Mid-SUV purchase consultation

[StageLeft]

2010 Prius. Wut

 

[gaidensensei]

Hum. You guys got me with all the station wagon posts. Looking into those. If it's an overall better value than getting a 4r/highlander then I will probably look into it, been searching up autotrader for all the deals. Domestics are much cheaper..

The biggest cargo I've got with me is probably a $1000 keyboard (piano), it's 5'x'2'x1' and fairly heavy. That's why I knew it had to be SUV, but I will look into the other hatches and domestics, still have some time.

Rest are misc crap, anything you'd take for a trip over a few months. Clothes, utilities, some accessories etc. Going to be moving the unnecessary rest back here in CA at my parent's place.

2010 Prius. Wut

Not going green yet, Skoorb. Maybe later if I don't like the car when I am there.

 

[Bignate603]

The biggest cargo I've got with me is probably a $1000 keyboard (piano), it's 5'x'2'x1' and fairly heavy. That's why I knew it had to be SUV, but I will look into the other hatches and domestics, still have some time.

Rest are misc crap, anything you'd take for a trip over a few months. Clothes, utilities, some accessories etc. Going to be moving the unnecessary rest back here in CA at my parent's place.

I'm not seeing anything that won't fit in a sedan with the rear seat folded down. I can guarantee that I could fit that keyboard in the back of the '99 Camry I used to have, you just fold down the seat and slide it in through the trunk. I think you're really underestimating the size of midsized sedans when you fold down their rear seat.

 

[Throckmorton]

A hatch is much better in every way than a sedan with a folding rear seat!

 

[Bignate603]

A hatch is much better in every way than a sedan with a folding rear seat!

I agree, but the OP hasn't said anything that wouldn't fit in a midsized sedan. If it fits in a sedan it will fit in a hatch or wagon with ease.

Many drivers these days forget that people carried things in smaller cars for decades before people began to think that you needed a vehicle the size of a military troop carrier to carry a few boxes.

 

[obamanation]

Hey gaidensensei, why don't you address what I said before? You seem to be missing the fact that there is no benefit whatsoever in buying a car in California and driving across the country, unless you plan on actually visiting things along the way which you won't.

 

[JS80]

Some of the stuff I'm gonna haul over is probably too long and too much for your average wide sedan.

I did the fees & calculations for the trip already. ~3 (4 days max) days of driving, will take ~36 hours @15-18 (18) gallon tank at 20mpg average, since it's 99% highway = 360 miles = maximum 10 stops at $3 a gallon = ~$540+ boarding 2 days + food + misc = ~$600-700 gross totals minimum.

I'm not 100% sure about using freight or cross country shipping services as I haven't done these before. I'd assume plus the airfare, we're talking a good $500 worth for ~200 lbs of stuff right?

Seems like it's worth it to me, and that at least I can drive when I am there.

You need to add $350 to your cost of driving, because it will cost you that much more to buy a car in CA than in CT due to sales tax rate. You should seriously consider the air and ship route. Not worrying about something happening on the trip...priceless thing.

 

[gaidensensei]

Will look into it, I guess. Been doing all the expenditures in excel.


Damn AT, you guys always drive me away from my original plans.

 

[obamanation]

I think you also forgot about the fact that pretty much anything you buy here in commiefornia is more expensive than elsewhere, so it's not like you benefit from buying a car here and bringing it out of state. Oh and you'll also have to register it and all that nonsense even though you don't plan on living there anymore.