Vehicular Logic Puzzle for the VURD

[triadruid]

Anybody familiar with logic puzzles, or cars, is welcome to help out on this one. :)

Our household is apparently going to be in the market for new vehicles over the next six months or so. It's not entirely clear how many have to shift, but both mine and featherynscale's are aging rapidly, and kittenpants' is too small for some of her needs.

So with that in mind, here's the clues as they stand so far:

1. C's current car is a Saturn S-Series.
   
2. D's current car is a Ford Aspire.
   
3. K's current car is a Honda Civic.
   
4. The Saturn runs well and has low-mileage.
   
5. The Aspire does not have functional windshield wipers, and the engine hesitates when the weather is cold and wet. Both of these issues will become greater problems when winter hits.
   
6. The Civic has a newly-developed electrical problem which recently caused it to start overheating.
   
7. The Saturn will not start for men those who desire it to do so; only by clearing your mind of all desire to drive can you start the car.
   
8. The Saturn does not hold sufficient cargo room for C's artwork, at times.
   
9. The Civic is dilapidated in appearance but could be repaired.
   
10. All vehicles should handle well in snow and rain, especially K's. D has the greatest tolerance for this, because of his Iowegian heritage.
    
11. The Saturn does not meet K's standards of winter-weather reliability.
    
12. D's greatest need for transportation is fuel efficiency for commuting, but he would like something attractive after the Aspire.
    
13. D occasionally needs to carry small cargo for his current job, but that will change come spring.
    
14. K's greatest need for transportation is commuting and meetings.
    
15. C's greatest need is for errand-running, occasional long trips, and hauling art of all types and sizes. Her driving patterns are the most variable of the group.
    
16. K likes the new Toyota Yaris (formerly the Echo hatchback), and the look of the Hyundai Tiburon.
    
17. C does not like the Honda Element's ergonomics for driving (particularly the 2007's front-seat headrests), though the cargo room is extremely impressive.
    
18. D's mother laid a geas on him not to drive a motorcycle, some years before she died. It's not clear if that promise survives her, or carries over to his current family.
    
19. D should not drive anything that could be described as a "cop magnet" due to his lead foot. He's dangerous enough with a 4-cylinder engine...
    
20. None of the household wishes to take on the financial hit of the depreciation of a brand-new car.
    
21. All three really like the idea of a hybrid/maximally-efficient vehicle.
    
22. Repair costs and downtime/unavailability would be a serious disadvantage in any family vehicle; no Jaguars or Harleys, please.
    
23. At least one vehicle should be able to hold three passengers for extended road trips, along with normal luggage (Dragon*Con is a special case and outside the bounds of this requirement).
    
24. At least one other vehicle must be able to carry two passengers on a regular basis (and probably three in a pinch).
    
25. D has driven stick-shift vehicles most often, but living in a large city has tempered that desire somewhat.
    
26. K can drive stick in a crunch, but would prefer not to.
    
27. All three vehicles should be able to play music, preferably CD/Satellite Radio, for which C already has a subscription and K is considering, due to the state of Kansas City Radio.
    
28. D is absurdly fond of the new Volvo styling, for no particular reason he can discover; particularly the S60/S80 even though it's much too large for his needs.
    
29. Missouri personal property taxes make it unwise to keep more than the minimum number of vehicles around, even if they continue to run serviceably.
    

Pretend money is not an option a factor (wow, that was Freudian). Go!

(No, there isn't really a concrete problem to be solved here, but getting input from others and broadening our search window is a useful exercise, and probably entertaining besides)

Comments

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

16. I would never want to actually own a Tiburon. I only said they were cute. And out of the 8 million vehicles I think are cute, why do you pick that one to tell people about?

18. No such luck. kittenpants promised Kat that she wouldn't let you have one either.

Sorry, I'll strike it.

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

It was the one you told me about most recently, except for the Yaris. What do you find usefully cute?

