Used car suggestion

[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.........