Yet another "what should I get?" thread

[CFM]

I had a '98 Prelude and liked it a lot, aside from the FWD factor.👎

But, it was a nice car and sounded wicked cool when in the VTEC band, and pulled nice & quickly from 30 to 100 MPH. Very docile, smooth and quiet around town. If you get one I would HIGHLY recommend getting the manual trans. The shifter feel was excellent and the engine was a lot more responsive than the Auto trans. It got decent MPG as long as you weren't in VTEC all day. But that's not as easy as it sounds because it liked to rev alot and puts a big grin on your face when it does.

Downsides: Insurance was a bit high due to all the ricers wrecking and/or stealing them for the engine. Two doors weren't a problem for me but you said it may be. Might be a bit small inside for you, and the rear seats are on the small side but livable for young people/short trips. So there you go.

 

[Gil]

What about something like this, this, or this (much better with the V6, if you accept higher price or mileage)?

I've actually driven all three, when we chose the Camry.
I'm pretty fond of Nissan's. I had an '82 Sentra from 1984-1994. It served as a Pizza Delivery Car for the last two years of it's life, and gave me very little trouble in it's entire sorry existence. I bought it while I was in the Navy, and took it off to college, where it was driven mostly short distances, and indifferently maintained, as I had no money.
I figure that now that I can afford to maintain one, it may last nearly forever.
I don't fancy the Altima at all, however. It is almost as ugly as an AMC Pacer.
I prefer a decent looking automobile.
So far, the Maxima, Camry, and Jetta are leading my choices. However, an Accord Coupe, or an '01 or '02 Prelude might get past the spousal unit. (She wants me to get a 4-door.)

 

[skip0110]

Nissan reliability has fallen off significantly from what it was in the 80's and early 90's. But it will still probably live longer than an American car.

 

[RobcioPL]

Nissan reliability has fallen off significantly from what it was in the 80's and early 90's. But it will still probably live longer than an American car.

Still going strong, only problem cars were 02 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V. The maxima is made in Japan...........

 

[JCE]

Nissan reliability has fallen off significantly from what it was in the 80's and early 90's.

I'd say the Japanese company with the reliability drop off would actually be Honda. But, I'm of the opinion that HOW you drive dictates how a Japanese car lasts--drive it like hell and you'll be visiting the repair shop quite often.

Still going strong, only problem cars were 02 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V.

No, the problem was (and still is) teenage boys (mostly white) that drove, riced, and ragged them to death. A friend of mine (35 yearold male) owns one and drives it conservatively and has never had a problem with it...literally he's not done anything to it but changed the fluids and tires. He had 95k miles on it last time I looked at the odometer. 👍

 

[skip0110]

Hmm...guess my perception is wrong then 👍

 

[niky]

Actually, the 02 Sentra's problem was a bad batch of cats. No fun if they actually gave out after the warranty expired. But there was a recall on them. The rest of the cars are okay, though.

 

[Duke]

Nissan reliability has fallen off significantly from what it was in the 80's and early 90's. But it will still probably live longer than an American car.

You have no idea how statements like this incense me.

 

[niky]

Particularly since the 89 Nissan Sentra was such a turd quality-wise compared to the cars that followed it?

Oh, it was the American Car quip...

 

[RobcioPL]

Actually, the 02 Sentra's problem was a bad batch of cats. No fun if they actually gave out after the warranty expired. But there was a recall on them. The rest of the cars are okay, though.

Your on the right track, but how does that explain the tranny problems they have? Butterfly screw getting sucked in by the engine and the engine craping out? All of this was fixed for 03.

 

[Duke]

Nissan reliability has fallen off significantly from what it was in the 80's and early 90's. But it will still probably live longer than an American car.

Particularly since the 89 Nissan Sentra was such a turd quality-wise compared to the cars that followed it?

Oh, it was the American Car quip...

Yes - the stereotyped and highly inaccurate statement that even a crappy Japanese car will outlast any American car.

 

[niky]

Your on the right track, but how does that explain the tranny problems they have? Butterfly screw getting sucked in by the engine and the engine craping out? All of this was fixed for 03.

Oh, that... the 02 Sentra was, according to Consumer Reports and various friends from my former Nissan board, the nadir of Sentra quality from the past fifteen years. Otherwise, it's been relatively good.

@Duke: tell me about it, I've owned a bunch of crappy Japanese cars.

 

[///M-Spec]

I miss the days when BMW's were driver's car, and not the status symbol you bought your trophy wife.

Funny, I thought my boobs have been getting bigger lately. But I thought that's just because of the tight lycra.

My girlfriends at the gym all like that cute new car. Y'know... the red one in the commerical with that girl?


M

 

[TwinTurboJay]

Funny, I thought my boobs have been getting bigger lately. But I thought that's just because of the tight lycra.

My girlfriends at the gym all like that cute new car. Y'know... the red one in the commerical with that girl?


M

👍

 

[Gil]

///M-spec --My bad!! It just seems that the 3-series has gone from the lithe, agile 320i to a portly, but very attractive 330i. Not nearly the driver's car the old 320I was.

