I Need a New Car: Pre-GBCW and Candidate-Free Edition

The CHECK ENGINE!!!!! light has been going off on my car for some six months now. I have conjured up various reasons (lack of a credit card to rent a car to get me back and forth; my usual mechanic being very reasonably priced and a great mechanic, but extremely unpredictable; etc.) for why I haven't taken it in to be fixed.

But the truth of my resistance finally revealed itself to me a few days ago: I need to just bite the bullet and get a new (to me) car. My rationale is this: I got the car for free anyway. And true, it's a landshark, but I've managed to get great mileage from it by driving like a granny, coasting down hills, never braking too hard or putting the metal to the pedal unless I simply have no choice (as is common when being pursued by dualies hauling trailers full of horses).

Alas, I simply can't stand it anymore. I have almost 125,000 miles on the car, and I can already tell that the entire thing has been pre-programmed to explode once that odometer turns over.

Thus, I'm polling you, fellow dKossians, on your cars.

What I'm looking for:

1. totally awesome gas mileage, preferably a minimum of 33 mpg highway driving;

2. a relative degree of stylishness to match my new Spice Posh hairdo, but not too much - I am in education, after all;

3. a back seat amenable to hauling around an obese Labrador and his miniature hound friend, as well as the occasional goat or maybe a chicken or two, should push come to shove;

4. something that doesn't automatically self-destruct before it hits 250-300,000 miles.

Suggestions anyone?

•  reveal your deepest darkest car secrets here

  it is anonymous, after all.

  by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:49:53 AM PDT

  •  Get a Honda or a Toyota

    I know a woman who drives her Toyota HARD in Chicago traffic, and it JUST STARTED having problems at 250,000 miles. Hondas and Toyotas both have good gas mileage and hardly ever break down. They're a little more pricey, but they are great cars.

    by flautist on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:53:58 AM PDT

    •  someone is trying to convince me to get

      a Mazda because it supposedly has only 3 moving parts in the engine - ?????????

      by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:58:44 AM PDT

      •  We have owned Mazdas, but we much

        prefer Toyotas. The toyotas are built to last. the first one I owned, I bought second hand (5 years old and about 77k on the odometer). I drove it for another 10 years. It would still be on the road, but some idiot rear-ended me at a stop light, and the car was finally totalled. the car took the crash quite well. My kids were both babies in car seats, and they were both fine, but it just was not worth fixing. I continued to drive it until its inspection ran out, but the damage to the back was causing the tire to wear irregularly.

        by blue jersey mom on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:02:19 AM PDT

        •  i had a Nissan with 400K miles on it

          i cried for a full day when i sold that car and still regret the decision.

          by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:07:05 AM PDT

          •  We just passed down to our daughter a

            1995 Honda Civic with 225,000 miles.  Still gets about 30 mpg.  Regular oil changes make all the difference.

            by temptxan on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:15:34 AM PDT

          •  I've got a Nissan 240SX convertible

            1992 with 68,000 original miles.  Never been in the shop.

            by Robinswing on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:39:59 AM PDT

            •  Neat little cars and lots of stuff

              to play in the aftermarket. They can really be turned into little monsters with a few bucks.

              by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:03:40 AM PDT

              •  LOL

                You sound like my sons.  I get an offer ever time I take it out.  It's red and clean as a whistle (most of the time).  Put a ten disc CD player in it and some banging speakers.  It's got lots of pick-up and ever once in a while I let myself forget I'm supposed to be a little old lady and do an occasional drag at a stop light.

                by Robinswing on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:10:34 AM PDT

      •  Mazda uses a 'Wankel' engine

        And yes, essentially it has three moving parts:

        The rotary engine is a Mazda exclusive. That engine sometimes is called the "Wankel" after its German engineer inventor Felix Wankel, who began work on it in 1924. It's an extremely small, light, silky smooth internal combustion engine with essentially just three moving parts—compared to hundreds of parts in a conventional piston engine.

