The other day we whipped up a little cauldron of commentary vitriol following the review of the Mercedes A220 4MATIC with various opinions as to its styling, price, and really when it comes down to it, reason for existing. I know we are largely a group of buy-and-holders with firm convictions as to what is good and proper so here’s an opportunity to think about that. Assume that you are given (someone else pays for the purchase) a brand-new vehicle to use for the next decade. It will be used as your main vehicle (so a minimum of 80% of total weekly usage) but you can still keep others around that may be better for certain chores just like you currently do if you have more than one, you just have to swap your own current primary vehicle for this new one. If you currently only drive 2,000 miles per year, great. If you drive 30,000 per year, choose wisely, this needs to last you a decade and while the purchase is paid for, most ongoing expenses are yours.
The rules are few but important: 1. It must be new and available for sale in your region. 2. The car and annual registration are free, but the fuel/energy, insurance, maintenance, and repairs beyond the published standard warranty are on you. 3. It’s your primary ride for at least 80% of the time. 4. After the decade is up, you get to keep the car or sell it and pocket whatever proceeds there may be.
After considering the options, I’d pick the A-Class. Haha, no, just kidding! For me it’d likely be a RAM 1500 CrewCab 4×4 in Laramie trim with the 6’4″ bed in Patriot Blue and powered by the eTorque 5.7l V8 with Multi Displacement System. I’m no extrovert and don’t need the flashiest thing but the Laramie trim is the lowest trim level that offers all the safety tech which has become much more important to me so I’d choose the Level 2 Equipment Group and the Advanced Safety Group to get it all, conveniently that covers lots of other stuff as well. The inexpensive OffRoad package gets it back down to 18″ wheels on comfortable tires and the optional 33 gallon fuel tank keeps fuel stops to a minimum. Black leather with the 5-passenger seating and center console will be durable, convenient, and easy to clean enough and the 8.4″ UConnect touchscreen is plenty large, no need for the 12″. Some other minor preference items such as spray-in bedliner and tonneau cover and for $58,935 that someone else is paying in this exercise I’d have a truck that will work for 90% of what I need a vehicle for currently and likely for at least the next decade while probably being reliable and otherwise relatively inexpensive to maintain along with retaining decent value at the end.
What will you choose?
Tesla Model S, of course.
I can certainly see getting a pickup with this program. I’d probably be more inclined to get an F150 crew cab with the Ecoboost. Great highway cruiser, useful for when I take Scouts camping. But it’s too big for my day to day driving and besides, here in SoCal where what you drive is who you are, I’m not a pickup kind of guy.
Even eliminating the pickup though, I have several rather different idea, in no particular order:
1. A 6 cylinder Subaru Outback. I has a 2002 one for a number of years. This fits my lifestyle and persona best, though not especially fun to drive.
2. A Mazda CX9. Largish SUV is sure practical for my activities, and I’ll just assume that Mazda = more fun to drive (at least a little)
3. A Miata with a stick. (I’ll just use my wife’s CRV for Scouts; shed probably be fine to dive a Miata those weekends.)
4. A Tesla of some sort. Probably one of the SUV versions. Cheap to operate, quick, looks good.
As of 2020, the six cylinder Outback has been discontinued in favor of a turbo four. Sad trombone.
why would you want a truck thats going to be broken for the majority of those ten years?
My ’15 RAM 2500 4×4 Tradesman (5.7l, single cab, longbed) has had more recalls and TSBs than any car we’ve ever owned (at least a dozen), but it’s never broken down on me to date and everything still works properly (55K miles). The transmission shift programming is at the top of the list of things I don’t like about the truck by far, but everything else about its design and configuration is “just right” for me.
Tacoma 4×4. Calvary blue with longbox. 4 or 6 cylinder engine, I’m cool with either. I’m tempted to say 6 speed manual but the one in my ‘12 was dreadful, I like my automatic ‘15 much more.
Actually I shouldn’t be so quick to jump to the perennial favorite, status quo. I retract the Tacoma and say you Volvo V90R. Especially if I’m not payin’!
Your excellent car reviews, help sell the products you are evaluating. I especially enjoyed your assessment back in July of the electric MINI Cooper SE. Nicely packaged, and near perfect for my needs.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/new-car-review/curbside-review-2020-mini-cooper-se-hardtop-2-door-all-electric-starting-at-19250/
I live in downtown Ottawa, very close to the scene below. So, I mostly get around downtown by bicycle or foot. In fact, I gave up car ownership about four years ago. And I’ve found it very liberating in a busy, urban environment. Just rent whatever car I want, when I choose.
I had a chance to think about this in advance, having sneak previewed it. And it’s been a tough one to answer, as my automotive needs are a bit out of the ordinary. My xB is so perfect for hopping in and out on the very short little runs I normally make with it, and I still really like driving it on the back roads and forest trails when we go hiking. I’ve only put some 4k miles on it this year, as we now use the van more often for even day hiking trips (perfect for relaxing and having tea in after the hike).
I’ve really struggled with the question as to what I would get to replace the xB if I had to. Another used xB?
But this question needs to be answered so I’d take a Tesla Model Y. It’s a bit bigger than ideal, but there’s many aspects of it that I’m really drawn to. Our electricity is 90 % from renewable sources, so I’d feel good about that, and its performance and features would undoubtedly make for a great drive.
Good choice. Still waiting on ours to be delivered, my “out” here with this topic was that our Y is already destined to be my wife’s car…otherwise it would have likely been my pick and the old truck would soldier on as needed in the fleet.
Actually I came into this thread to ask if you had gotten your Model Y yet. I’m ready to pull the trigger but can’t decide between a 3 that is available now or waiting “4 – 8 weeks” for a Y, especially given that you ordered almost 8 weeks ago and are still waiting. Do you have a VIN yet?
