Need a car (2000 Maxima found) need help determining

[matas]

If u haven't seen my other thread, I sold my 2000 acura tl to a dealer for cheap, it had a transmition problem. No I need a "new car" but I only have 5k to spend. So shit, I want a "better" car this time. What kind of car is known for it's longevity? Maybe I'll stick with a 4 cylinder..

 

[Modular]

Honda Accords are very well known for their longevity. Interestingly, Acura is really just a Honda on the inside though.

 

[Arkaign]

If you can drive a manual and don't mind, they usually last longer, and replacing a clutch is a lot cheaper than rebuilding/replacing an auto. Generally better fuel economy to boot.

Reliable options :

Honda Accord / Civic
Corolla
Sentra
Altima
Fusion / Mazda6
Mazda 3
Focus ('05+ Duratec models specifically)
Maxima
Integra
RSX
GEO/Chevy Prism (rebadged Corolla)

there are some other, but those come off the top of my head pretty easily

 

[matas]

Originally posted by: Modular
Honda Accords are very well known for their longevity. Interestingly, Acura is really just a Honda on the inside though.

I thought so too. Honda hmm should be reliable engine and trans, but it was not. Wonder if accord v6 had the same problem.

 

[matas]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
If you can drive a manual and don't mind, they usually last longer, and replacing a clutch is a lot cheaper than rebuilding/replacing an auto. Generally better fuel economy to boot.

Reliable options :

Honda Accord / Civic
Corolla
Sentra
Altima
Fusion / Mazda6
Mazda 3
Focus ('05+ Duratec models specifically)
Maxima
Integra
RSX
GEO/Chevy Prism (rebadged Corolla)

there are some other, but those come off the top of my head pretty easily

How long does a clutch usually last? I thought that clutch wears out faster.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: matas

Originally posted by: Arkaign
If you can drive a manual and don't mind, they usually last longer, and replacing a clutch is a lot cheaper than rebuilding/replacing an auto. Generally better fuel economy to boot.

Reliable options :

Honda Accord / Civic
Corolla
Sentra
Altima
Fusion / Mazda6
Mazda 3
Focus ('05+ Duratec models specifically)
Maxima
Integra
RSX
GEO/Chevy Prism (rebadged Corolla)

there are some other, but those come off the top of my head pretty easily

How long does a clutch usually last? I thought that clutch wears out faster.

Depends on the driver Anywhere between 50k - 150k miles is pretty normal.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: matas

Originally posted by: Modular
Honda Accords are very well known for their longevity. Interestingly, Acura is really just a Honda on the inside though.

I thought so too. Honda hmm should be reliable engine and trans, but it was not. Wonder if accord v6 had the same problem.

Honda has a unique auto tranny design, it worked pretty well back when most of their cars had ~100-140hp, but when they started pushing drivetrains out with a lot more power, they ran into a lot of trouble in the early '00s. Suspect autos for Honda/Acura are from around '99-'03 IIRC.

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: matas

Originally posted by: Modular
Honda Accords are very well known for their longevity. Interestingly, Acura is really just a Honda on the inside though.

I thought so too. Honda hmm should be reliable engine and trans, but it was not. Wonder if accord v6 had the same problem.

Honda has a unique auto tranny design, it worked pretty well back when most of their cars had ~100-140hp, but when they started pushing drivetrains out with a lot more power, they ran into a lot of trouble in the early '00s. Suspect autos for Honda/Acura are from around '99-'03 IIRC.

yep, OP you should not have problem with newer Accords, but you can't buy '04+ Accord for 5K.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: matas

Originally posted by: Arkaign
If you can drive a manual and don't mind, they usually last longer, and replacing a clutch is a lot cheaper than rebuilding/replacing an auto. Generally better fuel economy to boot.

Reliable options :

Honda Accord / Civic
Corolla
Sentra
Altima
Fusion / Mazda6
Mazda 3
Focus ('05+ Duratec models specifically)
Maxima
Integra
RSX
GEO/Chevy Prism (rebadged Corolla)

there are some other, but those come off the top of my head pretty easily

How long does a clutch usually last? I thought that clutch wears out faster.

Depends on the driver Anywhere between 50k - 150k miles is pretty normal.

242k miles on my 240sx. Never changed the clutch and it still works just as like its new.

 

[fleabag]

don't buy an accord due to the transmission having the exact same problem. Try a civic...

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: matas

Originally posted by: Modular
Honda Accords are very well known for their longevity. Interestingly, Acura is really just a Honda on the inside though.

