[TriLUG] [way OT] new auto recommendations

[Roger W. Broseus]

Steve

Consumer Reports put the Honda Fit and the Prius in a near tie for lowest 
total cost of ownership. Both are rated highly in terms of reliability. Total 
cost of ownership includes insurance which can be high for a high-performance car.

My daughter is on her second Fit and loves it. I bought a 2011 Prius in 2012 
and have not had any problems. It fits me well even tho I expand to fill the 
space. It paid me to shop hard and go to NoVa from Bethesda for that less 
expensive, previous-year model. Stay away from the "C."

Honda maintenance costs: just stay away from dealers! My Honda Accord was 
great on maintenance. Check out Washington Consumer Check Book (subscribe!) 
for good value / good service shops. I use a place in Rockville that does a 
good job for an excellent price. MPG is 44.4 averaged over 21k mi. The report 
of a bad battery/engine is likely to be a fluke.

Crash worthiness of the Fit and Prius is surprisingly high but certain years 
of Fits were down-rated for front corner crash problems, corrected this year.

Minis: require premium gas!

Remember: stay away from dealers for maintenance except for in-warranty stuff.

--
Roger W. Broseus - Linux User
     Email: RogerB at bronord.com
     Web Site: www.bronord.com

On 10/17/2014 01:13 PM, Brian McCullough wrote:
> ( just to wedge this on topic -- barely -- I do use my Android phones
> and Linux laptop in the car. )
>
> I am researching ( and eventually, doing ) the purchase of a new
> vehicle, and thought that I would see what "the group" thought.
>
> I am looking for something inexpensive ( relatively, since I am looking
> at "new" ), with good fuel mileage, and reasonably small, since most of
> the time there are only one or two of us in the car.
>
> I do do long-distance highway driving, as well as city.
>
> I am coming out of a 13-year-old Prius, which gave good service and
> reasonable mileage ( 35-36 long term average was normal ).
>
> The Prius that came after mine ( 2004+ models ) did not appeal, they
> were too big and had that big tail, which has generally kept me from
> looking at those again, although I hear that they have other models,
> now.
>
> I have looked at a Honda Civic, and think that that could suit, although
> the Hybrid idea still appeals, but most may be out of my budget.
>
> I am currently driving a rented Nissan Versa, which does not appeal
> particularly.  Again, it is high and generally feels too big.
>
> Interesting how so many of today's vehicles are going back to Walter Chrysler's idea, where he never built a car where a gentleman could not wear his hat.
>
>
>
> Suggestions, ideas?
>
>
> Thanks,
> Brian
>