What Car Do You Drive?

[doodle]

I found the recent spate of articles concerning the out of reach nature of owning a car rather interesting. IMHO if you are spending more than about 10% of your income on transportation, you should be looking for alternatives. Most Americans in a car probably spend upwards of 20% of their income on transportation.  http://finance.yahoo.com/news/cars-incr ... 57880.html

[Xan]

We have an '04 Pontiac Vibe and a '11 Mustang GT convertible (fire engine red).  Maybe 400+ horsepower is overkill, but taking a fast convertible out in the hill country on a beautiful spring day is a fantastic experience.

My mustachian perspective would say to rent the Mustang a couple times a year and drive it like you stole it. For the rest of the year, being stuck in traffic or plodding from one traffic light to another is an identically crappy experience no matter what you happen to be sitting in.

No way; I love driving that car wherever I am!  (I rarely drive in any kind of traffic, fortunately.)  It puts a smile on my face all the time.  My wife enjoys it as well.  Also, as we enter the brave new eco-world, it may be one of our last chances to drive a big throaty V8.  I really enjoy downshifting to swoop around a Pruis whose driver has both eyes on the gas gauge and is crawling along under the speed limit.

[Kriegsspiel]

I ride a Schwinn road bike for most of my local trips.

I't good to see a lot of people driving manual transmissions.  With my recent research into cars, I was led to believe that the manual transmission is dead in America.

[Xan]

I ride a Schwinn road bike for most of my local trips.

I't good to see a lot of people driving manual transmissions.  With my recent research into cars, I was led to believe that the manual transmission is dead in America.

It's a shame how rare it is.  When my wife got her Vibe, they had to special order it just to get a manual.  We're looking at getting some kind of mom-mobile in the future, and it doesn't seem like any of the family SUV-type things even have a manual option.  The closest thing I can find that does is a Mazda 5, but we don't want a minivan.

Surprising that even the big truck-based SUVs don't have that option, isn't it?  I mean, surely the truck that it's based on does, right?

[Stunt]

2004 VW Passat TDI

It's my fault that diesel now costs more than gas - it crossed over right after I purchased this car, and has been higher than gas ever since. 

The better half has a 2007 Honda CRV.  It's the most reliable vehicle I've ever been around.

Your fuel might cost slightly more but your compression ratio is much higher and you milage or cost per mile is going to be much better than the gas equivalent. Plus diesel is more torquey and will feel faster when passing, etc.

[hoost]

2004 VW Touareg V8 for me.

2008 Audi A3 for the wife.

I wish the Touareg was the diesel version, but the only one I could find when we bought it a couple of years ago was $5k more and had more than twice the miles.

I don't particularly care for the A3; it replaced a 2003 A4 Quattro w/6 MT and sport suspension...I miss that car.  We will probably look for an A4 wagon when we replace the A3.

[AgAuMoney]

Surprising that even the big truck-based SUVs don't have that option, isn't it?  I mean, surely the truck that it's based on does, right?

Some don't.  One of the reasons why they don't is the automatic makes it impossible for the driver to smoke the clutch, and often the automatic has a higher tow rating because of it.  With the computer control and the right sensors, the vehicle can protect its engine and transmission.

Automatics are getting pretty amazing these days.

For example, the 8spd automatic in the 2014 grand cherokee.  Fully electronic controlled, the diesel version has 40+ shift maps selected depending on driver input, outside temperature, engine oil and water temp, road conditions, etc. and the HP version in the SRT has over 90 shift maps.  Even does rev matching on downshifts even when you trigger it with the paddles.

About the only thing that looks likely to replace automatics is the single or double-clutch automated gearbox.

[WiseOne]

None.
I've never had so much as a parking ticket and I do keep a license, but I own no car and have not driven in a looooong time.

Outstanding!!  Where do you live that you can manage that?

I have a 1998 VW Golf stick shift, parked in the next state.  Actually in my mother's driveway.  I borrow it back a few times a year, but I'm very happy to rely on feet and subways for transportation most of the time.

[dualstow]

None.
...

