Stereodude
Not really a
Color is worse IMHO. Presumably they're as bright.
I want to buy a new car
- Thread starter CougTek
- Start date
ddrueding
Fixture
Now that we have white lasers, the laser headlights should get much better/cheaper.
In general I'm cautious about any new technology with unknown reliability and longevity.
I did not see any lasers listed as headlight options in the cars I was looking at. They do seem to use lasers for the collision systems.
I thought lasers tended to product collimated light, whereas normal beams are fairly wide. Perhaps lasers are better for high beams.
I'm guessing that the vehicles with lasers are out of my price range.
Stereodude
Not really a
Blue laser on a yellow phosphor produces uncollimated light. It's very similar to a white LED, just marginally more efficient.
Meh. That defeats much of the normal purpose of a laser. I suppose it is good for marketing.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
Driving home from having my Honda airbag recall done, a bee or something flew in my window and landed on my cheek, inside of my glasses. This caused me to freak right the fuck out and drive in to the only streetlight within a solid quarter mile.
Both of my half-hour-old airbags immediately did their job and went off, jamming my tongue tongue up in to my teeth and causing me to wonder what happened.
(It also broke the screen on my phone but at least on the LG G4 that's a $99 part instead of the $250 it would probably be on a Samsung)
I'm kind of laughing about it because what in the actual fuck else can I do? My car is probably going to get totaled out over a bee. It was 12 years old but it barely has 100k miles on it. My tires have 95% of their rated life, I just had the brakes and suspension fixed. Shit. I had the 100000 mile service done just three weeks ago.
Goddammitsomuch.
Anyway, I'm thinking it's probably going to get totaled. Gonna have to get a different car.
I don't care about cars. I drive less than 10,000 miles a year. I like my Element a lot because it drives like a car but sits up a little higher off the road. I've been in a Scion xB and a Nissan Cube and both of them are missing that height. Anyone have a suggestion as to what I might look for? I'm not particularly enthusiastic about having a car payment again so whatever it is will probably be used rather than new.
Both of my half-hour-old airbags immediately did their job and went off, jamming my tongue tongue up in to my teeth and causing me to wonder what happened.
(It also broke the screen on my phone but at least on the LG G4 that's a $99 part instead of the $250 it would probably be on a Samsung)
I'm kind of laughing about it because what in the actual fuck else can I do? My car is probably going to get totaled out over a bee. It was 12 years old but it barely has 100k miles on it. My tires have 95% of their rated life, I just had the brakes and suspension fixed. Shit. I had the 100000 mile service done just three weeks ago.
Goddammitsomuch.
Anyway, I'm thinking it's probably going to get totaled. Gonna have to get a different car.
I don't care about cars. I drive less than 10,000 miles a year. I like my Element a lot because it drives like a car but sits up a little higher off the road. I've been in a Scion xB and a Nissan Cube and both of them are missing that height. Anyone have a suggestion as to what I might look for? I'm not particularly enthusiastic about having a car payment again so whatever it is will probably be used rather than new.
That's terrible. I hope your insurance is not too awful. I have no idea why the window was open while driving, but you do seem to have some bizarre incidents. 
The newer CUVs are shorter and lower to the ground for maximizing fuel economy. Most of them are like station wagons now.
The newer CUVs are shorter and lower to the ground for maximizing fuel economy. Most of them are like station wagons now.
ddrueding
Fixture
That sucks Merc. Have you considered buying the car back from insurance and having the repairs done? With the rest of the car in such good shape, the value might be there.
The last year of Element production was 2011. Perhaps it is possible to find a used one without too many miles if you really like that model.
FWIW, I had a SOUL cubic thingie rental once. The vehicle seemed rather small and had a weak, noisy engine.
FWIW, I had a SOUL cubic thingie rental once. The vehicle seemed rather small and had a weak, noisy engine.
Howell
Storage? I am Storage!
