Hey guys need some help

[darkspork]

Sorry that its not Ranger related. My wife got in an accident on the 4th of July, she had the right of way but her car is totaled. Insurance is a hassle because the other person had their son run to friend's houses and get "witnesses" (they claim my wife entirely blew the stop sign, I wasn't there but I'm sure she didn't). The police report says the other driver is clearly trying to cover up their own guilt, but the insurance companies obviously wish to see otherwise. Mostly I'm just glad she wasn't seriously injured.

At the end of the month I'm going to California with my wife to visit my family and and help my wife move her things up here, but another to do for 30 days I'm there is going to become finding another car for her. I don't really know what she likes in terms of cars but she mentioned that she'd prefer a mid-sized sedan, leather, the power options, doesn't seem like she wants a manual car. Things I'd like the car to have is FWD or AWD because she is not familiar with driving in the snow, capable of gas mileage in the high 20s, capable of seeing 200k+ miles without much more than basic maintenance, and under $5000(I don't make a whole lot of money and already have a loan on my truck).

The car its replacing is a 99' Accord (meets the criteria), but it seems that they are harder to find without 150k+ miles and an auto tranny (except the newer models which front my understanding have automatic transmissions that fail). I was thinking another Accord if I can find a good one for her, Camry, Volvo S70 (1997-2001), maybe some sort of Subaru.

Can anybody offer any input, suggestions, or insight?

 

[fastpakr]

For a similar price to a Camry/Accord, you can pick up a Lexus ES300 (better dressed twin of the Camry). One of the best cars I've ever had the pleasure to drive/own. We've had a '00 for almost three years now. The only thing it's needed is a throttle body cleaning (something I could do at home in under an hour).

 

[darkspork]

For a similar price to a Camry/Accord, you can pick up a Lexus ES300 (better dressed twin of the Camry). One of the best cars I've ever had the pleasure to drive/own. We've had a '00 for almost three years now. The only thing it's needed is a throttle body cleaning (something I could do at home in under an hour).

I hadn't even thought about Lexus. Thanks.

 

[darkspork]

Any other suggestions?

 

[86XLT]

since you didnt have a year requirement i would suggest an awd DSM...wich means 88 -94 talon, eclipse, or laser. the motors are great motors (some say the 7 bolt motors (gen 2) will spin main bearings but i doubt your wife will be winding it out to 7K rpm.) the auto trannys are also frowned upon but thats because of the people that run the piss out of them...i find them all the time in great shape around $2K and a good rebuildable for $500....if you get a gen 1..look for a later one with the non pop up headlights. i love these little cars and with a little work u can have one FAST ASS little go-cart. i had a 93 talon tsi AWD with a 5 spd...let me tell you...NO 16 yr old kid should have one. i dont know how im still alive. but the will also make a very reliable transportation that are very easy to maintain...ive got a clutch job down to about an hour and 15 mins.

 

[rockin86ranger]

its not a car but i think a newer chevy tracker would fit pretty good

 

[weirdunclespongebob]

Car

What about a Subaru? All wheel drive. Everyone I know who has one loves em'.

 

[robertc1024]

Maxima?

I've got a 2000 Maxima SE - It's been fantastically reliable, gets ~22 in combined driving, leather, cruise, climate control etc. - THE four door sports car!! The 3.0 L engines are bullet-proof. Beware the 3.5 L's though - they tend to use/leak a lot of oil.

 

[darkspork]

The car is for her not me, she isn't concerned with sportability. I already have my Ranger (I love my truck).

Eclipse/Talon/Laser: Sounds like a good car but she wants a 4 door. Plus we don't have a need for anything fast, my main concern in regards to that is putting her in a vehicle that she can drive year 'round without any problems.

Tracker: She wouldn't like it because of styling.

Subaru: She actually mentioned Subaru as an interest, my only concern is transaxle and differential failure. (Does anybody know how common this is with 98-02 Outbacks?)

She also mentioned Volvo, but my understanding is they are electrical nightmares (the newer ones at least).

The Maxima sounds like a good suggestion, I know my father and grandfather loved their Datsuns (father had a 210 and grandfather had a 280zx), are the new Nissans equally reliable?

Some time ago the mechanic that I trust back in California suggested Honda or Toyota if you want a reliable car. Can anybody comment on transaxle and differential reliability on the Subarus? Are there any common problems with the Maximas?

Thanks for all your input.

