# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/41 "2003-04-16T13:58:31Z")
I’m think I may be getting a Corvette! “Pre-owned”, of course. Something from the 90’s. ---
**Author:** ![Nordic\_Pacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/77aa72/32.png) [@Nordic\_Pacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nordic_Pacer)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/42 "2003-04-16T14:09:16Z")
I have this feeling I should be practical and environmentally friendly and the like and buy something like the Toyota or Honda hybrid. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure my midlife crisis is just around the corner, which means I’m going to find a way to justify buying what I really want - an Infiniti G35 coupe. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/43 "2003-04-16T14:15:04Z")
When my Aerostar dies, my original inclination was for a Jetta TDI Wagon. But my husband is now working for a company that makes parts for Dodge, so we can get a really good deal on any Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth vehicle. I was eyeing a rather attractive Caravan. But I’m hoping to keep the Aerostar going for another 80K miles, so who knows what I’ll want by that time. ---
**Author:** ![ShadiRoxan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@ShadiRoxan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadiRoxan)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/44 "2003-04-16T14:20:40Z")
my first car was a red honda civic lx. my current car is a red honda civic lx. i’m thinking of branching out on the next car. maybe a green honda civic lx? i’ve got a while to decide though. it’s so hard to kill a honda. (good thing with my driving) ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/45 "2003-04-16T14:26:58Z")
I just got a Taurus last summer. I like it, and’ll probably get another one. And it was only as I typed this that I realized I’m becoming my dad, who has gotten a new Taurus every third year since they first came out in the mid-80s. Happy ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/46 "2003-04-16T14:27:08Z")
I’m thinking a Honda Element too, when our current ‘old cars’ die, which should be a couple years off, still. I’ll be looking for something that can bring back lumber from Lowe’s, or comfortably hold kids, camping gear, or whatever. And I want safety, dependability, and good gas mileage, too. Sounds like I want a Honda, so the question is: Odyssey, CRV, or Element? I think the Element’s kinda funky. ---
**Author:** ![Zanshin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e274bd/32.png) [@Zanshin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanshin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/47 "2003-04-16T15:25:18Z")
I’m thinking one of the smaller (and cheaper) SUVs, probably a Jeep Liberty or Hyundai Santa Fe. O’course, this’ll be dependent on safety ratings and all the rest of that jazz (which I haven’t started researching yet)… If I don’t go the SUV route, I’d think hard about a Honda Prelude (one of the few two-door coupes my lanky-ass body can fit into). ---
**Author:** ![jkirkman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@jkirkman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jkirkman)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/48 "2003-04-16T15:51:15Z")
Next on my list is a '97 TBird–another year or so and they will be down into my price range. **racinchikki** , I was looking at a Hornet when I bought my current TBird ('88 TBird Sport) a few years back, but unless I move someplace cooler I need AC in my daily driver. I’d still love to have a Hornet one day–I love that “step down” styling and that funky Twin-H 308 6. There was a really nice looking '87 or '88 TBird Turbo Coupe on a car dealer’s lot in Talladega two weeks back, but I resisted the urge to stop and look 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/49 "2003-04-16T16:11:31Z")
When the time comes to replace our beloved Camry, its shoes will likely be filled by a Subaru Outback. If we need a second car, I’m agitating for something small and zippy, like a Mazda Miata or Toyota MR2 Spyder. I’d love to get a Honda S2000, but realistically, it’s out of our price range. ---
**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, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/50 "2003-04-16T16:16:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jkirkman \* > **Next on my list is a '97 TBird–another year or so and they will be down into my price range.** Actually, I would **love** a mid/late 90s Supercharged Cougar as a highway car. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/51 "2003-04-16T16:25:38Z")
An AWD station wagon with a 6-cylinder engine, towing package and a roof rack. It’s a few years off, so that’s as far as I’ve gotten with my planning. Unless, however, my wife’s car gets rear-ended for the third winter in a row next year… ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/52 "2003-04-16T16:59:00Z")
