Post-college vehicle choice

[Shaman]

Need some opinions, and know that there are a lot of opinions here.

I am looking for a vehicle. My Grand Prix is about to be sold, and the bike won't work for full time.

I am looking at basically two different types

SUv
Blazer/Jimmy 2WD
Explorer 5.0 2WD

or car
Buick Regal GS
Hyundai Elantra

I will probably be moving in the next few months, and the SUV's would come in handy. I a guestimating about 20 mpg for the SUV's, and around 30 for the cars

All but the Elantra would have no warranty, and would be looking for less than 90K miles on them

The elantra is my front runner, because of 60K transeferrable warranty and the good luck we have had with the last 2

The Regal because it is the same as my current car, only less "showy" and has 4 doors

Basically what i am asking is how much moving will be done when moving into an apartment, buying stuff for it, etc. All of the vehicles are about the same price, and the only differences would be gas. Would it be worth it to pick up a small SUV?

 

[eljefino]

Get the elantra! You can rent a van for moving day. Most passenger vans the seats come out, and come with unlimited mileage. Uhauls are cheap per day but pricey per mile.

Drive a late-model Elantra 4cyl 5spd. IIRC there's a hatchback GT model with leather. Very nice.

Keep the grand prix, IMHO, until you find out what kind of neighborhood you move into. You might find you want a station car to drive to the subway... and older would mean less worries.

 

[XS650]

If the main reason for an SUV type vehicle is because you are going to move, you can rent a trailer to pull with a car. Or rent or borrow a pickup to move.

 

[labman]

Do you have a great job lined up, or will you be struggling to pay off student loans? No doubt about it, an SUV can be handy at times. I would certainly hate to be without my truck. On the other hand, who knows where gas prices are going. I am betting not down. Without an SUV, you will get the stuff to the apartment somehow. How much do you have? My son moves about once a year, and all he owns is a Miata. SUV's are for soccer moms.

 

[JHZR2]

The SUVs, especially the V8 models you seem to like will give terrible fuel economy.

The regal just surpassed the toyota camry in terms of initial quality. I think thats your best bet if you have low/no loans and a decent income. It will be more comfortable than the hyundai, probably last longer if maintained and driven properly, and give you about the same MPG as the hyundai.

Since its an american car, the resale will be terrible, so you can probably find a GM certified regal on the very cheap...

JMH

 

[Johnny]

Well, gas is getting ready to hit $3.00 this summer. If your not moving out of the OKC area, rent a van or find a friend with a truck to help you move. I would take one of the cars, probably the Buick.

 

[Rob Taggs]

BUY AMERICAN !!!

 

[integrare]

If it were me, I'd probably pick the Explorer for the safety ratings.

 

[427Z06]

A used Ford Exploder for safety reasons?

Buy a good car. The average $400/yr you'll save in fuel costs alone will easily pay to rent a pickup truck or van for a couple of days every year.

 

[pitzel]

My advice: Try and push the grand prix a couple more years, and then enjoy one of the 2006+ diesels that will be coming onto the market soon.

Think: 45-50mpg with fuel that is safer, cheaper, and less polutting than normal unleaded petrol.

Seriously though, owning a vehicle is probably your second largest expense in life, aside from shelter. For a young person, I definitely would recommend going 'cheap' on the car, and trying to invest as much as possible for the first few years of working. Also gives you a lot more security should you need to leave a job due to unethical practices, or downsizing.

 

[MNgopher]

I wouldn't count on 20 MPG out of either of the SUV's, particularly an Explorer with the 5.0 in it. Perhaps 20 MPG or over on an occasional freeway cruising trip, but in average mixed driving figure 15 to 17 mpg. (Yes, I recognize the 2WD factor, but speaking from practical experience here...)

I will say that it is nice having the capability to move stuff when needed, but it comes with a steep fuel price tag versus a car, even steeper at todays fuel prices.

If you have any friends or family you can lean on when a larger vehicle is needed in a pich, then I'd forget the SUV's if that is the only reason you are buying one.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by 427Z06:
A used Ford Exploder for safety reasons?

---

Be sure to get one with the auxilliary set of wheels on the roof rack. Makes them easier to pull back on the road.

 

[XS650]

quote:

---

Originally posted by pitzel:
[QB]
Seriously though, owning a vehicle is probably your second largest expense in life, aside from shelter. /QB]

---

You haven't raised any children yet, I see.

 

[Shaman]

Pulled up insurance with current provider, Progressive

Current price
$489

Explorer
+$38
Jimmy/Blazer
+$40
Elantra
+$109
Regal LS
-$48
Regal GS
-$15

That would put the Elantra, only car that would run on 87, up over $200 a year for gas.

I do not have anything as far as jobs lined up right now. I have been looking, and have people looking for me. There just is not alot going on in the Austin Area.

 

[XS650]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Shaman:
Pulled up insurance with current provider, Progressive

Current price
$489

Explorer
+$38
Jimmy/Blazer
+$40
Elantra
+$109
Regal LS
-$48
Regal GS
-$15

That would put the Elantra, only car that would run on 87, up over $200 a year for gas.

---

If you have enough presence of mind to think about things like insurance rates on non-exotic non-performance cars at your tender age, I predict you will go far in this world. Most old phartes don't have enough sense to do that.

 

[Palut]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rob Taggs:
BUY AMERICAN !!!

---

I agree, something like a Civic or Accord from good old Ohio. No sense in buying from GM and sending jobs overseas!

 

[Al]

With no job lined I would avoid any new purchases.

 

[Shaman]

Al, i kinda agree. The guy who wants to buy the car can't make up his mind. I am seriously thinking about bumping the price up to $6000 on Autotrader, and since i have the till it sells one, keep the listing up, and hang on to it till something comes up.

"If you have enough presence of mind to think about things like insurance rates on non-exotic non-performance cars at your tender age, I predict you will go far in this world."

I don't know if i would call it presence of mind, the last thing i bought was 10 filters from Advanced Auto. I just like my money, and since i don't have much, and i am not bringing any in, and am being anal retentive about it.

Lastly, i can't go far without getting started, which is where i am at now.

[ February 02, 2005, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: Shaman ]

 

[srivett]

If you decide to rent a full size van you pay big time to use it for a few hours at the end of the month. If you move at any other time of the month you get to have the van for a full day and pay less. I've moved with an Explorer and a Villager but they were very small compared to my E150.

I would keep a car around. You won't have to beg for gas money from a potential employer when you go to a distant interview.

As for insurance, I'd go fire/theft/liability on anything under 15 grand.

Cheers, Steve

 

[JHZR2]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Shaman:
That would put the Elantra, only car that would run on 87, up over $200 a year for gas.

I do not have anything as far as jobs lined up right now. I have been looking, and have people looking for me. There just is not alot going on in the Austin Area.

---

Im pretty sure the non-supercharged regals run on 87.

JMH