Ack, save me from myself!

[SheketEchad]

<font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">So yesterday I decided to get a move on the plans and go trade in my vehicle. &nbsp;Went to CarMax as I know several people that have had good experiences there. &nbsp;First disappointment - they did not give me nearly as much for my high end SUV as I had hoped (gas prices aren't helping the sales factor!) &nbsp;</font><div><font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br></font></div><div><font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Anyhow, to make a long story short - I wanted something with good gas mileage, easy to tow behind either a Class B, C or very short A - and came home with a 2007 Mini Cooper. Then I got home and started researching - OH NO. &nbsp;Parts seem to be an issue, as do the cost of the repairs. &nbsp;The turbocharged engines also have a high failure rate and noted carbon build up. I don't know if people simply don't change the oil regularly and don't use the premium gas it says it needs, or if there is truly a design flaw. Reliability doesn't seem to be a prime factor for buying one of these babies.</font></div><div><font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br></font></div><div><font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">I am taking it back, and going to look for a Prius, Focus, Yaris or Impreza I think. It's a very fun car to drive and meets the initial requirements that I had (except for the payment part -wanted to cash out), but I just think the potential for failure and the high price of repairs will off set any savings I might get on gas and what not.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">I figure wherever I go, those brands above should have someone able to repair in the area - not so much with the Mini.</font></div><div><font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br></font></div><div><font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Sometimes it truly sucks to attempt to be practical!!</font></div><div><font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br></font></div><div><font face="Georgia" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">~SE</font></div>

 

[Les H]

I have seen the mini's at car shows, and considering they are made by BMW, I'm surprised at the issues. I am NOT surprised that a $50 k caddilac Escalade is worth $10 k on trade in, when you know full well that it will be shipped out somewhere and put on the lot for $35k.
I hope you find what you are looking for. I know that I HATE car shopping , though it seems that I do it on average of once a year. It always surprises me what people think their cars and trucks are worth, even the 10 yo ones that I have to look at.

 

[mockturtle]

Maybe it would be a good idea to check the towability of these vehicles if you want to tow four-down.&nbsp; <br>

 

[rattlesnake joe]

<p>It pays to be practical almost always.&nbsp; Doing your own research when shopping for a new vehicle is number one in my book.&nbsp; Our cars are our most expensive items we own.&nbsp; Thank God I am out from under the White Elephant.&nbsp; It is what I use to call my house.&nbsp; Now that that huge expense is over, I use the Internet to see what I NEED to live my life's expectation.&nbsp; Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for me is down sizing.&nbsp; Every time I turn around gas prices are going higher and higher.&nbsp; People that have nice class A motorhomes won't be able to use them except in front of their houses.&nbsp; Gone are the days living with out care.&nbsp; The 50's are gone.&nbsp; Reality is now at hand.&nbsp; Life is too expensive for the regular American to live.&nbsp; Slowly but surely our life style has been altered so we need to think before we spend.&nbsp; Don't ever listen to a salesman to get the truth.&nbsp; They would choke on the truth.&nbsp; Do your own homework, take your time be selective, then narrow your choices down to 3 dream machines.&nbsp; Talk to people you see driving them.&nbsp; Men like to talk about their trucks [its a man thing] I guess because we don't have horses anymore.&nbsp; Save your money and look for deals.&nbsp; People are getting desperate, so deals are out there.&nbsp; </p>

 

[SoulRaven]

Maybe it would be a good idea to check the towability of these vehicles if you want to tow four-down.&nbsp; <br>

<br><br>This needs to be shouted one more time... @@ make sure what you buy is towable @@<br><br>Also find out if there is even a tow bar/package availablee for the model you are looking... Allot of the newer compacts cannot be towed 4 down, some FWD vehicles will need a dolly which is even more money... Allot of the automatics cannot be towed without allot of effort...<br><br>Do your home work and then go shopping...<br><br><br>

 

[gadgetMe]

If I were looking:<br><br>I would&nbsp; not count out the high MPG diesels&nbsp; some get 50 mpg<br><br>Putz<br><br>

 

[SheketEchad]

<span style="font-family: Courier; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I ended up with a 2008 Honda Fit: flat towable, everyone can repair them and reliable.</span><div><span style="font-family: Courier; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Pragmatic isn't always fun... <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Courier; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Courier; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">~SE</span></div>

 

[sl1966]

I lived out of my Honda Ridgeline for a while and had a blast doing it!<div><br></div>

 

[Seraphim]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Sorry I came to this late. DW has a Nissan Versa (stick) that is flat towable, high mileage, and fun to drive.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Enjoy your Fit! lol</p>