Kinda off the subject...what about cars

[scubagirltoo]

Okay...I don't have a car yet. I'm kinda looking into the 2005 Beetles. What other cars would you recommend? Can you recommed any? This is my first vehicle so I need something that's an easy drive...preferably automatic transmition. Any sugestions? Any ideas? Any...anything?

 

[ScubaDoobaDo]

Zoom Zoom Zoom - I am the proud owner of a Mazda RX8 - Automatic with the triptronic shift..didn't get the manual transmission because I don't want too many tickets.... The price is right and its soooo cute and it fits 2 sets of golf clubs or 2 sets of scuba equip + luggage in the trunk! It has the suicide (sp?) doors and 2 back seats that are not too bad... Have fun looking and do your homework before you buy..... don't want to get taken to the cleaners...

 

[cowprintrabbit]

I love my Ford Focus ZX3 - perfect for me, hubby, two sets of scuba gear or 3 bags of potting soil and one doggie! I also have a Ford F250, but the ZX3 is what I use for commuting and zipping about town on errands. (They were originally designed as European road rally cars )

I drove the Beetle first, and was very disappointed; I found the seats uncomfortable, the hood hard to see over, and there was a huge blind spot in the rear. Of course, that was an '02, so they might have fixed those by now...

 

[suthnbelle]

Well, you need to think about whether or nor you'll be driving to and from dive sites with a lot of gear piled in the back. Also, think about throwing anything wet in the trunk of your car. Will you need to get a liner of some sort? I have a 2000 Mazda MPV minivan (I know, it was rough buying a minivan but I'm a mommie-had to do it), and have grown to love it. I just got back from North Florida and was able to haul four divers and all our gear, plus clothes. Only thing we didn't carry were tanks. Now I've got to get a liner for the back because I throw my stuff back there when it is wet after leaving the quarry.

The Beetles are cute, especially the convertibles, but you aren't going to have much room. Just my .02

Mel

 

[mike_s]

Okay...I don't have a car yet. I'm kinda looking into the 2005 Beetles. What other cars would you recommend? Can you recommed any? This is my first vehicle so I need something that's an easy drive...preferably automatic transmition. Any sugestions? Any ideas? Any...anything?

The new Beetles are nice. I have a friend who has one and he loves it. It's got lots of room (Inside) for him as he's 6'5". I first wondered why he bought it because he's such a big guy, but I too was surprised by the inside room. Don't know about the trunk though where you'd put the scuba gear. Also don't know how reliable they are. Check that out first. You'll want to know how much money you'll have to spend on it over the next years.


I personally would reccomend a Honda Accord for a general use personal car. They are absolutely great. I don't know anyone who's ever had one that didn't like it. I'm on my second one and I've had it for 11 years and drive it 60 miles to work round trip each day. I didn't have to fix the first item on it until 171,000 miles. Of course you've still got to do scheduled maintenance on it, like changing the oil, rotating the tires, new brakes, timing chain every 90,000 miles, etc. But you have to do that with ANY car you buy. I mention this because women typically don't want to hassle with fixing cars (but then again, who really does). Hondas are just built great and are super dependable. You can't go wrong with one.

As for dive gear, you can easily carry 4 tanks and two peoples dive gear in the trunk. I would think that you'd be able to get 6 tanks and 3 peoples gear in there also..... (but never tried). If you need more "trunk room" the rear seat folds down and you can put in larger items.

So having a Honda Accord with almost 200,000 miles on it and it still going strong, I'd have to very strongly reccomend you consider this car. BTW... resell value on this car holds up very well, especially compared to US cars the same size (like the pontiac grand am).

(also got a VW convertible, 1970 model, but it's not a "dive" vehicle as it for sure doesn't have a trunk. heh.)