        Instead of pistons thrashing up and down in combustion chambers to produce power, the rotary engine's triangle-shaped rotors spin like a pinwheel in oval-shaped housings, with each of the triangle's three shapes producing a power stroke.

        by jhutson on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:05:11 AM PDT

        •  woah

          i want that!

          by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:10:09 AM PDT

          •  no you don't

            When that rotor needs replacing in a 150k miles, it will be big bucks.
            Meanwhile, it's only available in one model - the sports car.

            Of course, I could be way off... this is an IIRC comment.

            by Patriot4peace on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:14:36 AM PDT

          •  The Mazda rotary car I drove

            (RX2 many years ago) burned through about 1 qt of oil every tank of gas.  

            by FoundingFatherDAR on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:00:29 AM PDT

      •  No that is a Mazda rotary and

        noone can fix them any more. Plus Mazda is probably the least reliable of the Japanese cars and the most expensive to repair, well Mitsubishi too.

        by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:10:03 AM PDT

        •  ::snif::

          oh well!

          by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:10:44 AM PDT

          •  fun but not practical

            they used the rotary in the RX series and they are a hell of a sports car motor but for hauling dogs and such not so good.

            by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:12:30 AM PDT

            •  They actually put it in an early pickup

              but rotaries produce so much heat that they routinely melted radiators...

              I had a '74 for a short time (I was told when I went to get parts that it didn't exist, though in actuality it was just never imported officially, mine must've had a grey-market past) that someone had swapped a pinto V6 into...

              by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:28:40 AM PDT

        •  only the rx7 and rx8

          have the wankel engine.  All the other mazdas have "normal" engines just like everyone else.  

          by johne on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:26:16 AM PDT

          •  earlier RX's also like the 2 and 3

            were rotary. I love the motors but not economical or reliable, sure are a lot of fun though.

            by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:31:42 AM PDT

    •  I agree. We have a Toyota Echo.

      If we need to, we can but all three of our sons in the back (they are skinny, but they range in height between about 5 foot 9 and 6 foot 1). The milage is fabulous, and it has been trouble free (we are at about 125k). When blue jersey dad worked out in PA, he drove it 100 miles a day. I love the car.

      by blue jersey mom on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:59:14 AM PDT

    •  on my second Corrolla

      The first one I used to drive many years to commute forty minutes one way and back through Niagara and Buffalo weather. It rusted due to the the salt used and my second is still going strong out here in the dry but howling winds of southern Alberta weather.  We also have driven a Toyota Corrolla all over South Africa. No problems ever.
      They are great cars.  

      by TexMex on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:26:58 AM PDT

      •  I agree. I used a Toyota as a field

        vehicle for a week in the West Bank in the 1980s. It did fine.

        by blue jersey mom on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:40:37 AM PDT

    •  My '92 Toyota pickup

      has never had a problem. I love it and she even has a name. 230,000 miles without a single problem. She still runs great!

      But she sits in my yard now, retired due to a rusty frame from too much freaking road salt...sniff.

      I would look in Consumer Reports, cars.com, road and track, and other related websites for comparisons and used and new values and recommendations.

      My ideal would be a new hybrid extra-cab pickup. ;-)

      by marina on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:12:01 AM PDT

  •  I've got a 2000 Subaru Legacy GT Sedan

    I bought it with 10K miles on it in 2001. It's now got 51K miles (I don't frive much).

    But living where the winters are crap, I love the all wheel drive. I love the heated seats.

    IT's been completely and utterly reliable -- and stylish -- through it all. But now it's getting cranky when it starts, if it starts and no one can seem to figure out what's wrong. I'm still considering a new one, but I'm also looking at:

    1. Mazda3

    2. Mazda6

    3. Toyota Camry Hybrid

    4. Mini

    5. Selling the car and signing up for ZIP or IGO cars.

    by PBnJ on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:09:31 AM PDT

    •  You can't go wrong with a Subaru

      Mine's been on the road for twenty years and the engine is still going strong.  If i could only get the rest of the parts to stop falling off....

