Car shopping... again
Last year I was internet shopping for a new car. Something a little larger than what I currently own. There's nothing wrong with my car, I just want to up-size. With 42,000 miles, the factory tires have enough tread for a few thousand miles more. The problem is the interior noise when driving on the highway is noticeably louder. Less rubber, more road noise.I bought tires for my previous car a little over 3 years ago for around $600. A few months later I changed cars. Today's prices for new tires with mounting, road hazard and free flat repair is going to run around $1,000. If I'm going to change cars... now is the best time or I'll be buying tires. At that point, I'll wait another year before car shopping again.
A few months ago I went through the motions trying KIA, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Subaru. Nothing jumped out as my #1 choice. They each had some nice features, but none had all the features I really wanted. Strange... the things I think are important aren't many, but to get those items, it requires additional feature packages costing thousands more.
Okay, I'll get over that.
The dividing line is a cross between a hatchback to a small SUV.
Who/What are the possibilities?
Subaru Crosstrek, is a car that's jacked up a few inches. It's big on safety features but weak on the electronics. I do like the old-fashioned hand brake. This is a possible for simplicity.
Honda H-RV is an SUV, bigger for 2023 than the previous model. Lots of features, I didn't like the height of the front hood. The car had an offensive odor, possibly from the leather seats. Maybe that will go away. Good availability, I could have one in the model and color choice within a week.
I'm ruling out both KIA and Hyundai. Beautiful cars, I don't think they are going to last 10 years. That's what I'm seeing in reviews and from personal experience.
Today, I went to Mazda and tried a Mazda3 hatchback and the CX-30 SUV. Both are nice. The SUV has sufficient horsepower, but it was tame both in steering and braking. I tried some rough driving and it wouldn't accept it. Slamming on the brakes didn't happen. It stopped quickly, but the car is very computer controlled and rides like a larger vehicle. I do like the ground height. Seats were firm but comfortable.
The hatchback handling was more to my liking. Quick lane changes and jamming the brakes produces a quicker stop than the SUV.
Both cars have nice seating, but lacked on the 'visual' of the electronics. I'm told the GPS map needs an upgrade. Both have a large (but different) center console, not to my liking and their choice of color is limited. Priced within my budget... Mazda is near the top if I had to choose.
Also, Toyota keeps sending me emails to buy my car... but they have nothing to offer me this year. Three months now they said I could test a Prius Hybrid but all coming in are pre-sold and no chance to test drive or actually sit in one for comfort. They are taking NON-REFUNDABLE deposits to order one with a 2 to 3 month wait. It won't be a Toyota this year.
Comments (19)
Not practical/possible for me.
Living on a 2nd floor condo, I have no means to charge it here and haven't seen any charging stations in my community.
Let's say I did have the ability (money and electrical access) I would only consider to lease a Tesla and not purchase, so it would become someone else's problem at the end of the lease agreement.
Evacuations for hurricanes already are a nightmare with traffic gridlocks...with the population explosion of retirees...no longer snowbirds...there is no way we could evacuate from another big storm....
My area has grown by leaps and bounds...the infrastructure has not kept up with the growth.
I-75 is a parking lot on most days already...
I bought 2 towels and lay them on the seat as getting in the car wearing shorts could be a 'blistering' experience.
The Sport model doesn't have all the features as it only comes with manual fabric seats, but the Limited has electric leather trimmed seats.
Sport has a multi function display, Limited has a color multi function display.
STARLINK Media
6.5 inch for the Sport
8 inch for the Limited (optional for the Sport)
I haven't inquired if the dealer is ordering options or if they are only as shown on the website.
Power moon roof is optional on the Limited.
That's something I have no interest in getting.
Two cars I've owned with a sun/moon roof had leaks on the seals that needed silicone.
After that, I was unable to open them.
RAV4 with white interior.
Wayyy too big for me.
Also at $37,000 it was more than I wanted to buy.
They have the new Corolla Cross on a waiting list.
I didn't give it much thought and say one on the road today.
I'll check the specs as I think the seating is the same as my Corolla Hatchback and I'm looking for something a little bigger.
You can have it delivered to my home.
Toyotas hold their value well.
The differences vary greatly on the research, but the older Toyota Prius hybrid battery life expectancy is rated 8 to 10 years. Also, I see it's rated between 100,000-150,000 miles.
In the real world, people buy a Prius because they do a lot of driving and those mileage numbers could be double, so the 8 to 10 years realistically could be 4 to 5.
I read for the newest models, Toyota covers them under a warranty of 10 years or 150,00 miles.
Replacement costs also vary greatly. I've seen numbers of $1,500 to $2,000 and $1,000 to $1,500 for re-manufactured batteries. Those prices don't include installation which could be another $1,500.
I would ask myself, is the cost of buying a hybrid worth it?
Many of those models have smaller engines with less horsepower when compared to the conventional models and cannot perform the same. So, if you consider keeping the car for more than 10 years, you have to include the expense of battery replacement at least 5 years into the ownership.
The differences vary greatly on the research, but the older Toyota Prius hybrid battery life expectancy is rated 8 to 10 years. Also, I see it's rated between 100,000-150,000 miles.
In the real world, people buy a Prius because they do a lot of driving and those mileage numbers could be double, so the 8 to 10 years realistically could be 4 to 5.
I read for the newest models, Toyota covers them under a warranty of 10 years or 150,00 miles.
Replacement costs also vary greatly. I've seen numbers of $1,500 to $2,000 and $1,000 to $1,500 for re-manufactured batteries. Those prices don't include installation which could be another $1,500.
I would ask myself, is the cost of buying a hybrid worth it?
Many of those models have smaller engines with less horsepower when compared to the conventional models and cannot perform the same. So, if you consider keeping the car for more than 10 years, you have to include the expense of battery replacement at least 5 years into the ownership.
Also, the craftsmanship seems much nicer than the car I now own....It is in my price range...but, the MPG is lower than what I am getting in my car now....
I might just buy one....
Check later for a new car purchase blog!