I thought so too. Honda hmm should be reliable engine and trans, but it was not. Wonder if accord v6 had the same problem.

that was a 6th gen Honda tranny...they had issues from '98 to '02. Ours needed replacing after 70 or 80k miles on the wife's '01. Engine was fine, the tranny sucked ass.

 

[Kroze]

My 95 Integra have 181k miles on it and it still run like new

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: matas

Originally posted by: Arkaign
If you can drive a manual and don't mind, they usually last longer, and replacing a clutch is a lot cheaper than rebuilding/replacing an auto. Generally better fuel economy to boot.

Reliable options :

Honda Accord / Civic
Corolla
Sentra
Altima
Fusion / Mazda6
Mazda 3
Focus ('05+ Duratec models specifically)
Maxima
Integra
RSX
GEO/Chevy Prism (rebadged Corolla)

there are some other, but those come off the top of my head pretty easily

How long does a clutch usually last? I thought that clutch wears out faster.

Depends on the driver Anywhere between 50k - 150k miles is pretty normal.

242k miles on my 240sx. Never changed the clutch and it still works just as like its new.

Nice. Yeah the 50k-150k mile range is the norm, but good driving habits can significantly lengthen it. As luck would have it, neither of my 300k+ mile Hondas needed clutches at any point.

 

[StageLeft]

01 or 02 maxima (try for 02, you get a big HP bump and you may find one at that cost). Get 5 speed. Clutch is dependent on how you and prior owner drive, but replacing a clutch is not a hellacious job. I think $700 or less generally.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
If you can drive a manual and don't mind, they usually last longer, and replacing a clutch is a lot cheaper than rebuilding/replacing an auto. Generally better fuel economy to boot.

Reliable options :

Honda Accord / Civic
Corolla
Sentra
Altima
Fusion / Mazda6
Mazda 3
Focus ('05+ Duratec models specifically)
Maxima
Integra
RSX
GEO/Chevy Prism (rebadged Corolla)

there are some other, but those come off the top of my head pretty easily

This a good list of reliable cars.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
01 or 02 maxima (try for 02, you get a big HP bump and you may find one at that cost). Get 5 speed. Clutch is dependent on how you and prior owner drive, but replacing a clutch is not a hellacious job. I think $700 or less generally.

Also add 2003 Maxima or 2003 i35

2003 i35 basically has everything the Maxima has and then some!

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: Skoorb
01 or 02 maxima (try for 02, you get a big HP bump and you may find one at that cost). Get 5 speed. Clutch is dependent on how you and prior owner drive, but replacing a clutch is not a hellacious job. I think $700 or less generally.

Also add 2003 Maxima or 2003 i35

2003 i35 basically has everything the Maxima has and then some!

But for $5k?

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: BassBomb

Originally posted by: Skoorb
01 or 02 maxima (try for 02, you get a big HP bump and you may find one at that cost). Get 5 speed. Clutch is dependent on how you and prior owner drive, but replacing a clutch is not a hellacious job. I think $700 or less generally.

Also add 2003 Maxima or 2003 i35

2003 i35 basically has everything the Maxima has and then some!

But for $5k?

Depends on your area I guess

It can easily be had for 9k Canadian (03 i35) so an 02 i35 im sure could be found in amreeka for less

 

[matas]

I found a 2001 Mazda Protege MP3. w/80k miles.

are they somewhat reliable?

 

[matas]

bump

 

[StageLeft]

From pure reliability standpoint, get a 4 cylinder altima.

 

[matas]

From pure reliability standpoint, get a 4 cylinder altima.

reliability wise maybe, but I want something a little better looking, unless I get a 2002+. But I read that their engines consumed excessive oil.

 

[JulesMaximus]

If you can drive a manual and don't mind, they usually last longer, and replacing a clutch is a lot cheaper than rebuilding/replacing an auto. Generally better fuel economy to boot.

Reliable options :

Honda Accord / Civic
Corolla
Sentra
Altima
Fusion / Mazda6
Mazda 3
Focus ('05+ Duratec models specifically)
Maxima
Integra
RSX
GEO/Chevy Prism (rebadged Corolla)

there are some other, but those come off the top of my head pretty easily

Watch out when buying a used RSX, idiots like to rice those cars out and ruin them. Otherwise, they are a fun little hatch.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Maxima or I30 from 1999-03, cant go wrong.

My 1999 has 100k trouble free miles on it

 

[matas]

I found a really nice deal ( it seems) on a 2000 Maxima Se 129k miles for $3900. I checked the trans fluid and it was more brown that red. Is that bad? I know when it is black or grey it means bad, but what about brown?
I mean I smelt it and it wasn't burn I think. And the car drives fine.

should I also do a carfax?


Shit I feel more reluctant to get a car now, because I read that car has massive problems around that mileage