allegretto

Initially I bought my C4S Cab for an everyday car. But it became apparent for many reasons that I don't want to do that. Gas is currently what it is and to be realistic we could see $4/gal if one more thing goes wrong in this World. While the gas price is not why, I am looking for an everyday driver and it makes sense to be fuel-efficent.

After surveying the market and being a realist I think I'll buy a Camry Hybrid. I had a Prius a couple of years ago and it's not a very nice vehicle. The Camry OTOH is very nice to drive and gets upper 30's. I considered a Jetta Diesel, but the volatility of diesel prices coupled with the inevible sounds and smells sort of puts me off.

Any other suggestions that one of you may have struck upon?

Thanks

got2go

My "leave it at the airport" car is a 2006 Acura RSX S model. Gets about 32 mpg on the highway, is pretty quick with a 210 hp VTEC motor and is actually a lot of fun to drive. Its a two door, but the fold down rear seats and hatch back design give it more than decent capacity. Not a four person car however. This is my second Acura, and its been bullet proof, like the first one.

My daughter just bought a Honda Fit which takes the fuel economy theme to another level. No exactly a barn burner, but very well made and has lots of flexibility. Kind of a chick car design though. Lots of options out there so it should be fun to make the choice.

ohsixx

I think the Camry would be a real good choice; especially the hybird.

My "grocery-getter" is a 2004 Camry LE. The car has zero extras. It now has 38K on it and all it has ever needed was gas, oil, and tires. Never a mechanical problem.

BTW, I drive to Miami occasionally and on these trips it gets right around 35 mpg.

porschedog

The Camry seems to be a "can't kill it" car that just goes and goes and goes. My mom has had two so far- she went from an Audi, btw, so it wasn't a cost thing. She just wanted a no-brainer car that would keep going and going. Egad but is is Boring to drive.

TheOldMan

Our other cars are a 2005 Infiniti G35X and a 2006 Jetta TDI. The infiniti is an amazing car in the winter. The AWD and VSD make it the best handling car I have used in Winter driving. The Jetta TDI is just a very nice car that goes very far on very little fuel. On the highway there is less noise in this diesel than the gas version of Jetta. The days of smelly fuel and exaust are pretty much over, and by this October, we will have very clean diesel fuel with 30x less sulpher than before. An excellent car for commuting. At over 45 miles per US gallon, this thing is great for the daily commute.

While both cars have their merits, I will say that the Infiniti has been a major disappointment in one area, maintenance costs. Regular dealer maintenance at the dealer is costing a fortune. Over $2000 in the first year of ownership. I am not sure if it is Infiniti or the dealer, but the cost of maintaining this car is outrageous. The Porsche is costing 5 times less per mile to maintain than the Infiniti.

robbonds

thought about buying another car - then i thought - when will i not want to be in my porsche - NEVER!!! think of gas like a tax - our demand in the short run is inelastic and it reduces the amount of other goods and services we can buy - in the long run oil companies want lower gas prices so we dont develop alternative fuels and put them out of business.

wross996tt

Get the Lexus RX400h if you want a hybrid (my wife has one and loves it). My beater is a Lexus GX470.

mglobe

I'm sure the Camry is a fine car, but I swear that the average speed of a Camry in Houston is about 25mph. If I see one, I immediately switch lanes to avoid being stuck behind it. Maybe you should get one to help improve the reputation of Camry drivers. You could pull their average speed up to maybe 27.5mph!

Even at $3/gal, I don't think hybrids make good economic sense. It takes years to reach payout. I'd just buy a sedan that gets decent mileage, and that I could stand to drive. Some "other" reasonably economic vehicles I like in no particular order:

Saab 9-5 Aero -- just sold one. Loved it.
Passat
Audi A-4
Subaru Outback -- One of the most practical cars on the road
Infiniti G35
Honda CRV
Toyota Rav4

allegretto

That is my wife's car. It's great 25 MPH+ when I drive, sl less when she drives.
Great for the baby seats and junk too.

I like Toyota's Hybrid system. I understand Nissan/Infiniti have bought RIghts as well.

larrytrk

Lexus 400H is my other car, sort of green.., more powerful than the average hybrid, fun to drive... good in the snow!!

NiATE

Been really pleased with my Golf TDI. At constant WOT it gets around 35mpg and with 77000 miles, it's been completely problem free. Some injectors, and 17" rims will make it an enjoyable driver as well. Not to zippy around town (but acceptable), pretty surprising on the highway.

pedsurg

Although not ideal for the owner of a cab my 06 miata nicely complements the 997 coupe. The price of a coupe plus miata is not much more than that of a cab! : )
Jack

gpjli2

I love this little clip. Remind you of a message board we know and love? Btw, my Dobie and I spend quality time in an Outback

Dariof

2002 F-250 4x4 Crew Cab Diesel
4" Turbo Back Exhaust
AFE Magnum Air Filter
Performance Chip
Dual Amsoil Oil Filters

Great Topic!!

gpjli2

Oh, OK. That message board thing....JKA. The clip still cracks me up though. It lived on Roadfly for a long time. I missed it when it left. The only thing I missed.