Discussion
I move to South Carolina next monday.
I want a nice cheap car to run around in as I will be going to Uni and my income will be very low so no stupid big engined cars, SUV's or trucks.
Can anyone recommend a car I am used to the usual European ( Focus and Jetta) but what about american cars whats good and whats not?
Thanks in advance
Andy
I want a nice cheap car to run around in as I will be going to Uni and my income will be very low so no stupid big engined cars, SUV's or trucks.
Can anyone recommend a car I am used to the usual European ( Focus and Jetta) but what about american cars whats good and whats not?
Thanks in advance
Andy
you know what caught my eye? For a cheap as chips price, witha decent spec, get one of those little scion mini-LR3's! I think they are really quirky, in a mini/2CV type way. Funky little car. Ot the scion with the little turbo charged engine. Should be a giggle. Toyota bits and peices, so reliablity shouldn't be a problem.
>> Edited by andy mac on Tuesday 29th November 23:39
>> Edited by andy mac on Tuesday 29th November 23:39
Those Scions are pretty cool. We looked at all the small cars for my wife, but the Americans were simply awful, the Cavalier and Cobalt are terrible.
The Corolla was bland as hell, the Lancer was worse and the Focus was, erm, a Focus.
We went for a 2006 Honda Civic SI in the end, you should be able to negotiate a decent monthly lease (we went for this as we are only here for 3 years) - we get it next week.
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www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2006/h">
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www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2006/h">
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I think its a pretty good looking car, the new car has been winning 'Car of the Year' awards over here and it doesn't have the blue-rinse image it does in the UK. Its not slow (197bhp and 0-60 in 6.7 Honda says, though I personally think that's a bit optimistic). Has a decent range of toys and after driving American cars for 4 months, the demonstrator felt like it was on rails. Only misgiving we have is having a manual around town might be a little impractical with all the stop-starting.
Saw you are going to uni - most of the students around here have older Civics.
>> Edited by Highway Star on Wednesday 30th November 03:11
The Corolla was bland as hell, the Lancer was worse and the Focus was, erm, a Focus.
We went for a 2006 Honda Civic SI in the end, you should be able to negotiate a decent monthly lease (we went for this as we are only here for 3 years) - we get it next week.
www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2006/h">
www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2006/h">
www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2006/h"> www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2006/h">
www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/firstdrive/2006/h"> I think its a pretty good looking car, the new car has been winning 'Car of the Year' awards over here and it doesn't have the blue-rinse image it does in the UK. Its not slow (197bhp and 0-60 in 6.7 Honda says, though I personally think that's a bit optimistic). Has a decent range of toys and after driving American cars for 4 months, the demonstrator felt like it was on rails. Only misgiving we have is having a manual around town might be a little impractical with all the stop-starting.
Saw you are going to uni - most of the students around here have older Civics.
>> Edited by Highway Star on Wednesday 30th November 03:11
If you want a fun fairly reliable two seater get a used miata, (mazda mx5).
If you want a practial reliable 4 door get a used toyota corolla.
If you get anything american you will most likly end up regreting it. And learning mechanics. And learning where to find the tool stores, and the parts stores, and...
If you want a practial reliable 4 door get a used toyota corolla.
If you get anything american you will most likly end up regreting it. And learning mechanics. And learning where to find the tool stores, and the parts stores, and...
No!
Japanese cars are totally overrated and the cost of spares is ridiculous.
Have an open mind, drive some cars and then decide.
Make sure you drive a Focus, perhaps a Contour if your budget is less. They're great cars, fun to drive, economical and you can get spares for them easily and cheaply.
Japanese cars are totally overrated and the cost of spares is ridiculous.
Have an open mind, drive some cars and then decide.
Make sure you drive a Focus, perhaps a Contour if your budget is less. They're great cars, fun to drive, economical and you can get spares for them easily and cheaply.
Gavin,
I see you also have a VW, How expensive are they for parts/servicing?
The reason I ask is last time I was there I was looking at a VW Jetta or a Audi A4.
But it all depends on what I can pick one up for.
I can either go for a car that will last me for 4 years or maybe the more sensible option and go for something cheaper and older while I get my insurance down and then have something decent for the last 2 years.
But I will have a look at the fords as well. Although the contour may be getting to the age where it will need a bit of money spending on it (Or will it? Are they reliable?)
I see you also have a VW, How expensive are they for parts/servicing?
The reason I ask is last time I was there I was looking at a VW Jetta or a Audi A4.
But it all depends on what I can pick one up for.
I can either go for a car that will last me for 4 years or maybe the more sensible option and go for something cheaper and older while I get my insurance down and then have something decent for the last 2 years.
