Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with newcars

Can you convince me NOT to buy a hybrid?

kyleg — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:39:24 -0800

What are the downsides to owning a hybrid? In the market for a new car, and wondering about the cost/benefit ratio, among other things. Hoping that hybrid owners can help out here. Concerns are mostly economic. Are there unexpected or hidden costs that pop up that you wouldn't have with the standard model? For someone with a fairly short daily commute in highway traffic, is the gas savings lessened? Is the initial cost premium worth it?

What about consumer choice? Is there a difference in the benefits provided by hybrid models when comparing sedans vs. SUVs? Does it make sense to restrict yourself to looking for hybrid models rather than all available automobiles, in terms of available features? Are there safety concerns not associated with standard models?

If you have answers, or any other valid concerns about hybrid ownership that should be considered, please post them here. Alternately, if you would like to make the argument that buying a hybrid is always the best option, feel free to state your case.

Need a Car, High MPG, low cost

DetonatedManiac — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:10:34 -0800

What is the best low maintenance, high gas mileage, low cost car I can buy (new or used) on a limited budget. I just wrecked my old car, it was 11 years old and I didn't have comp or collision. My work is driving intensive so I MUST get a new car quick, but I am on a very limited budget. MUST BE AUTOMATIC, can't drive manual.

My paycheck is not reliable yet (new sales job) so I would like to buy the new car outright or at least finance to get a very small monthly payment.

I can basically afford $5,000-7,000 now and perhaps $200 a month.

I don't know if it matters but I live near Raleigh NC.

Okay I give up. Metafilter YOU buy my car for me.

rileyray3000 — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:32:08 -0800

New Car? Used Car? Status car? Reliable Car? Is it possible there is just ONE car to rule them all? It's time for me to buy SOMETHING to replace my beloved 1970 Dodge Swinger. The question is WHAT? So I should state for the record that I live in Los Angeles. That's going to be helpful later in recognizing where all this car agita is coming from.

I recently sold my 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger for 5500 dollars. This was AFTER I put over 28,000 into it. Heartbreaking but it was time. I couldn't use it as a daily driver anymore with a 40 mile commute, the lack of AC was killing me and I had nowhere to keep it should I want to use it as a weekend car.

Plus it's primary role was to score hot rockabilly girls. And I'm not doing that anymore. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

So now it's time for a NEW car. And having been beaten into submission by the demands of my previous high maintenance car, pretty much ALL newer cars than 1970 seem like Jetsons vehicles to me. But I've tried to break it down into elements. If you can figure out how to put them together into the car I should buy, I WILL buy it. These are NOT in any order and I will sacrifice some for others if need be.

1) Automatic: I can't drive a stick. I don't want to learn. This is non-negotiable.

2) Credit Rating and finance: I have a great one. Just found out. And it surprised the hell out of me. Salarywise I have a piece of paper from work that says I make six figures. Even if my agent takes a bunch of it. I'm not part of a credit union but I can be. Though if there are any dealer finance programs with specials going on, I'm one of those "qualified buyers" they're always talking about really fast at the end of the commerical.

3) Status and Cache: I am technically now a TV executive. The Dodge Swinger in it's restored glory, looked like a CHOICE. Like this was what I wanted. Not what I had to drive. I'd like some element of that in the new car.

4) Money: I have up to 8 Grand to put down as a down payment. And I know that many new cars devalue a ton when you drive them off the lot. So I'm open to used cars. Though I'd like one with a warranty.

5) Monthly payments: In theory, I'd like to cap my monthly payment between 350-400 bucks a month and not go over 4 years on a lease. If possible.

6) Imported Car: Unless there is a FANTASTIC american car out there with crazy deals right now, I'd like to stay far away from US brands.

7) A Car, Not A Truck: For the last 4 years I've gotten 8 miles to the gallon. I want a car with good mileage. Not an SUV. Not a truck. Not a CRV. A car.

8) Gay Cars: My boss is gay. His assistant is gay. Many of the people I work with and meet with are gay. I am NOT gay. I have been given a list of cars by them that, if I am straight, I should not drive: The Mini Cooper. The Mazda Miata. The Jetta. The jeep that's a convertible. Apparently those are all code for West Hollywood Boy in Los Angeles.

9) Style: There are some newer cars I think look nice. If there's something in this pocket, I'm open to it. The audi S4, The scion TC, Most BMWs, no mercedes (they all look like Old Man cars to me), the new honda civic coupe, The Infiniti G35, the nissan altima coupe, the nissan 350Z, all the overpriced sports cars that are out of my price range.

10) Other: Two doors over four doors (but still open), would love a convertible (but would understand if not), leather seats are SO much better and, if possible, I'd like to have a good stereo system that takes Sirius. If not, I can always get one installed.

So those are the basics. The truth is if a car handles okay, feels nice and still holds up my end of looking like I'm supposed to in it, I'll be fine with it really. I've just been looking at car sites for the last five days and I have no idea what to do.

All I know is I can't rent another Chevy Aveo. I'd rather walk onto a lot with a fistful of cash and pass out on a car randomly than do that again. So go get em metafilter. YOU buy my car for me.

Help me get the most utility out of my vehicle.

COBRA! — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 08:51:29 -0800

Yet another request for car recommendations. After consulting with the wife and the mechanic, it's been determined that the aging Saturn is going to be taken out behind the barn and shot next month. I'm starting the process of looking for a replacement, but, having been out of the car market for about ten years, I'm feeling sort of information-poor.

So: I'd love any recommendations… factors important to me include:

-Price. Lower is better.
-High reliability and gas mileage are much more important than speed/flashiness.
-Car should seat four in relative comfort (not necessarily SUV comfort, but as comfortable as, say, a 4-door Saturn)
- Should be decent for frequently hauling mid-sized cargo (say, amps/guitars or a couple of disassembled bikes). So, probably a hatchback.
- Should be able to handle snow.

(by way of example, I like my wife's Mazda Protégé 5 very, very much; but we're irrationally squicked out at the idea of having his-and-hers copies of the same car).

At this point, buying a newish used car or leasing a new one are the top options; not completely ruling out buying a new one, but it'd have to be a hell of a deal.