The Hobbit Hole XXXV - ...is Water Hot that smokes and steams.

[JenB]

You need a car you can trust. Maybe even something better on the roads in bad weather. Get something you can mount a bike rack to (my car doesn’t work so well for that!) and maybe with better mileage.

[RosieCotton]

I was thinking about that...I actually already have a good bike rack, that wouldn’t mount properly on the van, which is why I ended up putting in inside whenever I needed to move the bike.

This *could* potentially be easier.

Well...I guess I can start looking, in any case. I don’t even know what’s out there these days. I’d kind of like another Toyota, just ‘cause I liked my Corolla so much...but I guess Fords and Chevys are likely to be cheaper.

[JenB]

Japanese cars, generally, survive longer. I do love my little Chevy but Hondas and Toyotas seem to just last forever.

We need a new car unless the Battlecruiser has a spontaneous remission...

[Corin Stormhands]

You also need to look at the trade-in value. Typically Honda and Toyota hold their value longer in that regard. Look around for specials. If they have cars to move, you can get some good deals.

[RosieCotton]

The downside of their retaining their value is that they cost more used...

But it’s also true they tend to go longer. So I guess to an extent you get what you pay for.

[Corin Stormhands]

But it’s also true they tend to go longer.

That'd be why they cost more...

[RosieCotton]

I just wonder if there are some other brands that have the reliability without the big price.

[Corin Stormhands]

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm

[RosieCotton]

Yah...but I need the top picks of about 2001 or 2002. ;-)

But still...point taken. I’ll do muh research and stop bugging folks. ;-)

[Corin Stormhands]

Well, I pointed you there ‘cause I don’t have the answer. But don’t rule out something newer. At least look at the deals they’re offering.

[RosieCotton]

I’m thinkin’ my limit is about 11k, preferably lower. I don’t think I’ll find anything newer for that. We’ll see, though.

[JenB]

11k? That’s about what I paid for my car, new. Bet you can find more than you think.

[Corin Stormhands]

Shop around before you make decisions. Do you have CarMax out there?

[RosieCotton]

No...but the local road-with-lotsa-dealerships has a unified website. Sort of.

[Corin Stormhands]

~sigh~

So at least it's only costing us $265 a day to "hold" Nana's bed at the nursing home while she's in the hospital.

So, there's that.

[RosieCotton]

I suppose advertised price is different from what they'd offer if one started hemming and hawing, too, huh?

That's what I hate most about car shopping, honestly. Ugh. I don't like dickering. Don't make me beg for a bargain!

Something like this could be cool, if they'd knock a good bit off the price... It's basically a Toyota in disguise, and I've always thought these looked cool. Like a baby Aztec. I have poor taste in car aesthetics...

[RosieCotton]

Ow.

Ow ow ow.

[Corin Stormhands]

That's what I said (well, at least that's the printable part of what I said)...

[TalonDJ]

I may go postal

Careful! Don't want to lower you BP too far.

[Corin Stormhands]

I. Can't. Win.

Office assistant reserved a rental car for me. I was getting ready to walk the 6 blocks to pick it up and she said "call just to confirm." It was confirmed...for 5:30 p.m...tomorrow...