What kind of car do you own?

[Katiebug]

Current Vehicles in the Bug Household:

2003 Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T GLS - 70K miles

2001 Toyota Camry EX - 101K miles (and going strong)

Previous vehicles:

1989 Acura Integra (me)

1986 Chevy Celebrity (Mr. Bug) - aka "The Tank"

1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass (Mr. Bug)

Future vehicles: We're keeping the Camry for at least another 3 years; that thing will go forever. Unfortunately the Beetle is getting towards the point when VWs of its vintage/mileage get expensive to repair. Small, non-essential things have already started going downhill. Add to it that it's something of a niche vehicle and has poor trade-in value in general, and I intend to unload it as soon as Mr. Bug is gainfully employed again. Buying the Beetle was just flat-out stupid on my part, but I was 22 and single and being a homeowner and having a family wasn't on my mind since I figured I'd trade it in by the 3 year mark for something else. Then I went and got married and bought a house, and now we're planning on starting our family soon, and the 6-year old (and rapidly depreciating) Beetle is impractical for driving our DOG around, much less an infant. Forget about taking a trip to Lowe's in that thing.

I'm hoping for a Honda CRV but am also open to a Toyota RAV4. Not sure if it'll be used or not (if the CRV is used, I much prefer the body style from '07 onwards). We want a small crossover, but don't want to go nutso on price since Mr. Bug will need a new car in a few years, too. I always swore the New Beetle would be the only new car I'd ever buy, that some other sucker could take the depreciation hit - but finding a low-mileage '07 or later CRV with AWD and (preferably) a moonroof is proving a challenge - and at the moment they're selling for only a few thousand less than a brand new one.

Nice to see that so many have a CRV and like it!

I will say that neither of us will ever own an American make again. Even compared to my VW, the Toyota just runs so nicely with lower maintenance/repair costs. It's Honda or Toyota (not a fan of Hyundai or Nissan). The Oldsmobile was only 11 years old and had 120K miles on it, but cost nearly twice as much to keep running in the last 3 months we had it than the car was worth.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

I was gonna recommend a used Ford Escape until I saw the "never own American" comment. Might want to give it a shot, regardless. My 1998 Ranger was extremely well put together.

Of course, we have three Chevies now...

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

I'm hoping for a Honda CRV but am also open to a Toyota RAV4. Not sure if it'll be used or not (if the CRV is used, I much prefer the body style from '07 onwards). We want a small crossover, but don't want to go nutso on price since Mr. Bug will need a new car in a few years, too. I always swore the New Beetle would be the only new car I'd ever buy, that some other sucker could take the depreciation hit - but finding a low-mileage '07 or later CRV with AWD and (preferably) a moonroof is proving a challenge - and at the moment they're selling for only a few thousand less than a brand new one.

I bought an '01 CRV used in '04. Had 40k when I bought it, about 135k now. It runs very well and is very reliable. If you are looking for towing ability I'd look elsewhere, the engine is a little bit skimpy. Other than regular maintenance, which is reasonably priced for a foreign car, I've only ever needed one major $1000 type fix when the transfer case started to go.

My FIL has a RAV4. He likes it but said he would rather get a CRV next time. He doesn't like the minimal storage area and feels like it costs more than it should.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Fluvial]

It's Honda or Toyota (not a fan of Hyundai or Nissan).

I feel the same way. Other brands are now beginning to have the longevetiy and reliability of a Toyota or Honda, but for now that's all I'm shopping. That is the reason why we've got 3 Hondas, an Acura and a Toyota.

I do like the CRV. One caveat: it is a little light and a cross-breeze will make it dance a bit. It gets reasonable gas mileage (not nearly what my beloved Civic gets) for an SUV. It will also hold a good bit of stuff with the seats folded down. It is good in heavy traffic; visibility is excellent and it's rather nimble too.

 

[jmbeck]

Are things really that purple there??

That was exactly my first thought.

"Wow, he must really live in fairy land. Even the dirt on the truck is purple."

