Car Advice

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:16 pm

Guys, Im in a weird situation that Id like to get some advice on.

Im 22 and I have never had a speeding ticket or been in an accident. I once owned a Subaru Forester (called Club-Subaru by the ladies :lol:

). I took over the payments on the Forester from my dad and it died on me. I owed 6k on the car at the time. Off to CarMax I went and got a used 2003 Acura CL Type-S. < Big Mistake. The bastard employee owned one too and didn't warn me about the transmission failures. I was young and dumb, I purchased the 1st thing I saw (thanks for the help dad :roll:

). So now Im on my 3rd transmission. Acura built a weak tranny for the car and dont charge you for the rebuilt transmission replacements until after 100k miles. I have about 70k on the car now and Im looking for a replacement.

I want a car thats relatively cheap/reliable because I plan to keep it and pay it off. My plan is to get something I can keep past 100k miles and use it as a daily driver. Once the car is paid off I can move on to a more expensive/fun car to drive. I want to be smart about my decision and do whats best.

Right now Im looking at the VW Rabbit or GTI. I was looking at the Civic but my g/f is about to get the coupe and Id hate to have the same car.

Any advice guys? There are tons of great people here and what better place to get some opinions.

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:46 pm

Toyotas last forever....I love mine.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:02 pm

VW's are nice cars but tend to have issues (electrical issues are the main problem, usually). The Germans build a nice car but you have to really work to keep it in good condition.

If you want a car that's simply going to last you 200k+ miles, then a Toyota or a Honda is probably what you'll want.

I did a car search this summer and ended up getting a Civic in great condition (@ 100k miles) for about five thousand. The car feels like it's just now getting broken in. I know that it'd be embarassing to have the same care as your girlfriend, but I'd recommend finding a Civic. Accords are also quite nice, though more expensive.

Can't really go wrong with a Toyota, though.

I've hears success stories here and there with other cars, but I never hear anything but praise for Hondas and Toyotas. (Great gas mileage, too. . .and you probably won't have to fill up with premium. . .

)

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:06 pm

I have had two honda's in my lifetime and now own a jeep. I really do miss my honda though. Its reliable, cheap, and they all get good gas miles. Get an Accord if your GF is getting the Civic. They are a bit more expensive but they are good cars.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:06 pm

It baffles me how Honda can have great workmanship in their "economy" lineups and just do the total opposite with its "luxury" brand. I swear they mated a civic transmission to my car and they freaking detuned the engine. Its apparent they put too weak of a transmission in the car.

I have another question. Why doesn't Honda/Acura have to fix my transmission? How can they simply get away with giving me a short term replacement over and over?

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:17 pm

SkinsChic wrote:Toyotas last forever....I love mine.

Ditto. We're on our third, and the biggest issue we had was the driver side window motor went kaput on my old Camry, which they replaced for free.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:19 pm

I'm sure its b/c once you hit the 100k Mile mark then they hope you will go back to them for a new one. I swear that with both civic's that I have had, I had no problems with either. My first car was a 91 civic hatchback and when it was totalled it had 130k miles on it and everytime I took it in for a tuneup or whatever, the mechanics said "just like new" and my other civic was an 02 but I sold it as soon as I paid it off. Another thing, don't trade the car in. They will always rip you off. If that means having to wait until you have enough money to cover two car payments then wait. You will always get more money selling it independantly. As with used car's, the phrase "Let the buyer beware" so as far as disclosures go, you don't have to disclose anything. Now that will attact you mentally b/c you feel obligated, but as per the law. Thats where its at. You only need to post it "For Sale" and they are required to have their mechanic look at it.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:20 pm

Yeah, I hear a lot of great things about the Toyotas. I was looking at the Avalon but I dont want to spend the money for it.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:46 pm

Chris Luva Luva wrote:Yeah, I hear a lot of great things about the Toyotas. I was looking at the Avalon but I dont want to spend the money for it.

I've heard good reviews on the Yaris, which I think is their cheapest model.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:26 pm

I think you should look for a vintage vista cruiser (also, my 85 honda civic was the best car I ever had).

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:05 pm

JansenFan wrote:I think you should look for a vintage vista cruiser (also, my 85 honda civic was the best car I ever had).

Ive just had so many issues with used cars...

frankcal20 wrote:I'm sure its b/c once you hit the 100k Mile mark then they hope you will go back to them for a new one.

Ill never buy another Acura and possibly Honda for as long as I live. I make it my personal business to take anyone interested in how horrible a company they are.

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:29 pm

Make sure you check out a site like Edmunds before you buy or sell. They have lots of handy info.

ATV · Post by **ATV** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:48 pm

Toyota.

If I had the money I'd get a Prius or their new non-hybrid gas sipper which costs half as much. But you can't go wrong with any of their models. GM and Ford are doomed.....doomed.

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 7:40 pm

I bought my Toyota Solara "used" 3 1/2 years ago. It's a 2000 and it had 27,000 miles on it. Now has 92,500 on it and I haven't had a bit of problem with it. The battery is even still going strong. LOL I love my Toyota.

(Do you think I could get a part in a Toyota Commercial?)

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:35 pm

You would not look good on a Prius or a Corolla (maybe in 230 more years). A Camry is the best selling car in America for a reason. You simply can not go wrong with it ... for life.

