Good "used" cars to buy?

[ScrimpAndSave]

I have a 2001 accord ex and I LOVE it. But it was 130,000 miles on it already...

I know that it will probably last me a few more years so I am starting to save for another car.

I will probably spend somewhere between $10,000-$14,000 for another one....anyone have any recommendations for very reliable and somewhat stylish cars?

I am thinking I will stick with Honda.

[disneysteve]

Hondas and Toyotas are the way to go. Whatever model fits your needs, preferences and budget. Just do your homework and avoid models that were newly redesigned that year as they tend to have more bugs.

[maat55]

Keep in mind that we live in America, and american made cars are built well also. I've driven Ford's and Chevy's my whole life and have loved them. It's all about how you maintain them.

[PauletteGoddard]

I will probably spend somewhere between $10,000-$14,000 for another one....anyone have any recommendations for very reliable and somewhat stylish cars?

When I start planning to purchase an automobile, I visit the library for Consumer Reports annual car periodicals, and record which vehicles are the easiest to maintain and hold their values best.

Here's a recently published list of used cars rated tops for reliability by Consumer Reports: Toyota Prius, Lexus LS, Toyota Highlander, Lexus IS, Toyota RAV4, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Miata and Honda CR-V.

[Snave]

Consumer report just did a report on cars in their last issue. It may still be on the newstand, or if not, check your library. It looked at new cars obviously, but also a section on used cars and how they held up. They rate nearly every car you could think of in about 10 categories. They go back to 2002, I believe, for each model. maat55 may be an american made car kind of guy, but the Toyota's and Honda's seemed to hold up the best over time.

[InDebtInDC]

If you're on a budget, mid to late 90s Civics and Corollas/Prizm are a good deal. New Toyotas are good but cost more than average to buy. Look to American companies for heavier duty trucks and large SUVs.

I personally stay away from Ford. I own Chrysler and GM products, but I cannot stand fixing Fords due to their design.

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

I have a 2001 accord ex and I LOVE it. But it was 130,000 miles on it already...

Is this a V6 or 4 cylinder? If it's the V6, I recommend selling it. If it's a 4-cylinder, I recommend keeping it.

Maintenance cost is significantly higher for the V6. The 4-cylinder is much much easier to maintain and fix.

[ScrimpAndSave]

It is a v6....It's an amazing car and it has NEVER been in the shop!


::hondas::

I love the good ole' US of A...but you wouldn't catch me dead in an American made car.

[project15]

I've heard the newer honda's and toyota's are slacking on quality as compared to mid 90's models. Just something to keep in mind. However, I would still get them over a domestic car.

Remember, don't buy a car before buying your house. You credit will lower a bit.

[bjl584]

My girlfriend had a 91 accord. She finally had to get rid of it when it got to 234,000 miles, so I can't complain about the quality of it. American car companies have been branded with a certain stigma that there cars are of lesser quality than imports. The earned this stigma when they were the top dogs and had no real competition. However, today the Big 3 have to produce a quality product if they want to survive. Quality used to be something that you had to pay significantly more for, but it is built into most manufacturing processes today. With innovations in computers, materials, and robotics, quality is built into the product. Most American cars are on par quality wise with their Japanese and European conterparts. They just have trouble shaking the stigma of poor quality, especially from older people. I do all of my own mechanic work on my cars. I have owned Chevys, Pontiacs, GMC's, Fords, and Hyundai's. I have found all of them to be of good quality if you keep up on the maintance and take care of them.

[InDebtInDC]

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

It is a v6....

I recommend thinking about selling the car. The V6 is much more expensive to maintain and fix.

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

It's an amazing car and it has NEVER been in the shop!

I recommend rephrasing this comment. Of course you always maintain your car. The car has never left you stranded is a better way to put it.

Originally Posted by ScrimpAndSave

I love the good ole' US of A...but you wouldn't catch me dead in an American made car.

Show me a good heavy duty Japanese truck that can tow 20,000 lbs.

[ScrimpAndSave]

I'm definitely NOT in the market for a truck...

...and I know plenty of people who maintain their cars (American or foreign) and they are still in the shop for various reasons that they could not prevent. In my case, I consider myself blessed.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion...especially since we all have different needs when it comes to owning different types of vehicles. That being said, you'd still never catch me dead in an American made car.

