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New Work Car???

jocko_nc

jocko_nc

Super Member
Hope to be gainfully employed in a month or so... The deal will come with a "car", this time I would prefer an allowance rather than a fleet car. Maybe I can work that out.

I have been looking at what is out there. We currently have a '08 Fusion and an '03 Suburban. Since the wife started working again, she takes the Fusion (my old fleet car) 60 miles / five days a week. 27 mpg highway miles. I putz around town in the truck. The new job would run something like 2500 miles a month, interstate throughout the South. Obviously, the Suburban is not the one for that job.

Thoughts:

We can switch back for any number of months and not require a third vehicle. $2.20 gas ain't bad at all.

I love the Fusion, but it really is a bit too small for me. It works, but I would really prefer something larger. The driver's seat is all-back, all-down. If I had leather seats or a moon roof, my head would hit the ceiling. No go.

I love a deisel. The current offerings are too small or too expensive. Maybe a VW Golf coupe will have a large drivers seat? I doubt it. Audi is $$$.

I think I would like a coupe versus a sedan. I have driven nothing but four door "family" sedans since I was 22 years old. An Accord coupe looks sooo good.

I would really prefer a basic interior trim versus luxury. The leather tricked-out seats are always too tall. Again, the moon roof is a problem. My father-in-law drives a $100K-fat V8 Mercedes coupe that my head hits the ceiling. Nice car, but that sucks. Most higher-trim Japanese models have a moon roof and 2 inches or so less headroom. That will not work.

I want the best drivetrain possible. Largest engine. Possibly 6-speed manual. Hmmmm. Rear drive would be a bonus. ???. Japanese models tend to only offer the larger engine in the luxury trim packages. Read: Seats and moon roof. Accord and Altima may be non-starters.

Fuel economy. I would like as many mpg as possible. No reason to buy 93 octane, either. A high-performance 6 cylinder seems to be the ticket.

This needs to be a car that will pile up some high mileage without major costs. I am not confident about a turbo-gasoline engine after 100K miles. For that matter, a manual transmission is more reliable than an uber-complex paddle-actuated automatic. A sweet car with 90K miles and a blown turbo does me no good. Happened to a friend of mine in the same situation, cost him $$$ and trouble.

Specific cars:

Jetta or Golf TDI... Great idea, too small.

2010 Fusion... Available with big V6, nice car. Already have one. Too small. Good mpg. Auto only.

Accord Coupe... V6 not available without leather and moon roof. Low headroom. Nice car but there may be better out there. Good mpg. 6-speed.

Altima Coupe... Similar to Accord. Said to be superior. ???. Good mpg. 6-speed.

Maxima Sedan... This car has a nice 3.5 engine at all trim levels. CVT transmission is questionable. ???. That is all they offer now. Said to be a sweet ride.

GM... I hate to say it, but I am hesitant to buy anything that came off a GM line. That whole scene is too messed up. I know how it can be.

Charger RT... This becomes a V-8. Large car, more room. No moon roof. Mileage is less than the others. A respectable "family" car with grunt. The other drivers that see me coming up behind them will pull aside, asuming I am a cop car. Hmmmm. This car is heavily discounted. Similar to Chrysler 300D and Challenger. Respected chassis from Diamler I have read.

Challenger RT... I love this car, but suspect it sends the wrong message.

Taurus... Nice car all-around. Not the worst thing one could drive. A default decision.

BMW... Too expensive across the board. Stupid to put so many miles on such an expensive car. My brother has the hopped-up 335 coupe. Sweet ride. He has a lease and puts few miles on it.

Genesis Coupe... Yes, a Hyundai. Big V-6. Rear drive. 6-speed or automatic. 300 hp and 27 mpg. The "track" version is a 300 hp performer for $30K. Value product. I think I can get it without the stupid moon roof. 87 octane. This thing seems to be the best offering out there.

Thoughts?
 
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I know that you said that you don't think you'd like a GM product, but I've been hearing that either
the Malibu or the Impala (can't remember which one) is one that's taking the imports head on.

It's been getting great reviews from both the "experts" and the casual driver.

Just a thought...

