Looking for good clear values (the point where price and quality/features meet)...Im hoping there are some standouts. I cant afford what I want and I dont think its worth trying to repair my car (I just got a new tranny in it and the head gasket blew out).
Something reliable (Im hoping to get near $1K/yr [$10K for 10yr life]...my car cost me 500$/yr) that gets REAL gas mileage but has respectable performance (Id LOVE an electric...fits my driving style. Id just have to run an extension cord out the window). Ill punch you in the face if you tell me a 75hp four banger gets good gas mileage, having to keep it redlined all day sucks gas like mad (unless thats changed). I had 210hp V6 on 87 octane (250hp with 89) and got 22/28 mpg city/highway (30mpg with the mid grade, I ran it every other tank [it was the "reccomended" grade]). I wont accept anything worse than that.
150hp with 40+mpg would be an acceptable trade. I find it sad that a hybrid only gets 33% better gas mileage than my car with twice the power size and weight (and they cost a lot, before even considering whatever strange maintainance they probably need). Im only going for a hybrid if they get 60+ mpg highway. Im hoping actual engines have improved over mine (its ~15 years old). I drive probably 4-5 miles city 8-10 miles highway on my trip to work right now (rarely can set cruise on the way there, but coming home at night I can...unless I can afford adaptive cruise control).
I will say I much prefered my infinty sound system to my freinds old ford focus sound system. Maybe thats a deciding factor all else being equal. I do currently work a night shift (have for 4+ years) and have HID headlights for that reason. So I probably do need decent lights, unless I can yank my set out and move it over (I dont recall the size). Oh, automatic might be a requirement...driving a manual out here is freakin nuts. To many idiots and stop lights (yeah Im lazy).
I know there are a few new cars that actually fit in the budget, and some older "luxury" cars as well. I really have no idea what to look for. I am paying cash, so price is an important factor...max is $15K, but really only if it gets me a noticeably better car than like $10K (or if new is the way to go). Like I said though, I really have no clue...Ive only had one car and never looked at any others (I really liked my car). In my searching I only found two Id consider a real replacement for mine and both are out of my budget. That leaves the rest of the entire new/used car market and thats just to vast for me to try to look through with no currently running vehicle.
So any help is greatly apreciated, thanks in advance.
Something reliable (Im hoping to get near $1K/yr [$10K for 10yr life]...my car cost me 500$/yr) that gets REAL gas mileage but has respectable performance (Id LOVE an electric...fits my driving style. Id just have to run an extension cord out the window). Ill punch you in the face if you tell me a 75hp four banger gets good gas mileage, having to keep it redlined all day sucks gas like mad (unless thats changed). I had 210hp V6 on 87 octane (250hp with 89) and got 22/28 mpg city/highway (30mpg with the mid grade, I ran it every other tank [it was the "reccomended" grade]). I wont accept anything worse than that.
150hp with 40+mpg would be an acceptable trade. I find it sad that a hybrid only gets 33% better gas mileage than my car with twice the power size and weight (and they cost a lot, before even considering whatever strange maintainance they probably need). Im only going for a hybrid if they get 60+ mpg highway. Im hoping actual engines have improved over mine (its ~15 years old). I drive probably 4-5 miles city 8-10 miles highway on my trip to work right now (rarely can set cruise on the way there, but coming home at night I can...unless I can afford adaptive cruise control).
I will say I much prefered my infinty sound system to my freinds old ford focus sound system. Maybe thats a deciding factor all else being equal. I do currently work a night shift (have for 4+ years) and have HID headlights for that reason. So I probably do need decent lights, unless I can yank my set out and move it over (I dont recall the size). Oh, automatic might be a requirement...driving a manual out here is freakin nuts. To many idiots and stop lights (yeah Im lazy).
I know there are a few new cars that actually fit in the budget, and some older "luxury" cars as well. I really have no idea what to look for. I am paying cash, so price is an important factor...max is $15K, but really only if it gets me a noticeably better car than like $10K (or if new is the way to go). Like I said though, I really have no clue...Ive only had one car and never looked at any others (I really liked my car). In my searching I only found two Id consider a real replacement for mine and both are out of my budget. That leaves the rest of the entire new/used car market and thats just to vast for me to try to look through with no currently running vehicle.
So any help is greatly apreciated, thanks in advance.