Have a fantastic night!

[Scanner]

I went out the other day and scowered the used car lots for a mini-van.

I saw SUV's galore out there. I wonder if there is a glut of used SUV's because of the gas prices.

There were so many on every lot, I would consider really lowballing the dealer. . .like on a $10,000 SUV. . .offer $3500 and stick to it. There's no way they can move these cars with the psychological impact of $80-100 fill-ups.

[tigger98]

One of my co-workers has a 1995 Accord with almost 400k miles on it. She has made several repairs on it, but she refuses to buy another car. Another of my co-workers had a Prizm (same as a Toyota Corolla) with over 400k. He only had done several repairs when he sold it (replace starter, replace door handle and replace an air conditioner hose). I have another co-worker with over 400k on his Chevy pickup. All of these models have proved to be reliable to them.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I am one who owns a 2000 Focus and 1999 Corolla. Stick to Toyotas or Honda. And those who like american cars, how long have you had your american cars and how much work on them?

And I might add I've heard from other focus owners how much they love their Focus. But most are like 2004, 2005, 2006. LOL. Try keeping it and seeing what happens.

I'm keeping ours for now, the POS, but I can't wait to dump it for a Honda or Toyota.

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

I am one who owns a 2000 Focus and 1999 Corolla. Stick to Toyotas or Honda. And those who like american cars, how long have you had your american cars and how much work on them?

1999 Chevy Blazer.

New Rear Brakes and Rotors = $80
New Alternator = $85
New Transmision Module = $52
New Front Passenger Side Wheel Bearing = $120
Total = $337
I owned this one from 2001 until 2008

1985 Bronco II

New Front Brakes and Rotors = $80
New Fuel Tank = $100
New U-Joint = $10
New Power Brake Booster = $50
Total = $240
I owned this from 1997 until 2000

1994 GMC Sonoma Pickup

New Fuel Injectors = $300
New EGR Valve = $180
New Brakes, Rotors, and Shocks all around = $150
New Fuel Pump = $85
New Front Driver Side Ball Joints = $50
Total = $765
I owned this from 2005 until 2008

[InDebtInDC]

Originally Posted by bjl584

1999 Chevy Blazer.

New Rear Brakes and Rotors = $80
New Alternator = $85
New Transmision Module = $52
New Front Passenger Side Wheel Bearing = $120
Total = $337
I owned this one from 2001 until 2008

1985 Bronco II

New Front Brakes and Rotors = $80
New Fuel Tank = $100
New U-Joint = $10
New Power Brake Booster = $50
Total = $240
I owned this from 1997 until 2000

1994 GMC Sonoma Pickup

New Fuel Injectors = $300
New EGR Valve = $180
New Brakes, Rotors, and Shocks all around = $150
New Fuel Pump = $85
New Front Driver Side Ball Joints = $50
Total = $765
I owned this from 2005 until 2008

Do these prices include labour?

[responduser]

Originally Posted by InDebtInDC

Do these prices include labour?

May be!

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by InDebtInDC

Do these prices include labour?

There was no labor. I did all this work myself. Those prices represent the cost of the parts from the autoparts store.

[InDebtInDC]

Originally Posted by bjl584

There was no labor. I did all this work myself. Those prices represent the cost of the parts from the autoparts store.

I was going to say that either you got a really good deal on labour, or you did the work yourself.

Those prices are average for the parts. Not too high. Not too low. Just average in my experience.

I think the difference is you were fixing light trucks and SUVs. I think American companies still have a slight edge in this market, but foreign SUVs are starting to take over, and soon the foreigners will have the truck market as well.

[Scanner]

That is an advantage with a lot of American cars, mostly GM. . .the average cost of a repair is much lower.

You have a Honda or Nissan and you often have to wait for the part to come over on the Slow Boat from China.

I had a timing chain go in my old Nissan Sentra 1997 and I was out a car for 2 weeks. (along with $800)

Forget labor - factor in "lost opportunity cost" as I was trying to upstart my business at the time.

I realize though there is a Vanguard and a Honda/Toyota cult though. . .and they are probably the same people