[TriLUG] [way OT] new auto recommendations

Mon Oct 20 11:30:19 EDT 2014

Great replies here. I forgot to mention a couple of things regards to Honda.

Note that the following (long) opinion is based on having owned dozens of
vehicles,
from 60's "rods", to a car from every USA manufacturer, except Pontiac.
Although
a GTO would round out my fetish nicely. As well owning a few Toyotas,
Hondas, and
Subarus.

One of my main concerns with any car; especially buying a new one, is the
TCO
when it comes to late in life mechanicals and necessary upkeep. My wife & I
bought
a 2001 CRV new off the lot, and it is nearing the 300k mark. My daughter
owns the
car now; and though she has beaten the cr at p out of it, it chugs along just
fine.

Our 2010 Toyota Highlander (purchased new) is already costing us extra
money,
in regards to both interior part failures, and a couple of "iffy" items
with the engine.
It does not get the mileage we expected, and the reputable dealer
maintenance
costs seem high, when compared to other makes.

On my personal want list was a new Subaru. I've owned a 81 wagon, and a 97
Forester.
The Forester was an amazing car. Light, efficient, comfortable, and easy to
drive in
city traffic. One of my friends is a lead mechanic at a local Subaru
dealer. When I was
looking for a new car last year, his advice was this. "Great cars, but in
the long run it
will cost you nearly the same in maintenance as a low end BMW."

For instance, my 97 Forrester needed cat converters. There are two on that
model.
The cost was nearly $2000 for OEM parts and labor. The head gaskets
(necessary) were
going to cost that as well. Then there's the timing ... another $2000.

Back to Honda. Our 2001 CRV maintenance has been fair, as applied to owner
cost.
My other Hondas, a 96 Civic DX; a 93 Accord LX, were easy to maintain by
myself, and
any additional costs were always fair. I like to use OEM parts, as I've
built cars using
aftermarket parts, and they don't last.

Long post aside; I'd recommend Honda over other Japanese cars 6 days a week
and
twice on Sundays. Too bad they stopped making the Element, or there would
be a new
one in the driveway. Also, if Honda made a "real" truck, I'd have one.
Not to plug or advertise, but if anyone needs a true Honda mechanic, look
to A-1 Honda Care
in Hillsborough.

Before buying my new CRV, I test drove:

Subaru - Impreza & Forester. Came close on the Impreza, but costs and the
fact that the cars were loud inside did not impress.
Ford Focus - These are great little vehicles. Fun to drive, good mileage,
but was surprisingly uncomfortable.
Scion TC - Too small for me
Honda Fit - Awesome vehicle. Once I looked at adding options, I could
afford the CRV
Ford Escape - Nice vehicle. Interior was not to my liking; nor was the
overall rating at the time.
Nissan Rogue - This was as close to my CRV as could be. Nice price, great
included base items, comfy.
Honda Accord (4 cyl & the v6) - I could see these cars lasting 30 years. If
Honda would put the v6 in a CRV, they would corner
 a new market.

Sorry for the long post ... I have the day off. Good luck with your car
purchase.

On Mon, Oct 20, 2014 at 10:29 AM, Warren Myers <volcimaster at gmail.com>
wrote:

> *personally*, I'd go for the Ford Fiesta or Focus. I've got a 2012 Fusion
> (~37 on the highway, and ~28 city) and a 2014 Escape (~35 highway and ~25
> city)
>
> disclosure: I'm a Ford Guy, so there's that bias - but they make very solid
> cars that do quite well on fuel.
>
> On Fri, Oct 17, 2014 at 1:13 PM, Brian McCullough <bdmc at bdmcc-us.com>
> wrote:
>
> > ( just to wedge this on topic -- barely -- I do use my Android phones
> > and Linux laptop in the car. )
> >
> > I am researching ( and eventually, doing ) the purchase of a new
> > vehicle, and thought that I would see what "the group" thought.
> >
> > I am looking for something inexpensive ( relatively, since I am looking
> > at "new" ), with good fuel mileage, and reasonably small, since most of
> > the time there are only one or two of us in the car.
> >
> > I do do long-distance highway driving, as well as city.
> >
> > I am coming out of a 13-year-old Prius, which gave good service and
> > reasonable mileage ( 35-36 long term average was normal ).
> >
> > The Prius that came after mine ( 2004+ models ) did not appeal, they
> > were too big and had that big tail, which has generally kept me from
> > looking at those again, although I hear that they have other models,
> > now.
> >
> > I have looked at a Honda Civic, and think that that could suit, although
> > the Hybrid idea still appeals, but most may be out of my budget.
> >
> > I am currently driving a rented Nissan Versa, which does not appeal
> > particularly.  Again, it is high and generally feels too big.
> >
> > Interesting how so many of today's vehicles are going back to Walter
> > Chrysler's idea, where he never built a car where a gentleman could not
> > wear his hat.
> >
> >
> >
> > Suggestions, ideas?
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Brian
> >
> > --
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> >
>
>
>
> --
> *Warren Myers*
> http://antipaucity.com
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> --
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