Hey yall... hubby and I are contemplating another vehicle to our cavalry, but not anytime soon. I've been driving The Chariot back and forth 11 mi. each way to the park and ride, then I take the van pool south another 30 mi. I pay anywhere from $45 - $60/mo fee for the van pool, price changes with the cost of fuel and the amount of drivers we have. Not to mention I'm one of the back up drivers and get nothing out of it, but knowing we'll get there in one piece.

So Eric entertained me with the thought of the new Honda CR-Z.



I did the reading and even went for a test drive.... not what I expected. It was like seeing the previews for a supposedly great movie.. and it wasn't.

Eric showed me the Saturn Sky Redline, and the Pontiac Solstice GXP. Both of which have the same engine as Eric's HHR SS, and I'd be able to maintain easily.

So what's your opinion, and is there another car that you'd choose.

Thanks ... Lisa

 

If I were going the fuel effecient DD route, I'd go with a VW Golf or Jetta TDI IMO. I hate everything Honda so thats a negative for me.

 

VOLT!

 

Curtis..

I'm not with this Honda, there's not enough "UMPH" in it to make me feel close to safe in the traffic that we have here, that's why I was leaning towards the 2.0 turbos that the HHR SS, Solstice GXP, and Saturn Sky Redline all come stock as.

I was looking at other alternatives on the gas side, and nothing electric.

 

I don't think full-electric is where I want to go. But thanks for the input.

Lisa

 

Lisa, not really. Yes, electric for 40 miles. After that, 300 miles (maybe a tad more depending on what one reads about em) on gas. It's a tiny motor, like 150hp 4 cyl. I read an article on it just yesterday. You daily commute goes from ~$4.80 down to .80 a day. But it never said, what gas price that was based on nor the miles driven to obtain figure.

Also, something some may not think of, w/. electric, torque is instantaneous.

Last yr. I was thinkin I wanted a Cobalt SS Turbo. Eric's HHR is it S/C or Turbo? That (a Cobalt SS)would be more friendly to me workin on it; but not a Volt. If indeed that was ever a concern. On a Cobalt SS I'd remove the big ricer wing & probably mod it. But a Volt, I'd actually leave somethin stock, for once. Paint?

A few wks. back I even checked insurance rates on a Volt. If I keep my truck, which I would, it's just about the same ins. rate as my truck. If I got rid of truck, IIRC, it's ~$100 or less diff. I will say 1 thing tho, I hate the idea of a pymt. on any vehicle after having my vehicles all paid off.

Ever thought of a Cobalt SS?

 

VW TDI would be my choice. i think thats what julian just picked up recently..

 

I am happy with my 11 Hyundai Sonata SE. Good fuel economy, runs fine for a 4dr, and plenty of room.

 

Blue..

Eric's HHR SS (2.0 Ecotech w/Turbo) has been "tampered" with and now is pushing 299.6 on the dyno. Compared 260 stock, yes I'd consider the Cobalt SS, b/c it would prob see the same "tampering" the HHR took. With the 2.0 Ecotech w/turbo, that's why I mentioned the Solstice and Sky they both carry the same power plant, just in a convertible...

As far as the insurance, I'm paying $74/mo on the truck w/full coverage. I haven't checked the insurance rates on either the Sky Redline or Stolstice GXP, but it can't be far from the HHR SS.

I told Eric that I'd consider used cars that I knew that I could take care of, instead of buying new...

And Gentlemen..I failed to say that I'd prefer Standard to Automatic.

 

I'm really not diggin on currently getting 11 MPG in my truck, but winter lowers my MPG, as does RFG, slipping around on wintry roads, & warming it up more. Last tank, it was 9 MPG!!! I do have a nagging issue or 2, that may be lowering it. Just yesterday, I had my exhaust break at the cat. Had to have it welded back tog., so that may have been causing it to dump more fuel. We'll see what my next fill up brings.

Sounds like your daily commute might be longer than me; I'm at < 40 miles.

I need to lower my vehicle count before I even think of another anything.

A Volt would be for DD, esp. in winter. Keep the truck for whenever & nicer weather. As it sits, in the rain, can't give it too much gas now that the CircleD is in there. Can't imagine once the Radix goes on later this yr. If I go the Volt route, I could build my truck differently.