 

[jharris]

I feel the same way. Other brands are now beginning to have the longevetiy and reliability of a Toyota or Honda, but for now that's all I'm shopping. That is the reason why we've got 3 Hondas, an Acura and a Toyota.
I do like the CRV. One caveat: it is a little light and a cross-breeze will make it dance a bit. It gets reasonable gas mileage (not nearly what my beloved Civic gets) for an SUV. It will also hold a good bit of stuff with the seats folded down. It is good in heavy traffic; visibility is excellent and it's rather nimble too.

Seems Nissan has always been the underdog of Japan's big 3. I had 3 Sentras, one of which is still going strong with its present owner (my cousin) at 216K. My mother's '87 Sentra retired at 289K and she has a '97 Altima with 210K and no major problems ever. One thing that always kept me away from Honda and Toyota is that they previously used a timing belt on most of their engines, including the 4 cylinders. Nissan always used a chain which is much sturdier and does not require maintenance. Now Honda and Toyota are using chains on their 4 cyls and that made purchasing the Accord all the more worth it.

Now Mitsubishi on the other hand, thats one Japanese piece of crap....

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

^Before the Honda, I owned a Subaru Impreza. Decent car, but I have a hard time giving a real opinion on it. For one thing, I got it when I was 17 so as long as I had any car to drive, I was happy.

Also, I think my folks got duped when they bought the car. I have a real suspicion someone rolled back the odometer. The crack in the dashboard and loose panels there would be a huge red flag to me at this point. But I didn't know better then and my old man is a real trusting guy and doesn't always look before he leaps. Everything seemed to give out about 20,000 miles before it was supposed to.

It was fairly reliable car, but needed several big fixes along the way. And the stories about Subarus being expensive to fix is quite true. It finally gave out when the engine crapped out at '160',000.

My Dad owns a Forester with about 150,000 on it. It's got some transmission problems at this point. They don't take regular care of their cars, so that may ne part of it, but it always seems to be breaking down.

I'd probably steer clear in the future.

 

[Kephart P.E.]

^^ I'm JEALOUS !!!!

Sweet ride !

Thanks, 35,000 miles, I don't drive it much.

I got a sweet deal from GM, with the basic SS package and like $5,000 dealer cash back I paid almost what my GF did on her fully loaded Mazda 3.

These types of cars/trucks aren't going to be made much longer 390 hp, 400 ft lbs of torque.

I forgot to add my Honda 919 to the list. I love FI on a motorcycle, I will never go back to balancing carbs. NEVER.

 

[Kephart P.E.]

Current Vehicles in the Bug Household:
2003 Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T GLS - 70K miles

2001 Toyota Camry EX - 101K miles (and going strong)

Previous vehicles:

1989 Acura Integra (me)

1986 Chevy Celebrity (Mr. Bug) - aka "The Tank"

1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass (Mr. Bug)

Future vehicles: We're keeping the Camry for at least another 3 years; that thing will go forever. Unfortunately the Beetle is getting towards the point when VWs of its vintage/mileage get expensive to repair. Small, non-essential things have already started going downhill. Add to it that it's something of a niche vehicle and has poor trade-in value in general, ....

I will say that neither of us will ever own an American make again. Even compared to my VW, the Toyota just runs so nicely with lower maintenance/repair costs. It's Honda or Toyota (not a fan of Hyundai or Nissan). The Oldsmobile was only 11 years old and had 120K miles on it, but cost nearly twice as much to keep running in the last 3 months we had it than the car was worth.

Having owned both Japanese and American, I can't dispute your claims, especially in the mini-SUV crossover category or whatever they call them these days. The GF had a VW, and had the same issues.

I have been in quite a few Automobile plants and GM/Chrysler had really stupid union contracts that made it impossible to justify updates to their production lines. That is why vehicles that had been around forever, (Ford Ranger) were pretty solid, but new models or ones with lots of updates, new features almost always........ sucked.

