YACT: Reliability of used cars..

[Syringer]

Is there any way to gauge how reliable a used car purchase would be?

 

[Corporate Thug]

you never know what you are getting with a used car. i just bought one but i made sure i got a 48 month/48k miles extended warrenty

 

[Ryan]

See how the previous owner has kept up with overall maintenence - if any documentation was kept. Have the car looked at by a mechanic - check around forums and places like edmudns.com and epinions.com to see what kind of common problems happen with the model. Also, looks up reliability reports @ http://www.consumerguide.com/

Also, NEVER trust 3rd party warranties - only consider one that is sanctioned by the vehicles manufacturer.

 

[IGBT]

I did a google on 2003 toyota tundra and came up with all kinds of front brake probs...warped disks from excess heat..they suspect undersized disks..do a google on your fav.used car and see what's there...

 

[Scouzer]

Get a full inspection from a trusted mechanic. Brand doesn't matter if the previous owner drove it into the ground without oil changes.

 

[StageLeft]

Depends on make. Also on condition obviously of the car. And you can research consumer opinions at a place like edmunds.com. Another place is to find a board focused on that vehicle and ask (realize you'll get biased opinions there).

 

[Ornery]

Yeah, like Skoorb said, do some research. Some platforms are inherently more durable than others. Find the most rugged one available, and buy one of the same. Don't waver in your search. If you find that the 1992-1997 Volvo sedans were indestructible, go for it exclusively.

Keep in mind the cost to repair exotics or certain imports, no matter how sturdy they are. Sports cars will probably have been treated rough, so even if they were great quality when new, they may be well abused by the time a few years have gone by. Ideally, a good rugged car, driven by one owner, who happened to be a little, old lady would be my first choice. I'd take my time, and wait for one of those. Pay a little extra for it if you have to.

 

[0roo0roo]

nope, such is the curse of a used car. its best most trouble free years are gone

 

[Ornery]

What an ass. My wife's used car is getting close to two years of ownership by us, and the only trouble it's had was a squeaky brake. I bet new car owners have their cars back to the shop more than that, for rattles, squeaks and loose trim. Yep, you can expect at least 1 problem with a new vehicle in the first 90 days of ownership. That's at the very least! My wife's 3 year used car has surpassed that by far!

 

[Spencer278]

Also try and get a car that isn't from the rust belt of the US especially if your getting an older car.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Ornery
What an ass. My wife's used car is getting close to two years of ownership by us, and the only trouble it's had was a squeaky brake. I bet new car owners have their cars back to the shop more than that, for rattles, squeaks and loose trim. Yep, you can expect at least 1 problem with a new vehicle in the first 90 days of ownership. That's at the very least! My wife's 3 year used car has surpassed that by far!

Well that is definitely the case if it's a new model year. Hell even the brand new Acura TLs were causing issues! Used cars are awesome, as long as you don't have a phobia against something going wrong on occasion...

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

as has been said a few times already.....
research
research
research

google is your friend

so is eopinions
so is edmunds

 

[Ornery]

Oh hell, even "new" cars require parts that the warranty won't cover. Not sure when a car ceases to be "new", but they'll always need exhaust, brakes, batteries, belts, hoses, filters, fluids, tires and all that crap.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: gotey
as has been said a few times already.....
research
research
research

google is your friend

so is eopinions
so is edmunds

And, if you can't be bothered to do research, just buy a maxima I've already done the research for you!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Depends on make. Also on condition obviously of the car. And you can research consumer opinions at a place like ATOT.com. Realize you'll get biased opinions here. Buy a Maxima if you want the best car money can buy.

Fixed.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Depends on make. Also on condition obviously of the car. And you can research consumer opinions at a place like ATOT.com. Realize you'll get biased opinions here. Buy a Maxima if you want the best car money can buy.

Fixed.

LOL

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Depends on make. Also on condition obviously of the car. And you can research consumer opinions at a place like ATOT.com. Realize you'll get biased opinions here. Buy a Maxima if you want the best car money can buy.

Fixed.

LOL

I noticed you beat me to it later in the thread...

As I was reading your post I was waiting for the punchline...the obligatory recommendation of the Nissan Maxima. I just couldn't let that go. Hehehe.

Skoorb+YACT=Maxima recommendation

 

[Ornery]

I did some research too...

In the 30 years I've been driving, I've never purchased new. The best bang for the buck will be found with a domestic. The foreign car repair prices are going to suck, as well as the high initial price. As far as reliability goes in a domestic, it's no problem if you steer clear of front wheel drive stuff, plus repairs are cheaper and easier on a RWD.

Ever wonder why your local cops use them as interceptors? Why they're the first choice for taxis and other fleet vehicles? Here's some research fodder:

• Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2002
  
  • A rolling example of the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," philosophy, the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis twins continue to be the vehicles of choice for taxi companies, police departments, retirees and families who want a large, comfortable sedan without having to spend the big bucks on a luxury nameplate.
  
  Value is the story here, as well.
  
  • After spending several weeks behind the wheel of this big Merc and its sister in the Ford product lineup, the Crown Victoria, our elders have earned newfound respect for the wisdom of their automotive preferences.
    It's fairly obvious why the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis are smart choices. The cars are, most importantly to our staff, fun to drive.
  
  What's with kids these days? I guess there are some things they'll just never understand.
  
  • But the original "pony car wars" actually signaled the end of the muscle age ? an era that had its genesis with a slew of big-engined, full-size hardtops and sedans.
    
