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Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
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Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
...but I bit the bullet and bought one of those crossover SUVs, a used 2015 Nissan Rogue.
With the clock ticking for my 2012 Jetta Sportswagen TDI, I needed to find another ride before the turn-in date of February 1st. I like the idea of a regular station wagon and having something that can actually handle. Station wagons, however are become a nearly extinct species with only the European makes still producing a true car-based wagon. When I put down to paper what I really use my daily driver for: commuting, hauling things from bicycles, to musical instruments to airplane parts, I knew I needed something relatively roomy, good gas mileage, and reliable. Reliability ruled out me going back to VW. Gas mileage ruled out the BMW 328 or any larger truck or SUVs. I found myself with the Toyota RAV4 or the Honda CRV as the ideal cars. No, they're not fun or great handling vehicles, but that's why I own a Sprite.
The Nissan wasn't on my radar until I talked to a gentlemen who has sold our business many vans and several of our employees bought cars from him, including my wife's 2012 Corolla. He said he had one on his lot with only 4,000 miles, but it was a base model: cloth seats, no roof rack, no fancy wheels, no navigation system, no fancy dashboard electronics. My thought was "So what?". The Nissan gets a bit better gas mileage than the Honda or Toyota, but also has about 15 less horses to feed...Nissan also makes their vehicles more home-mechanic friendly than Toyota or Honda, even devoting an entire chapter in the Owner's Manual for do-it-yourself maintenance.
So far, I like it. No, it's not exciting, but it doesn't have to be. It's comfortable, reasonably peppy, can haul a ton of gear, and has all-wheel drive, which the Jetta didn't have. And, like I said, if I want to have fun while driving, I take the Sprite out.
Best of all, after the buyout from VW, the out of pocket cost for the Nissan was just a bit over $2,000. So, for the price of a very cheap used car, I have a practically new one.
With the clock ticking for my 2012 Jetta Sportswagen TDI, I needed to find another ride before the turn-in date of February 1st. I like the idea of a regular station wagon and having something that can actually handle. Station wagons, however are become a nearly extinct species with only the European makes still producing a true car-based wagon. When I put down to paper what I really use my daily driver for: commuting, hauling things from bicycles, to musical instruments to airplane parts, I knew I needed something relatively roomy, good gas mileage, and reliable. Reliability ruled out me going back to VW. Gas mileage ruled out the BMW 328 or any larger truck or SUVs. I found myself with the Toyota RAV4 or the Honda CRV as the ideal cars. No, they're not fun or great handling vehicles, but that's why I own a Sprite.
The Nissan wasn't on my radar until I talked to a gentlemen who has sold our business many vans and several of our employees bought cars from him, including my wife's 2012 Corolla. He said he had one on his lot with only 4,000 miles, but it was a base model: cloth seats, no roof rack, no fancy wheels, no navigation system, no fancy dashboard electronics. My thought was "So what?". The Nissan gets a bit better gas mileage than the Honda or Toyota, but also has about 15 less horses to feed...Nissan also makes their vehicles more home-mechanic friendly than Toyota or Honda, even devoting an entire chapter in the Owner's Manual for do-it-yourself maintenance.
So far, I like it. No, it's not exciting, but it doesn't have to be. It's comfortable, reasonably peppy, can haul a ton of gear, and has all-wheel drive, which the Jetta didn't have. And, like I said, if I want to have fun while driving, I take the Sprite out.
Best of all, after the buyout from VW, the out of pocket cost for the Nissan was just a bit over $2,000. So, for the price of a very cheap used car, I have a practically new one.