Basically it would be the difference between putting a computer together in a clean room (Honda) and in a dusty barn (GM). I mean the computer should work the same, but in the barn there are more opportunities for spiders to crawl inside, interior can get coated with dust etc. Plus, and sorry if I offend but the attitude of the employees at the Toyota plant was way better than at GM and light years ahead of Chrysler. I actually had a Chrysler Supervisor tell me there were areas of his plant he did not go, he wasn't joking. Hopefully they can get it fixed and we (taxpayers) can get some of our "loans" back.

 

[MGX]

On a similar note we once had a GM plant here however it was closed in 2003 if my memory is correct. I toured it twice, once in vo-tech and once in college.

I have to agree with everything D. Kephart has said. It was sad when the plant closed, these coddled factory workers were shunned from most businesses since no matter how much was given to them; it was never near enough and they were never happy even though they earned much more than many who have college degrees with months off in between set-up for new models.

I did own a Toyota (I didn't list it) and the car was a total pain so I went back to American cars and have been happy with them. A car's model is more important than the make IMO. Toyota has made turds along with every other make, but on average their quality is better than any. Factually the Nova was the most reliable car I've owned.

 

[Fluvial]

If your Nova was a 1985 to 1988 model it was a re-badged Toyota.

 

[MGX]

Blasphemy!

Mine was all-American with a 350 / TH350 and dual exhausts!

 

[FLBuff PE]

Current:

2001 Chevy S-10 Blazer LT

2003 VW Passat Wagon (mom-mobile)

1966 Mercedes Benz 230 SL

Previous:

1991 S-10 Chevy Blazer

2002 VW Passat GLX (wife's car)

 

[frazil]

Argh! Yesterday my Mazda wouldn't start. We jump-started it today and let it run for 30 minutes, but as soon as I shut it off and tried to restart it again it wouldn't start. It just clicks. The starter maybe?

 

[wilheldp_PE]

The starter maybe?

Sounds like it. You could probably get one from the junkyard and put it on yourself for a whole lot less than a shop or dealership is going to charge you for the repair.

 

[Fluvial]

Maybe Frazil. Any way you can get it to the shop? They can tell you what code the computer is throwing.

It is difficult to have serious thoughts while looking at Poodle Head Dog.

Blasphemy!

Haha!

One of the technicians at work had a dilemma. She wanted to buy a Toyota but her daddy kept insisting that she buy a Chevy. I suggested she buy a Geo Prizm. So she did!

My favorite Novas are 1966 & 67.

 

[frazil]

I changed a starter before on a 87 toyota tercel. I suppose I could do it again, but honestly I don't see that happening.

well, maybe I should wait until I get the estimate before I say that.

SHAZAAM! (I think disco dog would end all his posts with that)

 

[Wolverine]

Hm, disagree with the diagnosis doctor - my first guess would be the alternator. Bad alternator won't let the battery charge.

To test it, jump start the car, then with it running, remove the battery positive cable. If the car dies, it means alternator bad. If it runs, good alternator. Next, I would guess dead cell/bad battery. Bad starter would be my third choice.

 

[MGX]

If you hear the solenoid click but the engine doesn't turn the battery doesn't have enough current to turn the starter motor. Modern alternators won't recharge a battery where an old school generator would.

I would jump start the car then drive it to a place to test the alternator, it can be done without removing the alternator from the vehicle at most parts stores. Usually alternators go bad due to a cheap matrix of diodes costing around 75 cents. Remanufactured alternators simply have new diodes. If you really want to be cheap, buy a 'new' reman alternator, swap the diodes and return it for your money back!

Another possibility and common in Toyotas is a worn starter bendix. Smacking the starter with a hammer can un-stick the mechanism.

 

[jharris]

Hm, disagree with the diagnosis doctor - my first guess would be the alternator. Bad alternator won't let the battery charge.
To test it, jump start the car, then with it running, remove the battery positive cable. If the car dies, it means alternator bad. If it runs, good alternator. Next, I would guess dead cell/bad battery. Bad starter would be my third choice.

Clicking sounds more like a starter issue. Knock on the starter with a hammer and see if it starts. Usually a dead/dying alternator will make a combination of warning lights come on the dash (possibly the brake and battery lights). Could be the alternator, just sounds like a bad starter.