My poor CTS-V is racking up the miles (close to 130,000 now!) and KILLING me in fuel costs. 17-18mpg on average, premium fuel, 300+ miles per week... That's at least $200 per month I'm sinking into the beast.
SO, I'm considering two options, and I could use some suggestions.
Option 1: Grab a beater for $1000-$2000 that will be efficient, comfortable, and reliable. Fun to drive and not embarrassing to be seen in would be a HUGE bonus. 1995 or older would be good, because I wouldn't have to get it inspected. Not that I WANT a car that is unsafe or pollutes, but if my CEL is on and the repairs are pricey, it's good not to be forced to make the repair to pass inspection!
I'm not sure what to get, though. A CB or CD is an obvious choice, but I'm leaning away from those. Partially because it's tough to find one that isn't falling apart around here, partially because I want to try something new, and partially because I REALLY don't want to fall into modifying it (and with CB7tuner being such a part of my life, AND having had a great H22 swapped CB7, I'm not so sure I'll be able to resist!)
So, if I go the beater route, it probably won't be a CB7, despite the CB7 largely meeting my wants, probably better than anything else!
If I go the beater route, I've determined that a car that averages 30mpg (mostly highway driving, though often congested for 10 miles or more) with regular fuel would save me in fuel what I'd be paying for insurance, while keeping the miles and abuse off of my CTS-V. The Miata would be off the road from November to March, so there's insurance savings there as well. Financially, it's not an unreasonable decision to get a beater as long as it will be relatively problem-free for about one year per $1000 spent on the purchase price. It's a gamble, however. BUT, I'd have my CTS-V as a backup.
Option 2: Sell the CTS-V and get something nicer for about $10,000 (or less.)
The Accord Crosstour appeals to me, and it's pretty cheap these days, given the fact that most people hate them.
I'm not sure what else I would want, though. If I'm spending decent money and sacrificing my CTS-V, I want something that looks good, offers a good deal of luxury, has some power, and won't be likely to break down on me.
I would LOVE a Volvo, BMW, or Audi, but I don't know that any in my price range would be worth buying, worth relying on, and worth fixing when they DO break (as repairs could be crazy... and I'm not expecting to do anything major repair-wise myself.)
I hate to part with the monster, as I spent a good 3-4 years planning, searching, and saving for it. It's not a perfect example by any means, but it has been good to me. No major failures, and it still puts a smile on my face. If I part with it, I REALLY want something that I will enjoy, if not quite as much. There aren't many cars out there that offer the mix of luxury, performance, and sinister good looks for the price. Those that come close (like an E46 M3, S4, or possibly even an S60R/V70R) are all likely to be MORE expensive to maintain and repair... and likely not much more efficient. I have a hard time convincing myself that anything could even come close for what I could reasonably afford to spend.
For the first time in 15 years, I'm perfectly fine with automatic. I still have the Miata for when I want to row my own gears. That opens up my options pretty well.
There aren't any brands I'm particularly opposed to.
I just need efficient, reliable, comfortable, and moderately attractive. I'm too vain to roll up to work and park next to my CEO's Range Rover in a rusted out Daewoo Lanos.
I know I make these threads every few months, but my parameters keep changing, and I get distracted by every shiny object I see.
My budget is limited due to the fact that we're primarily saving for a new house. I don't want to take on payments for a new or better used car. $2000 for a beater is pretty much the max, and whatever I can sell the CTS-V for is the ceiling for a better car (capping at $10,000... if I can get $12,000 or so for the Caddy, I'd want to hold some in reserve in case an urgent repair is needed!)
SO, I'm considering two options, and I could use some suggestions.
Option 1: Grab a beater for $1000-$2000 that will be efficient, comfortable, and reliable. Fun to drive and not embarrassing to be seen in would be a HUGE bonus. 1995 or older would be good, because I wouldn't have to get it inspected. Not that I WANT a car that is unsafe or pollutes, but if my CEL is on and the repairs are pricey, it's good not to be forced to make the repair to pass inspection!
I'm not sure what to get, though. A CB or CD is an obvious choice, but I'm leaning away from those. Partially because it's tough to find one that isn't falling apart around here, partially because I want to try something new, and partially because I REALLY don't want to fall into modifying it (and with CB7tuner being such a part of my life, AND having had a great H22 swapped CB7, I'm not so sure I'll be able to resist!)
So, if I go the beater route, it probably won't be a CB7, despite the CB7 largely meeting my wants, probably better than anything else!
If I go the beater route, I've determined that a car that averages 30mpg (mostly highway driving, though often congested for 10 miles or more) with regular fuel would save me in fuel what I'd be paying for insurance, while keeping the miles and abuse off of my CTS-V. The Miata would be off the road from November to March, so there's insurance savings there as well. Financially, it's not an unreasonable decision to get a beater as long as it will be relatively problem-free for about one year per $1000 spent on the purchase price. It's a gamble, however. BUT, I'd have my CTS-V as a backup.
Option 2: Sell the CTS-V and get something nicer for about $10,000 (or less.)
The Accord Crosstour appeals to me, and it's pretty cheap these days, given the fact that most people hate them.
I'm not sure what else I would want, though. If I'm spending decent money and sacrificing my CTS-V, I want something that looks good, offers a good deal of luxury, has some power, and won't be likely to break down on me.
I would LOVE a Volvo, BMW, or Audi, but I don't know that any in my price range would be worth buying, worth relying on, and worth fixing when they DO break (as repairs could be crazy... and I'm not expecting to do anything major repair-wise myself.)
I hate to part with the monster, as I spent a good 3-4 years planning, searching, and saving for it. It's not a perfect example by any means, but it has been good to me. No major failures, and it still puts a smile on my face. If I part with it, I REALLY want something that I will enjoy, if not quite as much. There aren't many cars out there that offer the mix of luxury, performance, and sinister good looks for the price. Those that come close (like an E46 M3, S4, or possibly even an S60R/V70R) are all likely to be MORE expensive to maintain and repair... and likely not much more efficient. I have a hard time convincing myself that anything could even come close for what I could reasonably afford to spend.
For the first time in 15 years, I'm perfectly fine with automatic. I still have the Miata for when I want to row my own gears. That opens up my options pretty well.
There aren't any brands I'm particularly opposed to.
I just need efficient, reliable, comfortable, and moderately attractive. I'm too vain to roll up to work and park next to my CEO's Range Rover in a rusted out Daewoo Lanos.
I know I make these threads every few months, but my parameters keep changing, and I get distracted by every shiny object I see.
My budget is limited due to the fact that we're primarily saving for a new house. I don't want to take on payments for a new or better used car. $2000 for a beater is pretty much the max, and whatever I can sell the CTS-V for is the ceiling for a better car (capping at $10,000... if I can get $12,000 or so for the Caddy, I'd want to hold some in reserve in case an urgent repair is needed!)
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