Car

[dancerjodi]

My car is at around 115k miles. I replaced the transmission at around 97k miles (thankfully under warranty). The transmission is starting to act odd again like it did before (it did it for a while before it totally crapped out). The alignment is constantly off despite best efforts to realign/balance. It isn't the most efficient or safest thing out there. But I own it.

I don't want to be put in a "oh crap I need a new car" position. I'm trying to do some research and make a plan for the next thing.

I like the size/feel/trunk of my car. I'm a 70s hot rod girl at heart, and the impala is the best modern option to get near that. But it isn't efficient. I love the huge trunk, but Brian has a truck, so do I really need that much space?

I've debating the hybrid options but the cars that are big don't have that much more efficiency. I'm kind of curious about the Prius V, but there is the cost of that, the drastic change of moving from a kind of slick/cool car to a WAGON. And then adjusting to a car payment.

Maybe I should just start saving more to purchase something, should the time come and let it go. Hrm. Thoughts?

Comments

[sajuka.livejournal.com]

Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid are two Impala-sized sedans that don't look like hybrids, but they don't have the muscle car heritage of the Imp (and I haven't looked at prices in a while, so they may carry the Prius V sticker shock). I've gotten the Chevy Malibu several times on business trips and the modern incarnation is actually a pretty nice car, but again I haven't looked at stats in a while.

Watching some of the European car shows they have (non-hybrid!) four door hatchbacks creeping into the 60-70 mpg range, so I'm curious if some of that tech will trickle down to the "gas guzzling" Americans.

And I second lsl -- start saving now, it'll make the purchase a whole lot less painful.