The member photo gallery is now integrated and live!!  All user albums and pictures have been ported from old gallery.


To register send an e-mail to admin@bmwr65.org and provide your location and desired user name.

« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: What vehicle would you get if you had to  (Read 3892 times)

Melena

  • Guest
What vehicle would you get if you had to
« on: February 15, 2009, 12:27:37 PM »
Toyota's are great!  I've got a '91 Toyota Camry that I bought in 1996.  This car has been the most reliable car I've ever had, and that's why I still have it.

Here in California, if the car is over a couple of years old it needs to have a smog check every 2 years, unless it doesn't pass, then it needs  a smog check every year.  And it can't be registered until it passes.  I wasn't worried, because I can always ride my R65 even though I don't like to ride in the rain or at night.

I've been thinking about what car I might want if this one didn't pass its test.  But I shouldn't have worried.  It passed with flying colors.  But once it doesn't pass the smog test on the first try I really want to be able to get a different car.

I was wondering what you would get if you had to get a new one.  I've been thinking that those 3 wheeled enclosed "motorcycles" would be great.  There's one that's being developed here in California that I think would be really fun to drive.  And it's not as expensive as I thought it would be.  They are coming out with it this year, I think.  

Maybe if I save my pennies I'll be able to buy one by the time my Toyota decides not to pass the smog test any more.   ;)
Logged

Offline nhmaf

  • Global Moderator
  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 5155
  • Free at last, Free at last!
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2009, 04:31:27 PM »
We're thinking of getting a new car this spring. We have a 1999 Subaru Forester that we purchased brand new and have put over 200,000 miles on it with very few issues whatsoever.  It is even on the original clutch, still, though has had new brake rotors, wheel bearings, and a few sundry items replaced.  It has been a great car and we will replace it with another Forester.   Where we live, we need a vehicle that has all-wheel drive for dealing with winter storms and spring mud when the sedan cannot get my wife to/from school.   It has given very acceptable fuel mileage - never lower than 27/28 and often around 30/31 MPG (this is US gallons, not imperial).    They make a good product, IMHO.
Logged
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours

SCJJR65

  • Guest
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2009, 08:25:34 PM »
Ya just can't go wrong with Toyotas or Hondas, IMHO.  I bought a brand-new Honda Civic Wagon with 4WD in 1985 (just like the one in this pic), and kept it for 10 years and put 189,000 miles on it before I sold it.  Damn, I had a blast driving THAT funky looking little car!  It had a 5-speed tranny, and shifted and handled like a sports car!  I drove the living crap out of it!  Then, I bought a 1995 Honda Civic Sedan, and put 175,000 miles before I gave it to my ex when we split up, and she drove it for ANOTHER 10 years before she traded it in!  I think she said the car had about 230,000 miles on it when she parted with it!
« Last Edit: February 15, 2009, 08:27:39 PM by SCJJR65 »
Logged

Offline Lucky_Lou

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 2699
  • shoot first
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2009, 02:06:46 AM »
Ive been running a Honda accord for the last ten years it has never let me down and drives like a dream i will have to change it this year as ive now got two grand kids so need a bigger car to tow my caravan to the beach!!!  i see a CRV in my future im sticking with honda
I had a rush of blood in 1993 and bought a brand new Merc ,what a waiste of money that was it spent more time in the repair shop than on my drive. It was the year mercedes intoduced infra red remote locking wich was a pain in the arse (in 3 years they didnt fix it) and didnt work most of the time the problem being if you used the key to get in the car it set off the alarm. To top that at 13 months the wiper motor failed and they tryed to charge me 450(700usd) pounds to repair it, there was blood on the showroom floor needless to say i didnt pay it merc stood the bill .
Lou  
Logged
Ask questions later

aussie

  • Guest
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2009, 02:34:37 AM »
New vehicle? Hmmm - can't tell you - all the ones I want are classics. However, the most recent one that went out of production is an MG F. Ah well.
Logged

Offline steve hawkins

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 1347
  • Lighter, Faster, where's me hacksaw!
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2009, 07:13:20 AM »
I have one of the original Honda CRV's.  I have had it for 3.5 years.  Its got 113,000 miles on it but only 35,000 are mine.

Its good, reliable, and wearing well, but its a little thirsty (by UK standards)  I can barely get it to do 30mpg on a run, more usually 26mpg.  I have never run a car that is that thirsty - the only reason I can stand it, is because it does not do that many miles.

Usually I am looking for a car that can reliably do 40 mpg.  Fuel is not cheap here (although its as cheap as its ever been for some years).

My wife runs a little Suzuki that can do 60, if driven carefully - 1300cc VVT Twin Cam - 95 bhp.  Weighs less that a pair of slippers!

She loves it.

Cheers

Steve H
Logged
Steve Hawkins R100 (that wants to be an R65)

Offline Justin B.

  • Administrator
  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 5983
  • I love my Beemers
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2009, 09:34:42 AM »
One of the new hybrid Apteras, they should be going on sale in CA this fall...
Logged
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline DeeG

  • Lives in Foothills of Mt. Olympus
  • **
  • Posts: 226
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2009, 11:02:36 AM »
I'm pretty danged happy with my 04 Pontiac Vibe AWD (twin of Toyota Matrix).  Toyota engine and drivetrain will last almost forever.  Zero maintenance since I have owned it, other than regular oil changes, wiper blades and a set of snow tires.  Not the quietest interior, but I just turn the radio up a bit. hehehe
With a set of Dunlop Graspic studless snow tires on it, it will plow through 6" of slushy snow/ice and never lose its grip on the pavement.  