I much prefer the looks of the 3, the Y just doesn’t do it for me and since it’s only me in the car 95% of the time the extra space isn’t a big issue. However I do like the fact the Y has a heat pump for our Colorado winters (although I do have a heated garage space it will live in, so maybe not an issue) and the higher seating position when I drove them back to back was nice but it’s not like there’s a huge difference.
Decisions, decisions……
Nope no VIN yet, but they are telling me it’ll be here sometime before Wednesday. we’ll see, my wife is out of town starting 10/1 and she needs to be there to sign for the title. Apparently the blue ones are the ones they are short on, but who knows. I have been getting periodic updates that has ben updating the estimated delivery time, continually reducing towards the end of the quarter. When driving to AZ last week, there were tons of delivery trucks will all the various models heading east on I40, and yesterday I saw several on I25 near my home. Apparently they do the international ones towards the beginning of the quarter and then batches that ship to the furthest points first and work their way closer to the factory as the quarter comes to a close. Some people have ordered and magically had a car available a week or two later, some of those are likely orders that didn’t pan out, i.e. someone changed their mind, or they were rejected by someone and then reworked to be re-delivered to whoever wants it.
We drove both as well and the rear legroom made a difference to us, as well as the higher seating position for my (shorter) wife. But you’re right, it didn’t drive much different. If the 3 was a hatch like the S that might have made more of a difference to us. I’d guess the 3 will get the heatpump soon, it only makes sense, why have different technology when so much of the rest is the same already.
Blue is my first choice as well, and this is really just a temporary car until Rivian starts delivering vehicles, so I can live with the tradeoff of the 3 for a year or so and if for some reason the Rivian doesn’t pan out I can always move to a Y later on. But I suspect the 3 will do just fine for what I need for a year.
I’ll likely just grab the one that’s here, and thanks for including your referral link, I’ll be using it. 🙂
Thanks! If you don’t yet have a charger, order one, they tend to go out of stock. And shop around to get the wiring installed in your garage or whatever, the one that was referred on the website (nothing special about them, just they got the link space) wanted twice as much as my regular electrician but some of my neighbors paid way more than both. The Tesla tax, I guess for those that don’t compare.
Thanks Jim! I “bought” the 3 yesterday and pick it up Tuesday. My condo association won’t allow me to install a charger in the garage, so I’ll be using Superchargers (thanks again for the referral!) and public charging until I can move.
A bit annoying but an easy trade off for a few months and given my driving habits around town I’m fine with spending an hour or so at a supercharger while I run some errands or use a public station downtown in the interim.
Hope you’re able to get yours this week!
Do a deep dive into what the primary renewable resource in Oregon and you might be surprised.
Don’t be mad at the messenger. ✌
What do you believe it is and which source are you referencing? Gotta know what the message is…
IT’S PEOPLE!!!!!
Just kidding. I thought it was trees, plain and simple. I shouldn’t have said take a deep dive when I only took a shallow one myself. It was from a documentary (produced by Michael Moore) called “Planet Of The Humans”. The point of the movie was that it all came back to either natural gas or straight-up tree wood. I was unaware of that much of the power there coming from hydro.
Oopsie.
How many dams does Eugene have anyway?
(Just a rhetorical question)
Dude, Michael Moore is an idiot. That movie has been majorly discredited.
Trees? You got to be kidding me.
We have very few dams locally. It almost all comes from the Columbia River. Ever heard of BPA? provides power for the whole Northwest. Please read this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonneville_Power_Administration
In Eugene, 80% comes from hydro, about 10% from wind and solar and other renewables, and about 10% from conventional sources (gas).
That’s pretty close to what it is statewide. Some areas are 90% hydro.
I didn’t specify Eugene, just Oregon.
No deep dive necessary. A one minute click to Oregon’s energy website confirmed what I said.
If you want to see it for yourself here is the link. BTW, biomass means trees. Plus they say TREES. https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/Bioenergy.aspx#
What did Michael Moore ever do to you anyway?
Of course he’s biased. But I don’t think he’s an idiot.
I know the movie has been “debunked”. Everything can been debunked. Wikipedia isn’t exactly the most solid news source either. I once wrote a paragraph on the wallabees of Whiting, Indiana as a joke and it was up for two years.
I will accept your apology in store credit. Do they sell crow?
Yes, it says that 1.7% of Oregon’s energy comes from biomass. We have one just outside of town, next to the biggest lumber mill in the state. You know these burn? Not exactly “trees”. They burn slash, which is all the branches and skinny little trees that are the byproduct of forest thinning, and essential service to keep the forest healthy, let the bigger trees get really big, and reduce fuel for possible fires. It’s a forest by-product.
In any case, there’s nothing wrong with burning “trees”. It’s an agricultural renewable product, and essentially carbon neutral, as the carbon in slash would find its way back into the atmosphere. Wood really is a renewable energy source.
MM is not an “idiot’and I shouldn’t have called him that. He’s a massive manipulator of people’s emotions because most folks don’t know the facts well enough to know they’re being manipulated.
I saw “Roger and Me” back in the day, and that’s exactly how I felt: emotionally manipulated. He did not really know or explain the reality of what GM and the domestic industry were going through at the time. I’m no fan of RM, but this movie was a piece of crap. Which is how I would describe all of his movies. Cheap emotional manipulation. And from what I hear, this one is way over the top in that regard.
That isn’t anywhere near the mix of the state of OR as a whole.
The most recent year reported shows that Hydro only made up 43% of the mix with Coal coming in at number 2 with 25% of the mix.
https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/Electricity-Mix-in-Oregon.aspx
Still better than my electricity supplier, PSE. https://www.pse.com/pages/energy-supply/electric-supply which has coal as the number 1 energy source.
I didn’t say it was, did I? I said “our electricity comes from 90 % renewable sources”:
http://www.eweb.org/about-us/power-supply
I was responding to:
“In Eugene, 80% comes from hydro, about 10% from wind and solar and other renewables, and about 10% from conventional sources (gas).
