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Car Fund Update; Car Thoughts

August 18th, 2014 at 04:01 pm

HauserNet paid me for February, $2.25.

My part-time job paid me $160 for July's work.

My budgeted automatic transfer of $170 happened.

And we are up to $739.87 in Car Fund.

I have been thinking about my car needs. I was thinking small SUV for several reasons. I am not used to driving in snow and I might like to tow a small travel trailer one day. Upon further investigation, I have learned that towing a travel trailer with a small SUV is not recommended. On another forum I visit, there was a thread recently discussing driving in the snow and many people there reported driving in sedans with front wheel drive and snow tires and doing just fine. And many of them live in places which get much more snow than Reno, NV. That started me thinking that perhaps I don't really have a compelling reason to spend more to buy a small SUV and more to keep gas in its tank.

So, now I am thinking car. But, I would like a hatchback for easier in/out with bicycles. I have been browsing online, pricing cars which come with a hatchback option. Of those, I really like the looks of the Ford Focus hatchback. They are super cute! I'm not crazy about the Ford brand, though. I still have plenty of time to think about it.

8 Responses to “Car Fund Update; Car Thoughts”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1408378280

    Yes, I think one can easily get around in snow with front wheel drive and decent tires. Definitely take your bike to try it in any hatchback you might be interested in! My neighbor made sure to do this with her daughter's wheelchair in a Honda Fit.

  2. MonkeyMama Says:
    1408381702

    Petunia - we have a 2001 Ford and it has been exceptional. That said, I certainly can't speak for snow driving (and longevity in the elements). My friend has a cute little Subaru sedan for snow driving. Probably a hatchback? I'd think that finding a smaller car will be the much better value. Good Luck!

    (If money was less of an object our next car would probably be Ford Focus, BUT, we seem to end up with a completely different brand car every time because brand loyalty isn't very cost effective).

  3. Xtreme Thunder Says:
    1408382039

    I have a 2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan and my wife has a 2010 Honda Civic LX Sedan, we live in NY with our fair share of snow. I have used dedicated snow tires for 7 years now, my wife will be getting a dedicated snow tire set this year. We have never come to a situation where my car couldn't make it through with snow tires. I actually have to replace them this year as last season the treads were getting low. Best $300 I've spent!

    In regards to travel trailers with small SUV, it will need a small 6 cylinder engine, which normally tow 3,500 lbs GVWR, gross vehicle weight rating. Some of the larger 6 cylinder engines can tow 5,000 lbs, but your choices are limited. Of course 8 cylinder vehicles have higher ratings. Most of the small SUV's have 4 cylinder engines, usually can't tow anything more than $1,500 lbs.

  4. CB in the City Says:
    1408385632

    I live in Chicago, and my current car is a Toyota RAV4. It is wonderful in the snow. The first time I pulled away from a snow-packed curb I was gaping in amazement, because my sedan would have been stuck immediately. I have no idea if it could pull a trailer, though.

    Also, I have never put snow tires on this car and still have had no problem driving in the snow.

  5. Petunia 100 Says:
    1408389711

    I asked about the Ford Focus on other sites and several people spoke up and said they find their Focus to be very reliable. So, that is keeping it on my list.

    Snow tires are all new to me. So you have to put them on the car at the beginning of winter? Then you take them off after? Or do you just leave them on year round? I believe they are more expensive than regular tires, aren't they? If you change them out, you always need to store a set of tires someplace.

    I have read that small SUVs are just not designed for hauling travel trailers. Hauling a flat trailer loaded with cargo weighing 2k lbs is not the same as hauling a small travel trailer weighing 2k lbs. The travel trailer is generally taller than the vehicle, so the wind is dragging at the top as you drive. While you can still do it, it is bad for your vehicle and not considered safe.

    I don't want to buy a larger SUV, pay even more, get even worse gas mileage all the time, just in case I maybe want to buy a travel trailer some day. It just doesn't make sense to me. I still like the idea of a travel trailer, but I will consider my vehicle again if that travel trailer buying day comes.

  6. jp Says:
    1408398190

    If you are going to be in the Reno valley (not driving back and forth to tahoe regularly, etc.) there is very, very little snow that stays around (maybe 3-4 days every couple years, and when that happens, the city shuts down) all the rest of the snow melts upon sunrise. Do not think you need to buy a new car for Reno, NV. (I lived there for 11 years, and my honda accord, without snow tires/chains did just fine - on the days there was snow everything was closed or delayed opening anyways).

  7. Petunia 100 Says:
    1408411511

    Thank you, jp. It is so helpful to hear about Reno driving from someone who knows first-hand. Smile

    I will be giving my car to my son in May when he graduates from high school, so will be buying something.

  8. snafu Says:
    1409764343

    Many of us added a rack to the back of our vehicles to make hauling a bike easier with far easier access. Hauling a bike in and out of a hatchback is stressful. My all time favourite vehicle was a Honda CRV which it hauls an unbelievable amount of stuff with easy access. I loved sitting high above traffic and like the Toyota RAV, drove in ghastly snow in the Canadian Rockies all winter without snow tires. The downside is they slurp gas. I suggest looking at Edmonston's Lemon Aid for vehicles you are considering.

    If you're at the on-line Ford site, ask Focus owners if they had it to do again, would they buy the vehicle they're driving? why?

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