This
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
The funny/good news is that my auto insurance has had the same coverage level since I got the damned thing (which, yes, means I've probably been massively overpaying for insurance on it. It was auto-billed and I never bothered to change it). So I have ridiculously good coverage. The phone rep said it MIGHT be OK'd for repair. I'm not holding out hope but it was offered.
It turns out that Elements are pretty unusual cars to find on used lots. I'm probably not going to be able to find anything within the time frame of "as soon as someone tells me what is going to happen."
Maybe a Subaru Outback? I think I'd be fine with a 2WD but they're supposedly be insanely practical vehicles; their resale value seems insanely high.
It turns out that Elements are pretty unusual cars to find on used lots. I'm probably not going to be able to find anything within the time frame of "as soon as someone tells me what is going to happen."
Maybe a Subaru Outback? I think I'd be fine with a 2WD but they're supposedly be insanely practical vehicles; their resale value seems insanely high.
It looks like 2015 was a new version. A new Outback would not be cheap unless you get a base model, but is a good long term choice. How do you feel about a CVT or do you care?
You should probably get the Eyesight option.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
I'd probably buy a used one. A car isn't important enough to me to want to spend $25k on something to shuttle me back and forth between a half dozen offices. To be honest, I could probably get away with a bicycle eight months out of the year except that I have all the stuff I need to carry.
The Ford Escape, Chevy Captiva and Kia Sportage all have the sort of wagon + clearance two door body type but none of those are really calling out to me either.
The Ford Escape, Chevy Captiva and Kia Sportage all have the sort of wagon + clearance two door body type but none of those are really calling out to me either.
I drove full-sized 2-door cars for over 25 years, but then the category died out in the late 90s with the SUV craze. I'd hated 4-doors for not being able to easily put my bag in the back set, but got used to it rather easily.
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
First, I'm glad you're ok.
Second, the Mazda CX-5 is constantly first in comparatives from most cars publications and should fill all your criteria. With the smaller engine, it's also quite fuel-efficient. It's higher than a car. It's cheaper than a Subaru Outback and has better road handling, but much lesser off-road capabilities, although I don't think that's too much of a concern to you.
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
Merc, gald you're ok, and to be honest, all you can do is laugh about it...
I'll have to second Coug on the Mazda CX-5 recommendation... It gets very good review here in Australia. The other to look at is the Toyota RAV4 (they have 2WD models available here, don't know about if they're available in US though). Others would be the Honda CRV, Subura Outback (the XV boot is very small), or possibly the Mitsubishi ASX...
Also note, the Captiva is made by Daewoo, and here in Australia have earned the nick-name Crap-tiva due to the poor build quality...
I'll have to second Coug on the Mazda CX-5 recommendation... It gets very good review here in Australia. The other to look at is the Toyota RAV4 (they have 2WD models available here, don't know about if they're available in US though). Others would be the Honda CRV, Subura Outback (the XV boot is very small), or possibly the Mitsubishi ASX...
Also note, the Captiva is made by Daewoo, and here in Australia have earned the nick-name Crap-tiva due to the poor build quality...
Stereodude
Not really a
The Chevy Captiva Sport was a fleet only vehicle in the US/Canada. It's the refreshed Saturn Vue with Chevy badging on it. It was made in Mexico.
Wikpedia said:
Stereodude
Not really a
Get another Element (used) from the last model year they sold them (2011?).
mubs
Storage? I am Storage!
Sorry to hear this Merc, and glad you're ok!
Stereodude
Not really a
I realize you wanted to know that the new airbags were good and didn't have the flying shrapnel issue, but this probably wasn't the right way to determine that.
Seriously though, glad you're okay. Did you escape without a ticket?
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
Nobody gave me a ticket. I wasn't going very fast (maybe 15mph by the time I actually hit the pole).
Elements are tough to find used, or at least Elements that have less than 150k miles and are less than 10 years old.
RAV4s seem to be common used cars but the Mazda CX5 seeminlgy can't be had for a price I'd be willing to pay. The RAV4 definitely seems less utility and more passenger focused than I need though.
