Used car suggestion

Sigarms · Apr 1, 2006

My V.W is pushing 250k and the compressor is "shot". Hit or miss on the A/C, cheapest rebuilt compressor I could find was $850.

Since I live in N.C and I travel alot for work (about 48k just for work per year), I've found that A/C is an essential for your vehicle (when I first moved down in 2000, didn't have A/C in my old car, ended up driving my truck just for the A/C but the gas was killing me.

Was looking at a used Toyota Corrola (sp?) or Avalon, Honda Civic or Accord. Due to the mileage I put on, see no sense in buying a new car with a new price and loan payments.

Did come across a used Acura Integra and reminded me that an old salesman that I used to work with had one and he loved it. At the time had over 230k on it and was still running with no issues.

Any one have one? (an Integra). Any feedback on this car?

Alos work with a guy who drives an Audi, high mileage, nothing but praise for the vehicle.

My local mechanic prefers Honda and Toyota due to the parts availability and price for those parts. He doesn't do much work on the Integras so he can't give me any input.

Any other reccomendations (sp?) on a used car that will most likely have over 50k on it?

I've talked with people who drive used Mercedes (sp?) and have heard nothing but great things about them, but parts/pricing scares me, plus the fact that being in sales, it scares me to drive an "expensive" car, I don't want people (also my customers) thinking I'm making too much money /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Any feedback would help.

Thks

Hakim · Apr 1, 2006

Hi Joe,

"a guy who drives an Audi ..."

We presently own three Audi's. I have owned "older" Audi's for about ten years. I think they are the best cars on the road.

Few people know about Audi's, but they are a true "driver's car." The functionality, the fit and finish, the sound systems, wipers, doors, wheels, you name it , they are simply a superb car.

Audi has been running in European races for the past five or six years, and wins them all. Audi also now advertises in GQ, Wired and many youth-oriented mags. Audi is one "hot" car right now.

That said, for some reason, Audi's do not have all that much resale value. I call it a "hole" in the marketplace --- where I can find myself "a real good deal."

Here is one nugget of info about Audi's ... maybe about 25 years ago, a couple of drivers accidentally "floored" the car, because the brake pedal was somewhat oddly positioned.

That problem was solved, and Audi's have had no problems ever since. But I think the whole thing was on 60 Minutes or some show like that, and for a long time their was some kind of "perception' that the gas pedal stuck, or some "safety" issue. They are always rated at the top of auto saefty ratings.

At any rate, if you have never driven one, take one out for a spin. I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised. People still comment "nice car" (in my 1994 CS 100), when they get in the first time and hear the door "woof" shut and settle back into the leather bucket seats.

One caveat is, you will HAVE TO find an Audi or Euro mechanic to work on it if it is out of warranty. I always try to find one with under 50K miles with an "Audi Assured" warranty. That goes to 100,000 or three years from my date of purchase (for a used car -- so it is a better warranty than the new Audi's).

Usually the independent mechanics work on Mercedes, Audi & BMW's.

I bought my first Audi so long ago. I had never heard of them; didn't want one; wouldn't even test drive it.

But it was for sale by a private "dealer" on a very small lot in my small town in Upstate NY. He insisted I drive it. He taunted me that once I did, I would never drive anything but an Audi. He said he and his wife were on their fifth or sixth Audi's.

I thought he was nuts. But I did drive it, and have never owned anything but Audi's since. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

It may not turn out to be right for you. But at least try to find one and test drive it. Get a "Quattro" which is 4 wheel drive. They are indescribably fantastic for driving, especially on wet or snow.

As you know, Muhammad is the founder of TBN. He is probably the most knowledgeable and careful car buyer in the USA. Believe me, he has looked and evaluated every conceivable car and "deal" out there. His final word: "you can''t touch an Audi." For the same money, say $20,000, you would have to spend at least $50K to $80K on say a BMW or Mercedes to get the quality of vehicle that you get with an Audi. Nothing comes close.

Muhammad just bought his own, a brand new 2006 A4 a couple of months ago. It is a sweet, sweet car.

BTW, I am driving an A6 Turbo. Maybe only a new Corvette or Porche can beat it off the line. Definitely moves out.

