Cars for Noobs

[Nerf]

The plugs to his ABS module, not the spark plugs.  You could just zip-tie some thick plastic around each half of the plug to protect it.

[TheWalrus]

The plugs to his ABS module, not the spark plugs.  You could just zip-tie some thick plastic around each half of the plug to protect it.

Thanks for that. Couldn't make even the most remote connection between the ABS and spark plugs. ><

[fuser]

- SNOW TIRES.  These are mandatory now in Quebec (not sure if it's just QC, or if its Canada-wide).  Snow tires give you much better traction, so much better turning and stopping.

Talking with the family about this over Christmas. They live in Nfld, and apparently they tried to make it a law there this year but it was shot down. This is also the province that has the rule you only need a safety inspection when you sell a car and has a thriving "used snow tire" market at bigger stores.

Nova Scotia doesn't have a policy on snow tires either yet but luckily our weather is a bit wonky this year as this weekends 40 centimeters is melting/raining away. I'll do with all-seasons till they make it mandatory.

[Sky]

Used snow tires? 

My fiancee recently had tires put on her car at the dealer, she was all stressed at a conference that day and didn't really pay attention during the call and they put on shitty tires. Thankfully we have the FJ for most driving, but she drives all over the place and her car is sucking in the snow...and it's a decent car in the snow (matrix).

Tires = important.

Unfortunately, I have the stock tires on my FJ because I can't afford $640+install+tax. 

[Selby]

Used snow tires? 

People will do it!  Cheap out on things like re-caps...  They think they are smart for saving a buck too!

I do like snow tires in non-snow environments.  They make for an interesting light show when someone wants to chirp their tires...

[Raging Turtle]

Epilogue:

After test driving a good number of cars, I ended up with a black 2008 Mazda6 for slightly under my original budget of 15k.  Front wheel drive, automatic transmission (all I can drive), has about 30,000 miles on it, extended warranty, and most importantly, I love how it looks and handles. 

Now you all get to tell me how I made the wrong choice and wasted my money 

[Numtini]

Not me, those are really nice. We've had great luck with Mazdas. Including a Mercury branded "Mexican Mazda."

[Nebu]

Nice choice.  When I bought my VW GTI, the Mazda 3 speed was a close contender.  I think you'll be very happy with the car.

[Selby]

Now you all get to tell me how I made the wrong choice and wasted my money 

I bought a Friday Afternoon Mazda 6 wagon.  Other than the AC randomly stopping working and blowing hot air (which the dealer ASSURED us was normal) and the complete lack of any sound deadener in the way-back (dealer had to install it and it still rattled like crazy after 3 trips to them to fix it) it was a decent car.  I wish it was better built, I'd still have it.  The ex hated it and got rid of it 6 months after we got it because of all the problems.  But that's just one person's experience.

[fuser]

After test driving a good number of cars, I ended up with a black 2008 Mazda6 for slightly under my original budget of 15k.  Front wheel drive, automatic transmission (all I can drive), has about 30,000 miles on it, extended warranty, and most importantly, I love how it looks and handles. 

Now you all get to tell me how I made the wrong choice and wasted my money 

I have a Mazda 3 (second one and wont purchase again due to dealership issues, but its not a car fault) but a word of warning. The rear wheel wells are prone to rust, same for the rear bumper area. We have heavy salting in the area during winter seasons and the rusting can be a real issue here.

[Baldrake]

Serious question. What Car would you guys recommend for an overweight really tall guy. I'm 6 and a half feel tall. Have really long body lenght but the legs are on the long side too. One of the reasons I've held off on getting a car is simply the sheer agony of sitting in the bloody things. But frankly the bus isn;t much better these days.

We were car shopping recently and nearly went for the VW Tiguan. (Didn't in the end because we wanted more trunk space.) But it struck me as having a very roomy cabin (hence the smallish trunk). It also has good seat adjustments, and (a rarity these days) a nice high windscreen. The European version runs on clean diesel, so you won't be "part of the problem".

[JoeTF]

15k?

