Buying a car

I am considering replacing my '98 Plymouth Breeze in the next few
months. I would prefer to buy a Toyota Prius, but the high price tag is
a problem because I would never drive enough to justify the extra cost
of buying a hybrid vehicle unless the price of gas goes up a lot.

What I would really like is a Prius without the hybrid technology. The
standard equipment and options that come in a Prius, plus its hatchback
appeal to me.

I am looking to keep this purchase under $20K. I want a hatch back with
a reasonable amount of cargo space so I can stow my folding bike and
some other stuff in it, plus have some nice luxuries.

One of the reasons I am looking to get rid of my car is the seating. My
back and right leg start to hurt after I have been driving for a while
and I am convinced the seat is at fault. I recently went to an
orthopedist, got an x-ray and MRI, but they showed nothing wrong, so I
figure I need an adjustable seat with lumbar support.

Is it realistic to expect to buy a new car with good gas milage for
under $20K in the southern New Jersey area that has a hatchback, drivers
seat with lumbar support, built-in GPS, power windows, remote keyless
entry and alarm, climate control, and a reasonably good sound system
(for those long weekend trips)?

I have looked at the web sites for Honda and Toyota, but nothing they
offer seems to meet even half my criteria. Any suggestions on a reliable
and economical vehicle that at least meats 75% of the items I want will
be appreciated. It has to be a hatchback though.

"Shawn Hirn" > wrote
> What I would really like is a Prius without the hybrid technology. The
> standard equipment and options that come in a Prius, plus its hatchback
> appeal to me.
>
> I am looking to keep this purchase under $20K. I want a hatch back with
> a reasonable amount of cargo space so I can stow my folding bike and
> some other stuff in it, plus have some nice luxuries.
>
> One of the reasons I am looking to get rid of my car is the seating. My
> back and right leg start to hurt after I have been driving for a while
> and I am convinced the seat is at fault. I recently went to an
> orthopedist, got an x-ray and MRI, but they showed nothing wrong, so I
> figure I need an adjustable seat with lumbar support.

But a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris for $15k, a GPS for $300 (Garmin
makes the best IMO), and buy an aftermarket Recarro seat for $2500.

Seriously, seats are a real crap shoot. You're as likely to get a good
one that's just right for *your* body in a cheap car as an expensive one.
I know lots of people that complain about BMW and MB seats. The
Fit has a more upright posture, which might be better for you.

FloydR

> Is it realistic to expect to buy a new car with good gas milage for
> under $20K in the southern New Jersey area that has a hatchback, drivers
> seat with lumbar support, built-in GPS, power windows, remote keyless
> entry and alarm, climate control, and a reasonably good sound system
> (for those long weekend trips)?
>

Under 20K? Yes, that's unreasonable. If you added lumbar support to an
Audi A3, it would be exactly what you are looking for, but out of your price
range. I immediately thought VW Golf, higher trim level, possibly with
optional equipment. It looks like they don't make the Golf anymore, though.

Reasonably good sound system is easy. Take any sound system, replace the
head unit with a kit from Crutchfield for about a hundred fifty bucks.
DONE! One example:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-6dfY7mv...00&I=113MP2032

Built-in GPS is harder. Almost have to buy a luxury vehicle to get that.
Can be added, of course, but not as easily as replacing the head unit of a
factory stereo, as the display needs more room than is normally available.

Hatchback greatly limits your choices, but it's smart to want one.

Driver's seat with lumbar support exists, but hard to find in a hatchback,
which typically is more of an economy car. Unless you go for luxury
hatchbacks, which do exist, but are pricey.

Good gas mileage? Just about every hatchback will offer that, unless you
are looking near the 40 highway range. But 30-up is quite common.

Under $20K is doable, but that's economy range, and you want luxury
features.

It would be tough to find a car -without- climate control, unless you are
talking about an automatic one where you punch in a temperature and let it
decide what to do. Again, that's more of a luxury item, won't be found in
the sub-20K range.

Electric everything with remote entry is practically standard equipment now
on all models, so that shouldn't be a problem at all. Factory alarms suck,
though.

If I were you, I would pare down the list to the essentials:
- Hatchback
- Good gas mileage
- Built-in GPS (should be able to find this available, if not standard
equipment)

That might make the search a little easier. You can add lumbar support and
replace the audio head unit, and make do with standard A/C. Good
luck, -Dave

In article >,
"Floyd Rogers" > wrote:

> "Shawn Hirn" > wrote
> > What I would really like is a Prius without the hybrid technology. The
> > standard equipment and options that come in a Prius, plus its hatchback
> > appeal to me.
> >
> > I am looking to keep this purchase under $20K. I want a hatch back with
> > a reasonable amount of cargo space so I can stow my folding bike and
> > some other stuff in it, plus have some nice luxuries.
> >
> > One of the reasons I am looking to get rid of my car is the seating. My
> > back and right leg start to hurt after I have been driving for a while
> > and I am convinced the seat is at fault. I recently went to an
> > orthopedist, got an x-ray and MRI, but they showed nothing wrong, so I
> > figure I need an adjustable seat with lumbar support.
>
> But a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris for $15k, a GPS for $300 (Garmin
> makes the best IMO), and buy an aftermarket Recarro seat for $2500.
>
> Seriously, seats are a real crap shoot. You're as likely to get a good
> one that's just right for *your* body in a cheap car as an expensive one.
> I know lots of people that complain about BMW and MB seats. The
> Fit has a more upright posture, which might be better for you.

