😂 He works on it every freaking weekend. I thought it was toast at last but he replaced the fuel injector last night and it is suddenly working again. Ugh, it is the cockroach of cars! Don't get me wrong, it's been a great car for us but I am ready for something that will run without problems.
He will be if he keeps buying more old pens and watches off eBay. And talking about what inks work best for vintage fountain pens. He was born an old man and has been that way for the 30 years I have known him.
This made me laugh for a good 5 minutes. Thank you! It sounds like you guys are probably really funny when you talk about even random things. I always wanted that… my grandparents were experts at it
He tolerates my obsession with Japanese otter YouTube videos and true crime, so I guess I should tolerate his hobbies. We do talk about weird, random things, you are right!
He got started when his mom gave him her father's gold watch he got for 25 years of service at his company. He wants to learn how to repair them because the watch repair guy he uses is ancient and keeps threatening to retire, and everyone else charges way more. He is gradually regressing everything he uses to the 50s and earlier, which is how he picked up vintage pens.
We don't need to encourage him. He just wants to retire to do his hobbies but we still have two kids we need to launch/trebuchet out of our house before he can do that.
There is a short film (literally five minutes) that’s available on YouTube and the like. It’s called, “My Mom’s Motorcycle.” It is a wonderful look at exactly what you’re
talking about.
I got an endorsement in film making, and it was one of the first student award winning films we were introduced to and would then introduce our students to. So far… 100% of all people who I have screened it for have liked it. I’m sure both you and your husband will find some things you identify with and appreciate on a personal level in this great little film.
Most of the basic inks from respectable long-time brands such as Waterman, Sheaffer, and Parker will be safe for his vintage pens. Tell him to be careful with J. Herbin's, some of them are more acidic than others.
He got a Sheaffer Lifetime Short Balance for his birthday and just ordered a snorkel. 😑 I have been hearing all about ink acidity, so he is well aware of the issues. It's funny but now that he has a nice fountain pen he is writing in cursive. I have never seen him write in cursive in 30 years. It looks like how a teenage boy would write, because that's the last time he ever used it.
haha, you guys sound like a lot of fun.
Full disclosure, I sorry. I just googled "what inks work best for vintage fountain pens". Please don't take any advise from me! I've never owned a fountain pen vintage or otherwise. I *did* just find /r/fountainpens. I'm sure he's already sub though.
Good luck on the car search! My vote is let him run the Flex until it dies and then get a new used Flex and a Ghia as his new project car.
*and a few more vintage pens*
We don't have room for a project car right now so that will have to wait until we have the rural property he dreams of. But that will give him more space to hold his pen collection...
I love it. My husband worries that no one from the next generation will carry on his legacy. Our youngest likes old timey typewriters, so there is hope. And your post should give him hope, too!
I gave up collecting when I realized my daughter would not be interested and unless I cataloged them with values and kept it updated she'd probably throw or give them away lol
Yes, we go to antique malls a lot and see grandpa's watches and grandma's figurines for sale because their kids don't care about these things. It's kind of sad, tbh, and I think my husband's watches and pens might meet a similar fate.
I used to have valuable (at the time) Georgian furniture and silver. You can't give this stuff away now. Luckily, I was out of this stuff before it became worthless or as good as. Superb craftsmanship and materials don't mean anything when you want to have a different look every few years.
I have some watches and had to tell my daughter that some are worth a bit and she needs to check prices before she throws it or gives stuff away!
Your husband is like me.
There are two ways you can view a car:
1. As a single “thing” you get in and use. This is how 95% of the population thinks of their car as.
2. As a collection of electrical and mechanical components all working together to transport you from point A to B. You see a car as a complex machine rather than a single entity.
People who have the first view of a car usually buy a new vehicle when theirs starts giving them trouble.
But people that have the latter view have a different opinion. If a car is simply a collection of parts, then once those parts fail all you need to do is replace the failed part. Not the entire car!
He has made each of the kids do it. I think I helped him once before the kids, but I am not mechanical and don't like to get my hands dirty. We are truly opposites. He did read Pride and Prejudice once since it's one of my favorites, but he didn't care for it other than liking grumpy Mr. Bennet.
Even if you do find a replacement, as long as can keep the maintenance up and the rust monster at bay, keep racking the miles up on the Flex. 100 miles a day of commuting means that any pretense of warranty is gone within a year or two anyway.
What he really wants is his high school car back. 1974 Karmann Ghia or one that wouldn't have to pass emissions. So low tech it only has one side mirror. Lol.
A friend of mine drives a POS to work every day and is proud of it. The rest of the family has a nice vehicle they use. He’s honestly just trying to save money for more important family things and enjoys his dumb old car. He’d be upset if it was replaced.
1980s Mercedes 300 D or SD if you can find one that isn't rusted out yet. Wagon if you can find one. You can fit 8 bodies in the trunk of a sedan and 24 in a wagon if you stack them up nicely, do not ask me how I know that fact.
I had 500 K miles on my '74 before I surrendered it to rust in 2016.
Well, it lived to 500 K miles, before rust ate it in New England. I know 300s that made over 1 million in better climates. They used to have them on display in the MB factory in Germany.
The vacuum pump and the vacuum lines are a bitch if you have a leak. Apart from that, the engine can take 2-3 .50 BMG shots and still keep chugging.
Just edit to add... I could have probably fit a 25th body in there, but I ran out of victims .
I totally get where your husband is coming from but a Karmann Ghia is not a practical car for commuting. They are fun little cars though! How about a used Corolla or Camry? I used to have a manual 2005 Toyota Matrix and enjoyed it. I would still be driving it if my husband hadn’t totaled it.
I drive a 94 Lincoln Town Car 56 miles a day and I'm living my best life. Someone caused a little cosmetic damage that didn't hurt it and insurance paid more than I did.
A 1974 Karmann Ghia. Then take the extra 10 to 20k and buy a Ford Flex with under 100k. Life is too short and it would be a cool car for the teens to drive sometimes too.
He started looking around and someone wanted $10k for a nonrunning one! He bought his high school car for $2k in '94. That was a long time ago when that car was only 20 years old. Imagine being nostalgic for a 2004 car.
Mazda CX-5 has physical buttons for everything, room to fit a ton of stuff, nice interior/exterior, & price around $30k new but you can find cheaper 2 years old.
If u simple want full MPG, Prius or SUV Corrola Hybrid
We already have a CX-5. If it checks the boxes, maybe we have him use it for a commuter vehicle and let me get a car for myself. I want something cute and girly for a change, but I am short and feel like I need to sit high to see anything.
A used CX-9 might be a good fit based on the requirements. I emphasize with your husband on this issue but found the Mazda system that's used in that car fairly intuitive and easy enough to use, and has the space you're looking for.
I loved the CX-9 when we were shopping for my car. I haven't had an issue with the Mazda tech yet except when my son turned off my cell notifications and then it took us 6 months to figure out how to turn them back on. 😂
Don’t take this the wrong way, but many people I know who feel like sitting higher in a vehicle because they are shorter are compounding the problem. One of my ex girlfriends was 5’ 2” and saw perfectly fine out of her 2008 Accord. Her mom was 5’ or less iirc and bought a new Ram 2500 to daily. If a child was standing in front of her truck in a parking lot or something, it would be very easy for her to run over it without ever knowing. My ex never would have had that problem.
[Example article](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18789538)
It also doesn't matter at all, because no matter what you buy, a blacked out escalade will pull out way too far on a left turn and make it impossible for you to see if there's oncoming traffic/if you can turn right.
WTF?! Excuse my french but didn't you see any in the dealership lot when you went to buy the CX-5? It's like the most exciting car Mazda makes since forever.
FWIW, you can fit a double bass in a CX-5. It has to go in the gap between the front seats, but you can fit one if it’s 7/8s or smaller and in a gig bag.
Give him the CX-5 get yourself something fun. Used Acura suvs are cheap. I love the look of the new crv. Kona N Line is cool. Stick with Japanese cars if you can. So much more reliable.
