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Is this car totaled? Pics inside **update**

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cr2250 said:
Found a potential replacement
tu4ymudu.jpg


Loaded with nav, sunroof, etc

For my brother, got it to 9k, if all checks out. Has 77k miles. Low for Toyota.

Should be a good car for him. Slow enough not to get in trouble but more sporty than the focus.
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yes the toyota badge makes it 10x better then every other thing out there.

They never sludged engines. no not toyota's.
 
michal1980 said:
yes the toyota badge makes it 10x better then every other thing out there.

They never sludged engines. no not toyota's.
Click to expand...

I have no means to join the bandwagon hype over the reliability of toyota's and honda's (I own a Mazda). I realize all car manufacturers have their problems. Toyota and Honda, yes have a proven track record years ago, but that doesn't mean other car manufacturers haven't stepped up their game.

I'm open to other options. I listed the vehicles that I am aware of and am actively looking for. I just narrowed it to this Scion and whatever else comes across this week.

I asked in my previous response for suggestions. Doesn't want another Focus and it seems that generation of Focus' were going till 2010, anything after 2011 seems to be out of our price range.

Here is my research (excluding luxury vehicles). Mainly looking for 2 or 4 dr (sub)compact vehicle. Automatic is the only necessity.

Ford:
Only interested in current generation of the Focus. Even though my mom's 13' Focus is having transmission issues and gas mileage problems. Fiesta(?)

Dodge/Chrysler:
No

Hyundai:
I've contacted the owners with the Tiburon's in the area. No reply yet.
Not interested in an Elantra. Genesis is out of price range.

Kia:
Forte seems too expensive

Mazda:
Mazda3 is fine but there aren't a lot in our area
http://columbus.craigslist.org/sear...a+3&minAsk=7000&maxAsk=10000&sort=rel&excats=

Nissan:
They don't really have any compact cars other than the Sentra and Versa (IMO they dont' look that great either).

Pontiac:
A vibe would be cool since it shares the same drive train as a Matrix. Found this http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4293687858.html and contacted.

Toyota/Honda:
It is apparent that the used Corollas and Civics are carrying more of that reliability hype than the Scion due to the high prices. Mostly the reason why I'm staying away from these options. Also IMO a 2 door civic, I find is more bland looking than a Tc.

SAAB:
9-2x only and those are hard to find. Plus our family owns one and the parts are hard to come by.

Saturn:
Ion's are fine but really would like to stay away from GM products from past experience (cobalt). Would be interested in a Cruze but that is still relatively new.

Subaru:
Really hard to find a decent one that's an auto. Impreza's are hard to come by under 10,000.

NutBucket said:
My friend also complains that his sunroof rattles. Not sure if that ever got fixed.
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I'll make sure to see if it has that when test driven tomorrow.
 
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If you want a headache free car, get a used Prius/Camry Hybrid. No belts, excellent fuel economy, high reliability, etc. etc.
 
Can't disagree with you there. My CR-Z has been flawless for 40k miles but I hardly attribute that to it being a hybrid.
 
halik said:
That still seems very odd, given both the mechanical and electrical complexity. They didn't make it from magic pixie dust.
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It's less complex than you think. A lot of the "complexity" you speak of are for solid state devices which as you know, are very reliable. There are less "wear parts" so to speak in the Prius than most vehicles and since Toyota makes a solid engine with good quality parts (at least in this vehicle) it gets top marks in reliability. Electric motors are suppose to be reliable and when they fail, it's usually due to them overheating. I've seen some prius electric motors in the transmission fail but that was due to a manufacturing defect where the oil pickup tube rubber grommet was installed improperly, allowing oil+air to be sucked up instead of just oil. Otherwise the Prius transmission is two electric motors and a planetary gearset, a "glorified" differential so to speak.

So the transmission shouldn't wear out like most belt CVTs that are now being used in cars today. The engine is a solid corolla engine with no known 'common' issues (unlike the 2000s oil burning corollas), car has no belts at all, an electric water pump and isn't a very heavy vehicle so it really shouldn't have issues of excessive wear on suspension bushings and shocks.
 
NutBucket said:
Hate to say it but if you're after ultimate reliability it does seem the Prius should be on your list.
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Oh yeah oops. I was adding cars as I came across them.

I'll keep an eye out for a Prius.

Side question: Mini's are generally unreliable? I don't know much about them except BMW makes them.
 
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NutBucket said:
Nope. Avoid that one.
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Looked at Scion. Found out he was a dealer - no plates on vehicle, he didn't reveal he was one and I had to ask.

Car seemed to drive like it had 177,000 miles when it only had 77k.

Wheel vibrated, didn't drive straight, bumper did align up to front, total waste of time.

That's Craigslist.

Gonna keep looking.
 
Try to find 1 owner, 2 owner max cars. Complete service records or go to the dealer and look them up. Have someone do a pre purchase inspection if you don't know what to look for (bad ball joints/tie rod ends in particular) because at this price range abused cars will need them.

Carmax is another option. You pay a little more, but in your price range it may be your best bet if you want something quick.

