I need a new car

[kccougar]

HOLY CRAP

When I got pulled over yesterday the cop gave me a "civil" citation and made it somehow seem like no big deal. He even said I could take a defensive driving class online that would dismiss the charge completely.

Citation fine - $171

or

Defensive Driving class registration - $190



Don't ever get a ticket in Arizona.

[Donuthole]

HOLY CRAP

When I got pulled over yesterday the cop gave me a "civil" citation and made it somehow seem like no big deal. He even said I could take a defensive driving class online that would dismiss the charge completely.

Citation fine - $171

or

Defensive Driving class registration - $190



Don't ever get a ticket in Arizona.

Minimum tickets in LV (5-10 mph over) are $190. Red lights are $240. 15-20mph over is $380.

You gotta make up for the lack of state taxes somehow, I suppose.

[The_Tick]

Ticket prices are crazy.

I have never gotten a ticket though, so I am only going by the data provided here.

[kccougar]

YEEEEEE HHHAAAAAAAHH, Part II

I had to drive to Montana this week. It was another last minute deal and I had to take some equipment with me so I couldn't fly. I was headed to far NE Montana, and I had to go up and back in two days.

Those rural MT two-lane highways are the best. Straight, smooth, and you can see for miles and miles.

I cruised at 100+ MPH across most of Montana and took it up to 150 MPH a couple times.

[statman]

I need one too. But I'm looking more at somehting like this:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&n...iew&ad=2802051

$2500 - $3500 for an Accord or Camry with ~150K miles. Bonus points if it's a standard (no automatic transmission to replace) and if it's already had the water pump and timing belt replaced (one of them is going to fail eventually, and if it does so while you're driving it, the car could be history).

Those 150K-mile Camrys and Accords have a way about them. If they've made it that far, as likely as not, they'll make it to 250K miles. Just make sure you don't kill it outright with a failed timing-belt and/or water pump, change the oil, rotate the tires, keep up the brakes, and you can get a ton of daily driving out of the right CHEAP car...

In 5 months of regular car payments I would have paid for this car outright. And if a big expense ever arises, just sell it as-is on KSL for $500 and be done with it.

My risk is that it's not such a lemon that it doesn't survive those 5 months. Anything over that is gravy.

Sure I'd rather drive my WRX. But I'd rather pay for this beater...

[Tim]

If given the choice between the following cars, which would you choose, and why? Assumptions: low mileage, roughly similar across the board; similar premium features like nav, leather, premium sound, bluetooth, iPod integration, power seats, sunroof, etc; similar cost; clean titles only; non-domestic brand preferred. This car will be for my wife, and she'll use it mostly just to putter around town. We want something with at least a bit more cargo space than we have in our sedans, though, so we're thinking small suv/crossover.

The cars:
2007 or 2008 Acura RDX
2008 Land Rover LR2
2009 VW Tiguan
2007 VW Touareg
2008 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring

First off: Are there any worthy options missing from my list? Second: Which would you buy considering the qualifications/requirements listed above, and why?

[kccougar]

Initial thoughts on those you mentioned:

2007 or 2008 Acura RDX - I'd go with the MDX instead, but that may be a little bigger than you need. If they're too pricey, buy a 2005 or 2006.

2008 Land Rover LR2 - Never in a million years. That being said, I do want a 2003 Discovery but it would be for fun use only. I would not use a Land Rover as a daily driver and certainly not one that was still depreciating like a motorhome.

2009 VW Tiguan - Good choice. Depreciation may still be a killer.

2007 VW Touareg - Better choice. I really like the Touareg. Go for the V8 or the V10 TDI

2008 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring - In my experience Mazda's are weak, buzzing little things that I wouldn' expect to hold up over the long term.

[Surfah]

Why those options? Personally I wouldn't want any of those. But that's just me. Never been a big fan of the Acura crossovers or SUVs. Land Rover is horrible. I am the biggest VW honk around but I wouldn't buy a Touareg. I have a friend with one that has had several small annoying electrical problems like the tire pressure sensor constantly on and no dealer has been able to fix it. Electrical issues are par for the course with Audi/VW. But they're beautiful IMO and hasn't deterred me from owning one. The CX-7 is nice. Tight steering. Has the 2.7 L DISI Turbo motor. I like it but the premium fuel it requires isn't worth it.

[FN Phat]

Why those options? Personally I wouldn't want any of those. But that's just me. Never been a big fan of the Acura crossovers or SUVs. Land Rover is horrible. I am the biggest VW honk around but I wouldn't buy a Touareg. I have a friend with one that has had several small annoying electrical problems like the tire pressure sensor constantly on and no dealer has been able to fix it. Electrical issues are par for the course with Audi/VW. But they're beautiful IMO and hasn't deterred me from owning one. The CX-7 is nice. Tight steering. Has the 2.7 L DISI Turbo motor. I like it but the premium fuel it requires isn't worth it.

Agreed on all accounts. If you are looking into a crossover or small SUV, do it right. You are a baller and what better way to say I love you than this:

BMW X5

[old_gregg]

What a nice coincidence for this thread to pop up again. Not to derail Tim's search, but I'm looking for a car as well. I'd like a hatchback, preferably. I want something with more than 200hp, and I prefer that it be Japanese. Low miles (<80,000) are important. I would prefer that it be stock, i.e. no exhaust work done that makes it sound stupid. Here's the best part: it's got to be <$12,000. What I've been looking at:

Mazdaspeed 3:

Pros: Turbocharged, great suspension/brake package, cool looking

Cons: Hard to find a used one that hasn't been beat to hell, most are >$12k

Mazdaspeed 6:
Pros: Same as Mazdaspeed 3, all wheel drive

Cons: Even more expensive, a fairly rare car

Subaru WRX:
Pros: AWD, fairly easily modified

Cons: Everyone rallies them until they fall apart then put them on KSL, everyone and their mom has one

Lancer Ralliart
Pros: Handles like a go kart, fairly inexpensive

Cons: Plain looking, slow

Infiniti G35 (either coupe or sedan)
Pros: Lots of modification potential, sexy, fast

Cons: Even for an older model, the price is pretty high; not a hatchback

to a lesser extent, I am also considering a GTI. They're great cars, and sexy. I'm just very hesitant to buy a used German car.

Input?

EDIT: Summon, SURFAH! Didn't you (he) work at a Mazda dealership?

[falafel]

Camelish, by subaru wrx, do you mean the impreza wrx? That's a pretty sweet car.

[old_gregg]

Camelish, by subaru wrx, do you mean the impreza wrx? That's a pretty sweet car.

i do indeed. i love the body change since 2008.

[FN Phat]

Cam,

This is a one horse race.

[old_gregg]

Cam,

This is a one horse race.

the coupes are sick. i would definitely drive one. my dad had a g35x and now has a g37xs, and they are definitely nice cars. i don't think he has ever had either in the shop.

[Surfah]

i do indeed. i love the body change since 2008.

I'm the exact opposite. I hate the new WRX hatchback.

Of those cars I'd go Speed3. That car is so bad ass and fun to drive. I just wish they made that thing AWD like the 6. The 6 is rad too. I don't see being fairly rare as a con but a pro. That car is just a bit heavy but otherwise fun to drive. A few tweaks, a little more boost and that thing would rip. Plus it is a total sleeper aside from the hood. The biggest con to the 3 are the stock tires and the fact the thing is an ice skate during the winter in snow. But as far as hatchbacks go that would be my first choice hands down. Next up an R32. After that a used MK IV Golf with a 1.8T. Any of those cars used though will likely be ragged out.