That’s pretty close to what it is statewide. Some areas are 90% hydro.”
I don’t think 43% (statewide) is anywhere close to 80%.
This is for Paul but I can’t reply to a reply of a reply of a reply and so on. 😬
Funny story regarding what I said. In my zeal to argue I went to that Oregon site. The image that I got on my phone was all distorted, stretched top to bottom, like it was not meant to be seen on a phone. In my haste I misinterpreted the little bubble charts and thought biomass was around 40 percent. Later I went back after going full bore with my snarky comment and saw my mistake. I was so mortified at my f-up that I wasn’t sure what to do. Don’t know why I went out on a limb like that anyway. I did accept what the movie said without questioning anything. I didn’t used to do that and guess I have gotten lazy. So, sorry about that. Thanks for replying and sorry I took so long getting back to you.
Better late then never! 🙂
Oh, goody–no one’s picked it yet . . .
2020 Lincoln Continental Coach Door Edition:
Good choice, it it weren’t for the 80% of driving rule that would probably be my choice too.
Oh yes.
I’m second in line to trade in my CT6 for the Coach Edition.
Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid (availability un Uruguay is a heavy burden, as are taxes)
Since it’s free, I’ll go all in and order up a Mercedes S class. I’ll pony up for the extended warranty, as repairs on these can be crushing after the factory warranty has expired. Large and roomy enough to compensate for not being a SUV. Should get to 10 years and 200,000 miles without too much difficulty. The high residual value should make up for the excessive cost of repairs, maintenance, insurance.
A financial future based on the resale value of used German luxury sedans doesn’t seem sound.
A ten year old Mercedes S class has a Kelly Blue Book value of $15,000. Will cover a few oil changes. And for 10 years I will have had the pleasure of driving the iconic, standard of the world of luxury sedans
Corolla hybrid. Free + practically pennies to run = Me.
Toyota Landcruiser
Lexus GS-F. We may never see an engine like that again outside a pony car. It’s not a numbers car, but it is reportedly far more tactile and engaging than the German sledgehammers. This would haul my family around town and on road trips just fine, while providing a thoroughly enjoyable experience in the local mountains. While I’m sure routine maintenance is a bit pricey compared to a GS350, I’d worry less about out-of-warranty costs versus a Merc or Bimmer in this price range.
Wrangler unlimited, hands down.
Wow, hard question. Ask me again in an hour or two and my choice might be (or will) be different. But at this moment:
Kia Telluride.
My needs do not require a pickup. This would be our primary travel vehicle, so the size is nice. We occasionally carry stuff so the capacity is nice. We occasionally carry passengers, so the seating configuration works. Plus pleasant powertrain and good warranty. I think it would be a good all-around compromise. Plus I love its looks.
Well the vehicle I want isn’t quite available yet, but general public orders should start soon so I’m going with it. If I’m going to live with it, as a daily driver, for 10 years I want exactly what I want and am willing to order and wait. Because of the 80% of driving mandate that really narrows things down. My “daily driver” usually accounts for ~60% of my typical mileage in a year. So it would have to be capable of taking some of the load off at least some of the other vehicles. So for that reason it would have to be a Crew Cab pickup.
So a 2021 F-150 Limited, because that is how you get Admiral Blue interior, that I’d pair up with the Antimatter Blue exterior. Plus it saves the work of checking options boxes that would have to be checked on the lesser trims. The one down side is that you can only get the 5.5′ bed in the Limited Super Crew.
Power Boost Hybrid for the engine, 4×4 of course. 3.55 gears with locker in the rear, extended range fuel tank, max recline seats and work surface are also must haves. As desired with the “early build and price” it rings in at $77,830.
Sorry, not available yet, please choose again! Can’t order a Bronco or anything else not being produced yet either. The check would be written today or not at all. 🙂
I would potentially have chosen similarly though, but can’t currently get the 2.7t in anything over a Lariat and you need more than a Lariat to get the safety tech I’d want (as far as I can tell from the online configurator) in the CrewCab with the longer bed.
Would you be choosing a 2020 or something else entirely?
Dang, I think I was going to have the same pick(base two door, manual) lol
Sorry, rules are rules. 🙂
Production is supposed to start on Monday. So It might be possible to find a dealer that has a truck that is close enough already on order that they would love to sell before it left the factory.
I wouldn’t do a 2020 because the Hybrid is my powertrain of choice. Much more convenient than keeping a generator and fuel supply around. Also perfect for charging the wife’s Plug in Hybrid….
I like the suggestion of the Coach Door Conti above but they are sold out from my understanding.
Never mind, it’s not Monday yet. No soup for you. 🙂 Thanks for playing!
Yeah I just should have waited to see this thread until Monday….
But if that doesn’t cut it a Black Label Grand Touring Aviator in Flight Blue, Cashmere interior, with the class IV trailer package. Just a touch more expensive at $89,290. Heck screw it why, not go all the way and add Lincoln Play and bring it up to $91,070 so it will be right at $100k with the sales tax.
The only problem is the 80% of use rule, which is why I’d have to have the class IV trailer package so I could tow a trailer to make up for the loss of a bed.
I like the QOTD, and this one is really good. After a little thought, I don’t think my DD choice would change much. I drive about 350 miles a week for work and am satisfied with my Honda Civic, which has been economical and durable, though over the years, it seems to have shrunk, maybe I should clean it out more often. To answer the question, since I have to insure and maintain this vehicle for 10 yrs, I think I’d select a new Honda Accord, larger than the Civic, but economical and durable. Some of them may have the personality of a screwdriver, but we all need a good one…
The 2.0 liter Accord is a brilliant automobile. That’s a smooth, quick reacting engine that makes a lot more than the spec sheet claims (under 6 second 0-to-60) and still gets over 35 MPG
doing 72 MPH on the Vermont’s hilly highways. The 2 liter comes with a real 10 speed transmission, and the EX-L comes with 17 inch wheels with tires that have actual sidewalls
One of these three:
Audi S6 Avant
Volvo V90 Polestar
BMW 540D Touring
Toyota Avalon. Then only oil changes for the decade. And the one after that.