We went from 1 Toyota to two vehicles: a family Volvo and a Sporty Bimmer. I still think that the Toyota was the better car from a mechanical maintenance and cost perspective. :shock:

But I just do not think a Camry is for you. I know you like sporty cars at a decent price. If the g/f is going to have the Civic coupe, I would think about a Mazda Speed 3

A Mazda Speed 3 leaves a GTI waaaaay behind.

ii7-V7 · Post by **ii7-V7** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:56 pm

I just got rid of the Nissan PU that I bought in 1994. It was still running well, it just wasn't getting much use.

Nissan's last forever. So do toyotas. I think that they are the best investment as far as cars go!

DESkins · Post by **DESkins** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:11 am

Mazda makes good cars, not as much money as a Toyota or Honda, I've had two Mazdas and have literally never had to do anything other than change oil/tires/brakes and add gas. Never had a mechanical problem with either that wasn't user-created.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:42 am

chaddukes wrote:I just got rid of the Nissan PU that I bought in 1994. It was still running well, it just wasn't getting much use.

Nissan's last forever. So do toyotas. I think that they are the best investment as far as cars go!

I heard Nissan customer service sucks major you know what. Ill definately look into the Mazdas. Thanks for all of the advice guys, keep it coming. The Camry may be in the running now.

Used Toyota
GTI
Camry
Mazda 3

Why do German cars have electrical issues?

Jeremy81 · Post by **Jeremy81** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:08 pm

i'd suggest a honda or toyota too...cheap and very few problems

mazda's are good too...mine's lasted a while considering how crappy i've treated it

just don't get a jetta...all you'd need is a roxy sticker on the back window and you'd match any high school girl in the U.S.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:13 pm

Jeremy81 wrote:i'd suggest a honda or toyota too...cheap and very few problems

mazda's are good too...mine's lasted a while considering how crappy i've treated it

just don't get a jetta...all you'd need is a roxy sticker on the back window and you'd match any high school girl in the U.S.

QFT an old fling of mine has a Jetta and got it as a gift in HS.

I was driving my mothers VW Cabriolet in HS. I had the motor and transmission mounts go in it at what seemed to be the same exact time. It was almost impossible to drive it home.

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:13 pm

My daughter (25 - not in HS) has a 2004 Jetta 1.8 Turbo (whatever that means) and it has 30,000 miles on it. The other day her BATTERY DIED. Not sure what she had done but the dealer fixed it and gave her a new batter under warranty - may have been the alternator..she didn't say. Thought 30,000 miles was very low mileage for stuff to be happening....although...she does love the car.

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:36 pm

SkinsChic wrote:My daughter (25 - not in HS) has a 2004 Jetta 1.8 Turbo (whatever that means) and it has 30,000 miles on it. The other day her BATTERY DIED. Not sure what she had done but the dealer fixed it and gave her a new batter under warranty - may have been the alternator..she didn't say. Thought 30,000 miles was very low mileage for stuff to be happening....although...she does love the car.

My sister-in-law had a Passat with the same sort of battery issues, and they never figured out excatly what was wrong. She ended up selling it in frustration and getting a Gooburoo.

Jeremy81 · Post by **Jeremy81** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:03 pm

Chris Luva Luva wrote:
Jeremy81 wrote:i'd suggest a honda or toyota too...cheap and very few problems

mazda's are good too...mine's lasted a while considering how crappy i've treated it

just don't get a jetta...all you'd need is a roxy sticker on the back window and you'd match any high school girl in the U.S.

QFT an old fling of mine has a Jetta and got it as a gift in HS.

I was driving my mothers VW Cabriolet in HS. I had the motor and transmission mounts go in it at what seemed to be the same exact time. It was almost impossible to drive it home.

QFT? don't know what that is...sorry, not real good with computer lingo

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 8:46 pm

Jeremy81 wrote:
Chris Luva Luva wrote:
Jeremy81 wrote:i'd suggest a honda or toyota too...cheap and very few problems

mazda's are good too...mine's lasted a while considering how crappy i've treated it

just don't get a jetta...all you'd need is a roxy sticker on the back window and you'd match any high school girl in the U.S.

QFT an old fling of mine has a Jetta and got it as a gift in HS.

I was driving my mothers VW Cabriolet in HS. I had the motor and transmission mounts go in it at what seemed to be the same exact time. It was almost impossible to drive it home.

QFT? don't know what that is...sorry, not real good with computer lingo

Quoted for truth.

fredp45 · Post by **fredp45** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:56 pm

I have a Camry too...it's a fantastic car.

I bought it in 2004..it's a 1992 and it had 49K on it...serously. I paid 5000 for it. The guy I bought it from works with me and he's single. He doesn't have kids so the back seats were brand new, the rest of the car was in perfect shape too. He got it serviced and detailed at Toyota. Since I bought it I've put 50K miles on it. It has just under 100K miles now and is such a nice car, no one can believe it's so old.

It's needed some work lately but heck, it's 14 years old. I don't mind putting some $'s into it, it still runs like new. Right now, I have it in the shop to replace some engine seals. The camshaft seals and front seals are leaking a little. It's been doing that for a year or so and I've ignored it. Recently, when I turn it off, oil drips on the exhause manifold and it smokes really badly. It got kind of embarrassing, so I'm getting it fixed. The problem doesn't hurt the car mechanically, it messes up your driveway a little and gives you lung cancer when you shut it off! This problem is not about mileage, it's about 14 year old seals that dry out.

I would highly recommend a Camry and I understand there are a bunch coming out of lease and rentals now. Have it checked by a mechanic you trust.

Where do you live? I lived in Md until 13 years ago and know a very very honest mechanic in Kensington I would highly recommend. My dad has gone to this guy for nearly 40 years.