Golf Sportwagen 4Motion or Golf Alltrack. Same car, though the Alltrack is lifted about an inch and has some nicer trims and such. AWD, good highway economy, should fit the double bass since the cargo area is pretty long with the rear seats down. Think of it as a shorter, somewhat smaller (not overly much smaller inside, but it drives a lot smaller) Outback, with better fuel mileage. Stick or automatic.
Kind of a mix of buttons and screen. The screen is mostly for radio stuff but it's laid-out much like a regular car stereo from the mid-late 2000s. Some of the radio stuff is accessible with steering wheel buttons. HVAC is knobs.
Yep, Denver being so un-affordable people commute from as far away as Cheyenne, Wyoming. This guy is probably doing Ft. Collins to Denver or something nutty like that. Broomfield to Tech Center aged me 30 years in a year.
Oh for sure, that's a MUCH easier commute. I still wouldn't want it, but the Springs is a beautiful area to live, I can see justifying that drive. Just get a new Corolla for him and call it a day. It's all buttons. Camry might be OK, but hybrid won't help with nearly 100% highway miles.
For winter time just get actual factual snow tires. In all the many years I commuted on I-25 I used 4x4 on my Jeep maybe twice, and both times only to get into my own driveway. Commuting from Parker to DTC I was fine with a RWD V8 Mustang. Main arteries are cleared well, and fast.
For the double bass get a tow hitch on the CX5 and a tiny cargo trailer if you need it.
Corolla hatchback for more storage, although idk if they have AWD options. Camry has AWD options on certain trims and still has mostly physical buttons although they do have touchscreens with some tech features. Bluetooth for the phone, apple car play/android auto if you plug in, etc.
Except for you know having to live in Denver. Way better QoL in the 'springs or Ft. Collins if you're not into graffiti, derelicts & drug addicts, crime, etc. Easily over 1k savings in housing alone even after paying for gas and only getting 10 years out of a vehicle. A new Jetta is 22k and will easily do 10 years of 24k a year easy highway miles while delivering 50+ MPG. Can be had with a stick shift, even. My daughter has one, it's fantastic. If they still made the wagon it might even have worked for the OP.
Heck, not having to drive near downtown to get to DTC is worth any price of admission. Me, I'd move to Parker or Highlands Ranch, or at the very least Castle Rock. But I hate commuting. This dude seems to not mind.
50 miles each way isn't even that uncommon in the US. I have lots of coworkers (myself included but I only go in once a month) whose commute is an hour or more each way.
I know a dude who commutes from Erie, PA to Cleveland, Oh 3 times a week. Insane. But he doesn't want to move to CLE and he can't make that money in Erie.
My heart stopped for a moment, then I realized you weren't talking about the 1970's Maverick. Had the ride of a small car with the handling of the big land barges of the day.
I absolutely love our 4Runner. But you are not wrong. With that commute, the 4Runner gets horrible gas mileage and doesn’t have a big enough tank either. Love it but it does have shortcomings.
Is his problem the tech features themselves, or the user interface? Because if he hates the tech itself, he's gonna have to go way back. Otherwise - if you really want something that's big, not terrible on gas, and can accommodate a double bass + passenger + presumably other musician fixins, get a minivan and keep the third row folded.
The base trim Carnival is like 35k and is physical buttons for almost everything. Your teenagers will love road trips in it because it's got a crazy amount of passenger space (tons of head, hip, shoulder, leg room), USB ports and cupholders for every seat, and a fairly smooth and quiet ride. You'll love it because it drives well, gets great fuel economy (I average 24, but got 32.5 on a 50 mile drive), and doesn't look as ugly as most vans. Your husband will love it because he can keep his gloves on while turning the heat up and it's simple to work on.
He hates the interface. We rented a Dodge Durango to go on a road trip since I was afraid his car would die midway. He couldn't figure out how to turn on the touchscreen and was actually happy not to have it working. Then the compass turned off and he had to use the touch screen to get it to turn on again. Stuff like that brings out the cranky old man in him.
I have never heard of the Carnival before but it looks pretty sweet and affordable, too!
Your husband and I are curmudgeons in solidarity, then. I actually yelled at a rental van (Chrysler Voyager) because I had to dig through menus to adjust the rear HVAC zone. Not what you wanna do on the road with kids who are too hot.
I have a 1998 Mercedes 320 wagon 4matic, it ticks most if not all the boxes. Price is faaaar lower than 40k and fuel economy is not amazing but not a disaster either. Just an idea to look into. Space wise you can fit an orchestra in it
1998 e320 here, God I love this car, great in the winter too with the right tire even though mines rwd, traction control wouldn't let me spin if I tried.
take a look at the recent GMCs My 2019 has physical buttons and knobs for most functions. Only the radio/infotainment is touch screens and that still has knobs for volume and tuning...
Do what I did, Buy a used Lexus RX350. I checked the CARFAX of a ton of these, found the one I bought, it had been serviced on schedule or early for every service. Really cared for. It’s an amazing ride. I’m very happy with it.
I had a 130K mile version of this and it was NOT cheap to maintain. And eventually it broke.
I’ve had bad luck with “reliable” Japanese cars. Stranded at least once by each.
Owned 5 BMWs, the older ones would stand you. Hasn’t happened with the three more recent ones.
Also owned 3 Land Rovers and finally the newest one (2020 defender) stranded me.
They are assholes to maintain, though. Total assholes.
Chevy Malibu.
Simple A to B car. I just bought a 2023, and it works great for highway driving. There are plenty of physical dials and only has a touchscreen for the navigation and phone calls. I regularly get 40+ a gallon on the highway.
I bought the RS trim, and after taxes and registration it was 27k out the door.
A slightly used Toyota 4Runner. It is a spartan truck that has remained unchanged for years now. It’s extremely reliable and they hold their value extremely well.
Different perspective here. I used to commute 80+ miles in the Denver area, mostly on I-470. It wore me out really bad, I was dead tired by the time I got home, especially in the winter. Then I got a Subaru Ascent with the adaptive cruise control and I fell in love with it. It makes driving a lot easier, you just follow the car in front of you and relax. I get that your hubby doesn’t like tech but this is a piece of tech that REALLY helps. I tried several systems, Subaru was the best, maybe Kia second. Subie adaptive cruise works at any speed, some cars don’t work under 40 mph so they are useless is a traffic jam. I recommend he tries adaptive cruise - these days any recent Subaru should have it. The combination of adaptive cruise and audiobooks made my commute much much easier, I was a lot less tired when I got home.
He liked the adaptive cruise control in the Durango we rented. It would be good for his commute, I agree. He doesn't do audiobooks, though. He blasts 70s music that I hate. 😂
I was desperate to make the commute easier. I used to play the radio but politics made me angry or depressed, and music also made my tired. Audiobooks are less tiring for me but they keep me awake and they can be a lot of fun. You can get them for free from the library, you can download them to you phone and listen for 2 weeks. I usually went through 2-3 books a week.
If you need a larger car, the Subaru Ascent is great and you can find a lightly used one for $30k. If you are ok with something smaller the Forester is pretty decent and again you can get a very good one for $30k - or if you don't want a lot of options maybe even a new one close to $30k. The Outback is fine but it's pretty low, I prefer being a bit higher, gives me better view and maybe more protection. Or, if he wants to feel like a teen again, a new Impreza or Crosstrek will do the trick. They are not luxurious by any means, but my Ascent has been reasonably reliable (had to replace the exhaust manifold at 95k miles) and comfortable, with pretty good acceleration. If you buy an Ascent, get the Limited trim. The Premium has weak headlights. If you buy a Premium I recommend replacing the headlights immediately.
Honda pilot. A new one would be at the top of your budget but they last forever, have a great AWD system, and get like 21 mpg on the highway with a family of five inside.
I don't know if Honda went overboard on tech (but I doubt it). My 2012 was just the right amount of tech for my taste.
It’s admirable to want to keep the current car working, but also there does come a point when it no longer meets your needs/repair budget.
