Looking for Car Suggestions

[bjphoenix]

Some of the guys in my club have Subaru hatchbacks and Ford Escape hatchbacks. The both carry a lot of rocket stuff to our launches.

 

[Art Upton]

Some of the guys in my club have Subaru hatchbacks and Ford Escape hatchbacks. The both carry a lot of rocket stuff to our launches.

He has to take his kids also, so no folding down the rear seats I take it. Rules out my new RAV4 that way as well.

 

[BEC]

We have had a 2023 Ford Maverick hybrid pickup since last November. It is our road trip vehicle (including to NARAM this year — three days driving out, three days back). Currently it just has a soft tonneau cover over the bed that I got from Amazon for <$200. It has kept things in the bed amazingly dry.

Low 40s in miles per gallon around town/local freeways. The lowest milage we got on the way to and from NARAM was 32 - that was on legs where the speed limit was 80 (and so traffic was going 85) for hours across Idaho, Utah and Wyoming on the way out and across Wyoming and southern Montana and a little bit of Idaho on the way back.

Getting everything in for the NARAM trip was a squeeze, but it all got in. Since there's just the two of us, a small 12V refrigerator/freezer, the motor boxes and my wife's lap harp rode in the back seat of the cab. Pretty much everything else was in the bed. The Maverick has what is called a FlexBed which really means that there are provisions for both horizontal and vertical dividers in the inside. I used this to create a horizontal platform that basically gave us two levels to load stuff into, making it possible to access suitcases and models separately from all the stuff used to set up the range camp and vice versa.

I don't know what kind of milage your hybrid Sienna gets so I don't know if a Maverick hybrid would be better or worse.

This is only the second American brand vehicle I've ever bought (the first was a Plymouth Champ, which was really a Mitsubishi, decades ago), and the first that was actually built in North America (Hermosillo, Mexico). So far, so good. It has just over 10K miles on it now but it's going to see much less use in the next year as we're not planning any long road trips, while this year we traveled to the Southwest twice.

Used ones are not widely available (well, new ones aren't either) though at least it appears that they've gotten past the point of being able to charge a large markup over sticker price. You should be able to find a 22 or 23 in your price range with some digging, I would think.

So....an option that's a little different than others discussed in this thread so far.

All that said, our other vehicle is a 2016 Kia Soul EV. It doesn't have long enough legs for a one-hour commute, but a first generation Kia Niro EV would. I haven't really looked at the used EV market (and I'm on the other side of the country) so I really have no idea what might be in your price range.

 

[lr64]

If a vehicle meets your needs, except for extra capacity for light stuff like rockets, consider ski boxes on top or a light trailer. I used to carry two ski boxes at once on my Saturn, which were kept loaded. I had a block and tackle dangling from a tree, which made it easy to get them on and off without much trouble. They were too bulky more than they were too heavy. The ski boxes, though, really reduced the mpg on highway trips. From maybe low thirties to 25 or a bit more. I actually got better mileage with the trailer, which was a Harbor Freight one that I extended to carry a small boat. Worked fine, but is vulnerable to rust. I guess you'd need to get a trailer with a rain proof enclosure, or make such an enclosure yourself. The ski boxes stayed dry if I mashed a towel into the front.

IMHO, cars make better cars that SUVs or trucks do. Minivans, I think, being a bit better than SUVs. Consider your primary use and whether you actually need to go off road. I really like my 2008 (7? I forget) Honda Fit, and it DOES have a back seat, but I imagine that if you're carrying a bunch of stuff and two toddlers, it might get a bit cramped. Especially in 10 years. For one guy and a bunch of stuff, it serves pretty well, though if you get in an accident, that stuff is going to fly around, as with almost any station wagon.

BTW, if you are considering 4WD of some sort, for snow, consider getting a really good set of snow tires instead. 4WD is great for getting you to the scene of the accident, like the guy in the Wagoneer who bopped my Fiesta one snowy day. Really good snow tires help with the braking and turning, too. I got a set of Blizzaks for the Saturn when I was renting a house with a really icy driveway and I didn't want to spend 15 minutes putting out sand every morning in the winter. Worked great. I don't know what the best snow tires are now. I don't bother, since I don't have an icy driveway and I only live in eastern Massachusetts. Maybe if I lived in Vermont again...

