Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Morris on February 25, 2012 at 10:03pm

If you like it buy it. Just check prices and make sure you're not paying too much. Take a friend or take it to a shop and make sure it doesn't have any defects.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Gaston on February 25, 2012 at 10:14pm

Thanks for the advice. The price to me seems good from having been watching them for awhile. And it is from a large and reputable group of dealerships in town so I'm not worried about getting ripped off by a sleazy dealership or salesman.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Splash on February 25, 2012 at 11:37pm

l have owned a jeep cherokee 2006 model, and that cured me of my jeep fixation , it was always in the shop from new , they could never get the electrics fixed , and that was something that other owners had told me also , also it would aqua plane in heavy rain , and l tried a variety of boots on it .

l now have a toyota FJ cruiser , and l can't fault it . How much are they on the second hand market there ?

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Permalink Reply by Steam Engine on February 26, 2012 at 12:02am

2006-2008 (or newer, if you can swing the payments) Ford F150 SuperCrew. Plenty of room, 4x4, 4 full doors, and the same or better mileage than a Wrangler.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen on February 26, 2012 at 7:59am

Not too much newer, though. You're pouring money away just by making the purchase when buying new cars.

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Permalink Reply by Nick H on February 26, 2012 at 10:09am

Best advice is forget the new cars since a one-year old car is just as good and only a fraction of the cost. I made that mistake when I got my first big paying job. But I see you already got that one figured out.

I would suggest you forget the SUV and get something more economical. Paying for gas is a bitch and so is upkeep for those beasts. I've seen my father shell out more than I'd like keeping the various Jeeps and the like he's had over the years. Likewise I would bother with the AWD. When I bought the Pontiac Vibe I looked into the AWD but decided against it because it reduced the amount of power I had (which wasn't great to start with in the Vibe) and it burnt more gas. Front wheel drive plus good winter tires served me fine when I had it. Also, I find 4x4 and SUVs give you a false sense of security. I drove a few Newfoundland winters as a student in the 90's (which with the feet of snow, deep potholes, and the steep, twisting streets is the worse I've ever lived in) driving a 2-wheel drive Honda Civic hatchback with old allweather tires (with the treads pretty worn). Sometimes in those years I drove my dad's 4x4 SUV. The old Civic may have had a bit of trouble on the hills in fresh deep snow but 99% of the time it was fine. Likewise, unlike the SUV, the Civic never got into trouble bigger than it could handle. If the SUV hit deep snow or lost traction, I just had to hope that I had enough room and time to stop without rolling over or hitting something. With the Civic, it was so light that it was never able to get itself into such trouble. Either it wouldn't pick up enough momentum to get into trouble or if it slid, it stopped immediately.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Gaston on February 26, 2012 at 5:55pm

I'm mostly looking at '08-'09 used. They seem to fall in the right price bracket. I of course grew up driving in New Brunswick winters with a regular old sedan. And I do like the Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix... but I'm just not a big fan of driving sedans in general. And I've driven a lot. While I love how well they handle, being smaller and nimbler, I've just always hated driving them. Especially longer distances. I've always found the cockpits pretty cramped, I hate getting down into a car to sit in it, things like that. Just a preference thing but I have always much preferred driving a truck or SUV. 

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Permalink Reply by Nick H on February 26, 2012 at 8:17pm

I had the problem of finding enough leg room (6'2'') when I bought a car over here in Ireland. Big cars and SUVs were out since gas is double here than what we pay in Canada. Also, every year you pay a road tax that is based on the emissions that your car puts out. Bigger the engine, bigger the fee. I went with the Fiesta. The Fiesta and Focus have a lot of leg room for such little cars.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Gaston on February 26, 2012 at 8:20pm

Yeah I've driven the Focus and the Fusion before. I found them alright in terms of leg room but still felt like the steering wheel was in my lap half of the time I was driving it. And forget shifting my left leg around into different positions on a long drive.

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Permalink Reply by Suburban Sentinel on February 26, 2012 at 11:01am

I would cross the Jeeps and the Ford off the list.  The Wranglers are cool but junky.  The Escape is aptly named and not in a good way.  Neither are great for primary transportation IMHO.

I have difficulty fitting into cars as well.  I'm an inch shorter but I can't stand sitting with the seat dropped to the floor and my feet splayed out.  I'm also in the snow belt so AWD is important.  Here are my recommendations:

The newer style Subaru Outback wagon.  I think its 2011+ model years.  Very good legroom, nice power w/ the bigger engine and a great AWD system.  Plus very utilitarian.  We have had Subarus and they run long and strong for many years.

Acura RDX (Not the MDX-- the RDX is smaller overall but has more driver legroom).  Very roomy, comfy driver seat.  That's been around for awhile so they have them a few years older.  A certified used one can be a good deal.  Make sure you get a good factory warranty as the car is nightmarishly complex and that parts are a fortune from what I hear.

I have an '08 RDX and it is a treasure.  Quick, excellent AWD and reliable as the sunrise.  I bought it new and plan on keeping it many years.  They are pricey but it does have all the bells and whistles.

Don't rule out new ones.  With the special financing, model year closeouts getting a new car might not be too much more dough, especially the RDX as they redesigned it for 2013.  Might be able to score a 2012 for less. 

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Permalink Reply by Craig McCurdy on February 26, 2012 at 11:05am

It sounds as if you have your mind made up already on the Wrangler. What ever you decide to buy I will offer two pieces of advice, take some one with you if buying from a dealer that has bought a vehicle before and preferable some one who's is mechanically savvy. I'm not saying all but most dealers will screw you given the chance. Used cars are their bread & butter. They will charge what ever they can get you to pay so never accept the price on a used car average mark up is 125% over what they have invested in the cars. First time buyers have blinders on and miss allot of things that can be easily missed costing thousands in repairs after the sale. It is also a good Idea to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have it inspected  for mechanical soundness. You can shop around for a good mechanic before you go shopping and make arrangements with them to look over your prospect.   If the mechanic finds any red flags, Move on to another vehicle! If the dealer is resistant to having the vehicle look over by your mechanic find a new dealer.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Gaston on February 26, 2012 at 5:51pm

Not totally made up, I have a few doubts but I have always had a big soft spot for them. And driving one didn't take away any of that.

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