Tech Looking to buy a new car

[riverman]

what mechanics parking lots are you looking at??

you like em….no problem...I think they are more autograph than substance

 

[julius]

for good reason

Are you saying that the # of cars sold = better quality?

So you're saying that the VW beetle is one of the best cars built? Because it sold a huge number of them.

And we should then suggest Lanny by a Ford F150.

 

[riverman]

Are you saying that the # of cars sold = better quality?

consumer reports agrees with me....lots of folks shop after doing the research..and you can buy a running used Toyota because...well....it's still running

 

[julius]

you like em….no problem...I think they are more autograph than substance

I said their poor reputation is more anecdotal stories than anything.

 

[andalusian]

Vehicle dependability surveys over the years show that Toyota products are very good while Mercedes are about industry average (they were worse during the dark DaimlerChrysler days) - it does not matter what years you are looking at, Toyota products are up there. They simply make good, simple cars.

What is interesting to see if you look at the progression over the years is how good the South Korean became, they were the laughing stock of it up to 10-15 years ago - and they are slowly going up, with both Hyundai and Kia being very good nowadays.

Here is a link for the 2018 survey:

http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/jd-power-2018-us-vehicle-dependability-study

If you want to be certain you buy a dependable, good daily driver today - a Toyota or Hyundai/Kia product is likely to be very good to you.

Of course, there is more to life than just reliability and dependability.

BTW - Consumer Reports is a "biased" survey (because they have subscribers which are a self selecting group as the sample) - where JD Powers is an unbiased survey (They are doing an SRS for their sample). I suspect that Consumer Reports is pretty accurate as well simple because the sample size is very big, but I like to look at JD Powers dependability surveys because the math of an SRS appeals to my engineering side.

Just for fun, here is the 2008 survey - see how far Kia and Hyundai have come:

http://www.autonews.com/assets/PDF/CA5253288.PDF

 

[riverman]

So you're saying that the VW beetle is one of the best cars built? Because it sold a huge number of them.

those have dropped off the map....do the parking lot test again..how many VW bugs are on the road now?

 

[riverman]

I said their poor reputation is more anecdotal stories than anything.

My view of them isn't a story....it's observation and experience...I've driven both and had this conversation with owners of both...but if you like em...enjoy

 

[julius]

consumer reports agrees with me....lots of folks shop after doing the research..and you can buy a running used Toyota because...well....it's still running

Again, depends on what you want to spend and what you want to buy.

For example, a 1500 Toyota will be a good purchase. A 1500 Mercedes would be a pile of shit.

It's kind of like this. If you pay @HCP to mow your lawn, he'll be able to do it in 15 minutes. Sorry, there is no more to this analogy, I just wanted to make a joke about him and mowing lawns.

 

[julius]

My view of them isn't a story....it's observation and experience...I've driven both and had this conversation with owners of both...but if you like em...enjoy

I didn't say I liked them, I said if you get one that is well maintained, it's a good car. but that's true of every car. Which is what I said.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

When I bought my Acura through Carmax they tried to sell me a warranty to go with it. It actually sounded pretty good and the price was (I thought) very reasonable. After doing plenty of research on it, I eventually declined because the car only had 35K miles on it and, being a Honda product, they were rated extremely high in reliability. But while doing the research I checked out what Carmax was charging for warranties on other brands of cars. I was blown away by just how much more they were charging for warranties on Mercedes. It was significant. My understanding (offered by the Carmax guys) is that it was because Mercedes weren’t as reliable and were expensive to repair and maintain. It also explained why there were so many Mercedes (and Beemers) on their lots and why the purchase prices were so reasonable. The people I know who had or have Mercedes always rave about the ride but complain bitterly about reliability and cost to repair. My cousin just spent $800 to have 4 spark plugs changed out.

 

[julius]

When I bought my Acura through Carmax they tried to sell me a warranty to go with it. It actually sounded pretty good and the price was (I thought) very reasonable. After doing plenty of research on it, I eventually declined because the car only had 35K miles on it and, being a Honda product, they were rated extremely high in reliability. But while doing the research I checked out what Carmax was charging for warranties on other brands of cars. I was blown away by just how much more they were charging for warranties on Mercedes. It was significant. My understanding (offered by the Carmax guys) is that it was because Mercedes weren’t as reliable and were expensive to repair and maintain. It also explained why there were so many Mercedes (and Beemers) on their lots and why the purchase prices were so reasonable. The people I know who had or have Mercedes always rave about the ride but complain bitterly about reliability and cost to repair. My cousin just spent $800 to have 4 spark plugs changed out.

No offense, but your cousin is a fucking idiot then.

I helped my brother change his plugs. Literally took 10 minutes.

 

[julius]

those have dropped off the map....do the parking lot test again..how many VW bugs are on the road now?

