Finally the car search is over!

Ryan Timothy B · Sat 07/06/2008 22:42:37

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.

Domino · Sat 07/06/2008 23:12:40

This is what you are looking for.

Ryan Timothy B · Sat 07/06/2008 23:18:58

Well if the guy can throw in some super big tires for my jetski trailer, why not!?

evenwolf · Sun 08/06/2008 00:11:35

Sorry I was compelled.

Domino · Sun 08/06/2008 00:14:30

Is that from GTA: Vice City?

evenwolf · Sun 08/06/2008 01:21:00

San Andreas.. But Blista was also in Vice, yes.

Layabout · Sun 08/06/2008 17:51:09

I think its modelled on the Honda CRX, which is a bloody nice car.

Tuomas · Mon 09/06/2008 08:31:10

http://www.citroenvisa.net/

Ask people who attended Lapaset more about this!

Stupot · Mon 09/06/2008 16:37:07

Quasimodo!!!

SSH · Mon 09/06/2008 16:43:32

Aren't manual transmissions and fuel economy illegal in the US?

Ryan Timothy B · Mon 09/06/2008 22:01:02

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.

Gregjazz · Tue 10/06/2008 07:40:50

A few options to look into....

Honda Fit
Scion xD
Nissan Versa
Toyota Yaris

zabnat · Tue 10/06/2008 09:01:35

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.

Ryan Timothy B · 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).

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.

zabnat · Wed 11/06/2008 07:25:52

Maybe you could use something like mobile.de, which has quite good search options, to work out the suitable car models and then search for it on your local dealer.

Gregjazz · Wed 11/06/2008 18:40:08

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.

Ryan Timothy B · Wed 11/06/2008 22:08:38

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.

Tuomas · Wed 11/06/2008 23:45:07

This one's a hatchback, right?

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

Domino · Wed 11/06/2008 23:58:10

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.

Tuomas · Wed 11/06/2008 23:59:14

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.