Starting the Search for a Second Reliable Car
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 8:11 pmWe just moved into a new condo. Still renting - but the terms are much more favorable for us - saving something like $500 a month, with no penalty for leaving the lease early. This has resulted in us (a) having some freed up cash each month, and (b) being further from work, gyms, trails, etc. With Shaughnessy starting full time work in 10 months or so - and traveling more, the reality is that we could probably use a second car. So I'm starting to poke around. Likely won't get into anything until the Fall, at the earliest. But the search is 90% of the fun.
Not sure if I'm going to buy or lease. Go used or new. All I know is it has to be fun to drive, come with a manual transmission, and be practical enough to haul gear to rivers, lakes, campsites, etc. Including my folding kayak - which is not exactly small, even collapsed - a couple bikes, camping stuff, cameras and who knows what else. For at least a weekend.
Kind of thinking along the lines of a Mini Clubman or Countryman, a VW sportwagon - probably with a TDI, a post FSI Audi A3 or 4, a new Mazda 3 5 door, a Fiesta / Focus ST (which seem like fantastic cars, or the usual Subaru Impreza / Forester. I don't know, I'm all over the map, like usual. Still thinking Jeep Wrangler too - though that's a completely emotional choice since it's neither as practical, nor as efficient, nor as fun to drive as something car based. And the new Toyota Tacoma looks good too - just with they has a short box on the new ones.
And, naturally, the new generation Miata - which meets exactly none of my needs - is always tempting in a 'screw it you only live once' sort of way.
Not sure if I'm going to buy or lease. Go used or new. All I know is it has to be fun to drive, come with a manual transmission, and be practical enough to haul gear to rivers, lakes, campsites, etc. Including my folding kayak - which is not exactly small, even collapsed - a couple bikes, camping stuff, cameras and who knows what else. For at least a weekend.
Kind of thinking along the lines of a Mini Clubman or Countryman, a VW sportwagon - probably with a TDI, a post FSI Audi A3 or 4, a new Mazda 3 5 door, a Fiesta / Focus ST (which seem like fantastic cars, or the usual Subaru Impreza / Forester. I don't know, I'm all over the map, like usual. Still thinking Jeep Wrangler too - though that's a completely emotional choice since it's neither as practical, nor as efficient, nor as fun to drive as something car based. And the new Toyota Tacoma looks good too - just with they has a short box on the new ones.
And, naturally, the new generation Miata - which meets exactly none of my needs - is always tempting in a 'screw it you only live once' sort of way.
