and the car search begins....

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:33 pm

Steven Carter wrote:

I think your concerns about Subaru headgasket issues may be overblown

. can you fit in a Legacy wagon?

yes I can as a matter of fact....w/ the sunroof!

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:20 pm

What country did the vw beetle come from...because until recently it was the best selling car in the world.What country made porsche, what company won lemans more times than any other.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:14 pm

Pete Guthrie wrote:

What country did the vw beetle come from...because until recently it was the best selling car in the world.What country made porsche, what company won lemans more times than any other.

The Beetle was made in Mexico

- AB

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

Oh, I just can't get past this....

At least we agree on one thing. That thing is hideous.

It kind of looks like it feels sorry for itself.

It should be. That is the kind of awful European stuff that they're normally too embarrassed to send over here.

I drove a supercharged Clubman that Chip Stabler had at AAE last year. Thought it was a lot of fun with the 6 speed and enough power to make things interesting. Downsides - the dutch doors in the back rattled, the doggone center mounted speedo, and not enough headroom for me (sunroof car).

Go drive a 2012 V6 Fusion (one without a sunroof -- you'll probably have to search out a somewhat rare SE V6 model to find that). I drove a friend's V6 Fusion when I was looking for a new DD in 2012 and liked it, but wanted the extra MPG and got the 2.5L four instead. It's good for practicing momentum management. It actually got the advertised 33 mpg on one highway trip, and it's been averaging 26.5 overall. Now that the Michelin super-fuel-economy tires have worn down a little it handles decently for a garden variety sedan.

Downside - The rear window is a gunslit, so backing it up is a challenge unless you get the reverse radar/buzzer option. There was a backup camera option, but I think that required the SEL trim which included a sunroof. I have neither and have considered getting an aftermarket backup camera. If you find one with a rear spoiler, that might be enough of a reference point for you while backing, but I don't think it would help your wife.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 11:01 am

so any thoughts on a suby impreza? I like these....

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.js ... listType=1

only issue I see is the CVT. I'm so old school I don't think I could deal w/ a car that didn't shift. Any issues w/ these? This has the 2 liter motor...

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:01 pm

i think it will be too small for your MIL future needs. I can barely fit a set of golf clubs in the back...don't see how a wheelchair etc can fit without dropping one of the back seats.

Also, I suspect you will find the Impreza interior lacking. Seats are OK comfortable, not great for long trips over 3 hrs. Interior is hard plastic, and has a fair amount of road noise compared to other cars on your list. Stereo is awful--And that is being complimentary.

Since you've explored the depths of ugly car manufacturing already, why not consider the Accord Crosstour? Don't know if it meets your pricing yet, but may be worth checking.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

RodneyWright wrote:

so any thoughts on a suby impreza? I like these....

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.js ... listType=1

only issue I see is the CVT. I'm so old school I don't think I could deal w/ a car that didn't shift. Any issues w/ these? This has the 2 liter motor...

I like how the CVT is being outted as being a potential issue, whereas an archaic 4-speed auto that would constantly be searching for a gear to be in...

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:50 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

I like how the CVT is being outted as being a potential issue, whereas an archaic 4-speed auto that would constantly be searching for a gear to be in...

...and then there are those even more archaic manual transmissions that don't seem to ever need fixin'.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:14 pm

Rodney - Instead of buying a spare car with automatic which implies it would be the second automatic car why not upgrade the one automatic car to one that doesn't need a spare? I assume I'm missing something. :?:

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:21 pm

The stereo in the wrx, is pretty good. Dnno about standard impreza, but teh sattelite radio in my car is pretty good.It rides rough, i will grant you that. But I come from my old sentra that rode like a truck.Its quiet too, although that will change sometime this year.I specd out a cat back that I want.
That is just my two cents, maybe a late model STI hatch.Or the forester xt, with the sti motor.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:25 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

Rodney - Instead of buying a spare car with automatic which implies it would be the second automatic car why not upgrade the one automatic car to one that doesn't need a spare? I assume I'm missing something. :?:

Pam and I have discussed that tactic and it's still an option. Problem is we need her car to tow the trailer with, so that doesn't solve needing something lower for her mom to get in and out of. This is turning into a nightmare. I thought I'd be excited about this, but it's fast becoming burdensome. Now I'm to the point of considering something new just for the warranty. So my budget has ballooned from 15k to 25k. It's amazing how little is available for 25k in the new car world. If I could stop funding my 401k, I'd have that damn aston martin I want, but on the flip side I don't want to live in the car when I'm 70.... I'm trying to find that unobtainium blend of fun, good looks, decent mileage, auto and upscale.

So I did go look at and drive a friends 2011 Jetta last night. I actually fit w/ the sunroof, so nice surprise there. Nice car and great mileage w/ the diesel, but man, no umpphhh. I find myself being WAY too impatient w/ slow drivers, so I'll pass when safe, but sometimes you need some extra horses to get you around Joe Slow. Don't think the vdub would work. Considering the gas engine. At least it has a spare and a oil dip stick.

I never thought this would turn into a chore, but it is. SOOO many freaking options out there.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:55 pm

If you are going down the VW road, put the larger Passat wagon on the list, too.

Have you considered a Volvo? (I am not endorsing it, just throwing out other options.) 4-5 year old V70s seem to be near your pricepoint.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:18 pm

Volvo is not on the list, heard of too many issues w/ the newer cars. They aren't like to the old 240's that ran forever....

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:20 pm

Steven Carter wrote:

If you are going down the VW road, put the larger Passat wagon on the list, too.

Have you considered a Volvo? (I am not endorsing it, just throwing out other options.) 4-5 year old V70s seem to be near your pricepoint.

Whatever you do, DO NOT buy a P2 V70 Volvo. Speaking from experience times 2 for two of them we bought new (2004 V70R, 2005 V70R which Volvo replaced the 2004 model with after so many problems on the 2004...all those problems and more showed up on the 2005). These cars are simply awful, some of the poorest quality cars Volvo has ever made imo.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 3:33 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

Volvo is not on the list, heard of too many issues w/ the newer cars...

This, from the guy with old BMWs, Audis, Mercs and VWs on the list! :lol:

Based on your reactions so far, I don't think there is anything you will be 100% pleased with owning. Maybe re-prioritize comfort, accessibility and utility over exterior aesthetics?

THSCC Forums

and the car search begins....

Who is online