[ducati1974]

With limited garage space, yet only one car in TV what would you recommend? We're thinking a small hatchback with some cargo room for drives north. Today we test drove a Hyundai Elantra Touring (boring), a Toyota Prius (refined & modern), and a Kia Soul (small & fun). What do you recommend?

[renrod]

Originally Posted by ducati1974

With limited garage space, yet only one car in TV what would you recommend? We're thinking a small hatchback with some cargo room for drives north. Today we test drove a Hyundai Elantra Touring (boring), a Toyota Prius (refined & modern), and a Kia Soul (small & fun). What do you recommend?

A SECOND GOLF CART

[faithfulfrank]

I love my Prius.......

I have been thinking of posting if there was any interest in a Prius Club in The Villages if there is not already one there....

Frank

[ljones190]

Originally Posted by ducati1974

With limited garage space, yet only one car in TV what would you recommend? We're thinking a small hatchback with some cargo room for drives north. Today we test drove a Hyundai Elantra Touring (boring), a Toyota Prius (refined & modern), and a Kia Soul (small & fun). What do you recommend?

I would recommend for you to test drive a Ford Fiesta, we bought a GM Chevy Cobalt and very happy with it, we had incentives with GM for over 10k so we bought an GM car which has been a very good car. If we did not have the incentives we would have bought the Ford. I think the Fiesta is about 14k and over 40 miles to the gallon.

[herbaru]

Originally Posted by ducati1974

With limited garage space, yet only one car in TV what would you recommend? We're thinking a small hatchback with some cargo room for drives north. Today we test drove a Hyundai Elantra Touring (boring), a Toyota Prius (refined & modern), and a Kia Soul (small & fun). What do you recommend?

How about the small suv's?
Honda CRV
Toyota Rav4
Hyundai Tucson

[Avista]

We love our Honda Insight. Similar to the Prius, but a little smaller. Perfect for us and our 1 1/2 car garage. We usually get about 50 mph. At times we've gotten up to 54 miles per gal.

[ducati1974]

herbaru- we currently have a CRV and would like to downsize- they actually are fairly large in the garage. The Kia Soul took up very little room although I have to say I found the Prius to be quite compelling. Though narrower and shorter than the CRV it is about the same length.

[redwitch]

I think a lot would depend on how often you think you will be using a car. I know of several who have two golf carts and just rent a car when they go on trips. More room in garage, much cheaper insurance and maintenance. I do know that everyone who owns a Prius absolutely loves it.

[woolman44]

We just love our 2010 Chevy Equinox. Lots of room for people while here in TV's, then plenty of space for trips back North. Plus the gas mileage is excellent 32 MPG highway!
Take a test drive.....you'll love it! Imported from North America to boot!

[CarGuys]

That's me in a test car-Plug in Prius.

Love our 2011 Prius three. Averaged 55.7 from Syracuse to TV and home. While in TV looking at homes in 100 degree heat other cars idling wasting gas ours sitting out side locked waiting for us running the AC on battery only.

Have had BMW's Lexus Chevrolet Trucks and this Hybrid is more comfortable practical and fits in the garage.

Room for the Harley and one or two golf carts now! ELectric Cart of course- But that will start another war!

Right Frank!

Herv

[2 Oldcrabs]

Chevy HHR. Small but roomy with good gas milage and US co.

[G&P SSSKI]

A NEW CORVETTE

[faithfulfrank]

Folks,
Let's try to keep the topic to what cars work best in The Villages. It is a good question, as new folks could really use some input from those who have had cars in Florida for awhile.

What options to you now Floridians value more? What don't you need as much?

I currently have a 4WD Jeep Grand Cherokee that will not be coming to Florida simply because I doubt I'll need 4WD in a no snow/ice location.

The sad fact is that my Florida home's garage IS smaller then my NY 24x40 garage, and with no basement, space IS at a premium.

As to the US/Foreign thing....let's NOT go there. It will be considered off topic and more fitting for another thread of it's own. The lines there are MUCH too blurred anyway, with many foreign cars made in the US and many US parts made in Mexico, etc....let's keep to the topic of what is best for living in Florida.....

Frank

[TomH]

Without question - Ford Fusion fills the bill

[CarGuys]

Well said! they are all world cars now and parts such as transmissions, engines, AC units, steering systems abs brakes ,stab control etc are used by multiple lines. Who ever would have thought that BMW Ford GM and Chrysler would be using the same Hybrid drive technology.

I agree with you Frank, what we were comfortable in at home does not fit, park or work efficiently in " The Villages" Many folks do not consider or understand that stop and go, idling and the on off slow speed of Village traffic is very abrasive on brakes transmissions engine parts and the degration of motor oils. Letting a corvette or any other vehicle sit or putt around under 40 is the worst thing we can do to any vehicle. Like us they must be moved.

So as you say lets get back on the track. What is best? Well lets have folks consider another VERY VERY important topic. Many of our incomes will now be reduced. Look at the vehicle warranty and buy from the back of the dealership not the front. Meet the technicians the service manager because they are going to take care of you not who sells the vehicle. Also consider the facrory extended warranty on all electrical and computer components.

Test drive the vehicle for a full day! On all types of roads. Thats right they will give it to you or rent one. Your Back Butt Arms etc cannot appreciate a car until you use it for a few miles. not just around the block while a saleperson talks to you about the radio!

Frank you and I drive a Prius. We will never change our brakes while living in the village with normal maintenance. In syracuse only barke maintenance is rotor replacement from the salt.

A Hybrid owner never uses the brake except under 10 mph or stopped. Its a fake feel to make us comfortable. The service brakes are for holding at a stop sign hill and to burn off the morning rust. Also as a fail safe back up. The electric regen system is our brakes.

Our synthetic Oil maintenance is 10k miles or once a year and that is performed free at the dealership. The enigne will never wear out. It does not have to stress and work as hard. Electric motors will never wear out in our lifetime. The transmission is a sealed system and has no parts to fail.

Toyota has never in 10 + years had a battery failure and if they do they want it back will give you a new one so they can find out why. I will never have to buy another vehicle unless I wreck it or get bored with it.

So folks I'm saying within all car lines reasonable priced Hybrids are here or coming. Test drive them and consider their value.

That goes for Golf Carts also. Times and technology are changing.

So a small Hybrid will now be in my Village home. When I need a larger vehicle for the grandkids and family I will rent it and beat it up in a Disney parking lot then turn it back in.

I so want to do a Automotive talk show on the village radio station. Anyone got any connections or pull!

One more thought The Village Garage. At one designer upgraded open house I listened to a visitor say wow golf car garage. Will fit my three cars! Much to the dislike of the sales tech. I opened the garage drove my Prius in while many watched. They gasped at how this midsize car did not fit well.

My wife said Ok you win, Let's stretch the garage the max 4 feet that we can. The visitor said" thank you I did not believe you when you said these garages are smaller than you think! Now the wife wants her own Smart Car convertible. LOL


Herv- CarGuys