$3000 car challenge bay area

[lumpy]

That Sequoia ad looks like a real ad, unlike the Benz wagon ad that smelt scammy even from here.

My ex-wife had one of those Sequoias and the traction/stability control was absolutely bizarre. It would sit on a slight incline on a slippery surface turning one wheel backwards. Not confidence inspiring when under way, either - We had to inch it down her hill one yea with a little snow and ice on the road; it was like Wages of Fear.

Probably not super relevant for your Bay Area use case, though.

[Lionel]

That Sequoia ad looks like a real ad, unlike the Benz wagon ad that smelt scammy even from here.

My ex-wife had one of those Sequoias and the traction/stability control was absolutely bizarre. It would sit on a slight incline on a slippery surface turning one wheel backwards. Not confidence inspiring when under way, either - We had to inch it down her hill one yea with a little snow and ice on the road; it was like Wages of Fear.

Probably not super relevant for your Bay Area use case, though.

Yeah, as long as it runs well it should get me to the trail head or to Houston's house :)

[boots2000]

Get a used Smart Car. Basically like a street legal golf cart. I have seen these racked out. People who live up in the hills around me have them so they don't have to climb back up the hill.
28 Smart Fortwo Passion - Amazing on GAS 48MPG - Like NEW - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

[Lionel]

Get a used Smart Car. Basically like a street legal golf cart. I have seen these racked out. People who live up in the hills around me have them so they don't have to climb back up the hill.
28 Smart Fortwo Passion - Amazing on GAS 48MPG - Like NEW - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

Interesting idea but how do you fit an XL FS MTB on there ?

[j44ke]

Interesting idea but how do you fit an XL FS MTB on there ?

Seems there was one made. At least one.



I would wonder how to get you in a Smartcar. Head room?

[Lionel]

Yeah at 6’5” it would look pretty ridiculous !

[boots2000]

Funny- because one of the guys who has a smart car is really tall.
It is like circus clowns getting out of the car but it works-

[Saab2000]

I think a Subaru or Toyota product with a manual transmission. May have to pay a bit more but it'll be worth it if it's reliable. I'd look for something clean (and by that I mean zero rust) with some kind of hatchback. If this is truly a utility vehicle only I'd look for a Subaru wagon, manual transmission, zero rust, clean records, and pay what it costs. Pay for a full detailing and drive it up from Phoenix or Tuscon or the likes and call it good.

[Mark Walberg]

Yeah at 6’5” it would look pretty ridiculous !

One day, I was driving into the garage at work. I looked behind and saw a big tall guy I know who has a long big good looking mustache pulling in behind me in a smart car wearing a bicycle helmet. Amusing indeed.

[Lionel]

Never used CL before, sent about 10 emails. Not one reply.... Is this the way this works ?

[Too Tall]

Never used CL before, sent about 10 emails. Not one reply.... Is this the way this works ?

Yes.

[Lionel]

Yes.

I see :)

[rec head]

CL is either great or stupid, slow and annoying.

[dogrange]

I had a Subaru Forester, 2001, manual transmission, bought new. What a POS, was great while it worked, but 3 rear bearings, 2 catalytic converters and 80,000 miles later it got water in at least one cylinder and that was that. Yes, I kept up with scheduled maintenance and planned to drive it for 200k. Stay away, although, as always, YMMV.

[NYCfixie]

My wife has loved driving her/our 2000 Outback Limited and now 2009 Outback Limited but they really are not well made for the money they charge.

That boxer engine is the car's Achilles heel. It is not a matter of "if" the head gasket will fail but rather "when" it will fail. The other stuff we had to deal with was normal for a car that went beyond 75k to 100k so that stuff did not bother me but all the engine problems including the head gasket make me sad/mad.

I had a Subaru Forester, 2001, manual transmission, bought new. What a POS, was great while it worked, but 3 rear bearings, 2 catalytic converters and 80,000 miles later it got water in at least one cylinder and that was that. Yes, I kept up with scheduled maintenance and planned to drive it for 200k. Stay away, although, as always, YMMV.

Having owned 2 Subarus each with more than 105k (and a few family members with them as well), you need to check a few things on any 4 cylinder from the past 25 years:
- Was the timing chain replaced at 105k as per maintenance schedule
- Was the head gasket replaced and/or inspected recently for anything over 100k (this can be a $3000 repair for a $5 part and affects all Subarus)
- What is the condition of all CV boots (also an issue on almost any AWD car or SUV)
- What is the condition of all suspension bushings

If these issues have all been sorted Subarus will last until 210k when all this stuff will need to be checked again. And then it will last until about 315k....and so on.


Our current 2009 Outback Limited with 104,750 has a blown head gasket and needs a timing chain as part of the 105k service. It barely gets driven these days - maybe 3k a year in and around Boston - so we are just going to live with until the spring and get something new or not own a car for the foreseeable future.

Our previous 2000 Outback blew the head gasket at 75k and was still under warranty so they replaced it, replaced the water pump, and replaced timing chain all under warranty (we always have the 7 year/100k warranty). We only got rid of it in 2009 because my wife hated the bigger 2010 model so we found a new leftover 2009.

My mother's 2001 Forester blew the head gasket at 85,000 but it was just out of warranty so Subaru would not cover it. She drove it another few years by just adding coolant and oil every few weeks.

If we do get another car in the spring, I might be done with Subarus as they are great until 105k, then they need a few thousand dollars of work but they will last until 210k when you need to throw another few thousand into them.

[Lionel]

Yeah, leaning more toward a huge old truck.

[Matthew Strongin]

I think you should get a new Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid for a daily driver that meets these needs and save the 911 for a weekend car.

[lumpy]

Yeah, leaning more toward a huge old truck.

You're still going to have to park it.

[abbeyQ]

yeah, leaning more toward a huge old truck.

america

[Lionel]

You're still going to have to park it.

On the street.