Chewer Cars

I'm in the market for a new automobile, and wanted to get some feedback from Chewers. My current car is a 1997 Honda CRV, so I've been out of the market for quite a while. It's been wonderful to me and very dependable, but I hate the current body style, so I won't be getting another.

So, what kind of car do you drive, how old is it, how do you like it, and most importantly, would you buy it again if you had the opportunity?

This is good to know. My husband is also getting a new car, and narrowed down his choices to the Lancer and the Scion coupe. He hasn't ruled out Corolla or the Nissan Sentra either.

I'm waffling between a VW Beetle (I know, I know, girl cooties), a Honda Element, and an Altima Hybrid. I also have two kids, which should automatically rule out the Beetle--but I'm kind of selfish.

I don't work, but I am going back to school full time in January, but the college is only about four miles from my home, so no worries. And other than doing the normal "mom" stuff, I mostly drive local. We do have family who lives in Riverside County and Los Angeles County, both 1-3 hours away that we visit often, so having a comfy and reliable ride is important.

At first, I was pretty tired of driving the "Mom-mobile", and wanted to have an early midlife crisis with the Beetle (I'm 31)--but it has absolutely horrible reviews, horrible feedback, dismal gas mileage for a car in it's class, and it's expensive. All style, no substance, and I don't know if I can justify purchasing one. I keep my cars for at least 10 years, and I just don't know if I can commit to it.

The Element is boxy, but I think it's original and unique looking, and bonus, it's a Honda and affordable.

I can't picture myself in a sedan type vehicle at all, but there is something very sexy about the Altima. I didn't consider it though until I found out I can get one heavily discounted through a car buying service.

Anyone have any experience with Hybrids? I know that there are cars out there like the aforementioned Corolla and Civics that get great gas mileage, but hybrids are more expensive, and I wonder if the higher price of the vehicle is really worth the gas savings.

One more tidbit, our daughter will be turning 14 soon, so either my husband or I will be giving her one of our cars in about 2 or 3 years. I would like one of the cars to be safe and economical for a teenager.

I'm looking at both used and new.

I don't know if anyone is familiar with the USAA car buying service, but the cars are heavily discounted for military members, so sometimes it makes sense to buy new rather than used on certain cars.

For example, when I researched the Beetle, I could have gotten a 2009 for $14,755 brand new. A 2007 Beetle with decent mileage (under 36k) would have cost between $13,000 and $18,000.

Obviously this would vary for certain vehicles, and you also have to take resale value into consideration when purchasing. Through USAA, I can get a hybrid Altima for over $7,000 off of the MSRP. That's pretty much the first year depreciation right there.

I have heard that the Prius is fun, fun, fun to drive!

Not too many of those in the used car market though, people hang on to them.

This is a NICE car, and doesn't look like a 9 year old model at all. I actually test drove a Jetta when I went to the dealership to look at the Beetles, and they handle so nicely! Not my style though, I was looking out for my husband.
Never even glanced at the Golf. Interesting.

Nice Civic coupe, I like this body style. What year?