So it looks like Geico has decided our little rubazu was a total loss. Now we have 5 days of rental car to find a replacement.
I don't yet know what money they're going to give us for this car, but we need to find a replacement. I wanted to ask ya'll's advice.
We need:
room for 4-5
decent mileage (ideally fantastic mileage)
roof rack
generous trunk
abs breaks
Things subaru had that we don't absolutely need:
all wheel drive
lots of bells and whistles (leather seats, side mirror defrost, etc)
We're open to all ideas.
When we had more money we were considering either a Prius or an extended cab truck. Kind of opposite ends of the spectrum though, one has mineage the other gets us into the woods easier. We're still split on the horns of that dilemna. I'm thinking a 2x4 truck with some clearance and extended cab might be the best of all worlds, room for people but still able to get out into the woods. Rarely have I needed 4x4, but often I need clearance.
Anyway, fire away any suggestions you can think of. Also, if you are in Portland area, let us know where you think it would be good to look for cars too.
I'll work on getting back on track for studying now, blah. Was hoping just to get the Rubazu back.
Enjoy what you can,
Bp
ps/addendum: So far I'm looking at foresters and Toyota matrix. I don't think we'll be able to get a car without taking on payments so I've succumbed to that idea and am willing to pay more than we get, but not a ton more.
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How about a subaru outback?
Ok, not being able to edit sucks.
http://www.monstertruckracing.com/gravedigger/gravedigger47.jpg
or
http://www.limopages.net/images/whiteHummer33.jpg
See tony, you have us figured out, sensible and practical, those are perfect selections there.
weenie
Subaru legacy. We are on our 4th (1983, 1985, 1991, 1997). All have lasted over 200k without problems (the last one has only 145k).
what a pain in the ass that is.
well I can not give good advice as i drive a truck and a scooter , so i am at opposite ends myself.
First off, an automobile is a TOOL-- do not allow yourself to go into debt for it. Yea, yea everyone else does but it is a mistake. Gas is NEVER going to be cheaper and it’s also never going to be more important to reduce pollution. Now is a good time to plan your life to drive less and forgo regular drives into the forest. Get the best mileage you can and keep out of debt. BTW it takes me 4 hours to bike (with trailer and camping gear) into the Mt Hood Natl Forest into a nice campground (Reiley Horse Camp). Sooner or later we need to change our selfish patterns and let go of our insistence of immediate transportation gratification.
Sorry the "Anonymous" is me Trappin' Pat.
augh, that just sucks BP. No advice here - just hoping you all find what you need and it doesn't break the bank. Debt sucks. Car payments suck.
Could you find a non-insurance related Subaru mechanic to tell you just how much it would cost to actually fix it or is the 'possible' bent axle the 'last word' when it comes to future safety etc.? "Totalled' might mean 'not worth fixing to Geico' but not 'not able to be satisfactorily fixed.'
Sorry for all the hassles & worry. Ours is a hard culture to exist in w/o a car. We wanted a Prius but got a 4 dr Corolla & it's very reliable & a good ego tamer. your VA momma
well Ford has a hybrid SUV which a ton of the taxi drivers here in the city are getting. It gets about 35mpg in the city.
I ride around in a 200,000 dollar vehicle myself, so my daily commute won't really help you!
something you can run on used veggie oil? Ten year old Merc wagon, VW Jetta, Ford Cummins-engined super asskicker p/up?
My parents forester is amazing. I've been really impressed with it and it has so far taken a beaten with little or no complaint.
IF you wanted to get something with a little more clearance, and *gasp* go down the SUV Road, the older (like 2003/2005 Xterras are AMAZING. If i had had more money i would of purchased one in an instant.
But you really can't beat subarus. for truth!
Note:
Xterra
http://www.nissan.ca/en/vehicles/xterra/index.html
they were considered the last true "SUV"
But, honestly
Go forester. they havn't changed the design in 10 years or so. so its obviously doing something right :)
one more thought, if I had to own a car (and I didn't get a hybrid which I think I would) I'd get a VW TDI. The new jetta TDI got 44mpg hwy and 36 city. Pretty good.
Not a drag racer but a nice car.
Good luck!
I drive a Civic, and if there's one thing I'm dying for, it's clearance. CLEARANCE! CLEARANCE! CLEARANCE!
I came across an interesting tidbit while researching cars for you.
Apparently Toyota and Pfizer (major pharma company, prolly best known for developing Viagra) have been doing joint research for several years, and have announced that, as part of Toyota’s 2009 lineup, they will be jointly marketing a fuel efficient hybrid whose emissions are not only less harmful to the atmosphere; when inhaled, they also provide short-term relief from erectile dysfunction.
