Pepsi90919
Lifer
yeah right, and like tomorrow it'll be dead
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I hate my car....hate it hate it hate it
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yeah right, and like tomorrow it'll be dead
Wow, so many having problems with their alternators. And yet, some having no trouble at all using the very same vehicles. Let's see, what might be the difference? Could it be that some of them have sound systems sucking more power than the alternator can handle? Could it be that some people run their batteries down to nothing via these same sound systems (when the car is not running), then blow the alternator when it tries to recharge the virtually dead battery? Perhaps, through lack of maintenance, or too many years without being replaced, the battery finally pukes, taking the alternator with it?
Any car is going to require periodic maintenance. Seems as though some of these new Toyotas are more touchy about having their oil changed than engines of the past. I hear the timing belt replacement issue has fallen off due to a trend toward timing chains instead. What a concept! But if you do buy a used econobox, you'll still be facing that timing belt issue. Oh, and CV joints, batteries, exhaust systems, struts, filters, fuel pumps, window motors, shifter linkage, wimpy automatics, wheel bearings, brakes, warped rotors... NO CAR is immune!
Next time around, make sure you buy a used car with a good foundation, driven by an old lady (NOT a "sports" car), and be prepared to do maintenance and make repairs. Some of these Japanese cars break down less than their domestic counterparts, but look at the price for replacement parts in comparison. Not to mention the cost of labor, depending on who does the work, and the initial price of it. Go see what your mechanic drives, that should tell ya something. One of mine has an older F-150 for a daily driver and a frame up restored '67 GTO for show. The other uses an older GM full size cargo van, but I don't know what else. Anyway, your mechanic can point you to something trustworthy, durable, cheap and easy to repair.
Any car is going to require periodic maintenance. Seems as though some of these new Toyotas are more touchy about having their oil changed than engines of the past. I hear the timing belt replacement issue has fallen off due to a trend toward timing chains instead. What a concept! But if you do buy a used econobox, you'll still be facing that timing belt issue. Oh, and CV joints, batteries, exhaust systems, struts, filters, fuel pumps, window motors, shifter linkage, wimpy automatics, wheel bearings, brakes, warped rotors... NO CAR is immune!
Next time around, make sure you buy a used car with a good foundation, driven by an old lady (NOT a "sports" car), and be prepared to do maintenance and make repairs. Some of these Japanese cars break down less than their domestic counterparts, but look at the price for replacement parts in comparison. Not to mention the cost of labor, depending on who does the work, and the initial price of it. Go see what your mechanic drives, that should tell ya something. One of mine has an older F-150 for a daily driver and a frame up restored '67 GTO for show. The other uses an older GM full size cargo van, but I don't know what else. Anyway, your mechanic can point you to something trustworthy, durable, cheap and easy to repair.
Deeko
Lifer
Yea, I do have a sound system in my car, but I NEVER run it with the engine off, because I'm afraid it will drain the battery, even though I only have one, fairly weak amp. My car was a single-owner car before me, and it sure stank of old man, so I assume an old guy had it before me 🙂
StageLeft
No Lifer
Unless it's a sentra! My 93 sentra has a timing chain 🙂
In regards to alternator it died last month. Car has 160k. I'm guessing it was an original part. My stereo is just a headunit and 4 basic speakers; I doubt that this contributed to much of the decline of the alternator (battery was 10-11 months old). I think it was just too old, although that's my case. I would think that people with 1500 watt stereo systems go through more alternator issues.
Just for fun, have you ever seen what a Grand Am used to look like? :Q
I had a friend at work who was a Chrysler man. He bought his very first GM about 10 or 15 years ago, and it was a FWD Grand Am. His experience confirmed everything I had ever heard about those cars up to that point, which was NOT good! Another guy, whose wife worked for GM, bought his daughter a Grand Am. What a POS! One friggen problem after another! I heard they got the bugs out in some of the later generations, and I don't know which years sucked and which didn't, but it was pretty common knowledge back then.
There was a time when Pontiac built some REALLY RUGGED, fast, dependable cars. Too bad their reputation went in the toilet with the introduction of these FWD POS-mobiles. :disgust:
I had a friend at work who was a Chrysler man. He bought his very first GM about 10 or 15 years ago, and it was a FWD Grand Am. His experience confirmed everything I had ever heard about those cars up to that point, which was NOT good! Another guy, whose wife worked for GM, bought his daughter a Grand Am. What a POS! One friggen problem after another! I heard they got the bugs out in some of the later generations, and I don't know which years sucked and which didn't, but it was pretty common knowledge back then.
There was a time when Pontiac built some REALLY RUGGED, fast, dependable cars. Too bad their reputation went in the toilet with the introduction of these FWD POS-mobiles. :disgust:
blahblah99
Platinum Member
why don't you spend a good weekend and inspect your car for parts that are about to fail? Check anything exterior on the engine and easily accessible can be changed without too much of a hassle, provided that your not intimidated by the car. If one of your radiator hoses is leaking, the other one would most likely be leaking also. Replace ALL of the radiator hoses and heater hoses.
CrackRabbit
Lifer
Add Saturns To that list, the altenator in my saturn went out at 45k, and was about to die again when i got rid of it at 110k among other problems, after having two GM vehicles that have had large problems under 100k (5-700 bucks a pop to repair) I will never buy another one.
