Some thoughts on a car purchase choice.

I'll be mostly away for a day or so but I would be interested in some input on a car purchase decision I'm going to make soon. Some background first.1) I'm normally a cheapskate and last bought a new car in 1973 (Fiat 128 for 2,300 dollars)
2) I have recently sold my house and added on top of previous investments it leaves me with pretty ample money to spend a fair bit on a car (let's define far bit as being up to 50,000 canadian dollars something less the 40 k USA).
3) I have had a rough last 5 years and really feel like having a mid life crisis (if it's not already too late). I want to go nuts for a bit.
4) I think that current fuel prices are, in fact, way too low. They should at least climb to the European level (twice North Americas) perferably with taxes to fund other modes of transport.
5) I'd say looking back that I have more regrets of omission than commissoin.OK, so I'm having some fun driving different cars.Last week I was testing a new 2003 Acura CL type S. about 20% discount because it has been sitting on the lot for a year with 15 Km on it. This comes to 35,000. It is 260 HP and loaded. It is exactly the kind of fun I'd like after driving a Volvo wagon for a dozen years. I very nearly signed for it on Thursday but we had 800 dollar difference left so I'm letting them see how much longer they want the thing in the show roomToday I read the National Geopgraphic on global warming. It didn't tell me a thing I didn't know. But it got me thinking again. So I've arranged a Prius test drive next week. Loaded the prius is the same 35,000. Money isn't the issue.The CL is rated at 13 litre per hundred km in the city where I do most of my driving. The Prius is rated at 4.5 I think. We pay about a dollar a litre right now. I drive about 20,000 kms per year almost all city. The Prius would save about 1,600 a year in gas. I'm not really worried about that the money isn't the issue.The CL has been discounted 7,000 for it's new price. The Prius is full new price. The Acura really is a "better" car much more luxurious.So it is fun vs conscience. What are the various arguments in both directions? I'd love to read over the usual chain of anal posts that we seem to be able to generate on almost any topic. Any takers for a couple of days?

I used to have a link for a company that made classic styled thunderbirds that were new\loaded inside ... can't find it now they were beauts. :lust: (should be a smiley heh)

If you are that worried about climate change, buy a bicycle. Keep in mind, you live in Canada...a return to the Miocene would seem to have its upside. Otherwise, buy the car you want. A Prius and a CL aren't enough of a difference in the grand scheme of things. Or, you could wait until more hybrids are available (Ford Escape, Honda Accord). Or, buy a diesel car.

NosyNedHave you thought of maybe getting a motorcycle? I have a friend in Mission B.C.who could easily track you down a good deal on one.Let me know and I will track him down.

Ned, If your living in Canada, do you not think you should be looking at 4 wheel drive vehicles too (some are kind of sporty), sports cars are a drag in the winter, though if I was going to checkout a vehicle not concerned about the price of fuel, the price of the vehicle, I would check out the chryslers town and country, towing package should be included(then get a camper and enjoy your great country)interestingly its actually supposed to get quite good mpg for the size, etc....2022 Chrysler Pacifica | Chrysler Minivan | AWD AvailableP.S. After Mercedez benz bought Chrsyler their cars are being designed extremely well, just for the fun of it, drive the lowly Chrysler Neon, you might get taken by this lowly affordable car, and regress from your needs to spurge, for an expensive not practical sports car, etc... CompareModelsShorten long link. --AdminThis message has been edited by whatever, 09-04-2004 01:26 PMThis message has been edited by Admin, 09-05-2004 11:39 AM

You ought to get a motorcycle.If you've never rode one, 30mph seems like 70mph. Plus, you get to buy a cool lid and leathers, and look like the fonzareli.I recommend a trip to Paull Tuttel senior's garage, he'll do you a nice comanchi chopper.

Vancouver is not the arctic circle. Snowshoes and dogsleds are not needed to get around in the winter. Front wheel drive and allweather tires were all I needed when living in Victoria BC.

I have a BMW 528i I bought new back in '96. These are the features that turned out to be most important, in order:

1. Dealership provids a free loaner during servicing for as long as you own the car.
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2. Dealership is close by, on the way to work, in fact.
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3. Car is reliable, hasn't left me stranded once.
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4. All the windows go all the way down *and* all the way up on a single click (there's a safety detect at the top in case you're sticking your head out the window at the same time you're closing it).
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5. Car seats are very comfortable, especially for long trips.

Notice that the most important points have nothing to do with the car itself. I think there are plenty of fine upscale cars out there, and recommend you buy one that will be the most convenient to own.That being said, I'm fascinated by the hybrid cars. Even if in the end you decide it wasn't such a good idea, the positive environmental factors would seem to make it worth the risk of buying one.--Percy

OK, so if this is a midlife crisis car, you go for fun, and that's that.However, if you don't think you will be in this midlife crisis-mode forever, will you feel guilty later for not buying the hybrid?As a side note, I think it is funny that, if Jim and I had that kind of money to spend on a new car, we'd want to get a hybrid, or a volvo wagon.

Vancouver is temperate rain forest.IOW, it mostly rains there and has a similar climate to Seattle; mild in the summer and mild in the winter with lots of rain in the winter.

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If you are that worried about climate change, buy a bicycle.

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A Prius and a CL aren't enough of a difference in the grand scheme of things.

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You know, it's just this kind of attitude that makes us remain over-dependent upon fossil fuels.The way that enough people buying hybrid cars is going to make a difference "in the grand scheme of things" is for people to decide, one by one, to buy a hybrid car.One person buyinga bycicle won't make a difference to climate change, either.Just like with evolution, a whole lot of small changes can accumulate to result in a big change.Each of those small changes is meaningful.This message has been edited by schrafinator, 09-05-2004 12:24 PM

People should decide to buy hybrid cars for rational economic reasons (potential high reliability of the hybrid powertrain, fuel costs, availability of model selections that meet their transportation needs ), not out of pseudo-religious Green neurotic guilt.Fossil fuels will be in use for some decades yet, until a hydrogen economy can be developed.My advice stands. If you re a Green "true believer", buy a bicycle or a horse. Otherwise, if a Prius does not meet your transportation needs, either wait for additional hybrid models to come on line, or buy a non-hybrid.

The popular technical mags like Scientific American and Discover have all run recent articles about the drawbacks and difficulties of a switch to a hydrogen based economy. While hydrogen may now be a less advantageous alternative than originally thought, there are a some other attractive possibilities. There are even fuel cells that use things other than hydrogen.--Percy

Which would be better if more people did it:use less gas or use more gas?

Ned,Just get what you like best! (from a recent post, re. dreams etc. you deserve it!). If you don’t get the gas guzzler, someone else will; best you can do is limit your mileage It’s not going to make a dent in the scheme of things until the manufacturers have a serious change of heart.Don’t have a guilt trip over what you buy, but just be careful how you use it. Cheers.