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Yet Another Car Accident

TangoJuliet

TangoJuliet

Diamond Member
So I was driving home from work yesterday when a large dump truck in front of me needed to make a left turn into a construction site. I had looked to see if there was enough room on the right shoulder to pass but there wasn't. I stopped behind the truck and just waited for it to turn when a couple seconds later I hear a loud screeching of tires and BAM I was hit.

Apparently the lady that was driving behind me wasn't paying attention or texting messaging or something and hit me head on at around 40-50 mph. I'm glad I left a few feet behind the dump truck because if I didnt I would have been crushed.

Anyways, this is now the 2nd accident in 2 years where I have been hit. The other accident was front end damage now this one is in the rear. Its getting to the point now where I don't want the car fixed because I depend on it a lot for my daily commute (120 miles r/t per day).

I was planning on getting a new car this spring when the new Insight came out but I may change my plans here and hope they just total my car out.

Current car: 1999 Ford Mustang Convertible. 145,000 miles
Commute: 120 miles round trip per day
Average commute: 1 hour 15 minutes (one way)
Longest commute: 3 hours (one way)

I want something that is comfortable for the long daily commute. I have leather seats and Sirius in my car. I was hoping to get something with a navigation system, moon roof and leather seats.

Like I had said I was planning on the Insight but it doesn't look like it will be available by the time I need to purchase.

Buying a used car is not out of the question but I would want something that is at least certified pre owned so that I don't have a lemon a couple of months in.

Currently I have about $10,000 that I can put down plus whatever I get from the insurance company for my car. That can be anywhere from $3000-5000 or so.

I was looking at the following

1. Honda Fit Sport - Has the navigation system but no sunroof or leather seating options. $19,000

2. Toyota Corolla S - Has sunroof but no navigation system or leather seats. Toyota is offering 0% APR for 36 months
$22,000

3. VW Jetta TDI - Has leather seats, sunroof and navigation system. There is a $1300 tax credit as well with the purchase. VW is also offering free maintenance on all 2009 models. The only thing that worries me is that gas prices may rise again this summer and paying more for diesel could hurt. I have heard the car gets 50mpg though. There are no special APR financing on the car.
$26,000

4. Hyunda Elantra SE - Heated leather seats and sunroof. Nothing too special here.
$20,000 (possibly a $500 cash back rebate)

The more I look at the Hybrids - Prius and Civic the more they don't make sense. The Prius with all the packages is around $28,000 and the Civic is around $4-5k more then its gas version.

I've looked on cars.com for some used cars but I get overwhelmed. Any other suggestions??
 
For what you're looking at I'd say Ford Focus if you're wanting to match the Fit or Corolla. If you want something more befitting your mustang, then I'd say another Mustang or a Pontiac G6 or G8.
 
Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
For what you're looking at I'd say Ford Focus if you're wanting to match the Fit or Corolla. If you want something more befitting your mustang, then I'd say another Mustang or a Pontiac G6 or G8.
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No, I'm done with Mustangs. Whenever it would snow or ice up here driving was such a PITA. I have a 24/7 job so I need something that is either FWD or AWD.

I was looking at the Focus a couple months back and I hate those side scoops. They also don't hold up their value as well as a Toyota or Honda. Plus, my dad was fired by Ford a couple years ago so I have something against them.

Edit: hmmm looks like they did away with those side scoops. I just configured a 2009 Focus Coupe SES with heated leather seats, moonroof and MS Sync. It came out to around $19,000 with 0% APR for 36 months. With $13,000 down it would be $175/m not too shabby
 
From all of your choices Id go with the TDI Jetta. Your communte is simply MASSIVE so the fuel economy will help you out big time, plus those diesels perform pretty well, I've driven one from Toronto to Milwaukee and back on almost 1 tank of gas and it was a 2000 model I believe.
 
Of the cars listed I'd buy the VW.

If I was making my own list and wanted comfort, I'd get a used lexus ES .. yeah, it's just a camry dressed nicely, but it's crazy quiet inside and very comfortable. Sunroof, leather seats, nav, no problem.

Actually, if I was buying I'd grab a lincoln LS V8, but that's me and it sounds like we've got different priorities.
 
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
Of the cars listed I'd buy the VW.

If I was making my own list and wanted comfort, I'd get a used lexus ES .. yeah, it's just a camry dressed nicely, but it's crazy quiet inside and very comfortable. Sunroof, leather seats, nav, no problem.

Actually, if I was buying I'd grab a lincoln LS V8, but that's me and it sounds like we've got different priorities.
Click to expand...

I don't think he wants a Japanese Buick.

I like the Fit and Jetta on your list. If you are looking for some comforts without tanking your wallet or fuel economy I would take a look at a used Accord EX-L 4cyl maybe even a Altima but the styling is really subjective there.


