The car shopping (I should call it car looking) is, well, it is what it is. We walk into dealerships, the car salesmen joke about how slimy they should be, both reinforcing the stereotype and making me feel dirty, we drive the smallest cars on the lot, we joke about how every car is totally better than the vehicle we are currently driving, and then we get in that same vehicle and drive home. At home we look up specs and APR rates and stare at each other.
So we want a relatively high MPG, high reliability, safety especially in wintery conditions, cruise control, and, you know, warm feet. We don't need or especially want power windows, power locks, a sunroof, a car that talks to us, leather seats, seat warmers, or anything else that costs $500 to repair when it inevitably breaks down.
We looked at the Hyundai Elantra (a decent car at an exceptionally decent price made in Korea). We looked at the Honda Fit and the Honda Civic (the Fit was fun, but loud and the visibility in both cars was next to zero). We looked at the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta (the Focus has a great rebate right now, the Fiesta not so much, both are made in Mexico).
So our finalists appear to be a 2010 Elantra or a 2011 Focus. Either way, the part of me that was raised in Michigan and knows about the impact of the auto industry on day to day life in that part of the country is dying. The Honda cars are made in the United States, but they are kind of crappy and cost about $4000-5000 more. That's a difference that makes a difference to people like us.
I guess I know how much I can be bought for now.
Car shopping sucks. I always feel like I should've gotten a better deal or something, you know?
ReplyDeleteI am loving my Ford Focus. It's zippy and gets good gas mileage, even when I'm sitting in traffic.
We have this exact conversation all the time. Baxter, for some reason, thought that the fact that Toyota Camrys were manufactured in the United States meant they were union made, which is not true. I thought he knew, and had come to grips with safety and general high ratings making it okay to have workers paid less, so we bought a Camry.
ReplyDeleteNow, we probably wouldn't do that again, both because of all the Toyota recalls and also because I told Baxter about the UAW/CAW approved car list, and now we'd probably buy off that list. Your concern is related but somewhat different, but I totally get the worry about where you're buying and what you're buying and how you pay for it. Cars are one of those areas where the sharp contours of how consumerism benefits some and harms others comes into focus.
So far we've always bought our used cars directly from their previous owners, so the money is at least going directly to a person. That way we sidestep the 'built in the USA' issue a little.
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested in the Ford Fusion, but it might be a bit pricey. I'm hoping that by the time we're ready to retire the Subaru we can get one used.
i'm doing the same thing as you and i came to the same conclusions and finalists. it's tricky. i don't think anyone in my entire family has ever bought a new car... ever.
ReplyDeleteone thing i noticed with the elantra is that as soon as you get a/c it adds a couple of grand to the car price. which is a bummer. i guess ford is american, so that's good? i should check this UAW/CAW list, thanks for the heads up.
Good luck!
Car shopping can be so stressful ~ you sound like your tackling it the right way!
ReplyDeletexoxox,
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ReplyDeleteThat's true, but anyone's got to admit that $4000 makes a good difference for someone mindful of their budget. Your top choices aren't that bad anyway. The Elantra is a good choice for a reliable, fuel-efficient car with plenty of interior space. And the Focus has a great entertainment system, if that's your thing.
ReplyDeleteSpartan Toyota