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Thread: Good car?

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    God/dess
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    Default Good car?

    Ok I think Ive decided on a 2000-2001 volvo s40 for my car I want to purchase. Is this a good car for my 1st car purchase? How much should I put down?.... b/c I know I'll get a loan. Its between 10-14K
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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good car?

    Volvos have a good reputation for safety, but not reliability. Is the car a certified pre-owned?

    And how much you put down depends on what kind of rate you can get, how much you want to pay per month and what you can afford.

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    Default Re: Good car?

    Nope, don't buy a newer Volvo; I have an old one and my mechanics say the recent ones are a pain in the ass, not nearly as durable.

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good car?

    note they rate the 'value' of a used S40 as only a 4.3 out of 10

    As Susan points out, new Volvos aren't what they once were - since Volvo was taken over by Ford in 1999

    Strictly a personal opinion, but I would lean towards a 5 year old Japanese car rather than a 5 year old European car, as the Japanese designs tend to have better long term life.

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    Default Re: Good car?

    I had no idea they were taken over by Ford. That sucks and I liked that car. Thanks for the advice. Which ones are japenese cars?
    This is my 2nd big purchase and I just want things to go smoothly. I think I read somewhere its best to go with certified pre-owned or is that for certain vehicles?
    you live like an ivy vine
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  6. #6
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Good car?

    There's a joke about Volvos: "Question: You know why they're so safe? Answer: "Because they're always in the shop!"

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good car?

    japanese....
    Toyota (which is the same as Lexus)
    Honda (same as Acura)
    Nissan (same as Infiniti)
    Mitsubishi and Subaru are in there...prob more I can't think of

    Being taken over by Ford isn't really a bad thing...that's the best thing that every happened to Jaguar!

    Yes, CPO is a good option for any car

  8. #8
    Chicagoeditor
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    Default Re: Good car?

    TM,

    I love my Honda. It's never given me a lick of trouble. Standard transmission, 4-door, 4 cylinder (next time, definitely go for more). Bought it in 2000. Actually, I want to upgrade to something a bit more fun and sporty.

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    Default Re: Good car?

    Now, I love my ancient Volvo; it's insanely reliable! But I wouldn't buy one newer than 1993 when they stopped making the boxy ones. Honestly, if I had to go out and buy a car today it would either be a Toyota or a Subaru.

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good car?

    I have to vouch for the Subarus. I've had mine for a year and have never had any problems what-so-ever on it. A neighbor still has his Subaru Outback from the mid 90's. Extremely reliable...besides, they hold their value much, much longer than other cars (like domestics) because they are well made, etc.

    I would definitely advise you to buy a Subaru, Toyota, Nissan, or even a Honda.

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    Senior Member NaughtyAngel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good car?

    I have two vehicles: A Dodge Ram and a Toyota Landcruiser. I am pleased with both and both are reliable. My next vehicle will be a Mercedes CLK500. (The 2007 model.)

    I highly suggest one does research first. Even if the vehicle is American made does not necessarily mean they are a piece of crap. I love my Dodge Ram. Love love love it. Same for my Landcruiser so don't automatically assume that just because it's Japanese made that it won't have problems because I know a few people who have Toyota 4runners and they have had problems. I also know some who owned Fords who have had problems so the country source is not mutually exclusive with reliability.

    Check out the vehicle especially if it is used then have it checked by a mechanic. It should cost about $100 for a check. Mine was about $80 which was a small price to pay for a professional opinion.

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    Featured Member cottoncandy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good car?

    I have an old Volvo and it's having some problems. I think Volvos usually last to around 130 or 140 thousand miles. If I were spend the amount of money you listed on cars I'd buy a new (or 1 year old) Hyundai. They're very reliable and inexpensive. They're almost as reliable as Honda but less expensive.

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    Default Re: Good car?

    I now have TWO Subarus, a WRX and a Legacy (one for personal use, the other for business use). Prior to Mitsubishi dropping a 4 wheel drive model from the lineup when Jeep/Eagle was taken over by Daimler (if you didn't know this, most pre 1999 Chrysler corp drivetrains were made by Mitsubishi, and the Mitsu Eclipse was also sold with a Chrysler Eagle Talon nameplate) , I have owned a bunch of Mitsubishis all the way back to a 1990 model. Very few problems with any of these cars ... PROVIDING that required maintenance gets done when it's supposed to. That of course is the risk in buying ANY used car, certified or not - that the previous owner has cheezed on the maintenance such that the engine / tranny / etc. have experienced lots more wear than if proper maintenance had been done.

