We're a two-car family again.
Back in July of 2012, my wife and I bought a brand-new Kia Soul to replace a failed 1991 Volvo station wagon. I wrote about why we chose that car on DU, to the consternation of some DUers: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002968999
Almost 2.5 years later, it has almost 17,000 miles on it, and has given outstanding service with no problems that needed any attention. It delivered the promised 35 MPG highway economy and 25 MPG city driving mileage. It continues to be comfortable, versatile, and suits us as well now as it did then. I'd still recommend that brand and model for anyone needing a car with a low initial price and an excellent warranty. It's a great choice at the bottom of the car market for college students, people on a tight budget, people who need excellent fuel economy or people who need a car with easy entry and exit features and ample cargo space (rear seat folded).
Recently, my wife's mother, who has now moved into assisted living, decided that she had no further need for her 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser, so she signed it over to my wife, who is her primary caregiver. So, now, our driveway has two cars in it once again. We've gotten so used to doing with just one car that we won't really use the PT Cruiser much, but it has simplified our scheduling a bit, and it's still available for taking her mom to the doctor and we have it for visits from her Florida sister and husband, who will be here over Thanksgiving.
The PT Cruiser, even though it's seven years old, has just 37,600 miles on it. It's also been pretty trouble-free for her mom, other than a couple of minor repairs that were needed over the time she owned it. Like the Soul, it's comfortable, easy to get in and out of, which is why she bought it. It doesn't get nearly as good fuel economy, though. Its engine is a little noisier than the Kia's almost silent engine, but it's been that way all along. It's had a new battery, new tires, and new brakes since my M-I-L bought it, and we suspect it will be reliable and useful for some years to come.
Two cars. Both have about the same wheelbase and width and both seem like decent workable vehicles for our limited needs. The PT Cruiser will always be "your Mom's car" around our house, I suspect, and it's likely to get a trailer hitch added to it to haul a little utility trailer or my next small boat around. The KIA's warranty gets voided if I tow with it, which is why I sold my little aluminum boat when we bought the car. The PT Cruiser isn't a good tow vehicle, either, but I think it can manage light towing on occasion.
So I'm the owner of a U.S.-made car again. That's a good thing. We'll see how it all goes over time.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Since I'm mechanically inclined and have access to any mechanic tools I might need at a friend's shop I'm getting an older car that needs a few repairs that would be expensive to have done but relatively cheap to do myself.
A 1999 VW Cabrio, 30 mpg hwy, 24 city, 5 speed, four seats, bigger trunk than you might think and it's a vert too with a nearly new top. An older lady in my community is getting rid of it because it needs repairs she can't afford to pay for and she already has two other cars. I suspect if I don't take the car then its next home will be at the crusher, I'm only paying slightly above crusher price for it. I was going to do the deal last week but she had lost the title and has to go and get a replacement, that's supposed to happen on Tuesday which is her next day off.
The one I"m getting looks just like this white with white top and almost this clean, the only flaws in the paint job are on the edge of the driver's side door. It may not be American made but it's union made.