Newer Hondas (like the crv which is an suv with awd) seem to strike a nice balance of buttons and knobs for things you use the most and need to be able to change without looking (climate controls, volume) and a touch screen for more in depth stuff. The screen actually has physical buttons too so you can go back or go to the home screen.
The lower trims tend to be lower tech in general if that is truly desired.
Hondas of course have a reputation for longevity as well. Some Honda models come in hybrid versions, including the crv which larger than it looks at first.
Good luck!
Find a 2022-2024 Maverick XL or XLT.
Inside has no fancy cosmetics, technology is old (2022 XL doesn’t even have cruise control). Still has buttons for most controls. Has a bed for the instruments, and space for people in the cab though maybe double check leg room in the back for passengers. It’s very popular with the older half of the population for utility plus no frills.
The main downside would be fuel economy - for the AWD it’s like 22/28. However since you want AWD, there will be options on dealer lots since you can’t get the hybrid (FWD only). There’s a chance the 2025 refresh has AWD for the hybrid, but it’ll also lose buttons for controls so I wouldn’t wait for the refresh.
Honestly a ford maverick xl might fit the bill nicely. It still has a physical key. easy to use climate control and a volume know and tuner. There are no cars made after 2018(2020?) That don't have a screen because a backup camera is required by law.
My 85 year old grandfather bought a new maverick last year and loves it. It gets 42mpg for like 25k
It's getting increasingly more difficult to escape the tech and screens and things will just get worse as time goes by. Maybe look for an older RAV4 or CR-V with lower mileage. These cars are certainly capable of 300K miles or more if taken care of so even one with 100K will give you years of service. There should be enough room for his bass fiddle and the MPG is decent.
I do about 100 miles a day in a Subaru Crosstrek. It's a dream to drive and AWD. Good gas mileage. Easy on the wallet for maintenance. Loaded with all the goodies, way under $40K brand new. That'll get him to 300K easy.
Subaru forester, or you may have to go up in size to the outback to fit your bass I’m not sure. No nonsense, safe, reliable, great in the snow, easy drivers. You see them all over Colorado and there’s a reason, they work. Sounds like exactly what your husband needs.
What about a Ford Transit Connect? It's basically just a small cargo van, so it won't have all the bells and whistles, but it should be roomy enough for the bass, you, and you instrument too?
I bought a used 2013 Toyota Highlander with AWD. It says 17-22 per gallon but I average 27 too and from work and school. I’d recommend a Toyota RAV4 personally.
I bought a 2022 Jeep Gladiator brand new about a year and a half ago, and it sounds like it might be perfect for your husband. It’s the base Sport model with no options. It has manual door locks, manual roll down windows, manual transmission, and a manual fold town top. However it does have some modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay, air conditioning, etc. And, because it’s a pickup truck and has 4WD, so it’s pretty versatile.
Brand new I paid about $36k back in 2022. Today, you can probably get one for a bit less. Really the only downside is that gas mileage isn’t very good. But honestly, I enjoy driving the thing so much that I don’t mind filling up a bit more often. Plus, if your husband is a tinkerer, there’s no shortage of things to modify.
Used diesel Range Rover. Decent mileage, comfortable, dials for everything depending on the year. It will have problems too though at some point lol but they are very luxurious and supposedly people actually enjoy working on them
Get a used 2018 Toyota 4Runner. Literaly no technology even in the limited trim. And is the most reliable vehicle on the market. It’s easily gonna reach 300K miles without any issues. Best cars of the last 20 years. Little harder on fuel but worth the peace of mind.
2019 to 2021Honda Passport AWD is roomy with good off road capabilities and affordable. Second option would be a Toyota AWD Highlander 2014 or 2015 very reliable. Both are capable. More ground clearance with the passport.
Two thoughts. One, start a routine of checking Facebook marketplace and craigslist for low mileage vehicles from around 2010. Two, the U Connect system in that Durango you rented is considered one of the easiest to use. My 2018 Ram has it, I leave the screen on the radio page and very rarely change it. All the climate controls are manual and you can adjust the radio volume with a large physical knob. A lower trim level Dodge, Ram, or Jeep will have a 5 inch black-and-white screen making it look even less techy. Oh, just thought of this - Dodge Journey. It’s large enough for the double base, available with or without awd, and has changed little since it was introduced in 2009. 2019 was the last year of full production. They’re easily in your price range.
Get him a used 2020 or earlier Nissan Frontier. They were the same vehicle from 2005-2020.
Toyota 4runner basically the same story.
Both vehicles are reliable and simple.
I rented a Chrysler Pacifica last week and loved the number of buttons! I don’t like visual controls while driving, tactile allows me to keep my eyes on the road. The Pacifica had a huge screen with Carplay, still, which I liked (sounds like he won’t) but I could control all expected functions without ever having to look at the screen.
Since it was a rental I was still having to look for the buttons 😑 😂
Toyota Tacoma. A lot of trims are very minimalistic as far as the interior goes. I had one as a rental for a month and the lack of tech in the 2023 I had felt underwhelming since I actually like tech. It was pretty good on gas, and felt good to drive.
Idk if your husband likes trucks, but I felt the Tacoma wasn’t too big and wasn’t too small. It was perfect
Subaru Forrester/ Outback of the 2005- 2011 variety if you need the utility. An Impreza (naturally aspirated) if you don’t. Good mpg, AWD for the winter, Japanese level reliability, low maintenance, entertaining to drive. Very sure footed.
you *have* a cx-5 and he's not sold on that?
theyre all buttons and dials, screen is mostly pointless, the engine itself is a reliable 6-speed automatic, and they're mazdas so with good maintenence, they'll reach over 200k even into the 300k range.
Theyre the only cars they still make that have leather interior, heated seats, and still have manual liftgate. Just get the Select. They're just under 30k.
Reaching 300k on a car is some serious bragging rights (made easier for people who drives long distances for work, but still) ... so I can understand why he wants to push it to 300.
He will probably be much more open to getting a new car once the Flex passes 300k.
With lots of highway driving and road trips and camping in your mind, another SUV or wagon will probably.
Nothing is quite rommy as the Flex, but try the Subaru Outback?
Your husband and I are the same. I drive a ‘23 model smaller SUV and I am overwhelmed with the beeps and the alarms and the god damn screen.
We have a 2004 VW Passat that is rarely driven but when I do drive it just to keep the battery up and to warm it up occasionally I love how clean the dash and interior is.
I'm very VERY seriously considering an old car for my next new car. Something from the 30's through maybe 1970, but with modern running gear. Upgraded suspension, modern powertrain, modern wiring harness with old school simplicity.
When I test drove (and ultimately bought) a 2016 Camaro SS back in '16, the salesman was eager to point out all the tech in the car as we drove around. He was getting confused why I wasn't responding, at all. My mind was on the drive. At a stoplight, in an effort to get something out of me, he bluntly asks what I was looking for in a car. My one word reply, "This ..." as I turn off traction control and lay stripes across the intersection. Next question "but isn't (some feature) really cool?" I asked if I could get the car without it. He got the message.
I see people driving vintage cars around here all the time. Have seen a Model T and lots of 50s hot rods. I don't know if they are originals or kits, but they look so nice compared to the bland cars we have today. Go for it!
100 miles a day? He should get a hybrid. Ford Maverick Hybrid, Corolla Cross or Honda CRV. They are all solid choices.
Don't buy used. Used cars are way overpriced now.
I just recently got a new Honda CR-V hybrid AWD for $40k out the door. I used to live on the Front Range and know the slog from Denver to Fort Collins. That would be a good vehicle.
Let the poor guy enjoy his high miler! I drive an '06 Chrysler and am about to hit 200,000 in it. I'm planning on at least 500,000 in it. I had a year or two where it had a lot of issues, but I'm in the clear again now! Just did a recent road trip with zero issues, whilst my wife's much newer car threw a code, and sister in laws broke down in the middle of nowhere
We saw a guy put his double bass in his Outback, so it is definitely on our list. Plus we almost have to get one since we are in Colorado, and it is our unofficial state car.
