Looking For a Car to Replace My Truck - I Need Your Inputs! Or: Talk Some Sense Into Me

The name of the game is "Tell me what car you think I should buy and why because I don't know a lot about cars". Or "Talk some sense into me because selling my truck is a bad idea."

Reasons why I want to sell my current vehicle:

My 2001 Silverado (1500 extended cab, standard bed, 115k) is costing me about $400 a month in gas to commute to work, and currently I don't need any of the "truck functions" - towing, hauling, etc.

When I bought the truck in 2010 with 70k miles on it, it KBB'd for $11k. Now it has 115k miles and is KBB'ing for $10k. Looking at market trends, it seems that the value of my truck is going to start dropping rapidly in the next year or two.

It is due for about $1k in preventative maintenance items - rear shocks and front control arms ought to be replaced, I couldn't afford some of the 100k maintenance items at the time and I forgot to go back and do them. I really don't feel like paying $1k or more to keep a 13 year old truck going.

It's a PITA getting a carseat into the back seat of the current vehicle. The back doors open like suicide doors, making it impossible to park directly next to anyone and have access to the cab.

If I get a more fuel efficient car, I can save $200 or more on gas alone. If I save $200/mo on gas, I can use that money to make payments on a newer car or (even better) put that money into the bank.

Reasons why I don't want to sell:

I love having a truck around. I plan on doing some hefty landscaping work and finishing my basement within the next few years. I like the idea of saving on shipping and delivery costs by doing it myself, especially with landscape materials. Delivery fee on a few tons of rock is $$$$. Long story short - I like the versatility and "Do It Yourself-ness" of having a truck.

I like being able to get places off the beaten path without bottoming out and destroying a car. Especially when it comes to going shooting, mountain biking, hiking, or camping.

I feel very safe in my 5500lb truck.


What I need help with:

I haven't looked at cars in a long time and I don't know what I should be looking for. I have about $18k +/- $2k after I sell my truck that I can put into a new vehicle.

If you are a mechanic or know a lot about cars, your input would be especially helpful.

If i'm crazy and should hang on to my truck, then tell me why you think so.

Requirements:

4 doors

~25mpg or better. Bonus points for 30+

Needs to be able to fit a carseat in the back

Needs to be safe

less than 60k miles... preferably less than 40k.

Nothing older than 2005 year model





Thanks in advance!

VW tdi.

Used golf or Jetta will serve well.

I folded the seats down in my golf and fit my entire reloading bench in there (6'x3').

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheBelly

VW tdi.

Used golf or Jetta will serve well.

I folded the seats down in my golf and fit my entire reloading bench in there (6'x3').

---

Back sear is tight for a car seat in the jetta/golf. Passat would work better but you are stuck with an automatic if you do Passat.

Nissan VERSA Hatchback. We have an 084dr SL, gets 33 mpg even doing "over the speed limit" can seat 2- 6'8, 230lb men in the back seats, with ease and comfort. Plenty of storage behind passenger seats, even more when seats folded. average mpg is 27-33 in town 33 hwy 27 in winter and summer with heat or a/c going. Ours has 69K and were kicking around selling for a new one.
FWIW: it's the first foreign / japanese we owned and doubt it will be the last.
Spent a lot of time test driving, researching EVERY small 4 dr on the market. The hatch back fit the needs of someone who doesn't like sub compact's let along foreign

One other reason the versa was chosen. LEG ROOM EVERY compact & sub compact center console was designed for narrow legged drivers. Due to lower extremity issues i could not drive any of the ones we narrowed the field to, except the versa.

The Hyundai's caught our eye, especially with the 100K warranty. HOWEVER we discovered they did business with iran, out of the running (we also don't own GE products either)


A passenger car that caught my eye is the new chevy diesel . Have not checked it out but again the up front room looks "confined"
http://www.chevrolet.com/cruze-compa...%20date#Diesel

Given the "why you don't want to sell" section, have you considered a used but smaller truck? I haven't priced anything in a while, but seems like $18 could get you a Tacoma/Frontier.

My respectful opinion: VW SUCKS. I have a Passat and I'll never own another VW in my life. Wish I had the money to trade off on something else. Maintenance nightmare, ALWAYS something wrong with it and spendy to fix. Timeing belt went at 66,000, Dashboard can't help but light up like a Christmas tree every 6 months - no shit. Great mileage and 1.8 turbo flies up the hills but it isn't worth it, not even close.
Ford Chevy Honda or Toyota, period.
Keep the truck or replace the truck with another, or you'll regret it. Go smaller and more efficient. I've grown to love the smaller trucks. I bet you'd be way happy with a Tacoma.