Disclaimer: I own a 2007 Accord and my Dad has an ES350
 
If used is an option I'd get a used 4 cyl Sonata, long powertrain warranty good on gas, comfortable
Its already depreciated a pile and the way you rack up the miles
 
I was really hyped about the 09 Fit when it was announced. I went so far as to contact all my local dealers and see who had the first one to see when I could drive it. Of course gas was $4/gal then, so the ones that weren't already presold weren't hanging around the lots long. I found one to drive, but I was really disappointed. It was an auto, and I felt like it shifted way too often. The interior wasn't what I expected either. Just not up to the quality I had in my other Hondas. I thought I would like it, with it being small and great on gas, but I walked away glad I hadn't preordered one.

Curious why a Civic isn't on your list. They get better hwy mileage than the Fit, and a helluva lot more interior room.
 
Originally posted by: spigot
I was really hyped about the 09 Fit when it was announced. I went so far as to contact all my local dealers and see who had the first one to see when I could drive it. Of course gas was $4/gal then, so the ones that weren't already presold weren't hanging around the lots long. I found one to drive, but I was really disappointed. It was an auto, and I felt like it shifted way too often. The interior wasn't what I expected either. Just not up to the quality I had in my other Hondas. I thought I would like it, with it being small and great on gas, but I walked away glad I hadn't preordered one.

Curious why a Civic isn't on your list. They get better hwy mileage than the Fit, and a helluva lot more interior room.
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My roommate has a scion xA. Now, I bought myself a 1997 Town Car, so small cars really aren't my thing, but I really liked the xA. it was a fun car to drive, peppy enough around town (and absolutely gutless on the highway, but whatever), and a ton of usable space.
 
Originally posted by: DVad3r
From all of your choices Id go with the TDI Jetta.
Click to expand...

You don't think I should be worried about gas prices going up again and shelling out $5/gal for diesel?

Originally posted by: spigot

Curious why a Civic isn't on your list. They get better hwy mileage than the Fit, and a helluva lot more interior room.
Click to expand...

I was looking at the Civic Coupe but configured with everything it came out to be something like $24,000 which I thought was a little high. I mean, sure I can go with a lower model with no options but I am pricing the other cars with all the features and the Civic is the most expensive.....

Fit Sport with Nav $19k
Corolla S w/ sunroof $22k
Elantra leather, sunroof $20k
Civic w/ nav & leather $24k

Now I have been searching cars.com again for used cars and I found 2 very interesting choices:

2003 Honda Insight
Dealer page (couldn't direct link to it for some reason)


Now, this car doesn't have anything spectacular inside - no leather, navigation or satellite radio. It doesn't have a ton of miles on it for a 5 year old car and at $13k I can beat the piss out of it for the next couple years and just get something else. I can add a nice aftermarket satellite/navigation radio to it as well.

2008 Toyota Prius

This Prius is for sale through a private owner which sometimes makes me a little hesitant. The car has everything that I want in it - leather, navigation, sunroof, backup camera and is about $5000 off MSRP. It only has 8,000 miles on it so thats not bad at all. I sent the guy a email asking for more information.

One of the reason why I am looking at these used hybrids is that I can drive in the carpool lane to/from work as a single occupant - which can come in handy.

 
steal the Canadian Tank

a more firm budget would help. but there is a lot of good deals on used cars right now.

<-- just drove an 06 E350 4Matic that I got from Peoria IL for US23k to Toronto.
 
Originally posted by: sdifox
steal the Canadian Tank

a more firm budget would help. but there is a lot of good deals on used cars right now.

<-- just drove an 06 E350 4Matic that I got from Peoria IL for US23k to Toronto.
Click to expand...

What kind of taxes did you have to pay at customs? Please give me some details, I'm interested in buying a US vehicle also and bringing it here.
 
And sure diesel is more expensive but in the long run I think it's still cheaper than gas. Plus the engines are pretty durable.
 
All the cars in your first post are shamefully overpriced for what they are, especially in this market, you should be able to get much, much better than, say, a 22k corolla.

BTW, remember if looking at a diesel that diesel is for most of us MUCH more expensive than 87 gasoline.


 
Originally posted by: DVad3r
Originally posted by: sdifox
steal the Canadian Tank

a more firm budget would help. but there is a lot of good deals on used cars right now.

<-- just drove an 06 E350 4Matic that I got from Peoria IL for US23k to Toronto.
Click to expand...

What kind of taxes did you have to pay at customs? Please give me some details, I'm interested in buying a US vehicle also and bringing it here.
Click to expand...

http://www.importcartocanada.info/


I basically use 30% as exchange rate, duty is 6.1 if car is not made in NA, 13 gst pst and miscellaneous fees, I call it 50%

my E350 is going to end up around 36k (after MB Canada's 2800 bullshit mod just so I can keep the warranty) after I adjust the exchange rate to 1.2 instead of 1.3. It would have cost me 60K here.


I test drove a C350 here in Toronto (same year same milage as my E350) and it would have cost 40K to drive off the lot.

A new 09 Camry/Accord/6/Altima/Legacy here fully equipped would cost ~42k

I think I did ok.
 
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Get an EX Civic. I don't know why you would consider the Corolla but not the Civic. 😕
Click to expand...

I thought I explained that here.......

Originally posted by: TangoJuliet

I was looking at the Civic Coupe but configured with everything it came out to be something like $24,000 which I thought was a little high. I mean, sure I can go with a lower model with no options but I am pricing the other cars with all the features and the Civic is the most expensive.....