Find a 2006/7 Honda Civic SI.

If you buy an SUV you're part of the fucking problem.

Edit: If 4WD is NECESSARY (lol Wisconsin), get a 2006 Subaru WRX.

Edit 2: If you aren't a pussy (FWD on Snow), get a 2006 Acura RSX Type-S. Was the last year they made them.

That actually makes fuckloads of sense.

Both very safe, strudy, cares with enormous omph when you need it (faster you overtake, the safer you are) and impressive handling.  And since you live in US, fuel costs are not an issue for you.

That has got to be the worst advice I have seen on this forum, ever (buy a new car). You don't buy a new car, ever, if you care at all about getting a deal, because the thing loses 1/4th it's value just driving it off the lot. Furthermore, IN THE OP he said he wasn't looking for a new car.

You buy a car with lower miles, (<30k) that's a year or two old; just a reliable sedan that maybe came off a lease. If you get a fairly boring commuter car, you don't generally have to worry about them abusing it.

Ignore schild, he's telling you what HE drives (a sports car) which is entirely outside your requirements or desires.

Guarantee and Assistance, do you even get them in that shithole which is US?
New cars have point, when you need them for business that require high reliability. When you have SLA signed, you cannnot go "oh, my 1999 Chevy just died, will be there in two days". It's also for people who don't want to have absolutely anything to do with their car, other than adding fuel. But those are dub people, as lack of proper car care can kill even most sturdy Toyota.

I don't throw this term around lightly, mostly because many of my friends would get angry about it.

But a Kia Rio is for faggots.

Dude, I don't give a shit about cars.  It's strictly point a to point b for me.  That said, Kia has become a really reliable company, and they're cheap.

True. I have been shopping for one recently, they are helluva solid made (European engineering hell yeah!) and they're ridiculously cheap.

 

[TheWalrus]

I still consider Kia a throwaway car. They have improved greatly, but the wear and tear they take seems to run them down faster than other brands. This could be due to type of owner, but I doubt it.

[murdoc]

Our household has a Kia and an Audi and we're super happy with both vehicles. We live outside the city and the highways can get NASTY during the winter, so having two AWD vehicles has been awesome.

[NowhereMan]

Audi's have a pretty good reputation and have really replaced BMWs as the car of choice for people who do a lot of driving. I would hope it's served you well.

[slog]

I have access to a consumer reports account, so if you are into that kind of thing let me know and I will post the reliability record of whatever.

[Nebu]

Audi's have a pretty good reputation and have really replaced BMWs as the car of choice for people who do a lot of driving. I would hope it's served you well.

Audis are fabulous cars.  I just wish that I could afford one.  VW is as close to that level of engineering that I could afford.  $25k I can do.  $40k for a car is a bit out of reach. 

[Baldrake]

If you check out the consumer reports, VW is actually doing better than Audi. Audi has had reliability problems for some years. And VW has been taking its core offerings more upscale.

[murdoc]

Audi's have a pretty good reputation and have really replaced BMWs as the car of choice for people who do a lot of driving. I would hope it's served you well.

It was a fantastic find. No way I could afford, at this time, a brand new Audi, let alone a S4. I found a '04 S4 Avant that was owned by a car collector and needed to sell it to make room in his garage for his new additions. It only had 50k km (31k Miles) on it and only 16k KM (10k miles) since November '06 and he let it go for the price of a same year, higher KM A4.

I do a LOT of driving, so having a nice AWD car that's a hoot to drive has been awesome. The Quattro is amazing in the snow, though with the low clearance I have to be a bit careful. The majority of my mileage is on the highway however, so it's not something I have to worry about too much.

[Sky]

And VW has been taking its core offerings more upscale.

That's how my fiance ended up with the Matrix. VW priced themselves out of her budget, she loved her Golf and basically wanted a new one. Having previously driven a couple of Rabbits (incl a diesel), I was also considering one of their SUV-ish offerings (the toureg?), but it was a lot of dough.