Keep the truck, do maint a little at a time, buy a 4 cyl beater for commuting.

Sent from my electronic ball and chain.

I'd just get a smaller, more fuel efficient truck...or a small commuter car, and do the maintenance depending on the math and possible space/parking constraints.

Dodge Dart. 4 doors, 41mpg, MSRP $15995

2011+ MINI Countryman S All4.

It meets your requirements, has AWD, (though cost is around $22k-$25k depending on miles), AND it gets 32+ mpg and thats pretty sweet! Not to mention, the MINI is one of the most fun cars I've ever driven and hugs the corners tighter than a 1999 996 Carrera that I used to have access to.

Aside from their very small size, MINIs are EXTREMELY safe! Only downside to them though, is that if something breaks that you can't fix, its going to be pretty expensive for a dealer to fix. With that said, my 2006 MINI Cooper has given me 40k miles in the 2+ yrs I've owned it, averaging about 38-42mpg and the only thing I had to do to it was replace the thermostat as the gasket had a slight leak and would drain the coolant in about a week (but I did that myself for a cost of 2hrs and $45).

When I bought my MINI, I was driving my lifted Xterra 35 miles to/from work, so it was costing me about $350-400 in gas per month. Once I got the MINI, my gas budget dropped to about $100-150, if that, and the amount I saved in gas made the car payment. I'm considering selling it, and my Xterra, in the next couple of years and upgrading to the Countryman S ALL4 so I can have the fuel efficiency and AWD, so my opinion might be a little biased [LOL].

Good luck with the search!!

eta: The Countryman might set you back a bit in insurance, so if you haven't already, price out insurance costs for various vehicles you're considering too as that could really change your decision.

I hate to say it but a lightly used Subaru would fit the bill perfectly for you ... just make sure you plaster it in NRA and other pro-gun stickers so you don't look like a douche.

Here's a couple of examples I found on a quick Craigslist search.

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/4057819897.html
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/4057346818.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zundfolge

I hate to say it but a lightly used Subaru would fit the bill perfectly for you ... just make sure you plaster it in NRA and other pro-gun stickers so you don't look like a douche.

Here's a couple of examples I found on a quick Craigslist search.

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/4057819897.html
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/4057346818.html

---

That is my other car choice too. Granted, he didn't say he needed 4WD, though I doubt it would be useless in CO. So I just stayed quiet to let someone else suggest it [LOL]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BuffCyclist

That is my other car choice too. Granted, he didn't say he needed 4WD, though I doubt it would be useless in CO.

---

I based my suggestion of a Subie on this:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

I like being able to get places off the beaten path without bottoming out and destroying a car. Especially when it comes to going shooting, mountain biking, hiking, or camping.

---

Along with his list of "requirements"

Quote:

---

4 doors
~25mpg or better. Bonus points for 30+
Needs to be able to fit a carseat in the back
Needs to be safe
less than 60k miles... preferably less than 40k.
Nothing older than 2005 year model

---

And even though they've become the status symbol of the brain dead liberal they're really good cars and he's planning on spending enough to get a low mileage one.

btw, found another one http://cosprings.craigslist.org/ctd/4038393579.html

Biggest thing for me is your truck paid off? If you own it outright why wouldn't you just keep it and slowly maintain it as you go? It's not pressing for you to get those repairs taken of right away.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by T-Giv

Biggest thing for me is your truck paid off? If you own it outright why wouldn't you just keep it and slowly maintain it as you go? It's not pressing for you to get those repairs taken of right away.

---

Agree, and I think someone is feeding the OP a line of BS, because I doubt the control arms need replaced, maybe bushings...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zundfolge

I based my suggestion of a Subie on this:
Along with his list of "requirements"
And even though they've become the status symbol of the brain dead liberal they're really good cars and he's planning on spending enough to get a low mileage one.

btw, found another one http://cosprings.craigslist.org/ctd/4038393579.html

---

Ah, gotcha, missed that part lol. I agree, hippies drive them, but they are definitely good cars.

It's interesting that you "feel" safe in your truck, when the IIHS rating for head restraints on that truck is poor and the offset crash is marginal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BuffCyclist

Ah, gotcha, missed that part lol. I agree, hippies drive them, but they are definitely good cars.

---

Hippies drive the outback, forester, and impreza rs wagon. If anyone wants a subaru that's definitely not hippy-ish, get a Legacy GT or WRX STi. I love my STi. It's a rocket ship.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zundfolge

I hate to say it but a lightly used Subaru would fit the bill perfectly for you ... just make sure you plaster it in NRA and other pro-gun stickers so you don't look like a douche.