      I don't drive much since work is close by so I'm going to run the thing into the ground or at least until the authorities have it impounded for lack of an inspection sticker, whichever comes first.

      But we did buy a brand new 2008 Subaru for my wife who drives a few hundered miles a week for her job and that car has been great so far.  Decent gas mileage and great in the snow.  They're really safe cars and a lot cheaper than you might think.  

      by cometman on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:43:03 AM PDT

    •  Ask about your Subaru problem here

      http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/...

      2000 wasn't the best year for the Legacy (early 2.5 liter engines susceptible to head gasket problems) but 51K is extremely low to consider replacement.

      by Bronx59 on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:57:40 AM PDT

      •  Thanks tons!

        I'll check it out and yeah, I honestly think it's nothing more than the alternator -- but two repair shops and the dealership have all 'checked the charging system' and said all is OK.

        If I let the car sit for more than a couple days, it won't start. After jumping it, it starts and will usually re-start if I drive it long enough to recharge the battery.

        Argh.

        by PBnJ on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:05:57 AM PDT

        •  May also be a parasitic drain

          ...such as an electrical component that won't switch off when supposed to.  Could be as simple as a seat belt not retracting, getting into the door latch, and keeping the dome light from shutting off.  

          This happened to my wife's 04 Legacy at the airport recently.

          by Bronx59 on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:23:53 AM PDT

          •  Parasitic drain

            IYeah, 've thought of that and have checked everything that I could think of.

            Additionally turned off all accessories, driven around, then restarted and did the same while having accessories on.

            That defintiely makes a difference in starting and what leads me to believe it's the alternator... or a some other electrical drain that I can't find.

            Either way, I'll eventually find it.

            by PBnJ on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:53:15 AM PDT

  •  I have two vintage Saabs pre GM buy out

    an 89 two door with something around 200,000 miles, still plenty of power and best part is we have put next to nothing into it. Rebuilt the suspension, front end about a year ago and other than regular or semi regular oil changes thats it. Speaking of oil changes, the poor car spent a time being passed around between family members and ultimately went three years and about 15,000 miles without an oil change. It was pretty glurpy, but you know what? It was only a half quart low. Great milage 22 plus in town and up to 40 on the hiway. It always starts even in really cold weather.

    My other Saab is a '94 convertible with just under 100,000 on it, great milage as usual. Haven't owned it long enough to know about repairs.

    I also had a Saab 99 it ran well over 300,000 miles with a water pump, clutch and break pads only for repairs before the pinion gear finally gave it up.

    Since you are looking for new to you don't discount a well kept vintage Saab, 1994 or older. Turbo good, I have 900's but the 9000's are also fabulous cars.

    by snackdoodle on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:12:38 AM PDT

    •  I've a 'vintage' Mercedes...

      ...'85 300TD. Nice, heavy car that right now needs some back end work. Doesn't get great mileage (about 26 highway), but runs on biodiesel and could be converted for less than $1,000 to SVO. It cost $1,800.

      Maybe Burger King will install waste oil pumps out back one of these days...

      by Joy Busey on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:55:39 AM PDT

•  Hey

  by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:50:01 AM PDT

  •  hey!

    you don't drive a dualy, do you, Mr. I Have Cattle and The Hat to Prove It?

    by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:52:19 AM PDT

    •  nope Baja Bug ,Ford Ranger, Accord and

      a Goldwing

      by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:54:21 AM PDT

      •  Tundra (the reasonable sized one), Suzuki SV650..

        RM125, Honda XR600r & Yamaha Venture Royale...

        by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:34:04 AM PDT

        •  Venture Royal mmmmmmmmm

          what size motor in that Texas moped?