The Wrangler just looked like an uncomfortable hunk of unreliable metal, I liked my Cherokee but it kept breaking down, so I was shy of Jeep. Also looked at an H3, I like the styling, but their reliability and quality is also a bit dodgy and while you can get one for about $7k less (bare) than a Toureg, they're still $10k more than the FJ, which also has great safety and reliability ratings.

[Jimbo]

When your FJ grows up, you can come & play with the Jeeps.

[Murgos]

That's how my fiance ended up with the Matrix. VW priced themselves out of her budget, she loved her Golf and basically wanted a new one.

The Golf and the Matrix aren't that far apart.  For the base models its about $1500 difference (real price according to the USAA car buying service), less (~$750) if you only look at MSRP.

I'll agree about the VW SUVs, at least the Toureg, they rocket up in price quick but they aren't aimed at the budget market.  My friend has a Toureg and I would compare it very favorably with the BMW or Mercedes options in the same car class.

[KallDrexx]

Are Hyundai's and Fords considered reliable these days? 

I'm looking at a buying a new car since my 1992 Accord decided to have a massive oil leak and I'm debating between a 2010/2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2010 Honda Accord,  and at a very very distant 3rd maybe a Ford Fusion. 

The warranty on the Hyundai's look great (as is the price).  Both Hyundai and Ford used to not be very good quality wise many years ago but I don't know how they stack up this year, and unsure of where to get information about it.

[01101010]

Are Hyundai's and Fords considered reliable these days? 

I'm looking at a buying a new car since my 1992 Accord decided to have a massive oil leak and I'm debating between a 2010/2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2010 Honda Accord,  and at a very very distant 3rd maybe a Ford Fusion. 

The warranty on the Hyundai's look great (as is the price).  Both Hyundai and Ford used to not be very good quality wise many years ago but I don't know how they stack up this year, and unsure of where to get information about it.

The reliability of Hyundai's is still questionable according to the Consumer Reports latest automobile addition. The girlfriend gets it and you can't access their sit without a sub, so I can't cut and paste their quotes on them. The warranty is fine and dandy, but if its in the shop - you aren't driving it, regardless if the repairs are "in the limits" of the warranty.

I have actually heard good things about the Fusions and they are sorta growing on me. Though I hestitate to give a nod to any car infested with Microsoft warez. Other than that, Ford is the only American car manufacturer that did well int he overall reliability ratings. The Fusions did comparable to the camry and accord, though the accord took the top spot.

Like i said, this is just coming from reading the CR car issue while I was eating dinner last night.

[slog]

If you check out the consumer reports, VW is actually doing better than Audi. Audi has had reliability problems for some years. And VW has been taking its core offerings more upscale.

They are the same company.

[NowhereMan]

Not quite, VW own something like 90% of Audi shares (according to Wiki) but they don't work on the same designs or factories AFAIK the way that new Skodas are just rebadged VW designs. Thus they have different reputations and different cars, though they're more and more similar now.

[Sky]

The reliability of Hyundai's is still questionable according to the Consumer Reports latest automobile addition. The girlfriend gets it and you can't access their sit without a sub, so I can't cut and paste their quotes on them.

Public library ftw. Also can check the NADA guides for values on the cars you're looking at and also figure your trade-in value for your wreck while you're there.

edit: nm on NADA for the new cars, thought you were looking to buy used.

[slog]

Not quite, VW own something like 90% of Audi shares (according to Wiki) but they don't work on the same designs or factories AFAIK the way that new Skodas are just rebadged VW designs. Thus they have different reputations and different cars, though they're more and more similar now.

The entire auto industry is all about shared platforms to lower costs now.   The difference is mostly marketing.

[Slayerik]

I grew up and live currently in Michigan, and I actually miss my '94 S-10 pickup (RWD). Not because it was safe or good in the conditions, but because if you can drive like a man it's a lot of fun. Throw some salt bags in the back, and get ready to do some countersteering! WEEEEEE! Thing had 210k on it when I sold it, engine was still running great.

