(no subject)

[danaeris]

CARS! I have to keep reminding myself: no rush to make a decision on these things... I won't be buying a car for at least a month. But, here's a poll anyway, complete with a silly question at the end for those of you who know nothing about cars or who just feel like answering a silly question.

[Poll #494530]

Comments

[nathanjw]

Hmm, I should have paid more attention when I submitted that. I should have included Acura in both lists, and Mazda in the first list. You also left out Hyundai, and I'm told they suck less these days (certainly less than Kia). Acura perhaps shouldn't even be on the list, since it's just Honda's luxury/sport brand.

You left off a bunch of manufacturers, not that I'd generally consider them, but they exist. Volvo (now part of Ford), BMW, Daimler (Mercedes), any GM brands, any Chevrolet brands.

I'd almost never buy a car new. It's very expensive and doesn't buy you much in terms of improvement over 2-3 year old cars. Also, the environmental impact is such that a new hybrid is a net environmental lose vs. a used car, so I think hybrids are out until used hybrids are readily avaliable.

You can't go far wrong with a Toyota or Honda from the last ten years. The flipside is that they're expensive, because they last well.

You'd also do well to read or get a login to Consumer Reports and look for their used-car special publication on magazine racks.

[tactisle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the new '05 Mazdas are a real deal in terms of bang for the buck (Mazda is now owned by Ford, and has thefted much nice technology from Ford's European division and Volvo for this year's line. I hear the new Mazda3's handling rivals that of the BMW 3-series, if you don't mind mickeymouse interior style.)

It's good that you mention Hyundai... The other day I caught a conversation between a Korean doctor and his well-traveled patient about how Hyundai is now the #1 import carmaker in both India and China, totally outstripping the Japanese brands. They have recently built a factory in Alabama, so expect them to stay cheap despite the falling dollar. And they come with a 10/100K warranty, standard. They're actually good cars now.

But... don't buy a used Mazda, because they've really just recently started not-sucking. Same (in my opinion) goes for Volkswagens before 2001, and all used Ford and GM products. (except the F-150 and Econoline, which I don't think we're in the market for here. *grin*)

Also, there's a big difference between buying a used car from a used-car dealer (i.e. someone's trade-in), and buying from a Certified Pre-Owned dealer (i.e. someone's leased car). It's easier to get a CarFax report on a leaser, for starters.

(can you tell I've been shopping for a car my own self?)

[nathanjw]

I've been helping alphacygni shop for a car this weekend, too. She's pretty much sticking to Hondas and Toyotas in the '94-'99 range, for price and reliability reasons. It's been an experience. I've only ever bought from friends or friends-of-friends before, myself.

[caillean.livejournal.com]

I've found that old Volvo's never die, though when they do have problems the tend to be expensive to fix. The 240 station wagons last forever and ever and ever, especially if standard. I had a 1988 that was was still purring at 230k miles up til 1.5 years ago, and the only reason I don't still have it is it got totalled from being rearended. Ripped the rear fender, would have been $4,000 to repair, car's bluebook was $1900. I would always joke that her frame and body would rust out completely and fall off before her engine started complaining. The only issues older volvo's have electrical, and rewiring the 240s isn't all that much money.

My sister's got a little Subaru outback sport and loves it. In fact, Subaru has the highest customer satisfaction rating out there (I think according to consumer reports, but I dont' remember off the top of my head.) Subarus also last and last and last.

As for ideal age to buy a used car at, I think it varries by brand and model. Some drop in initial value very quickly and level out at 3-4 years and still run wonderfully. Some take a long time to lose value but run forever. I'm thinking Toyota Cameries and Honda Accords, specifically. They probably peak at cost vs. reliability at more like 5-6 years, maybe older.

Then again, I haven't had a car worth more than $3,000 in 5 years, so take that with a grain of salt.

[rocketgeek.livejournal.com]

I've found that old Volvo's never die

Naw, they just fasten themselves to your wallet and suck. :)

[isara.livejournal.com]

I'd buy a Saturn, too.

[dicedork.livejournal.com]

Seconded. I bought a new Saturn for less than most used cars. I got the service plan for it and haven't even had to change the oil for four years. Between warantee and service plan, only belts, breaks, and wheels are not totally covered. Their service is awesome. They don't act like assholes about negotiating the price. And they build pretty economical cars.

[funos.livejournal.com]

What about Volkswagen?

[roozle.livejournal.com]

Not Subaru? I have mostly liked my two Subarus so far. Though all wheel drive is a substantial gas mileage hit.

re: Volkswagen

[etherial.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. Volkswagen scores at the very top of both lists.

Re: Volkswagen

[nathanjw]

VW's reliability isn't so great - really, no western car maker is great - compared to the big Japanese brands.

[vokzal.livejournal.com]

BUICK!