car shopping - of the unplanned sort

[Guest guest]

Hi everybody.My computer died on the way home from STL in December and since we are on a very tight budget at present, I've taken somewhat of a hiatus from web communication the last 3 months. Hopefully I will have my own computer again by the end of the month, but I am borrowing my mom's at present as "need" has arisen.On Thursday, in 5pm traffic, I was hit by a truck on a test-drive. The truck failed to yield while turning left and found my driver-side door and front quarter panel. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital and after x-rays, I was released with a script for a muscle relaxer and instructions to use my hydrocodone as needed. I have needed both consistently since the accident and have an appointment with my PCP this afternoon.Since my car was "disabled" (the irony of the term resulted in painful laughter in the ER), it seems I'm suddenly in the market for something new-ish. Before posting I did a quick search and didn't find any specific discussion threads on cars, so I thought I would start one.If you have a vehicle that suits OUR special needs and are willing to share what, specifically, you like about it as well as any drawbacks, I would appreciate the data and I suspect others might be interested at various points in time as well.For the past four years I have driven a 2006 HHR and I was fairly fond of it, so I'll give it a quick review. It was "fully loaded" - a nice perk in any carleather/heated seatssun roofonstar/satellite radio equippedmp3 jackluggage rackrunning boards, which actually did come in handy when getting in/outBut it was also efficient/practical26 mpg City29 mpg HWYmaintenance was minimal and affordableample/flexible storage with a 60/40 split back seatplastic lined cargo space (so we could throw Adam's skate gear or bicycles in the back or tote the canine kiddos and easily remove their white furWe're still figuring out the insurance question (dealership vs. test driver), but since we really only own the one "disabled" car, we've got to figure out something fairly soon. I ended up with an HHR after renting one when my Forester was totaled and it would be nice to test drive via rental car once again. The problem is, since we don't have a TV, we're both pretty clueless regarding what vehicles have come out in the past four years.Sorry to pop back in under these circumstances. When I'm "wireless" again, I hope to follow what's going on here. I miss you all.Thanks in advance for recommendations!kam (in Oklahoma)

[Guest guest]

What is an HHR? Who manufactures this vehicle? I have a Toyota Corolla now, but it's getting to the point where the repair costs are prohibitive and it's becoming unreliable, so I may be in the market for a new vehicle within the next year myself.

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I love my Honda Odyssey! It's not as low as a car. My SIL has a Buick LeSabre and I'm struggling a tad getting in and out. I also, being short, got tired of climbing up into a GMC Yukon or hubby's Chevy Suburban (won't be ex-hubby soon enough!). I can easily fold the back seat down and fold the second row of seats up. PeggySent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerryFrom: Curran <melissacurran530@...>Sender: Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:50:58 -0400 < >Reply Subject: Re: [ ] car shopping - of the unplanned sort What is an HHR? Who manufactures this vehicle? I have a Toyota Corolla now, but it's getting to the point where the repair costs are prohibitive and it's becoming unreliable, so I may be in the market for a new vehicle within the next year myself.Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Cam,

Oh the headrests! First thing I do when I get in a car is check to see if the

headrest can be removed and reversed! I hope there are still a few that cars

that allow for this. When we went to get our rental car yesterday, we didn't

have much luck with reversing, but we only checked a couple of cars. We ended up

with a Jeep Liberty, but they are moving a Kia Soul so I can see what I think of

it.

It seems to me that the posture the headrest forces upon someone's body is going

to make for a bunch of slouchy people over time. What is up with that? Is it

really safer to drive with your shoulders slouched forward and your belly

pouching out?

Thanks for the input. I am sure there are many features that are a matter of

preference, but at least two of us loathe the headrests and I suspect most of us

need extra head room to accommodate getting in and out without bumping our

heads. Even in the small SUVs, this is an issue for me and I'm only 5'6 " !

I am grateful for my ability to roll with the punches, and no doubt I needed

something to slow my stride a bit since I am still healing from the hip surgery.

I am getting an MRI of C1 to T4 to make sure the few vertebrae that still move

aren't seriously damaged. Time heals all wounds, right? Healing seems to be my

current theme. ;o)

Kam

[Guest guest]

Felicia,

I will definitely test-drive a newer HHR, so I'll let you know how it compares.

On my list of things I don't like about it (to be fair) are:

1. The window controls are in the center console and are not so easy to reach

due to my fusion. When I am passenger (usually on long road trips), I often

recline quite a bit and use my feet to control the window (or the heated seat or

the radio).

2. The angle of the windshield makes it tricky to see the light change if I am

the first car; I have to duck a bit which isn't always easy.

3. I am having to think hard to determine if there really is a #3. OH. I have

remote start, but it doesn't turn on the heated seats... probably some sort of

safety concern, but I have wished on many a cold morning that when I get in the

heated car, the seat would already be warm. How spoiled is that?

Good luck with your car shopping. Since I was so fond of my Forester, I am

planning to test drive an Outback as well. They have been redesigned in 2010 and

2011 and are about 2 inches taller and 2 inches wider. That is about what I felt

they needed when I drove one four years ago. I am also looking at the Kia Soul,

Nissan Cube, Suzuki SX4 (thanks to K's comment when I searched),

Volkswagen GTI & Jetta Sport Wagon.

Some of these appeal to me little aesthetically, but it truly is about function

and my comfort when it comes to cars. Let me know if you find anything else in

this undefined class!

Kam

[Guest guest]

,It is a Chevrolet. I found this youtube video over the 2006 (which is what I had).http://youtu.be/6dbWuCMz2Qc They don't hold their value as well as some others, but mine proved to be very reliable and it was a good price point.Kam