          I have a 77 gl 1000 and am rebuilding the carbs now. Hope to have her back on the road before spring...

          by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:37:24 AM PDT

          •  It's an '84 1200

            I just swapped it for a '94 Mazda B4000 with a freezeplug issue on the rear of the passenger side head that had been takin' up space in my driveway (I'm a M/C tech, I can work on cars but I don't like to) to a junkman in my neighborhood.

            I have to pull about a hundred pounds of pitted chrome crap off of it (I'm really not likely to pull a trailer with the damned thing), but the body is good, all there if faded, and I drove it home!

            by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:45:33 AM PDT

            •  I plan to strip all the bags

              and fairing before I'm done. I think the early GL's look much better clean and naked.

              Besides mine was before the factory accessories. All my stuff is Vetter.

              I basically did the same I traded a Maxima with a dead fuel pump and a bad injector for the Wing.

              Only problem I'm a car guy and cycles have always been much harder for me. Luckily the Wing has a car type boxer motor.

              The owner even still had the original leather seat in the shed. I'm going to dump the king/queen and get her as original as possible.

              by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:51:49 AM PDT

              •  I agree about early 'Wings

                most people don't realize that they were originally supposed to be hotrods, not barkaloungers, lol.

                As I said I don't like working on cars overly much (have done, can afford to have someone else do it now, lol), but my current wetdream project is that I'd like to get a Superformance (Lotus) Super7 replica and install a Valkyrie motor, with the bolt-on supercharger (200hp, 220lbs ft at the wheel) they build for it.

                I've seen it done w/other bike motors, but never the right set-up (a goldwing varient, as you astutely point out is a car motor, liquid-cooled, shaft-drive, perfect)

                I could do it with a 'Wing, but the Valk is higher performance ('Wings have no valve overlap).

                IIRC those Oldwings even have an auto style aircleaner under the "tank" cover, right? I always thought that was cool.

                The only specific problems I know of are that the brake calipers have a tendancy to get gummed up (and the fronts don't use normal brakelines, more automotive style, I'd swap the forks/calipers out for some from a later model myself) so if you have any problems pushing it around the shop whack them with a mallet & go get some rebuild kits, and the charging system connectors between the generator & the reg/rectifier develop high resistance & melt (1200s are the worst for this I think)...

                by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:09:41 AM PDT

                •  Thanks for the hints

                  yup the "tank" is just a cover for the air intake and the real tank is buried.

                  She should be a fun toy when she's done. My brother won't leave his old Triumphs. He has  a chopped and bobbed Bonneville now but I want some comfort myself.

                  Thats why I sold my Norton, Santee frame and a springer front pretty but mostly unrideable, at least safely and comfortably.

                  by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:18:21 AM PDT

                  •  Powertoys vs. Driveway Art, lol

                    At least neither of you spent 50K on some dumbass harley-clone chopper that isn't designed to be ridden,lol.

                    Those are meant to be rolled out of the garage on sunny Sundays, washed, polished & put on display so all the guys in the neighborhood can come genuflect to it...

                    One other thing as regards brakes. The front master cyl on all Hondas from that period have big plastic reservoirs that are crappy when they get to this advanced age. If you need to replace it have your parts guy get you a nice modern aftermkt sportbike style jobby from Parts UnLtd, it'll bolt-on, work better, and give you an adjustable lever for about $100~$125, and you won't have to deal with the frustration of trying to rebuild a hydraulic system with distorted parts.

                    by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:29:22 AM PDT

                    •  great tip thanks I have a pair of 750-4's

                      from the same era, I am hoping I can put one together out of 2 so I can sell it and fix the wing right.

                      Both have cut frames though for quick motor swaps, they were used as semi-drag bikes. People seem to love them though and if my research is right the one with the good engine is a super sport.

                      by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:33:54 AM PDT

                      •  K (tourer) or C (cruiser) models

                        will have spoke wheels, F (supersports) will have mags, probably the stamped steel "dyna-star" styles.

                        by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:43:16 AM PDT

                        •  great info is there a way to tell from the VIN?

