OT:Car update and some ON

Instead of great gas mileage, Steven, I think I'd be looking for a vehicle that could defend itself. Okay. So there aren't many Sherman tanks on the market. How about a Dodge Ram? We got hit by one of those one time and got clobbered. Ram didn't even have a ding on his bumper. We want you safe. Polly

"Steven Cook" <

Polly, that is where I'm kind of leaning too. I've been served well by the smaller cars that I've had, and maybe it's my older age creeping in, but I want something a little bigger, a bit higher up, handles better as my reflexes slow with age, etc. I'm back to leaning towards the Forester. Mileage is the best of small SUV's, has great all around vision for the driver, solid frame and integrated roll bars, all the newest air bags, etc. The autobody guy also said is has the thickest metal of all the cars they work on and it's a solid good vehicle.

I've also been looking at used, but getting lower mileage is putting used prices right back up there near new and with a bit bigger payment I could have new. With the distance I drive, I put on about 15,000 a year, I want something that will last too. So the search starts in earnest this weekend. Wish me luck.

Steven Alaska

Having worked in car dealerships for 25 years, I can tell you the best buy (usually) is a gently used vehicle with about 10-18K miles and about 12-18 mo. since the original sale date. The original owner will have taken the biggest hit on depreciation for the life of the vehicle and you can usually finance for as many months. You probably won't get the lowest interest rate, but it shouldn't be much more.

Glad all has worked out and I hope the car shopping goes well for you.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Steven Cook wrote: I'm back to leaning towards the Forester.

Steven, I have no first-hand information to share but I do have several friends who own Foresters and swear by them. Great car according to them. I agree with you about wanting a larger, "higher up" car. I have been driving a Corolla for 15 years (the same one) and when its time comes I want something a bit more robust.

Good luck with your new whatever-you-choose.

Rita

We've been buying Subarus since 1980. Nothing but Subarus since then, more than one at a time, for a grand total of ten. We have two currently, a 2007 Forester and a 2010 Impreza. Our son has the 2003 Forester with well over

100,000 miles on it. He drives all over the place in it. My mom and dad had three Subarus too (and dad, as a WWII vet, was very suspicious of Japanese cars - until he saw how we made out with the Subarus!) I finally traded my 1996 Legacy sedan on the Impreza this year. Nothing beats a Subaru in the snow (we used to have Jeeps). They aren't notably big, but then nothing you buy is going to outweigh a tractor trailer, and they are my biggest worry on the highway.

We also have a very good dealer here, which helps too. They've always been helpful, reliable, and trustworthy.

Iris (in Northeastern PA)

Early one morning we hit a deer with Jim's Honda Element, the deer was done but the Element didn't even blink, just a little hair on the bumper and hanging from a skid plate in the undercarriage. The Element is "fugly" but is also 4-wheel drive, front and back quarter panels are some sort of composite material. The inside is mud/snow/ice/salt proof, we have two large dogs. The back seats are easily removed an ours are usually parked in the basement.

And there are loads of room for fabric! Twice as much room as my PT Cruiser! By the way the 2001 PT Cruiser just had it's original battery replaced! I had been to Snappy Lube to have the oil changed,

69,000 miles, and they told me that my battery terminals were corroded and should be cleaned. I opened the hood at home, looked for the battery, it was hiding under the same cover as the air cleaner. The cables were not just corroded, the case was cracked! A wire brush and baking soda weren't going to fix that! A week later and the battery is replaced and have found out that one of my clutch cable bushings is completely disintegrated, and one must replace the entire assembly to the tune of $475! Garage called a half hour later to say that they found the bushing only in Texas for $50, it will be replaced next week, car still running, just doesn't go into reverse right away

--sometimes.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA, where it is raining.

I like the Forester too, a good friend has one of the originals, on the other hand my son has destroyed one, not in an accident. He is, unfortunately, just like his father and doesn't think to check the oil, antifreeze, air in the tires,etc., thinks that the oil light means that it is time to add a quart!

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA, still raining lightly.

Heh - DH and I sometimes jokingly sneer at the folks we DO see in Subaru ads - "Only six? Pikers!"

Thanks for the reviews everyone, and the points on other options as well. All stuff to mull over while searching and making a decision. I think my biggest decision is now down to new or used. Will gravitate I think once I am at the dealer.

Steven Alaska