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?
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.