Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-07-2008, 09:59 AM   #21
Full time employment: Posting here.
ProspectiveBum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 927
We already have a minivan for family hauling duties, so I'd be looking for something smaller and sportier. If only it came with a sunroof, I'd probably buy a Honda Fit. Besides getting great gas mileage and being shockingly roomy inside for its size, I test drove a manual transmission sport model, and it was very fun to drive. There's a newly designed version coming in September (or thereabouts), so I'd wait for that one.

I really do love having a sunroof, though, so I'd probably opt for a Volkswagen GTI with the dual-clutch transmission. Thanks to a short commute, I only drive ~8K miles a year. The GTI gets decent gas mileage (~25mpg combined), but is a blast to drive, and can be had in a useful 5-door hatch configuration. Not as dead-reliable or roomy as some other options, but I put a premium on "fun-to-drive".
ProspectiveBum is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 06-07-2008, 10:05 AM   #22
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
bbbamI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Collin County, TX
Posts: 9,294
Just bought a 2006 Acura RSX three months ago. Low mileage, dependable and sporty.
__________________
There's no need to complicate, our time is short..
bbbamI is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 10:15 AM   #23
Moderator Emeritus
W2R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,474
Quote:
Originally Posted by rs0460a View Post
For most folks, this would be a "stupid transaction". For me, being retired and only putting on 200 mi/mo since February, and getting a fantastic car (IMHO) it was a dream come true.
I don't think it's a stupid transaction at all, especially given how little you drive! So, why not enjoy a luxury car? I might think of one too, at some point. I do like my luxury.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.

Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
W2R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 10:18 AM   #24
Moderator Emeritus
W2R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,474
Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Proud View Post
the 2009 Forrester looked real nice.....
It's supposed to be great for driving in snow country, too. So I'm keeping my eye on it since I plan to ER up there.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.

Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
W2R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 10:28 AM   #25
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 160
First, as a worker (still) in an industry vulnerable to outsourcing and offshoring, I have a strong inclination to buy American. Second, since I mostly ride the bus and drive only occasionally, gas mileage is much less important to me than safety. I'd go for something big and heavy like a very large car (think Lincoln or Cadillac) or for a full size SUV. Being a frugal LBYM, I also might look at used cars and call it "new to me"
quietman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 10:37 AM   #26
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,068
Toyota Prius unless I was in Norway, the UK or I believe France in which case I would buy an all electric Th!nk City.
__________________
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
(Ancient Indian Proverb)"
Zathras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 10:45 AM   #27
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 193
Last weekend, Toyota had a manufacturer directed sale at 3 or 4 dealerships in So. Ca. We purchased a 09 Matrix at the Toyota directed price with 0% for 36 months. No other dealership in Ca. would match the price. So whatever you get, get it at the manufacturer directed price, during the short time they are offered.
HpRyder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 11:17 AM   #28
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
lazygood4nothinbum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,895
i'd get the minicooper convertible. i considered it back when but got the stang, thinking i wanted more metal around me for roadtrips. but no sale on house plus bad economy & high gas means no extended roadtrips.

with my luck, just as soon as i bought the minicooper the house would sell and the gas bubble would pop so i'll just be happy to keep driving what i got.
__________________
"off with their heads"~~dr. joseph-ignace guillotin

"life should begin with age and its privileges and accumulations, and end with youth and its capacity to splendidly enjoy such advantages."~~mark twain - letter to edward kimmitt 1901
lazygood4nothinbum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 11:29 AM   #29
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
TromboneAl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,880
In terms of energy efficiency, the cars will probably be much better in five years or so. So you might consider getting something just to bridge that gap. I'd get a used Toyota Echo (mileage better than Yaris), and then get an electric car as soon as they become practical.
__________________
Al
TromboneAl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 11:32 AM   #30
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 116
I just bought a 2008 porsche cayman. I've wanted a porsche for 33 years and i finally got one. My wife have no kids, all the funds are automatically funded to the max, so i figured the next raise i got will go to the car.

I was a little frugal, i didn't get the S version.

J
ikonomore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 11:45 AM   #31
Moderator Emeritus
CuppaJoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: At The Cafe
Posts: 6,873
Quote:
Originally Posted by chinaco View Post
If you were buying a car today, what would you buy? And Why?
Every first of the month since January '80 I've bought a transit pass instead of researching what's available in cars; why? because I want to retire in this lifetime.
CuppaJoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 12:12 PM   #32
Full time employment: Posting here.
ProspectiveBum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 927
Quote:
Originally Posted by ikonomore View Post
I just bought a 2008 porsche cayman. I've wanted a porsche for 33 years and i finally got one. My wife have no kids, all the funds are automatically funded to the max, so i figured the next raise i got will go to the car.

