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Car Suggestions, Anyone?

picky
3,044 views
Now's the time to put your 2 cents in. We have to replace the late great Dodge Durango--thank you, Kurt for photographing it last August with the kayaks atop, because that's all that's left, memories--. :wub: We need another hunk of wheels!

Requirements: (I already know I'm unreasonable but miracles can happen):

- must be able to support 2 kayaks on the roof rack

- must have 2" hitch for the bikes, or be hitch-able

- must have better gas mileage than the Durango's 13 city mpg (see, JohnR, I DO read your environmental posts!)

- must be used since I'm figuring we have in the neighborhood of $7,000 to work with, and I don't want to throw in that much more $$ extra (Durango was a '98 with 125K miles on it, bless her heart :razz: )

I was all gung-ho on what my son affectionately calls a "girl's" SUV, the Ford Escape, but jdarg said the kids would never fit in the back seat, especially 6'2" #1 son. Plus she said the bikes and kayaks would tip the thing over. :lol:

I can't stand the idea of a minivan or station wagon (been there and done that), but since beggars can't be choosers, I'm never going to say never. I welcome any and all input because I'm going cross-eyed over at the Auto Trader & Edmunds website!!!

Replies

67
Sheila avatar
SoWal Insider
#27
Don't forget Click and Clack, the Car Talk Guys.:clap_1:

http://www.cartalk.com


I :wub: Click and Clack!!! GTTBD is an NPR junkie.
kathydwells avatar
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
#28
I'm afraid that after I hear the insurance settlement, I might be calling you on that one. :blink: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Has the perpretator of the crash been aprehended yet?
pickyAuthor
#29
Has the perpretator of the crash been aprehended yet?

Yes, and luckily he was insured. The agent doesn't seem to be too quick on her feet about moving the claim along, though, so we're faxing her info like the car crash report and stats on my Durango. Hopefully it will persuade her to feel the love and bid high. :biggrin:
tistheseason avatar
Beach Fanatic
#30
Yes, and luckily he was insured. The agent doesn't seem to be too quick on her feet about moving the claim along, though, so we're faxing her info like the car crash report and stats on my Durango. Hopefully it will persuade her to feel the love and bid high. :biggrin:

Make sure you are loaded with comparable data! The $$ they give you is greatly negotiable!
futurebeachbum avatar
Beach Fanatic
#31
Yes, and luckily he was insured. The agent doesn't seem to be too quick on her feet about moving the claim along, though, so we're faxing her info like the car crash report and stats on my Durango. Hopefully it will persuade her to feel the love and bid high. :biggrin:

If they are too slow, get your own insurance agent to contact theirs. That's helped me in the past and that's part of what they collect their commission for.
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#32
We now have an 04 Toyota 4Runner Sport V6 4X4. Never thought I'd own a V6 SUV but it does great and I've got the Burb for towing the heavy stuff. I average 19.5 mpg and that is 90% in town driving. When I drive on the interstate the mileage will start creeping up.
Mango avatar
SoWal Insider
#33
32 posts. :lol: I was certain by now I would have seen mush dogs. Cheap, can carry a lot of stuff, and low gas mileage. :razz:
pickyAuthor
#34
32 posts. :lol: I was certain by now I would have seen mush dogs. Cheap, can carry a lot of stuff, and low gas mileage. :razz:

But Mango, I have SoWal Sympathy behind me! It'll take a few more posts (after cocktail hour I'm sure ;-) ) before anyone sets the dogs on me. :biggrin:
Rita avatar
margarita brocolia
#35
I wouldn't mind but I don't think it will fit in our 1926 garage. :roll:

:floor:
We had one of those garages once in Illinois. The neighbors knocked the end out of their garage and "added on". We just each had VW Beetles - a '64 and a '72. They fit perfectly! :cool:
Beach Crazy avatar
cracker
#36
Don't forget Click and Clack, the Car Talk Guys.:clap_1:

http://www.cartalk.com


I love these guys:lolabove:

