While my '99 Corolla isn't ready for the graveyard just yet, at 2500 miles a month, it's quickly approaching 200K miles and little things here and there are starting to need replacement. I do feel this car will easily achieve 200K, and could probably do 300k, but I fear once I start getting much over the 200K mark it might start nickle and diming me to the point where it might be better for me simply to replace it.
The problem for me is, what do I replace it with? One of my problems is my limited budget. $9000 is about the most I can spend on a replacement and that severely limits my options.
Considering how many miles I drive every month, two factors are most important; the car MUST be very fuel efficent and it MUST be very reliable.
With the Corolla meeting these two factors very well, my first consideration was buying another Corolla. However, my price range puts me squarely into the next generation model (one generation after mine), and after test driving one I found that the front seat doesn't go back far enough to give me enough leg room to get comfortable. I can't spend as much time as I spend in a car that's not comfortable, so the Corolla is out.
There have been many vehicles I've test driven, and many I haven't, but I've pretty much narrowed down my choices to the Civic and the Jetta TDI.
Even choosing between these cars is not a cut and dried deal. The most impressive high MPG car I've driven is the newest generation Civic (2006 and newer). However, even high mileage 2006 models can't be had for $9000 or less (they must be to new yet to be in that price range). Most are still selling for $11K or more. I suppose I could go with a pre-2006 Civic, but after driving the newer ones they are unimpressive by comparison.
The Jetta TDI is a new experience to me all together. I've never owned a VW (or any German car for that matter), and I've never owned a diesel powered vehicle. These are very high MPG cars (seeing owner's reports inexcess of 50 MPG is not uncommon), but how much of that will be offset by the higher price of diesel fuel? How reliable are these cars? Living in Chicago we have all 4 seasons here. Will the diesel be difficult to start in cold weather? How long will it have to run before it produces heat from the heater? I've also noticed in order to find Jettas in my price range, most of them have well in excess of 100K miles, and most of those are closer to 200K. I couldn't imagine spending $9K on a car with over 100K miles on it. Why are these things so expensive? Do they last longer because they're diesels?
There are many questions I don't have the answers to. I guess that's why I posted this thread in here, hoping I'll get some good input from people who are much better informed than I. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
The problem for me is, what do I replace it with? One of my problems is my limited budget. $9000 is about the most I can spend on a replacement and that severely limits my options.
Considering how many miles I drive every month, two factors are most important; the car MUST be very fuel efficent and it MUST be very reliable.
With the Corolla meeting these two factors very well, my first consideration was buying another Corolla. However, my price range puts me squarely into the next generation model (one generation after mine), and after test driving one I found that the front seat doesn't go back far enough to give me enough leg room to get comfortable. I can't spend as much time as I spend in a car that's not comfortable, so the Corolla is out.
There have been many vehicles I've test driven, and many I haven't, but I've pretty much narrowed down my choices to the Civic and the Jetta TDI.
Even choosing between these cars is not a cut and dried deal. The most impressive high MPG car I've driven is the newest generation Civic (2006 and newer). However, even high mileage 2006 models can't be had for $9000 or less (they must be to new yet to be in that price range). Most are still selling for $11K or more. I suppose I could go with a pre-2006 Civic, but after driving the newer ones they are unimpressive by comparison.
The Jetta TDI is a new experience to me all together. I've never owned a VW (or any German car for that matter), and I've never owned a diesel powered vehicle. These are very high MPG cars (seeing owner's reports inexcess of 50 MPG is not uncommon), but how much of that will be offset by the higher price of diesel fuel? How reliable are these cars? Living in Chicago we have all 4 seasons here. Will the diesel be difficult to start in cold weather? How long will it have to run before it produces heat from the heater? I've also noticed in order to find Jettas in my price range, most of them have well in excess of 100K miles, and most of those are closer to 200K. I couldn't imagine spending $9K on a car with over 100K miles on it. Why are these things so expensive? Do they last longer because they're diesels?
There are many questions I don't have the answers to. I guess that's why I posted this thread in here, hoping I'll get some good input from people who are much better informed than I. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
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