Re: Sorry, I'll strike it.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I don't know. Cute really isn't a criterion for actual car-buying, only for theoretical car-buying. :)

I want to own something that is reliable, handles well, gets good gas mileage, is small, and will cost me around $300 a month (cause that's all I've got to spend on it).

[kittenpants.livejournal.com]

I think I want to see if I can test-drive drive a Prius hatchback. Like, maybe Wednesday.

My car is a 1997 SL-1, no power windows, no power locks, no cruise control.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I thought you wanted to have the big car?

[kittenpants.livejournal.com]

It doesn't have to be big-big, I just have to be able to put masonite and canvases in it. A hatchback that I can remove or fold down the back seat would probably be fine. And, I don't want an SUV or minivan, since 80% of the time I'd be using the car would be to run errands, alone, around town, or to commute, alone, to school. Gods, I wish KC had a decent public transit system.

[kenllama.livejournal.com]

For the time being, is there any reason why the Saturn would be an unsuitable car for the Right Honorable triadruid?

And/or are there any other basic requirements that could be met by swapping cars?

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

He can't start it.

[kenllama.livejournal.com]

oh, right.

does it suffer from the same problem that my 2000 SL2 has, where the key just doesn't turn half the time? it's a pain in the ass, but doesn't seem to be gender-specific ;)

[kittenpants.livejournal.com]

The Saturn would be ideal for David, if he could ever start it. However, for reasons unknown to us, the car refuses to start for him.

I wonder if a new key would work? it'd be a cheap fix...

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

Maybe; the other day I couldn't even get the backup key (which is in the kitchen drawer, wonder of wonders) to turn the door lock reliably, so it's either the locks, not the keys, or it's me.

I'm betting it's me...

[diermuid.livejournal.com]

I would recommend a Honda Odyssey or Element for C's art hauling, a Toyota Whateveritis with the 68MPG for D, and an Infinit G35 for K. (Because a ballsy luxury car is simply a MUST for mental health. Sticking to Toyotas or Hondas are the best to combat depreciation.

I also think (based on last night's appearance) that C. would look good on a cruiser. It would have to be a secondary vehicle, but there was mention that money was no object. I also think that D. needs a Kawasaki ZX-14 to help him with that lead foot issue. On a more serious note - a 250CC ninja gets awesome gas milage, is reknown for reliability, and while zippy, has a top-end of 80mph or so, so it allows one to have that aggressive style, but without the 190mph top-end of the ZX14. Also, I think D. might be able to reach the ground with the 250.

Now that was me speaking of the guy who lives in a neighborhood with $50g custom choppers and 20'+ fishing boats... I can do some serious impulse shopping if I stay in town too much. However, my logical side says that even paying a Grand to keep Asmodeous going is a far more intelligent purchase. Buying a newer car gets you a 3-5 year pass on big auto repairs. At the cost of $300-$500 a month before you will be back in the breakdown zone again.

The Saturn sat for a looong time, it needs some TLC. The other cars could use some good overhaul work. In all three cases, good pro-active maintenance will net you a reliable vehicle for much less cost. Granted, this is coming form the guy who went for the Minivan that was more 'Mercedes' than the Mercedes I test-drove. So I understand quite well the desire for new and shiney. 8-)

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

The Saturn is actually in absurdly good shape for a car of its age (2001, maybe?). It sat for years, got the fluids changed out, and aside from a trick sensor, is acting perfectly well-behaved even for trips to St. Louis and Diana's Grove. It's just too small for C, too light on its feet for K in the winter, and bloody-well-won't-start for me.

Asmodeus is already approaching the threshold of repairs-and-downtime >= new car payment, assuming the new car payment is more like $200 than $500. It's been in the shop 2 or 3 times in the last four months. The Druidmobile is a 1997 I believe, and has some deferred maintenance like the windshield wipers that may or may not be ridiculously expensive for a car worth $1500 by now. If it's not, and I can figure out the hesitation issue myself, it'll last me at least through the winter.