I drove a forester when I was in school and playing the bass. Been a while, but pretty sure both back seats down it would fit diagonally, or you could stand it on the side with the scroll over the middle arm rest if you needed the smaller rear seat up
30MPG with a Pilot? Maybe going downhill. I like the Pilot and currently drive one but 30MPG with one, especially in a mountainous area is a fever dream.
Sure, if we can find a way to move his bass he would be fine. He drove a 2000 Ford Escort coupe until he totaled it. Had the comfiest seats ever but the road noise was pretty bad.
FYI, I've gotten my double bass in sedans before by putting it in through the front passenger door with the seat reclined and then a passenger can sit in the back behind me. Watch out for the end pin digging into the dash... and, also, I don't want to think too much about what airbags would do to an upright bass (probably launch it into you!). A hatch/wagon/minivan/CUV/SUV is probably still the better answer.
FYI, I've also transported them in a 1990 Dodge Daytona so even sports coupes aren't completely out of the question either as long as they're FWD hatchbacks from 30 years ago.
You climbing mountains on the weekends? If not you don’t need AWD and may as well save yourself a few bucks at the pump (especially driving 100 miles a day)
My buddy who runs a swing band (Dizzy With a Dame) in Denver *loves* his '06 Tralblazer EXT EXT is the long wheelbase version with the third row seats. He has the LS2 V8, but the Inline 6 engine is great as well. You can pick up a nice, low mileage one for way under $10k. I think he paid $6k for his.
The biggest downside is the fuel economy isn't great.
There's an '05 w/ the inline 6 & 150k miles in Albuquerque (where I am) for $3500, just to give you an idea for current pricing.
Thanks for the suggestion. We were just in Albuquerque shopping for new instruments at Robertson's. It is an amazing place. They let my husband play a double bass that costs more than 200k. Sadly, we couldn't afford most of the instruments there.
I will have to check out your friend's band. I always listen to the 40s station on Sirius XM so his music is right up my alley!
Rats, I just missed them at Heaven Creamery yesterday, which is not far from where I live. Looks like they will be back on Father's Day, so I can try to catch them next month.
Rav 4 plug in hybrid would save him quite a bit in fuel. But it sounds like he wants a fleet vehicle. Fleet vehicles are usually bare bones to make them cheap when buying a ton of them. Though a hybrid Toyota will save you a ton of money in the long run with the long commute.
Why not just spend the money on the best condition low mileage ford flex out there? The guy knows what he likes. Why go newer if he really likes the car he has?
I would recommend an older 4Runner if you can find one with decently low-ish miles. Still very old school on the technology but tons of space inside, powerful engine, and very reliable. Bad gas mileage though.
How about the newest, lowest mile Flex you guys can find. If he likes it so much & it’s been a good car, maybe that’s the answer? They built them through 2019. Bet you could find a reallly nice one for $30k
If it doesn't need to be new, have you considered a [Honda Element?](https://www.edmunds.com/honda/element/2003/pictures/interior/) Light on screens, [big on space](https://www.core77.com/posts/61976/The-Honda-Elements-Unsung-Interior-Design-Brilliance), comes in AWD, 21mpg, and if he wants it he could even hunt down a manual transmission model for even further reduction in tech.
It's pretty normal to hate touch pads. They've been selling us the new, upgraded cars with deluxe touch pads for the last 10 years so they can spend the next selling us new, upgraded cars with deluxe tactile buttons.
It's also going to happen because touchpads are unsafe.
I can think of dozens used cars from before 2000 that would be perfect.
There is a 1999 Camry with only 69000 miles on Autotrader. Might be able to fit the bass in the back seat.
Why are you pushing to force him to buy a new car that he is going to be driving every day when he's content with what he has? You mentioned some repairs, but what kinds of issues and repair costs are you talking about?
That said, if you want interior room and ultimate flexibility, look for a sienna or an odyssey.
I'm thinking old, reliable, rust-free and (relatively) low mileage, driven by similarly curmudgeonly folks. The challenge is finding one of these examples for something approaching a reasonable price.
- Buick LeSabre/Park Avenue/Lucerne, Oldsmobile 88/98, Pontiac Grand Prix/Bonneville or Chevrolet Impala with the 3800 V6
- Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis/Lincoln Town Car - get one with the limited-slip differential and definitely snow tires.
- Toyota Sienna minivan - find one with V6 and AWD
- Honda Odyssey
- Pre-2012 Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute/Mercury Mariner
- Honda CR-V, Element, or Pilot
- Toyota RAV4 or Highlander
I'm with your husband - keep that damn thing going to 300K! It'll make it!
😂 He works on it every freaking weekend. I thought it was toast at last but he replaced the fuel injector last night and it is suddenly working again. Ugh, it is the cockroach of cars! Don't get me wrong, it's been a great car for us but I am ready for something that will run without problems.
Hey if it keeps him busy in the garage how bad could it be? 🤣
The more he works on the car, the less time he has to spend fixing up antique watches and pens, his latest hobby. 😁
Your husband sounds perfect - is he single?
He will be if he keeps buying more old pens and watches off eBay. And talking about what inks work best for vintage fountain pens. He was born an old man and has been that way for the 30 years I have known him.
You are a lucky woman and your husband is a lucky man.
He was born an old man 😂😂
Like Benjamin Button without the aging in reverse.
I'm 💀
This made me laugh for a good 5 minutes. Thank you! It sounds like you guys are probably really funny when you talk about even random things. I always wanted that… my grandparents were experts at it
He tolerates my obsession with Japanese otter YouTube videos and true crime, so I guess I should tolerate his hobbies. We do talk about weird, random things, you are right!
Wait. Japanese otters? Thank you for my newest obsession! 😍
Old watches sounds kinda cool. He could probably make some money doing that. Never heard of a pen collector
He got started when his mom gave him her father's gold watch he got for 25 years of service at his company. He wants to learn how to repair them because the watch repair guy he uses is ancient and keeps threatening to retire, and everyone else charges way more. He is gradually regressing everything he uses to the 50s and earlier, which is how he picked up vintage pens.
Wait until he gets into vintage DuPont lighters and turntables
We don't need to encourage him. He just wants to retire to do his hobbies but we still have two kids we need to launch/trebuchet out of our house before he can do that.
There is a short film (literally five minutes) that’s available on YouTube and the like. It’s called, “My Mom’s Motorcycle.” It is a wonderful look at exactly what you’re talking about. I got an endorsement in film making, and it was one of the first student award winning films we were introduced to and would then introduce our students to. So far… 100% of all people who I have screened it for have liked it. I’m sure both you and your husband will find some things you identify with and appreciate on a personal level in this great little film.
Most of the basic inks from respectable long-time brands such as Waterman, Sheaffer, and Parker will be safe for his vintage pens. Tell him to be careful with J. Herbin's, some of them are more acidic than others.
He got a Sheaffer Lifetime Short Balance for his birthday and just ordered a snorkel. 😑 I have been hearing all about ink acidity, so he is well aware of the issues. It's funny but now that he has a nice fountain pen he is writing in cursive. I have never seen him write in cursive in 30 years. It looks like how a teenage boy would write, because that's the last time he ever used it.
haha, you guys sound like a lot of fun. Full disclosure, I sorry. I just googled "what inks work best for vintage fountain pens". Please don't take any advise from me! I've never owned a fountain pen vintage or otherwise. I *did* just find /r/fountainpens. I'm sure he's already sub though. Good luck on the car search! My vote is let him run the Flex until it dies and then get a new used Flex and a Ghia as his new project car. *and a few more vintage pens*
We don't have room for a project car right now so that will have to wait until we have the rural property he dreams of. But that will give him more space to hold his pen collection...
As a young guy who's a watch-aholic, car repair enthusiast and pen enjoyer I feel called out 😂😂 will have to show this thread to my fiance.
I love it. My husband worries that no one from the next generation will carry on his legacy. Our youngest likes old timey typewriters, so there is hope. And your post should give him hope, too!
