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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1896
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 11:54 am: | 
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We are thinking about buying a new car. We need something that has 3 sections to it (front, middle and back) for parents, kid and dog respectively.
Thanks to a previous thread I posted here on MOL, I'm getting a better sense of what vehicle we want. Now its coming down to gas mileage. I know we can't go on the numbers posted on the sticker at the dealership. And I know that mpg is different for each person because of how the car is used.
Is there a website that can be trusted for this type of info? Can I trust the Consumer Reports gas mileage AND ratings? I know some people have been burned by them. |
Thenewguy
Citizen
Username: Thenewguy
Post Number: 114
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 12:09 pm: |
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A general rule of thumb is that they are overstated by 20% (e.g., 20 MPG City is close to 16 - 17MPG) |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1234
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 2:46 pm: |
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You can compare all of the sticker versions of the MPG and use that as a guide.
You then can choose the best (albeit much less than the sticker) efficiency.
BTW: That's precisely how we got the Highlander Hybrid.
Three sections and the best MPG. Keep in mind the leg room issues on the back rows as well. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14128
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 3:00 pm: |
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What vehicles are you considering?
How far off is the baby? Are congratulations in order yet?
I went to Echo Lake Dog Park on Saturday and thought of you.
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1903
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 3:44 pm: |
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Tom, I went to Echo Lake on Sunday (at the end of the night) and not a single soul was there. Sorta spooky. Oddly enough, the dog seemed totally pleased to be there even without anyone to play with, sniffing away blissfully.
I guess this is going to come as no surprise. The Subaru Forrester is a STRONG front-runner right now. It won best in it's class in this year's Consumer Report. I'm equally interested in the Outback and Impreza Wagon both of which CR gave glowing reviews about. All of them are pretty reasonably priced but the size/price ratio really makes the Forrester stand out. None of them, however get stellar mpg. CR said all of them get around 20mpg -- which of course isn't bad.
In the also considering category are: Honda CRV (bigger than what I would have liked but CR gave a good review and it's equally fuel efficient than the Forrester). The Scion XB (30mpg) but CR said it was a bit stiff to ride. The Honda Element. The Saturn Vue. The Ford Focus station wagon (mostly because CR gave it a glowing review calling it fun to drive). Hyundai Elantra seems too small, and their SUV/Minivans seem to large but the price is certainly right, and the quality seems pretty good as discussed in another thread on MOL. I would consider a hybrid, but haven't found one that exactly met my above stated criteria. And as much as I don't want a large SUV/Minivan, the compromise I made to TS was that I would consider them provided the mpg was good and we could afford it. That is just the short list. CR names another 5-10 solid choices in the wagon/small SUV categories that are still contenders.
KMK: The Toyota Highlander hybrid also won CR best in class -- unfortunately for me it won in the OVER 30K class. Our budget may go that high if we have to but I'm trying prevent that from happening.
As for the baby. We are expecting a Halloween baby -- a BabyGater. I've been reluctant to mention it here, since we have been waiting for the first trimester to conclude. I've made a few mentions in passing on MOL that people could have picked up on if they were being really observant over the last few weeks (an example was when I stated that I was thinking about joining you at the once a month Father's group). I didn't expect anyone would, however. You're the first to have picked up on any of my subtleties. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14133
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 4:01 pm: |
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You gave me a big smile. Congratulations, though I promise to keep the jubilation down until the end of the third trimester. See? I didn't use capital letters. I did pick up on your hints but didn't ask until now.
Good vehicle choices. I have a 2000 Legacy wagon, non-Outback. I like it, though I'm not totally thrilled with it. Strong points: reliability, handling. Weak points, ride (I'm used to a Saab, but perhaps I'm spoiled), seats (again I'm spoiled), fuel economy. I get about 23.5 mpg over the last year, and many think that's good, but I wished for better.
Are you really sure the Prius wouldn't do the job? I had three Saab hatchbacks, and it's amazing how much stuff you can put in a hatchback. The Prius is a hatchback.
The Scions are intriguing, especially because of the prices. Try it and see if you find the ride stiff.
The Forrester is said to have less rear legroom than the Legacy/Outback, which I feel doesn't have much, either. But I think it costs less, so that could sway you.
I notice tall vehicles get bad fuel economy. I bet air drag is a big factor.
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1908
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 5:37 pm: |
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Thanks, we are very very excited.
The Prius is definitely being considered by me if not TS (as are all hatchbacks) but there doesn't seem to be much room for the dog. As long as TS insists that the baby and dog can't ride in the same area, well...our options are severely diminished. I'm still trying to convince her that the dog won't walk/jump upon the baby but she isn't buying it. TS wants some hauling capacity as well. I don't think we do much hauling but sometimes our VERY roomy 4 door car which has a big trunk doesn't allow us much haulability. We've carried a lot of stuff on the roof of our car back from Ikea over the years. I think she wants to avoid that. Plus as already stated, she's relegating the pooch to the back-back. TS likes the roominess of our current cars back seat, but I have to say that we don't have guests in our car all that often so I'm not sure I care too much how comfortable it is back there. The baby wouldn't need much legroom (for very many years), and the dog most certainly doesn't need any (especially if he isn't allowed in that section of the car anymore). TS might feel differently than myself however.
I'd love a Saab or Volvo hatchback or wagon. We might look to see how much they are used, but new they all seem out of our price range.
As for your theory about taller being less fuel efficient. I'm not so sure. The Forrester gets the same mpg than the Outback (which is far less tall). And the Scion B gets the same mpg than the Scion A (30mpg) which has has the same engine and is much less tall. I think it has more to do with the type of frame the car is built upon (car vs. truck) and the engine that is used. But I don't know much about cars...it's just my hypothesis. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14139
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 5:48 pm: |
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You may have parents or inlaws visiting you more, after the baby is here, especially if they don't drive. So back seat comfort may be important. Also, baby seats push the kid far forward, because they're so thick in back, and you'll be surprised how cramped a four year old can get. If the car comes with a built-in child seat, it may take less front-to-back space.
You can install a fence between the back seat and the way-back, which would allow you to use any station wagon or hatchback.
It's impossible to say whether dog will jump on kid. He probably won't, but you really don't want to make bets about it at this point.
The Forrester and Scion B look tall, but they're really not. Check it out. They are very short, compared with real SUV's and minivans. Certainly, the engine size (and other details) affect fuel economy, but I have noticed that height does, too.
I have only bought used cars through all my years, and I still recommend them to everyone except wealthy people who have no tolerance whatsoever for repairs. You might be able to afford a used Saab or Volvo. They are lovely, and you may find that they are more comfortable and useful than a new cheaper vehicle. But the repairs are expensive. Saab stopped making hatchbacks recently (boo hoo!), so you'll need a 9-3 hatchback a few years old or a 9-5 wagon.
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