plans for Hawaii... (part 1)

[seek_truth]

Hello all, (I will post this in two parts so it's not too long)

I will get straight to my post since I sometimes have a hard time elucidating what I want to say.

I live in Hawaii and I plan on living in my car within the next couple of months. My current situation is I am a student so I am in school mostly during the day or studying at the library. I would mostly be in the car to sleep at night.

Issue -> I need a another car. I have been only looking on Craigslist in my area for another used car but I have not been able to find anything. I was thinking either a Honda or Toyota station wagon OR van. What is your advice? I can afford up $15,000 but I would like to spend as little as possible, of course.

However, the reason I allot that much money aside is because I want to make this purchase and be done with it. I just want to to be able to service it every three months and clean it inside and out every weekend. That's it. I want it to be extremely reliable. That is the most important thing for me. After that is safety. I would like it to be as safe as possible.

Next, is interior comfort. Basically all this means is having enough space. I will either remove the back seats totally or if possible just fold them down flat completely. I don't need anything fancy at all. (no power windows, doors, locks, or steering.) I prefer a manual transmission. Air conditioning and a CD player would be nice but not essential. (i can always add a cd player later)

So, what do you recommend?

Other things I am considering buying:

New laptop <- I am going to buy a new laptop. My old one died last year and I have been my desktop but with me going in my car, I figure it will be better for me to just get another laptop. (thinkpad most likely)

 

[stude53]

Welcome to the forum, Seek Truth!

I have visited Hawaii (Oahu, Kauai, Hawaii big island) several times, but since it was probably thirty years or more ago, It's hard to give advice since current times are I'm sure quite different.

I can understand why you would look at fuel efficient vehicles first, since gasoline prices I think are at 4-5 dollars per gallon there.

For myself. comfort and reliability would be the two most important criteria, so a high-top extended Chevy van would be my preference. Depending on how much you intend to drive, a good solution could be to carry an on-board scooter or small motorcycle for local transportation.

Having been on Oahu when there was a hurricane hitting the island, the weight and stability of my rolling home would also be a factor.

In order to be of more help in your search, please give us more details and your thoughts on the current conditions, security concerns, and approximate location you will be living.

You certainly are in a beautiful part part of the U.S.

Bob (aka stude53)

 

[seek_truth]

However, the reason I allot that much money aside is because I want to make this purchase and be done with it. I just want to to be able to service it every three months and clean it inside and out every weekend. That's it. I want it to be extremely reliable. That is the most important thing for me. After that is safety. I would like it to be as safe as possible.

@stude53 - The most important thing for me too is reliability and safety. Comfort is not necessarily at the very top but it is important. Gas mileage is even further down the list of important things to consider.

In order to be of more help in your search, please give us more details and your thoughts on the current conditions, security concerns, and approximate location you will be living.

1. Current conditions
^ I am not what you mean by 'current conditions'...?

2. Security concerns / approximate location
^ For the most part, I will staying on base, at the areas around campus, or maybe by the beaches at times. I do not foresee me having any issues at either of these locations regarding security. Hawaii is not a dangerous place to begin with but even more so at the areas I mentioned. Staying on base should definitely be secure. The areas by campus do have an issue with theft in homes but no-one ever gets hurt since it's always when the homes are empty. For the beaches, I have not heard of assaults or anything like that at our beaches.

Nevertheless, one can never be too careful so I am considering getting a handgun just in case. I am not positive yet because that is a big decision and I did fine the last time I lived in my car without it. But I would like to sleep in my car in more dangerous areas like on the west side in waianae so I just might need the firearm in those places but even in those areas I am not sure if its really dangerous or if its highly exaggerated...

 

[Belinda2]

1. See what consumer reports recommends in the areas you value most, with the vehicle purchase.
2. Find out what the Kelly blue book price is for the year, make, and model so you get the best price.
3. If buying used, pay someone who inspects vehicles for their time to go see the vehicle and give you an assessment if you should buy the vehicle.

 

[blkjak]

welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak