| choosetolose
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Our family gets Dodge/Chrysler products. We rarely have a problem as long as we 1) follow service rules and 2) use the better gas: Example: a 16 gal tank, at 10 cents more per gal vosts $1.60 more.... However, we get 16-17 mpg on the regular and 22-24 on the premium. We currently have a Van:
16 mpg X 16 gal in the tank is 256 miles for the cheap stuff
22 mpg X 16 gal in the tank is 352 miles for the premium
96 add'l miles per tank is worth the $1.60
MY DH has had his last 5 cars Chrysler/Dodge products and all have done the same. All went over 100,000. One daughter had hers die at 159,000. Both daughters have Dodges now. PS: Check the listing: many older (last few years) Dodges can take the flex fuels. We never used them, but had both a car and a van that would. |
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Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:22 pm |
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| Lady T
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LegalBeagle wrote: My Mom, on the other hand, has had her stereo crap out and replaced, her AC has given her a lot of trouble, and she has had some other crap go wrong, as well. Her car looks older and more crappy than mine, too.
I have an '02 Ford Escape and haven't had any trouble whatsoever with it *knocks on wood* Bought it brand new and it still looks just as good as it did the day I got it.
LadyT |
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Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:47 pm |
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| Torlan
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| Toyota all the way. That's all my entire family has. |
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Sun Jun 25, 2006 8:50 pm |
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| Rareflowers
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Have any of you had to change ther timing belt?
Rose |
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Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:27 pm |
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| A-Rod
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Rareflowers wrote: Have any of you had to change ther timing belt?
i hear this is REALLY a problem with hondas [maybe civics in particular?]. |
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Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:44 pm |
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| Rareflowers
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I asked this because, in my younger, poorer days, I owned a Nissan and the timing CHAIN snapped while I was going down a long hill. The car was then worthless. We're big Subaru Forester fans here, (we own a 2000 and a 2005) plus a 2006 Rav4 by Honda. On the Subarus, besides putting on new brakes at 40,000 miles on the 2000, I understand the timing belts have to be changed at aroung 60-70,000 miles, a major expense. Anyone else experience any of this? On any of their cars?
Rose |
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Mon Jun 26, 2006 3:04 pm |
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| VAgirl0213
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I have a 2001 Honda Accord and I cannot say enough good things about Honda. It gets great gas mileage, I've never had a single problem with it, they run forever, and the service people are the nicest around. Great warranty, too. Civics probably get even better gas mileage than Accords do, since they are smaller.
I vote for the Honda, but all of the cars you listed have pretty good reputations... |
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Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:49 pm |
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| RedRox
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Rareflowers wrote: Have any of you had to change ther timing belt?
Rose
EVERY car should have it's timing belt or chain (rarely used anymore due to cost) replaced at roughly 60,000 mile intervals as part of your preventive maintenance schedule. If they go, you are looking are VERY expensive engine repairs (generally complete valve replacement at a minimum), so it's not the kind of thing you want to "bet against" if you are planning to keep your car for long term mileage. While the mechanic is "in there" it's also usually a good time to replace the water pump as well. (Basically all the same initial labor involved to get to the water pump as to replace the timing belt, so the incremental labor cost is minimal if you can find a mechanic to think this way instead of using the labor standards in "the book" to bill you.)
Having just said that, I just spent $350 for my 60K maintenance on my Hyundai and they suggested the timing belt replacement for an additonal $400. (That's their std. price list charge. It's time consuming and a lot of labor.) I'll skip it for now, and take my chances for another 6 months and get the belt and water pump done by my regular mechanic. I had to get my warranty work done before my bumper to bumper expired this week so let them do the regular maintenance this time as well. |
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Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:56 pm |
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| Carrye
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Nissan Altima here as well. Mine is a 1999, and I love some of the newer ones, but won't have to be buying one for a while, as I should have another 50K or so left on it.
Please, not a Ford Focus. I test drove one of those before I bought my (used) Nissan, and I knew that if I got into any kind of accident, I'd be dead. Just this awful feeling. |
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Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:58 pm |
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| peachypeach
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This may be off topic here but I just got a 2006 Mazda 3 and I just love it.
:D |
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Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:20 pm |
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| pookiebear
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Quote: Key factors I'm seeking:
- Good gas mileage
- Reliability
- Under 100K miles
- Ease/cost effectiveness of repairs
- 97 or later [in most cases]
- Sedan [4 door]
Based on all these factors, I would get a Honda... especially on the gas mileage, reliability AND cost effectiveness of repairs. I've owned 2 - '98 Honda Civics (one I sold because I went to Africa and one I still have now). And my husband owns a 98 Honda Accord. We've loved our cars and haven't had any major problems with either of them. My car is at 106k and my husband's is at around 120k. I plan on keepin' it until it poops out!
On the timing belt issue... I'm about to get mine changed. But like I said,... haven't had any problems up until now.
Let us know what you decide! :D |
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Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:22 pm |
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| A-Rod
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thank you all SO MUCH for your input ... it has been really helpful.
thanks to red for expanding my horizons and making me consider mazdas - i found a 2000 protege for sale with only 49K miles on it, and the reviews of that year/model look great, so i'm having dad go check it out for me. could be a winner!
other than that, really leaning toward a camry. civics are a little sexier, but camrys seem to be equally reliable and also very roomy.
also got my eye on mazda 626'es, as they seem to have sexed them up a little bit in the luxury department, and value is great for 98-00 models.
so we'll see! i will definitely keep you guys posted. car pics to come when i buy one!! |
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Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:43 pm |
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| It's Me
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I have owned a Camry for quite some time. Owned a Nissan before the Camry and thought I would never buy anything else except a Nissan. But the Camry for me is even better.
I have 185,000 miles on it. Knock on wood.. I have only had to have a few things done to it.
Had to have the clutch replaced once. The radiator, master brake cylinder, starter,, and I think that's it for the most major items. I do need front end work but that will have to wait. I bought the car cash, so it's paid for and as old as it is (1994) I expect to have to make occasional repairs.
Janet |
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Wed Jun 28, 2006 4:03 pm |
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