Scott
 
I liked the Genesis, but the cost seemed to sky-rocket from the original concept car. It was voted Motor Trend Car of the year. The coupe is intriguing, haven't seen one up close yet though.
I have an XG-350 & a Sonata. Their quality has really come a long way. :yes:
 
jocko_nc said:
Taurus... Nice car all-around. Not the worst thing one could drive. A default decision.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

This could be your best low budget bet. My 1997 has 183,000 mikes on it and averages 24 mpg with the check engine light on. Used to get closer to 27 mpg. Got it 7 years ago when my Dad passed and all I've done is put brakes, tires, an exhaust, and alternator, and a couple of multifunction wiper switches in it. Still runs fine but the shocks and struts seem pretty bouncy/shot. Drove it 1600+ miles to the Jersey shore and back 2 summers ago to get my daughter and had no issues at all.

Lots of them out there to choose from too as Ford sold a ton to fleets and leasing companies. You probably could get a pretty nice one inexpensively, say around $5000

Nothing fancy, but it is a good transportation value to me. I've had 4 and would probably buy another.
 
I'd go for a 4 cylinder Accord or the Altima coupe with the 3.5. Actually, the 4 cylinder Honda engine isn't exactly anemic or buzzy like some other 4 cylinders. It's a very refined engine with 190 hp and good mileage. The Altima Coupe with the 3.5 liter is quite nice, perhaps not quite as refined overall as the Accord, but its 3.5 engine is a beauty. However, its 6 speed manual is a bit notchy and the clutch doesn't have a real good feel. You can get use to both though. Also, 270 hp through a front wheel drive may have you sensing a bit of torque steer. I would test drive both (several times perhaps) before making your decision. Another thing - even though you may not want leather/moonroof, etc. in the Altima Coupe 3.5, they made not have it available (on the lot) without these extras added in already.
 
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Andyman said:
This could be your best low budget bet.
Click to expand...

The newest Taurus is no longer a low budget offering as it once was. It's priced right up there with the other cars mentioned. However, you can certainly get the earlier model used very inexpensively and they are, as you say, very dependable.
 
I have a 2005 Altima sedan. It's a 2.5 liter 4 cyl, 175 hp. (auto trans) Surprising power for 4 cyl. (don't really need a V-6, unlees you just want more power.)

I really like the Altima. It's not a small car, lots of room, and rides nice. Gets about 26 to 29 mpg hwy, about 18-19 in town. It's our family truckster.
It handles more like a sports car, than a sedan. Firm, quick steering, etc.
I have put brakes and tires on it once in 58,000 miles, changed oil, etc. That's it for expenses. (Had to replace a headlight lamp once)

A new Altima coupe w/ 6 speed & V-6 would really be a nice set up, for more of a performance type car.

I used to be a huge Chevy fan, but haven't bought an american car for a long time.... ( I have a 55 Chevy that I may never sell)

Like it or not, cars from Japan are still make the best quality cars overall.

The "cash for clunker" program (that is costing the taxpayer millions $$$) is proof.
Out of the top 10 cars bought under the program, 8 were foreign, with about all those from Japan.
 
I've had more Tauruses than I can shake a stick at... That platform got stale, but the new one looks really good.

I'd love a V-6 Altima Coupe or Accord Coupe, as long as I can sit upright in it.
 
The Nissan 3.5 v6 is excellent haven't tried it with the CVT. Don't really like the other CVT"s I've tried. The Charger can be had with a proven 3.5l V6 as well. The Chrysler 6 is not as peppy as the Nissan but the Charger is roomy and has a very nice ride. Your gonna have to get out there and see what you like. You can't beat the Charger with the V8 smokes all the imports especially out on the highway. Still gets 18-20mpg too.
 
I have not liked the CVT's I have driven, either. Perhaps they were just crappy? Why would you make that tranny standard on a Maxima? ???.

I had a couple of the 3.5 Dodges as Intrepids back in the 90's. Great motor design. Not big enough for thr Charger, though. If I went Charger, it would have the V8. No doubt about it. I might live to regret that move down the road if gasoline gets as expensive as it get.
 
