I'm buying a new car...

[PatrThom]

I wasn't really trying to recommend a model ('cuz @Emrys starts right off by saying, "I pretty much know what I'm going to get"), I was just responding to all the Subaru comments.
Also, keep a 2.5gal gas can in the trunk. Hopefully you'll never use it, but if/when you ever do, you'll be so happy you had one.

--Patrick

 

[GasBandit]

I wasn't really trying to recommend a model ('cuz @Emrys starts right off by saying, "I pretty much know what I'm going to get"), I was just responding to all the Subaru comments.
Also, keep a 2.5gal gas can in the trunk. Hopefully you'll never use it, but if/when you ever do, you'll be so happy you had one.

--Patrick

But don't keep it full of gas.

 

[strawman]

If you can afford gas, you can afford a gas can, and if you're at a place that sells gas, you'll find they also sell gas cans, so there's no point in keeping a gas can in the vehicle. Please don't store gas inside the passenger compartment of any vehicle (unless it's in a properly rated fuel cell designed for use inside the passenger compartment). If you have a trunk and you must carry fuel, then I suppose it's not the worst thing ever outside the passenger compartment, but it's pretty close. If you regularly find yourself in this position, buy a new bumper for your vehicle that includes a jerry can holder, and use those to store your fuel outside the vehicle.

 

[Emrys]

I also have CAA.

 

[drawn_inward]

CAA:Canadian Alcoholics Anon? Don't drink and drive, gurl.

 

[PatrThom]

But don't keep it full of gas.

Right. I just meant to keep a can.
If you run out and have to walk/get a lift to a gas station, you will find that station probably WILL NOT lend you a gas can. Also, the price they charge you for a gas can will probably be a lot higher than whatever the going rate for gas cans is at places where people's need for gas is not as urgent. Basically, if you're in a situation where you will need a gas can, it will be much more convenient to grab the (empty) one from your trunk than trying to track one down and pay through the nose for it "in the moment."
I will admit to filling the can in my trunk and keeping it there for a few days, but this is usually for right when I catch the prices going up, when it's just before Christmas Day and I don't know what stations will be open the next day when I have to drive 350mi, etc.

--Patrick

 

[Dei]

I was trained at a young age to never let my gas gauge drop below 1/4. What is wrong with you people?!

 

[strawman]

I was trained at a young age to never let my gas gauge drop below 1/4. What is wrong with you people?!

My wife was too.

It wasn't too hard to get her to break that habit.



You can bet, though, that when my kids start driving I'm going to enforce that rule with an iron fist.

 

[Dei]

My wife was too.

It wasn't too hard to get her to break that habit.



You can bet, though, that when my kids start driving I'm going to enforce that rule with an iron fist.

Even now, 1/4 means my car still has over 100 miles on it, AND I STILL CAN'T DO IT.

 

[Emrys]

I get down to half a tank and I get antsy.

 

[GasBandit]

Even now, 1/4 means my car still has over 100 miles on it, AND I STILL CAN'T DO IT.

Hah, you'd think with my... thing... about cell phone batteries, I'd be that way with cars, too... but all too often I don't buy gas until the "LOW FUEL" light comes on.

 

[Dei]

Hah, you'd think with my... thing... about cell phone batteries, I'd be that way with cars, too... but all too often I don't buy gas until the "LOW FUEL" light comes on.

Ironically, you should see my phone battery right now. [emoji12]

 

[Emrys]

OK, it's test-driving time. Wish me luck in avoiding the deer.

 

[Shakey]

Tell us what you are buying so we can judge you!

 

[PatrThom]

I was trained at a young age to never let my gas gauge drop below 1/4. What is wrong with you people?!

I have never run out of gas. This includes times I have driven for 12mi with the dashboard reading "0 miles to E" the entire time.

--Patrick

 

[GasBandit]

I have never run out of gas. This includes times I have driven for 12mi with the dashboard reading "0 miles to E" the entire time.

--Patrick

I haven't run out of gas on this car yet (and I've owned it for... 6 or so years). But I ran out of gas one time each on my previous 3 vehicles.

 

[Ravenpoe]

If you can afford gas, you can afford a gas can

But if you can't afford gas, get yourself a gas can and a siphon hose.

 

[strawman]

I get down to half a tank and I get antsy.

That's because it takes you half a tank to get anywhere - that's the price of a secret lair out in the boonies.

 

[fade]

I disagree with the Smart recommendation. They're expensive and get relatively poor gas mileage for what they are supposed to be. The only advantage is the size.

Gap insurance is up to you, but I wouldn't recommend that either. It's an expensive gamble that rarely pays off. The drive-off depreciation is often exaggerated. It's not 50%, it's more like 9-10% immediate depreciation. Even a year later, your car has only dropped in value by about 20%. Here's an Edmund's article about it, and there are plenty more to find.

As for the Fiat 500L, I've had two now. The first was a buyback because they could not get the computer to work. It was an "Easy". We now have the Trekking. I like it a lot. It's like a mini-minivan. Lots of space, but not too much. Fits two hockey bags and four people just fine. Decent gas mileage, and not terrible performance. The thing to keep in mind is that Fiats are not historically known for reliability. Though now that they've merged with Chrysler, it's probably better.

 

[Bubble181]

The American (and Canadian) car market is just completely different from the European one. Seriously, almost none of these comments make any kind of sense from my perspective