jharrelson
Carson City, Nevada
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Joined: 01/01/2003
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A couple of months ago I traded in my little Mighty Max truck for a 2007 KIA Spectra.. 42000 miles.... still under factory warranty of 50k/10 year
4 door sedan ..."Loaded" with everything you can think of..
Cost $7000.00 after trade in ($500.00)
Monthly payments $150.72
30+ MPG .... plenty of "PEP" .. no hesitation when "Floored" from a stop light.. feels like it is going to jump out from under me.. it's so quick
AND... AND... the KIA has 10 ... TEN... airbags in it.. every passenger in both front seat and back seat are surrounded by air bag protection..
LOTS and LOTS of leg room in front and BACK seat... hard to believe that the leg room in back seat is almost twice as big as my friend's 2005 Ford Taurus.
The leg room and "Head Room" is what made my mind up to buy it... I can stretch out my legs while driving and I can wear my Stetson hat without it touching the roof..
The front seats have both the adjustable "Lumbar" system .. and... the seat can be pumped up and down ..("Raised and Lowered").. to suit the height of the driver..
This is the first "Car" I have had in over twenty five years.. I've always had pickup trucks...
and so far I love the KIA Spectra... a great car that carries four adults in comfort...
I highly recommend the KIA if you are looking for a Mid-Size, 4 door sedan..
John
John Harrelson
Carson City, Nevada
fulltime since 1977
93 Ford 350 4wd Diesel
95 Prowler 30.5 ft 5th wheel w/slide
TWO CENTS WORTH
The story goes that a man died and was approached by the Devil who told him that he could buy his soul back for a dollar. The man searched his pockets and could only come up with 98 cent. While begging the Devil to forget the two cent he was short, an Angel happened by and hearing the Devil laughing, asked the man, "Would you mind if I put in my two cents ?" The Devil got so mad that he exploded in a puff of smoke and the man's soul was saved.
The moral: Sometimes putting in your two cents worth makes a difference.
JOHN "the cook" 1997
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Troodles
Wisconsin
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Joined: 02/17/2002
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Have you thought about Audi? I love my A3, which is a hatch-back. The A4s are really nice, but larger than what I was looking for.
aka: turboladybug
Traveling with Poodles: Oscar the toy and Felix the mini
Travel Trailer: Holiday Rambler Alumascape 29FKS
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Retired andLoveIt
Charles City, Ia
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Joined: 08/18/2004
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If you need a good inexpensive car I would suggest looking at a Chevy Impala. A low mileage 2007 Impala at a local dealer brought $12000 yesterday. I bought a '08 new last year because I didn't want to spend a lot but still wanted a decent ride. I have the 3.5 ltr engine and I get 32 mpg on the highway. Mine has heated leather which I think is a plus in the winter.
Randy & Dianne
2006 F-250 Lariat Superduty 6.0
2008 CrossRoads Cruiser CF30SK
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mgbogue1
Colorado
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Joined: 09/17/2007
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southernkilowatt wrote:Hey gang, I need a little input here. I'm looking for a new/used car for the DEAR WIFE. I'm thinking 2008 or so, low miles, sedan type car, 4 doors, V-6. I want something that can be used for a daily driver yet be big enough to be comfortable for a long trip. So far I have looked at a 08' Chrysler 300, and an 08' Charger. I like them both, and I like the body style of each.
I'm not at all brand loyal, so please, lets hear your suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
Dave
Not trying to be a smart alec here, but if it were me I'd approach this from a totally different angle. Instead of looking at what YOU like, ask the DW. Everything in your question points to you looking for what you'd be interested in. You may have been around her so long you're completely in tune with her desires, who knows, but I'd still ask her and go from there. In 06 it was time to replace my DW's car, so I went through the same thing you are, but I didn't do anything until finding out what she wanted. She loves her Mustang GT, while I was thinking a Lexus ES would be nice. See how far off I was?