I bought it from a dealer in Florida. Muhammad "found" it on EBay. Once the listing expired unsold, he contacted the dealer directly and got an unbelievable deal for me, about 10K under dealer price. We had it transported to AZ for around $800. Nice car.

Good luck on your search.

Hope this helps. Have fun looking. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

1948berg · Apr 1, 2006

Go for a VW turbo diesel, Uses very little fuel, 300 000 miles without any repairs is common. I drive an old Volvo, but since I dont drive much, gas consumption does not matter.

Sigarms · Apr 1, 2006

Thank you for the response.

You've given me something else to think about now /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Mid 70's now, sweated my but off working on trees today. I just hope the real hot weather holds off for another month to give me time to look.

Every car that I've bought was as "backup" knowing that I would need one in the near future. I don't like to shop when I NEED/HAVE TO HAVE it (product in questoin). Guess I can always run the truck if it gets to hot /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sigarms · Apr 1, 2006

V.W has left a "bad taste in my mouth" so to speak.

This is my fourth (I think /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) V.W and will be my last.

If you run a search on V.W here, I gave a detailed post per a local dealer I did business with.

I also hate the fact that most new V.W's are "assembled" in Brazil or Mexico.

My thought is if I'm buying a "German made" car, I want it made in Germany.

Seems currently that it's a hit or miss with V.W. in quality. You either have one that runs like a champ, or its a 20k lemon.

I might add that one of my wifes co-workers in Vermont had a V.W diesel two years ago and after a year owning the car, couldn't wait to unload it due to issues.

Now, if I came across a V.W Rabbit with lewss than 200k, I'd buy it with no hesitation /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SWB · Apr 1, 2006

Re: German cars. I have owned Mercedes and BMW. Just bought a new BMW today. They are the best driving cars around and are the best road cars for long trips, but I always trade them when the warranty runs out because of the expense of fixing them. On the other hand, I also always have a toyota corolla or camry on hand as a second car and I generally keep them for somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 miles (6 to date since 1983). I have never had one that wasn't completely reliable and still going strong when I sold it. I currently have a camry with 70,000 miles that is the first I have owned that was made in the good old USA. It rattles and whines more than any of the others I have owned. I am thinking of switching to Hyundais for my second car since they are a lot cheaper than the toyotas and the recent ones are supposed to be quite reliable.

_RaT_ · Apr 1, 2006

(about 48k just for work per year), 

Holy socks... I hope to never get over 15000 miles a year let alone 48,000, WoW!!!

Get a car with good, no great seats, when you get old your body will thank you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Apr 1, 2006

( Here is one nugget of info about Audi's ... maybe about 25 years ago, a couple of drivers accidentally "floored" the car, because the brake pedal was somewhat oddly positioned.

That problem was solved, and Audi's have had no problems ever since. But I think the whole thing was on 60 Minutes or some show like that, and for a long time their was some kind of "perception' that the gas pedal stuck, or some "safety" issue. They are always rated at the top of auto saefty ratings.
)

Yep, I remember that, and like a lot of people I suppose, that's what I remember most about Audi. They may be one of the very few makes of car that I don't think I've ever driven.

Wasn't the Quattro the first full time 4WD sedan made?

_RaT_ · Apr 1, 2006

I drove an Audi FOX from Anchorage to Sacramento. Perhaps that is where the Audi gets its less then stellar reputation. We made it but barely. The new Audis like the A4 and A6 are a style I really like. I have have to agree with a previous post though, nothing handles like a BMW. Get a 5 series and your in the optimum car in my opinion, especially for those who put in over 20,000 miles a year.

Sigarms · Apr 2, 2006

My old girlfriend (before my wife /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) had a BMW M3. When I first saw the car, I thought, oh, nice car. She also used to race it in some sort of BMW racing club. Then she let me drive it. WOW! I have new respect for the M series. Over 300 hp and that puppy could move.

Know a guy who has a 5 series, not sure what the gas mileage is. I remember it being a heavy car. Would like to make sure I get at least 25 MPG.

Since I get mileage instead of a company car, like to make sure I'm "putting" money into my pocket.

Only thing was any time she took it in to her local BMW mechanic, she was always seemed she was looking at least at a $500 service bill, that scares me.

As mentioned, I think you need to find a good local service mechanic who specializes (sp?) in working on your make of car.