I've got a 4WD Toyota 4-Runner and I will probably get another if this one ever wears out. I've got 123,000 miles and still going strong. I agree w/ OL, check out Ebay. Hubby bought his truck off Ebay from a place call Texas Direct Auto or Texas Auto Direct. Anyway it's south of Houston and the people are really easy to deal with. I did every bit of the paperwork and travel arrangements online - from paying down on the truck to financing it with a company they recommended. Mr. BC flew to Houston one morning, got there and called home before I got back home. I arranged for a shuttle to take hubby from one airport to the other and they picked him up in the truck. They went back to the dealership, signed papers and Mr. BC drove it home! It was a long day but well worth it, it's a very nice Ford F150 4WD, leather seats, CD changer etc. Very smooth transaction.:cool:
bsmart avatar
brain
#37
Land Rover LR3 or Toyota Land Cruiser.
drunkkenartist avatar
Beach Fanatic
#38
Yes, Carmax is the way to go. Based on your needs, I bet you can find a low mileage 1999-2001 Jeep Cherokee sport. It hauls everything, has a classic look to it, rumoured to be the next collectible, so your purchase would actually be an investment. Would make a great beach vehicle, plenty of room up top for Kayaks, bikes. I know from what I speak. I did extensive "field research" after I flipped and rolled my car (SOBER!:rolling:) and was left with squat after the settlement. Of course I what I had before the accident was worth squat already (new KIA Optima):floor: Hated it!:funn: (KIA = Killed In Action)

Sorry to hear about the demise of your Durango. Those are great vehicles.
Good luck in your search. Oh, and if you find the afformetioned Jeep, let me know.
I want one!:biggrin:
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#39
Of course I what I had before the accident was worth squat already (new KIA Optima):floor: Hated it!:funn: (KIA = Killed In Action)


:floor: :floor:
Gypsea avatar
Beach Fanatic
#40
Hey Mermy ~ we found a car here in PA and will be driving it down to the beach on Friday. How is your search going?
pickyAuthor
#41
Hey Mermy ~ we found a car here in PA and will be driving it down to the beach on Friday. How is your search going?

What did you get? I went looking over the weekend with 6'1" Merman and 6'2" son and we all agreed that the "girl's" Explorer, aka Escape, would be just perfect for me. The clincher was that the boys in the family didn't bump their heads in front seat or back. And I was assured that the a pair of bikes and a pair of kayaks wouldn't tip it over (so don't worry, jdarg ;-) ). Now all we need do is find an agreeable color. That might be the hard part.

Edited

Jdarg avatar
SoWal Expert
#42
What did you get? I went looking over the weekend with 6'1" Merman and 6'2" son and we all agreed that the "girl's" Explorer, aka Escape, would be just perfect for me. The clincher was that the boys in the family didn't bump their heads in front seat or back. And I was assured that the a pair of bikes and a pair of kayaks wouldn't tip it over (so don't worry, jdarg ;-) ). Now all we need do is find an agreeable color. That might be the hard part.

Pink to match Merman's paddles?
Gypsea avatar
Beach Fanatic
#43
What did you get?

We found a silver 2000 Mercedes SUV for a really good price. It's purrrdy.
Bdarg avatar
Beach Fanatic
#44
The perfect beachmobile! Toyota FJ45 with a full safari rack!
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#45
The perfect beachmobile! Toyota FJ45 with a full safari rack!


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Nice Rack :!: :biggrin:
Jdarg avatar
SoWal Expert
#46
The perfect beachmobile! Toyota FJ45 with a full safari rack!

There is one of these for sale in Destin and I think Bdarg kinda wants it.:roll: Great. Another car that is too dam old.:bang:
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#47
There is one of these for sale in Destin and I think Bdarg kinda wants it.:roll: Great. Another car that is too dam old.:bang:
He can always go for a new one, they are nice... but reports are that entering and exiting the back seat, even for kids, is awkward and uncomfortable. However, they drive very nicely. :cool:



:roll: :wub:
Miss Kitty avatar
Meow
#48
He can always go for a new one, they are nice... but reports are that entering and exiting the back seat, even for kids, is awkward and uncomfortable. However, they drive very nicely. :cool:



:roll: :wub:

I think this is the coolest looking ride!!!! :clap_1:
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#49
I think this is the coolest looking ride!!!! :clap_1:
SoWal Insider
#50
Here's my vote for a "truck" vs. an SUV, a vintage Int'l Scout.
In case you need an off-road 4wd. :wub:

beachmouse avatar
Beach Fanatic
#51
(thread hijack)

We ended up buying a Subaru Outback this week because I just couldn't see holding on to my Corolla for another 200K miles. (We're usually drive it 'til it dies people, and I just know that car would never die)

If you're looking for a vehicle that you drive through soft sand, the Subaru AWDs vehicles work really, really well. The dealer even has its own sand pit area they have you driving through as part of the test drive to prove that point.

I'd say definitely have a look at the 'Roos if you're looking for a beach vehicle.

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