Bigger questions here

There are actually bigger questions here,

If it comes down to a choice of a "company car" or an allowance, lots to be considered.

1. If you buy a new car and the job doesn't "work out", you now have a car payment you might not need.

2. Is it a flat allowance or an allowance plus mileage, or plus gasoline, or just mileage based?

3. One advantage of a "company car" is within reason, no matter what happens to it, it's the financial responsibility of the company. If the job doesn't "work out", no strings for you.

4. Is it a "company car" exclusively for your use, or a "fleet car" from a pool?

5. You referred to "fleet car". What is the current standard car for the company, or is there a "standard"?

I pose these questions because I worked 10 years for 2 different companies that provided me with a car and paid all expenses for them. The first was a 1990 Lumina Euro Coupe dressed with all the options. It was a wonderful car, a joy to drive and I put 135,000 miles on it. When I left the company, I bought it for a price below the book value and sold it to a good friend who bought it for his daughter.

The next car was a 1995 Thunderbird LX Coupe also fully dressed. I put 120,000 miles on it and also bought it when I left for the balance on the laon, about 1/2 of the book value. I truly enjoyed driving this car and drove it for about a year after I started my own business, right up to the time that I bought my first Tahoe.

I liked the car so much that I kept it, put a fresh paint job on it a few years later and still have it to drive on weekends and to run errands. It costs me less than $350 a year to pay taxes, tags, insurance and maintenance.

The reason I bring this up is that you indicated that you "would prefer" an allowance over a fleet car.
 
What car "you get" is the last issue to discuss... Next week, hopefuly.

This is a small company, smaller companies are usually more flexible in car type. My last employer (large) was very limited, resulting in 16 years of Taurus or Intrepid. Always a four door, though 99.9% of our driving was solo highway miles from A to B. That last go-around was Fusion, which is a fine car. Albeit a bit small for me. I generally took possession of the "old" car for the assumed the tax liability. I sold each for a profit, except for my last 2005 Taurus which could not be sold to cover the taxes. No kidding.

This will be my car exclusively.

I really don't need a third car. Especially if it is less-nice than my second car. I hope they see the light and give me an allowance so I can drive what I have. It is "paid", but a balance exists on a credit line. I do have a cost to drive it.

Good point about the car payment. THAT is the real logical issue and I certainly understand. The smart money is to drive what I already have. The rest is stupid emotional talk. I will be smart in the short term. The Suburban has 125K miles, I might use it as a commuter for another year or 20K. After that, it needs to slow down so that it can hang around for the kids (ride and eventually drive) and to haul stuff.

I would just as soon buy the next car myself. That way I get to drive what I want to drive. The right car should go el mucho highway miles and still be a respectable, fun ride. Insurance may be another matter. ???.

Whatever the deal, 27 mpg highway ought to reasonably fit within any plan. I would not want to go much lower. I would not speculate on $5.00 gas, either.

Thinking rationally, I will probably shoot for a year on the Fusion, the Lady drives the truck. At that time, I can re-evaluate and commit to a car payment.


That Genesis in yellow looks really good, though...
 
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Yes, fortunately, the 2 companies I worked for were very flexible.

The standard car for the 1st company was a Caprice. I would have been glad to have one, but in 1990 the Caprice was rebodied and looked like an upside-down bathtub to me!

Fortunate for me that my new boss didn't like it either and readily agreed to the purchase of my Lumina Euro Coupe.

The second company was pretty flexible as well. My boss had a Taurus wagon and one of my fellow engineers had an Aerostar van.

Seems like a good idea to see how flexible the new company is and based on your options, decide whether to drive company or take an allowance.
 
Having a fleet vehicle isn't such a bad deal. You don't have to deal with any of the bills and they manage all the maintence for you.
 
"Challenger RT... I love this car, but suspect it sends the wrong message."

The wrong message? How so?:scratch2:

(See Avatar)

Dave
 
Not that I am tall but one of the reasons for buying the Impala LS was six way power seats, I can sit up with a hat on very comfortably and 29 MPG is not hard to take. The police use the same model I have except no aluminum wheels and probably no power seats, all the rest is the same.
 
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