    Another option which might be worth exploring is a returned 'lease' car. These cars were 'leased' by dealers for 12-24-36 months, and the lessee decided not to purchase them when the term of the lease expired - thus the dealer must now put them up for sale. As such, the maintenance was usually done by the same dealer who wrote the lease in the first place and who is now selling the car. I picked up both of my Subarus this way at a very decent price.

    Also, a personal opinion about Hondas - they have an excellent reputation which is well deserved ... HOWEVER if you look at the market price of a 5 year old Honda it's not the best value. Owning a Honda from new to 5 years old results in very low depreciation. But buying a Honda at 5 years old at a comparatively high price and having it fall apart over the next 5 years like every used car in the world is likely to do, the second owner winds up taking the beating on depreciation losses.
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    Last edited by Melonie; 05-16-2006 at 03:44 PM.

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    Default Re: Good car?

    We have a 1999 camry which my fiancee' bought new. It has 380,000 miles on it and besides rebuilding the engine due to an oil leak we didn't detect and fixing the brakes twice, and a few minor things, the maintenance on this car was the best we've experienced.

    The 1996 Ford Taurus he bought new prior to the Camry, had the transmission rebuilt twice in 156,000 miles and on the way to trade the car in for the Camry, a hose and belt broke.

    I would swear by a Japanese car. I would by a 2003 Camry with 60,000 miles on it before I would buy a like mileage American car. If you buy a new American car, expect it to start having frequent visits to the repair shop after 50,000 miles.I say buy a car you can put another 200,000 miles on it with minimal maintenance, and that would be a Japanese car.

    As Chris Rock says, Americans can make a car that won't break down, but they won't. The money is in repairs and parts, just as the Pharamaceutical Companies are NOT looking for cures for disease, just treatments. As Chris Rock said again, the money is in the medicine, not the cure.

    The resale will be a little higher on a used Japanese car but will save you money in the end.

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    Default Re: Good car?

    Thanks everyone for the car suggestions. I chose a different car now. Too bad Hondas are the #1 stolen/vandalized car in the area or I would get one of those. I really want a Mercedes SLK 350 but that dream will have to wait. I figure I'll go for a 2003-2005 Corolla S instead. I also had a chance to speak with my tax guy he said put down 6-8K - due to my credit most likely not being old enough to qualify for more money on a loan.
    Its so much better to see your goal clearer and much easier to go for it. Ok, now I gotta go make the money.
    you live like an ivy vine
    you can only survive by clinging onto trees
    that's your flaw
    put down some roots so you can stand on your own
    -Kenpachi



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    Default Re: Good car?

    The main reason that Hondas are the number 1 most stolen car is because they are the most popular. People don't go out to steal Hondas. They go out to steal cars. If they want a certain brand, they will steal a luxury car.

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    Senior Member NaughtyAngel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Good car?

    Quote Originally Posted by TigersMilk
    Thanks everyone for the car suggestions. I chose a different car now. Too bad Hondas are the #1 stolen/vandalized car in the area or I would get one of those. I really want a Mercedes SLK 350 but that dream will have to wait. I figure I'll go for a 2003-2005 Corolla S instead. I also had a chance to speak with my tax guy he said put down 6-8K - due to my credit most likely not being old enough to qualify for more money on a loan.
    Its so much better to see your goal clearer and much easier to go for it. Ok, now I gotta go make the money.
    You have good taste Good luck in your car buying

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    Default Re: Good car?

    Thieves steal cars many times for the parts, and the most popular cars have a high demand for used parts.

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    Default Re: Good car?

    Hondas and Toyotas seem to run forever. Older Volvos were like that but apparently not the newer ones. My mom had an '81 Volvo she kept for like 20 years and it ran great.

    Now Mercedes are nice cars but don't think because you pay a lot for it that it won't be in the shop a lot. And the parts cost more. All that being said, they are still super nice cars and I wouldn't mind owning one!

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