Also, as a Michigander, I'm not big on buying foreign cars. You can save the attacks on me and your reasoning why you love your Honda, I will continue to buy the best American product I can find. It's just the way, and place, I was raised. Growing up in Flint, if we saw a foreign car in our neighborhood it got fucked with. Bummer GM had to go to shit, along with my state.

[Nebu]

I grew up and live currently in Michigan, and I actually miss my '94 S-10 pickup (RWD). Not because it was safe or good in the conditions, but because if you can drive like a man it's a lot of fun. Throw some salt bags in the back, and get ready to do some countersteering! WEEEEEE! Thing had 210k on it when I sold it, engine was still running great.

Local guy just posted a 95 S-10 with 76k miles on Craigslist for $1500.  You're making me consider buying it as a work truck. 

[slog]

I grew up and live currently in Michigan, and I actually miss my '94 S-10 pickup (RWD). Not because it was safe or good in the conditions, but because if you can drive like a man it's a lot of fun. Throw some salt bags in the back, and get ready to do some countersteering! WEEEEEE! Thing had 210k on it when I sold it, engine was still running great.

Also, as a Michigander, I'm not big on buying foreign cars. You can save the attacks on me and your reasoning why you love your Honda, I will continue to buy the best American product I can find. It's just the way, and place, I was raised. Growing up in Flint, if we saw a foreign car in our neighborhood it got fucked with. Bummer GM had to go to shit, along with my state.

Few questions for you: are the follow cars an "American product" or a "Foreign Product

Ford Fusion
Subaru Forester
Toyota Camry

[Rasix]

I grew up and live currently in Michigan, and I actually miss my '94 S-10 pickup (RWD). Not because it was safe or good in the conditions, but because if you can drive like a man it's a lot of fun. Throw some salt bags in the back, and get ready to do some countersteering! WEEEEEE! Thing had 210k on it when I sold it, engine was still running great.

My first vehicle was an 88 S-10.  Loved it.  Even though it had no AC (in Phoenix, AZ).   

I drive Hondas/Acuras now. 

[Nebu]

I have to confess that after driving BMW, Audi, VW, Nissan, and Mercedes autos that it's hard to drive a domestic.  They just lack the kind of refinement that you find in foreign (particularly German) cars.  I can't even explain it.  It's like wearing tailored clothing versus clothing off the rack.  You just feel more connected to the responsiveness of the vehicle in an almost indescribable way.  

Dare I say Fahrvergnügen?!?!

[Slayerik]

Few questions for you: are the follow cars an "American product" or a "Foreign Product

Ford Fusion - The Fusion is manufactured at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Subaru Forester - The Forester is produced at the Gunma Yajima Factory in Japan.

Toyota Camry - Toyota Camrys are produced at Georgetown, Kentucky, USA; Aichi, Japan; Melbourne, Australia; St. Petersburg, Russia, and in China (for the Chinese market only).The Chinese Camry shares its front and rear design with the Australian 6-cylinder Aurion. On April 20, 2007, Camry manufacturing began at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. in Lafayette, Indiana USA, with an intended annual production of ~100,000 units.


And yes, many domestic autos are produced in USA and Mexico/Canada.

You're not going to convince me of anything, I'll never purchase a car produced by a foreign company. I just won't. I won't convince you that American cars are American, because they aren't anymore.

[Slayerik]

I grew up and live currently in Michigan, and I actually miss my '94 S-10 pickup (RWD). Not because it was safe or good in the conditions, but because if you can drive like a man it's a lot of fun. Throw some salt bags in the back, and get ready to do some countersteering! WEEEEEE! Thing had 210k on it when I sold it, engine was still running great.

Local guy just posted a 95 S-10 with 76k miles on Craigslist for $1500.  You're making me consider buying it as a work truck. 

All I know is how well this treated me, mine was a stick shift...no AC...no power anything. Had to change the water pump at about 190k. Alternator around then as well. Just standard stuff that dies. Did the clutch around 160 I think.

It was a great truck, so I would obviously recommend one. A lot of room under the hood so you can actually work on the sucker too.