 

[MidOH]

I live in the snow belt. On the rural side where they only plow before rush hour. 4wd or death.

Snow tires are only in "car sizes" for a reason. And you have to be careful. Many snow tires are optimized for Canada and Europe, not the snow belt of the US. They can suck in slush and rain. Especially after being nuked by dry pavement.

We use the big truck, not because it's a rally car in the snow, but because it can chum anyone else that crashes into us. I like having legs. Generally, fresh mud terrains work best in our winters (irony). Particularly the Firestone De$tination mt2's or Kenda mt2's.

Cars+snow tires, are still pretty useless in deep snow. Even if we only get 6" of snow, it'll drift to 3 feet in some spots, or get plowed deeper in some spots. Plenty of Suby's high centered on a pile of snow every winter, spinning all 4 tires.

Best snow tires for the midwest is the Cooper Snow Claw. Note the straightish circumferential grooves. Avoid tires with v grooves at all cost. (Blizzaks etc.)

 

[Art Upton]

I live in the snow belt. On the rural side where they only plow before rush hour. 4wd or death.

Snow tires are only in "car sizes" for a reason. And you have to be careful. Many snow tires are optimized for Canada and Europe, not the snow belt of the US. They can suck in slush and rain. Especially after being nuked by dry pavement.

We use the big truck, not because it's a rally car in the snow, but because it can chum anyone else that crashes into us. I like having legs. Generally, fresh mud terrains work best in our winters (irony). Particularly the Firestone De$tination mt2's or Kenda mt2's.

Cars+snow tires, are still pretty useless in deep snow. Even if we only get 6" of snow, it'll drift to 3 feet in some spots, or get plowed deeper in some spots. Plenty of Suby's high centered on a pile of snow every winter, spinning all 4 tires.

Best snow tires for the midwest is the Cooper Snow Claw. Note the straightish circumferential grooves. Avoid tires with v grooves at all cost. (Blizzaks etc.)

Yikes Your on the Snow Corridor called I-71/271 in north-east Ohio. Someone built a freeway where nature had built a gully for snow and rain to settle in.

 

[MidOH]

Yep. I likely have a quarter million miles experience on that road alone.

The real fun, often is further south by 30.

 

[bschultz32]

I will never NOT drive a Suburban for the rest of my days. My Blushing Bride feels safe in it, rides great, plenty of room for all my rocket stuff. Do like I did and find one that is a year or two old, to take advantage of the significant drop in cost. Your plan is solid, drive the Sienna to work, have your wife drive the Suburban locally.

 

[AlexBruccoleri]

Thank you all for the discussion! I am learning a lot and now considering the 4Runner and good to know pick ups can be covered well.

 

[Art Upton]

Yep. I likely have a quarter million miles experience on that road alone.

The real fun, often is further south by 30.

I had minimal experience on 71/271 when a Depot I reported to in Twinsburg, as a "field engineer" for Data Point.
It was only for a year and a half, and I moved back to Tool-E-Do.

I had been south below 30 even on calls, but lucky it was summer. A few Winter calls were up on 90 even Ashtabula. Semis sliding backwards on the hill, and in town of CLE cars sliding off of "Deadman's Curve"

 

[lr64]

It's populous enough here that, if it's drifting to 3 feet, I try to stay home, so as not to be hit by some idiot. Plus I don't want to "chum" anyone else. I find icy conditions more difficult than slush and rain.

 

[Sandy H.]

I got a 2021 Honda Ridgeline as a rental car a couple of years ago and really was impressed. True the bed isn't a real truck bed, so there could be some tweaking needed for a rocket hauler, but maybe some sort of rack like construction guys use to haul ladders could work (not a permanent thing, just something you put in for rocket day).

I strongly encouraged my wife to trade in her CRV and get the Ridgeline, but she "didn't want another truck" since I already have a real truck. . .

I'm not sure what they look like on the used market, but the base models new are kissing that $40k number and there can be some advantages to getting a new car (free service, 100% knowledge of how it is taken care of etc.).

Hope you find the perfect solution!

