Another what car! Automatic, city-dweller edition

Looking like we're moving to the big city (as in, the city of Chicago), and in most scenario's we will be down to one car or no cars. If it is one car, it will have to be an automatic. Really no requirements here, other than a $7500 max, safe, and reliable. Reliable means it can’t be in the shop for more than 2 days a year and it can’t be more than $500 a year in maintenance over a 5 year period.

Oh, this is really a pointless exercise because of the last requirement: it also has to beat a paid for 2003 Corolla. I hate the damn thing, but I can’t argue with the reliability, paid-for-ness, and low running costs.

Any thoughts>

2003 Corolla.

Matrix/Vibe?

Living in Chicago, where the roads are just a shade better than they are in say..... Mogadishu, I'd look for something sturdy, with ground clearance to deal with the giant pot-holes. Maybe an older WRX-- raised to rally height? If you don't mod it, they can be pretty reliable.

As you have to deal with snow and ice, the awd would be handy. I'd try to find something mechanically sound, but cosmetically imperfect. That way it won't break your heart when the inevitable scratch, dent, or mirror being ripped off by a snowplow happens.

Actually a P71 with LSD would be a good urban assault vehicle--- the cabbies seem to get along OK.

I love Chicago dearly, but I wouldn't drive a car I cared about in that city. It's one of the worst environments for a car on earth! Maybe store a fun car in the burbs, and keep your city beast local?

Joe Gearin wrote: Living in Chicago, where the roads are just a shade better than they are in say..... Mogadishu, I'd look for something sturdy, with ground clearance to deal with the giant pot-holes. Maybe an older WRX-- raised to rally height? If you don't mod it, they can be pretty reliable. As you have to deal with snow and ice, the awd would be handy. I'd try to find something mechanically sound, but cosmetically imperfect. That way it won't break your heart when the inevitable scratch, dent, or mirror being ripped off by a snowplow happens. Actually a P71 with LSD would be a good urban assault vehicle--- the cabbies seem to get along OK. I love Chicago dearly, but I wouldn't drive a car I cared about in that city. It's one of the worst environments for a car on earth! Maybe store a fun car in the burbs, and keep your city beast local?

Couple of thoughts from here:

We're both from the suburbs originally, we're familiar with the Chicago roads. And drivers. So we agree with you here. The AWD? Well, it depends on where she gets a job. We're hoping that she gets one where she'd be able to take public transport, and if that is the case, neither of us will need it to be anything more than a transport out to visit our parents in the burbs and go on vacation. In that case, when it is bad out, the car doesn't move, so AWD isn't necessary. If, however, she ends up working in Skokie, FWD+Snow tires will be the minimum.

P71 is interesting, but been done (Well, a civvy crown vic anyways) and she wouldn't like it.

If we store a fun car in the suburbs, which could happen although it is doubtful, it would be the only car.

If you're not into the snow and ice thing, any FWD from Japan is a good choice, like a Fit. And if you aren't sure a RAV-4, a Forester, or CRV might be up your alley. I think it's hard to go wrong with any of these choices.

JohnRW1621 wrote: 2003 Corolla.

This^ sounds like you are covered.

mtn wrote: 2003 Corolla. I hate the damn thing

Based on what others are saying, Chicago city dwelling seems like perfect revenge for a car you hate.

Mazda 3 before they got that stupid smiley face. Also 2003 Corolla.

I would say that you are probably going to be stuck with an Accord or a Mazda 6. The Mazda is actually fun compared to the boring cars in it's class.

Having lived in the City of Chicago, Something you care nothing about and don't pay a lot for it. Find a lower miles 4G maxima from the south or a 4 cylinder CamCord from the south.

3 years of living in Chicago left my 94 Maxima looking like a road side bomb hit it. All of the panels were beat. The door was replaced because someone tried to break in. (to steal a $40 Alpine) Front and rear bumpers hit a lot. Just beat up.

JohnRW1621 wrote:

mtn wrote: 2003 Corolla. I hate the damn thing

Based on what others are saying, Chicago city dwelling seems like perfect revenge for a car you hate.

You have the perfect car for banging around in the city. I'd put the $7500 to other uses.

Prius any flavor

Jeff wrote:

JohnRW1621 wrote:

mtn wrote: 2003 Corolla. I hate the damn thing

Based on what others are saying, Chicago city dwelling seems like perfect revenge for a car you hate.

You have the perfect car for banging around in the city. I'd put the $7500 to other uses.

Jeff speaks the truth. It's as reliable as gravity. $7500 can be spent on something more worthwhile than something that's going to be salt affected (i.e. massive depreciation, albeit even if purchased used). If you really must get something newer, the wife and I have a 2006 Cobalt which costs almost nothing to maintain (even here in salt-affected Ontario), and is decent on gas.

Yeah you won't hardly have to drive that slushbox and you hate it so just keep it and let the city have it's way with it.

Butbutbutbut... I hate it!

Ok, points taken. I still don't like it.

I always thought a 5 to 10-year-old FWD Buick (any model) was the best beater Chicago or Detroit. They are easy to find, fairly cheap, floaty suspension soaks-up frost heaved roads, parts/service readily available, and few tears shed as city life beats it to death.

W123 Mercedes. I've been flogging my 300TD (no turbo) in the streets of Baltimore for the past few weeks since I bought it, and it's the perfect car for it. I'd say Bodymore's streets are even worse than Chi-town, though we get a little less snow here. Still, it's a tank.

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The truck's a tank, too, but kinda hard to park. Oh yeah- W123's have great maneuverability and visibility. Modern cars are terrible in both regards.

Find one like this:

http://westmd.craigslist.org/cto/4860995747.html

Except the more common automatics, since you need one.

I'm driving a Merc W126 as a daily right now. It's cushy, safe, and pretty indestructible. But there is no way it's not going to bite me for $500 at some point. I'm already pretty sure I am going to have to replace the ACC Heater Control Monovalve and a rebuilt part is $250 best case. An old MB or Volvo is a great car, but they are not Corollas. Not by a longshot.

Snow tires for the Corolla and $7250 for something you'll enjoy elsewhere. I disliked both my Malibu and Cavalier but they both performed perfectly will being beaten and mistreated but should they go bad I don't have enough in them that I can't pull the plates off and walk away should something go bad.

What's so awful about the Corolla again? I'm not defending the car, I'm just asking what you dislike about it. I know the 2005 model I rented for a week back when it was new wasn't awful save for the weird relationship between pedal and steering wheel reach / angle / etc. The month before I had been renting a V6 Dodge Magnum and I liked to drive the Corolla more.

Either keep the Corolla or get a Subaru Outback.

The Outback will handle the roads and with AWD and Snow tires is a kick-ass winter machine.

"If" you weren't going to keep the Corolla, I'd second the Matrix/Vibe option...for those trips to Costco and IKEA.

-2003 Corolla and a set of snows.

-Take the wife on vacation.

-Profit.