I was going to say the same thing. May not be very exciting or what I would really want, but if I’m paying for gas and maintenance and it’s going to need to make it to around 300k miles, I think it’s a good choice. I’d rather have a Lexus LS but when things start breaking, I don’t want to be stuck with those costs.
Toyota doesn’t want to.make boring cars anymore, so I hope they’re still as over-engineered as my ’03. It recently needed its first alternator and a new tie rod at 260,000 miles. The numbers on the radio presets have come mostly off. The color has come off of much of the leather part of the shift lever. The original catalytic converter has developed a crack in the flange weld. If the new ones are 1/3 as good as this one, I’ll learn to tolerate the angry fish-face and love it forever. Eapecially in that nice electric blue I’ve seen before. They even seem to have rediscovered the benefit of windows to see around you. Bring on the boring.
Otherwise a black Challenger. Because it looks so damn good.
An inspired question.
Due to changing circumstances in life, I only anticipate having two passengers for the next ten years, but I’ve allowed for a third in a pinch. Also, I need utility and capability.
So here’s my theoretical choice (such a surprise, I know), a 2020 Ford F-150 XLT. Equipped with the 2.7T and optioned with all trailer towing equipment and four-wheel drive. I contemplated a base XL with an appearance package, but since it’s free to me, I stepped up a trim level. I also contemplated the 5.0 but that was another grand; can’t look a gift-horse in the mouth for too long.
As an aside, I’m often perplexed by the occasional “it’s too big to drive in town” sentiments in regard to pickups. I drive a pickup in town all the time and it’s not at all difficult – and that includes the downtown areas of various large cities – as visibility is rather good, especially in comparison to a number of other varieties of vehicles.
Alfa Giulia 2 liter in red, what else?
I’d buy a top-of-the-line Irony, or a Satire.
Any time I was back in America, I could drive it how and where I liked, in the sure knowledge no-one would ever see it.
I wouldn’t touch a Vitriol, though.
They have Malice, and get eaten through by their acid in no time.
See, that was inspired. I think you misspelled Saturn Ion in your opening line though and it’s not made anymore but being from down under you may not know that. I’ll respect your choice in public though, there may be an unsold one languishing in a lot in Southern California that we could find. 🙂
Hehe! That answer was called for.
Right on. I’ll just put you down for the A220 though, I can read between the lines…it’s like that icky girl in third grade.
A Volvo V60 in the T5 drivetrain, probably with AWD (I live in a winter state), with a paint job that doesn’t fall into the white-silver-grey-black or tan family.
I keep all my new cars for 10 years, from current
Acura TSX Sportwagon, still have 4 years to go
Audi A3
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Cheyenne
Ford Mustang SVO
Mitsubishi Might Max, I only had this for 3 years as I traded it and the SVO for the Cheyenne because I was moving to Texas and wanted AC
Of course I’ve had many old cars that lasted from 1 to a few years.
There’s really nothing on my “want” list right now, and our current fleet meets our needs well. I would probably simply replace my ’15 RAM 2500 with a new ’20 RAM 2500 Tradesman single cab longbed – essentially the same truck I currently have. I just did a BaP and ticking off options that I liked puts the total right at $40K, very similar to what my current truck MSRP’d at (I paid $32K for my current truck with 700 miles on the odo and a full warranty). I did check the olive green color option instead of my current grey, though. Kept the base 17′ wheels and tires, as I’d replace with aftermarket.
Long-term ownership with low running costs in regular use means one thing: Toyota. For most of my driving duties, I’ll just get a new example of my current car – even highly (but carefully) modified, it’s as reliable as a brick and, with ~200hp in a 900 kg shell, it’s quick and nimble enough too. Good question.
2020 Chevy Suburban. I like the 2020’s more than the new ’21s, and technically they’re still for sale, so I think it passes the rules here.
Most of our driving (mileage-wise) is on long trips with a family of four. A Suburban gives excellent room, plus the flexibility of towing a trailer, which would be wonderful. While our minivan does very well on long trips, a little bit of extra room would be nice (especially since our kids are almost adult-sized by now), and we would really appreciating being able to camp in a trailer.
In the real world, we decided that a $22,000 minivan was a better compromise than a $50,000 Suburban — sacrificing some room and heavy-duty capacity for an extra $30,000 in savings. But if someone else was paying, I’d choose the Suburban.
We actually came close to buying one a few months ago, as there was a 2020 Suburban LS at a dealer in Richmond equipped exactly as I’d like one — no options other than the Towing Package and the (very rare) front bench seat… which sadly isn’t available on the 2021’s. I really wanted to buy it, but practicality won out.
Tesla Model 3.
Second choice: Chevrolet Bolt.
Two cars quickly come to mind – a top of the line Golf GTI and a Tesla Model Y. The GTI is just such an all-around competent car that does everything well – comfortable, fun to drive, economical, practical, great ergonomics. And probably my last chance to drive a stick shift. I’d likely choose the Tesla though for being electric, having so much cool tech stuff, even more space, and just the general newness of it.
What else would I consider? I like good road-trip cars sometimes – probably would go with a Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle – that’s the new ultra-luxe top line model, now with optional AWD if you need it (which somehow coexists with the Stow ‘n’ Go setup) but I’d be fine with FWD where I live.
Exotic sports cars are out. My back pain is awful enough without having to climb into and out of a low-slung coupe, and I demand luggage space and a back seat.
The new Lucid Air is intriguing but it’s not yet for sale.