The new model will be sold under the marque “Toyota Priapus”. Drivers experiencing erections lasting more than four hours should pull over to the side of the road, turn the motor off, and call their doctor immediately.
Stu you crack me up!
Trappin' Pat, if there were more folks in the world that had the MASSIVE willpower you have to actually practice what most others preach, the world would be in a better state entirely.
I have to say I am surprised how busted up (emotionally) I am at the loss of this car. I just wanted it to LAST (for longer, which it would have, like 10 years longer) and I want to not have to think about HUGE issues like carbon footprints of cars and the impending gas bottleneck that this country faces. I REALLY wanted to remain totally clueless in my comfort zone. I want to just ride my bike when the weather is nice and have a car for all other situations. I agree with Trappin' that things need to change and yet I DON'T WANNA! I DON'T WANNA BE THE ONE...how often does that get expressed? Probably a lot since not much has changed in the world.
I guess I am still in the "Anger" phase of reconciling this. But I have to say, facing a future where I need to really buck up to the challenge of changing my behavior or simply buying another car...I waiver. No, I topple.
Another car is inevitable FOR ME. As to how smartly we go about creating the new noose around our necks...I leave that to BP. He's more logical about all of this at the moment.
It's so weird out here for us normally domesticated folk without a car. It kind of freaks me out that I have such a crutch.
Yikes I need to do some therapy on this by myself! Thanks for listening.
KT
Holy cow kind responses everyone.
Trapper P, we have chatted on the phone so you know my situation regarding the tool that is my car. I would love to go rideshare or carless entirely but it's not in the cards for me ATM.
I'm thinking we are going to get a mid-mileage forester and call it good. It doesn't get great gas mileage because of the AWD, but we will be buying a used car which significantly (radically) lessens the carbon footprint. New cars take on average 4-5 times more petroleum to produce then they'll ever burn.
So, a used forester is holding strong right now.
Va Mama, I talked with the guy at the auto shop, and it really is a goner. The suspension on the back axle is hosed, so we're talking 10K + to fix. For that we can get into a gently owned Subaru that's 4-5 years newer than ours.
Thanks again ya'll, I'll let you know.
Oh, and Matt -- Forester has decent clearance. I always want more, but outside of getting a truck, that's the very best I can do.
You hear alot about how "good" the hybrids and stuff are (and no doubt are!) for the enviroment, but one of the interesting approaches that subaru has taken is to offset the carbon footprint of their cars by trying really hard to "green up" their plant..
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/subarus_green_m.php
I didn't mention that, but Subaru is really really kicking ass in the zero landfill plant department. Huge part of our decision right there, thanks for mentioning it.
What happened to the Sabaru? Just a thought, I am getting rid of my Ford Explorer, still has Oregon plates.., if interested. You folks used it while I went to Guatemala.
My top pick would be a Forester, Honda CRV or Ford Escape. The Hybrid would be ideal too with a 4x4. However,there would be payments., tough one.
Your sis
hey big sister,
the car got creamed while it was parked on the street. I'm very thankful we weren't in it at the time, that would have been a tough collision to take.
You can see a photo if you scroll down a few posts.
I am glad no one was in the car. Ouch! poor car.
What will insurance do? Fix it or consider it a total loss?
My car is available January 14th which is when I leave for Hawaii:-)
Sis
You oughta work out the math and see if you could go rideshare (they have trucks available) and outfit yourself with good bikes and trailers. Your tools cold be packed in “embark boxes” (one of my USMC-isms) and loaded into the rideshare truck when you need. Since your jobs are few and scheduled in advance this shouldn’t be a large imposition. Rideshare vehicles include vans (van-pool trips to Britenbush, mushroom hunts), Prius (run-about town), pick up trucks (contracting jobs) and I think they will move the vehicles around according to your schedule for a nearby pickup. Remember buying a car INSURES debt, risk (another collision, perhaps one that is your fault), continuing expenses (gas and maintenance) and remaining part of the polluting majority. You live on a max line, in the “Best Bicycling City in the USA,” and Portland has a terrific mass transit system. You are at a pivot point in your life (in our car-culture) to take the path less traveled.
Oh yea, one other point--if you go Car Share you can always change your mind! Give it a try, SEE what happens (or another way to put it is you can always go into debt later).
Hey Hey Hey
totem = Badger?
No, Chipmunk.
I've met the chipmunk in question, and she was a dandy. Geriatric tho she was by the time we met.
I admire your dedication Pat, but we're going the car route.
We can chat on the phone as many of the details aren't blog material, but we're going to go with a car and reduce use as we go. It is a tool for me, as you mentioned, and that is how I'm viewing it.
Hey, my car will be available January 14th!!! Hee hee..,
I need to sell it.
Sis
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