Deeko, seriously dont get a brand new car, try looking for cars that are less than a year old and have low mileage on them, you can usualy get them for 3-5k off the original sticker price. Or if your looking for something cheap and reliable, Civics, Accords and Camrys are the way to go. Whatever you choose, good luck to you!
"I don't know if that counts as an authentic pontiac car."
Good Lord, Firebird IS Pontiac! All the rest of their FWD econoboxes are the pretenders! Pontiac used to make Great Cars! The Firebird is the only thing left worth a damn.
Good Lord, Firebird IS Pontiac! All the rest of their FWD econoboxes are the pretenders! Pontiac used to make Great Cars! The Firebird is the only thing left worth a damn.
Damn timing belts! Mine broke recently.. 😎
However, nothing else with the car is wrong (besides little things like 2 windows not rolling down and the muffler mount rusted through but hey it's a $380 (US) car...), but I think my left outer CV joint is starting to go. That's the one that the boot came off of. I tried to fix it a couple times but it kept slipping off (I guess the boot is just not flexible enough or whatever) so I was gonna get as split boot but then the belt broke and that made ME broke! I hear whirring from that joint and it's getting louder as time goes on, or so it seems. That might be my imagination 😉
Anyways, I'll wait a while before fixing that. I may just get another car in the summer, maybe a turbo shadow 😉 Right now I have a stock auto and it's slow 🙁
Why are those old cars so damn wide? That must have been scary on two lane roads, or in congested city traffic. Well, I guess back then there wasn't much congestion to worry about, but still. I know a two-lane road near where I lived a couple months ago that is barely wide enough for cars of today (like 1/2 to a foot of space on each side of the car), let alone something like that.
not any more 🙁
Anyway, I wish they would make a cheap, fast RWD/AWD car with good handling. The Camaro/Firebird were cheap and fast, but their handling wasn't the best. Mustang's a bit better but suffers from the lack of independent rear suspension like the f-bodies, that and it's overpriced. Supra's not made anymore and it's not cheap even today! 240sx wasn't that fast, isn't made anymore.. 350Z is ugly and too expensive... talons aren't made anymore and they weren't the most reliable.. bah 🙁
and I want my next car to be a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - 250 hp baby, HID - yeah thats the sh!t 🙂
Lucky for me my uncle will be a Pontiac dealer by then, so any repairs go to his dealership, with his handpicked mechanic 🙂
BTW..I drive a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (pretty similar to the Grand Am) - no alternator problems, although the battery does die if I leave my radar detector on while not driving....yeah I guess that would happen in every car. I probably need a DieHard battery or something. It only has 55K miles though (my sister & dad were the previous drivers, and its in good shape)., and hopefully will be gone Sept 2003 - I'm spoiled 🙂
Lucky for me my uncle will be a Pontiac dealer by then, so any repairs go to his dealership, with his handpicked mechanic 🙂
BTW..I drive a 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (pretty similar to the Grand Am) - no alternator problems, although the battery does die if I leave my radar detector on while not driving....yeah I guess that would happen in every car. I probably need a DieHard battery or something. It only has 55K miles though (my sister & dad were the previous drivers, and its in good shape)., and hopefully will be gone Sept 2003 - I'm spoiled 🙂
"Well, I guess back then..."
Lord, how old do you think that car is? 😀 We spent our honeymoon in a 1965 Pontiac Catalina 4dr. It was 13 years old at the time with about 100K on it in excellent condition and reliable as ever. Hard to believe, but it was considered mid-size!
That '67 Grand Prix was no wider than your average, full size, half ton pickup. If you want a fair priced, durable domestic RWD, the full size, domestic pickup is the best bang for the buck. If I were buying FWD anything, (which AIN'T likely) it would be a new Avalon or loaded Camry. The used ones are priced WAY too high to bother with. Speaking of resale prices, go test drive one of these. I couldn't find more car for the money... so I bought one! 🙂
Lord, how old do you think that car is? 😀 We spent our honeymoon in a 1965 Pontiac Catalina 4dr. It was 13 years old at the time with about 100K on it in excellent condition and reliable as ever. Hard to believe, but it was considered mid-size!
That '67 Grand Prix was no wider than your average, full size, half ton pickup. If you want a fair priced, durable domestic RWD, the full size, domestic pickup is the best bang for the buck. If I were buying FWD anything, (which AIN'T likely) it would be a new Avalon or loaded Camry. The used ones are priced WAY too high to bother with. Speaking of resale prices, go test drive one of these. I couldn't find more car for the money... so I bought one! 🙂
wellerdball
Banned
buy toyota no frills
ultimatebob
Lifer
The exception to this, of course, is if a car needs MAJOR repairs. If you're driving a 10+ year old car that has a MAJOR problem like a blown engine or trashed transmission, it's often just cheaper to just get a "new" used car than to get the old one fixed.
StageLeft
No Lifer
$150? I doubt this will make you happier, but when a car has a problem and the repair bill is $150 I think most people have a sigh of relief. Used cars are expensive. Although it may be hard on you given your finances (I dunno) there are SOOO many ways to spend more than $150 on a broken car that if your car is costing that you should consider yourself "lucky". Obviously true luck would be no repair, but as far as repairs go that's child's play. How's $1800 sound on a tranny repair that my friend recently had to pay? Or I had $170 tuneup and the a couple weeks later $270 for a nice new alternator. Even those ain't that bad.
Used cars cost MONEY. Lots of it. And new cars cost even more in guaranteed monthly payments. Cars are costly bastards.
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