SUV / Car Question. - Boating & Fishing Information and Reports Forum

FairWeather · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 06:14 PM

Alright Guys I Never thought it would happen, but it might here real soon.

I have driven Yukon's or Tahoe's for my entire life it seems. Well with Gas prices continuing to rise and the real estate market continuing to fall I am "considering" getting out of an SUV and into some sort of car.

Here are my concerns....

I like new things, so I know when I test drive a new car I will like it, but then I'm worried down the road a month or so I am going to be miserable and want my truck back.

Also, I have never driven a car before so I'm not sure how much I will like it.. Well other than my wife's VW Passat Wagon, which is alright for short trips..

Final thing is I am a BIG guy, so I'm concerned about getting in and out of a car and having enough room to be happy....

So here's my question, have any of you guys gotten out of trucks/suv's due to rising gas prices? If so what car did you go with and would you recommend it?

I put atleast 20,000 miles a year on my tahoe running around the Outer Banks and the gas it just hitting me a little harder than needed. Filling up a few times a week at $75 a shot (not even filling the tank) is alittle absurb. Also might be nice to drop my payment down from where it is and "save some money."

I'm considering the Toyota Camry Hybrid as my number 1 choice.

Any feedback would be greatly apprecaited!!!

Matt

bluffman2 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 06:47 PM

Matt do you have equity in your suv??? if not you need to consider how much gas you could buy with the negative equity....if you have equity it would be wise to maybe look at a car but please buy used.........and the hybrids are doing well right now but with more of them on the road they are starting to have some problems, so i would have to wait for a while to see how that pans out.....let me know if i can help with a ACV (actual cash value) if you trade and i will be more than happy to help....

FairWeather · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 06:57 PM

Equity.. what's that???

I'm close to being break even but just not sure if I want a car!!!

FairWeather · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 07:01 PM

Oh yes.. my only problem with buying used is I will not get 0% Interest!!!

I only buy at 0%!!!

FASTFJR · #5 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 07:25 PM

Matt-
While your looking at the Camry take a look at the Prius. We owned one for about a year before the head on crash. I'm 6'3 and 230lbs and fit pretty good. Around town I could get 48-50mpg. If your looking for JUST a daily driver take a look at it, or Toyota "Yaris, it about 8 grand cheaper. Our RAV4 V6 4x4 replaced the Prius. I love this thing, almost as much as my Tundra. Around town I get 24-25 on the highway 30-32. With all that said, if I new were gas prices were going last August, we would have bought another Prius

bluffman2 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 07:28 PM

Matt im not gonna even go where i want to but 4.9% for 72 months IS CHEAPER than paying 8k more for a new car....buy used and save 8k pay 4k interest and your 4k ahead of the game!!if you need to see it on a installment calculator ill be up there next week and ill show you!!

but if you want to buy new then most def. buy new!

FairWeather · #7 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 07:38 PM

Stephen,

I understand what you are saying and agree with you. In the past I only ever bought slighty used Yukons & Tahoes with my last 2 only being new (yes, I have had probably 8 Tahoes in 10 years).

Laszlo,

The problem with the cars that you mentioned although great gas mileage is I need something that has room for my clients to ride in.

Another thing I have to consider is that a lot of the top agents out here (as I consider myself) are driving Tahoes, Yukons, Lexus, BMW's and so with many of my clients "image" is important, so I have to make sure that whatever I get fits in.. If that makes sense..

Many clients see what Real Estate Agents drive and relate their business to it. If I am driving a Pinto they "assume" I don't do any business. If I drive a Lexus I am the best agent on the beach.. Sad but true...

Most likely I will stay in the Tahoe (I actually was considering buying a new one today since they are trying to cut some deals.. and I have to buy my extended warranty soon) but figured before I go "upside down" again I should consider some other options, or keep what I have...

Ahh yes.. If any of you want to help me out.. Find me a Lexus Dealership who will "give me" the Lexus LS600h L... That will fit all my requirements!!

Matt

peterbo3 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 08:03 PM

G'Day Matt,
I drive a Toyota Landcruiser. Been driving them for 10 years. V8 & big. You have em in the US. When we did our big road trip around the States last year, the first hire car was a brand new Hyundai Sonata. I had great difficulty adapting to a small car. It was cramped & not super comfortable. We put "stuff" on the back seats but there was not a lot of room there for people.
In Boston we were upgraded to an Impala. Aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Bigger IS better. Seemed to be huge after the Sonata although the Chevy is only about six inches longer & three wider.
You sell the big truck & you will hate yourself. Fuel is the cheapest part of car ownership because you only use it when the car is taking you someplace. As opposed to depreciation, insurance, registration & interest which are standing charges that occur regardless of vehicle use. Plus you have "client factor" & the vehicle is a business deduction.
You can save money by changing your driving habits slightly. Ease away from the lights, travel at 50 instead of 60, etc.
KEEP THE BIG TRUCK!!!

FASTFJR · #9 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 08:11 PM

Or they might be thinking this guy is really cool, he's driving a car which gets 50 mpg, he must really care about the environment and the future of his children......Nah

I know it tough in your position....

PS, You can easily fit 4 into a Prius

smart USA - open your mind to the car that challenges the status quo
I think you would be the ONLY guy on OBX with one of these
or
RX Hybrid | Overview

FairWeather · #10 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterbo3

G'Day Matt,
I drive a Toyota Landcruiser. Been driving them for 10 years. V8 & big. You have em in the US. When we did our big road trip around the States last year, the first hire car was a brand new Hyundai Sonata. I had great difficulty adapting to a small car. It was cramped & not super comfortable. We put "stuff" on the back seats but there was not a lot of room there for people.
In Boston we were upgraded to an Impala. Aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Bigger IS better. Seemed to be huge after the Sonata although the Chevy is only about six inches longer & three wider.
You sell the big truck & you will hate yourself. Fuel is the cheapest part of car ownership because you only use it when the car is taking you someplace. As opposed to depreciation, insurance, registration & interest which are standing charges that occur regardless of vehicle use. Plus you have "client factor" & the vehicle is a business deduction.
You can save money by changing your driving habits slightly. Ease away from the lights, travel at 50 instead of 60, etc.
KEEP THE BIG TRUCK!!!

Peter,

I agree and this is kind of the way I was leaning. It's just my business Busy Season is about over & although I have had a good year so far, i was hoping for better. So I was trying to find ways to "save some money."

Matt