As a rule, cars/SUVs and trucks are very expensive in this country, used or new, averaging 20% to 40% more than our American counterpart's prices.
However, I do have some decent connections for good vehicles at reasonable prices, and I keep an eye out for special deals.
Despite not needing or looking for a new car, (new to me, not brand new) I just picked up a 2002 Acura TL 3.2 type S at approx. US price and can't resist buying it, even though my Lexus is in perfect condition and a great car, but variety is the spice of life and I like this "new" car.
I just went out for a late night ride, partially to test it, but mostly to learn what all those buttons do.
My goodness, I'm out of touch with the technical advances that have been made since moving here.
It has one of these monitor screens for the GPS system, that doubles as a menu/control center for other components, like the AC, where the monitor itself is touch sensitive.
That alone was enough to give me a cheap thrill,
but there are all sorts of other doodads, like a factory premium Bose sound system that has a slot for a CD, and it somehow gobbles up 6 of them.
Where they all go, is beyond me, but it works and sounds pretty darn good.
The car has a 5 speed automatic transmission, but it also has an option for going into manual sequential shifting,
that turns the car into a rocket ship,
that goes like a bat out of he11.
I found a button, labeled TCS, presumably short for traction control system, and it gives the car a launch capability that prevents wheel spin, even on wet or dirt roads, a bit like the Formula 1 cars use to start their races.
This car is the most "loaded with options" car that I have ever been in, let alone owned.
Electric seats with heaters (like I need heaters in my seats), 2 position memory for the driver's seat. (Handy for when Milka picks folks up at the airport and leave the Lexus seat so pinned to the dash, that I can't get my legs in), cruise control with steering wheel controls, (The sound system has controls there too)
a sun roof that not only slides open, but it can just raise it's rear portion in the closed position, to cause/improve air circulation, some type of electric interior rear view mirror, (I haven't figured out how that works, yet) an anti theft system which includes a remote shut down system, (By satellite maybe? Might not even work in this country) a 160 MPH speedometer, (26o km per hour) and I have little doubt that it could go those speeds. (But certainly not in this country, unless I get a death wish)
It has three tiny buttons, marked with 1 dot, 2 dots and 3 dots ( . .. ... ) right next to the front map lights, near the interior rear view mirror and I have no clue what they do, other than flash a tiny witness light when I touch them.(Built in programmable remote control garage door opener???)
I know, I know.... Small things amuse small minds...
What can I say?
I'm a happy camper.
However, I do have some decent connections for good vehicles at reasonable prices, and I keep an eye out for special deals.
Despite not needing or looking for a new car, (new to me, not brand new) I just picked up a 2002 Acura TL 3.2 type S at approx. US price and can't resist buying it, even though my Lexus is in perfect condition and a great car, but variety is the spice of life and I like this "new" car.
I just went out for a late night ride, partially to test it, but mostly to learn what all those buttons do.
My goodness, I'm out of touch with the technical advances that have been made since moving here.
It has one of these monitor screens for the GPS system, that doubles as a menu/control center for other components, like the AC, where the monitor itself is touch sensitive.
That alone was enough to give me a cheap thrill,
Where they all go, is beyond me, but it works and sounds pretty darn good.
The car has a 5 speed automatic transmission, but it also has an option for going into manual sequential shifting,
that turns the car into a rocket ship,
that goes like a bat out of he11.
I found a button, labeled TCS, presumably short for traction control system, and it gives the car a launch capability that prevents wheel spin, even on wet or dirt roads, a bit like the Formula 1 cars use to start their races.
This car is the most "loaded with options" car that I have ever been in, let alone owned.
Electric seats with heaters (like I need heaters in my seats), 2 position memory for the driver's seat. (Handy for when Milka picks folks up at the airport and leave the Lexus seat so pinned to the dash, that I can't get my legs in), cruise control with steering wheel controls, (The sound system has controls there too)
a sun roof that not only slides open, but it can just raise it's rear portion in the closed position, to cause/improve air circulation, some type of electric interior rear view mirror, (I haven't figured out how that works, yet) an anti theft system which includes a remote shut down system, (By satellite maybe? Might not even work in this country) a 160 MPH speedometer, (26o km per hour) and I have little doubt that it could go those speeds. (But certainly not in this country, unless I get a death wish)
It has three tiny buttons, marked with 1 dot, 2 dots and 3 dots ( . .. ... ) right next to the front map lights, near the interior rear view mirror and I have no clue what they do, other than flash a tiny witness light when I touch them.(Built in programmable remote control garage door opener???)
I know, I know.... Small things amuse small minds...
What can I say?
I'm a happy camper.