What do you drive and why? What should I drive?

Welcome to Wondercafe2!

A community where we discuss, share, and have some fun together. Join today and become a part of it!

I have some beefs with the 2017 CR-V on the technology front, too. In particular, the climate controls are a pain in the butt. OTOH, I love having Android Auto on long drives. Basically turns my Samsung into the the car's navi and entertainment system.

Neither of us know how to even start using that type of technology. We have android phones though. We regularly moan about the lack of Instructions For Use! We would prefer our vehicles to cost less and contain a lot less technology. Neither of us got excited when told the CRV had heated seats. We both got blank expressions when the salesperson started raving about various 'features' - we just aren't technology lovers so don't keep up with the happenings in that area of life..
 
Hyundai is on my "brands to consider" list now, a big step up from being on my "avoid like the Black Death" list in the nineties.

I didn't mind them in the 90s. My dad had two Ponys. They were absolutely gutless, but they were inexpensive, and surprisingly solid and durable.

I'm considering them for my next vehicle. The dealership has a good reputation in town, particularly with women. My Escape is 10, and starting to develop problems. I liked the Escape; it took me to BC and back without a complaint, but both the Ford dealerships in town are festering hotbeds of misogyny.
 
My friend from church, with whom I do Meals on Wheels, has a fairly new Prius, his second. He loves them. He's a retired doctor, so I don't think the price concerns him. I find the navigation system a bit clumsy.
 
Neither of us know how to even start using that type of technology. We have android phones though. We regularly moan about the lack of Instructions For Use! We would prefer our vehicles to cost less and contain a lot less technology. Neither of us got excited when told the CRV had heated seats. We both got blank expressions when the salesperson started raving about various 'features' - we just aren't technology lovers so don't keep up with the happenings in that area of life..

Heated seats are awesome! I am not tech savvy, but I love being warm. My husband also has a heated steering wheel - he drives a BMW 535.
 
My friend from church, with whom I do Meals on Wheels, has a fairly new Prius, his second. He loves them. He's a retired doctor, so I don't think the price concerns him. I find the navigation system a bit clumsy.

That said, my car-guy son says he'll disown me if I buy a Prius.
 
Tested the sedan version when I was car shopping in 2015 but it was a bit pricier than a Civic for the same features. The GT is a lovely car for that class. Hyundai is on my "brands to consider" list now, a big step up from being on my "avoid like the Black Death" list in the nineties.
We also drove the Honda Accord when we were last looking - the Hyundai seemed MUCH more solid - eg when closing the doors :) I think the GT may have a slightly upgraded engine - mine is definitely a good car (peppy) on the highway - sufficient for my needs at least. Seats are comfortable for us too. (and heated! - best invention EVER!!)
 
I didn't mind them in the 90s. My dad had two Ponys. They were absolutely gutless, but they were inexpensive, and surprisingly solid and durable.

Not the experience I heard about back in the day. I used to get a ride home from another librarian who drove the hatch that came out after the Pony. Might have been the first generation of the Elantra, but I forget. Awful little car IMHO.
 
We like our Volvo. But I am not a car geek at all. However it is roomy. Not for huge people in third row though we never have found that

When kids were looking , a sales guy for hubbys car said the big difference in all those entry level cars is the stereo/phone interactions

He commented that people used to worry about speed, engine stuff. Now it is all about how easy can you use car to access phone and music. And the VW golf hatch is great for that. According to my kids
 
I'm still loving the Juke. There are so many times this winter where I don't think I would have been able to make it out of the driveway in my car. I love the size of it. I can put larger items into it way easier than the car. The extra height is also nice when driving.
 
I'm still loving the Juke. There are so many times this winter where I don't think I would have been able to make it out of the driveway in my car. I love the size of it. I can put larger items into it way easier than the car. The extra height is also nice when driving.

I have eyeballed that class of vehicle (so called "cute utes"), moreso the Honda HR-V than the Juke, but the cargo space seems very skimpy unless you have the back seats down. I think the Fit, the econobox that the HR-V is based on may actually have more cargo space, or at least looks like it does. Maybe I would get one as a replacement for the Civic, but I couldn't see it replacing the CR-V.
 
I have eyeballed that class of vehicle (so called "cute utes"), moreso the Honda HR-V than the Juke, but the cargo space seems very skimpy unless you have the back seats down. I think the Fit, the econobox that the HR-V is based on may actually have more cargo space, or at least looks like it does. Maybe I would get one as a replacement for the Civic, but I couldn't see it replacing the CR-V.
I would have looked more at the HR-Vs if they weren't just out at the time. We were buying used, so that eliminated them.
I guess it depends what's going in - for most things the cargo space is enough and for more awkward items - like toddler stuff I will get for my nephews putting down the seats is easier than with the car.
I know my parents really hate that people can see into the back (with anything other than a sedan, they have a minivan), but I usually have a tote bag or 2 back there and I bought some cheap black blankets to toss over them.
 
My friend in Germany says that electric cars loose power really quickly if it is very cold, so unless they solve this problem, I would wait. It doesn’t seem to be technology made for Canada yet ( maybe in BC).
I thought they discontinued the beetle? Or this is its last year?
Which is really sad.
 
My friend in Germany says that electric cars loose power really quickly if it is very cold, so unless they solve this problem, I would wait. It doesn’t seem to be technology made for Canada yet ( maybe in BC).

That's one of my concerns. It is a combination of the cold's effects on the batteries and having to draw from the batteries for the heater. The Globe reviewed the Hyundai Kona EV today and that was one of the problems the writer highlighted. He was basically skimping on the heat to conserve battery and I know my wife wouldn't go for that. He also said it took quite a while to heat up.
 
That's one of my concerns. It is a combination of the cold's effects on the batteries and having to draw from the batteries for the heater. The Globe reviewed the Hyundai Kona EV today and that was one of the problems the writer highlighted. He was basically skimping on the heat to conserve battery and I know my wife wouldn't go for that. He also said it took quite a while to heat up.

I saw that article as well.
 
To be clear, I like EVs in principle, but in this country, a plugin hybrid may be more practical for now.

EDIT: With the possible exception of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, where cold is less of a problem..
 
Heated seats are awesome! I am not tech savvy, but I love being warm. My husband also has a heated steering wheel - he drives a BMW 535.

The time we used that 'feature' we both got too hot. We sit in the car dressed in winter parkas - don't need hot bottoms!
 
Back
Top