But I will have a look at the fords as well. Although the contour may be getting to the age where it will need a bit of money spending on it (Or will it? Are they reliable?)
GavinPearson said:
No!
Japanese cars are totally overrated and the cost of spares is ridiculous.
Have an open mind, drive some cars and then decide.
Make sure you drive a Focus, perhaps a Contour if your budget is less. They're great cars, fun to drive, economical and you can get spares for them easily and cheaply.
Ford Foucs, now there is a great example of Ford engineering. I think it has the world record for most manufacturer's recalls ever. What's it up to now, seven recalls?
As far as relative merits of Jananese auto reliability vs. others, Consumer Reports, (an independent organization that is heavily relied upon in the US for unbiased product reports), just came out with their report on the reliability of vehicles available in the US. A summary of their 2005 report:
"Of the 31 cars that earned the top rating, only two were from U.S.-based manufacturers -- the remaining 29 vehicles were from Japanese automakers, and none represented European brands. Almost half of the top 31 -- 15 vehicles -- were manufactured by Toyota.
Of the vehicles with the worst reliability, 22 were from U.S.-based manufacturers, 20 from European brands, four from Japanese makers and two from South Korean companies."
You can read a review of the report on CNN:
www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/10/26/cr_most_reliable/?section=cnn_topstories
You have to be a member of Consumer Reports to read the whole section, (or get the magazine), but the web page is here:
www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/reliability.htm
Perhaps the parts for the Japanese cars cost more because they are better engineered and last longer. The fact that you don't need them very often sure helps balance out any higher cost.
For the record, I have owned vehicles from Ford, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Jeep, AMC, Suzuki, Honda and Nissan. Guess which ones were the most reliable.
>> Edited by NAPiston on Saturday 3rd December 22:21
AndyADH said:
Gavin,
I see you also have a VW, How expensive are they for parts/servicing?
The reason I ask is last time I was there I was looking at a VW Jetta or a Audi A4.
But it all depends on what I can pick one up for.
I can either go for a car that will last me for 4 years or maybe the more sensible option and go for something cheaper and older while I get my insurance down and then have something decent for the last 2 years.
But I will have a look at the fords as well. Although the contour may be getting to the age where it will need a bit of money spending on it (Or will it? Are they reliable?)
My Contour is totally reliable. Not a single problem and it now has 55000 miles on the clock.
My wife had a VW Beetle, which she loved and replaced it with a Beetle Turbo. Again, totally reliable.
We had a new shape Explorer, was great for long journeys, towing, driving in snow, so we got another. That was so good we bought another.
I think you ought to be open minded about what is on offer in the market. A lot of the US domestic cars are actually very good at what they do.
In addition, though some cars get recalled which is obviously a hassle for the owner, I am of the opinion that I would rather have a company honest with me that their supplier had a problem and that I can bring my vehicle in for repair for free, rather than hope the problem goes away. Those of us in the industry know that many suppliers of key components are common, and the problems are the same, it's just that some companies face up to their responsibilities.
I agree with Gavin, American cars are much better than most Brits think they are.
I only have one American vehicle but it hasn't failed me.
As you are probably only going to have one car then it should be able to cope with snow. All the main roads are ok but the local ones don't get done for a few days so don't get something with 3inch clearance!
Avoid Lincon and Caddies if you are on a budget for repairs.
When buying secondhand, it's good to know if the car has a chain or rubber timing belt. If rubber, can you be sure it was changed at 50,000 or whenever.
And drive an auto, before rejecting them.
An Explorer would be a good all purpose choice. Need to adjust your stopping distance though!
Beware of secondhand vehicles from out of your state!
Edited to say, just realised you're already here, welcome.
>> Edited by jeff m on Tuesday 6th December 07:04
I only have one American vehicle but it hasn't failed me.
As you are probably only going to have one car then it should be able to cope with snow. All the main roads are ok but the local ones don't get done for a few days so don't get something with 3inch clearance!
Avoid Lincon and Caddies if you are on a budget for repairs.
When buying secondhand, it's good to know if the car has a chain or rubber timing belt. If rubber, can you be sure it was changed at 50,000 or whenever.
And drive an auto, before rejecting them.
An Explorer would be a good all purpose choice. Need to adjust your stopping distance though!
Beware of secondhand vehicles from out of your state!
Edited to say, just realised you're already here, welcome.
>> Edited by jeff m on Tuesday 6th December 07:04
but thye insides are so 'ewww'. My Sister had a durango. It was hideous inside. really crap. When she wanted a replacment 4x4 she went to see a few. A hummer.. Ewww... It was so plasticky inside, The dials, and knobs look like they would snap off. It was hideous. She eventually settle on an LR3. The inside of us cars really are nasty. Give me Jap or european anyday...