I'm not thrilled about any of the new cars out there, if I needed to get something, I'd look for a late 80's Mercedes 4Matic TD wagon. Bullet proof diesel engine and the pre-92 models were stout and well designed.  

And I used to have an 86 Nissan Stanza AWD wagon. One of the ugliest cars ever built, and it was in serious need of some TLC and new parts, but it ran like a champ and dealt with the snow and my steep driveway and hauled bales of hay without complaining.  Best $1500.00 I ever spend.  Sorry I sold it, the guy that bought it from me ran it into its grave.   :'(


« Last Edit: February 16, 2009, 12:24:03 PM by DeeG »
Logged
Dee G
1978 R45/N ?
1978 R80 w/hack
1971 R75 (swb)

Offline Ed Miller

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 2425
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2009, 12:53:55 PM »
Tesla Roadster.

Hey, you didn't say I had to be able to afford it!

Logged
Ed Miller
'81 r65
Falls City, OR

Offline Justin B.

  • Administrator
  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 5983
  • I love my Beemers
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2009, 05:15:03 PM »
Barbara is absolutely in love with the Aptera and is quite distressed they will only be offered in CA...
Logged
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline Rob Valdez 79 R65

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 96
  • I Love YaBB 2!
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #10 on: February 16, 2009, 06:12:55 PM »
I, too am starting to look, Melena.  I have always leaned toward Civics, But I have had a few Mazdas in there, too.  Probably my favorite of all of them was the Mazda GLC (Great Little Car) sedan.  It was a 5-speed, w/cruise, and was aptly named.  It was an early 80's car, I think, but what really impressed me was it had a timing chain, rather than the belts that are in every engine produced these days.  It is expensive maintenance that shouldn't be ignored.


So I am looking for a 2-door Civic, built anytime since 2000, but not too new.  I want to pay it off quickly.  But I don't want a lot of miles, either, because I want it to last a long time.


I just heard that the Fed. gov't is going to let you deduct the sales tax on any new car bought before some date.
I'm bettin' that is 'merican cars, only...


Oh, and the last mechanic that worked on my '96 Mazda 626 informed me my engine is a Ford product!!!  :o

 :'(


 ;)
Logged

Melena

  • Guest
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2009, 10:28:15 PM »
Wow!  Lots of great ideas.  Actually, it doesn't have to be new new, just new to me.  But much newer than my current car.  

That Aptera does look pretty cool.  But I like the one with one wheel in front and 2 in back that carves corners like a motorcycle.   8-)

Luckily I don't have to make any decisions any time soon.
Logged

Offline Rob Valdez 79 R65

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 96
  • I Love YaBB 2!
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2009, 10:54:34 PM »
Quote
Wow!  Lots of great ideas.  Actually, it doesn't have to be new new, just new to me.  But much newer than my current car.  

That Aptera does look pretty cool.  But I like the one with one wheel in front and 2 in back that carves corners like a motorcycle.   8-)

Luckily I don't have to make any decisions any time soon.


Couldn't I have a friend or relative in California buy one for me, and then sell it to me?

I think I could have fit more solar panels on it, too!  http://www.aptera.com/look.php

Come home, and plug it into your battery pack that has been charging all day while you are at work, from your solar panels and windmill at home!  Screw the grid!  http://www.thekevdog.com/projects/wind_generator/

(last night I saw a website talking about making solar panels from materials at a hardware store - but you had to pay them for the materials list and instructions.  now I can't find it...)'


And I'm still trying to figure out how they will heat one of those, for the northern climates?  
Must be one of the reasons it is California only, right now.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2009, 11:07:55 PM by Rob_Valdez_79_R65 »
Logged

aussie

  • Guest
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #13 on: February 17, 2009, 03:41:09 AM »
Quote
Barbara is absolutely in love with the Aptera and is quite distressed they will only be offered in CA...


Well Hell - that has to be the silliest thing I've ever heard! Why only in Ca? Tx has more sunlight during the course of the year doesn't it? Course it has more rain and snow as well me thinks....Maybe it's because of the tornadoes and the powers that be think that it may end up in Kansas.... ;)

Seriously though - why only in Ca?

And if it's just a wish list - well...don't know about late '80s Merc - the seats are just a tad hard for me - but then again I have a hard rear end so to speak (BTW there's a '52 for sale just down the road) - maybe a Caterham 7 or a Kouger Jag or even a replica Frazer Nash Le Mans? (Cor - I wish)

....Reminds me of a letter from an owner that was penned to Rolls back in the 80's. The owner complained that the front seats were just too hard. Rolls duely replied to the effect that while they appreciated the constructive criticism they normally didn't have this an issue, as the owners were usually chauffeured.... ;D Ain't that putting him in his place - without being rude?
« Last Edit: February 17, 2009, 04:03:57 AM by aussie »
Logged

Offline nhmaf

  • Global Moderator
  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 5155
  • Free at last, Free at last!
Re: What vehicle would you get if you had to
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2009, 02:17:24 PM »
That Aptera looks pretty cool - like it should be able to lift off and putter through the air like the Jetson's car.

Maybe it is only in California since we all know how much they spend on road maintenance/repair out there  ;)

It wouldn't work in its current configuration here in New England - we've got potholes and frost heaves that would rip those little pylon-enclosed things right off !

I'd love to  see someone drive one of these into their local Pep Boy's or Discount Tire and ask for a tire rotation...
Logged
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »