snif.

[katallison]

Well, tzikeh's timely warning anent the poor reliability ratings of the Mini (which I confimed by racing out to get Consumer Reports, and then by checking around on various relevant review and discussion websites, where I found even the most loyal Mini owners are given to posting things like "Well, sure, things seem to go wrong with it all the time, but hey! It's so cool!") -- this timely warning, as I was saying, has caused me to take a big step back and reassess, because with cars the one thing I *have* to have is reliability. So waaahhh, and phoooey, and now I'm back to looking at used Hondas and Toyotas.

Facts providing some solace in my heartache:

--that I can readily find (for example, from current cars.com listings) a 2003 Corolla with 9500 miles on it and all the features I want for $13,000;
--that that is (as previously noted) $5000 less than the Mini;
--that if I assume a four-year payoff, the annual difference in car payments between the Corolla and the Mini would equal the cost of a really nice trip to Europe, say, or a well-equipped new computer. *Every year.*
--that if the Corolla broke down, I could get it worked on pretty much anywhere, whereas there is one and only one dealership between Seattle and Milwaukee where I could get the Mini serviced.

So ... I feel like the spell is broken, and I am wistful but calmer. Thanks to everyone who contributed thoughts, enthusiasm, caution, and personal experiences to my previous entry--I'll try to get back to you all individually soon.

Comments

[falzalot.livejournal.com]

I know you're making the right decision, but I feel your pain. {{{{{kat!}}}}}

[flambeau.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry the giddiness has passed, but I really do think you're making the right decision. Save the money! Go to Europe! Visit me!

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

Yes! No, visit me! Or you and torch both visit me!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to harsh your buzz, sweetie - but when you drive down to visit for VividCon, I want you to actually make it here and back. :)

Trust CR - they are beholden to no one and their testing is rigorous.

[mimesere.livejournal.com]

Awww. Sad. Silly people. Why can't they make cars that are adorable *and* that work? Tsk.

[tracy-rowan.livejournal.com]

You could get a really cute pair of shoes instead. Or a cool new bike. Or a dangerously cool new pair of shades. IOW, Minis are cool, but they're not the only cool thing on the planet. I know you're doing the right thing.

[leela-cat.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. jorit and I didn't get a Mini either. The newish Corolla's okay, but it's not quite the same.

Hearing about the CR reports helps a little -- cuteness isn't enough if the car's not up to snuff -- but I'm still wistful about it.

I'm also a bit confused about why the Mini's so problematic. A family friend had one of the old version back in England in the late 60s and that car ran forever. It wasn't exactly the smoothest ride, but it was a fun ride, even with two adults and five kids in it.

[twistedchick]

I would not recommend a used Toyota car because of my experience with the Toyota Celica/Geo Prizm. It drives nicely; however, it's not made for dealing with winter-salted roads. It's designed with too many little idgy places for the salt to get in and ruin things, and then everything breaks down and needs fixing at once, which is not affordable.

[theodosia.livejournal.com]

"Beware false economies" is some of the best advice I ever got. Going for the cheapest model or whatever is not necessarily what's best for Kat in the long run. Spending another $3K or so and getting better than a bottom-line used car, with a good repair record, one that you will like and feel enthused about owning may be a better move in the long run.

Even if it's not a Mini.

[umbo.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

FWIW, you're so cool yourself that any car you own would automatically *become* cool by default!

[panisdead.livejournal.com]

I have a '99 Corolla that I love. And yet, it's not the kind of car where I would be devastated if it got scratched or dinged or, God forbid, seriously damaged.

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Frighteningly, I am about to pimp for Ford. Have you looked at a used Taurus? I ask because I have owned several (all inherited used) and they are tanks in sheep's clothing. I got rear-ended on a highway and hit the concrete divider at 45 mph and all I got was a scrape from the airbag. They're not too ugly, have decent mileage I guess I stand behind them (wouldn't want to stand in front of it, I guess, if my ex-boyfriend is driving, but that's another tale).

[the-star-fish.livejournal.com]

Subaru. They run forever, and I think they've licked that nasty rusts-out-from-under-you problem in the newer models. We've owned four so far, and I'm really regretting giving my last one up...

[thisisbone.livejournal.com]

Hi Miz Kat!

I have no idea whether this will be helpful or not, but if you like Honda reliability and still want something a little more fun, you could consider a used CR-V. They have all that stuff you want (CD player, A/C, many cup holders), plus nice clearance over mud and snow, AND you can haul that drum set someone rightfully noted could be yours any minute now.

The CR-V sits on a Civic chassis, so the ride is very similar, you can park it anywhere, the turning radius is a thing of beauty, and the EX model comes with on-demand four-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes.

The newer version (2002 and later) has MacPherson strut suspension (smoother ride than the usual Honda double wishbone), plus a couple of nice extras, like a 6-disc CD changer and power moonroof on some models.

I love my car with a passion that borders on unhealthy, so pardon the pimping. :)

[rhi]

::nodding emphatically:: Kat, Dragon and I moved 600 miles with 2 cats and computers and the CR-V handled beautifully on I-40 through the Smokies, fully loaded. (That part of the interstate is lovely, but terrifying in places.) Great little mini-SUVs, basically, but decent gas mileage.

So sorry about the ratings on the Minis though, when you wanted one so.

[lapillus]

Thanks for the link! I knew someone had but I hadn't gone hunting through your LJ to find it yet.

*grins at the thought of someone to quiz*

[thisisbone.livejournal.com]

Hey Carol!

Thanks for the link! I knew someone had but I hadn't gone hunting through your LJ to find it yet.
*grins at the thought of someone to quiz*

Is this about the L&N song for the B/G thing? Or something else? Color me vaguely confused. :)

On second thoughts...

[namastenancy.livejournal.com]

OH. Car not reliable. Not such a good idea to follow your heart - the reliability ratings are a better guide to follow.

AND - if you save money, you can visit ME in San Francisco. I have a big couch that makes into a comfortable bed.
Visit mememememememememe..

namaste SF Nancy