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Just out of curiousity (car recs)
So, just out of curiosity, if I decided not to go through all the stupid hassle** that is evidently necessary to obtain the Prius of my dreams, what would people recommend that I buy? It has to have the following characteristics:
* Good fuel efficiency (duh!) - I may not commute, but I do like my occasional road trip.
* Cargo space sufficient to transport my SCA camping gear or (on separate occasions) a large folk harp. This means no sedans and preferably something in the wagon family. (I squeezed things into a Camry hatchback when I had to, but it was way too tight.)
* Reliable; good maintenance and service from the dealer.
* Must come in at least one non-boring color (and models in that color must actually be available for purchase).
* Ideally, should have navigation system and hands-free phone set-up.
** I put in my official request at the Toyota.com web site to have a Prius built to my specs. They forward this to your designated local dealership. The dealership sent e-mail #1 saying they'd follow up shortly with a quote. They sent e-mail #2 with no quote, but a suggestion that if I specified a second and third choice of color it would speed things up. I responded noting that if I were willing to accept a second or third choice of color I would already own a new Prius, and would they please give me a quote for the car I actually want to buy, please.
* Good fuel efficiency (duh!) - I may not commute, but I do like my occasional road trip.
* Cargo space sufficient to transport my SCA camping gear or (on separate occasions) a large folk harp. This means no sedans and preferably something in the wagon family. (I squeezed things into a Camry hatchback when I had to, but it was way too tight.)
* Reliable; good maintenance and service from the dealer.
* Must come in at least one non-boring color (and models in that color must actually be available for purchase).
* Ideally, should have navigation system and hands-free phone set-up.
** I put in my official request at the Toyota.com web site to have a Prius built to my specs. They forward this to your designated local dealership. The dealership sent e-mail #1 saying they'd follow up shortly with a quote. They sent e-mail #2 with no quote, but a suggestion that if I specified a second and third choice of color it would speed things up. I responded noting that if I were willing to accept a second or third choice of color I would already own a new Prius, and would they please give me a quote for the car I actually want to buy, please.
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I also looked at the Nissans -- rented an Altima looked at the Versa (amazing rear seat leg-room -- and I think it was a hatch-like trunk, so large things would fit) and one other car (don't remember which) -- but the highway miles were 31 for a stick and 33 for automatic. (Some people think 30 mpg Hwy is good mileage. I think "we can do better".)
Bought a 2009 Corolla, and have gotten over 40 mpg on the one drive at 100 KPH from Port Huron to FKO to home. Its computer reports an overall fuel economy of 35.9 (after a long highway trip) or 35.8 (after I've spent a week driving to and from work) -- but my gas log tells me it's really closer to 30-something-small. (I can look it up if you care.) But it is a sedan. Don't know if it comes with 5 doors.
I think it was the Mini Cooper that the one fellow I know with an Upright Bass drives. Yes, it takes up the entire back and part of the passenger seat, but it _fits_. I like the minis from the outside, but not the inside, and their mileage wasn't enough to drag me away from the Corolla.
Spouse drives a Forester (Subaru). And had a Legacy wagon before that. Both roomy. (I think the Legacy more so.) But AWD does hit the mileage and I think he gets about 25. (And he's broken the $50.00 / tank barrier. Ugh.)