I've waxed poetic – or tried to – a couple times about my car, er truck, er SUV. Whatever it is.
After we were married, we drove off in it into the sunset (or just around the corner so we could remove some of the toilet paper), and then drove down to the Texas coast for our honeymoon. I used it many times to move from town to town. I towed my grandfather's old boat from Virginia to Texas with it. We have gone camping with it. We drove the Cutlet home from the hospital in it. I've been off-roading many times and, more recently, got stuck in the mud and then unstuck. It has been a faithful, albeit inefficient, daily commuter. And up until now, I had faith that it would take me wherever I wanted to go and then some.
But after 142,000 miles, something's got to give. Before it becomes a total junker, we're going to try to sell it. Before we do, it has to go into the shop for at least a few things to make it sellable.
It's just a machine, but after eight years it sort of becomes a part of you. I'm willing to give that part up if it means returning to more reliable transportation – this time with better gas mileage. Just like leaving a home you've known or ending a relationship, trading up helps ease the pain of losing the familiar.
Here's some potential replacements for my 1995 Isuzu Rodeo. We'll probably get a used one to save some dough:
• Subaru Outback
Better gas mileage and a more carlike ride than my old-school trucklike SUV. Never thought I'd succumb to wanting a station wagon, but it beats a minivan to pieces and has all-wheel-drive and enough ground clearance for light-duty off-roading. Though not as common in Texas, they are prevelant in parts of the Pacific Northwest and in New England for their ability to go in the snow.
• Mazda Protegé 5
This is a four-door mini wagon that was replaced in 2005 by the Mazda 3 five-door. The P5 is cute, zippy but I think it's too small. Plus, the roads are so iffy around here that bottoming out might become a regularity.
• Honda Element
Perhaps one of the ugliest vehicles made today (except for that Scion box thingee), I drove one last weekend and it seemed fun. But it only seats four – three with a baby seat – and is quite low to the ground. The Petite Filet also said she would never ride in it.
• Toyota Tacoma pickup
The old body style is a bit too small, and the new one is just too expensive right now. Plus, our other vehicle is a full-size pickup (which we find quite handy for hauling stuff from Home Depot and Lowe's). We don't need two pickups at the same time. Plus, the gas mileage on the one I'd want – four-wheel-drive doublecab – is pathetic.
I need to drive a Subaru before I know if that's going to be it. In the meantime, we're gearing up to sell the family truckster – which also needs a bevy of little things like a new rear window wiper and struts for the glass hatch – and hoping it won't leave me stranded on the side of the road. It hasn't so far.
I, of course, MUST recommend a jeep wrangler, but if you have to be a pussy I suppose I could semi-respect a liberty. ;)
Please do not become one of those people who drive one of those rolling lunch boxes (Honda Element)...okay it's not AS ugly as the Scion...but, close enough! LOL!
We must stop the madness!
Whatever you decide on, hope it rides well.
I've always been partial to Toyotas. But I don't know much about their trucks.
I sure am glad I can continue to drive my four-door sedan instead of a station wagon or minivan.
I'd avoid the element like the plague. It is hideous. The cutlet would be scared to get near it.
Yeah we need a new car as well when we move back home. My husband wants a German car, but they are only for old people...
When I was looking for my new vehicle I did the whole consumer reports thing and I'm pretty sure it was the Subaru Forester that was the highest rated of the smaller SUVs. That being said I bought a used Toyota 4runner. Which I LOVE. It's off road worthy and has a good tow capacity. That and it's a Toyota.
Thought I posted, but it seems to have disappeared.
Anyway, I really like the Subaru Outback.
My husband has a Tacoma which we love, but only because we have a non-truck car too. I've heard lots of good things about Subarus. Good luck!
I recently discovered my air conditioner pooped out and since it was the beginning of a Texas heat wave, I had it repaired. Today, I received a letter from the dealer who repaired it, telling me they were trying to buy 45 2000 Tahoes in a buy back program. 7,000 cash back and 0 financing. Did they send the same letters to all the other car models with the same bull crap? I'm gonna go in and lay down the rules and they can either put me in a new Tahoe or kick me out....
Ugh - those box cars are SO UGLY! We have couple friends that both drive Subaru Outbacks. They are very roomy and smooth.
I'm with Julia--
JEEP JEEP JEEP!!
:)