Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

[Greyeagle]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

If you're looking for something that's smaller, but still functional and fun, then go with something like the Mazda 3 or something a little larger and get the Nissan Altima.

We may be buying a car next summer/fall, would live to get an Altima. Had one as a rental when we did the PCH in '09 and absolutely loved it.

 

[Twitch Boy]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

If you're looking for something that's smaller, but still functional and fun, then go with something like the Mazda 3 or something a little larger and get the Nissan Altima.

Heard nothing but good things about the Mazda 3. That includes a sales rep for GM who owns one.

That said, if you really want to have a blast, there's only one. Yes, here it comes. Jeep Wrangler. You will have a ****-eating grin on your face as you drive it around, I guarantee. Live axles are crazy fun. Plus it's great in winter, parts and maintenance are cheap, small turning radius so it's easy to maneuver, and they're surprisingly cheap to insure believe it or not.

Downsides are fuel economy (15/19) and it's not a terribly good car for passengers or large amounts of cargo. Heck, I can barely fit groceries into it even with the back seats out. And don't get the 2011; they're trying to Hummer-fy the interior and it just looks wrong.

For a single guy who wants something fun, however, you can't do much better.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

Heard nothing but good things about the Mazda 3. That includes a sales rep for GM who owns one.

That said, if you really want to have a blast, there's only one. Yes, here it comes. Jeep Wrangler. You will have a ****-eating grin on your face as you drive it around, I guarantee. Live axles are crazy fun. Plus it's great in winter, parts and maintenance are cheap, small turning radius so it's easy to maneuver, and they're surprisingly cheap to insure believe it or not.

Downsides are fuel economy (15/19) and it's not a terribly good car for passengers or large amounts of cargo. Heck, I can barely fit groceries into it even with the back seats out. And don't get the 2011; they're trying to Hummer-fy the interior and it just looks wrong.

For a single guy who wants something fun, however, you can't do much better.

This.

Especially that first major snowstorm when the roads are dead. You can have some fun.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

We may be buying a car next summer/fall, would live to get an Altima. Had one as a rental when we did the PCH in '09 and absolutely loved it.

I have an old Altima, and it's been reliable. They've made a lot of changes since my model year, so I doubt they're anything even remotely comparable anymore. That said, I've liked mine.

Beyond that, I'd really like a Mazda 3 Speed. I like the idea of the hatchback for my hockey gear. And the Speed would just be fun.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

Having driven an old Hyundai Sonata and a Hyundai Genesis, the Sonata is horrible for everything but gas mileage, but the Genesis thinks it's a BMW. The latter is phenomenal, although it comes at a price.

Side note: the Sonata had less room than a Wrangler. With smaller mirrors, headroom, etc. It was like driving a Matchbox car.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

Having driven an old Hyundai Sonata and a Hyundai Genesis, the Sonata is horrible for everything but gas mileage, but the Genesis thinks it's a BMW. The latter is phenomenal, although it comes at a price.

Side note: the Sonata had less room than a Wrangler. With smaller mirrors, headroom, etc. It was like driving a Matchbox car.

What year?

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

What year?

The Sonata, dunno. It had 175K on it. Ran like a charm, though. Just...tiny. Too tiny.

The Genesis was the newest one. *er cornered like no other car I have driven, had all the bells and whistles, and was a car I was truly impressed with (which was amazing, since I half dismissed it before I even drove it).

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

The Sonata, dunno. It had 175K on it. Ran like a charm, though. Just...tiny. Too tiny.

The Genesis was the newest one. *er cornered like no other car I have driven, had all the bells and whistles, and was a car I was truly impressed with (which was amazing, since I half dismissed it before I even drove it).

The reason I ask is that the newer Sonatas are getting decent (not great) reviews. My brother bought a newer model Elantra, similar reviews, which is about comparable to my old Altima in size. And I know the Sonata is supposed to be bigger than my car.