                          as these bikes have been pretty patched together. Is there a difference in the engine numbers?

                          by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:47:50 AM PDT

                          •  I'm sure there is, though I don't have the

                            necessary info from Honda.

                            M/C engine #'s are not helpful, honestly.

                            Most Honda dealers will have the Honda Photo Identification Guide (AKA "the Honda Bible") on hand that you could peruse.

                            I will say that period Hondas were not often chosen for drag bikes, as the comtemporary Kawi KZ1000 & Suzuki GS1000 (essentially a copy of the Kawi) had much beefier bottom ends (they're still used to this day actually).

                            by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:55:38 AM PDT

                            •  The differences in the state of tune

                              are really probably only in carb diameter size, though they may have different cams as well.

                              by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:58:45 AM PDT

                              •  Thanks again.....

                                by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 11:01:48 AM PDT

                  •  Old britbikes are awful pretty though ;) n/t

                    by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:32:54 AM PDT

                    •  That they are indeed. the Case is a work of art

                      all by itself.

                      by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:34:51 AM PDT

•  oops Hey RWS, what car do you have now.

  when does the ck eng light come on and have you ghad it scanned?

  by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:50:58 AM PDT

  •  and what year as '95 and newer

    should store intermittant codes

    by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:52:51 AM PDT

  •  it's a 1999 Buick

    my mechanic (the unpredictable one) loves it and insists i must never get rid of it.

    and accompanying the CHECK ENGINE!!!!!! light is all manner of new creaks and glubs and strange noises.

    by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:53:41 AM PDT

    •  99 will store codes and they will be retrieveable

      3.1 or 3.8 v6

      Could be a very simple problem. Most of the Buicks were actually decent cars. Not the greatest milage but they are fairly low maintenance for a american car.

      Does the engine ever miss or stall? Do you seem to have a lack of power at all?

      by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:57:09 AM PDT

      •  yes to all three

        there's some chug chug chugging going on.

        by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:59:44 AM PDT

        •  Possible ignition problem

          OBD2 cars sense misfires and set an engine light for emissions purposes.

          Take the car to an autozone or similar chain store, Have them scan the system(usually free at a chain parts store) The codes stored will lead us in the right direction.

          The older GM products have a tendency to lose a coil pack on occasion. Also could be as simple as a tuneup, new wires and filters. Could need coils and a module,

          Need the codes to really go forward too muc but also make sure you have good exhaust flow. If a Catalytic converter starts to plug up they will chug and have a severe lack of power.

          If all symptoms are intermittant, I would lean towards a coil pack or wire set. but scan her first.

          If you really want a new car, Honda Toyota,
          Nissan in that order. All low maintenance with good milage, depending on model, and all designed to last with minimal repair.

          by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:07:22 AM PDT

          •  autozone?

            thanks! i'll see if i can schedule a bit of time off to get it in.

            by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:13:53 AM PDT

            •  yup, don't let them sell you parts,

              get the codes write them down and email me with them (email in profile) I can give you a much better idea once I see what she's saying.

              Plus it's a doublecheck on your tech. He is right in that is a pretty reliable car and I have seen them clear a quarter millon miles many times.

              Your squeaking and clunking could very well be struts, they were shit on those cars and by 125k they need replaced if the haven't been. Also shake down the front end make sure the tie rod ends and strut mount plates are still good. very common failures on these cars.

              by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:19:33 AM PDT

              •  i love my mechanic

                but he tends to disappear for days at a time (with your car in his garage).

                by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:23:08 AM PDT

                •  I had one of my techs take a customer car

                  for a test drive.

                  Police found him 2 days later smoking crack in my customers car!

                  He didn't work for me any more........