That's interesting. My dad said the same thing as you. He suggested we
stop by a Honda dealer, which we did a few days ago. They didn't have
any Fits on the lot though. The idea of a Yaris has some merit too.

Thanks to you and Dave for your suggestions.

Shawn Hirn wrote: <brevity snip>
>
> I am looking to keep this purchase under $20K. I want a hatch back with
> a reasonable amount of cargo space so I can stow my folding bike and
> some other stuff in it, plus have some nice luxuries.

Buy used. You can get more car at a better value in a model 2-3 years
old and add/replace the items you find inferior... and it will be
cheaper to insure to boot.
-----

- gpsman

"Floyd Rogers" > wrote in news:12egr34pspps515
@corp.supernews.com:

> "Shawn Hirn" > wrote
>> What I would really like is a Prius without the hybrid technology. The
>> standard equipment and options that come in a Prius, plus its
hatchback
>> appeal to me.
>>
>> I am looking to keep this purchase under $20K. I want a hatch back
with
>> a reasonable amount of cargo space so I can stow my folding bike and
>> some other stuff in it, plus have some nice luxuries.
>>
>> One of the reasons I am looking to get rid of my car is the seating.
My
>> back and right leg start to hurt after I have been driving for a while
>> and I am convinced the seat is at fault. I recently went to an
>> orthopedist, got an x-ray and MRI, but they showed nothing wrong, so I
>> figure I need an adjustable seat with lumbar support.
>
> But a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris for $15k, a GPS for $300 (Garmin
> makes the best IMO), and buy an aftermarket Recarro seat for $2500.
>
> Seriously, seats are a real crap shoot. You're as likely to get a good
> one that's just right for *your* body in a cheap car as an expensive
one.
> I know lots of people that complain about BMW and MB seats. The
> Fit has a more upright posture, which might be better for you.
>
> FloydR
>
>

First off, don't ignore your back problem. I spent almost a full year in
great pain due to a herniated disk in my neck. It was causing problems
with my hip and left arm. Got to a point where I couldn't sit in any car
for more than five minutes. Got that fixed, but being in a car for more
than two hours is hell. I've found the driving osition in trucks and
buses to be perfect, like sitting at my desk. some of the mini-buses I
drive have Recaro seats in them. They make a big difference. I conside
one for the car, but I only spend about twenty minutes at most in it now.
Besides it wouldn't be cost effective for 99 Legacy.

Doug

Ladies and Gentlemen (and I use those words loosely), Shawn Hirn said in
rec.autos.driving:
> Is it realistic to expect to buy a new car with good gas milage for
> under $20K in the southern New Jersey area that has a hatchback, drivers
> seat with lumbar support, built-in GPS, power windows, remote keyless
> entry and alarm, climate control, and a reasonably good sound system
> (for those long weekend trips)?

Don't know much about the market in NJ (let's be realistic, I know
nothing about NJ period. ), but I don't see why you can't find a
decent used car for under $20K. I'd stay away from the Chryslers, though
(seems like every one I get behind these days that is more than a few
years old is blowing smoke). Down here, you probablly could get a new
car for that much. Also, have you considered a new drivers seat for your
car? (unless of course, there are other issues with the car that are
making you want to get rid of it.)

As for GPS and the sound system, after market is the way to go. If you
are willing to spend a few $$$, you can get a stereo head unit that also
has GPS navagation, such as this: http://tinyurl.com/gswfo .


--
N ever
S eeing
A nything

"Dave" > wrote in message
reenews.net...


> Under 20K? Yes, that's unreasonable. If you added lumbar support to an
> Audi A3, it would be exactly what you are looking for, but out of your
> price range. I immediately thought VW Golf, higher trim level, possibly
> with optional equipment. It looks like they don't make the Golf anymore,
> though.

In the US they have gone back to calling the "Golf" the "Rabbit." Just like
the old days.

Ed

"C. E. White" > wrote in message
news:44e9a816$1@kcnews01...
>
> "Dave" > wrote in message
> reenews.net...
>
>
>> Under 20K? Yes, that's unreasonable. If you added lumbar support to an
>> Audi A3, it would be exactly what you are looking for, but out of your
>> price range. I immediately thought VW Golf, higher trim level, possibly
>> with optional equipment. It looks like they don't make the Golf anymore,
>> though.
>
> In the US they have gone back to calling the "Golf" the "Rabbit." Just
> like the old days.
>
> Ed

Oh, you're right. The Rabbit might be the closest to what the OP is looking
for, if he can get GPS in it. It looks like everything else is available,
including lumbar support (4 door) -Dave

In article ews.net>,
"Mike T." > wrote:

> "C. E. White" > wrote in message
> news:44e9a816$1@kcnews01...
> >
> > "Dave" > wrote in message
> > reenews.net...
> >
> >
> >> Under 20K? Yes, that's unreasonable. If you added lumbar support to an
> >> Audi A3, it would be exactly what you are looking for, but out of your
> >> price range. I immediately thought VW Golf, higher trim level, possibly
> >> with optional equipment. It looks like they don't make the Golf anymore,
> >> though.
> >
> > In the US they have gone back to calling the "Golf" the "Rabbit." Just
> > like the old days.
> >
> > Ed
>
> Oh, you're right. The Rabbit might be the closest to what the OP is looking
> for, if he can get GPS in it. It looks like everything else is available,
> including lumbar support (4 door) -Dave

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I am a little hesitant to look at VW
products, but I will. I also noticed that Mazda has the M5 (or some
thing) and Chrysler now has a model that might meet my needs. I want to
check out the Honda Fit too. Adding after market equipment for the seat
and GPS makes a lot of sense too.