[Cialug] OT: safe/reliable fuel-efficient cars.

[Nathan C. Smith]

The more I hear from fellow Elantra drivers the more angry I get about having it damaged!  That coupled with the fact that I had it tweaked where I wanted it (car stereo and decent after-market windshield wipers - it's the little things) and a nearly full tank of gas and the car itself was paid for.    Grrr...    

When I bought the Elantra I wanted something with more performance too (Subaru WRX), but eventually I came to terms with the Elantra (the price was right) and becames as happy as I could be under the circumstances.  The Elantra was super reliable, got decent mileage and was fairly fun to drive.  I will also testify that it is pretty safe since my wife and I both walked away.

The new Elantra Touring looks pretty nifty, I just wish they gave it a few more horsepower.  It is using the same engine to carry a little more weight - about equivalent to another person.

Like James, I would like a car with performance too, but that is further down the list as it is harder to justify to the spouse.   I'm also leery of giving up that giant warranty to another manufacturer's.   It is a complicated puzzle of compromises which makes the whole car-buying process even more daunting and adds to my frustration and anger.  You'd think somebody with a few options would be happy, but they are not the right options!  

Oh, thank you Linux and *BSD where I am free to pick and choose - or not!

-Nate




> -----Original Message-----
> From: cialug-bounces at cialug.org 
> [mailto:cialug-bounces at cialug.org] On Behalf Of Nathaniel Petersen
> Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 8:53 AM
> To: Central Iowa Linux Users Group
> Subject: Re: [Cialug] OT: safe/reliable fuel-efficient cars.
> 
> Having recently test-driven a Fit (in anticipation of the new
> Insight), I can attest to the headroom.  However, if you are all legs
> (as I recently indicated), expect to straddle the steering wheel.
> Plus, the manual that I drove had the clutch peddle closer to the
> break than I am comfortable with (I have wide feet, too).
> 
> Both complaints are nothing new.  I have them for most cars and S-10
> sized trucks.  It would help if the Fit's tilt wheel went up even half
> an inch more.  I have this problem with my Elantra, so getting in and
> out is a little bit of a chore.  But there is sufficient space between
> the clutch and the break that I don't have that issue to contend with.
> 
> Have you test driven a VW Jetta TDI?  They have a six-speed manual
> transmission, and a larger gap between the clutch and the break
> (almost 4" more than my Elantra).  They have great handling, and a
> little bit more room between the floor and the console (they have a
> 'uniface' dash that is closer to the driver, making it difficult to
> straddle the steering console - so the added inches to the height are
> appreciated).
> 
> My only problem is that it starts about 5K more than I usually budget
> for a new vehicle.  By my math, I would have to drive my current
> vehicle nearly 75K, trouble-free miles more before I can save that 5K.
>  Since diesel costs roughly 35¢ more right now (and I have no idea how
> this trends out, since I can't find actuarial data on diesel), I would
> have to get at a minimum one additional mile per gallon to break even.
>  Trend data also shows that the Elantra has a lower cost per 10K miles
> over the first 150K for maintenance and repair costs (though this is
> in comparison to the 2006, non-diesel models).
> 
> I don't want to sound like I'm praising the Elantra too much, and I'm
> sorry to hear that it took so much damage in your accident, but I
> really do love mine.
> 
> Here is what Car and Driver had to say about the hatch-back version of
> the 2009.  I am actually sad to see that Hyundai put traction control
> on this model, as I can not stand to lose that control.  But that is a
> preference item, as I'm sure traction control and ABS saves lives.
> 
> http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/suv
> s_family_haulers/2009_hyundai_elantra_touring_short_take_road_
test/(page)/1
> 
> -Nick
> 
> PS: I know it doesn't help with your purchase now, but a hybrid
> Elantra is supposed to make it to the US in 2011 (2012 model).
> 
> On Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 7:37 AM, Barry Von Ahsen 
> <barry at vonahsen.com> wrote:
> > James Shoemaker wrote:
> >>
> >>  I was going to suggest a VW Passat like I drive, I have 
> put 81K miles on
> >> it without putting anything but gas, oil, and filters in 
> it.  It has a
> >> manual and gets 27-32 depending on driving/weather.  But 
> then I checked the
> >> web-site and they don't sell the manual Passat in the US 
> anymore.  That
> >> leaves me with a huge empty hole in what to buy to replace 
> my car when the
> >> time comes.
> >>  My requirements are even worse:
> >> 1: manual transmission.
> >> 2: decent handling.
> >> 3: decent power.
> >> 4: decent economy.
> >> 5: room for a wheelchair and walker and 3 people.
> >> 6: enough headroom for me to sit up
> >>
> >
> > not sure which honda you looked at, but I've got a 2008 Fit 
> sport, manual,
> > gets 30+ combined driving, and I can sit up and finish off 
> that last bit of
> > pepsi big slam while driving.  good power, good handling (I 
> was able to hold
> > my own as a n00b at a recent auto cross event), and the 
> back seats fold up
> > or down to give you really deep storage (seats up) or 
> really big cargo room
> > (backs down).  you can also fold down both the front and 
> back passenger
> > seats to get almost 10'x4' storage - I was able to haul home my ikea
> > wardrobe, which would never have fit in my S10
> >
> > -barry
> >
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