car shopping

[Wankel7]

Mazda RX-8 or that new Mazdaspeed Miata with the turbo.

Wankel

 

[cptsesso]

If going for a car again, I would check out the Mazda 3 5 door. Very sharp looking exterior and interior very upscale with navigation system.

 

[huncowboy]

That's unusual my 1995 3 lasted 140k mikes on it before it need it's first major service (replacing the ball joint). Other than the consumables and a new sound system, not much was put into the car until then.

Not unusual lately. Not at all. This is the 5th bmw I have been around including the ones my parents had when I was young. They were pretty reliably cars. However problems like:

1. 3000 miles, transmission problem, jerky movements before stopping - software needed patch
2. 6000 miles, same transmission problem - another patch
3. 8000 miles, again the same transmission problem - yet another patch, this one fixed it this time (many people reported this problem)
4. GPS died... - replaced some part... works ok, it reboots once in a while but we at least don't need to go missed when it happens
5. sunroof broke – the shade part got out of the rail
6. sunroof broke again - fixed this time
7. coolant leaked - told me that it is normal - told them that I look young but am not anymore and it is not Daddy’s car - found there was a leak next to the pump
8. the sealing line that is on top of the door opening (dunno English name) simply pealed off and hung in the window. Just like that. This was at 14k.
... for things like when I could not turn off the instrument panel light until I did not restart the car I did not even care to call the dealer. They must think I am one of those complainers, which is not true. Even in restaurants I don't complain... worst case I won't come back and won’t give 15% only 10.
And the current problem #9. Brake gives a sound like hmmmhmmmhmmm before stopping... they have checked the brakes and found nothing, the pads are good... now I need to go back again since my wife picked it up and she did not bring it back right away.

All the above meant 7 visits already. It sucks. Other than the above the car is a dream and it is a beauty. Drives like nothing else in that price range. Amazing when everything works, too bad I just can't enjoy that right now until I find time to bring it in again for the brakes... well... no more BMW for me for a long while. Not that I will be able to afford one later anyways… if I will ever make it to a regional. Not that I care about that too much anymore (I mean cars).

 

[7B2]

piece of sh!t cars!!!!
nothing is working so it can't ever break; it's wonderfull

 

[Stifler's Mom]

AMC Pacer

Chick Magnet

 

[dmspilot00]

Re: AMC Pacer

Chick Magnet

It might be a chick magnet, but I think the magnet is oriented so that chicks would be repelled rather than attracted!

 

[I.P. Freley]

Well, I'll be the third to recommend the Mazda6 S.

Handles like a dream, a V6/manual tranny combo (maddeningly hard to find these days from other makers in the under $30k range), and if you shop well and don't "need" leather you'll pay barely over $20k.

Mileage is mediocre for the class of car, but it's hard to get too excited by the mileage when you're having that much fun behind the wheel.

I will also second the Focus. I had one for three years and it needed to see the shop exactly once for something other than routine maintenance, which was a multiple-hit visit (take care of a recall, replace the clutch return spring, and replace the oxygen sensor in the exhaust). Great car, beats all comers in the segment hands-down when it comes to "fun to drive", and reliable as a Honda. At least mine was.

 

[Boeingman]

Mercedes. Hands down the best automobiles on the road.

Outstanding reliability and dealer support.

 

[SpiffAV8]

A few years back I bought a F-150 4X4 King Cab with all the toys. It listed for just over $33k yet I was out the door for $27k after taxes and all. I told the dealer of a company called Automotive Fleet Sales and there offer of any car for $50.00 over the FACTORY invoice. They said that they too had a fleet service program and offered to do the same. They even showed me the factory invoice along with the dealer invoice to prove there price. I never did tell the dealer what price Automoutive fleet Sales offered and the Dealer ended up beating the price by $50.00.

I have been more than happy with the truck and wouldn't trade it for any other out there. Other than gas and regular maintence it's been problem free. The customer service I have recived from the dealer is awesome. They are a Blue Oval ceritified dealer and work hard to keep the award. All around it's been a good experence for me.

If you got a simular deal and put 5k or so down your payment would be a cheap one. Besides you deserve a nice truck! I'll see if I can't find Automotive Fleets Sales number and then pass it along to you.

 

[wingnutt]

Automotive Fleets Sales...

...really?!?

 

[johnpeace]

volkswagen?

I am moving to the atlanta suburbs soon and will have a hour commute every day.

With gasoline being as expensive as it is (and getting moreso) I can no longer justify being a 'pickup truck person'. I'm selling my Dakota and getting something that gets better mileage.

I'm really interested in the Volkswagen TDI cars. Not that I really like VW...but I can see driving a Jetta. What is really intriguing to me is the ability to burn biodiesel.

Anyone have any experience with biodiesel in the VW TDI cars?

 

[ShawnC]

Mercedes. Hands down the best automobiles on the road.

Outstanding reliability and dealer support.

Too bad the C and E models are going to be made in China from now on.

 

[SpiffAV8]

wingnutt

Ture stroy.

Why?

 

[Boeingman]

Too bad the C and E models are going to be made in China from now on.

Is that right? I Didn't know that. But I don't drive one of those models anyway.