I just bought a Lexus LX and it rides like a dream, has a killer Mark Levinson sound system, can safely haul the little ones as well as plants and lumber. My next car will probably be another Lexus but a car, just as soon as all these damn big trucks and SUVs get off the road and I can see again. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/53 "2003-04-16T17:58:48Z")
Maybe as soon as a couple of months, I’ve got my heart set on a [Mazda6 w/sport package](http://www.caranddriver.com/10best_multimedia/2003/10bestwall_6_1024x768.jpg). I _love_ that car. Unfortunately, since it’s a new model there’s not much info available yet as far as crash tests, reliability, etc., but I guarantee it’ll be **much** better than what I’m driving now ('98 Pontiac Sunfire). All reviews I’ve read have been positive, though. ---
**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, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/54 "2003-04-16T18:17:05Z")
lieu, I don’t drive Japanese cars. At all. I test drove the GX _just_ to hear the Levinson sound system. It was a dream. The car drove like I expected to but the sound system was spectacular. [aside]The salesman was _such_ an asshole. I couldn’t believe someone whose salary depended on selling cars was being such a dick to me. His whole attitude changed when he saw what I was driving but still…[/aside] ---
**Author:** ![StreetPreacher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@StreetPreacher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StreetPreacher)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/55 "2003-04-16T20:07:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by preacherswife \* > \*\*Sigh… much to my husband’s chagrin, its going to be a \*_ **minivan** _ We just do not know which one yet. \*\* Well if it is going to be, it is going to be… What’s the chances of getting it painted like this: [Paint Job](http://www.savitzky.com/photos/2002/01/1_11_02-scooby-mystery_machine.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/56 "2003-04-16T20:53:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ringo \* > \*\*I just bought a BMW 740iL a couple of months ago, and it’s got 34 months of warranty left… I like 'em - they’re big, heavy, fast, comfortable and smooth on the road. \*\* And pretty safe. My neighbor was in a terrible rollover accident in her 740 iL and everyone walked away without a scratch, even the dog. She got another one that same week. Worth the very high price tag. **Juanita** , you crack me up. I’ll just _bet_ that salesman changed his tune when he saw your car! Our next car will be another Land Rover- either a 2003 Range Rover (the redesigned ones) or this 1994 Defender 90 my husband has his eye on- LR’s cool shade of yellow, manual tranny, low miles, soft top, not too thrashed… mmmmmmmm… Not exactly a family car you can haul kids in, but Daddy might need a toy while Mommy drives the conservative car! We are extremely brand loyal, so if they don’t make it in Solihull, we aren’t buying it. ---
**Author:** ![Niggle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Niggle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niggle)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/57 "2003-04-17T04:23:43Z")
2004 RX8… mmm… Nice trade in for my 99 Miata… They’re calling me when the first one rolls on to the lot. I’m… so… excited! -n ---
**Author:** ![ghandi5569](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@ghandi5569](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ghandi5569)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/58 "2003-04-17T05:14:28Z")
I would love to have a Subaru Outback or a Saturn wagon or a Hyundai Elantra Hatchback…something with room enough to put odd things in the back (computers, mini-fridge, people, lamps, 40 lbs of charcol, other odds and ends that I like to pick up and drive around with me). Knowing my luck though, when Carrie ('94 Plymouth Sundance) dies, I’ll have just enough money to buy duct tape to put the parts back together, and to get a hamster to get the engine going again. Not that that much of the car is working now–stereo, cruise control, a/c, glove box, dome light, button to fold the rear seat down, speakers, temperature gauge, gas gauge, front defroste–are all not working, so I don’t have many more things to go through. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/59 "2003-04-17T06:35:24Z")
If I’m lucky, it’ll be a late 60s or early 70s Chrysler Newport. Had one when I was a kid, and have missed it. A brand new car is some time off, and then it’ll be a Jeep. (Hopefully by then I’ll have _two_ Newports!) ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2003, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946/60 "2003-04-17T12:59:27Z")
EJs, I want a Defender so badly I can taste it! It’s slightly metallic and a bit peppery, but I digress. I’m no fan of the new Range Rovers, though. I liked the bigger, wider Country editions from the not-too-distant past. When we get another SUV, it will be the new Discovery. I’ll just have to convince myself I’m not driving a glorified Explorer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-your-realistic-next-car/168946.md?page=4)