    That's right, fast family-size cars started it all. Big Chevy Impalas, Pontiac Bonnevilles, Buick Wildcats, Ford Galaxies and Plymouth Furys ruled the roads. They touted huge, powerful V8s ? the fabled Chevrolet 409. Poncho's (Pontiac's) hot 421 and Buick's 401. Ford's venerable 406. And Mopar's 413.
  
  Who Needs a Minivan when Lincoln Offers a Trunk this Big?
  
  • Truth be told, we did not expect to like this Lincoln, which obtained an unsavory nickname concocted by a groomsman. Still, after living with the Town Car for ten days, we came to appreciate the comfortable interior, the huge trunk, the V-8 power, and all the little luxury conveniences. Driving this Lincoln made us wonder how big rear-drive cars fell out of favor with the American public.
  
  An enduring, endearing tradtional.
  
  • It is, as they say, a lot of car for the money.
  
  1992-2002 Ford Crown Victoria: Consumer Guide Best Buy
  
  • Handling and stability are fine for a big sedan. The base suspension absorbs bumps nicely, yet doesn't wallow or float past pavement swells.
  
  Ford Crown Victoria, 1992-1998
  • It's hard to believe, I know, but this big four-door handles surprisingly well. Even the base suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and road bruises... The truth is, you don't wallow and float in a Crown Vic, at least not to the extent you might think.
  
  Jedlicka Reports
  • Virtually all American family cars were downsized and switched from rear- to front-drive in the 1980s to lighten them so they could deliver higher fuel economy without losing much?if any?interior space.
    
    But guess what? New large domestic cars with rear-drive will be introduced in the not-distant future. Engines and transmissions have become far more efficient, and American automakers know that a rear-drive layout?common with upscale European cars such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz?gives better weight distribution and balance. The result is sharper, more stable handling.
  
  Review by RON DRYSDALE
  
  • Such antics are more typically undertaken in something like a Porsche, but they also provided my most edifying moment in the surprisingly-athletic Crown Victoria that I was driving that day. Simply put, the car remained flat and cornered like it was on rails.
  
  Edmunds Used Car Best Bet
  
  • Ever wonder why police departments and taxi companies use these "old-tech" V8, rear-wheel-drive sedans? Because they're basically bullet-proof. Really, could a car have a tougher job than serving cab duty in New York City? Or cruiser duty in Los Angeles? Not only that, but these traditional American full-sizers are also very comfortable to ride in, have plenty of luggage capacity and are cheap to keep in light of their low maintenance requirements and commendable fuel efficiency (highway ratings are as high as 25 mpg). They also have very good crash test scores.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Ideally, a good rugged car, driven by one owner, who happened to be a little, old lady would be my first choice. I'd take my time, and wait for one of those. Pay a little extra for it if you have to.

Sorry, but a little old lady is the _last_ person I would buy a car from. I know how it goes in the car-buying fables, the car's 10 years old but only as 12,000 miles on it and is in showroom condition, blah, blah, blah. I've never seen it work out that way. Generally there are door dings all over the place because she can't see well anymore, scratches on the bumpers (same reason as the door dings), the car probably only had one oil change in those 10 years and 12,000 miles and got whatever gasoline was the cheapest regardless of what the engine required. The belts and hoses are probably cracking from age and insufficient use and the tires, while they have good tread, are probably oxidized beyond all usefulness (tires are dead soldiers after 5 years, 6 at the most). The cars of little old ladies may be rust free with low mileage, but they are very rarely good mechanical bets.

ZV

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Depends on make. Also on condition obviously of the car. And you can research consumer opinions at a place like ATOT.com. Realize you'll get biased opinions here. Buy a Maxima if you want the best car money can buy.

Fixed.

LOL

I noticed you beat me to it later in the thread...

As I was reading your post I was waiting for the punchline...the obligatory recommendation of the Nissan Maxima. I just couldn't let that go. Hehehe.

Skoorb+YACT=Maxima recommendation

True dat.

Nissan~over hyped

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Depends on make. Also on condition obviously of the car. And you can research consumer opinions at a place like ATOT.com. Realize you'll get biased opinions here. Buy a Maxima if you want the best car money can buy.

Fixed.

LOL

I noticed you beat me to it later in the thread...

As I was reading your post I was waiting for the punchline...the obligatory recommendation of the Nissan Maxima. I just couldn't let that go. Hehehe.

Skoorb+YACT=Maxima recommendation

So would that be.... YAMRBS? Or Yet Another Maxima Recommendation By Skoorb?

 

[Ornery]

Bought our '77 Grand Marquis from an old widow with about 100K on it for $1,500.00 about 10 years ago. The AC was still FRIDGID, and came out ice cold instantly. It lasted me about 5 years and required no more than standard wear parts, like batteries and tires. When the AC quit, and rust had taken it's toll on the chassis, I bailed. I don't think more than $500.00 went into the car over those 5 years.

 

[Zenmervolt]

My friends and I have no had good luck going that route. Better luck with cars from fellow gear-heads who are likewise obsessive about preventive maintenance.

ZV

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
My friends and I have no had good luck going that route. Better luck with cars from fellow gear-heads who are likewise obsessive about preventive maintenance.

ZV

ehh unfortunately masterpieces like the 240sx/rx7/etc aren't being made anymore, so used is the only way to go...i'm still kicking myself for lowballing a seller of a '96 240sx se w/lsd (65k miles), i told him i'd give him $6k even and someone offered him $6.5k (i would've upped the ante if he only told me arghhhh)...

 

[thomsbrain]

the thing about used cars is a fair amount of stuff can break and they still come out better "investments" than a new car.