I'm taking a keener interest in vehicles recently because it's coming time where I'll need to replace my car in the next few years. I just started saving up the cash for it - whatever it may end up being.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

The reason I ask is that the newer Sonatas are getting decent (not great) reviews. My brother bought a newer model Elantra, similar reviews, which is about comparable to my old Altima in size. And I know the Sonata is supposed to be bigger than my car.

I'm taking a keener interest in vehicles recently because it's coming time where I'll need to replace my car in the next few years. I just started saving up the cash for it - whatever it may end up being.

If you can fit comfortably in it, sure, the Sonata is decent. I had no headroom whatsoever, though. If the size changed, then check it out.

If you're single, take Twitch's and my advice: splurge and get the Wrangler (provided you don't care about gas mileage).

FWIW, Bakunin brought up a good point: if you want to really splurge, instead of buying a sporty sedan (like the aforementioned Genesis), just get the Challenger for the similar price and look good.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

I will not buy a Chrysler product. My parents kept buying them when I was young and it was frustrating because they never seemed to learn from their mistakes.

And I drive too much for hockey to not be worried about MPG. It's a big concern for me.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

I will not buy a Chrysler product. My parents kept buying them when I was young and it was frustrating because they never seemed to learn from their mistakes.

And I drive too much for hockey to not be worried about MPG. It's a big concern for me.

Then I apologize, since MPG hasn't been a real worry for me for probably a decade or so.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

Then I apologize, since MPG hasn't been a real worry for me for probably a decade or so.

t's all right.

I'm living in Farmington, work in Minneapolis (though mostly ride the bus), play pick up with my buddies in Golden Valley and Brooklyn Park, and I play league hockey in Blaine. I spend a lot of time in the car.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

t's all right.

I'm living in Farmington, work in Minneapolis (though mostly ride the bus), play pick up with my buddies in Golden Valley and Brooklyn Park, and I play league hockey in Blaine. I spend a lot of time in the car.

Sounds like me back in the day with softball.

Obviously #1 is gas mileage, then it's all about comfort. Style doesn't matter a whole lot in your situation.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

Sounds like me back in the day with softball.

Obviously #1 is gas mileage, then it's all about comfort. Style doesn't matter a whole lot in your situation.

Hey, I freely admit that I've never had style to begin with.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

Hey, I freely admit that I've never had style to begin with.

Given my want for more road trips during the hockey season, my next vehicle may be more gas friendly. But that is a LONG way off (only have 76K on my 11 year old Wrangler).

 

[Twitch Boy]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

If you're single, take Twitch's and my advice: splurge and get the Wrangler (provided you don't care about gas mileage).

Actually not much of a splurge. Just one thing to keep in mind: a lot of things that are standard on most cars are optional on a Wrangler (that means even air conditioning, automatic transmission, power windows/door locks, etc.) You may be able to find some sweet deals with dealers trying to move the last of the 2010's.

My 2010 was $23K before trade on a manager's special with A/C, automatic transmission, and "Freedom" hardtop (new hardtop with two panels over the front seats that are removable like a T-top.)

Also, they hold their value like mofos, so once you've paid it off you can get a sweet trade-in. I was seeing '05 and '06 Wranglers with 40K on the clock going for $19K

And for the love of Pete, don't get the 4-door. You'll look like a bigger poser than DL.

Also, I'd definitely test drive one. They're really not for everybody. They're not built for comfort at all. You're either going to walk away wearing a ****-eating grin or saying "I will never drive one of those again as long as I live."

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

/me preps for taking heat on this one.

I've got a '05 Scion xB (1st gen, the boxy version). Over 113k on it, and I've only had one maintenance issue, and have only needed to replace the brakes once. Blast to drive, lots of interior space given the overall size of the car due to the box shape, and its great on fuel (~ 25/30.) I'll admit its either a love/hate car, but I've transformed a lot of impressions once people get inside it.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

Good Morning, Lodge!

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

Good mornin' Ralph!

Good mornin' to tLodge!

 

[walrus]

Re: Rep Retirement Lodge 120: How do you want to die?

Hey
No posting out of order

Still in Mexico