| Author |
Message |
    
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 891
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:00 am: | 
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I'm thinking about buying an older used car, and was wondering what the best car of the 90's is, and will hold up best? Japanese cars are great, but once they are over 100k miles, they are kaput in my opinion....I've never had a german car, but am told they are the best for 10 years plus?
So what's your experience? Audi? BMW? Benz? Ford? Volvo? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12084
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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I would avoid European cars because repair parts are very, very expensive.
I have several friends who couldn't resist the idea of an older Bimmer or Benz and lived to regret the decision.
Volvos have a reputation for lasting, but again parts are expensive.
I would buy the simpliest car I could find. No auto transmission, no power windows, etc. because those things tend to go first. If you buy a car with overhead cams, make sure that the timing chain has been replaced. If that goes you can end up with holes in your pistons.
Overall, assuming you are just looking for basic transportation, just look for the cleanest car you can find.
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Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 1629
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:14 am: |
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BobK - you mean something like this
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2937
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:39 am: |
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I dunno, Smarty. I traded our then 12 year old Honda Civic DX in a year ago. Had 120-ish miles and still ran great even though I was lousy with the maintenance. Sat outside all the time and the paint wasn't even bad. I only got rid of it because we needed bigger. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1152
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:46 am: |
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Honda Accord , make sure you or your mechanic run a compression test on it , & find out when the timing chain was replaced . Once you get it, drain the old oil & replace with a 100k milage oil. Forget that old Euro grap , but given a choice I would opt for a rear well drive car & no repeat NO turbo charged old cars. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1393
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:58 am: |
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Toyota Corolla. |
Starletta8
Supporter
Username: Starletta8
Post Number: 188
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 12:04 pm: |
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I wouldn't rule out a Japanese car.
I've got a 10 year old Subaru Legacy. It looks and runs like new. It recently had some work done, but things mostly were damaged from sitting out several harsh winters at my previous home. (It'd be iced shut for weeks at a time). I wouldn't trade it for anything. |
dano
Citizen
Username: Dano
Post Number: 224
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 12:15 pm: |
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Look at Consumer Reports, Honda Civics and Accords as well as Toyota Camry have been consistently reliable cars for years. If you are consideing using it as a station car, it will service you well for years. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14933
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 12:37 pm: |
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If you really want a ten year old car, then I think anything might do. At that age, the make and model matter a whole lot less than the condition (and the price). How long do you want it to last after you buy it?
I do agree that the Japanese cars are less durable than the American and European cars. (Durability is not the same as reliability.) I think this is because the sheet metal the Japanese makers use on the bodies is not as good. (The high end Japanese cars don't seem to have this problem.) When a car body gets really bad, there's not much point in fixing it. But as some have noted, repairs on European cars are expensive. It's not clear to me if you should keep repairing an old car or keep replacing it with another old car. I've done the former a few times.
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Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1394
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 12:54 pm: |
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Our corolla is 16 years old. Running strong. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1969
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 1:50 pm: |
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It doesn't list prior to 1999, but may be helpful anyway. http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/bestbet/articles/ |
mrmaplewood
Citizen
Username: Mrmaplewood
Post Number: 365
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 2:07 pm: |
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Back to timing chains.
Timing chains are fairly reliable. Timing belts have a tendency to break, as do other belts. |
Chris Prenovost
Citizen
Username: Chris_prenovost
Post Number: 988
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 2:33 pm: |
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We drive a Ford Windstar. It is nine years old, and just had it's first major repair. Exceptional reliability. When it finally dies, we are going to get another Windstar/Freestar. I don't think we will even bother looking at anything else. |
dano
Citizen
Username: Dano
Post Number: 227
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 2:56 pm: |
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I think Japaneese durabilty issues in regards to the bodies rusting out happened in the 80's. I should know, I had a Datsun!! Panel durability has much improved since then! |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12087
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 3:08 pm: |
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Mr. Maplewood is correct. I am once again guilty of sloppy posting. 
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Psychomom
Citizen
Username: Psychomom
Post Number: 306
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 3:10 pm: |
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We have a 1992 Toyota Camry with 165,000 miles on it and have not had too much trouble either...(please please don't let this jinx it)
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14936
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 3:53 pm: |
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dano, it has gotten better, but I still see more rust on 10 year old Japanese cars than on other 10 year old cars.
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Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 2046
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 4:37 pm: |
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I've got a 19 year old Honda Prelude that hasn't given us too much trouble - needs a new clutch is about it. Gets very good mileage, and despite it's small size, can fit 6 bags of groceries in the trunk and rides 2 adults, 2 kids and 1 dog comfortably enough.
Our other car is a '95 Subaru. It's had basic upkeep + a new alternater about 5 years ago. Right now she's having tranny issues - about $800 to fix, but she's been paid off for years, so I'm not complaining.