Elements are tough to find used, or at least Elements that have less than 150k miles and are less than 10 years old.
RAV4s seem to be common used cars but the Mazda CX5 seeminlgy can't be had for a price I'd be willing to pay. The RAV4 definitely seems less utility and more passenger focused than I need though.
Howell
Storage? I am Storage!
Glad you are ok.
Could have been much worse, you could have turned into oncoming traffic. Remember, drive "away from the light."
Could have been much worse, you could have turned into oncoming traffic. Remember, drive "away from the light."
Chewy509
Wotty wot wot.
Thanks, wasn't aware of that.. seems to be two separate vehicles with the same name...
jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
Glad you're OK, Merc. Regarding getting another vehicle, it might be worthwhile to carefully examine your usage patterns, perhaps see if rentals and/or using services like Uber would be more cost effective. The hard fact is the economics of owning a motor vehicle have always been horribly skewed. In fact, when you count the time to work to pay for the vehicle, it turns out that it's faster to walk.
This might help sway you away from ownership.
Millenials as a group show little interest in car ownership.
(I know you're not a millinial but some of their reasons might be similar to yours).
If a person enjoys driving (although there are few places other than far away from populated areas where it's usually enjoyable to drive) and/or considers a car a hobby then maybe ownership makes sense. Maybe. You definitely don't fall into that category. For you it seems like driving is a chore and you would be better off spending that time doing something else. Also, the bottom line is car travel is only going to get slower and less convenient as roads become more congested, and large cities create disincentives for automobile use. Not owning a car gives you a chance to adjust to this before you have no choice.
And then there's the obvious. You came away unscathed this time but 35K people die and several million are injured on our roads each year. Given those facts, I do my level best to avoid car travel. Before anyone mentions biking, statistically it's a lot safer than car travel. If we could get most cars off the roads biking would be nearly perfectly safe.
This might help sway you away from ownership.
Millenials as a group show little interest in car ownership.
(I know you're not a millinial but some of their reasons might be similar to yours).
If a person enjoys driving (although there are few places other than far away from populated areas where it's usually enjoyable to drive) and/or considers a car a hobby then maybe ownership makes sense. Maybe. You definitely don't fall into that category. For you it seems like driving is a chore and you would be better off spending that time doing something else. Also, the bottom line is car travel is only going to get slower and less convenient as roads become more congested, and large cities create disincentives for automobile use. Not owning a car gives you a chance to adjust to this before you have no choice.
And then there's the obvious. You came away unscathed this time but 35K people die and several million are injured on our roads each year. Given those facts, I do my level best to avoid car travel. Before anyone mentions biking, statistically it's a lot safer than car travel. If we could get most cars off the roads biking would be nearly perfectly safe.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
I live in Suburbs/Exburbs, jtr. I have to drive multiple places that are only a few miles apart but not close enough to walk between every single day. Further, as close to the lake as I am, I occasionally get extreme weather such that forgoing an automobile would be impractical no matter how much I'd like to. I actually have it better than most, as almost all my driving is within a 10 mile radius of home, but having just filled my rental car with the traveling circus of spare parts and media I need to keep on hand I can also say I'd have a real problem trying to haul all that around in a taxi.
Considering that you are gainfully employed, interest rates are low, and you don't drive many miles, I think you should just buy a new vehicle and drive it 10+ years.
Mercutio
Fatwah on Western Digital
I don't want to pay for an actual new car. My thinking at the moment is that I buy a reasonably new model Element and use my mechanically sound but airbag-less vehicle as an ongoing source for parts. I'm not really satisfied that there's a vehicle with a similar level of utility otherwise.
Stereodude
Not really a
I believe they're all ultimately the same Theta platform. Wikipedia says it was developed by both Opel and Daewoo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Theta_platform
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
Having coped with a shitty car for at least five years, I can tell you that I agree with that. Or you could rent a new car. The payments are lesser and you won't bust the allowed mileage. Driving a miserable vehicle is a seed for having a miserable life.