C said the Element's headrests (which are apparently not adjustable?) drove her absolutely bonkers for even in-town driving. Not sure she's looked at the Odyssey, though, that's a good idea.

And see the first comment for why none of us will be getting motorcycles. ;)

[kenllama.livejournal.com]

our 2000 Saturn is also holding up pretty well, and still gets better mileage than a brand new saturn. sad that they seem to be going downhill in that regard =(

[diermuid.livejournal.com]

It sounds like the Saturn is a good candidate for an overhaul and keep. No reason to off a reliable car with a few issues...

On the aspire, I kept mine going until it committed caricide (full frame electrical short). Even though my Aerostar is 'worth' $400, I know that to replace it, I will get another vehicle with similar problems unless I spend a few thousand. So I keep it around even though most moderate repairs are over 50% of the vehicle's worth.

[kittenpants.livejournal.com]

I would love a Honda Element, but the headrest design is CRAP and makes it very hard to sit with good posture while driving (a necessity for me). auraseer drives one, and we're the same height. He's investigating after-market headrests, which could make all the difference.

Also, I'm totally taking that cruiser comment as a compliment. =)

Despite the insane amount of time the Saturn sat languishing in the driveway, it runs really well and gets great gas mileage. It surprised the hell outta the mechanic, too.

"Problem" Solved

[greektoomey.livejournal.com]

Here's what you lot should get:

1 Mini Cooper.
1 Stretch Humvee.
1 4-Door Volvo.

This combination should satisfy all of your various and sundry needs.

Next?

Re: "Problem" Solved

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

You forgot about the 'no using pretend money' rule.

[otterkin.livejournal.com]

1) Now I feel like I have to create a seating arrangement for a party that ensures all of you have a good time, don't clock elbows, and also do not eat each other.

2) Honda Fit, anyone? You can probably start to get them used (2-3 yrs old). And how much money is "pretend money"?

3) I'm also fond of the Old Accord theory of transporation; my family has had one forever, and when you no longer care about the interior, you can carry 5 bales of straw in one and still get 35 mpg.

[auraseer.livejournal.com]

1) Now I feel like I have to create a seating arrangement for a party that ensures all of you have a good time, don't clock elbows, and also do not eat each other.


To me it sounds more like they have to cross a bridge using only one flashlight. "If K and C are left alone, the chicken will eat the grain..."

[chainwoman.livejournal.com]

If you all decide to stick with a certain make of a car you would have huge, huge, huge leverage with the dealership in dealing. Just casually mention that if they give you the best deal in the world they will end up with three sales not one. Also, see my post in featheries journal about when to buy.

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

That's clever about using one dealer, actually!

[dramaticaddict.livejournal.com]

umm... all i know is if you were to, say, switch out all three, how much would you want for the saturn???
my new(ive only owned it a year) car(the 95 neon) has some hail damage and rust, and needs new speakers, and needs front brakes, and the ABS light wont go away, theres a leak that sometimes fills the back passenger floorboard with water, i think you get the point...

Me like Subaru wagon! Green!

[adammaker.livejournal.com]

My 1997 subaru has been ticking along for a decade now, and is doing very well at 150,000miles.
The prior Subaru ran for 385,000miles between 1984 and 1997.

[leiandra.livejournal.com]

Might I recommend a Ford Focus (which can be found used easily).

A) Seats 2 comfortably, 3-4 if the back seat has smallish people.
B) 4 cylinder to prevent lead foot, but doesn't feel like you need to Flintstone it to get up a hill.
C) Back seats fold down flat
D) The trunk is reasonably sized with the seats up. (Aka not as big as my old Buick, but you can still put a body in the trunk, just not 2 or 3 bodies)
E) My Focus (which is still being broken at barely over 3,000 mi) gets 21-27 mpg.