We have a stick shift Golf, but playing this game (and not paying anything) I’d probably trade it in on a Model Y, which would complement our other vehicles perfectly. It would probably end up doing 80% of the vehicle trips, but probably not mileage … as most of our miles are road trips with extensive off-pavement excursions, where cargo volume and range are paramount. I do have a down payment (AKA $100 investment) on a CyberTruck.
I would have to check with my wife first, though, as the Golf is her’s. Second choice after the Model Y would be a RAV4 Hybrid.
I’ve also got a manual ’00 Golf (not a GTi….had an ’86 GTi right before the Golf)…which is coming up on 20 years old having bought it new the day after Thanksgiving in ’00.
The Golf has been fine, though the prior 2 years I’ve put some expensive repairs in it (expensive in that they exceed the value of the car, but that’s not hard with one of its age). The shift linkage went requiring new cables (did both cables) plastic parts degrade as I live in sunbelt. Also needed new power steering rack.
But…I’m getting older, and no one else in my family can drive my (manual) car, so my next one will be an automatic. Not thrilled with that idea (in fact I’m in denial…trying to keep the Golf as long as I can until the inevitable).
Already keep cars awhile (having only owned 5 in 46 years of driving) so
I’m used to trying to project what my needs will be when I get a car. The funny thing is what I’d like is probably the equivalent of an “old man’s” car of 40-50 years ago…a large comfortable car (a wagon, ideally, for hauling stuff). But…they no longer sell large wagons, probably a minivan would be closest fit. I like the space, but I’m hardly the type of buyer you’d expect, being single, no kids. Don’t want or need SUV; no need for 4WD, and for some reason I resent the wasted space for 4WD if I was to buy a 2WD model.
But..similar to what happened 40 years ago with full sized wagons (then sedans) seems to be happening to hatchbacks, my preferred body style.
Fewer choices, it seems like they think I should buy an SUV in place of my hatchback, even if I don’t want or need one, due to lack of space efficiency.
If I have to drive around with a 1.4lire turbo, I’d rather it be in a vehicle with a lower front profile. I’ll likely end up with another Golf, if they keep selling them, one of the few models that has been continuously available as a hatchback since I started driving. If I can get one with fabric (rather than vinyl) seats, and said automatic. I’m past the age for mid-life crisis car, never really having had the urge to buy one (guess I live vicariously through other people’s purchase of them?). You’d never guess my interest in cars based on the few different ones I’ve owned in my life.
Some sort of 50’s model, with high seating position, would probably be ideal, especially a wagon. I’ll be in my 80’s the next 20 years, and probably won’t want/need to do much hauling after that (who knows?)…maybe if my uncle had kept the family ’51 Windsor semi-automatic (the car my Mother learned to drive on) that would be a good compromise?
Lucid Air, or a Volkswagen Golf R.
The Lucid is not currently available, and won’t be delivered for some time yet.
It’s a Singer 911 for me – available “new” (I know, stretching the rules a bit there)…
If not, a 2021 model year 911 GT3 (with added rear seats), or GTS coupe or cabrio. Manual ‘box.
911s are everyday usable and my 4 year old son fits the rear seats. And in 10 year’s time he still might…..Pythongruen, please, because it’s his favorite color, or GT Silver with red interior….Fuel consumption is good, maintenance is not horrible and 911s are, in my experience, tough cars. A GT3 will also still be worth something in 2030 – may even have appreciated.
Thank you so much for this unexpected gift!
Sign me up for the last of the V-6 ICE-Only AWD Minivans.
2020 Toyota Sienna Limited Premium
“Unlike previous versions of Toyota’s family van, the 2021 Sienna will be offered exclusively as a hybrid. The powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter gasoline-powered four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors that combine to make 243 horsepower. All-wheel drive is available and adds a third electric motor in back that drives the rear wheels.”
https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/sienna
If it were 2021 I’d have a different choice in mind, but narrowing it down I’ll settle for a F150 Raptor with the 802A luxury package, bead lock wheels, in bright red with the stripe kit.
I would never pay for this with my money, I’ve never even entertained the notion of owning a modern pickup truck, but since it’s free it’ll satisfy my curiosity for this package, which I do think would offer a unique experience and it looks cool, and since it’s a truck I’ll have plenty of practical uses for it regardless. I’d pick a Hellcat or something, but that might be too predictable, and the insurance and widebody tire cost would probably get bothersome, and I already have a fun coupe, even if it has less than half the horsepower.
I’ll take a Corvette C8 White Z51 package. I’m retired and I think I can do 80% of my driving in the Vette. Might have to do more trips to the grocery store but that may actually be a plus. I’ve got plenty of back up vehicles for the times that you need that special vehicle.
Hellcat Challenger in F8 green, as long as I can keep one of my old pickups for towing the boat and household chores.
Gas mileage is not a concern, if it was I’d get another hobby; I’d rather have a car that makes me happy. It has a real backseat and a real trunk and my kids fit in my current Challenger just fine. Traffic is not a concern where I live so it would be a 6 speed even though the automatic is quicker. Theyre built like tanks so they fare pretty well in accidents and are relatively trouble-free cars. Challengers have one of the best resale values on the market today so im not worried about the residual value in 10 years. Dodge will probably still be selling them in the same body style in 2030!
If my ’18 Scat Pack Challenger was wrecked, I would be looking at a new one, nothing else would be on my radar. I’ve driven a RWD Hemi Charger, Challenger R/T, and now Challenger SP, since 2007, and only in the terrible winter or 13-14 did I have any problems. My ’18 has been perfect in it’s two years and almost 2 months, with the exception of some odd USB stick weirdness on the stereo where it “loses” the files, then finds them after a power cycle.Oh, and the clock that will soon switch from DST to ST and overshoot by 1 hour. Of any vehicle I’ve owned, I like it the best. F8 is one of my “Hell No!” colors, make mine Yellow, Torred, Mango, Hellraisin, and about anything else but green (I don’t mind the “Sassyfrass” type green, but no F8, almost as bad as Destroyer Gray AKA “Gray Primer Clearcoat” (worst ‘color” ever, IMHO.), gray, silver, black, or white. No weak colors for me, they have to have “punch”. I took my second choice, Torred, when the Yellow Jacket car my dealer tried to trade for was sold a few minutes before they called. I never get tired of bright red.