That's because the last (original) but was made almost 40 years ago.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

When I bought my Acura through Carmax they tried to sell me a warranty to go with it. It actually sounded pretty good and the price was (I thought) very reasonable. After doing plenty of research on it, I eventually declined because the car only had 35K miles on it and, being a Honda product, they were rated extremely high in reliability. But while doing the research I checked out what Carmax was charging for warranties on other brands of cars. I was blown away by just how much more they were charging for warranties on Mercedes. It was significant. My understanding (offered by the Carmax guys) is that it was because Mercedes weren’t as reliable and were expensive to repair and maintain. It also explained why there were so many Mercedes (and Beemers) on their lots and why the purchase prices were so reasonable. The people I know who had or have Mercedes always rave about the ride but complain bitterly about reliability and cost to repair. My cousin just spent $800 to have 4 spark plugs changed out.

There's a guy who buys carmax cars with the warranty and writes about it. He bought a Land Rover and the warranty was super expensive but it needed front air suspension soon after and the cost was more than the warranty. Something like that....

 

[andalusian]

There's a guy who buys carmax cars with the warranty and writes about it. He bought a Land Rover and the warranty was super expensive but it needed front air suspension soon after and the cost was more than the warranty. Something like that....

Doug DeMuro

https://jalopnik.com/my-range-rover-s-carmax-warranty-is-now-half-over-and-i-1733772237

 

[THE HCP]

This is the smart choice. Buy a certified pre owned from Toyota.

Highlander I just got my wife was a Certified Toyota........

 

[THE HCP]

It's not easy to post at the same time as I'm banging your mom.

I am REDFLAGGING this post! Way out of line!

 

[julius]

why? You looking for a used Benz?

I would never buy from a dealer. They lie worse than politicians

 

[riverman]

Most, if not all, American cars from the 70s and 80's and early 90's suck shit. The trucks were much better built.

That's why I'd much rather have a mid 80's Volvo or Honda over a Chevrolet or Ford car of the same vintage. Quality of build too. It doesn't necessarily reflect on how things are now of course.

Each person can have an anecdote about a car. For example, my mom has had an 86, 89 and 2000 Honda. The 86 was the best of the 3 of them, but it doesn't mean all 86's were good or that Hondas from the 90's or after are bad.

Like I said, your mileage may vary.

I bought my son a honda civic lx when he was in high school....my opinion...great engine, cheap body and hardware quality...engine was not easy to work on and really cramped...the oil filter was in a ridiculous position to get to....Toyota makes an all around better car in my view. I do however recommend getting higher end models...less cramped, more comfortable and spacious inside.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

No offense, but your cousin is a fucking idiot then.

I helped my brother change his plugs. Literally took 10 minutes.

No offense taken. The dude makes me look like a mechanical genius....which is really saying something. And anyone who continues to take their car to a dealer for repairs/maintenance after the warranty expires rather than a good local mechanic (assuming one exists nearby) is also a fucking idiot......

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Benz's seem fine and comfortable to drive. You feel more of a baller in a german car.

The thing with German cars is that they have all these weird electrical shit go wrong with them. And something like a transmission module or some shit will be like 2 grand since they have to replace the whole fucking thing.

There's a simple pleasure though in driving a Japanese car knowing shit really isn't going to go wrong with it, and if it does, its usually a cheap fix.

 

[Haakzilla]

@Lanny others to consider:

Genesis G80
Infiniti Q50/70
Acura TLX

 

[tlongII]

I drive a Bentley. And I don't care what it costs to fix it. Because I drive a Bentley.

 

[THE HCP]

Going on a drive with my son on th old gorge highway. My car was built for it. I love how it handles and hits the curves smoothly. I take things like that into account when purchasing a vehicle. Might not mean a lot to some, but it registers with me. I’ll let you know how it goes.

 

[riverman]

You feel more of a baller in a german car.

sure....real chic magnet right here by Mercedes!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I drive a Bentley. And I don't care what it costs to fix it. Because I drive a Bentley.

My boss' wife had a Bentley Coupe. The CD changer broke in it, they had to replace the entire console, it was like 7 grand.

 

[tlongII]

My boss' wife had a Bentley Coupe. The CD changer broke in it, they had to replace the entire console, it was like 7 grand.

Exactly.

 

[stampedehero]

Camry has awd? Mine certainly doesn't.

I have a 2013 Camry and we have liked it a lot. Not AWD though.

Have you looked at Subaru? They're famous for AWD.

I had a '01 Outback. Great car.

 

[stampedehero]

The new Camry body style is awesome. I would prob go with an accord, personally

I currently have a 2012 Accord LX-P and my wife drives a 2010 Rav 4 with a six cylinder and all the AWD upgrades. The RAV 4 is a good AWD. They don't make a 6 Cyl anymore for the RAV.

 

[riverman]

My dream SUV would be the British Land Rover...the Safari legend...sealed undercarriage, rust proof...manual starter crank for emergencies...a true all wheel drive indestructible beast that you can drive through a river if you need to

 

[MarAzul]

before I'd ever buy a new German car.

I always wanted a Mercedes, but I could never pull the trigger. The closest I got, I bought a Suburban instead.

I always wanted a Corvette, I even sat in a new one on the show room floor. The salesman had to help me out of the damn thing. I asked him if he had a Suburban. He did.