April 09, 2008

Car Note

Someone totalled my '99 Civic HB on Sunday, while it was parked. I know the Laird in particular feels my pain, having had the identical experience.

So, I need some advice. I'll probably have around 4.5-6k from the insurance company. I need good mileage, stellar reliability, and some ability to move paintings and art things. Sedans are out, as are SUVs generally. I've got next to no room on price.

Should I go with another (a strong possibility) Civic HB, manual, or is there something I haven't thought of?

I'm driving a biggish rental Kia for the next three days, which is impressively solid and comfy, but has already bored me to tears.

7 Comments:

Blogger The Sum of All Monkeys said...

Without violating the Consumer Reports copywrite, here's what I can publicly recommend:

Honda Accord '99-00; Civic '99-00; Insight '00; Prelude '98

Mazda MPV '01;

Toyota Avalon '98-99; Camry '98-99; Camry Solara '99; Celica '98; Corolla '01; Sienna '00

Personally, I dig Japanese minivans, because they get good mileage and haul tons of crap.

Also because I hate cars and/or America.

April 9, 2008 at 4:37 PM  
Blogger Undersecretary to the Deputy Commissariat said...

My condolences.

With no access to Consumer Reports of any kind, I must ask if you have considered a Scion XB? Never mind; I have seen the prices. How about a '98 or '99 Subaru Forester?

April 9, 2008 at 8:35 PM  
Blogger The Sum of All Monkeys said...

While the Subarus drive quite nicely, I'm afraid their all wheel drive extracts it's toll on the gas mileage.

Also, oddly enough, none of the older Subarus were recommended.

April 9, 2008 at 11:38 PM  
Blogger JAB said...

I am MIGHTILY tempted by the XB - I've seen them for around 9000. That leaves me $3k short - is such a thing worthy of finance? It is ludicrously reliable.

I need some room in the creature for at least small artworks, so that rules out sedans, unless they are my old '67 Dart. The MPV might be a good deal actually, although semi-craptastic on mileage. I got into CU (thank you for the ref), Dr. O) and noticed the Impreza made the cut on good used cars.

Interesting suggestions from car guys around here: Late 80's 360 Diesel Mercedes wagon; Honda accord wagon, Honda CRV 2d.

April 10, 2008 at 9:04 AM  
Blogger The Front said...

Dude: Chevy Nova

April 10, 2008 at 11:04 PM  
Blogger VMM said...

Well, if you're going to have to carry the Undersecretary's suitcase again, I wouldn't get anything smaller than a minivan. (With a trailer.)

April 12, 2008 at 8:39 PM  
Blogger popmonkey said...

our 97 accord gets 32mpg and has been flawless.

the rear seat drops for tons of space for artwork of the flat variety.

that said i think you should just go get another civic. like this one. or a late 80s model with rally graphics...

April 16, 2008 at 4:39 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home