Okay. For the last few months I've been searching around for a good used hatchback that is somewhere in the price range of $5k-10k (CAN/USD).
Most importantly I want something that is not only decent on gas but can also tow a double trailer with two seadoo's (jetski's). I can't see my two seadoo's and a trailer weighing anymore than 1200lbs.
I've owned 3 cars now and I'm starting to get sick of the useless trunk. I want a hatchback now. You can store more items in a hatchback and access them from inside the car (I know there are fold down seats, but how practical are they really? I've also had a car with fold down seats and I wasn't that impressed. Laying them down still only gives you so little clearance for large items.).
I was also hoping to get it with manual transmission. I've never driven a car with manual transmission for longer than an hour--but it was pretty easy--, nor have I towed a trailer with a manual. No idea if it's best to be avoided since I'll be towing; but not too often, around once a week in the summer.
I've been interested in the Pontiac Vibe for some odd reason. Was never a big fan of Pontiac before until I started looking around the internet at some Vibe's.
If anyone knows of any good quality economical hatchbacks capable of towing, don't be shy. I would like to widen my search.
Yay, I finally bought a car. 2004 Pontiac Vibe.
(http://www.bryvis.com/images/other/pon_vibe.jpg)
(http://www.jtruck.net/misc/4x4cars/full/4x4yugo.jpg)
This is what you are looking for. :)
Well if the guy can throw in some super big tires for my jetski trailer, why not!? ;D
(http://galeria.forocoches.com/data/5407/medium/blista_compact.jpg)
Sorry I was compelled.
Is that from GTA: Vice City?
San Andreas.. But Blista was also in Vice, yes.
I think its modelled on the Honda CRX, which is a bloody nice car.
http://www.citroenvisa.net/
Ask people who attended Lapaset more about this!
Quasimodo!!!
Aren't manual transmissions and fuel economy illegal in the US?
Quote from: SSH on Mon 09/06/2008 16:43:32
Aren't manual transmissions and fuel economy illegal in the US?
I wouldn't doubt it. Those damn americans and their
huge SUV's and Trucks.
I live in Canada. These gas prices are getting quite hefty lately. This is why I want a smaller vehicle
and because my current vehicle is ready to blow up (the transmission is getting really skippy and sluggish). I either go car shopping soon, or one day soon I'll be walking the rest of the way to work or home.
A few options to look into....
Honda Fit
Scion xD
Nissan Versa
Toyota Yaris
Toyota Aygo!
I've been meaning to take one for a test drive. I'm not sure if I can fit in there, but it's got good fueld economy. And good fuel economy is great now that gasoline price is over 1,5 euros per liter.
I'm surprised that I haven't heard of half of those cars there.
I was looking at the engine size and the maximum towing capacity and it doesn't look like any of those cars will make it (towing capacity of 1000lbs to 1500lbs - with around 100lb tongue weight).
If only there was a website that sorted this crap out. Autotrader.ca is pretty useless for searching for 'types' of cars. You either have to know the actual name of the car you're looking for, or you'll have hours and hours and hours of searching through just one type of car company.
I'm thinking of emailing autotrader to ask them to modify their website for user convenience. It's pretty bad.
Maybe you could use something like mobile.de (http://www.mobile.de/home/index.html#0), which has quite good search options, to work out the suitable car models and then search for it on your local dealer.
Quote from: Ryan Timothy on Tue 10/06/2008 21:58:49
I'm surprised that I haven't heard of half of those cars there.
I was looking at the engine size and the maximum towing capacity and it doesn't look like any of those cars will make it (towing capacity of 1000lbs to 1500lbs - with around 100lb tongue weight).
I dunno, man. Hatchbacks towing things around? Get a truck. You'll wear the poor hatchback out.
I drive 120 km's a day :-\ There's no way I'm getting a truck.
The Pontiac Vibe is the only car/hatchback that I'm aware of that can tow my seadoo's and trailer around (in my price range and fuel economy). I've been researching this car extensively. I won't be towing everyday, just in the summer time once a week, about 4 months. I'd probably have to get a tranny cooler just to keep things in order.
