So we recently moved into the close foothills, now 45 minute drive to Denver (25 miles).
We really need a second car, we had a car that worked for getting around the city, but it's really not safe nor trustworthy enough for mountain driving.
At the high gas prices of $4 a gallon, however long ago that was, we used maybe $100 in gas a month between the car and the truck.
Our lifestyle has changed a lot aside from the move. My partner no longer sits behind a desk all day, but is instead doing lots of different stuff... running a city CSA, landscaping, painting, remodeling, etc, etc.
We are now averaging $400- $600 a month in gas cost.
We have a paid for 2000 Ford F150. It's solid, only $100K miles on it, some costemtic damage, but mechanically sound. But it sucks down the gas....
I really am leaning towards a car with AWD or 4 x 4 if possible, but acknowledge it's not mandatory, we could always drive the truck in really bad weather.
Where do I start with used car research? Consumer reports? A forum board somewhere?
Am I setting myself up for failure if I go for something like a 1998 Subaru wagon that has $130K miles for $2500 - $3500.
We need something that will be large enough to haul around stuff... (mega stock up shopping trips, thrift store runs, dumpster diving/ alley finds, shovels, tools, paint sprayer, water pressure spray thing, etc.) Not haul all that at the same time of course, but it needs to have enough space to fit a larger items like this from time to time, but will be lower on gas mileage.
We are now 7 miles from the main road, 10 miles to a grocery store, no cell service out the last 5 miles home. We need something that is reliable, but more gas friendly than the truck as well as be able to haul some stuff.
I suppose perhaps we could do a small trailer behind a more traditional car? How do I find out what cars are rated to be able to pull a trailer and up to what weight?
Maybe something like a GEO tracker or other like small SUV would be an option??
I really do not want to spend more than $3500, we just moved and that has been very expensive already, but I don't need a hunk of junk on my hands either.
I don't have a "car replacement" fund set aside, but do have a 6 month emergency fund, and an "extra" $1000 a month starting in March. We are debt free, but no real assets other than the truck and a bit in a 401K.
Any ideas? Recommedations? Direction of where to start my research?
thanks
We really need a second car, we had a car that worked for getting around the city, but it's really not safe nor trustworthy enough for mountain driving.
At the high gas prices of $4 a gallon, however long ago that was, we used maybe $100 in gas a month between the car and the truck.
Our lifestyle has changed a lot aside from the move. My partner no longer sits behind a desk all day, but is instead doing lots of different stuff... running a city CSA, landscaping, painting, remodeling, etc, etc.
We are now averaging $400- $600 a month in gas cost.
We have a paid for 2000 Ford F150. It's solid, only $100K miles on it, some costemtic damage, but mechanically sound. But it sucks down the gas....
I really am leaning towards a car with AWD or 4 x 4 if possible, but acknowledge it's not mandatory, we could always drive the truck in really bad weather.
Where do I start with used car research? Consumer reports? A forum board somewhere?
Am I setting myself up for failure if I go for something like a 1998 Subaru wagon that has $130K miles for $2500 - $3500.
We need something that will be large enough to haul around stuff... (mega stock up shopping trips, thrift store runs, dumpster diving/ alley finds, shovels, tools, paint sprayer, water pressure spray thing, etc.) Not haul all that at the same time of course, but it needs to have enough space to fit a larger items like this from time to time, but will be lower on gas mileage.
We are now 7 miles from the main road, 10 miles to a grocery store, no cell service out the last 5 miles home. We need something that is reliable, but more gas friendly than the truck as well as be able to haul some stuff.
I suppose perhaps we could do a small trailer behind a more traditional car? How do I find out what cars are rated to be able to pull a trailer and up to what weight?
Maybe something like a GEO tracker or other like small SUV would be an option??
I really do not want to spend more than $3500, we just moved and that has been very expensive already, but I don't need a hunk of junk on my hands either.
I don't have a "car replacement" fund set aside, but do have a 6 month emergency fund, and an "extra" $1000 a month starting in March. We are debt free, but no real assets other than the truck and a bit in a 401K.
Any ideas? Recommedations? Direction of where to start my research?
thanks