 

[Will]

Whatever it is, it has to be a Honda. Toyota is good too, but Honda designs to 1/10th the failure rate.

I avoid town unless I absolutely have to go there but on my way past Renner Ford Honda yesterday I saw only two Ford's on the lot. A new Mustang and a used Contour. The rest of the vehicles were all new Hondas. Several years ago I would stop there to eyeball the 50,000$ Excursions and such. Now, there are no Fords at all on the lot. None. Without Honda's franchise that very old dealership would be dead, dead, dead.

For me, there is no other choice. We have an Avalon in our family and it's a pretty good car--but had a problem a few years ago and it's a 1999. We bought a new 1999 CR-V (my wife drove an Astro, Outback, Forester and E150 van at my request and picked the CR-V) and drove it 5 years and gave it to my wife's sister who has had it since and to date--not a single damn bulb has burned out. It's the same car we bought a million years ago. Unbelievable. The exhaust is stainless steel and is still new. Of course, when we out grew it we bought a new Pilot. Why even think about it? It's 55,000 miles into our lives and we haven't even had to do the brakes yet.

We had a '90 Geo Prizm in the past. It's a US assembled Corolla with a Japanese assembled drivetrain. It was over 225,000 when we went to the CR-V. My brother's drove it until it wnet past 300,000 and we still see it in town. But it was never totally trouble free. It had glitches along the way. The rear window defrost wires delaminated. The door handles broke off alomst everytime I rode in it. Ever 40,000 miles the distributor cap would start crossfiring and then stop running altogether like clockwork. The headliner started coming down. The trunk started leaking. But the drivetrain stayed otherwise sound. I did the clutch and stuff at 180,000 which is okay.

But our Hondas don't have those little problems. I don't like problems. I fuking hate problems and in 10 years I have not had to fix anything on my wife's car and I'm not going to buy or recommend anything but a Honda until I have a problem. I drive old crap (a 22 year-old Honda that I am pissed because I had to do the clutch on) but I don't have time to work on cars. Perpetual transportation in my eyes.

I have avoided mentioning the other cars my family buys and calls and emails me for advice about.

 

[Jay FX4]

I'd also suggest a Subaru. All their cars are AWD.

 

[darkspork]

Will,

Its sounds like another Accord, Avalon, ES300 is a good bet. The Accord as I mentioned have hit and miss transmission problems (there's even TSB for it), however my wife's car had 170k miles on it with no problems so I'd say another Accord is worth looking at. What is the gas mileage like on the CR-V? She said something about getting a small SUV. Reliability is key because whatever we get, I hope we can keep for 7 or so years (like I plan on doing with the Ranger, actually plan on keeping the Ranger longer but time will tell).

I've been reading for the past few days about different cars and the ES300 is coming up time and time again as a damn reliable car. I've been doing a lot of reading on consumer reports and carsurvey.org (a website that allows owners of various cars to post their own experiences with different vehicles, reviews are entirely independent). Every car is going to have its lemon but the ES300 seems to have the fewest complaints and it exactly matches the criteria of what the wife said she wants (unless she decides she wants a wagon, or stick shift). Only concern on it is insurance.

I appreciate everybody's input.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Sounds like you want a miracle.

Get a honda...its a perfect womans car. All the nicetys and no power, no room, and cheapo materials that look "cute". WooHoo.

Ill take my Fords.

later,
Dustin

 

[fastpakr]

Sounds like you want a miracle.

Get a honda...its a perfect womans car. All the nicetys and no power, no room, and cheapo materials that look "cute". WooHoo.

Ill take my Fords.

later,
Dustin

That's hilarious. Not a Honda, but the ES300 has loads of power, plenty of leg room in front and back seat, is covered up in leather, wood trim (real), all power options, an excellent factory audio system, and isn't remotely 'cheap' inside.

http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/2000/russ0017.html

 

[darkspork]

Sounds like you want a miracle.

Get a honda...its a perfect womans car. All the nicetys and no power, no room, and cheapo materials that look "cute". WooHoo.

Ill take my Fords.

later,
Dustin

Well Dustin, I'd love to put her in a Ford but the older Taurus' kind of suck(in my opinion). The Crown Vic is too much car for her, especially in the winter. The Focus is too small. Five Hundred is hard to find. Fusion is too expensive. Not looking for a miracle just a car she'll be happy with.

We may get another Honda, she liked the one she had. Honda builds damn reliable cars.