Sometime in the next few months, I hope to acquire a new-to-me car.
What I want is a Volvo Station Wagon. Volvos, as I’ve experienced, provide excellent passanger comfort. This is not so UTTERLY important to me, because I don’t have passengers so frequently, but. . .
I want a vehicle with plenty of hauling space, as well as plenty of rest-stop sleeping comfort.
I want a car that will be relatively safe on the road/highway/in winter conditions.
I make relatively little money, so I want a car that wont suck up all my beer money in repairs and new starters.
I want a car that looks like a car: square. I can’t stand all these newfangled aerodynamic fish-looking 90’s cars on the highway.
Got a few people here who bought the newish Volvo wagons or ones a few years old. They all look pretty much the same really. two of them said they paid $1500 for brake service on theirs, another $150.00 to change a fuse.
Well, I was going to tell you to pickup a nice 1988 or 89 Toyota MR2, but forget the carrying space. Beside that, it fits the bill, and man is it a blast to drive
Yeah, an Mr2 is great, unless, of course, you have legs. Might I suggest a Subaru Outback Wagon, you know, the Crocodile Dundee commercial? AWD, reliable, comfy, good gas mileage. My sister just sold her '96 for under 10G’s and bought a brand new one. I was quite impressed with that car and I am not easily impressed.
The hauling space part of your equation is a bug I’m not sure about. From the rest of your description of needs/desires I gather you’re not inclined toward a Suburban. I’ve had great luck with used (ahem, excuse me, pre-owned) BMWs and I know their are some station wagon models out there. Auto Trader Online is a good place to comparison shop (and was the source of my current car 7/98).
With $2 a gallon gas forthcoming you might like a high milage model. Also, lots of them have plastic bumpers. Just push down on one with your finger you can tell. You might want something with some metal to protect yourself.
I know I really should care about gas mileage, but I can’t. Since the overwhelming majority of my driving consists of highway miles, it’s a little less of an issue for me than for most. The mere thought of driving a car with less than 6 cylinders makes my blood curdle.
I am a little nervous about acquiring a newer car. I hear they make everything out of aluminum nowadays. Although I was crowned World’s Most Cautious Driver (1996), I know all too well that everybody else out there is a moron.
My experience with Volvo: LOVE 'EM! I’m not a wagon guy, but I had a '94 850 and am now in a '98 S70. Both sedan, very comfortable, especially the back seat (and I’m tall). Repairs can be expensive, but keep up your maintainence and you should be okay. $1500 for brake service? Sounds like someone went too long before changing the pads. $150 for changing a fuse? Hmmm…sounds fishy to me.
Melatonin: Some Volvo drivers can’t find the lever for the gas cap door, either.
I should have mentioned: the new S40’s are pretty cool, and a bit cheaper than their s70 and v70 cousins. The Swedes are introducing a V40 wagon, I think this fall. I shouldn’t say Swedes, though. The S40’s are made in the Netherlands, and Volvo is now owned by Ford. (Sigh)
Still a great car, until Ford starts designing them, IMHO. I mean, look what they did to Jaguar. The new S-Type is great looking from the front, but from behind it looks like an alternate design for the Taurus!
If it jams, force it; if it breaks, it needed replacing anyway.