New Car: Opinions on my choices? (kinda long) - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Hey, all! My 2003 Saturn Vue decided to have a crisis of transmission this week and will cost about $5000 to fix, therefore it will not be fixed. So I'll be getting a new ride. I'm looking at four models and was wondering if any of you have one of these and what kind of experiences you have had. Here are my choices and why I like them:
Volkswagen Jetta 2.0
I have always loved VWs, and I can get a DVD player and an iPod adapter to keep my kids (DVD) and me (iPod) happy.
Mazda3
Nice looking, Mazdas seem to have a good rep.
Honda Civic EX
Hondas have good rep and good resale value. This has good fuel efficiency compared to the above two, which brings me to my next choice. . .
Honda Civic Hybrid
I can save a ton on gas and not feel so guilty about the environment for all the driving I do!
I decided to opt for a smaller, more economical car with all the "bells & whistles" rather than get something slightly bigger that's stripped down. So I have chosen the navigation system and satellite radio along with leather seats for all these cars.
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We have always bought Hondas, and feel like we get very goot value for the money. We have had 3 Civics, 1 Accord, and now have and Odyssey and a CRV. We have put over 120, 000 miles on each of these cars, and have put very little money into them.
I have 2002 Honda Civic EX and I LOVE it!. It gets great gas mileage, at least 30-35 mpg. I was looking into the hybrid as they came out that year. For the $$ it didn't seem like I was getting a major improvement. Now it may be different. I bought the 4 year extended warranty and have only used it once to replace a strut (at no cost ) . The new models have a nicer interior and are quieter than mine. I also love the sunroof in the summer! And with proper maintenance, you can get over 200,000 miles out of it-so I'm told
Have fun shopping!
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Michele
I'm living the dream 20 minutes from Disney! Next trip...tomorrow. Follow me on instagram at ShirtsByShell
DH has a Honda Civic LX (2003) that has 90,000 miles on it. We haven't put a dime into it other than gas, oil changes and tires (I think). He has a long commute (70 miles each way) so it is a great commuter car (gas efficient).
I drive a 1999 Honda Odyssey that has 122,000 miles on it. Again, the only expense we've had for that other than routine maintenance was $800 to change the timing belt at 100,000 miles (which I guess is routine maintenance ).
Needless to say, our next car will be a Honda (DH wants a CRV, I want another Odyssey), but I think it will still be a few years as we plan on running both into the ground (and I'd be surprised if they both don't hit 200,000 miles).
My heart always leaps for Volkswagens, but I think I'd go with the hybrid. DH and I once rented a Prius and at the end of the week it only cost us $14 to top off the gas, and I believe you get a tax break, too.
We have the Honda Accord Hybrid (DH felt crammed in the Civic. It's been a very good car to us. No problems whatsoever, regular maintainance has kept it running like a champ!
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I would vote for the Honda hybrid too. My brother has had his Civic for 7 years and it is still going strong! My DM has a Toyota Camery hybrid and LOVES it. She drove from MA to FL and back for$250. It cost me about $150 more in my minivan. I had a VW Jetta once. It was the worst car I have ever owned. I, like you, always had a thing for them too. My experience was so bad, that I vowed I would warn anyone who had plans for buying one. It was that bad. VW customer service was the worst I have ever seen. I have had a lot of cars and could tell you something good about all of them except my VW Jetta.
Odd story...
A few years ago when I was dealing with the many issues with my VW, my DH and I were out to eat discussing the latest issue with my VW. To my surprise a total stranger approached me from the table next to us and apologized for over hearing our conversation, but she had to share that she also had a similar experience with her VW. She also got no help from the corporate office either. hmmm
Sorry to be a VW downer but you really need to be warned. That was the first and only time I actually filed with the BBB and AG. It was that bad!!!
Good luck with you decision.
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1978-1988 Fort Wilderness (as a kid), 1992 Caribbean Beach Resort, 2001 (Honeymoon)Port Orleans Riverside 2004 off site Grosvenor ...nice, but not Disney, 2005 Joined Disney Vacation Club, 2006 April at Boardwalk (first trip "home"), 2007 April at OKW, 2008 April at SSR, 2009 February at VWL
DVC Member since 2005
I have never had any of those vehicles, but I do have something to say:
are you sure you want a CAR after having an SUV type one?
The reason I ask - I had an Escalade, and because of some repair issues, insurance costs, gas consumption, etc. decided to go with something smaller. We bought a small, used car until I could decide. I HATED that car (still do, it's parked on the street by the house!). It was WAY too small. I had no storage, the kids had no room for their stuff, and we could only fit 5 people (very uncomfortably) in it. SO, off to the car lot, and a mini-van it was!! We bought a used (one year old) one, and paid almost nothing for it, with a DVD and some other bells.
While she was looking for a new car, Dsis, was able to "borrow" each car she was seriously considering purchasing. She'd keep them about 24 hours. And, she'd put it through it's paces. She found that a lot of them she liked just wouldn't work for her family.
We love our Hondas too. The only drawback has been that when they do need to be repaired they are expensive to fix. Luckily they hardly ever have probelms, so it probably all evens out.
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New Car: Opinions on my choices? (kinda long)
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) . The new models have a nicer interior and are quieter than mine. I also love the sunroof in the summer! And with proper maintenance, you can get over 200,000 miles out of it-so I'm told 
it! That being said, I'd go for the Hybrid. I've decided my next car will be one.
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