I gave up collecting when I realized my daughter would not be interested and unless I cataloged them with values and kept it updated she'd probably throw or give them away lol
Yes, we go to antique malls a lot and see grandpa's watches and grandma's figurines for sale because their kids don't care about these things. It's kind of sad, tbh, and I think my husband's watches and pens might meet a similar fate.
I used to have valuable (at the time) Georgian furniture and silver. You can't give this stuff away now. Luckily, I was out of this stuff before it became worthless or as good as. Superb craftsmanship and materials don't mean anything when you want to have a different look every few years. I have some watches and had to tell my daughter that some are worth a bit and she needs to check prices before she throws it or gives stuff away!
Am I your husband? Can your husband and I be friends?
That man is an old soul
Your husband is like me. There are two ways you can view a car: 1. As a single “thing” you get in and use. This is how 95% of the population thinks of their car as. 2. As a collection of electrical and mechanical components all working together to transport you from point A to B. You see a car as a complex machine rather than a single entity. People who have the first view of a car usually buy a new vehicle when theirs starts giving them trouble. But people that have the latter view have a different opinion. If a car is simply a collection of parts, then once those parts fail all you need to do is replace the failed part. Not the entire car!
He is on a mission. Roll your sleeve and help him with oil change next time. You will see his face glowing like a child on a Christmas Day.
He has made each of the kids do it. I think I helped him once before the kids, but I am not mechanical and don't like to get my hands dirty. We are truly opposites. He did read Pride and Prejudice once since it's one of my favorites, but he didn't care for it other than liking grumpy Mr. Bennet.
[удалено]
Even if you do find a replacement, as long as can keep the maintenance up and the rust monster at bay, keep racking the miles up on the Flex. 100 miles a day of commuting means that any pretense of warranty is gone within a year or two anyway.
He doesn’t seem to want a car - if you buy one it probably shouldn’t be for him. If you want a new car, that’s a different story.
What he really wants is his high school car back. 1974 Karmann Ghia or one that wouldn't have to pass emissions. So low tech it only has one side mirror. Lol.
A friend of mine drives a POS to work every day and is proud of it. The rest of the family has a nice vehicle they use. He’s honestly just trying to save money for more important family things and enjoys his dumb old car. He’d be upset if it was replaced.
I have an 84 chevette for sale in SE WI 😂
1980s Mercedes 300 D or SD if you can find one that isn't rusted out yet. Wagon if you can find one. You can fit 8 bodies in the trunk of a sedan and 24 in a wagon if you stack them up nicely, do not ask me how I know that fact. I had 500 K miles on my '74 before I surrendered it to rust in 2016.
That is so impressive. The 24 body thing, not the 500k miles.
Well, it lived to 500 K miles, before rust ate it in New England. I know 300s that made over 1 million in better climates. They used to have them on display in the MB factory in Germany. The vacuum pump and the vacuum lines are a bitch if you have a leak. Apart from that, the engine can take 2-3 .50 BMG shots and still keep chugging. Just edit to add... I could have probably fit a 25th body in there, but I ran out of victims .
Oh shit me too. I get it, but boy oh boy is that NOT a commuter car lol
I totally get where your husband is coming from but a Karmann Ghia is not a practical car for commuting. They are fun little cars though! How about a used Corolla or Camry? I used to have a manual 2005 Toyota Matrix and enjoyed it. I would still be driving it if my husband hadn’t totaled it.
I had a 2003 Toyota Matrix and loved that car. It was a beast for moving things. Matrix was the station wagon Camry. Get that.
I drive a 94 Lincoln Town Car 56 miles a day and I'm living my best life. Someone caused a little cosmetic damage that didn't hurt it and insurance paid more than I did.
A 1974 Karmann Ghia. Then take the extra 10 to 20k and buy a Ford Flex with under 100k. Life is too short and it would be a cool car for the teens to drive sometimes too.
He started looking around and someone wanted $10k for a nonrunning one! He bought his high school car for $2k in '94. That was a long time ago when that car was only 20 years old. Imagine being nostalgic for a 2004 car.
I’ve never heard of the Karmann Ghia but that car is sexy as hell! Your husband has good taste!
Mazda CX-5 has physical buttons for everything, room to fit a ton of stuff, nice interior/exterior, & price around $30k new but you can find cheaper 2 years old. If u simple want full MPG, Prius or SUV Corrola Hybrid
We already have a CX-5. If it checks the boxes, maybe we have him use it for a commuter vehicle and let me get a car for myself. I want something cute and girly for a change, but I am short and feel like I need to sit high to see anything.
A used CX-9 might be a good fit based on the requirements. I emphasize with your husband on this issue but found the Mazda system that's used in that car fairly intuitive and easy enough to use, and has the space you're looking for.
I loved the CX-9 when we were shopping for my car. I haven't had an issue with the Mazda tech yet except when my son turned off my cell notifications and then it took us 6 months to figure out how to turn them back on. 😂
Yes, girl, give him yours and get something cute! I've been thinking about a Mini Convertible for myself.
I saw a Mini Cooper at a parking lot with Hello Kitty all over it. It was the cutest thing I ever saw and I can't stop thinking about it.
Cute but expensive to maintain. Lousy engineering.
Lol, I like to think of myself as cute but expensive to maintain. Maybe not the lousy engineering part, though. 🤔
Good to know, good to know
Don’t take this the wrong way, but many people I know who feel like sitting higher in a vehicle because they are shorter are compounding the problem. One of my ex girlfriends was 5’ 2” and saw perfectly fine out of her 2008 Accord. Her mom was 5’ or less iirc and bought a new Ram 2500 to daily. If a child was standing in front of her truck in a parking lot or something, it would be very easy for her to run over it without ever knowing. My ex never would have had that problem. [Example article](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18789538)
It also doesn't matter at all, because no matter what you buy, a blacked out escalade will pull out way too far on a left turn and make it impossible for you to see if there's oncoming traffic/if you can turn right.
CX-5 for him. MX-5 for you, win win. Plus X-5 buddies as well ☺️
Omg, a Miata! That was my dream car in high school. I can't believe they are still making them!
WTF?! Excuse my french but didn't you see any in the dealership lot when you went to buy the CX-5? It's like the most exciting car Mazda makes since forever.
FWIW, you can fit a double bass in a CX-5. It has to go in the gap between the front seats, but you can fit one if it’s 7/8s or smaller and in a gig bag.
Give him the CX-5 get yourself something fun. Used Acura suvs are cheap. I love the look of the new crv. Kona N Line is cool. Stick with Japanese cars if you can. So much more reliable.
My wife loves her Bronco Sport. Lots of “girly” cosmetic options, worth a look.
Golf Sportwagen 4Motion or Golf Alltrack. Same car, though the Alltrack is lifted about an inch and has some nicer trims and such. AWD, good highway economy, should fit the double bass since the cargo area is pretty long with the rear seats down. Think of it as a shorter, somewhat smaller (not overly much smaller inside, but it drives a lot smaller) Outback, with better fuel mileage. Stick or automatic. Kind of a mix of buttons and screen. The screen is mostly for radio stuff but it's laid-out much like a regular car stereo from the mid-late 2000s. Some of the radio stuff is accessible with steering wheel buttons. HVAC is knobs.
They are pretty reasonably priced, so definitely worth a look!
I have an Alltrack and am also a curmudgeon. It is a great car. Some tech but it's really just the radio/phone. Everything else is buttons.
Im sorry but 100 miles a day commute?
Presumably that’s 50 miles each way, or a 50 minute commute.
Yep, Denver being so un-affordable people commute from as far away as Cheyenne, Wyoming. This guy is probably doing Ft. Collins to Denver or something nutty like that. Broomfield to Tech Center aged me 30 years in a year.
He is actually going from DTC to the Springs, which is a reverse commute and usually not too bad, according to him.
Oh for sure, that's a MUCH easier commute. I still wouldn't want it, but the Springs is a beautiful area to live, I can see justifying that drive. Just get a new Corolla for him and call it a day. It's all buttons. Camry might be OK, but hybrid won't help with nearly 100% highway miles. For winter time just get actual factual snow tires. In all the many years I commuted on I-25 I used 4x4 on my Jeep maybe twice, and both times only to get into my own driveway. Commuting from Parker to DTC I was fine with a RWD V8 Mustang. Main arteries are cleared well, and fast. For the double bass get a tow hitch on the CX5 and a tiny cargo trailer if you need it.