I have a real fear that Dodge is going to screw up the next gen Challenger and if they do, I will grab up one of the last present gen Challenger Scat Packs and keep it until my driving days are over, or I’m over.
I would either go w/a Mustang or Challenger, either w/a V-6 only, or a Honda Civic
The Camaro marketing department is reading this and wondering how we got to a point where if a Mustang or Challenger isn’t quite the perfect fit, then there’s a hard pivot to a Civic 🙂
I don’t know, Jim… I have two coupes myself, and each is one of his choices above!
Touche! I don’t think I considered the Civic Coupe, was mentally picturing a sedan instead… Not to denigrate the Civic at all, great cars, have owned two four-doors myself, probably what I was picturing.
Well, in your defense Jim, my Civic Coupe was easily forgotten, as apparently many folks forgot it existed.
When your sportiest model (the Type R) is a hatchback, and 80% of Civics sold are the 4-door sedan (wild guess, no data), the little coupe is not noticed.
And Honda has figured this out as well. There will be no Civic Coupe for 2021… It’s gone the way of the Accord Coupe, which this current generation never had, BTW.
My days of buying only two door cars for myself* are numbered. The streak (as long as I have been driving) may have ended with the pictured Civic. 😢
*There have been some 4-door cars in my life, but for the wife…
This one might sound weird, but I’ll take a LWB Ford Transit Connect and kit it out like a miniature version of Paul’s ProMaster. Unlike the RAM, the TC is daily drive-able, and if my industry doesn’t come back sometime soon, I’ll need a place to live.
So many choices, so little time…since you’re paying the upfront acquisition costs, maybe I’ll indulge in something German, and pay out of pocket for some kind of extended warranty (ala Doug DeMuro) to help mitigate maintenance and repair costs in the later years. Going that route, I would choose either a BMW X5 or an Audi Q7. If, after sober reflection, I am not willing to tolerate Teutonic drama, I’d consider a loaded to the gills Q-ship, such as a Toyota Highlander or Honda Passport, preferring them to their more expensive, but also uglier, sisters up in the luxury class. If you further stipulate I must buy ‘Murican, then gimme a Grand Cherokee Limited. Ask me again an hour from now and the whole calculus will change.
At this point, I can’t really consider the Grand Cherokee any more American than the Highlander or Pilot…You are good to go with either!
I already own my dream 10+-year-keeper vehicle. A cavalry blue Tundra super crew. Of course if somebody else’s was paying I’d pony up for the TRD pro off-road package and some leather.
Tesla X or Y. My neighbor just got a new Y (after their two-year-old 3 was totaled) with two motors and it’s amazing. Probably couldn’t do 1000 miles in a day like I do now but that’s OK. I could pay for a motel room with the money I’d save on gas.
Very Easy. 2020 Mustang GT convertible, standard model with automatic. Runner up is the Lincoln Aviator, Black Label. I ain’t getting rid of any of my six other cars.
Im not far off from the writer except make mine a limited. Only compromise is no available quad cab (my preferred choice) and FCA’s usual array of boring colors that never change year after year after year (nothing comes close to my 2015 Ram 1500’s western brown).
I’d almost be willing to get a 2500 Tradesman just to be able to choose from that glorious palette of 19 extra colors that includes all the major tractor brands’ corporate colors and then some for $450 each. Such a bargain for that compared to a similar paint program with the VW Golf R but $2500 in that case…
Peugeot 508 SW (the wagon) PSE. Looks great, perfect size and dimensions, practical, high performance meets good fuel efficiency. Something special and exotic, yet offered by a mainstream automaker, available on every street corner.
Too old for a B- or C-segment hot hatch now, but this will do perfectly.
An inspired choice, the 508SW is certainly a looker, enough for me to take a pic of the last one I saw, with the perfect license plate too…I wish you well with it!
…and thank you for the generous offer!
A friend has one, latest in their long line of Peugeots, a replacement for their 407 wagon. Very impressive, and it looks much more ‘them’ than the rather outré 407 did.
Everything ending on 07 wasn’t exactly Peugeot’s peak…most centainly not as a replacement for the splendid 306 and 406.
Mmm, nice choice, drove in one recently while our 508 RXH was being serviced. Like the other newer Pugs the split-level dash looks odd but is nice to use and easy to live with. Love our RXH (although the ride is a tad harder than it could be) and would be pretty happy in it for another decade. Mind you, if Peugeot did an RXHesque wide-body version of the new 508 I’d choose one of those!
Come on Scott, get on with that 508-COAL! 🙂
Given that the Alfa Romeo Tonale is not yet available, it might be a BMW 330e Touring PHEV.
That 10 year, 80% rule does push me towards some form of electric or hybrid option, so this or maybe a Jaguar I-Pace if size was not an issue.
How about a Beck 550 coupe ? Are they still being built ? Does that qualify ?
Ferrri GT4C Lusso, seeing as you’re paying. Handy little hatchback for popping down the shops and the back seats fold down nicely for the dog. And it might still be worth a few bob after 10years.
This is a tough question. The easiest answer would be a new Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid. I’ve been very pleased with my 2015 model, and the current generation has better crash test ratings, more safety tech, and slightly better fuel economy. Plus I like its looks better.
If I’m getting the car for free, I could step up to more luxury with little penalty in fuel economy by getting the 2021 Lexus ES Hybrid (I see it’s available now on the Lexus website).
Or, I might go with the Tesla Model 3 with the longest range. However, better all-electric sedans will likely be available in the next 10 years, so the Model 3 is somewhat of a gamble.
Definitely no more ICE-only vehicles for me.