                  But that sure was a fun one to try to explain......

                  by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:25:26 AM PDT

      •  Nice thing about Mopars

        you can retrieve the fault codes stored in the PCM by turning the ignition switch off and on three times then counting the check engine light blinks.
        I was beating the snot out of my Neon when the light came on. When I got where I was going I did the fault code trick and found I had a misfire code. I disconnected the negative wire on the battery and changed the spark plugs and viola no check engine light. For you Chrysler Corp. owners just Google Mopar Fault Codes

        by usedmeat on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:19:18 AM PDT

        •  yup that is a plus if you don't have a scanner

          at least since they went to OBD2 there is one scanner that will do almost all cars.

          Much better than when you needed different cartridges for every make for your scanner. Though the functionality of the Snap-on scanner is still my fav. Pricy though.

          by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:23:44 AM PDT

          •  Ugh...

            What Snap-On stuff isn't (pricey...)

            by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:35:23 AM PDT

          •  My Dad was a V-Dub fanatic when I was kid...

            b/c as he used to say, "everything (other than "The Great Dissolve") is designed to be fixed".

            On seeing a Snap-On truck I once heard him mutter that someday he'd like to get a shotgun and hi-jack it.

            When I became a tech I finally understood, HA!

            by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:55:37 AM PDT

            •  yup when people see what we pay for our tools

              they tend to not complain as much about the bill.

              One lady I remember wanted to borrow a wrench. The truck happened to be there so after she finished cussing us out for refusing her, she went to buy one.

              After seeing the price she was a lot more understanding as to why we wouldn't loan her one....

              by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:59:44 AM PDT

    •  we have a 99 Buick

      the Check Engine light came on about 5 years ago, right after we got it, and has been on ever since. There doesn't seem to be any problem, other than the Check Engine light being stuck on. Maybe it will be the same for you.

      by Loonesta on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:37:25 AM PDT

•  I'm a college student

  and I drive a 1990 Toyota Camry. It has a severe oil leak and smokes pretty heavily from the engine. It also has little black spots (sap stains) from the holly tree my mom left it parked under my entire freshman year of college.

  I think its time for me to get a new car as well...

  If only I could afford it...

  by bpkybe on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:52:16 AM PDT

  •  My first car in college was a 70 Ford Maverick

    It had a hole in the floorboard. I called it air conditioning.

    by quaoar on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:15:39 AM PDT

    •  Central! n/t

      by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:35:53 AM PDT

•  I would prefer a horse

  as it can feed itself, and knows when it has gone far enough.  My relationship with my car is complex.

  My sons still think I made up the story about the green dragon who lived in a place called carborator and breathed chemical fumes which propelled the car, but alas that was simply as much understanding as I could muster.

  good luck though.

  by Othniel on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:53:35 AM PDT

  •  If you need someone who understands

    carburetors you either have to find an older (likely retired) mechanic, or else a motorcycle tech (like me), as we're the only ones left who understand the mysteries thereof...

    by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:38:34 AM PDT

    •  Thanks

      My partner is in charge of the vehicles, thankfully.  And he is so understanding, he understood why I counted it a major victory when I filled the gas tank on our new Scion all by myself.

      In actual fact I do like the Scion (named Archibald, after Cary Grant's original name), though I am ordinarily the passenger.

      Still, I miss my horse.  What technological aptitude I do possess I devote to my law practice, but it is fun to go to Court driving and listening to Stand by Your Man on the Scion's great sound system.

      by Othniel on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:07:41 AM PDT

      •  So funny, my wife is the Atty in the family ;) n/

        by Independant Man on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:11:17 AM PDT

•  I Love, Love My VW Passat

  Freaking love it. Yet me say that again I love it. And cause of the engine and a few things I've done it makes me feel like I have a larger .... well you know what :).

  Now with that said my brother just got a pre-owned 2006 Honda Civic and it is a wonderful car and hits all your requirements.

  by webranding on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:54:14 AM PDT

  •  4Motion?

    Do you have the 4Motion?

    I'd been looking at the Passat all wheel drive (because I love AWD in the winter, but VW seems to be an arm and a leg more expensive than comparable AWD sedans considering what you get in the complete package.