As for the Nissan Sentra. It is in effect an American car. I had an '82 model. It was assembled in Smyrna, TN. I imagine they still are.

Hatin' on American cars is just wrong. I have 7 cars. Six are American. All have given me very few problems. My Ranger is 10 Years old. I've had it for a year, and I've done nothing but routine maintenance. In fact, most of my "garage" bills have been for routine stuff, not broken stuff.

 

[Raghavan]

Ok then... New suggestions:
Volvo 240D for your son. Cheap, reliable transportation, easy to insure and practical, or an 80's Nissan truck or Toyota Truck.
For you, I'd look for a Toyota Tacoma, or an older Infiniti Q45... Automatic, i know, but big and comfy, as well as being sporty too.

 

[Wolfe]

It just seems that the 3-series has gone from the lithe, agile 320i to a portly, but very attractive 330i. Not nearly the driver's car the old 320I was.

I don't know how reputable you consider a magazine like Road and Track to be, but I thought I'd offer this:

With a stiffer chassis/body and weight distribution that's nearly 50/50, the 330i continues the BMW 3 Series tradition of being a remarkably competent handler. Negotiating the new 330i through a series of turns at speed is simple — like a digital camera, just "point and shoot." The chassis and suspension upgrades also soak up the bumps very well, with firm yet supple response. The steering is also similar to that of 3 Series of old, enjoyably quick and precise, though the feedback is not quite as rich and communicative as that found in the late '90s' E36 model, a car that's one of our all-time favorites.

...it's the improved handling that really makes the 330i shine. Drivers already acquainted with the 3 Series experience will surely be impressed with the 2006 version in this department. Through EVOC's medium-speed, lightly banked sweepers, the car, fitted with its Bridgestone Potenza all-season run-flats, hunkers down, solidly gripping the sun-baked tarmac. Even when the tires are approaching their limits of adhesion, the BMW remains almost perfectly parallel to the ground. With the driver behind the wheel naturally enjoying it all the most, passengers too will appreciate the smoother ride, reduced road noise intrusion into the cabin and the quieter engine.

 

[Gil]

How dare you throw my favorite magazine in my face!

I still love the 1980 320i.
If I was more mechanically inclined, the best car would be a 2002i with the 3.3 out of an old 633i.
In lieu of that a 633i would be nice.
The bimmer up the road from here is nice. But it is about $4000 out of my price range.
And the image is more Bought My Wife.
AS for the big Infiniti a few posts up...
It may be a bit uneconomical for my needs. And I'd feel guilty about having to park it outdoors.

So far, I'm still looking at my original three, with honorable mention to Maxima, S70, and I might be able to talk the wife into an Acura TL. Then I can make off with her Camry.
Not my first choice, and somewhat under handed....

 

[High-Test]

Psst..... Get a Thunderbird! Or, a Maxima, and even better, get what YOU want!

 

[Wolfe]

How dare you throw my favorite magazine in my face!

I still love the 1980 320i.
If I was more mechanically inclined, the best car would be a 2002i with the 3.3 out of an old 633i.
In lieu of that a 633i would be nice.
The bimmer up the road from here is nice. But it is about $4000 out of my price range.
And the image is more Bought My Wife.

What did you think of the E34's, as I posted on the previous page? I hate to push a suggestion I've already made, but you never said anything, as though you overlooked it.

 

[///M-Spec]

///M-spec --My bad!! It just seems that the 3-series has gone from the lithe, agile 320i to a portly, but very attractive 330i. Not nearly the driver's car the old 320I was.

They are still driver's cars. The new 330i will run circles around a 320i, despite being larger than a 5-series from the 80s. Besides, why be concerned about image? Get what you like and forget what people think. You wouldn't let all the negative image of American cars stop you from getting another one, would you?

As for the Jetta, my wife had a Mk.IV and we found it tight on space. The back seats were more of less useless if you had adults back there. If you're a big guy, you'll probably feel the same way.

Given the cars you've listed so far, the Accord sounds like the best bet. The Jetta will be the best drive, if you get a 1.8T or V6 w/sports package. The GLI is what you really want, but not what you want to spend.


M

 

[Gil]

What did you think of the E34's, as I posted on the previous page? I hate to push a suggestion I've already made, but you never said anything, as though you overlooked it.

It's a very pretty car. I like Bimmers...a lot. But I'm a bit afraid of upper end German cars. While some do have the trophy wife image, I also fear huge-gantic repair bills, and long waits for the car when it is out of service. Also, the nearest BMW dealer is 25 miles away.
And now that I've offended my buddy ///M-spec, I agree with you on the Jetta. But I have a friend that has 3. All diesels. And while diesel is still more than premium gas, the least economical of the bunch is still pulling down 42 MPG.
I'm sorta leaning toward the Honda, or the Big Nissan. I'm also now considering something like a Forester, or a WRX wagon.
Simply, I got stuck in my 2WD pickup last time it snowed. My Excursion loved the stuff, and the 4WD-High was just awesome.
I figure one of the Subies will nearly at least get half again the gas mileage of the Big E, and the full time AWD will get me home from work when the snow is bad.
The WRX wagon will give me the "utility" to keep my wife happy. And the 229 HP turbo-engine will keep me happy (even if I keep my big foot out of it most of the time).