My friend drives an old 1993 Dodge Spirit, 4 cylinder. It's got a carburator (from what I hear, that is worse than fuel injected for performance and what-not) and he towed the trailer and seadoo's all summer last year.
I don't know. I'm still looking--everyday for that matter. Perhaps I'll just get a Dodge Charger with a hemi just for shits and giggles. I'd love that car, I was just trying to avoid the huge gas bill that would go with it.
This one's a hatchback, right?
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/paulhenriques/67bug2.jpg)
I'd get one of these or a new Citroen Visa to make up for the one I got that got smashed on the parking lot :(
I think that is a hatch-front. Isn't the engine in the back on the old Beetles? :)
Trunk in the front...really good crash protection i must say.
Good point actually, forgot all about that.
Oh, and I noticed no-one mentioned any old Saab 9x(x) models... They're really good in my experience, and roomy.
Actually beetle is a sedan. I've been thinking of getting one myself. Sawing it into pieces and then weld it together again to make the most outrageous custom/rod beetle ever seen. And then I would be stuck with it since there is no way it could be accepted as road legal.
Thank the gods, no more car searching! It's OVER! I was getting so stressed out, when I found this car, I said screw it and just bought it. I hate spending money! I'm a big saver, so I'm really nervous until I get this car on Tuesday.
I went with 72 months (6 years). Only because it's an open loan. If it wasn't an open loan, I would have went with 2 or 3 years. Whatever extra money I put into the car payment goes towards the principal = less interest in the end.
It's a 5 speed! Now I'm gonna have to practice towing two sea-doo's with a standard.
(http://www.bryvis.com/images/other/pon_vibe.jpg)
I'm lovin' it how all the seats fold down. I'll be able to load this puppy right full!
Car search is over for me also...Here is me coming to get it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/skeith2572/IMG_2562.jpg)
2005 Chevy Malibu LS. Hello payments again. Got it last night.
Domino
Do you guys all drive about with no license plates? ;)
Plates on my old Lumina were put on that car about 2 hours later.
I had to sign a bunch of paperwork first. :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/skeith2572/97lumina.jpg)
The last drive of my old 1997 Lumina that i had for 7 years about ready to head off to the dealership to get my newer car.
I will miss you... :'(
Just got back my old Skoda Felicia from the garage...320 â,¬ for changed locks and repaired ignition lock. Included 170 â,¬ towing bill and the theft attempt has cost me almost 500 â,¬, which is probably more than the car is worth. I almost wish they had managed to steal it...
That sucks Andail. Damn punks.
Aren't you a teacher? Why are you driving around in a 500 â,¬ car? 8)
Domino, feels great once you don't have to hunt for a car anymore doesn't it?
I'm really getting the hang of driving a standard now. I've had if for a week and a half and I'm already installing the trailer hitch. It's funny, the name of the hitch is called "Insta-hitch". But it has hardly been instant. I've probably spent almost 5 hours just to fight 2 bolts into the frame. The car is made with 6 holes and nuts welded on the inside of the frame. In theory all you have to do is bolt the hitch to the frame with the 6 bolts.
If only it were that easy. The nuts are completely rusty for some odd reason; considering the rest of the undercarriage isn't rusty. I couldn't get a wire brush in the hole, it's too small. So I kept spraying them with WD-40 and kept tightening a few turns, and loosening, then I'd repeat over and over.
I gave up on the second bolt. I was rummaging through the old man's garage and noticed a mini torch can. So I just heated the frame and voila, the bolt easily made it's way through.
I had to stop early. Bugs were starting to eat me alive. So tomorrow I'll know how to get the rest of those bolts in. Can't wait to start towing the sea-doo's around with a standard! ...... ok yeah..... I'm nervous as *uck! But I'll get over it.
I am glad the car hunt is over. Also glad i managed to save enough for a down payment on this car.
I went with my dad who talked them into knocking off 2 thousand dollars off the sticker price.
Car is great, but needs a minor engine adjustment because of a rough idle, which pisses me off. But i have a warranty.
Domino