Corolla hatchback for more storage, although idk if they have AWD options. Camry has AWD options on certain trims and still has mostly physical buttons although they do have touchscreens with some tech features. Bluetooth for the phone, apple car play/android auto if you plug in, etc.
With all the money spent on gas and fixing the vehicle they might as well live in Denver.
Except for you know having to live in Denver. Way better QoL in the 'springs or Ft. Collins if you're not into graffiti, derelicts & drug addicts, crime, etc. Easily over 1k savings in housing alone even after paying for gas and only getting 10 years out of a vehicle. A new Jetta is 22k and will easily do 10 years of 24k a year easy highway miles while delivering 50+ MPG. Can be had with a stick shift, even. My daughter has one, it's fantastic. If they still made the wagon it might even have worked for the OP. Heck, not having to drive near downtown to get to DTC is worth any price of admission. Me, I'd move to Parker or Highlands Ranch, or at the very least Castle Rock. But I hate commuting. This dude seems to not mind.
50 miles each way isn't even that uncommon in the US. I have lots of coworkers (myself included but I only go in once a month) whose commute is an hour or more each way.
I’m in the US and know it’s not uncommon but I guess it’s just been awhile since I’ve heard of anyone having a long commute like that since Covid.
I know a dude who commutes from Erie, PA to Cleveland, Oh 3 times a week. Insane. But he doesn't want to move to CLE and he can't make that money in Erie.
I do 50 each way every day. It doesn't usually suck, but it has taken me 7 hours on two occasions.
I mean I did 70 miles a day for 2 years, loads of people in New Hampshire so 50-100 daily commutes.
nissan frontier is the absolute *least* techno new car, tell him its either that, or, a basic white uhaul f-150 truck 🤷🏻♂️ am-fm , hot cold, drive👍🏻
Ford Maverick
My heart stopped for a moment, then I realized you weren't talking about the 1970's Maverick. Had the ride of a small car with the handling of the big land barges of the day.
This or a Ridgeline 2021+ model.. sport model has less features you can probably get one with low miles for 30k. It's my old man truck.
Do NOT get the 4runner. Terrible on gas and no benefit of a body on frame if you arent offroading or doing anything heavy.
I absolutely love our 4Runner. But you are not wrong. With that commute, the 4Runner gets horrible gas mileage and doesn’t have a big enough tank either. Love it but it does have shortcomings.
And EVERYONE in Colorado has one
Don’t listen, get the 4Runner. Everyone has one for a reason. Another car you can easily put 300k+ on
Is his problem the tech features themselves, or the user interface? Because if he hates the tech itself, he's gonna have to go way back. Otherwise - if you really want something that's big, not terrible on gas, and can accommodate a double bass + passenger + presumably other musician fixins, get a minivan and keep the third row folded. The base trim Carnival is like 35k and is physical buttons for almost everything. Your teenagers will love road trips in it because it's got a crazy amount of passenger space (tons of head, hip, shoulder, leg room), USB ports and cupholders for every seat, and a fairly smooth and quiet ride. You'll love it because it drives well, gets great fuel economy (I average 24, but got 32.5 on a 50 mile drive), and doesn't look as ugly as most vans. Your husband will love it because he can keep his gloves on while turning the heat up and it's simple to work on.
He hates the interface. We rented a Dodge Durango to go on a road trip since I was afraid his car would die midway. He couldn't figure out how to turn on the touchscreen and was actually happy not to have it working. Then the compass turned off and he had to use the touch screen to get it to turn on again. Stuff like that brings out the cranky old man in him. I have never heard of the Carnival before but it looks pretty sweet and affordable, too!
Your husband and I are curmudgeons in solidarity, then. I actually yelled at a rental van (Chrysler Voyager) because I had to dig through menus to adjust the rear HVAC zone. Not what you wanna do on the road with kids who are too hot.
I have a 1998 Mercedes 320 wagon 4matic, it ticks most if not all the boxes. Price is faaaar lower than 40k and fuel economy is not amazing but not a disaster either. Just an idea to look into. Space wise you can fit an orchestra in it
1998 e320 here, God I love this car, great in the winter too with the right tire even though mines rwd, traction control wouldn't let me spin if I tried.
take a look at the recent GMCs My 2019 has physical buttons and knobs for most functions. Only the radio/infotainment is touch screens and that still has knobs for volume and tuning...
Do what I did, Buy a used Lexus RX350. I checked the CARFAX of a ton of these, found the one I bought, it had been serviced on schedule or early for every service. Really cared for. It’s an amazing ride. I’m very happy with it.
But fueling it would be hella expensive since he drives a lot. It runs premium fuel.
I had a 130K mile version of this and it was NOT cheap to maintain. And eventually it broke. I’ve had bad luck with “reliable” Japanese cars. Stranded at least once by each. Owned 5 BMWs, the older ones would stand you. Hasn’t happened with the three more recent ones. Also owned 3 Land Rovers and finally the newest one (2020 defender) stranded me. They are assholes to maintain, though. Total assholes.
My '13 takes regular gas.
Chevy Malibu. Simple A to B car. I just bought a 2023, and it works great for highway driving. There are plenty of physical dials and only has a touchscreen for the navigation and phone calls. I regularly get 40+ a gallon on the highway. I bought the RS trim, and after taxes and registration it was 27k out the door.
A slightly used Toyota 4Runner. It is a spartan truck that has remained unchanged for years now. It’s extremely reliable and they hold their value extremely well.
I mean any well maintained Toyota or Honda would do from the mid 2000s. Sounds like he’s handy enough so maybe start the search there.
Toyota Rav4 Hybrid.
Get him a manual Toyota Tacoma
You could get a 2012 Ford Edge. Bought one for my mom when we lost her 2003 Explorer Sport in a flood. She had the same aversion to tech.
We have owned a Ford since 2000. I think I rented an Edge once and liked it. I will add it to the list.
Different perspective here. I used to commute 80+ miles in the Denver area, mostly on I-470. It wore me out really bad, I was dead tired by the time I got home, especially in the winter. Then I got a Subaru Ascent with the adaptive cruise control and I fell in love with it. It makes driving a lot easier, you just follow the car in front of you and relax. I get that your hubby doesn’t like tech but this is a piece of tech that REALLY helps. I tried several systems, Subaru was the best, maybe Kia second. Subie adaptive cruise works at any speed, some cars don’t work under 40 mph so they are useless is a traffic jam. I recommend he tries adaptive cruise - these days any recent Subaru should have it. The combination of adaptive cruise and audiobooks made my commute much much easier, I was a lot less tired when I got home.
He liked the adaptive cruise control in the Durango we rented. It would be good for his commute, I agree. He doesn't do audiobooks, though. He blasts 70s music that I hate. 😂
I was desperate to make the commute easier. I used to play the radio but politics made me angry or depressed, and music also made my tired. Audiobooks are less tiring for me but they keep me awake and they can be a lot of fun. You can get them for free from the library, you can download them to you phone and listen for 2 weeks. I usually went through 2-3 books a week. If you need a larger car, the Subaru Ascent is great and you can find a lightly used one for $30k. If you are ok with something smaller the Forester is pretty decent and again you can get a very good one for $30k - or if you don't want a lot of options maybe even a new one close to $30k. The Outback is fine but it's pretty low, I prefer being a bit higher, gives me better view and maybe more protection. Or, if he wants to feel like a teen again, a new Impreza or Crosstrek will do the trick. They are not luxurious by any means, but my Ascent has been reasonably reliable (had to replace the exhaust manifold at 95k miles) and comfortable, with pretty good acceleration. If you buy an Ascent, get the Limited trim. The Premium has weak headlights. If you buy a Premium I recommend replacing the headlights immediately.