Outstanding!!  Where do you live that you can manage that?

A large city with good public transportation that is at the same time very walkable.

I have a 1998 VW Golf stick shift, parked in the next state.  Actually in my mother's driveway.  I borrow it back a few times a year, but I'm very happy to rely on feet and subways for transportation most of the time.

We mostly travel via shoe leather, subway and train. The bus often has unsavory characters and my reaction time is a bit too slow for biking in the city.
Too be honest, I think most people would not enjoy this. For example, I went to a post-funeral gathering the other day and the son of the deceased had to pick me up at the train station. It was a short trip and he was happy to get away for a minute to pick me up, but I still felt like an ass. As long as I have a network of relatives and friends who can help pick us up, this works. But, I did miss a cousin's wedding in the hinterland. When the missus occasionally dons high heels, I begrudgingly get a taxi.

I have often posted about google self-driving cars, which I think are only about 10-15 years down the road (so to speak). Combine that technology with syngas or good batteries and I will finally start giving my friends rides. (I hate driving). I still don't have a garage or driveway, though. 

[Wonk]

Also, as we enter the brave new eco-world, it may be one of our last chances to drive a big throaty V8.  I really enjoy downshifting to swoop around a Pruis whose driver has both eyes on the gas gauge and is crawling along under the speed limit.

That's fantastic!  Back in the day, I had a 95 Mustang GT convertible(manual, of course).  It was so much fun to open up and let her roar.  My wife used to say "let's take a ride in the airplane."  It wasn't fuel efficient, but it was a great cheap thrill. 

Before that, I had an 83 Jeep CJ7 that I partially restored over a few years.  If there are some Jeep enthusiasts in here, you know how much of a love/hate relationship that can be.  Driving off road in an old jeep with no doors or top is an experience everyone should have at least once.

These days I'm in family mode.  The head gasket blew in my 02 Discovery so it was just the incentive necessary to splurge for the 11 Grand Cherokee Overland.  I like paying cash for vehicles but the financing was under inflation so I had no choice but to take it.  I'm really impressed with what they did on the remodel of this vehicle.  It's incredible.  The Hemi is a guzzler but the ride is great and it'll tow anything I put on the back.  We also have an 05 Volvo S40 that we'll beat on for another few years.

[Xan]

Financing is ridiculous these days.  USAA is offering 1.49% APR on a new car!

[Coffee]

97 Toyota Land Cruiser.  Last year of the inline 6. 

[WiseOne]

We mostly travel via shoe leather, subway and train. The bus often has unsavory characters and my reaction time is a bit too slow for biking in the city.
...
Too be honest, I think most people would not enjoy this.

What about joining Zipcar, or one of the other car-sharing organizations?  I keep a membership for the odd time when I need a car but can't get to mine.  If you do, be sure to get your own insurance - Zipcar's is hopelessly inadequate.  It easily beats the cost of keeping a car parked and insured, if you live in a city.  Or share a car with some friends/family.

[dualstow]

What about joining Zipcar, or one of the other car-sharing organizations?  I keep a membership for the odd time when I need a car but can't get to mine.  If you do, be sure to get your own insurance - Zipcar's is hopelessly inadequate.  It easily beats the cost of keeping a car parked and insured, if you live in a city.  Or share a car with some friends/family.

I know some people who use it and like it. If ever again I feel I really need to drive, it'll probably be my first option.

[MachineGhost]

I have a 1998 VW Golf stick shift, parked in the next state.  Actually in my mother's driveway.  I borrow it back a few times a year, but I'm very happy to rely on feet and subways for transportation most of the time.

Any other places besides San Francisco or New York where you can realistically do that?

[doodle]

I have a 1998 VW Golf stick shift, parked in the next state.  Actually in my mother's driveway.  I borrow it back a few times a year, but I'm very happy to rely on feet and subways for transportation most of the time.

Any other places besides San Francisco or New York where you can realistically do that?

Most any metropolitan city...depending on what your definition of realistically is. I know people who bike commute over 20 miles each way to work. You figure out a route and make it happen. Most people live within a few miles of a grocery store as well. As long as you can get to work and get food...you're good to go! 