I was a little frugal, i didn't get the S version.

J
I think the Cayman is one of the most gorgeous cars on the road. Pictures don't do them justice, they have to be ogled in person to truly appreciate how beautiful they are. Congratulations! When my kids are grown, I'll probably spring for a Boxster (or whatever the equivalent is by then).

What color did you get?
ProspectiveBum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 12:28 PM   #33
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,342
At 6'6 1/2" it gets uncomfortable, even painful, to be in a compact car for more than a half hour at a time so a corolla or civic isn't an option for me. I'd go the small suv route. Although I plan to keep my '04 forester for at least another decade if I were to buy a "new" car I would like to say i'd choose between a toyota rav4 and a honda crv but in reality i'd probably choose between an acura rdx and a lexus rx330 maybe even an infiniti fx35. Whichever one I bought, i'd get it 1-3 years old and keep it for a decade or more.
aaronc879 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 12:41 PM   #34
Full time employment: Posting here.
RetiredGypsy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 979
As someone who's always been in the Chevy camp of Ford vs. Chevrolet, I'd still have to pick a Ford Ranger. I didn't feel cramped in the interior of the single cab, I never felt awkward driving it, and I could still park in compact parking. I would need the outside bed to haul a motorcycle in, but it would also be perfect to toss the toys in and go play.

With my comfort of motorcycles and scooters, having an everyday vehicle that can get 60-100+ MPG I won't be considering a vehicle based on its gas mileage.
RetiredGypsy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 01:19 PM   #35
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 927
I would get another ZO6 Corvette. Mine is fast, comfortable and reliable and also gets 28 mpg on the highway. If I needed something slower I would buy a Honda. We have had Hondas for decades and are considering trading DW's Pilot in on a CRV but waiting to see if they come out with a hybrid version of it. If I had to have a four door sedan today I would look at Honda Accord and Toyota Camry Hybrid.
jclarksnakes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 01:41 PM   #36
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 7,968
To be honest - I don't know but reviewing the posts to this thread - I would use perhaps the following reasoning - 15th yr of ER so my choice would be lifestyle driven constrained by my ER Budget - mpg would count only where it fit in the big picture.

heh heh heh -
unclemick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 01:47 PM   #37
Recycles dryer sheets
ikubak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 482
I'd get a jeep. Gotta have a little fun in life.
__________________
Retire date Jan. 10, 2018
ikubak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 02:23 PM   #38
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Midpack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 21,206
DW has a Camry Hybrid, with every imaginable option/luxury, and it averages almost 40 mpg - unbelievable.

If I was buying a car today it would probably be a Prius, although I also like having a sunroof (not avail with Prius). But it appears the next gen high mileage hybrids from Honda and Toyota are less than 2 years away, so I would wait and suffer with my 25 mpg car for now...

For the person who said there was no track record for hybrids; the Honda Insight was introduced in late 1999 and the first gen Prius (my dentist still drives one) in 1997 (2001 in the US). There's plenty of track record IMHO...
__________________
No one agrees with other people's opinions; they merely agree with their own opinions -- expressed by somebody else. Sydney Tremayne
Retired Jun 2011 at age 57

Target AA: 50% equity funds / 45% bonds / 5% cash
Target WR: Approx 1.5% Approx 20% SI (secure income, SS only)
Midpack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 02:30 PM   #39
Gone but not forgotten
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sarasota,fl.
Posts: 11,447
Like Want to retire I also love my 1999 Solara and plan on driving it until it becomes unreliable or I fall in love with a new Toyota or Honda !
Moemg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2008, 02:40 PM   #40
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 116
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProspectiveBum View Post
I think the Cayman is one of the most gorgeous cars on the road. Pictures don't do them justice, they have to be ogled in person to truly appreciate how beautiful they are. Congratulations! When my kids are grown, I'll probably spring for a Boxster (or whatever the equivalent is by then).

What color did you get?
Thanks!

I got carrara white with black leather with the 18" S wheels with colored crests. I'll post some pics soon.

J
ikonomore is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying a used car - flooded? joesxm3 Other topics 15 11-03-2007 11:41 AM
Talk me out of buying another 'fun' car!!! thefed Other topics 30 09-15-2007 04:47 PM
Car Buying Choice cantlogin Other topics 13 08-03-2007 11:57 AM
Advice on buying a used car RedHawk Other topics 20 02-12-2007 06:28 PM
Financing a car/car buying advice usc_et Young Dreamers 14 11-01-2005 10:59 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:54 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.