Owen778

Don't judge a car model by a rental.

1. Some of them will have been basically broken by previous renters.
2. Rentals are usually the basic model. Most people buy an improved model, which often has a better engine, and sometimes better handling, as well as a better interior.

S Folinsky

FWIW:

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings

http://www.safercar.gov/Safety+Ratings

I've often wondered about the comments on bigger is safer -- it seems to me that small cars present a smaller target.

Sally Redux

Those big ones flip over easily too.

mmhendrie

if you're in the market for a commuter car, have a steady commute, and are in CA - have you looked at the EV options?

Take the Nissan Leaf - currently MSRP around $28k, Fed tax credit for $7500, and CA tax rebate of $2500.

If you factor in the credits up front, you're talking about paying $18k - lets call it $19,500 after tax/title etc. A 5yr loan for that, we're in the region of $330-$360 per month.

NOW...gas...savings....lets say hypothetically, you're gas equivalent, you're driving an average of 10,000 miles per year, at lets say 25mpg, CA gas prices you're spending about $1700-$1900 per year in gas. Using a fairly conservative $0.16per kilo watt hour (most utility companies offer lower rates are available through special programs for EV owners), conservatively you're filling up your Leaf's battery for $5 - so for that same 10,000 miles per year, you'd spend $600. That's a savings of about $1100-$1300 per year in gas - basically $100 per month. So really it's like a $230-$260 per month car payment.

Now factor in an EV car - no oil changes, no air filters, no timing belts...service costs dramatically decrease. Also you can drive in the car pool lane in CA. Also many CA cities offer free parking for EV's.

Downsides - the range - it's 85 miles per charge. Many places in CA (museums, malls, office buildings) have added charge stations and many continue to do so. Also, you'd want to add a charge station at home - would you'd need to spend around $600 for the hardware and likely another $200 for the electrical wiring. Anyhow, perhaps the car itself is not a perfect fit for you, I don't know - but it's certainly interesting maths...

Also if this can make it's way through the GOP house, the maths would get even better: http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=32980

-Matt

Uncle_Bob

How about the cost of the battery packs. They are only warranted for 60,000 miles and the cost of replacement runs into several thousands.

Or Nissan runs a battery replacement program to replace them at any time but it costs $100 a month.

Thats just an EPA average range. Batteries generally don't do so well in the heat. I've heard in places like California beach with a/c use people are getting just 27 miles.

Here in Arizona people are also getting around half the EPA. Some stuck with cars they can't use and can't sell.

http://www.plugincars.com/arizona-le...on-124510.html

mmhendrie

I'm trolling through some of the stories there - interesting because I've read good things on the Leaf performance, and have a friend who loves hers.

According to the Leaf's website, the battery is backed by an 8yr/100,000mile warranty, and warrantied against any loss in battery capacity level (below 9/10 bars) for 6yr/60,000mile

http://www.nissanusa.com/electric-ca...range/battery/

Pulaski

His interest is safety, apparently to the exclusion of almost everything else, so I don't think a glorified golf cart is going to cut it.

BTW He'd also have to overlook the fact that the Leaf is the plug-ugliest car currently on the market in the US, and by quite some margin.

mmhendrie

oh sorry, yes - should have opened with that, the IIHS gave the Lead its top safety pick rating: http://www.treehugger.com/cars/2013-...ing-again.html

But you're absolutely right about the plug-ugly thing - that has a dramatic impact on safety

Pulaski

Well whenever I see one, which thankfully isn't often in these parts, I am tempted to drive my F250 over it.

Alan17

You could always pick up a used Prius. They're pretty common in CA. You can find them at the front of every backed up line of traffic.

Bob

I don't know...Scion, the Nissan Cube, Avalanche....they're all good competitors for that title...

Michael

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reaffirmed the 5-star safety rating of the Tesla Model S overall and in all subcategories for Model Year 2014, confirming the highest safety rating in America.

It's beautiful car but you need a minimum of $69,900 to get one.

http://www.teslamotors.com/about/pre...odel-year-2014

Tesla also has free super charging stations throughout the US. which gives 170 miles of range for a 1/2 hour charge but if you are on the road and too far from a super charging station, you have to check in to a motel and use the portable charger that will fully charge it in about 8 hours.

markonline1

Which is surprising, as the latest models are far superior to the utter crap you see on the roads over here!

scrubbedexpat091

I just have an honest question since all I ever buy are old used cars worth nothing, but does retaining value make any difference is one is going to keep a car for say 10 years?

Pulaski

You're asking someone who just last week reached 270,000 miles on an Accord.

If you're going to run cars into the ground it makes sense to buy them at 3-4 years old when they've lost half their value but are only a quarter used up. Personally I wouldn't buy bangers, but if you can get use from them, more power to you!