Used car suggestion

[Sigarms]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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_]

<font color="blue"> (about 48k just for work per year), </font>

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]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 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.
)</font>

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_]

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]

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.

 

[hwp]

For what it its worth, my main drivers for the last 30 years or so have Benzs and a couple of BMWs . Shortly before Christmas 2004 I took the BMW my wife normally drove (a '81 733) on a short trip . I decided almost immediately that that car had to go. She had been talking about getting a newer and smaller car for some time. I ended up buying her a 2002 Toyota Camry with 90K kilos on it for Christmas. It has been the best car I have ever owned - period. She loves it and so do I. The only maintenance in a year and a half has been oil changes. Although I still own two classic Benzs I can't see owning another Benz as a driver. I am a Toyota convert of the highest order. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jwstewar]

I'm a GM guy by heart, but I have to give kudos to the Honda Accord that I inherited when I married my wife. She bought it new in '97, we married in '99 and it had about 36k on it then. It now has over 210k on it. I've done very little to it. 3 sets of front brake pads (only bought one set - finally get some use out of those lifetime pads /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif), 3 sets of tires (last set was a used set of tires/wheels off of a Hyundia that my buddy had at his junkyard). 2 sets of plugs/cap/button (one of those was done by the dealer because of a recall). I also had to change the radiator because it literally was clogged and crumbling caused it to boil over. Yes, I had changed the antifreeze, but unfortunately my wife had wrecked it before we met and the body shop put a crappy used radiator in it - was so bad you couldn't use a Honda radiator cap - had to use a Nissan. While I had the radiator out I changed the water pump, thermostat, and timing belts - this was at about 177k. I also changed the timing belts at around 85 or 90k. This car is still on its original battery. It hasn't been that long ago I left the door open all night and the car still started the next morning. I do oil changes whenever the maintenace light on the dash says to. I'm guessing that to be around 6k or so. I've always used Pennzoil 5W30 dino. I still don't have to add anything between changes. I then change the transmission fluid about every 30k - 40k. Easy to do and you can feel a difference. All of this and I'm averaging 32-33 MPG.

I have 2 problems with it. I don't find the seats real comfortable - not terrible - but not like my Silverado either - but better than our Trailblazer's though. Second is the fact it is either invisible or magnetized not sure which because people keep hitting it. It has either been hit around 7 times and broken into 3 times (for crap stuff). /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[EddieWalker]

I can't speak for the nicer cars out there, but if your looking for an affordable car to put allot of miles on that is reliable, I'd recomend Mitsubishi. I've had two, a mini truck years ago, and a Lancer that my ex kept in the divorce. Both were very affordable compared to Honda and Toyota. Parts were easy to get and everything always worked just fine.

As to the Accura, it's just an expensive Honda. The ex had one of them and never really took care of it. She sold it for what she paid for it, but with lots of problems. The young kids were going crazy to buy it from her. She bought a brand new Accord that was decent enough, but after awhile we got some dogs and traded it in on an SUV.

Eddie

 

[SWB]

Re: MPG on 5 series BMW. Just turned in my leased 2003 BMW 530. Great road car. Got 30 MPG when driving on the interstate. That's what they are built for. However, you have to use premium gas.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I bought my grandfather's Saturn and the seats are very uncomfortable. My commute is about 105 miles roundtrip. It does get great mileage though. I wish I could afford a new Altima. I hear good things about them from 2 coworkers that bought them. It would be economic insanity as stated above to buy a new car and then put those kind of miles on it. It would lose all its value by the time you paid it off.

 

[dubba]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As to the Acura, it's just an expensive Honda )</font>

Honda debuts new technology in the acura line, then in approx 2-3 years the new motors & technology move down the line into the Honda's. Eventually ending up in the Civic.

Sometimes buying a 6-7 yr old Acura makes for cheaper repair bills due to the technology being popular at the time.

 

[Jagmandave]

I agree about the Audi, excellent car to buy in the used car market. We currently own a 2004 Audi allroad (an A6 wagon with the twin turbo 6) and it's been flawless.

However, there is one make I think you've overlooked that also can be bought well in the used car market, a Lexus ES300. I have a 98 with 80K on it and it's been perfect. An ES300 is upscale without looking too high priced, and uses mostly based Camry mechanicals. There are plenty around in all price ranges, but getting a certified version will take you to 100k miles. The standard factory warranty is 6/70k on the power train, and the Lexus dealer experience is beyond compare.

Good hunting, and let us know what you find.........