[WiseOne]

I have a 1998 VW Golf stick shift, parked in the next state.  Actually in my mother's driveway.  I borrow it back a few times a year, but I'm very happy to rely on feet and subways for transportation most of the time.

Any other places besides San Francisco or New York where you can realistically do that?

Let's see...Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, Toronto, Chicago, Portland Oregon.  You might be surprised though, that there are a lot of smaller towns where you can fit such a lifestyle:  Santa Monica CA, Summit and Morristown NJ for example.

But except for NYC, we don't have anything like European rail systems and urban anti-sprawl.  Maybe forum members from there could comment, but my impression is that cars are a luxury item not to be used on a daily basis in most places.  The idea that you jump in your car to go to work or run routine errands is fairly unique to the US.

[Libertarian666]

2001 Maxima with 150K miles on it, so it's almost broken in. :-)
Still drives like a new car, gets 25 MPG combined and will leap ahead when I step on it.

Wife has a 2008 Acura TL Type-S, which is a LOT of fun to drive but not as comfortable on long trips as the Maxima.

I generally keep my cars for 15 years or so; as long as the Maxima keeps humming along without major fixes required, I'll hang on to it.

Both are paid for.

[dualstow]

But except for NYC, we don't have anything like European rail systems and urban anti-sprawl.  Maybe forum members from there could comment, but my impression is that cars are a luxury item not to be used on a daily basis in most places.  The idea that you jump in your car to go to work or run routine errands is fairly unique to the US.

One thing I love about Europe is those pedestrian-only zones. They're so pleasant to spend time in. Cleaner air, no horns, no worries about being run over. I wish we had them all over big cities in the States- something like Florence.

[smurff]

What about joining Zipcar, or one of the other car-sharing organizations?  I keep a membership for the odd time when I need a car but can't get to mine.  If you do, be sure to get your own insurance - Zipcar's is hopelessly inadequate.  It easily beats the cost of keeping a car parked and insured, if you live in a city.  Or share a car with some friends/family.

Zipcar is great, especially for trips that would take a few hours total.  The cars are parked all over the metro area (here in the NYC area, they're parked from New Jersey through New York and Connecticut) and you just use your radio card pass to open the door after you've selected your car online.  There are photos of the cars online so you'll know what they look like before choosing.

I think one of the rental car companies (Hertz? ) just bought Zipcar, so there may be a few coming to a city near you.

[smurff]

I have a 1998 VW Golf stick shift, parked in the next state.  Actually in my mother's driveway.  I borrow it back a few times a year, but I'm very happy to rely on feet and subways for transportation most of the time.

Any other places besides San Francisco or New York where you can realistically do that?

Portland, Boston and Washington DC immediately come to mind.  In other cities, it's parts of the cities where this is possible, not widespread throughout the metro area, and useful primarily for commuting to/from work.  Philadelphia, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta come to mind for that.

[notsheigetz]

I have a 1998 VW Golf stick shift, parked in the next state.  Actually in my mother's driveway.  I borrow it back a few times a year, but I'm very happy to rely on feet and subways for transportation most of the time.

Any other places besides San Francisco or New York where you can realistically do that?

Portland, Boston and Washington DC immediately come to mind.  In other cities, it's parts of the cities where this is possible, not widespread throughout the metro area, and useful primarily for commuting to/from work.  Philadelphia, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta come to mind for that.

Also Manila. You would actually be insane to own a car there. And if you don't like jeepneys and tricycles, taxis are unbelievably cheap.

[doodle]

Just watched a documentary about Masdar City in UAE which is being constructed as first carbon neutral city. It will contain no cars, instead shuttling people around in little pods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masdar_City

[doodle]

For those looking to replace one car especially for errands around town (depending on where you live) i think Dutch cargo bikes like this are really a viable option.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=rela ... L9xva7XfO0

You could even couple it with a battery powered drive system from this company for additional range and versatility.

http://www.bionxinternational.com/bionx ... e-systems/