"other" car recommendations

[Christien]

What do you guys recommend for the "other" car in the family? Right now we've got a 94 Lexus ES300 that's on its way out, and we're thinking of what to replace it with. This is purely for utilitarian purposes, so fun doesn't have to figure in, but is always a plus. I really don't want a minivan or station wagon yet. No kids yet but there probably will be within a year or 2.

One thing we're considering leasing the new Ford Escape hybrid - we both like the size and space, without it being a gas guzzler. The other thought is buying a mid-90's semi-luxury car, the idea being that a PO of a BMW or Mercedes would be much more likely to have taken better care of the car than say the owner of a Taurus or something.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Chris

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Other than it is not a sports car or a full size pick-up, my wife actually loves the Subaru Outback we bought a couple of months ago. Lots of room for schtuff. Others here love their Accords and 626s. People with Saturns and hy-and-dries have been complaining about them and the BMW guys have been taking their 5 series in for work constantly.

FWIW...

[gr8fl4porsche]

Can't go wrong with a Subby. Mine has been the least expensive maintenance vehicle I have ever owned.

Drive the Legacy GT with the 3.0.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Subarus have a good reputation. I wouldn't be hesitant to buy one if I needed another car, and one was an option.

I would probably, out of curiosity and technical interest, get the Escape Hybrid. I had a Honda Insight for about a year, and liked it. It worked well, and got GREAT gas mileage. Turns out I just live too close to work for it to 'stretch it's legs'. Sadly, it gets the best efficiency on trips of about 15 miles or more. I live 2 miles from work.

I would suppose the Escape would be a similar situation. It needs some cruising at speed to regenerate completely. So if you're mostly going to use it for very short stop-and-go, it may not be as efficient as it could be.

Just a little input.

[vash]

we just picked up our new subby. forester with the 2.5turbo. that car is a rocket, a damn smooth running rocket. dogs like the back section, so that is a big plus.

[gassy]

Volvo s60 or Cross Country. Trust me.

[craigster59]

I'm partial to LandCruisers, but boy can they suck the gas. I'm in the same situation and am looking for something more economical. I'm leaning towards a used Audi A4 Avant or the new Audi A3. The A3 is a cool looking car although I have yet to test drive one. Or maybe I'll wait till the FJ Cruiser comes out. Decisions,decisions.....

[Reg]

Those new Jettas look aweful. That's one to stay away from in my books! It's hard to beat a Corolla for value if that is not too small for you.

[gavinlit]

Sooby

[Christien]

Hey guys, thanks for all the tips - looks like we definitely need to have a look at Subaru - never considered them before. Reg, I'm not a fan of Jettas either. My sister drives one - it's ok, but I'm not a fan of the transmission (hers is a standard) and it'd a bit small. A Corolla is definitely too small.

Chris

[coldstart]

Chris, I also have never considered a Subby but they get great reviews from my friends. The Impreza 2.5 is also fairly cheap ($22-25CDN) and the AWD is great in the winter but not for towing. My mother has an Accord hybrid which is nice and environmentally conscious but you will most likely NEVER come close to making the difference for the initial money layout for the hybrid model.

For your best bang for the buck, I would recommend used but not a Mercedes or a BMW (maintenance, parts costs, reliability, etc.) Check out leasebusters.com for some sweet deals for one owner late model cars. People with leases regularly buy more car than they can afford and get in over their heads so you can pick up a good deal. I LOVE Honda/Acura but they are way overpriced used.

[Rich76_911s]

Chris,

I sent you an article from business week that reviewed hybrids and the Escape specifically. Also there were some user reviews of the car. Best of luck with the new car purchase. And here is another vote for the Subaru. I have an 89 that just kept charging until a month ago when it blew a head gasket after I just spent $50 on odds and ends that night. It definetly goes through snow better than most anything else if that is a concern.

[ckissick]

The Passat is the best car in it's class. And a good value. My father-in-law gave us his '98 Benz, so we sold the 2002 Passat. My wife and I both think the Passat was a much better car.

The new Jetta is ugly but when you drive it, you change your mind. People who have driven one, they rave about it.

[Christien]

Hmm, a Passat - never driven one, so I'll have to try it out. I actually don't think the Jetta's too ugly, I'm just not a fan of the way it drives.

We're definitely aware we'll never make back the extra cost of a hybrid engine in gas savings - it's more doing our part for the environment, especially with a 72 911 with Zeniths in it...

Chris

[911Rob]

My wife and I just went through the same excercise over the past month, we looked at several options, searched auto traders, ebay (great for pics/info on diff. models)

I drive a black 911 cab for fun, so she ended up choosing the black mustang cab and loves it. I'm happy for her and it was very cheap in comparisson to some of the other options.

Let us know what you end up with?

[pwd72s]

Good choice Rob. Now, about the Mustang? I'm thinking they'll be bargains on the used market now that the new retro body style is out. Did you find this to be the case?

[911Rob]

Yes, some good deals out there, this is the 40th anniv. model, 2004 and we picked it up with 12,000KM, just like brand new.

I would've spent $10K more and got a beemer cab, but she wanted as new as she could afford.... nothing beat the Stang in price/year.

Nice thing is, my wife drives into the Ford dealership a few blocks away and has it serviced, unlike my 911..... need I say more?

My wife driving me to Kamloops last week and I'm saying, "now remind me why I have a Porsche?" (In the shop getting the big bad brakes added)

Good Luck, let us know how you make out?

[Moneyguy1]

My wife's grocery getter is an older Passat GLX VR6. With less than 90 k on the clock, every major system has had work done on it and it still needs more. Things like fuel pump, suspension bushings, cv joints, distributor, various and sundry gaskets, leaks, wheel bearings, and electronic faults. She loves the car, I love her, so I keep it running. Persoanlly, I cannot recommend it because it will nickel and dime you to death. (not really nickels and dimes..check out the prices for a Passat distributor and fuel pump!!)

[84porsche]

Originally posted by ckissick
The new Jetta is ugly but when you drive it, you change your mind. People who have driven one, they rave about it.

It is not the greatest looking car but it drives really well. I drove the 5-speed as well as the automatic but personally I would like to see the GLI version of the new Jetta. It will have the 2.0 FSI engine that the new A3 has. The new A3 is quite a car but as a wagon it would take me awhile to get used to such a lengthy car.

[makaio]

I have a 2001 B5 Passat and love it. Bought it brand new and have put 60,000 miles on it so far. Nothing major has gone wrong with it, just a few small things like replacing a headlight bulb. I have the factory recommended services done to it at 5,000 mile intervals, and it averages about $400 a year. It averages 30 mpg going between Red Bluff and Susanville every week (2 lane twisty mountain road, past Mt. Lassen), and thats with me flogging it pretty good. It does have considerable body roll on 15" wheels and tires and the factory suspension, but is very comfortable for freeway cruising.