Here's the cliffs if you don't want to read: Need a car that gets good mileage, thinking about selling ALL of mine in the process.
At the end of August, I will be going back to the job I had last year at the same time as a pre-school photographer. The job is amazing and pays well, but is ALL travel (between 3500-5000 miles/month). I'm doing this to be able to keep my own business afloat and pay the lease on my laser engraver. Plus, I'm typically done by lunch time at any given school which gives me ample opportunity to design fliers and promote my own stuff. I will still be working at Island, so no worries there. I'm also trying to save my own family money by staying part time to do important stuff, and the other grounds maintenance I do can be passed off to a lower paid person, whether high schooler or one of the local migrant workers.
Anyhow, since its fully travel, I need a car that will get very good mpg, and be reliable at the same time. I was looking at a Prius, (don't knock because its foreign, please) and would have been able to afford one at sticker, but delaers are marking up to 27k, and the car payment vs. gas saved would not be near worth having.
I've really been looking at the Saturn Astra. I saw it last week for the first time, and since, I have really grown to like the car. the 5 speed is rated at 32 mpg, with reviews saying many people are getting 36+ on highway. Optioned with just a/c it is about 16,900 and I qualify for GMs recent grad discount. The reviews for the car are phenomenal, and it is originally Opel and Holden's Astra, just brought to the states.
We went yesterday and also eyed up the Subaru Impreza "wagon" which is a little bit more, and gets less mpg, so is probably not worth it to me, even though its a very nice car.
Next choice I was reading about was Fords new Focus. It starts cheaper than the Astra and gets better mpg, with more americanized options (cupholders for instance
) The reviews on this are also very good. I'm just concerned about the space in the car, as I have a lot of gear to carry around, the biggest piece being the backdrop holder which is about 5'x10"x4" I think it might JUST fit in the astra, I need to go to a ford dealership and measure the length of the longest space with the seat folded up.
In order to be able to afford a new car payment, I might end up having to sell my Z. I'm already in the process of selling my 79, I just need to talk to the guy about whether or not he wants to take it. Also need to sell the Jeep I just bought. If anyone wants it, its in beautiful shape, but is a v8 so gets about 16.2 mpg mixed driving. Next step to try to get my finances in order is the hardest of all, and selling my Z28. I love the car, and CAN afford to keep it, but it would make it just that much harder to pay off whats really important, which is the engraver for my own business. It would be impossible to ever find an LS1 car in such good shape with as low miles in a few years, which is why I'm very hesitant about selling it.
So, 2 questions now I'd like opinions on...
What cars should I be looking at getting? My credit is great, so I'm not worried about loans, but I want something that will cost around 17k or less new, not against used, but has to be very worth it. Car also has to get 30+ mpg. auto or manual doesnt matter, as long as the mileage is there and it has storage capacity for a LOT of photo gear and 1 suit case.
Also, what do you think about selling the Z? thats the only one up in the air right now. Those who have seen it in person know what I'm dealing with. Those who haven't, its a 2002 35th anniversary Z28, leather, 6 speed, t-tops, 30k miles, MMM in color (burgundy/maroon/whatever).
FWIW, Steve doesn't want me to sell it, but when it comes down to it, for the time being it is worth more than I owe, and who knows how long that stay that way.