But, if the money is not there, then the money isn't just there.
Or we could do like we did for Handruin and JTR's computers: we all contribute and buy you one. Sedrosken, you're first.
jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
Cargo bike?
That would seem to be the answer here. They even have versions with electric motors in case you live in a very hilly area (or just don't feel like pedaling).
Given your travel habits, if not a cargo bike it's sounding to me like you might get by with an electric scooter. Just because a person may need motorized transport of some kind doesn't necessarily imply that transport must always be a conventional automobile.
Anyway, maybe if none of this is helpful or relevant to you it might be to others here.
I might also suggest in the long run you seriously consider a move to a place you don't need to drive since it seems to me driving/car ownership isn't very high on the list of things you love. That's really the best answer.
Stereodude
Not really a
He needs a car. Just because you don't doesn't mean he can do without one.
Howell
Storage? I am Storage!
How much can it cost to replace the airbags? If the car its sound otherwise.
jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
I've heard this elsewhere. It's moot even if true because the "refill" time for oil fields if the theory is sound would be on the order of millenia. That's not even accounting for the pollution or global warming issues of continuing to use oil. We're better off transitioning to a non-fossil fuel based economy. We're also better off in the long run changing settlement patterns to reduce car dependency. Electric cars are better than gas cars, but they still have all the other issues of cars.
Depending on how many bags deployed in can be a few thousand dollars.
If the airbags deployed then wouldn't the front end be rather damaged? I've seen significant frontal damage without airbags deploying.
ddrueding
Fixture
Front-end damage can look much worse than it is (or the other way). I don't think it would be that tricky to find someone who can give you a list of the parts that need replacing and compare that cost to a replacement vehicle. It is unlikely that you'll find a similar car with the rest of it so well taken care of for a price competitive to repairs.
I don't like cars either, and the process of choosing and buying one is an unpleasant hassle.
However, living in a crowded city with mass populations everywhere and limited parking is far worse.
Merc is not the big city guy either.
FWIW, I would not survive very long after reaching the point where I could not drive. I'm OK with that at this stage of life. Most suburbanites have friends or family to help out.
jtr1962
Storage? I am Storage!
The idea of living in a big city would be to dispense with a car altogether, meaning limited parking wouldn't be a concern. A car is hands down the worst way to get around in a big city anyway. Average car travel speeds in Manhattan are something like 7 mph. I average more than twice that speed on my bike.
The big problem with car dependency besides the few extra hundred thousand it costs over a lifetime, and the chance of dying on the roads, is eventually you would reach the point you can't drive. I personally would have reached that point already. That would leave me dependent upon family or friends to get around. I much prefer retaining my independence living in a place I don't need a car or a driver's license.
If a person doesn't like big cities then the way to go is live off grid in the country. Grow your own food, generate your own power, basically avoid the need to travel much further from your home than animal power can get you. Modern suburban living isn't remotely sustainable, either economically or environmentally.
The majority of people who have gone car free say it's a liberating experience. They just don't realize how much time and money their vehicle costs them until they get rid of it. Whenever a vehicle is no longer serviceable it should be seen as a potential opportunity to not buy another one. It may not work for everyone, but it often does if someone makes half an effort. Lots of people have gone car free even in American suburbs.
Due to the type of work I do there are only limited opportunities in the US and most of them are concentrated on the outskirts of greater urban areas. Of course a lot of jobs can be done from home and I'd consider that, but the goal then would be to find an area where the cost of living is low, not a major city. I'd give up a car for an SUV and move to the far suburbs/rural areas if possible. This spring I drove over 2500 miles on vacation and it was quite nice. It sure is different driving a car back and forth to work in heaving traffic compared to cruising with 75MPH speed limits.
For medical reasons I'm not supposed to ride a bike.
It has to be coming from somewhere, perhaps flowing from an adjacent area. There's no magic infinite supply, but there may be more than estimated.
Maybe the coal mines will refill next or the gold mines...