 

[AlexBruccoleri]

Any thoughts on pure electric cars? I am considering that as well, more as an exciting car than pragmatic.

 

[plkap74]

Used teslas seem like a fairly good deal. And if under income limits the tax credits are quite good. Bolt seems like the only “budget” option new, everything else seems to start around 40+++.

Be wary of Tesla website (and maybe others) that factor in “predicted gas savings” and assume every rebate as part of the displayed price.

 

[plkap74]

Used teslas seem like a fairly good deal. And if under income limits the tax credits are quite good. Bolt seems like the only “budget” option new, everything else seems to start around 40+++.

Be wary of Tesla website (and maybe others) that factor in “predicted gas savings” and assume every rebate as part of the displayed price.

One other thing is luxury electrics (Mercedes, bmw) depreciate insanely fast so you can get a really good deal on a super luxurious car, if you are in the market for that. But that’s like a 120k car for 60k, so different price bracket.

I’m curious if rivians can be had at a good price. Might fit your use quite well, they are just insanely expensive new.

 

[Rocketjunkie]

Mini Van. Much lower cost than a truck and more economical to operate. Interior space of a Suburban but half the price and 40% less to insure and operate. Also can leave enough seats for your family. The rest drop below the floor. I got a brand new one in 2018 for $30K.
This is mine loaded for launch including a 98 mm Deuce upscale.

 

[plkap74]

Any thoughts on pure electric cars? I am considering that as well, more as an exciting car than pragmatic.

Also also (as you can tell I’m also in the market and have lots of thoughts!) I think you are either a Tesla person or aren’t, and you should really test drive one to find out. I think traditional auto makers are making cars that happen to be electric, and Tesla makes a home appliance that happens to drive (not a knock on them driving wise, more design of everything else wise). It’s not for everyone, just a personal taste. But I’d start with them as the best name in it and move elsewhere if it isn’t your cup of tea.

 

[Rocketjunkie]

All EV not recommended at this time. Fast charging stations too few and far between. If want an EV, get a plug in hybrid.

 

[speed]

One other thing is luxury electrics (Mercedes, bmw) depreciate insanely fast so you can get a really good deal on a super luxurious car, if you are in the market for that. But that’s like a 120k car for 60k, so different price bracket.

I’m curious if rivians can be had at a good price. Might fit your use quite well, they are just insanely expensive new.

My Rivian burnt to the ground while sitting at a stop light. I got a Tacoma and love it.

 

[speed]

If your looking at anything electric, have folks ride in the back seat and see what happens! If they don't get sick, your golden.

 

[jadebox]

The Honda Pilot is a wonderful vehicle based on the Honda Odyssey chassis.

I love our Pilot, but recommend the Odyssey for most people. Mini-vans may not be as cool, but they are more practical. The sliding doors, for instance, are much better if you have kids. I don't know if it's true now, but back in 2014 when we traded in our Odyssey for a 2012 Pilot, the Odyssey has more room in the back. I could remove the seats and lay 4x8 sheets of plywood in the back.

On the other hand, if you're going to treat it like a truck, the Pilot is better. Even though both are unibody vehicles like cars, the Pilot has a bit more clearance and is more solid underneath. If you drive off-road on to rocket launch fields for example, you could beat an Odyssey to death as we did. The Pilot is much better than the Odyssey in those situations. Our Pilot has all wheel drive and though it isn't real four wheel drive, I feel very comfortable using it to tow our trailer even when the field is a little soggy (a common occurrence here).

 

[Buzzard]

Not a suggestion, per se, but when I had to replace my 1999 Taurus back in 2022, I was looking at a used 2020 Honda CR-V. I took my wife to see it and her reaction was: "You just want a Rocket Car". I responded with "Does it show?"
Fast forward and I love the CR-V as it has plenty of room for my rockets and gear. My wife's MS has gotten to the point that she doesn't drive and her Rollater 4 wheeled walker is usally taking up the back of the Rocket Car. Good luck.
YMMV.

Chas

 

[Art Upton]

Not a suggestion, per se, but when I had to replace my 1999 Taurus back in 2022, I was looking at a used 2020 Honda CR-V. I took my wife to see it and her reaction was: "You just want a Rocket Car". I responded with "Does it show?"
Fast forward and I love the CR-V as it has plenty of room for my rockets and gear. My wife's MS has gotten to the point that she doesn't drive and her Rollater 4 wheeled walker is usally taking up the back of the Rocket Car. Good luck.
YMMV.

