My HiCam to the wife?

Discussion in 'Toyota Hybrids and EVs' started by CamryDriver, Apr 30, 2021.

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  1. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    I'm retired and hardly drive anymore. My wife still works so I'm considering getting rid of her car and giving her my Camry. This is the boring but practical option.

    Both of us have been in the ER this year and I'm thinking YOLO and considering getting her a new fun or luxurious car and keeping my Camry. Any ideas?

    I'm looking at the Chrysler 300, Ford Mustang, KIA Stinger, Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ, Mazda MX5, Nissan 370z or a Camero.

    Edit: maybe a Challenger.

    Ideas?
     
    #1 CamryDriver, Apr 30, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2021
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Kia Stinger is definitely an underappreciated vehicle imo.

    The Mustang GT350 was laid to pasture this year (2020 was the last year of production I think). Ford wants the Mach 1 to be its replacement but it doesn't have the same flat plane V8 as the GT350.

    86/BRZ - could be fun. I drove the 86 and it has a really nice shifter and easy clutch point. 2nd gen will be released soon with a bit more power from a 2.4 litre. (I'm a little concerned about the weight balance now that the engine has been enlarged to a 2.4L but we'll see).

    MX-5 is always a good fun car. There's the ClubSport trim level if you favour handling above all else.

    I have no opinions on the other 3 you listed.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Apr 30, 2021
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  3. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    We would be looking at base configurations, like the Stinger 2T and the 310hp Mustang EcoBoost.
     
    #3 CamryDriver, Apr 30, 2021
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Saw one parked up our street; definitely cool looking.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Apr 30, 2021
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  5. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Fun can seem different to different people. I sold a Porsche convertible for a Prius v. Nothing wrong with the Porsche, just the Prius was different. Different controls, displays, GPS!! Then on to a Rav4 hybrid loaded. Again different. Even has a 160 MPH speedometer. Absurd.

    My wife went from a V-6 Avalon to a Avalon Hybrid. Plushmobile I call it.

    So you can have fun and be practical too.
     
    #5 mikefocke, Apr 30, 2021
  6. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    I'm done with sports cars for myself. The HyCam is more than I need at this point.

    I sold my Corvette when I got married thinking the wife would approve but she was actually a little disappointed that she never got to drive it. The car would be for her and it would be an intentionally stupid thing we don't really need.

    We could never afford another Vette but the Mustang eco boost turbo 4 has about the same power as my collectors edition C4 V8.

    Cuteness helps as well. The hardtop MX5 caught her eye.

    I can't believe how affordable the 300 is. My in laws have one and It seems really nice to me.
     
    #6 CamryDriver, Apr 30, 2021
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Are your paths disparate enough you need two cars?
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Apr 30, 2021
  8. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    We absolutely do not need another vehicle. Getting rid of her Elantra and giving her my Camry is the smart move. We also have a Ridgeline I could drive if I needed to go somewhere while she was at work.

    This isn't about being smart, it is about giving my wife an experience. I've had sports and been places, my wife not so much. Just wanna blow some money on her to make her feel special.
     
    #8 CamryDriver, Apr 30, 2021
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    does she have an opinion?
     
    #9 bisco, Apr 30, 2021
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  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It’s not a second vehicle. It’s the “weekend fun” vehicle.

    If she’s not the “powah!” type of person, the MX-5 is definitely a good choice. And resale values hold up when (if?) you get rid of it later.
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Apr 30, 2021
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no ev's on the list?
     
    #11 bisco, Apr 30, 2021
  12. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Trying to keep it under $30k.

    She likes the mx5, Stinger and 370z.

    I've always likes the Z. It looks like they don't make those anymore.
     
    #12 CamryDriver, Apr 30, 2021
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i loved my mx5, but a test drive of all candidates should be in order
     
    #13 bisco, Apr 30, 2021
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  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The 400Z is coming out soon. There have been spy shots of production models (and some info on the trim levels have been released).
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Apr 30, 2021
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  15. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Only thing to consider - with the MX-5, you might be able to get in OK - but can you get out. I took my mate's for a ½ hr drive recently - and at the end, asked him "how do I get out?". I think a hardtop would have been easier with something to hold onto.

    Of the others - I would have thought that the 300C would be vastly less fun than any of the others. At least the one I looked at 6 or 8 years ago - dull and boring.

    I've never had much to do with 370Z personally - known a few people who love theirs or predecessors. They could be cheaper - they're on run-out here.

    Remember RED goes faster - even stationary.
     
    #15 alanclarkeau, May 1, 2021
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  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    HeeHee
     
    #16 alanclarkeau, May 1, 2021
  17. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Some thoughts

    The car would be for our 10 year anniversary which isn't for another year so no rush unless we want something discontinued.

    I like the Mustang the best. It looks sharp, has plenty of power in base trim and is well within the budget. My wife thinks they are "too common".

    My wife likes her 2013 Elantra except for a couple of things. Road noise is bad on the highway and her seats stain really easily. She would love a Scotchgarded Elantra with better sound insulation and a spoiler on the back.

    She thinks the Chrysler 300 is too wide (tall). The 300 was the luxury entry. A Camry, Accord or Sonata might also work here, although buying another Camry would really be silly. She doesn't really like the looks of my white one. We saw a gray one and she thought it looked great.

    Her car would be a daily commuter.

    I don't expect we can afford an ev. I'm guessing they will be quite common in the near future. Prices should drop as they become more common.

    Besides being out of budget a really expensive car will make her a nervous wreck. My Camry Hybrid makes her nervous. Big vehicles like our truck make her nervous as well.

    She can drive a stick.

    I trust Japanese and Korean companies more than I do American companies.
     
    #17 CamryDriver, May 1, 2021
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  18. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The fun EVs starts above their budget, but I think Tesla is getting a federal tax credit again, so overall price for a Model 3 might squeak by the $30k limit.
     
    #18 Trollbait, May 1, 2021
  19. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

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    If it's to be her daily commuter AND a gift, then you should consider comfort and luxury features first. Nothing is worse for a commuter than starting the day by dreading the drive because of a seat that does not fit well or a sound system that disappoints or a car that is too big to park in the small spaces at the company parking lot or too small for her 3 friends to ride with her to the cantina after work.

    I had a nice RX7 that I commuted in, but sold it in favor of a car with an auto transmission when road construction turned my 25 minute commute in to an hour long slog of stop and go traffic. By the end of a commute my clutch foot was aching so bad that I could not walk.

    That's assuming that her commute is not a 5 minute jaunt across town. :)
     
    #19 dbstoo, May 1, 2021
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  20. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Maybe this and some undercoat?
     

    Attached Files:

    #20 CamryDriver, May 1, 2021
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