    Then again, living in the city, I really drive so little anymore and wonder if it's a feature I really need or not.

    by PBnJ on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:35:36 AM PDT

    •  No, Mine is a V6, Manual, 2000 Version

      I think that was one year before the 4Motion. Now with that said, unless you really drive a lot in the snow you don't need it. I live in Illinois and we have a fair amount of ice/snow and mine works just fine. I don't even think twice about getting in it and driving around even on roads that have not been cleaned yet.

      by webranding on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:38:03 AM PDT

      •  Bought my Subaru when I

        was living in Minneapolis and now live in Chicago, so I know the snow and ice.

        Most of what I've been considering has been front wheel drive but I really do love that secure feeling of AWD.

        by PBnJ on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:08:32 AM PDT

•  A small piece of black tape

  put over the check engine light will solve your problem.

  I love my truck but it doesn't meet the criteria that you are looking for.

  by citizenx on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:54:37 AM PDT

  •  wouldn't pass emissions here in Az.

    The engine light must be operational and be able to be turned on and off with a scantool

    by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:58:58 AM PDT

    •  Here in Pa OBDII cars can't display any

      codes other that "Battery disconnected within last 50 start cycles"
      1995 and earlier cars non-OBD and OBDI cars just have to pass a visual inspection for anti-pollution equipment.

      by usedmeat on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:26:50 AM PDT

      •  No gas analysis?

        Here the early cars still get the standard tailpipe both idling and loaded, plus a visual inspection of the emissions equipment.

        OBD2 just gets scanned and the light turned on and off

        by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:46:09 AM PDT

  •  i like this solution

    you're my new best friend. :-)

    by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:00:42 AM PDT

    •  we have done the same to a BMW

      we still have.

      by TexMex on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:29:42 AM PDT

•  Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide

  Try to buy from an individual owner, not a dealer, and consult safety, mileage, and performance ratings on Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide. Consider a used Toyota or Honda. Don't overlook key safety features.

  by jhutson on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:56:22 AM PDT

  •  good advice, one usually gets a better deal.

    by borkitekt on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:49:21 AM PDT

•  Toyota Camry.

  Get the hybrid if you can afford it, but you can't go wrong with a Camry.

  - only the hybrid meets your mileage spec, but I think you'll be hard pressed to find any non-hybrid that gets that kind of mileage and will still have a back seat big enough for your dogs.

  by Dopeman on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:56:27 AM PDT

  •  Consumer Reports

    loves the 4 cylinder, but says there have been problems with the V-6.

    by davybaby on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:13:09 AM PDT

    •  same as the Hondas

      both Toyota and Honda have had some problems with the 6 cyls but their 4 cyls are the most reliable and fuel effecient around.

      My '87 accord with 250k+ still gets 30+ mpg with no problems.

      by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:44:03 AM PDT

•  Monte Carlo

  I have had several, it is the only car I have owned for at least ten years.
  Good gas milage, stylish, great in the snow and I once hit a deer going 75 miles an hour and it never even shuddered.

  by AJsMom on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:56:52 AM PDT

  •  Monte Carlo

    A friend of mine had a Monte Carlo, sports edition, with 125K miles on it.  One day, it just stopped.  It turns out that it needed a timing belt at 90K, but the mechanic never told them.

    At that point, it was too costly to repair.  

    by gooderservice on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:18:49 AM PDT

•  Oh, Stating the Obivious Here

  but you are not going to get 150,000 from a car if you continue to drive it when the "idiot" light is on. That $35 at the local Jiffy Lube every three months or so will add a number of years to the life of your car.

  by webranding on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:57:36 AM PDT

  •  yes i know

    i've been very good with it to this point. but one very big problem i have now is i have crazy work hours, no days off, my usual source for a car to borrow has absconded with the car - and none of the car rental agencies will rent to someone like me who refuses to have a credit card.

