Cars....ugh

[tagrims]

I have an old 1995 VW Jetta that needs over $1,000 in repairs to pass inspection. Seeing as the blue book has it selling for around that the repairs don't seem like a good idea.

(Every year it's usually an $800+ repair bill)

So started to look for a new used car (I don't care how old, I just look for 50k miles or less). My wife is expecting so we were looking to "upgrade" into a small suv (like a CR-V or a Rav4)

However, it seems that we are paying a huge premium for the name Honda and Toyota. Any thoughts about alternatives? Both my wife and I don't care about luxuries in the car, we just want something that is reliable for many years to come.

Thoughts? Have domestic cars improved in reliability over the years?

Thanks for any and all help.

[disneysteve]

First thought is not to junk your current car just because of a repair. Blue book may be $1,000 but what is it worth to you? Probably more than that.

Next, just because you are expecting doesn't mean you need to get sucked into the SUV craze. Babies fit just fine in sedans.

As for Honda and Toyota, I don't think you are paying a premium for the name. I think you are paying a premium for a well-made car with an excellent reputation and maintenance history.

Alternatives? I think Hyundai has made great strides in recent years. They sell for a few thousand less than comparably equipped Toyotas or Hondas, are stylish and seem to have good maintenance records in recent years.

I wouldn't consider domestic, so I can't answer that question.

[PauletteGoddard]

Next, just because you are expecting doesn't mean you need to get sucked into the SUV craze. Babies fit just fine in sedans.

Indeed. Look for a periodical called "Cars 2008" in the consumer reference section of your library. I perused a copy of one yesterday and made a list of some makes and models to choose among for possible purchase.

One alternative to Toyota or Honda would be Nissan. For sedans, the Nissan Altima is recommended by Cars 2008.

[project15]

So if repairs are only $800-$1000 per year, that's still much less than a $250 car payment ($250 x 12 = $3000 plus higher insurance rates)

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Um, one thing to consider is the improvement in car safety from 1995 to now, regarding this person is about to have a child. I know people who used to drive beaters but upgraded for things like dual airbags, side airbags, etc. So it might be a good idea to get a newer car.

[smiley87]

The Pontiac Vibe is a rebadged Toyota Matrix so that might be an alternative to a Toyota

[jIM_Ohio]

I have an old 1995 VW Jetta that needs over $1,000 in repairs to pass inspection. Seeing as the blue book has it selling for around that the repairs don't seem like a good idea.

(Every year it's usually an $800+ repair bill)

So started to look for a new used car (I don't care how old, I just look for 50k miles or less). My wife is expecting so we were looking to "upgrade" into a small suv (like a CR-V or a Rav4)

However, it seems that we are paying a huge premium for the name Honda and Toyota. Any thoughts about alternatives? Both my wife and I don't care about luxuries in the car, we just want something that is reliable for many years to come.

Thoughts? Have domestic cars improved in reliability over the years?

Thanks for any and all help.

If $800 gets you one year, that is a car payment of around $70/month. Anything you do other than fixing the car will cost you much more than $70/month.

If car costs you $800 this month, then $1000 two months later, you might be at $150/month.... use this logic and decide where cutoff is now, so if more repairs are needed later, your decision is made.

[disneysteve]

If $800 gets you one year, that is a car payment of around $70/month. Anything you do other than fixing the car will cost you much more than $70/month.

If car costs you $800 this month, then $1000 two months later, you might be at $150/month.... use this logic and decide where cutoff is now, so if more repairs are needed later, your decision is made.

This is all true, but you also need to consider other factors like reliability. I generally replace a car when I no longer feel I can trust it. When I start thinking, let's take the other car on this trip instead of this one. I don't want a car that is in the shop every other month, no matter how little the repairs are costing.

Also, over time, there tend to be things that break that I don't feel are worth fixing. Once there are enough of those little things wrong, it can all add up to a car that I am no longer comfortable driving.

[bjl584]

In all reality, most car brands are about equal in quality at present time. There is still a stigma in the minds' of consumers that Japanese cars are better than American cars for quality and longevity, but this isn't necessarily the case today. If you are buying a car that is say 2000 or newer, you can expect that it will be a good quality car no matter the brand so long as you stay on top of the maintanence. I have a Hyundai Elantra that I bought brand new in 2005. There is currently 60,000 miles on it, and I have not had one problem with it to date. You may want to consider keeping your Jetta. But before I can recommend that, can you tell me what's wrong with it?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Sure bjl584, keep telling yourself that.