Here's a couple of examples I found on a quick Craigslist search.

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/4057819897.html
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/4057346818.html

---

Honestly they're great cars.. a bit under 'pokey' on the 4cyl versions, but if you're looking for fuel econ, that's what you're going to get. I have driven several of the 'lesbian limousines' from people at work when I had to grab things that wouldn't fit in the benz.. and honestly, I didn't mind.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by funkymonkey1111

It's interesting that you "feel" safe in your truck, when the IIHS rating for head restraints on that truck is poor and the offset crash is marginal.

---

If you understand that the IIHS only compares cars IN CLASS to each other and the way they do the tests, they almost HAVE to have one model come out as marginal, then your statement makes no sense. A 2001 Silverado, in the 95% crash statistics is safer than any car he would be able to afford.

Shocks, bushings, plus a pitman and steering control total about $400 from Rock Auto. The control arms are not shot, maybe the bushings. But the pitman and steering, yes, around 150 or so , they need a redo. Compare the gas plus insurance to the newer car's gas plus insurance.

Hate to say it, but used Hyundais are pretty good values in this realm if you really decide to go with a car/small SUV.

I was in the same position that you are in now. What it boils down to is:

a) do you want to save the most money you can
b) find a happy medium with a car that does everything you want

Option a) you are best off selling the truck and buying an economy car. This is the cheapest option because you wont be stuck with the insurance and registration of two vehicles and you will be getting great gas mileage while being much more family friendly. Economy cars have the cheapest insurance and really you can get one with a ton of options right now for cheap. I bought a 2012 Ford Fiesta with 9000 miles on it, full transferable warranty, electrical everything, Bluetooth for calls and audio stream and much more and it was $12,000 from the dealership. It gets 43 mpg and I pay 68 a month for full coverage everything with a $500 deductible. Usually I can not remember the last time that I filled up. There are other options, but I prefer ford and american cars because I do my own work on them and the parts are more available and way cheaper. It still gets out in the mountains, I just have to hike a little further which is a welcome trade for all the money that I am saving.

Option b) If you take on a second car payment and insurance you will not be lowering the cost of ownership at all for years to come. So for this option you are best off selling the truck as well. Then really the only option left to accomplish what you want is a small SUV. Subaru's are nice, but in my experience they get the same gas mileage as a small SUV, but have less space and lower ground clearance. You can find Ford Escapes or similar all over for less than $18,000 and as long as you get one with four wheel drive it will go all over the mountains. Obviously you will have to baby it and there will be limits, but it will take any fire road out there and should get around 25 mpg on the highway. If you do the research some SUV are way cheaper than others to insure, but that all comes down to roll hazard. Just make sure it is not a roll hazard.

Really depending on if you own your truck or not, and the price of gas it is going to be hard to save a lot of money in the short term. You will be paying a little more in insurance, and you will add a car payment that will make up for the gas savings. In the long term once it is paid off you will see the greatest savings with the economy car, but you will be giving up a little utility. The suv or subaru will maintain some utility, but will cost more in insurance and general cost of ownership. Whatever your move is, just plan on not saving a dime until it is paid off.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Robb

My respectful opinion: VW SUCKS. I have a Passat and I'll never own another VW in my life. Wish I had the money to trade off on something else. Maintenance nightmare, ALWAYS something wrong with it and spendy to fix. Timeing belt went at 66,000, Dashboard can't help but light up like a Christmas tree every 6 months - no shit. Great mileage and 1.8 turbo flies up the hills but it isn't worth it, not even close.
Ford Chevy Honda or Toyota, period.
Keep the truck or replace the truck with another, or you'll regret it. Go smaller and more efficient. I've grown to love the smaller trucks. I bet you'd be way happy with a Tacoma.

---

VW diesels have always been more reliable.

Older Cadillac with the Northstar engine? Or, a Honda crx?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by buffalobo

Keep the truck, do maint a little at a time, buy a 4 cyl beater for commuting.

Sent from my electronic ball and chain.

---

^+1

Audi is bringing the diesel to the US and you can haul a 12' ladder and 1,000 of rock in one.





I kid.


Get a Suby and keep the truck.

Or

Get an Ext cab Taco.

To me, just about anything japanese will probably serve you well. Hondas, Toyotas, Subarus and some Nissans is what I would pick from. GM just released a Cruze in turbo diesel. TDs are definitely the way to go for MPG if you do a lot of highway driving. Ford and GM are definitely stepping their game with their new cars. Wouldn't hurt to look something entry or mid level from them. Used cars wise though, the older Japanese cars still have it, especially if you're looking '05+. With 16k, that easily get you much newer. I'd stay away from anything european that's over 100k, I bought a bmw 325xi, I ended up replacing more crap on it in one year than I have with 3 other cars i've had in their lifetime. (Civic, STi, tsx) Luckily, I can fix it myself.

