# So, what is your \*realistic\* next car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 15, 2003, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946 "2003-04-15T21:21:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/21 "2003-04-16T00:36:18Z")
My next car will be a Beetlebug. And I’m getting it just as soon as they make a purple one. Daughter will get my Saturn in three years, assuming she gets her driver’s license on schedule and I can bear to let her have the keys, the WryGuy will probably get a Hyundai Sierra (? I think that’s what it was) next year. The Mighty Mighty Escort will be put out to pasture. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/22 "2003-04-16T01:17:42Z")
I don’t really **need** a new car, but I really like the Honda Element. I have no idea why. ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/23 "2003-04-16T01:26:06Z")
Probably a Saturn. I have a friend who runs a dealership, and he said he’d give something to me at invoice. Can’t make up my mind if I want something small and fuel-efficeitn, or something with four wheel drive. ---
**Author:** ![Laurasia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@Laurasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laurasia)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/24 "2003-04-16T01:33:45Z")
I am waiting for my Honda Civic to die (not that I’m complaining, but it just keeps on going…200,000 miles and it’s still runs well) and then I’m going to get a Toyota Tacoma extended cab pickup. After years of driving a Honda I really want something that I can haul all my stuff in… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/25 "2003-04-16T02:06:02Z")
> [@](#): > > I really like the Honda Element. I have no idea why. Maybe you like hideously ugly cars? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/26 "2003-04-16T02:42:22Z")
I just bought a BMW 740iL a couple of months ago, and it’s got 34 months of warranty left. When that runs out I’ll hope that 2003 (2004?) 745Lis have depreciated into my price range. My previous car (which I still need to sell) was a 735i. I like 'em - they’re big, heavy, fast, comfortable and smooth on the road. The downside is that people are constantly playing chicken with me. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/27 "2003-04-16T03:05:02Z")
> [@](#): > > That’s one _demon_ of an MG you got there, Johnny boy. 😉 :smack: ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/28 "2003-04-16T03:29:50Z")
I almost bought a Mazda Protege5 this week. It’s a nicely equipped small wagon with a sporty look and great handling. I’ll probably be getting something in the next few months, with the Mazda as the frontrunner. Other cars on my shortlist are (I do love me some hatchbacks): 1. Mini Cooper - It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine. I just can’t stomach the idea of spending over MSRP on any car. 2. Suburu Impreza - gas mileage is a little lower than I’d like, and they get expensive when you start adding options. 3. Toyota Corolla - so fuel efficient, so reliable, so reasonably priced, so… blah. 4. Civic Hybrid - if I end up with a 50 mile commute, this one will look quite attractive… I too have a strang attaction to the Honda Element. I find it charming because, as Click and Clack said, it looks like a bread truck. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/29 "2003-04-16T03:33:00Z")
strang attaction? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/30 "2003-04-16T03:46:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fizgig \* > \*\*2. Suburu Impreza - gas mileage is a little lower than I’d like, and they get expensive when you start adding options. > \*\* What options are there to add? They all come pretty much loaded even the “stripped” TS…?😕 ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/31 "2003-04-16T04:14:37Z")
I’m still waiting for the flying car that I was promised in the 60’s… But until then, I’ve actually been looking to sell the Jeep and go for the new Honda Civic hybrid too. I’ve already got one vehicle that gets better than 50 MPG (the motorcycle) - it would be nice to have another that I could actually haul a load of groceries with. I keep wondering how close to actual retail market a fuel cell car is. Not that I’m all THAT environmentally concious - I just think it’s majorly cool technology. ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/32 "2003-04-16T04:42:05Z")
I’m still waiting for the flying car that I was promised in the 60’s… But until then, I’ve actually been looking to sell the Jeep and go for the new Honda Civic hybrid too. I’ve already got one vehicle that gets better than 50 MPG (the motorcycle) - it would be nice to have another that I could actually haul a load of groceries with. I keep wondering how close to actual retail market a fuel cell car is. Not that I’m all THAT environmentally concious - I just think it’s majorly cool technology. ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/33 "2003-04-16T05:18:58Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by bernse_ > What options are there to add? They all come pretty much loaded even the “stripped” TS…? Rear-window dust deflector (standard on a lot of hatchbacks, and the Impreza looks kind of funny without it) $120 Keyless entry $175 Just the little stuff. E.g. the 6 CD in-dash on the Suburu is as much as the 6 CD in-dash and moonroof combination on the Mazda. The base model is quite well equipped though. ---
**Author:** ![lilbtagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@lilbtagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilbtagna)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/34 "2003-04-16T05:34:28Z")
If I do well enough on the MCAT in a couple weeks, I’ll be rewarding myself with a Nissan 350Z 😃 It doesn’t look like the odds of that happening are very good though, because I’ve been completely swamped with schoolwork and haven’t had the time to study. Sigh…such a lovely dream… ---
**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/35 "2003-04-16T05:35:02Z")
I’ve got a '91 Honda Civic (can’t kill that sucker) and a '96 Jeep cherokee ( 125,00 miles with nothing but routine maintanence). When I get a new car(probably later this year), I’m looking at the Honda Civi Hybrid. I do admit to having a strange attraction to the [Suburu Baja](http://www.carsmart.com/content/buy/lm/new/index.cfm?id=16694&make_vch=Subaru%20&model_vch=Baja%20&year_vch=2003&postal_code_vch=) and the [Honda Element](http://www.hondacars.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Element&bhcp=1&BrowserDetected=True). I also like the PT cruiser, simply because it’s basically the same as a Neon (mechanically speaking), and I’ve seen the aftermarket for Neon parts ---
**Author:** ![dead0man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dead0man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dead0man)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/36 "2003-04-16T10:01:30Z")
Well the next car I purchase will be the “family” car and it will be a _ **Minivan** _. Probably a Honda Odysse, with the Toyota Sienna and the Mazda MPV running a close 2nd. Of course around that time I’m going to need to find ME a replacement for my Golf 1.8T that I will be trading in to get the minivan. The list of possible cars would be: A. 1st gen Mazda Rx-7 -79-85 preferably in the 82 to 85(I’ve owned 2 82s and an 87 Turbo) range and I’d sport major wood if I could find a nice 84 or 85 GSL-SE B. 1st or 2nd gen Toyota MR2 -I’ve never owned an MR2 (or any rear or midengined car)but they have always intrigued me C. Subaru Justy -any year as long as it has 4wd D. any other Subaru with 4wd or AWD in my price range (sub 5000) ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/37 "2003-04-16T10:36:11Z")
A Saturn or Hyundai. ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/38 "2003-04-16T10:40:30Z")
Totota Scion. They come out nation wide in '04. I think I will get mine in '09 or so. An '04 model. Not the most beautiful vehicle, but I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/39 "2003-04-16T11:10:45Z")
**Laurasia** - I’d buy your Honda, depending on year and model, if you’d take payments. Then you could turn my payments into payments on another car… _sigh_ I hate having bad credit and an inability to gather enough cash for a decent down. I really want a Civic, preferably an EX or LX, from 92-95. If I can find a Civic Hatch, I’ll go all the way down to 91. So it will be either that, or an Integra from 91-95. Then I start saving for the engine swap. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/40 "2003-04-16T13:18:19Z")
Our next car is going to be a station wagon. We should be getting it in the next two months. We’ve got our eye on the Volvo 70 series, Audi A6 or BMW 5 series wagon. I wouldn’t mind a Mercedes E series wagon, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946.md?page=3)