I've been making far too many trips to the auto shop this year to fix up my Jetta station wagon, Walter. And it just thrills me to spend my days off there but, as you can see above, I was still able to find beauty amidst the grime! Anyway, I'm ready to ditch Walter and get something old brand new! As much as I would love a sweet, vintage car ride, like these —
1970s Corolla
Datsun 510 wagon
or this orange BMW 2002tii that continues to haunt me everywhere I go, I'm a little apprehensive. I don't know what the upkeep is like for a vintage car, and I would hate for my new baby to give me grief like my current Walter. I've been researching a few models and the new Prius is definitely on my radar. I hear lots of glowing reviews about it. So many of my friends cruise around town and they all gush over it! But, I might just get a Honda Civic and call it a day. Yeah, they're kinda uninspiring but so reliable! I have a very small budget so I need a cheap car. What do you guys think? Any car recommendations? Tell me your stories.
splurge for the pri pri! ;) or just find an old brand new one!
ReplyDeleteThe Prius C will love ya! And give ya 50 mpg :)
ReplyDeleteDo all your research on the car you choose. I'm sure you'll pick a cool one.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of puzzled about Prius being sold as a sort of eco car. There are other european cars much more enviromental friendly and not with all that tech that Prius has. I worry that one day all that tech will die - and hence - all Prius:es.
ReplyDeleteWant to know how to deal with witches? Get some idea from this smart boy by clicking the link below: http://bit.ly/BoyandtheWitch
ReplyDeletehow about a kia soul? they are pretty cute and designy.
ReplyDeleteWhen i lived in LA i spent all of my savings on what i thought was the most awesome vintage mercedes ever. A few months later it totally crapped out on me and i had to sell it for next to nothing. ouch. I love the vintage cars but would look it over a million times and take it to someone who knows what they are doing to check it out :)
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand my mom has a 2005 prius. Im sure they are way different now but i hate her car with a passion. Crazy blind spots and the most uncomfortable seats i have ever sat in..
I love love love love love vintage cars. I don't know a THING about cars, but if I ever have a small degree of wealth I definitely want to get one to use along with a more reliable car . I don't know makes / models - I just know what I like the looks of.
ReplyDeleteThe car I drive now is "vintage" in that it's old... but not really old enough to be "cool" vintage. Just old enough to be, well... OLD. It IS a Volvo though, and I've always had a thing for Volvos. Almost every boy I ever had a crush on in high school drove one and - lame or not - that's why I originally got one. But they're reliable & I like the boxiness of the old ones a lot - plus the one I have right now is a station wagon & I love that if I find a table / love seat / whatever at a thrift store for 30 bucks, I don't have to worry about how to get it home - I can just toss it in the back and drive away.
I also drove an old retro-y black saab hatchback for awhile & I was obsessed with the thing and actually cried when it died. I called it Black Saabath. RIP. RIP.
Long comment, but good luck with your car search!
I just bought a 2012 Mazda2 and I love it :) it's really fun to drive and budget friendly (15.2K), 36 miles to the gallon. good deals right now since 2012 is almost over. good luck!
ReplyDeleteBeing without car in la is the worst! you know I speak the truth- 8 months without a car.
ReplyDeleteI love my ford fusion, it also comes as a hybrid but the trunk in tiny. I am always taking large boxes to my studio/road trips so I need a large trunk.
My dad is a mechanic and collects classic cars. I always wanted to drive one when I was younger but he said I would run it into the ground. You have to be watchful of old cars and they seem more work than they are worth.
LOTS of upkeep. If you'd like I can ask him which of the classic cars are the most low maintenance.
My boyfriend has a Nissan Versa. It's compact but there's plenty of room and it's a 6-speed, so it's fun to drive. You can't get a Civic unless you add a spoiler to the back.
ReplyDeleteI would love a vintage car if I knew the ins & outs of cars and if I didn't live in LA. I have a Honda Civic and it's reliable, nothing showy, just takes me from A to B. I want my next car to be a Subaru, I just hear how it's one good car.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all your stories and suggestions. Looks like I'm not going for an old car. The Subaru looks pretty hot. I do love a hatchback to fit all my thrifty finds. Thanks again, everyone! I really appreciate all your comments.
ReplyDeleteI am head over heels with my Pontiac vibe, which is actually just like a Toyota matrix. It's hatchback is so useful! Just my two cents. I'm sure you'll find the perfect thing!
ReplyDeletemy first car was a green 2002 bmw and it was kind of a pain to keep up. the muffler broke once, the horn would get stuck if the weather was too cold and would just turn on every time i started my car and i couldnt get it unstuck. now i have a prius and ive almost put 200,000 miles on it and its still going strong! but once the battery goes out you are pretty much screwed cause its 3 grand to replace. but you can get SO MANY MILES ON IT!
ReplyDeleteI've owned two BMW 2002's (1974 blue, 1973 green.) I love the car, but in all honesty, they will require work unless you buy one completely restored. I restored my 73'green BMW, it was a fun project. I took my time and budgeted for it though. My 74'blue BMW was a deeper project which unfortunately I had to give up on (water damage).
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your car search...I ride an old Schwinn bicycle now (never been happier).