Are you sold on new or is newish okay?
Personally, I have a thing about not buying new. For various reasons but what tops the list is the straight ahead money lost in the first 5 years.

Have you looked around at all?
What do you like?
Some nice quiet weekend (or whenever) go into town, walk around some lots. See a car/truck/van/wagon you think you'd like, even if it's because of color, ask to drive it. Take it out for the afternoon. Spend some time in it. Be critical.
If your serious about the car have it looked at (you'll have to pay for it) by a unvested third party. Do some of your own homework; the net is pretty good for this, but if I don't know that much about an particular vehicle or model I'll go talk to the tech's that work on them day in and day out. They can tell you what to expect from the vehicle enre to mileage, maintenance costs, troublesome issues and pita problems (keep in mind, they would really like a little recompense for their time too, even if it's just a six pack, but let them know you appreciate their effort).
While I'm rather limited in my direct knowledge of more than 4 or 5 lines for the last 20 years or so, I feel there's a lot of good wheels out there today and I'd steer you away from none of them other than two or three lines or individual models of the various makers.
Even newish shorts are a major investment today and with care along with the proper maintaince should (and will) last as long as you want them to. So go shop around, do a little homework; with luck you'll come out with the best car you've ever owned.

Personally I'd start at Toyota's if I were looking at just one vehicle to cover the most of every day life.

Think Big. Enjoy retirement

 Quote: steve strom

Think Big. Enjoy retirement

Oh, THAT kind of big. I thought you meant this kind of big:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j275/connies419/72sdv.jpg


LOL



eta
I love the angle of the photograph, too, as if it needed hood-length enhancement.

My mother drove that kind of car, and I remember looking out the kitchen window one day at her car parked beside my father's Mack truck and her car being longer.

That may work. He's having trouble with his arrows on another thread. Use the feathers of those to decorate his hat and his retirement has a new purpose.

 Quote: steve strom

Think Big. Enjoy retirement

that almost makes sense

Nah, can't hang the arm out the window while cruise'n home from the shout and stomp.


eta, on the up side ya could practice your archery out of the weather.

My son still has an 1989 Nissan Pathfinder that I had & passed onto him years ago...It is still on the road with very close to 300,000 miles. He uses it mostly for off road now, but it is still registered & is driven on the road when his Tacoma(his business truck) is in for service. I have owned an Xterra sold with almost 100K because I didn't want to drive stick anymore, but never needed more than oil changes,tires,brakes & a new heat/AC fan motor & have a Titan Crew Cab now. I really like the Nissans & have had good luck with them.

My son had a 1990 (I think it was)Toyota Tacoma that was passed around from one friend to another & had close to 289,000 miles on it when he sold it to another friend...It is still on the road.

I have friends that fly for one of the airlines & travel for 3 hours on the days they fly, often closer to 4+ when flights put their commutes in rush hour times. They both drive subarus & are on their 6th Subaru (wagon models)that all have had close to 300,000 miles on them.

I have to vote for the Toyota, Nissan & Subaru.

I'm loyal to honda, my 92 accord is reaching it's 200k mark (I'm the third owner, I've put 100k on it myself, it is my first car I got when I was 16).

However for more space my father's 2004 Honda CR-V is hitting the 250k mark and running strong. CRV can fit a crate well though and the back is perfect to fence off for dogs

If you need 4 or all wheel drive I can tell you what a mechanic told my sister when she asked for a rcommendation (she lives 9000 feet up in the CO Rockies so 4 or all wheel is a necessity). Anyway, he told her she had 3 choices. "Subaru, Subaru, Subaru." And, no, he did not service Subarus.

On the other hand I had a 4-wheel drive Ford Explorer that was great. It was 15 years old this year when I traded it in for a smaller car to save money on gas.

I adore the Honda element. My folks have one. It's the best big dog hauler I've seen. It's a shame 2011 is the last year.