You did not mention if you would consider an older car. In South Carolina you will find a lot of rust free older cars. Any '60's Camero or Mustang, if you get a good one, will be a rewarding and simple to maintain ride. And if you take decent care of it, you'll get all your money back when you sell, if you sell on. If you get a car with the smaller V-8 or the 6, they are not at all bad on gas.
How about an older pickup? 60's and 70's GM pickups are still common, again get a good one and you will lose no money. Even easier to maintain than the cars, always in demand on resale. They tend to burn more gas than a car, particularly if you get one with V-8 and automatic trans, which is a pretty common format. An older one with 3 or 4 speed manual and the 6 or say 283 ci V-8 would be quite economical, wear parts are readily available as many of these remain on the road. You can even take the transmission out of these without using any lift or jack, just crawl under there and unbolt it (unless you are a really large chap..) Ford and Mopar pickups are also available but parts support is not as good, Ford better than Dodge.
And if you are not inclined to work on the car for whatever reason, these oldsters are well-supported by many independent garages there, the garage men love them since they are simple to fix, they know that they can do the work you want done and get the car back to you on time and on budget, fixed right, a win-win situation that does not always happen with the newer models.
Toyotas are probably the most reliable cars made, but yes parts are very expensive for example just changed the transmission screen on my daughter's 87 Camry - $50 for the screen at the dealer. I could get the screen from an internet dealer for $35 though, if I had the time to wait. But the car basically don't break. 180K on the engine, I had the head off to change a head gasket (apparently a bogus one installed by the PO) and the cylinder bores look like new. But the head gasket set (again at the dealer) was $500. A new factory radiator is $400. But you can get an "Economic Extramile" on the internet for $115. And no doubt rebuilt ones are available. But get a well-kept one and you will likely do nothing but put gas, tires, and oil in it.
Honda would be about the same as the Toy, ditto Nissan, Subaru etc.
I personally am a fan of the old Rabbit/Scirocco/Golf 2-valve cars - not blisteringly fast, but enough poke to be interesting. A Golf convertible is very do-able in the South as a year-round car.
How about an older pickup? 60's and 70's GM pickups are still common, again get a good one and you will lose no money. Even easier to maintain than the cars, always in demand on resale. They tend to burn more gas than a car, particularly if you get one with V-8 and automatic trans, which is a pretty common format. An older one with 3 or 4 speed manual and the 6 or say 283 ci V-8 would be quite economical, wear parts are readily available as many of these remain on the road. You can even take the transmission out of these without using any lift or jack, just crawl under there and unbolt it (unless you are a really large chap..) Ford and Mopar pickups are also available but parts support is not as good, Ford better than Dodge.
And if you are not inclined to work on the car for whatever reason, these oldsters are well-supported by many independent garages there, the garage men love them since they are simple to fix, they know that they can do the work you want done and get the car back to you on time and on budget, fixed right, a win-win situation that does not always happen with the newer models.
Toyotas are probably the most reliable cars made, but yes parts are very expensive for example just changed the transmission screen on my daughter's 87 Camry - $50 for the screen at the dealer. I could get the screen from an internet dealer for $35 though, if I had the time to wait. But the car basically don't break. 180K on the engine, I had the head off to change a head gasket (apparently a bogus one installed by the PO) and the cylinder bores look like new. But the head gasket set (again at the dealer) was $500. A new factory radiator is $400. But you can get an "Economic Extramile" on the internet for $115. And no doubt rebuilt ones are available. But get a well-kept one and you will likely do nothing but put gas, tires, and oil in it.
Honda would be about the same as the Toy, ditto Nissan, Subaru etc.
I personally am a fan of the old Rabbit/Scirocco/Golf 2-valve cars - not blisteringly fast, but enough poke to be interesting. A Golf convertible is very do-able in the South as a year-round car.
American cars. Always feel like somethings about to break, but much like French cars it is usually minor problems such as trim, bulbs etc. Engines can go on forever (mind you, with less than 200hp from 4 litre engines, you'd hope so!)
Had a 2001 Pontiac Trans Am, never let me down but a few bits of trim broke...
A lot of VWs here are NOT from Germany, manufactured in Mexico or Brazil. Build quality can be patchy.
Having said this, I have also owned a 2001 US-built German car, the BMW Z3. Really well put together compared to a lot of American cars.
Not necessarily about 'where its made' is the point I am trying to make.
Had a 2001 Pontiac Trans Am, never let me down but a few bits of trim broke...
A lot of VWs here are NOT from Germany, manufactured in Mexico or Brazil. Build quality can be patchy.
Having said this, I have also owned a 2001 US-built German car, the BMW Z3. Really well put together compared to a lot of American cars.
Not necessarily about 'where its made' is the point I am trying to make.
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