Next project

[msmemory_archive]

OK, on to the next thing. I need a new car. At least, new to me. Candidate makes and models include Toyota (Prius, Corolla, Matrix), Subaru (Forester, Outback), Chevy something, Saturn something, Honda something. Or something else I haven't thought of.

Must have: mpg comparable to Prism (~30), auto trans, CD, excellent acceleration (I do have to drive in Boston), support system convenient to my home, rear window defrost. I expect to drive it for more than 100,000 miles, so reliability is key.

Comments

[cellio]

Dani is pretty unhappy with his 1999 Saturn. It's needed more maintenance sooner than his previous car, and there are a number of little annoyances that he didn't realize during the test drive and that have grated on him over time. I've driven it a few times and am unhappy with its (lack of) acceleration, but that could just be that I don't know how to optimally drive an automatic.

For what it's worth, I've been very happy with the Mazda I bought new in 1989. There are some annoyances now -- the inside control for popping the hatch broke after about ten years, and the tape deck died a couple years back and I haven't replaced it. But still, it's almost 15 years old. Low mileage (short commute), but nothing has surprised me maintenance-wise. Of course, I don't know how current Mazdas do for reliability and comfort and stuff, but I plan to look at them when the time comes. (Well, assuming they still make a hatchback, a requirement for me.)