MrBishop
Well-Known Member
The Rondo looks pretty nice... same size as the Matrix, I take it. A few guys at work have the matrix and like it...I didn't like the price as much. SHould look for specials on it. The HHR is...bigger that I was looking at. I'll have to look at the l/100kms ratings on it.If the HHR fits your bill, then the Kia Rondo would probably fit it even better. HomeLan went with one of them, and he's a guy who does research before he he buys a roll of toilet paper.
The prices for new are dropping nicely. I've never bought new..didnt' like the instant value-drop..but the warranty is drawing me back. Like I said above, the Matrix has drawn my eye. I'll look into the Protege and Vibe as well.Are you looking new or used? You might consider something like, say, a Toyota Matrix or a Mazda Protege5 or Mazda 3 5-door, or if they sell the Pontiac Vibe up there (that's a Matrix with a Pontiac badge).
I'll go visit Edmunds as well. Thanks to the bunch of you!My neighbor's daughter and son-in-law bought a slightly used Honda Element super cheap in excellent condition. They love it. It has been stone reliable, gets good gas mileage, and has a TON of room inside.
The Mazdas are good choices also, Car and Driver magazine raves about the 3.
I drove a Chevy HHR rental a couple of years ago. It was very peppy around town, got good gas mileage, had lots of cool standard features, was roomy inside and was built tighter than a duck's butt. They are an excellent value.
Edmunds.com is a good place to do research and read reviews, as well as find local pricing on new and used units.
Wide estimate on the tires..but you can see that a new car has gone from want to need.The head gasket price is consistent with what I paid for mine. Nature of the beast with any horizontally mounted v6 engine, in pretty much any minivan or crossover. Simply no way to get at those rear bolts without pulling the block. Shocks, like brakes, always in pairs. Tires, that's pretty low. I was looking $130 a corner for winters, $80 for summers. I didn't realize yours was that old. But then, I'm puttering about in one half as old again.