Let’s see. A once in a life gift and likely my last petroleum propelled car. Porsche Macan Turbo would do it.
Probably a Honda Civic, Mazda3, or Mazda6. 10 years ago I would have said a Ford Fusion.
Tempted by a Buick Regal TourX because of its Opel DNA, but I’d be concerned about long-term parts availability. Also tempted by a VW Passat or Audi A4, but I’d be concerned about long-term reliability.
Count me among those who aren’t happy about automakers discontinuing sedans and wagons. I’m looking at you, Ford. Don’t get me going about European cars that aren’t sold in the USA.
2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible with Inspiration series option: Bespoke Amalfi White Interior Trim, Inspiration Series Door Sill, Structural Blue Exterior Colour, Marine Convertible Top, Inspiration Series Floor Mats.
Ring at $152,240.38 inclusive of Taxes, Levies, Fees, Freight & PDI: $19,740.38. That’s Canadian dollars.
Easy one: Lotus Evora 2+2, whatever base model there is. That Camry engine should do 10 years just like that, and if I need cash after time is up, there should still be plenty to get out of. But it could prove itself a keeper as well.
My Passat Variant can stay around for bulky errands, since it was actually my NA Miata doing DD duty for over six years and providing lessons of efficient packing for two on road trips. I just hope the rules allow me to keep it in my garage and apply all the TLC I always promised.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid please, then I still have room for something a bit more soul stiring.
Good question Jim, but not an easy one for me to answer. Not many new cars appeal to me anymore. I’d rather sell the new one to buy more old, but I know that’s not part of the rules. If I could keep my old truck for dirty work, then I could get something fast and fun to commute in. I’d love to daily drive a Corvette, or one of three V8 powered pony cars. Then reality sets in that they won’t cut it during winter. Since I need something capable for winter, I’d probably just get a new 4×4 truck. I’d be tempted by a F-150 with a 2.7 EB for the great power and fuel economy mix along with the aluminum body. Then again, everyone has an F-150 and I have never been overly won over by any late model F-150s I have been in. I have had my Tundra for nearly 10 years, and I still love the truck. So, even though the new ones are highly out of date, I’d probably just get the a new Tundra. Make mine a 5.7L 4×4, double cab with a 6.5′ box. Heck, I could even reuse my winter tires and rims on the new truck.
Now, this would be a whole lot easier if I were picking for my wife. I’d dump her Outback in a heartbeat for a new Rav4 Prime.
At one time I’d have had a list. Today nothing excites me much. A few years ago I rented a Mitsubishi Outlander. That’s what they had. That’s what I got. It was comfortable and roomy, drove nice and I came away impressed. Yes I could live with one for 10 years. Remember the old question, “Who would you pick? Ginger or Maryanne?” The funny thing is that at a certain point in time you wonder why Mrs. Howell isn’t even considered.
Definitely Mrs. Howell. I’d gladly play her pool boy so she can be my sugar mama. You see, then I wouldn’t have to worry about just picking one car from Jim Klein. And as another added benefit, she’s probably a tiger in the bedroom, as good old Thurston wasn’t “accounting” for much(see what I did there). They didn’t call it the “Roaring Twenties” for nothing!
Not able to pick one at all due to my requirements. One is small like my Focus. Two is a strong 4 cylinder engine with air manifold, no direct injection, not a turbo, has a color between 420-700 nm, and a mandatory 5 speed manual. Oh, and an excellent handling car with mileage at 30 mpg minimum. Have no clue what is out there that would fit those specs and isn’t Korean or German. I suspect not much
Not an SUV. Been there, done that, didn’t like the size/blind spots.
But, I need to carry my stuff. The VW dealer in Ann Arbor had a 2019 Golf wagon on the lot, but sold it a few weeks ago. There are still a few Golf hatches around. bit the only trim available now has vinyl upholstery. I like fabric. The VW dealer in Livonia had a couple 2019 Golfs with fabric upholstery, but he sold them a couple months ago. The Hyundai dealer in Dearborn has a base trim, black, Elantra GT oh his lot right now. The Elantra GT has been dropped for 2021, but he still has that 2020 on his lot. I’ve looked at a GT before. Rightful contender, but some of the interior materials seem a bit cheap.
Really, what meets my needs the best, in all autodom, is what I already have. Still cleans up pretty well too. This pic was taken today.
If :”none of the above” is not acceptable, this would probably be it, if something horrible and tragic happened to the Jetta tomorrow.
I’m with you on this, I have an ’00 Golf, which I’d replace with another, only with automatic (concession to my age) and if they had fabric interior…if not, maybe I’ll have to buy used.
Guess that’s the part I don’t like…they seem to be changing the vehicles that are offered to be one-size-fits-all (or needs to). I know that offering a range of models is expensive, but do we all need to buy SUVs only? Electric or hybrids only?
There’s some charge against non-primary (used) vehicle buyers, but if the market stops offering new cars in the format you prefer, surely buying used is a form of protest. I know my needs aren’t the same as everyone else (or maybe very mainstream) but I don’t like the feeling of being a sheep and being directed to buy something everyone else is buying because it is popular (right now…especially since I want to hold onto my car awhile..don’t want to bow to what’s big “right now”).
I like to change my daily driver every 2-3 years. My Mercedes-benz C63 wagon will be 10 in November to its just answered your question by itself. It’s a bit heavy on gas but that’s a very small price to pay as servicing and reliability have been exemplary. I’d chose it again everyday for pleasure and practicality.
I’m also 7 years into a BMW i3 so there’s your environmental alternative…
Gaaah! This QOTD (or in my case, early morning) has set my mind spinning. As for current day vehicles that I think I would like to drive for ten years here we go. (Note: This list is subject to change in 3… 2… 1…)
Dodge Challenger R/T 392: I love muscle/pony cars. I’m nominally a GM guy, but I have a lot of love for Mopars and especially new Mopars that emulate old Mopars. I know in this scenario I should go for some variation on the Hellcat motor, but even at my age, I’m quite sure I would do something especially stupid with 700 HP. 485 HP should keep in the range of just temporary insanity.