Have you considered a SUV that use less gas than your truck?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

The name of the game is "Tell me what car you think I should buy and why because I don't know a lot about cars". Or "Talk some sense into me because selling my truck is a bad idea."

Reasons why I want to sell my current vehicle:

My 2001 Silverado (1500 extended cab, standard bed, 115k) is costing me about $400 a month in gas to commute to work, and currently I don't need any of the "truck functions" - towing, hauling, etc.

When I bought the truck in 2010 with 70k miles on it, it KBB'd for $11k. Now it has 115k miles and is KBB'ing for $10k. Looking at market trends, it seems that the value of my truck is going to start dropping rapidly in the next year or two.

It is due for about $1k in preventative maintenance items - rear shocks and front control arms ought to be replaced, I couldn't afford some of the 100k maintenance items at the time and I forgot to go back and do them. I really don't feel like paying $1k or more to keep a 13 year old truck going.

It's a PITA getting a carseat into the back seat of the current vehicle. The back doors open like suicide doors, making it impossible to park directly next to anyone and have access to the cab.

If I get a more fuel efficient car, I can save $200 or more on gas alone. If I save $200/mo on gas, I can use that money to make payments on a newer car or (even better) put that money into the bank.

Reasons why I don't want to sell:

I love having a truck around. I plan on doing some hefty landscaping work and finishing my basement within the next few years. I like the idea of saving on shipping and delivery costs by doing it myself, especially with landscape materials. Delivery fee on a few tons of rock is $$$$. Long story short - I like the versatility and "Do It Yourself-ness" of having a truck.

I like being able to get places off the beaten path without bottoming out and destroying a car. Especially when it comes to going shooting, mountain biking, hiking, or camping.

I feel very safe in my 5500lb truck.


What I need help with:

I haven't looked at cars in a long time and I don't know what I should be looking for. I have about $18k +/- $2k after I sell my truck that I can put into a new vehicle.

If you are a mechanic or know a lot about cars, your input would be especially helpful.

If i'm crazy and should hang on to my truck, then tell me why you think so.

Requirements:

4 doors

~25mpg or better. Bonus points for 30+

Needs to be able to fit a carseat in the back

Needs to be safe

less than 60k miles... preferably less than 40k.

Nothing older than 2005 year model





Thanks in advance!

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by UrbanWolf

Have you considered a SUV that use less gas than your truck?

---

Did you even read his post?

Op: you might look at a Subaru wagon of some sort. Run for. Long time a good gas mileage.

Audi S5.. Screw your requirements -- just look good doing whatever. :p

Another vote on a subi I love my outback

Get a scooter for commuting. Tough to beat 80-100 mpg.

A Subie will get you most places a nonlifted Silverado will, and get 25 MPG reliably. Very few things will go wrong before 100K if that soon.

I recommend a Forester over an Outback for the headroom; a WRX is good for accelerating quickly and cornering on a flat surface.

Not ALL Subie owners are braindead libs, some of us just like the utility of a Subaru.

Have we mentioned a Subaru yet?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikedubs

Not ALL Subie owners are braindead libs

---

The rest are just lesbians.

I think this is what you are looking for. Great gas mileage and looks like a 4x4..

http://www.ufunk.net/wp-content/uplo...udi-A3-AWD.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by asmo

The rest are just lesbians.

---

Especially Foresters :p


(but in all seriousness, Subies are really good cars ... its the one thing Liberals are right about ... you know, a broken clock being right twice a day and all)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by asmo

The rest are just lesbians.

---

Ya got me there...I do like me some women.

In all seriousness. My wife has a 2011 Highlander -- and I fricking love that car. Drives great. SUPER comfortable. Great on gas. I have told her a couple of times that I'd trade my truck for her Highlander.

Chrysler/Dodge Minivan. The only downside is lack of ground clearance. Means you have to ride or walk the bike a bit farther.
When your kids are older with friends with bikes and your hauling more crap the van is really nice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by buffalobo

Keep the truck, do maint a little at a time, buy a 4 cyl beater for commuting.

---

/\ /\ /\ This /\ /\ /\

I daily drive my '01 GMC Sierra and love it for many of the reasons you cited. If my gas cost was as high as yours, I'd get a small car.

Subie, I love my 2012 outback, 41k on it now and still the smoothest riding car I've ever own, avg's 26's to 28's MPG. 9inch clearance is a big plus coming from ranges / fields