…or at least new to me…
So, I’ve looked around a bit for a vehicle to replace the Buick and come up with a few options. I have test driven a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire GT and a 2002 Chrysler Neon LE, both in showroom condition. I liked the Neon. Its a big step forward from the 1998 that I drove when testing cars last time I was in the market. The pric, however, was a bit steep, in my opinion, for a used vehicle.
I’ve also talked on the phone to the dealer that I bought my last car from and what he had to offer didn’t seem appealing to me. The vehicles were in my price range, but they all had an issue or two.So, that’s not an avenue that I want to pursue, as I want a good, reliable car that will get me back and forth from work and to take my family on the occasional out of town visit.
So, that narrowed the choices down to what I test drove last night. I got behind the wheel of a 2000 Dodge Intrepid which was in showroom shape. It had a smooth ride and the 2.7l V6 engine produced decent power. It was quiet and reasonably roomy as well. The only thing that I’m a bit worried about is the engine. There seems to be a lot on the net about this engine not lasting, and I don’t need a new car with a new engine required soon after purchase. By the way, for the Intrepid owners, pure synthetic oil is supposed to be your savior.
This brings the testing down to a 1999 Hyundai Sonata. I found it difficult to find anything negative said about this vehicle. Many reviews praised it as a good move on Hyundai’s part, causing some competition for Honda, WV, and Toyota in the mid-sized market. This vehicle has only 60,000kms on it, which is another bonus. It may be a ‘99, but its been driven as little as a much newer car. I like it because the cabin is still roomy, but the car takes up less space on the road, while still driving smoothly and confidently, like a larger vehicle. The price was better than what else I had been trying out, as well. I’ve chosen this one, so, if all goes well, it will be mine in a few days. I’ll let you know. Maybe I’ll even find a digital camera and take a few pictures.
I would just like to have a car.
With gas prices the way they are today, a small car is probably the way to go anyway.
Looks like none of these will do. The Sonata is too old for any finance co to put a lein on and the rest are either too expensive or scary to think of owning. I guess that I’ll have to keep on looking.
I refuse to own a car until I have a much more lucrative job! And by the time that occurs peak oil will have already occurred rendering it an obselete position anyway! Oh, how I wish we had an adequate, reliable, clean public transportation system and lets bring back the railways again!
It looks like you have listened to Episode 361!
I hate to rub salt in the wounds, but I have a fairly new car I don’t even want to drive, a 2006 Toyota Corolla Altis. I don’t even have 3000 Km on it yet after owning it for a year. And it’s completely paid for!
If there was a way to spirit it over to you, even as a loaner, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Hahaha. I don’t know if I have listened to episode 361 but I did take it from one of those series! I think that idea is repeated in more than one of the lectures!! Good insight on your part I say!
Thanks for the offer, RT. Somehow I doubt that car is amphibious, though. It might get a bit wet crossing the Pacific.
@Devin: I thought that this episode (the most recent one) was(is) interesting. An interesting theory on PTSD nonetheless. I’ve still got about 15 minutes left to listen. I download them and listen on the bus to work.
Hi, my name is not likely Betsy. I appear to be a spamemr that got through the filter, due to the characteristics of my comment, which before it was edited by the webmaster, was only a link to some site of mine.
I obviously forgot to read the terms of the site, as I would have commented a bit more, as myself, instead of as fake me by the webmaster, who absolutely hates spammers and has edited the links out of my comment, as he believes that I am one.
Because I am not really me, but actually the webmaster having a bit of fun, I know that if I send an email to the webmaster, requesting that he allow me to post a relevent link in a comment, as long as I agree to be on topic and contribute something to the subject. So, I will reflect now, and decided if I am actually up to writing a 60 second email to the master of this domain.
I feel so ashamed! Please forgive me for breaking the fair and simple rules!