 

[Wolfe]

It's a very pretty car. I like Bimmers...a lot. But I'm a bit afraid of upper end German cars. While some do have the trophy wife image, I also fear huge-gantic repair bills, and long waits for the car when it is out of service. Also, the nearest BMW dealer is 25 miles away.
And now that I've offended my buddy ///M-spec, I agree with you on the Jetta. But I have a friend that has 3. All diesels. And while diesel is still more than premium gas, the least economical of the bunch is still pulling down 42 MPG.
I'm sorta leaning toward the Honda, or the Big Nissan. I'm also now considering something like a Forester, or a WRX wagon.
Simply, I got stuck in my 2WD pickup last time it snowed. My Excursion loved the stuff, and the 4WD-High was just awesome.
I figure one of the Subies will nearly at least get half again the gas mileage of the Big E, and the full time AWD will get me home from work when the snow is bad.
The WRX wagon will give me the "utility" to keep my wife happy. And the 229 HP turbo-engine will keep me happy (even if I keep my big foot out of it most of the time).

Go for a Forester. All of the utility of an SUV (more than the WRX), all of the efficiency of a car, and all of the speed of the WRX if you get a 2004-and-newer Forester XT (same 230-horse engine). The Forester is simply a better choice than the Rex Wagon, and if you don't want the Forester, you might as well go for the "Saabaru," because it's simply a better car than its Subie cousin.

 

[Carl.]

I'd really look up for a Forester XT before any WRX, if size is an issue. About as performing as a WRX (STi engine), more space, more utility, grown-up look (unless you're looking for racer boy styling), nicer interior, and with either of them, snow = FUN 👍 It's also easier to find an unmolested Forester than a WRX.

 

[Gil]

I figure that the WRX Wagon will be a bit easier to come by un-molested.
But I do like the utility of the Forester. Those sleeper looks aren't bad either.
But then I used to burn ricer boys in my Escort.

 

[Raghavan]

I think the Forester looks better than the rex wagon, as both have been uglified for '06. I would like to get a Forester, but only the one that's posted.

 

[YSSMAN]

If youre willing to pay a little bit extra for insurance and maintainence fees, the Volkswagens (and their variants) are the best way to go.

As the proud owner of a 96 MKIII Jetta Wolfsburg Ed., its still one of my favorite cars I've ever driven. They look great and have a good ammount of interior space when compared to the Civics and Corollas they are meant to compete against.

She will do 30MPG without a problem on the highway, and I averaged 33MPG from Grand Rapids to Chicago without a problem... The seats offerd a good ammount of driver comfort for the 3-hour drive to, and the 3-hour drive back... The only thing missing was cruise control, but you can get that if you look for it.

If youre looking to spend $12K you could probably find yourself a good MKIV (99-05) Jetta for a decent price. Although build quality was nowhere near as good as previous models, the German built variants are going to be your best bet for holding together. Look for the 2003 Wolfsburg 1.8T if youre looking for a fun sport compact, and if you have the money the GLX VR6 is a screamer on a budget. I would highly suggest a GLS TDI, offering a good amount of comfort and sport at a fairly reasonable price.

I had the pleasure to pilot a 2004 Jetta GLS TDI for a week, and it was a wonderful car that even despite it's 100HP rating, it felt quick for a diesel car. Of course, it was optioned with a stick... That will get you the best acceleration performance as well as fuel mileage, which can be as good as 38/46 assuming you drive it correctly.

 

[Carl.]

^^ Indeed, Jetta are also a great option. On MKIV though, space is a bit tight in the rear, and the trunk opening is ridiculously small. Avoid the standard 2.0 engine like the plague. It's awfully gutless, and noisy. The turbo 1.8 is the best 4-banger I've ever driven, either in 180 or 150 hp version.

 

[YSSMAN]

... Its not that the 8V 2.0L I4 was bad, it was just that the design was so old. Rated only at 115, it was one of the lowest in it's segment. Combined with the hefty weight of the MKIV Jettas and Golfs, performance was somewhat of an oxymoron in the GL models... The goods were there, espically the suspension and steering systems, but the engine just didnt move the MKIV like it did in the MKIII...

If you do find one with the 2.0L 8V, dont get it with an automatic. Ive had expirience driving both the auto and manaul models, and the stick helps the car greatly.

The 1.8T is a great engine, there is no doubt about it. The 150hp version is plenty if you want to have a bit more gusto, the 180hp version is sex on wheels. It doe showever share a similar trait with the 2.0L 8V where the automatic sucks the life out of it... But considering that it is the venerable Triptronic 5-speed unit, it is not nearly as bad as the 4-speeds found in the lower-level models.

 

[Wolfe]

If you want a Volkswagen and want to get anywhere half-quickly, avoid the MkIV's. Go older, or newer if you can afford it.