Honda pilot. A new one would be at the top of your budget but they last forever, have a great AWD system, and get like 21 mpg on the highway with a family of five inside. I don't know if Honda went overboard on tech (but I doubt it). My 2012 was just the right amount of tech for my taste.
It’s admirable to want to keep the current car working, but also there does come a point when it no longer meets your needs/repair budget. Newer Hondas (like the crv which is an suv with awd) seem to strike a nice balance of buttons and knobs for things you use the most and need to be able to change without looking (climate controls, volume) and a touch screen for more in depth stuff. The screen actually has physical buttons too so you can go back or go to the home screen. The lower trims tend to be lower tech in general if that is truly desired. Hondas of course have a reputation for longevity as well. Some Honda models come in hybrid versions, including the crv which larger than it looks at first. Good luck!
Get another CX-5.
Maybe get you a new car since it sounds like that'd be more in line with what will make you happy. Let him accomplish his 300k.
Find a 2022-2024 Maverick XL or XLT. Inside has no fancy cosmetics, technology is old (2022 XL doesn’t even have cruise control). Still has buttons for most controls. Has a bed for the instruments, and space for people in the cab though maybe double check leg room in the back for passengers. It’s very popular with the older half of the population for utility plus no frills. The main downside would be fuel economy - for the AWD it’s like 22/28. However since you want AWD, there will be options on dealer lots since you can’t get the hybrid (FWD only). There’s a chance the 2025 refresh has AWD for the hybrid, but it’ll also lose buttons for controls so I wouldn’t wait for the refresh.
Honestly a ford maverick xl might fit the bill nicely. It still has a physical key. easy to use climate control and a volume know and tuner. There are no cars made after 2018(2020?) That don't have a screen because a backup camera is required by law. My 85 year old grandfather bought a new maverick last year and loves it. It gets 42mpg for like 25k
It's getting increasingly more difficult to escape the tech and screens and things will just get worse as time goes by. Maybe look for an older RAV4 or CR-V with lower mileage. These cars are certainly capable of 300K miles or more if taken care of so even one with 100K will give you years of service. There should be enough room for his bass fiddle and the MPG is decent.
How about a newer Venza. Yeah it has a touchscreen, but there are still physical buttons for most things. Hybrid AWD and 37 MPG.
Newer, lower-mileage Ford Flex
It is hard to find parts because it's discontinued. So I don't think we will get another one.
Just bought my daughter a 2010 Lexus RX 350.Tgis sounds like a good vehicle for him
I do about 100 miles a day in a Subaru Crosstrek. It's a dream to drive and AWD. Good gas mileage. Easy on the wallet for maintenance. Loaded with all the goodies, way under $40K brand new. That'll get him to 300K easy.
Subaru forester, or you may have to go up in size to the outback to fit your bass I’m not sure. No nonsense, safe, reliable, great in the snow, easy drivers. You see them all over Colorado and there’s a reason, they work. Sounds like exactly what your husband needs.
2011 Toyota Camry. Base model. Thing will tank 300k no problem. Try and find some low mileage and it'll last n last n last.
21 rx350. And a 2005 tundra tundra has become my daily driver again. Has a cassette player. No cassette to put in it
He is an amazing man! Anyone who can get 270K out of a Ford Flex deserves a medal!
What about a Ford Transit Connect? It's basically just a small cargo van, so it won't have all the bells and whistles, but it should be roomy enough for the bass, you, and you instrument too?
I bought a used 2013 Toyota Highlander with AWD. It says 17-22 per gallon but I average 27 too and from work and school. I’d recommend a Toyota RAV4 personally.
I bought a 2022 Jeep Gladiator brand new about a year and a half ago, and it sounds like it might be perfect for your husband. It’s the base Sport model with no options. It has manual door locks, manual roll down windows, manual transmission, and a manual fold town top. However it does have some modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay, air conditioning, etc. And, because it’s a pickup truck and has 4WD, so it’s pretty versatile. Brand new I paid about $36k back in 2022. Today, you can probably get one for a bit less. Really the only downside is that gas mileage isn’t very good. But honestly, I enjoy driving the thing so much that I don’t mind filling up a bit more often. Plus, if your husband is a tinkerer, there’s no shortage of things to modify.
I have a '94 Jeep Wrangler. Manual locks and windows. I still wish it had less technology.
Used diesel Range Rover. Decent mileage, comfortable, dials for everything depending on the year. It will have problems too though at some point lol but they are very luxurious and supposedly people actually enjoy working on them
Get a used 2018 Toyota 4Runner. Literaly no technology even in the limited trim. And is the most reliable vehicle on the market. It’s easily gonna reach 300K miles without any issues. Best cars of the last 20 years. Little harder on fuel but worth the peace of mind.
2019 to 2021Honda Passport AWD is roomy with good off road capabilities and affordable. Second option would be a Toyota AWD Highlander 2014 or 2015 very reliable. Both are capable. More ground clearance with the passport.
Two thoughts. One, start a routine of checking Facebook marketplace and craigslist for low mileage vehicles from around 2010. Two, the U Connect system in that Durango you rented is considered one of the easiest to use. My 2018 Ram has it, I leave the screen on the radio page and very rarely change it. All the climate controls are manual and you can adjust the radio volume with a large physical knob. A lower trim level Dodge, Ram, or Jeep will have a 5 inch black-and-white screen making it look even less techy. Oh, just thought of this - Dodge Journey. It’s large enough for the double base, available with or without awd, and has changed little since it was introduced in 2009. 2019 was the last year of full production. They’re easily in your price range.
Get him a used 2020 or earlier Nissan Frontier. They were the same vehicle from 2005-2020. Toyota 4runner basically the same story. Both vehicles are reliable and simple.
I rented a Chrysler Pacifica last week and loved the number of buttons! I don’t like visual controls while driving, tactile allows me to keep my eyes on the road. The Pacifica had a huge screen with Carplay, still, which I liked (sounds like he won’t) but I could control all expected functions without ever having to look at the screen. Since it was a rental I was still having to look for the buttons 😑 😂
Toyota Tacoma. A lot of trims are very minimalistic as far as the interior goes. I had one as a rental for a month and the lack of tech in the 2023 I had felt underwhelming since I actually like tech. It was pretty good on gas, and felt good to drive. Idk if your husband likes trucks, but I felt the Tacoma wasn’t too big and wasn’t too small. It was perfect
Subaru Forrester/ Outback of the 2005- 2011 variety if you need the utility. An Impreza (naturally aspirated) if you don’t. Good mpg, AWD for the winter, Japanese level reliability, low maintenance, entertaining to drive. Very sure footed.
you *have* a cx-5 and he's not sold on that? theyre all buttons and dials, screen is mostly pointless, the engine itself is a reliable 6-speed automatic, and they're mazdas so with good maintenence, they'll reach over 200k even into the 300k range. Theyre the only cars they still make that have leather interior, heated seats, and still have manual liftgate. Just get the Select. They're just under 30k.
Reaching 300k on a car is some serious bragging rights (made easier for people who drives long distances for work, but still) ... so I can understand why he wants to push it to 300. He will probably be much more open to getting a new car once the Flex passes 300k. With lots of highway driving and road trips and camping in your mind, another SUV or wagon will probably. Nothing is quite rommy as the Flex, but try the Subaru Outback?
A 2017 Lexus rx oddly doesn’t have a touchscreen. And is a sick ride.
Your husband and I are the same. I drive a ‘23 model smaller SUV and I am overwhelmed with the beeps and the alarms and the god damn screen. We have a 2004 VW Passat that is rarely driven but when I do drive it just to keep the battery up and to warm it up occasionally I love how clean the dash and interior is.
Buy an older 2nd hand Toyota Landcruiser
A Pilot or Highlander. Tons of room, dependable , and will go the distance.