    ::sigh::

    if i didn't commute 30 miles each way to work, it wouldn't be that big of a deal.

    by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:03:04 AM PDT

    •  I Used To Be In A Similar Situation

      and they usually took take care of stuff on an hour lunch break.

      by webranding on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:05:31 AM PDT

  •  Just do the grease monkeys a favor

    And don't drive for five hours straight before going. It tends to make things extremely hot. I used to work at Jiffy Lube, and had gotten some nasty burns from that. Oh, and any engineers out there who think putting the oil filter in a difficult to access spot isn't a big deal, rot in a pile of pigshit, please.

    by Hannibal on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:03:49 AM PDT

    •  lol

      mr2 anyone

      by red 83 on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:16:14 AM PDT

      •  freakin Fiero

        or remember the Volvos with the oil filter right under the alternator, the ones where the wiring disintegrates when you touch it? Yup those were fun, a 20 dollar oil change turned into a 200 dollar wiring repair on a regular basis.

        by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:32:45 AM PDT

        •  I Had a Freaking Fiero

          that was a rolling coffin.

          by webranding on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:34:04 AM PDT

      •  Or how about the old

        Toyota minivans, the ones that were designed, and made in Japan.

        What a pain in the ass....

        by red 83 on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:37:42 AM PDT

        •  Yup, try changing the air filter

          but I have to say those old LE vans were tough as nails, just a pain in the ass to work on.

          by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:45:31 AM PDT

      •  Worst ever

        Was one I can't remember the model of, but I will remember the burns. To get the filter off, had to have my arm wedged in between the axle and the engine block, while of course touching both. It was more than a little unpleasant. Oh, think it might have been a Volvo, but I can't be sure, it was over 10 years ago.

        by Hannibal on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:11:11 AM PDT

        •  When I was 18 my girlfriend had a Chevette

          when the alternator died I thought nothing of getting a rebuilt one to swap in...

          It was located under & behind the engine, accessable right behind the driver's front tire. I got it disconnected, but couldn't, no matter which way I flipped it, get the damned thing out.

          I called the mechanic that I brought stuff I couldn't fix for lack of tools or whatever, & he told me that you needed to pull the motor to get it out (& he was trustworthy, no reason to doubt him)!

          by Independant Man on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 05:25:18 AM PDT

    •  All automotive engineers should have to work in

      the field actually repairing the ridiculous crap they foist on us.

      Remember having to jack up the motor and pull the headers top change spark plugs on the big block Chryslers?

      by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:34:46 AM PDT

      •  Not if you had an combination

        13/16 wrench.

        by usedmeat on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:32:32 AM PDT

        •  some bodies you could get, the real problems

          came on the cars  people had played with and stuffed headers where they barely fit.

          A 440 was fun in some of those though.

          by buddabelly on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:35:18 AM PDT

      •  IIRC the #7 plug in my '72 Dart "Swinger"

        was an absolute bitch to get to too... still have the Craftsman long-handled "knuckle" driver I needed to do it as a souvenir of that car...

        by Independant Man on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 05:29:17 AM PDT

    •  Try a Ford Contour

      you take the passenger side tire off to get to the oil filter. Since it's mounted horizontally it will puke oil as you unscrew it. I usually wad newspaper under the filter and above the CV shaft to catch the spill.
      The nicest is my Neon with the filter mounted vertically no oil slop and you can fill the new filter with fresh oil. That means less run time at start up with no oil pressure.

      by usedmeat on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 09:45:05 AM PDT

•  I drive a

  96 Buick LeSabre that my parents were getting rid of.  The left turn signal won't work, it has to be clicked manually.  Various lights come on at odd times, signifying - what?  No one knows.  It gets lousy gas mileage.

  While driving to work a month ago, I hit a deer.  So the right front turn signal is held on by duct tape.

  by KibbutzAmiad on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 07:58:29 AM PDT

  •  i get - or used to get - 35 mpg

    of course, it's very hilly here, so i can coast a lot.

    by Runs With Scissors on Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 08:04:00 AM PDT

•  What a coincidence