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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Subaru Outback SUS (Sport Utility Sedan). A little hard to find in the sedan, but worth the hunt. Adequate fuel economy, nice size, very safe on wet/snowy/icy roads, can be found with all the bells and whistles, including heated seats!
NOT available in a convertible, though.
The manual transmission can be towed, the automatic can not. Neither can be dolly towed. Both can be loaded on a trailer, of course.
But then, if your DW is a little bit of a "lead foot", the WRX would be the way to go. VERY nice little hot rod!
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 274,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '08 Subaru Outback
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited/Load Trail 16' flatbed
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Wrace
Seattle WA
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Joined: 09/03/2002
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mgbogue1 wrote:
Not trying to be a smart alec here, but if it were me I'd approach this from a totally different angle. Instead of looking at what YOU like, ask the DW. Everything in your question points to you looking for what you'd be interested in.
There is much wisdom in this post. The golden rule applies in this situation. Never pick out a vehicle for you spouse as these are highly personal items and it only matters what your spouse wants, not what you think they want. I've learned this the hard way, a couple of times.
* This post was
edited 11/03/09 09:57am by an administrator/moderator *
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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Daboo wrote:take a look at the Malibu or Impala...both good looking cars and good gas mileage, think the Malibu can be towed without mods..have to check the book..I own an 05 Malibu, i tow it,and it gets 30-35 mpg on the highway...
I agree! We own a used car lot, and both those models are VERY popular because you get so much car for your money. Our personal car for 8 years was a Lexus LS 430; and I must admit that a nicely appointed Impala rides/drives just as nice at about 1/3 the price....LOL!!!
Deb
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Dadoffourgirls
China, MI USA
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Joined: 05/29/2003
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southernkilowatt wrote:Hey gang, I need a little input here. I'm looking for a new/used car for the DEAR WIFE. I'm thinking 2008 or so, low miles, sedan type car, 4 doors, V-6. I want something that can be used for a daily driver yet be big enough to be comfortable for a long trip. So far I have looked at a 08' Chrysler 300, and an 08' Charger. I like them both, and I like the body style of each.
I'm not at all brand loyal, so please, lets hear your suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
Dave
A suggestion that has not been made is the Buick Lucerne. They came with a V6. I currently drive a 09 with the 3.9 V6, and get very good highway mileage (at least 10% above the rating). From a comfort perspective for a long trip, this would be very comfortable and quiet.
Dad of Four Girls
Wife
2001 Yukon XL (8.1L, 4.10)
2002 Dutchmen 31BH4DSL
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427435
Rochester, Mn
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Joined: 11/12/2005
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I don't own any of these but, if I were buying a 4 door car, I would be looking at the Taurus/Milan, the Chevy Malibu, the Buick Lacrosse, or Buick Lucerne. I would likely end up with the Taurus/Milan due to Ford's financial condition and the good luck I've had with a number of other Ford products.
Mark
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a Ford chassis
2003 Ford Explorer toad with US Gear brakes,
ReadyBrute tow bar, and Demco base plate.
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deeratpond
Maine (summer) Zephyrhills, FL (winter)
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Joined: 07/19/2001
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I love the Chrysler 300 What a beautiful car!! I also like the Chevy Malibu or the Impala. My favorite is the Chrysler Sebring Convertible. I would definitely look at a low mileage, one owner USED vehicle. A 2007 or 2008 vehicle would be a good choice. I NEVER will buy NEW.... you can find some really good bargains if you shop around. I would ask your wife what she wants, then start shopping around on the internet. You can really find some sweet deals online!!
Good Luck,
Shirl & Rich
2003 Prairie Schooner 37' 5th Wheel
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel Turbo Charged Dually
IAFF #1476 (RET)
Good Sam Lifetime Member
&
Shelby, our Black/white Sheltie
03/24/1998 - 04/07/2009
Gone, but NEVER forgotten
Forever in our Hearts!
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