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Need some help shopping for a car.

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The Japanese makes have short warranties.
But, chances are you won't need them!
I would NEVER go back to traditional American makes!
I I've had great luck with Subaru, Honda and Toyota.
The problem with the Japanese makes has always been the ass-hole dealers! :(
 
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I had a Hyundai Elantra back in 1994. It was a good car. I would probably still have it if I hadn't been stopped at that red light in 1996, only to be plowed into by an F-350 towing a bobcat bulldozer. My son (infant at the time) was in the back seat. Everybody walked (and crawled) away without a scratch. Did a pretty good number on the car though. While living in Korea last year, I drove a Hyundai Sonata II. Great car. If they had let me ship it back to the States, I would have. I would definitely buy Hyundai again. But, to each his/her own. I have a Toyota Truck now. I have had a Honda Prelude before. All 3 Companies seem to make pretty good products. My sister-in-law had a Saturn. She didn't like it.
 
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BuckinMichigan said:
My wife is on her third Subaru and her parents have owned them for years. They are actually very reliable (knock on wood), however, I believe the JD Power survey takes into account interior vehicle layout, which seems pretty subjective. I cannot stand the interior of Subarus as they are not functional at all. For example, if you put a drink in the cup holder you block the air and heat controls and also a portion of the stereo.
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I hate the cup holders and the very loud sound when you lock the car, but apparently they've fixed these in the newer models (my Forester is a 2001). When this car dies, I'm getting another Forester -- I love it.
 
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OSUsushichic said:
I hate the cup holders and the very loud sound when you lock the car, but apparently they've fixed these in the newer models (my Forester is a 2001). When this car dies, I'm getting another Forester -- I love it.
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My wife's is an 02. The next one needs to be a bit bigger because of how quickly the boys are growing. I am not sure how much larger the Tribeca is.
 
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StooGrimson said:
As someone who is a respondent to the JD Powers Initial Quality Studies every year I can tell you their study is complete garbage if you're looking to use it to buy a car. For one, there is no testing of the vehicles involved. It's simply just a series of questions directed at everyday slobs like myself who know very little about automotive engineering. Also, their study is based on short term quality only and focuses on things like how happy you were with the purchasing experience. Therefore, things like appearance and price incentives tend to factor in far more than long term reliability and overall quality. Using JD Powers Initial Quality Study to buy a car would be like using the USA Today Preseason poll to determine who should be in the BCS...okay, not eactly like it, but I'm assuming you get the point.
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Pretty true. I AM an automotive engineer (so I'm not an ordinary slob). Essentially, the IQS study is a first 60 day study (it might me 90, I forget). It's a survey of how people like their vehicle as soon as they get it. It can also point out assembly plant build issues, but nothing about the survey gives you any kind of idea to true quality, especially long term. It is a useful tool, especially for initial build quality and some design issues. Things like wind noise, brake noise, fit and finish, ergonomics of radio, HVAC, etc. are the problems. JD Power does do a 3 year study, and Hyundai is not in the tops there.

I would say from a quality standpoint we always put Toyota first as a benchmark for longterm quality. Honda is up there for powertrain. The other Japanese companies are pretty good, but also rans compared to those two. I could spend alot more time talking about them, but it will get pretty boring.

For the record I work for DaimlerChrylser. I could get you a deal for a Dodge Caliber...yet I couldn't tell you reliability (I don't work in that area and haven't asked any questions...not to mention I wouldn't spill any bad news). As for Saturn, overall they are pretty decent for quality. Not to the Toyota level from our studies, but not bad. GM had done really well on the quality stand point the last few years. Too bad most people have a really bad taste in their mouth from many of the Domestic vehicles they have owned in the past. I will admit there still is some gap, but nothing like it used to be. Of course there are economic reasons for some of the quality gap, but that is another long story.

Not sure if this helps, but if you want any more info let me know.
 
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Thump said:
Wife has a Saturn, no problems whatsoever.

You're always going to get bad stories no matter what brand of car you are talking.
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Thump,

Consider that a blessing... Every single person I know who owns/owned a Saturn had a bad experiance (scratch that... ONE person didn't, although she drove the car roughly 5k miles a year). Granted I don't know a whole lot of folks so the sample size is roughly a half dozen...
 
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I agree with the Saturn-bashing, they suck. Face it, American's can't compete with the Japanese when it comes to economy cars (or really about any sedan).

As for Hyundai, I saw a "60 Minutes" or some such, where they showed that Hyundai models are basically the exact same as the Honda's, only significantly cheaper, and with a "better" warranty. Apparently Hyundai ripped off the Honda designs and is building the same car. My neighbor just bought one, and absolutely loves it. Plus, they have better financing (according to her) than any of the other dealers, so that's something else to consider.
 
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You have to take into account that Ohio State is going to win another national championship this year. Therefore, it's prudent to buy a car that's difficult for drunk people to flip over and set on fire. I recommend something made out of cast iron, with a low center of gravity - kinda like the car I owned in 2002:

psfront212.jpg
 
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NewYorkBuck said:
I have a VW diesel I bought last year. 50 mpg, no problems whatsoever. I drove from NYC to C-bus last year and made it on 3/4 of a tank. Engine lasts 200k w/o need for a teardown too.
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Is that one of the new, high-performance diesel engines? I've read their life expectancy is the same as regular engines.

I hear Porsche makes a decent car! :biggrin:

I've been looking at the Chrysler 300C, AWD lately. I'm still a few years away from buying a new vehicle but this model hits what I am looking for: lots of rear leg room (for two little boys growing like weeds), power (340 HP with the 5.7 Hemi), and looks good.
 
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