I have a 1999 Corolla and 2000 Ford Focus. Both bought brand new. Both treated the same, exact oil changes, maintenance, etc. And the FORD piece of crap has cost us a ton more in repairs.

Shall I list EVERYTHING? Well currently it needs a new water pump, possibly transmission, timing belt.

We've done engine retune, key column, brakes/rotors at 25k miles, fuel pump, gas gauge, fuel injection system redone, engine coolant leak, struts, leaking window washer fluid.

Also sometimes the power door locks and windows don't work! So please tell me that cars have all the same quality? I've stayed on top of maintenance. Considering that the corolla hasn't had any work other than oil changes and major service.

Hm...so my ford has cost us 4-5x as much in repairs as the corolla easily.

Maybe it's just my Focus, but on Edmunds, and other car message boards, I know these are common problems with a Ford Focus. And it's not from treating it badly. And it has less miles than the Corolla.

So many Ford Focuses have these problems. Means the quality is poor.

[atomicrc11]

There are also some nice cars that are small, safe and fuel efficient from the Japanese car makers. I have a friend who just bought a new Toyota Yaris sedan. It isn't much smaller than the Jetta, and with the airbag options is quite safe. Total was around $13k and it gets quite good fuel economy, 40 city/45 highway. You can't beat that. Also, in terms of reliable cars, you can't be a 1-2 year old Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. Both excellent in safety and fuel economy with high reliability.

[bjl584]

Sure bjl584, keep telling yourself that.

I have a 1999 Corolla and 2000 Ford Focus. Both bought brand new. Both treated the same, exact oil changes, maintenance, etc. And the FORD piece of crap has cost us a ton more in repairs.

Shall I list EVERYTHING? Well currently it needs a new water pump, possibly transmission, timing belt.

We've done engine retune, key column, brakes/rotors at 25k miles, fuel pump, gas gauge, fuel injection system redone, engine coolant leak, struts, leaking window washer fluid.

Also sometimes the power door locks and windows don't work! So please tell me that cars have all the same quality? I've stayed on top of maintenance. Considering that the corolla hasn't had any work other than oil changes and major service.

Hm...so my ford has cost us 4-5x as much in repairs as the corolla easily.

Maybe it's just my Focus, but on Edmunds, and other car message boards, I know these are common problems with a Ford Focus. And it's not from treating it badly. And it has less miles than the Corolla.

So many Ford Focuses have these problems. Means the quality is poor.

Your personal experience is making your opinion biased. Maybe you have a lemon, or maybe the Focus is a bad model. I'm sure that there is someone out there that has had thousands of dollars worth of problems with their toyota or honda who will never buy one again and now swears by their ford or chevy. But statistically speaking, all cars are basically the same quality today. With current technology, materials, and manufacturing processes, quality comes naturally.

[jIM_Ohio]

Sure bjl584, keep telling yourself that.

I have a 1999 Corolla and 2000 Ford Focus. Both bought brand new. Both treated the same, exact oil changes, maintenance, etc. And the FORD piece of crap has cost us a ton more in repairs.

Shall I list EVERYTHING? Well currently it needs a new water pump, possibly transmission, timing belt.

We've done engine retune, key column, brakes/rotors at 25k miles, fuel pump, gas gauge, fuel injection system redone, engine coolant leak, struts, leaking window washer fluid.

Also sometimes the power door locks and windows don't work! So please tell me that cars have all the same quality? I've stayed on top of maintenance. Considering that the corolla hasn't had any work other than oil changes and major service.

Hm...so my ford has cost us 4-5x as much in repairs as the corolla easily.

Maybe it's just my Focus, but on Edmunds, and other car message boards, I know these are common problems with a Ford Focus. And it's not from treating it badly. And it has less miles than the Corolla.

So many Ford Focuses have these problems. Means the quality is poor.

If our 2000 focus was a horse we would have shot it. We replaced it with a Honda 2 years ago and have not looked back.

I second the repair comments. Paid it off in 48 months and the repairs started around month 40. Did not stop until the day we traded it in.

[Scanner]

I bought my 1999 Ford Taurus used and haven't had a lick of problem with it other than normal things - replacing brakes and replaced one belt when it was time.

But that's a sedan, not a "mini-SUV."

You want a small SUV but not a Toyota or Honda.

How about the Suburu Forester? Suburu usually has good reliability records and that model has been in the market for awhile.

[DebbieL]

I raised my daughter for her first 10 years with a 1985 Nissan Micra hatchback. I now have a 2003 Toyota Corolla. Both cars have been more than adequate for the job. No need to go out for an SUV (unless you really want one).