Fit Sport with Nav $19k
Corolla S w/ sunroof $22k
Elantra leather, sunroof $20k
Civic w/ nav & leather $24k
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: Skoorb
All the cars in your first post are shamefully overpriced for what they are, especially in this market, you should be able to get much, much better than, say, a 22k corolla.

BTW, remember if looking at a diesel that diesel is for most of us MUCH more expensive than 87 gasoline.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is why I am sort of worried by looking at the TDI. Generally diesel is $1 more a gallon then 87....right now at $2.75/gal for diesel its not bad but if we go back to last summer at $5/gal that is a rough pill to swallow. I also have to take into consideration that if I take the car on a road trip there are gas stations that do not carry diesel fuel so that could be a problem.
 
Originally posted by: TangoJuliet
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Get an EX Civic. I don't know why you would consider the Corolla but not the Civic. 😕
Click to expand...

I thought I explained that here.......

Originally posted by: TangoJuliet

I was looking at the Civic Coupe but configured with everything it came out to be something like $24,000 which I thought was a little high. I mean, sure I can go with a lower model with no options but I am pricing the other cars with all the features and the Civic is the most expensive.....

Fit Sport with Nav $19k
Corolla S w/ sunroof $22k
Elantra leather, sunroof $20k
Civic w/ nav & leather $24k
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: Skoorb
All the cars in your first post are shamefully overpriced for what they are, especially in this market, you should be able to get much, much better than, say, a 22k corolla.

BTW, remember if looking at a diesel that diesel is for most of us MUCH more expensive than 87 gasoline.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is why I am sort of worried by looking at the TDI. Generally diesel is $1 more a gallon then 87....right now at $2.75/gal for diesel its not bad but if we go back to last summer at $5/gal that is a rough pill to swallow. I also have to take into consideration that if I take the car on a road trip there are gas stations that do not carry diesel fuel so that could be a problem.
Click to expand...


Generally along the way on road stops there's diesel, and, if not, go to where the trucks go, there's plenty of those. Truck stops are bad ass anyways, nice food 🙂 I wouldn't worry about not finding diesel.

Also seems like diesel is a lot more expensive in the states than Canada? Here it's 10 cents more per liter than regular 87.
 
Originally posted by: DVad3r
Originally posted by: TangoJuliet
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Get an EX Civic. I don't know why you would consider the Corolla but not the Civic. 😕
Click to expand...

I thought I explained that here.......

Originally posted by: TangoJuliet

I was looking at the Civic Coupe but configured with everything it came out to be something like $24,000 which I thought was a little high. I mean, sure I can go with a lower model with no options but I am pricing the other cars with all the features and the Civic is the most expensive.....

Fit Sport with Nav $19k
Corolla S w/ sunroof $22k
Elantra leather, sunroof $20k
Civic w/ nav & leather $24k
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: Skoorb
All the cars in your first post are shamefully overpriced for what they are, especially in this market, you should be able to get much, much better than, say, a 22k corolla.

BTW, remember if looking at a diesel that diesel is for most of us MUCH more expensive than 87 gasoline.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is why I am sort of worried by looking at the TDI. Generally diesel is $1 more a gallon then 87....right now at $2.75/gal for diesel its not bad but if we go back to last summer at $5/gal that is a rough pill to swallow. I also have to take into consideration that if I take the car on a road trip there are gas stations that do not carry diesel fuel so that could be a problem.
Click to expand...


Generally along the way on road stops there's diesel, and, if not, go to where the trucks go, there's plenty of those. Truck stops are bad ass anyways, nice food 🙂 I wouldn't worry about not finding diesel.

Also seems like diesel is a lot more expensive in the states than Canada? Here it's 10 cents more per liter than regular 87.
Click to expand...

Sure along the interstates that shouldn't be a problem but I know of some back roads, small towns that do not sell diesel. Right now 87 is $1.89/gal while diesel is going for $2.59/gal (cheapest I could find locally on gasbuddy).
 
Has anybody suggested a MINI yet? Pricing can be right in your range, 3-years maintenance and 4-year warranty, good gas mileage and it'll be a much more unique experience than a Corolla.

And if you're not against it - 3 year lease, $1999 down, $250/mo. Entire ownership period is covered by maintenance.
 
Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Has anybody suggested a MINI yet? Pricing can be right in your range, 3-years maintenance and 4-year warranty, good gas mileage and it'll be a much more unique experience than a Corolla.

And if you're not against it - 3 year lease, $1999 down, $250/mo. Entire ownership period is covered by maintenance.
Click to expand...

Can't do a lease because I do about 30,000 miles/year. Also, the car isn't something that I can use - at least with the Fit the seats come down so that I can transport things.

All of this may be for nothing as I just spoke with the insurance company and auto shop and looks like they are going to go ahead and just fix my car.
 
Aren't VWs notorious for expensive maintenance problems? From what I've heard they're not major mechanical problems, but they're expensive because VWs are generally expensive to work on. Maybe this is just hearsay...
 
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