As part of a relocation package for this new company, I have the option of a new car, paid for by them. Money isn't really a primary factor but I'd rather not antagonize management with a 100k car.
I've been living in a dense area with great public transportation so I didn't really need a car for the longest time. A bicycle/walking/public transport was more than sufficient but the new area is not dense and public transport sucks. I hate driving. I hate cars but it's going to be a necessary evil in the new location to get from point A to point B and that's it.
Factors I can think of off-hand:
1) Reliability. I kind of have the equivalent of the office secretary/non-techie parents/grandparents situation with computers. They need a computer to do basic Office and email, no games. It's a black box that they have no desire to know the details except that it will work for what they need it to do. The fact that it has SATA3 or can overclock well or can unlock shaders has no meaning. Same with me and cars.
2) Maintenance. Goes with #1. I don't really want to think too much about cars so it's going to be a new car even if that means paying more unnecessarily versus used. It's not my money anyway.
3) Safety. For me, I'd want something safe. I looked at the 5 star ratings for 2011 stuff but most of the stuff isn't up yet and they just reworked the system so it's tough to tell. As far as I can tell, only the Accord and the Sonata have 5* so far. Is 5* that important since it seems a little too exclusive? The IIHS ratings seemed like almost everything was "good" so that didn't help that much either.
4) Boring/not flashy. Most of the driving will be short distances, no snow, mostly mild weather. However, for the occasional fieldwork, I might be driving to and through not-so-great neighborhoods if you get my drift. So, I'd rather not park a BMW or some other expensive sports car in those places. That seems like a good way to paint a target. To me, that means boring is probably better.
I don't really care about performance, handling, interior looks, exterior looks, depreciation value, or really anything to do with the car except that it'll get me from A to B. As far as type of car, I don't really know. Something with 4 doors and is sedan-ish, I guess? I don't imagine needing to tow or carry large loads. I read that more mass can be better for safety in collisions but gas is out of pocket so I'd rather not burn money unnecessarily.
Cliffs
Bottom line, any ideas for a boring car that just works? And what are some good resources to get started looking for some further research? Thanks in advance.
I've been living in a dense area with great public transportation so I didn't really need a car for the longest time. A bicycle/walking/public transport was more than sufficient but the new area is not dense and public transport sucks. I hate driving. I hate cars but it's going to be a necessary evil in the new location to get from point A to point B and that's it.
Factors I can think of off-hand:
1) Reliability. I kind of have the equivalent of the office secretary/non-techie parents/grandparents situation with computers. They need a computer to do basic Office and email, no games. It's a black box that they have no desire to know the details except that it will work for what they need it to do. The fact that it has SATA3 or can overclock well or can unlock shaders has no meaning. Same with me and cars.
2) Maintenance. Goes with #1. I don't really want to think too much about cars so it's going to be a new car even if that means paying more unnecessarily versus used. It's not my money anyway.
3) Safety. For me, I'd want something safe. I looked at the 5 star ratings for 2011 stuff but most of the stuff isn't up yet and they just reworked the system so it's tough to tell. As far as I can tell, only the Accord and the Sonata have 5* so far. Is 5* that important since it seems a little too exclusive? The IIHS ratings seemed like almost everything was "good" so that didn't help that much either.
4) Boring/not flashy. Most of the driving will be short distances, no snow, mostly mild weather. However, for the occasional fieldwork, I might be driving to and through not-so-great neighborhoods if you get my drift. So, I'd rather not park a BMW or some other expensive sports car in those places. That seems like a good way to paint a target. To me, that means boring is probably better.
I don't really care about performance, handling, interior looks, exterior looks, depreciation value, or really anything to do with the car except that it'll get me from A to B. As far as type of car, I don't really know. Something with 4 doors and is sedan-ish, I guess? I don't imagine needing to tow or carry large loads. I read that more mass can be better for safety in collisions but gas is out of pocket so I'd rather not burn money unnecessarily.
Cliffs
Bottom line, any ideas for a boring car that just works? And what are some good resources to get started looking for some further research? Thanks in advance.
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