posted April 08 2008 01:07 PM           

People have very mixed feelings about my car -- Scion XB. It's boxy and kind of ugly (and orange!), but it's really roomy on the inside, holds a lot of stuff and gets great gas mileage. The newer ones are a little less fuel efficient but still much better than any SUV (even hybrids).

I don't think gas is getting any cheaper. I intend to run my car into the ground, but if I had to look for one right now, I'd go with a car large enough to do the kid hauling but with the best mileage I could find.

I wouldn't worry too much about the fancy stuff, either. You can have all of that stuff installed after-market pretty easily.

posted April 08 2008 09:39 PM           

I've been looking hard at the Scions as well; I keep thinking something must be wrong with them in that they are cheaper than other similar vehicles, but they seem to be getting great reviews. I had a Toyota Matrix rental for a few days that rode higher than I was expecting; it didn't have much umph, but I suppose those types of vehicles aren't going to. I've been thinking about the Volvo C30 as well, but I've always been wary of getting new models in their first year or two and I'm not sure it is really worth the extra change.

Plus, folks from independent garages usually swear by Toyota and Honda when I quiz them.

My biggest hang-up is that I've always had six cylinders, and I'm having a hard time convincing myself that getting a four cylinder car is a good choice. I tend to ride cars hard, putting them through long day trips and often through the mountainous regions of Pennsylvania and higher. All the cars I've mentioned are 4 (except the Volvo, which is 5, which just seems like the devil is behind it somehow). I can't help but think I'll get more years out of a 6 cylinder than a 4, and longevity is a high priority for me.

RE the Highlander, my dad has that vehicle and he has been very happy with it. Even non-hybrid, he gets 20-25 mph which I think is great for a vehicle like that. Plus he got plowed by a skidding trailer truck from the back end and he walked away without a scratch and only a couple days of soreness.

posted April 08 2008 10:34 PM                

The Volvo C30 is cool. I ultimately have probably ruled it out because I'd like a little more storage space for the music gear and the Home Depot trip. It should face few of the first-year problems because 1)It's not a first-year car in Europe and 2)it's very close mechanically to the S40, which has been sold for many years. Another problem: In addition to the space issue, the cost of accessories adds up FAST.

posted April 09 2008 12:35 AM                

I gotta tell you, watching the "tax due" digits drop today as I plugged the '08 Ford Escape hybrid purchase numbers into my return was a nice treat, aside from the fact that I love that damn car. I haul a lot of tanks and wet fins & rubber, and it's one of the only mini-SUVs with back seats that fold flat.

It's not zippy; it handles like a shopping cart; but you really can't beat 30 mpg in a car that size. Plus it's got extras like an actual power inverter plug in the dashboard, and I went for the seven-speaker audiophile version (that comes with a nav system and sunroof). I've had zero problems with it and the customer service at my local dealership has been positively fantastic.

posted April 09 2008 10:27 AM                

quote:

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Johnny said: Plus, folks from independent garages usually swear by Toyota and Honda when I quiz them.

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posted May 10 2008 04:27 PM                

I test-drove the Audi A3 and the Volvo C30 today and was shocked by both, in different ways. The Audi, which looks nice on the outside, was downright cheap on the inside. To me, it said "Volkswagen," but it of course didn't come at a Volkswagen price (actually, Volkswagens are no bargain either). The Volvo was really substantive and comfortable -- easily the most comfortable small car I've ever driven, with seats that I would geniuinely classify as 'amazing' -- and it would be an easy pick if it wasn't for the precious, tiny little all-glass hatchback opening in the back, which is a classic form-over-function design. My Bassman amp *barely* fit in the opening and a lot of big boxes would not. And the opening had a very high lid to boot.

Both cars had serious pick-up. The Volvo has the better ride, the Audi felt slightly sportier. The Audi has more cargo space. The Volvo is a hair cheaper; the Audi is probably a hair more reliable. The Volvo is definitely cooler but the Audi is well-designed on the exterior as well.

I'm trying not to be colored by the horrible dealer that had the Audi and the good dealer that had the Volvo, but I'm still leaning toward the latter now.

posted May 14 2008 03:22 PM           

I ultimately decided to go with a 2009 Subaru Forrester.  First Subaru for me.  I like it so far (but it's only been a couple of weeks)

posted May 20 2008 11:50 PM                

I wound up with the C30. it is a blast to drive and also makes a good year-round commuter car (two qualities that don't always go great together). I'm gonna miss the Murano when I go camping this summer, but you can't justify a car for something you do once or twice a year.

posted May 21 2008 07:37 AM           

Did you get version 1 or 2 of the C30?

posted May 21 2008 11:02 AM                

I'll be interested in hearing about your maintenance record with the Volvo, Phaed. I've always wanted to buy a used Volvo, but I've heard that they cost an arm and a leg to maintain.

posted May 21 2008 08:42 PM                

I bought the 1.0. The 2.0 looks a bit younger/hipper with the 18-inch tires/wheels, but of course I'm neither young nor hip and I really liked the 1.0 I found. I test-drove a 2.0 and it was hard for me to tell a difference between the two when I drove them, other than a couple of grand in price and some ground effect (i.e., 'curb catcher') trim.

It is fun to drive down city streets and have people point at the car (which has already happened a couple of times even though I've only had it for a week). I've only seen two other C30s in the last six months -- but it's largely identical mechanically and frame-wise to the S40, which is a much more common car.

The maintenance issue was the biggest one for me and the biggest reason I paused about buying a Volvo. However, modern Volvos share many parts with Fords and Mazdas, and this came with a 4 year/50K warranty, which was good enough for me. That five-cylinder turbo engine (huh? Five cylinders? Turbo?) still gives me pause, but less pause than the CVT transmission I had on the Nissan. Also remember that many Volvos are purchased by people who aren't necessarily familiar with how to detect problems in a car before they become serious (how many soccer moms/dads can even change their own oil?), and that can hurt the Volvo in 'reliability' ratings. I don't have that problem.

It is also a ball to drive (although the Audi feels more 'sporting' with its stiffer suspension and slightly less body roll -- it seems to go faster but it doesn't!), and I defy you to find more comfortable seats anywhere -- they are just fabulous. And it feels like a small tank when you shut the doors. And dammit, even the standard stereo I have is terrific. It is a great way to get to and from work and is still excellent as a long-haul driver.

Mama Wang -- excellent pick for you, I think. I suspect you'll like the Subarus a lot. They are among the most reliable cars built and make excellent family haulers (and the WRX models are also absolute wolves in sheep's clothing). I thought hard about an Outback but again, since I spend 80% of the time in the car by myself, I decided to look elsewhere.