Chas

The Honda RAV4

 

[b.wieting]

Buy a used rental. I've had several from Enterprise plus one Avis over the decades. Satisfied.

 

[Art Upton]

Buy a used rental. I've had several from Enterprise plus one Avis over the decades. Satisfied.

However not recommended if it is:

• A Hot Rod, Sports Car, Muscle car; like a Challenger SRX etc
• An Off-Road 4X4 like an FX , Z71, TRD or the others like it
• Some others I forget

But my past Hyundai Elantra hatchback commuter car was a rental, but sold on the dealer's used lot. They did not tell me it was a rental.

I could tell as it had 29,000 miles only a year old. Lots of Scratches on the hatchback deck loading bags
Scratches on the rear doors from bags rubbing on them
Scratches under the drivers door handle in that area you put you hand in; if you do that with the key in your hand, it scratches.

I bought it as I was getting it a a very good price. But it had ware on it. It is gone now, traded in along with my Truck.

 

[Tyeeking]

Buy a used rental. I've had several from Enterprise plus one Avis over the decades. Satisfied.

Just don’t buy one of the ones that I rented.

 

[James Duffy]

Buy a used rental.

Oh, hell no.

Do you know what the fastest car is? A rented one.

From P.J. O'Rourke's "How To Drive Fast On Drugs While Getting Your Wing Wang Squeezed and Not Spill Your Drink":

"You have to get a car that handles really well. This is extremely important, and there’s a lot of debate on this subject – about what kind of car handles best. Some say a front-engined car; some say a rear-engined car. I say a rented car. Nothing handles better than a rented car. You can go faster, turn corners sharper, and put the transmission into reverse while going forward at a higher rate of speed in a rented car than in any other kind. You can also park without looking, and can use the trunk as an ice chest. Another thing about a rented car is that it’s an all-terrain vehicle. Mud, snow, water, woods – you can take a rented car anywhere. True, you can’t always get it back – but that’s not your problem, is it?"

https://www.heretical.com/miscella/reptile.html

 

[AlexBruccoleri]

Sounds like rental cars would get used for cannon ball runs….

https://www.wired.com/2007/10/ff-cannonballrun/

 

[lr64]

All EV not recommended at this time. Fast charging stations too few and far between. If want an EV, get a plug in hybrid.

That ought to depend on where you live and where you drive. For instance, it might be great for someone living on Kauai. ;-)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/M58m5TuRozFNoAnG7

My Rivian burnt to the ground while sitting at a stop light. I got a Tacoma and love it.

My grandmother's VW bug burned up, too. How often does it happen?

If your looking at anything electric, have folks ride in the back seat and see what happens! If they don't get sick, your golden.

I had that problem with Volvo 240 wagons, for some reason. Maybe try it with any car that has a back seat.

snip
Consider your primary use and whether you actually need to go off road.

Or maybe not. I drove a Saturn SL1 to 42.533838528917954, -72.59234967237656 once. Old Pine Nook Road isn't really a road, BTW. The car made funny squeaking noises for a while afterwards, but it survived a few more years. Watching the hawk migration was great. I admit, if I'd have been by myself, I would have walked up.

 

[teepot]

My suggestion is to get a trailer for your rocket stuff. You wouldn't use it as much as a vehicle. That would let you look at different cars/trucks. You would need to take into consideration how much weight each car could tow. Take the total weight and reduce it by a quarter. Less stress on the tow vehicle. The car couldn't be a front wheel drive though. The car you would pick would need to be rear wheel drive or 4x4. If you get snow then 4x4 would be my pick. We have had an 2018 Explorer ST 4x4. We thought it was the best car we have had. We now have a 2021 Explorer ST and that is now the best car we have had. In November we are getting a new one. The only down side for us is that Glenda needs a step to get in. How many cop cars are Explorers? Cops can't be wrong. Oh, I have been a Ford guy for the last 33 years. Wouldn't buy anything else. Some of the parts come from outside the US. But it's American made.