Volkswagen Passat 2.0T R-Line: I like a nice big boxy sedan. Since GM wandered away from the last generation Epsilon and Epsilon II sedans (8th gen Malibu and Impala), this car has filled that void for me. I know there are other boxy sedans that remain and that I can’t even get a V(R)6 in this any longer, but this car has the silhouette that says “car, general purpose” to me. Also, at this size and configuration, I figure I’ll be able to get in and out of it without causing a spectacle.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: I’ve become reacquainted with the joys of minivan life again in the last several years. I’m fascinated with Tesla and am very electric car curious. I also think that the ability to haul everything short of loads of mulch in this vehicle are incredibly handy. As mentioned before, the chair-height seating position will be a bonus going forward as I age. The house I live in now has 220V service to the garage which would accommodate the charging of the batteries, but having the ability to run on gasoline would be plus in certain situations, too. The Hybrid Pacificas are pretty loaded up, so I have to imagine that I would not lack for want of tech in the car, although it’s not the main reason why I would be interested. Going into the future, I can see a lot of positives with this vehicle.
Final answer: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.
Check back in 10 minutes. 🙂
Jeep Cherokee….why??
-One of the few compacts with a V6 (not happy With turbos)
-Traditional automatic (not happy with CTV)
-Can order with compact or full size spare (not happy with tire repair kits)
-can order with trailer hitch (perfect for bike rack mount)
-SUV design (great for hauling sod, bags of top soil, consignment furniture, etc)
-SUV design (higher sight line than sedan)
-SUV design (I’m getting old now, easier to get in and out of)
-SUV design (not too big where it gets in its own way at the Walmart parking lot)
-Hearing good things about Uconnect (easy to use)
May not be the most reliable, but I’ll foot the bill for an extended warranty 😊
Ten years? 2021 Chevy Suburban High Country.
Gotta be a Plaid…it will still be one of the fastest, most efficient and practical vehicles in ten years. I mean how much better than 0-60 in less than 2 seconds can you get! Plus, seating for 7 (they’re reportedly adding back the little jump seats in back), 500 miles between power ups and you never have to visit a grimy COVID infested gas station (according to my wife) again.
And, it does all of the above while being completely unpretentious, unlike my other cars…it makes them look like disgusting posers. Ok, maybe I’m laying it on a bit. Maybe I’m the disgusting poser, but I digress.
Who knew this ICE car fanatic could completely flip, but I am this close to sending in my deposit, even if it’s not free.
What I *really* want to know is how many new cars get purchased as a direct result of this post!
None.
Highlander Hybrid platinum or Ram 1500 Laramie. The Highlander would probably serve the day to day better.
nissan armada. big comfortable suv with high ground clearance made in japan. lots of power from the big v8 and I can live wth the gas consumption.
If I didn’t have to share the car with anyone in my household, it would be a Dodge Challenger with a Pentastar V6 with as few options as possible. If not that a Chrysler 300 or Charger with the same V6 would be equally nice if I’m sharing the driving with my significant other who would want the extra two doors. Have no doubt that the V6 has more power and mileage than any of my 318s or the 3.5 V6 in my 2002 Concorde which would be the car given up for this deal.
2020 Chrysler 300 Touring in Velvet Red Pearl, 3.6L V6. I’m planning on buying a 300 as a retirement present to myself in a few years anyway, so I’d be really happy with a free one.
Since this could be my last decade (though hoping for 2 more), 4 cyl Honda Accord or a Camry. Top of the line with moonroof, good sound system. Plenty of power for crossing continental divide and comfort to cruise all day. Don’t need a 6 cyl to do that.
18 miles one way to town for groceries. Good mileage, dependable, easy to get in and out, smooth riding, safe, no bad manners yet can be fun and pleasing to drive. Comfortable to use for XCountry trips till can’t do.
Would like it in White
Rav4 Prime.
It would have to be electric. ICE powered vehicles are starting to seem primitive. Plus these days it’s hard not to feel a sense of dread about what’s coming out of the tailpipe every time you hit the accelerator, especially after the past few summers here on the west coast.
Would a reservation on an ID.4 count? I’m impressed by the new VW. It’s slightly smaller than both the Model Y and Audi e-tron, which would be a plus for primarily city use, and I think it’s a nicely thought out package. Range and charging speed capability are not at Tesla levels, but real world practicality seems to be there.
I’ll have to think about that but first I have to process the idea of Jim Klein owning a vehicle for 10 years 🧐
I’d have to go with the very first QOTD answer here by scrapman; a Tesla Model S for me… that’s the choice if someone else is buying, but I need to maintain it.
I doubt it costs that much more to maintain than a Model 3 – the tires are bigger, so there’s that.
If purchasing it myself, and when the time comes and if I can afford it, I’m seriously thinking about this choice: the Model 3.
Of course by then, cars will have gone the way of the dodo, and I’ll be stuck with a Model Y, which may not be a bad thing as I age, and ease of ingress/egress becomes an issue.
The Model X: No way… talk about “Bring on the Bloat”!
Of course I could be a contrarian and pick that A220 from the other day. Despite the spirited debate over that car, I think I was as impressed as you were, Jim!
Sorry, but if the vehicle has to be new then I’m not biting. Any recent model I’ve driven, you have to press a button each trip to stop the engine cutting out when you select neutral, and there’s usually another button because there isn’t a proper handbrake, and this button seldom works the first time because you have to have the seat-belt buckled up before you press it !!!
My diesel Accord only has 141K on the clock, so it should see me out.
Tesla Model Y performance.
I am driving a Model S now, but the Y is a bit more practical. Cybertruck is cool buy way to big for European cities.