The Subaru hauls 20 bags of topsoil and rides 2 adults, 3 kids and 2 dogs.
Bonus! Both cars look awful, so car stealers move on  |
Cougar86
Citizen
Username: Cougar86
Post Number: 15
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 5:21 pm: |
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consider buying a car from a southern state, where there is little or no snow. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1232
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 5:55 pm: |
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What Tom said: "At that age, the make and model matter a whole lot less than the condition."
Also Cougar86's point about southern states is good. We recently bought a '93 Taurus wagon that had spent most of its life in Maryland, and the body has no visible rust at all. Runs nice too.
We bought it to replace our late '90 Taurus wagon, on the theory that we already know what will go wrong with it. |
msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 208
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 6:26 pm: |
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Jeeps although they are often stolen according to the police. Stick a kill switch on it and you've got it made. Great car for late teenagers as they are fairly indestructable. (The car, not the teen) |
Anna
Citizen
Username: Anna
Post Number: 63
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:42 pm: |
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We have a '93 Ford Escort (hatchback) which we bought used from Bernie's Motor Cars sometime around '97 or so. It ran great then and runs great now. It's had no big problems all these years -- just a few minor repairs here and there, and the usual maintenance stuff. We used it mainly for local trips but now with gas prices being what they are now, it's being driven to NY frequently. Still going strong. Has nearly $110,000 miles on it now. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1360
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 11:13 pm: |
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I am a big fan of old volkswagons for the old car buyer. You know you're buying something you will need to repair.
I bought a 73 Superbeetle for my first car in 1991 and I totally got into keeping it running. The beauty of this endeavor is it's so simple. It cost very little when it needed repair.
Sometimes I could LOOK at the engine and see what was wrong. (A hose needed to be pushed back into place. One time, a spring had rusted through, and on the side of a highway, I bend the next loop on the spring and hooked it into where I thought it would go, and off I went.)
Of course, for amenities like heat and air conditioning, you'd need one that was pretty tricked out, but I still miss my old beetle. Look for one buzzing around town with the license plate "JRZ BOY" in the not to distant future. From Arizona.
I know it's a more than 10 years old, but I'm feeling nostalgic. And I'd put the maintanence cost up against alot of younger cars, if you're so inclined.
J.B. |
Responsible Adult
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1361
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 11:20 pm: |
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J.B.,
That is terrible advice.
Sincerely,
Responsible Adult
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Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 899
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 9:47 am: |
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Tom, I agree with you and there are other little things that make older Japanese cars less desirable....so far, the german ones are the only ones that I like being in after they age.....Japanese cars seem rickity, and old American cars all develop the Taxi-cab feel on the inside.... |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14951
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 10:18 am: |
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For what it's worth, I had three Saabs.
1987 9000S purchased in 1991 with 70,000 miles. Sold it to my ex-wife in 2000 when it had 185,000 miles on it. I think she took it to about 230,000 miles.
1986 900turbo purchased in 1993 with 108,000 miles. Sold it in 1999 with 200,000 miles on it.
1995 9000CS purchased in 2000 with 70,000 miles. Sold it in 2005 with 171,000 miles on it.
The bodies on these cars were absolutely amazing. No rattles. No transmission troubles. The last two had strong engines when I sold them. They all got about 25 miles per gallon throughout the times I had them. They are among the most crash-worthy cars on the planet. The seats are unsurpassed, and the cargo capacity is far more than you'd think when you look at the car from outside.
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Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 902
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 10:50 am: |
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Tom, interesting! Has any of your views on Saab changed what with the new ownership? Do you still drive a SAAB? Diesel? |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1984
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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Man, Tom, You drive A LOT! You put 100,000 miles on cars in just 5-6 years.... What, did you commute to Florida to work every day? Our 6-year old car doesn't even have 50,000 miles on it. I'm amazed. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14954
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 11:21 am: |
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Since 1987, I've worked in NJ, and my commute is almost always over 15 miles, sometimes close to 30, each way. So I average 24,000 miles a year, including commuting, family trips, and errands.
I have a 2000 Subaru Legacy L wagon (gas), purchased in March 2005. The clock had 42,000 miles on it, though I wonder if it was turned back. It now has 67,000 miles. But so far, it's been more reliable than any Saab I've had. It's not as pleasant to drive or ride in, though.
I think GM has done some good and bad things to Saab and Saab cars. I think the worst thing they did was promise to keep the designers and engineers and later fire every single one of them.
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Squeaky Wheel
Citizen
Username: Squeaky_wheel
Post Number: 50
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 1:24 pm: |
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The Lexus ES300 mid-1990's sedan is a great car!
You will notice them everywhere once you start looking. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14959
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 3:54 pm: |
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What are the key differences between the ES300 and the Camry, on which it is based? I know price is one difference, but I don't know about anything else.
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