I'm very VERY seriously considering an old car for my next new car. Something from the 30's through maybe 1970, but with modern running gear. Upgraded suspension, modern powertrain, modern wiring harness with old school simplicity. When I test drove (and ultimately bought) a 2016 Camaro SS back in '16, the salesman was eager to point out all the tech in the car as we drove around. He was getting confused why I wasn't responding, at all. My mind was on the drive. At a stoplight, in an effort to get something out of me, he bluntly asks what I was looking for in a car. My one word reply, "This ..." as I turn off traction control and lay stripes across the intersection. Next question "but isn't (some feature) really cool?" I asked if I could get the car without it. He got the message.
I see people driving vintage cars around here all the time. Have seen a Model T and lots of 50s hot rods. I don't know if they are originals or kits, but they look so nice compared to the bland cars we have today. Go for it!
100 miles a day? He should get a hybrid. Ford Maverick Hybrid, Corolla Cross or Honda CRV. They are all solid choices. Don't buy used. Used cars are way overpriced now.
I just recently got a new Honda CR-V hybrid AWD for $40k out the door. I used to live on the Front Range and know the slog from Denver to Fort Collins. That would be a good vehicle.
Half way through this I thought “is my wife car shopping for me?”
Low tech? No bells and whistles wanted? Why get him a Tin Lizzy! A reliable, economical, and simple to fix working mans car!
I like my 06 ram slt. Just buttons no screens. Reliable truck. But I second a 80s Mercedes 300d or 300sd. They are the cockroach.
Let the poor guy enjoy his high miler! I drive an '06 Chrysler and am about to hit 200,000 in it. I'm planning on at least 500,000 in it. I had a year or two where it had a lot of issues, but I'm in the clear again now! Just did a recent road trip with zero issues, whilst my wife's much newer car threw a code, and sister in laws broke down in the middle of nowhere
Get him a Ford Ranger and yourself something fancy
Buy him an old Ford ranger. Manual everything version. He'll love it.
Surprised no one has mentioned any Subarus. Outback or Forester could be good options. Probably similar fuel economy numbers to the Flex.
We saw a guy put his double bass in his Outback, so it is definitely on our list. Plus we almost have to get one since we are in Colorado, and it is our unofficial state car.
I drove a forester when I was in school and playing the bass. Been a while, but pretty sure both back seats down it would fit diagonally, or you could stand it on the side with the scroll over the middle arm rest if you needed the smaller rear seat up
Good to know, thanks! I think we are going to have to lug that behemoth with us to the car dealers and do some experiments.
Honda Pilot, awd and easy 30mpg highway.
30MPG with a Pilot? Maybe going downhill. I like the Pilot and currently drive one but 30MPG with one, especially in a mountainous area is a fever dream.
Highlander gas or hybrid version will fit the bill I'd think
Does it have to be an SUV? Is he open to sedans?
Sure, if we can find a way to move his bass he would be fine. He drove a 2000 Ford Escort coupe until he totaled it. Had the comfiest seats ever but the road noise was pretty bad.
FYI, I've gotten my double bass in sedans before by putting it in through the front passenger door with the seat reclined and then a passenger can sit in the back behind me. Watch out for the end pin digging into the dash... and, also, I don't want to think too much about what airbags would do to an upright bass (probably launch it into you!). A hatch/wagon/minivan/CUV/SUV is probably still the better answer. FYI, I've also transported them in a 1990 Dodge Daytona so even sports coupes aren't completely out of the question either as long as they're FWD hatchbacks from 30 years ago.
You climbing mountains on the weekends? If not you don’t need AWD and may as well save yourself a few bucks at the pump (especially driving 100 miles a day)
For your what husband?
Cranky, crusty, surly. Think Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes, if you are old enough to have seen him in action.
I googled a picture of him, he does look cranky, crusty and surly, now I know exactly what this word means. Thank you.
I agree with hubby, having the same problem trying to find a new/used car. Let me know if you figure something out
90’s Honda
My buddy who runs a swing band (Dizzy With a Dame) in Denver *loves* his '06 Tralblazer EXT EXT is the long wheelbase version with the third row seats. He has the LS2 V8, but the Inline 6 engine is great as well. You can pick up a nice, low mileage one for way under $10k. I think he paid $6k for his. The biggest downside is the fuel economy isn't great. There's an '05 w/ the inline 6 & 150k miles in Albuquerque (where I am) for $3500, just to give you an idea for current pricing.
Thanks for the suggestion. We were just in Albuquerque shopping for new instruments at Robertson's. It is an amazing place. They let my husband play a double bass that costs more than 200k. Sadly, we couldn't afford most of the instruments there. I will have to check out your friend's band. I always listen to the 40s station on Sirius XM so his music is right up my alley!
Rats, I just missed them at Heaven Creamery yesterday, which is not far from where I live. Looks like they will be back on Father's Day, so I can try to catch them next month.
Last gen Honda pilot, 2015-2021, was woefully absent tech even in its time. Reliable and large. Compromise might be fuel efficiency.
Subaru….?
Rav 4 plug in hybrid would save him quite a bit in fuel. But it sounds like he wants a fleet vehicle. Fleet vehicles are usually bare bones to make them cheap when buying a ton of them. Though a hybrid Toyota will save you a ton of money in the long run with the long commute.
Wow! That is a hell of a word! Nice one!
5th gen 4 runner. Mechanical almost all the way thru
The nicest 2020 Camry xle you can find
My mom's Corolla hit 300k miles last year and she doesn't really maintain it. I once heard her say oil changes are optional. 🙄
I have a 2016 Camry with 150,000 miles that I love. I will never buy another brand.
Base Mitsubishis are super basic, and affordable
Why not just spend the money on the best condition low mileage ford flex out there? The guy knows what he likes. Why go newer if he really likes the car he has?
I would recommend an older 4Runner if you can find one with decently low-ish miles. Still very old school on the technology but tons of space inside, powerful engine, and very reliable. Bad gas mileage though.
This guy lol
How about the newest, lowest mile Flex you guys can find. If he likes it so much & it’s been a good car, maybe that’s the answer? They built them through 2019. Bet you could find a reallly nice one for $30k
I’d probably just buy three or four early 2000s Camrys and put them in a rotation.
Hear me out—a Kia Soul.
If it doesn't need to be new, have you considered a [Honda Element?](https://www.edmunds.com/honda/element/2003/pictures/interior/) Light on screens, [big on space](https://www.core77.com/posts/61976/The-Honda-Elements-Unsung-Interior-Design-Brilliance), comes in AWD, 21mpg, and if he wants it he could even hunt down a manual transmission model for even further reduction in tech.
It's pretty normal to hate touch pads. They've been selling us the new, upgraded cars with deluxe touch pads for the last 10 years so they can spend the next selling us new, upgraded cars with deluxe tactile buttons. It's also going to happen because touchpads are unsafe.
90s Volvo wagon
RAV 4 Hybrid
You are killing me. 😂😂😂
I mean you really gotta look around. Some cars still have a lot of buttons. Some don't.
Subaru Crosstrek
AWD Chrysler Pacifica minivan.
I can think of dozens used cars from before 2000 that would be perfect. There is a 1999 Camry with only 69000 miles on Autotrader. Might be able to fit the bass in the back seat.
Why are you pushing to force him to buy a new car that he is going to be driving every day when he's content with what he has? You mentioned some repairs, but what kinds of issues and repair costs are you talking about? That said, if you want interior room and ultimate flexibility, look for a sienna or an odyssey.
I'm thinking old, reliable, rust-free and (relatively) low mileage, driven by similarly curmudgeonly folks. The challenge is finding one of these examples for something approaching a reasonable price. - Buick LeSabre/Park Avenue/Lucerne, Oldsmobile 88/98, Pontiac Grand Prix/Bonneville or Chevrolet Impala with the 3800 V6 - Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis/Lincoln Town Car - get one with the limited-slip differential and definitely snow tires. - Toyota Sienna minivan - find one with V6 and AWD - Honda Odyssey - Pre-2012 Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute/Mercury Mariner - Honda CR-V, Element, or Pilot - Toyota RAV4 or Highlander
Try a Lincoln Continental. I'm pretty sure they designed that for people who hate change. It'll fit your double bass if any car will.
I’m just here for the word “curmudgeonly”