Oh. And I heard you already bought a car! Did you cheat and get one before even reading all of our input?
Okay, Okay, we wanted your input to see if anyone would suggest the kind of car we had bought. Ashlee was a cheater and guessed Honda Pilot, and that was 100% correct. Way to guess, Ashlee. We loved our old Honda in many ways. Layne thought we needed a bigger car, lucky for him he lived through the crash of the Accord. We do now have two SUVs. One for the city and one for the outdoors. We are happy to own another Honda. Thanks for all your ideas, we really do have some deep thinkers in the family. We loved reading your comments, and would love to hear what you think about our purchase.
I am so excited that you guys got a Honda Pilot - that is the exact kind of car I have been trying to convince Clint that we needed! Great choice! Now, all you need to do is DRIVE IT!!
Oh yeah, that last post was from Andy, surprise surprise.
LETS SEE SOME PICTURES:)
Sorry if I came across as rude in my last comment layne and Ilene. I was just trying to get a rise out of Krachel. Hondas are great cars. They are very reliable and one of the best all around vehicles. You guys made a great choice. Can't wait to see it.
Andy
What year is it?
I would have bought matching motorcycles if I were you two. Or one motorcycle and a side car for Ilene. Then when you retire you can ride to Sturgis.
Yeah! Rise out of me or not, I feel that I won because you bought a Honda!!! We really like the Pilot but feel like it's better for a family with lots of kids, instead of a family expecting a kid. Gosh Andy, I would have expected a bigger fight out of someone who's training to be a lawyer! :)
What do you mean won? I feel like I won because I make more sense than you. Just kidding! I do think I won though. I don't now if you saw my post before I deleted it but I made some great points. Like financing a 20,000 dollar car. You would end up paying double for it by them time you were done paying on it, plus you have to have full coverage insurance on it the whole time it is financed, which is a lot of extra $$$. I had a 500 dollar dodge 600 SE for 4 years as well with no problems at all. It had over 180,000 miles on it. Sounds like it did everything your Honda did for 500 bucks! Hondas aren't the only cars that have "feel good" stories. I can argue with the best of them Krachel, I just thought I stepped on some toes with my last comment. Didn't want to hurt any feelings. Your better off with a cheaper car, not financed BY FAR than an expensive on financed.
Well, well, well I don't want any family feuds on my blog, so hope you are all smiling as you write your comments on which car to buy or not to buy. The Honda Pilot, is probably not what anyone would have expected us to buy, and we've heard lots of comments both on the blog and otherwise, but it works for us. It is white, 2005, with the third seat never been used. It has a cargo mat(never been used) where the third seat sits. It has a lot of nice features, but the overall reason is that Layne did come out of a really bad crash in a little car this time, but he didn't want to take chances on the next time. I didn't want him to either. This car has lots of leg space for the driver, and passengers. Good looking car for the $, for Grandparents, and for the Petersons. I will try to come up with a new non controversial topic to blog about. Keep smiling Woolfs and Greenwoods. WE LOVE YOU ALL!
I saw your Wii comment on my parents blog! I definitely think you should get one, and I do think it would help Layne. If you get Wii Fit along with your Wii, you can do all kinds of strength training, aerobics, yoga, and balance games. Its amazing what a work out, and how well it works and builds all your muscles! So I think you should get one! My boss just bought her mom, who is like 75 a Wii and and Wii Fit, so your not too old to get a nintendo!
I'm sorry Andy. Did you say you made more sense? I got two sentences in to that last post and had to stop reading... too many grammatical errors for me to process!
"I don't now if you saw my post before I deleted it"
... 'now' is actually 'know'
"You would end up paying double for it by them time you were"
... not really sure where you're going with this one, you kind of sound like a country boy!
:)
No worries Aunt Ilene. Andy and I love teasing each other! Besides, you should be proud. I've never see a blog before that had more than 20 posts!!!
Sorry Krachel that I am not a perfect typer. I get going too fast, and I don't proof read. Eye deedn't no this wuz a grammor and punkchewation test! Get matt to explain my messages to you if you can't understand them.
This is what usually happens when a person loses an argument; they usually start attacking the other person when they have no more valid points to make.
Mom & Dad, I think you guys need to come up with another blog post so that this "feuding" can end! Besides, I know you guys have had many adventures since this last post.
The next person who makes a negative comment on this blog is going to be in a huge heap of trouble. I am sure there is a way to eliminate posts - but my blogging skills will prevent me from closing this post. Don't want to hear another word about cars!!!Love you all, I think I know what Ashlee has been worried about. Now I am the worried one.
Hey Aunt Ilene & Uncle Layne~ You can moderate your comments. If you go into settings then click on the comment tab under there is a spot that you can click that allows you to maderate, meaning that you have to read the comment first before it's published on your blog:)
I just read the kids blogs, I don't ever read our own. It looks like I have been missing out on a really good discussion. I greatly appreciate all the comments and suggestions. I should have read them before we bought our car; however, the older I get, I look at things differently. We liked a lot of things about out old accord but it was too small of a car for us and it was very hard for me to get in and out of. It is also really hard to get kids in and out of car seats because it is so low to the ground. I have really liked the Suburban because it is easy for old people to get in and out of and it is so nice to drive; however, we have had a lot of little problems with the Suburban. We talked about getting a Tahoe but gas mileage was 4 mpg less than the Honda and it is a little longer. The Honda is as wide as the Tahoe and sits up really nice. Even old buggered up people can get in with crutches without whining too much. The Pilot we bought is set up exactly the way we wanted it and we had such good mechanical luck with the old Honda that we decided to go with the Honda. The price was nowhere near $20,000 and it is in immaculate shape for a 2005 model. It has power leather seats, with heaters, rear air, 7 disk CD player, tinted windows, rabbit hunting window on top, a cargo tray in the back when we are not using the third seat, and new tires. We should have plenty of room to carry the bikes and still carry our camping gear. It will be great for getting the kids in and out of car seats, so bring them on so we can put it to use. We also bought the car from a dealer that provides a lifetime warranty, both parts and labor, for the whole drive train if service by them every 3,000 miles. We will see how that works but is covers the engine, transmission, CV joints, and everything.
Once again thanks for the comments. Keep updating your blogs so that we can see what kind of fun you are having.
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