I've had better luck with autotrader over craigslist. If someone has personal interest or values the car they'll spend the $40 to list a $10k car.

Craigslist is great for $3k range cars.
 
cr2250 said:
Looked at Scion. Found out he was a dealer - no plates on vehicle, he didn't reveal he was one and I had to ask.

Car seemed to drive like it had 177,000 miles when it only had 77k.

Wheel vibrated, didn't drive straight, bumper did align up to front, total waste of time.

That's Craigslist.

Gonna keep looking.
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Ask them if they're a dealer or owner when you call. Most of the ads craigslist are people who buy 4-5 cars at auction and resell them. These are mostly repossessed and trade ins not fit to sell at a used car dealer.
 
Looking on autotrader. Regarding vw, should I consider any TDI's that are under $10k? It's a Diesel engine but still guessing vw electric gremlins are waiting around.
 
Problem with the diesels especially the volkswagens is that they've got unreliable injection pumps which are super expensive to replace. The fuel is expensive and the vehicles like typical eurotrash are unreliable. Also the performance is comparable to a Prius both in acceleration and in Slalom so it's questionable why anybody would buy these vehicles.
 
Toyo sludgers were from the late 1990s and early 2000s....
...by 07 there were other problems...Cams drank oil in 07-09 (though that didn't hurt as much as it was an inconvenience) but that was remedied by '10 and then the intro of the new 2.5L 4-banger...
 
tortillasoup said:
It's less complex than you think. A lot of the "complexity" you speak of are for solid state devices which as you know, are very reliable. There are less "wear parts" so to speak in the Prius than most vehicles and since Toyota makes a solid engine with good quality parts (at least in this vehicle) it gets top marks in reliability. Electric motors are suppose to be reliable and when they fail, it's usually due to them overheating. I've seen some prius electric motors in the transmission fail but that was due to a manufacturing defect where the oil pickup tube rubber grommet was installed improperly, allowing oil+air to be sucked up instead of just oil. Otherwise the Prius transmission is two electric motors and a planetary gearset, a "glorified" differential so to speak.

So the transmission shouldn't wear out like most belt CVTs that are now being used in cars today. The engine is a solid corolla engine with no known 'common' issues (unlike the 2000s oil burning corollas), car has no belts at all, an electric water pump and isn't a very heavy vehicle so it really shouldn't have issues of excessive wear on suspension bushings and shocks.
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How are there less wear parts, when the car has both a conventional combustion engine and a hybrid electric system?

Good to hear that it's not a belt cvt, those are just straight terrible.
 
Because the transmission on the Prius is much different design than conventional automatic transmissions or CVT belt transmissions, therefore less wear parts. The Prius transmission in terms of wear parts is like a glorified differential, a very simple design. The car has high reliability electric motors supplanting typically crappy alternators and crappy starter motors. The bulk in savings of wear parts is in the transmission and the higher reliability electric water pump, power steering, "alternator", "Starter", and increase in Brake life.
 
So I may be making an exception to one luxury vehicle.
Infiniti G35 ~ 2004 or 2005
100,000 miles, Texas car so no rust (huge plus). Original owner.
Considering the engine is out of a Nissan, I feel the only reoccurring premium expense would be fuel, synthetic and tires.
Brother agreed to these expenses. Only $6 increase a month in insurance.

Father owns a g37 and hasn't had any issues.

Thoughts? I like that there is no rust. Ohio vehicles are notorious for rust.
 
cr2250 said:
So I may be making an exception to one luxury vehicle.
Infiniti G35 ~ 2004 or 2005
100,000 miles, Texas car so no rust (huge plus). Original owner.
Considering the engine is out of a Nissan, I feel the only reoccurring premium expense would be fuel, synthetic and tires.
Brother agreed to these expenses. Only $6 increase a month in insurance.

Father owns a g37 and hasn't had any issues.

Thoughts? I like that there is no rust. Ohio vehicles are notorious for rust.
Click to expand...


The G35's had oil usage issues and also timing chain problems. I would skip.
 
Jimzz said:
The G35's had oil usage issues and also timing chain problems. I would skip.
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Oil usage is from more recent revisions. the timing chain problems you speak of are related to the tensioner and shouldn't be an issue on a properly maintained vehicle. Besides, at 100k miles, those issues would be known by now

you aren't looking at a manual, so I would say the G35 is an OK choice if you are comfortable with the mileage

every car is going to have some issue to have concern about. Just be an informed buyer about whatever you are looking at. previous owners and maintenance are the key things to be looking for. I wouldn't shy away from a model based on some fear of a supposed inherent issue in the make model if the vehicle was well cared for.
 
As a owner of a 05 g35. You don't need to pay for high end oil. Normal castrol gtx is fine but change them at 4k. Infiniti actually recommends 3750 miles oil changes.

This car has been solid for me in the past 7 years and 60k. Only had to replace a wheel bearing and crankshaft sensor. Both costing about $400 total.

Don't expect more then 25mpg if that. You should be hanging in 20-22mpg. Its a good exhausted note tho
 
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