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Help Me Choose!

3286 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 2:50 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Maxima, Mazda MAZDA3, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Lexus IS 250, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 298 of 330

#2964 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [sebring95] by mattsnowboard

Dec 01, 2012 (11:43 am)

Replying to: sebring95 (Dec 01, 2012 11:00 am)
Thanks, I'll look into that option of finding a place that will change/store them.
 
I thought I found a good deal on a 2008 Accord (87k miles, $9900, clean carfax, too good to be true?), then I came across this: http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2008/
 
Looks like I should look at anything but the 2008 model. The 2006 model has few problems according to that site (or very few people report it to that site). How accurate is that website on car complaints? Is it true that the brakes issue is a problem on the 2008 Accord, or is it something that could be fixed for a couple $100?

#2965 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [sebring95] by bpizzuti

Dec 01, 2012 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: sebring95 (Dec 01, 2012 11:00 am)
I'm having good luck with Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires myself.

#2966 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [mattsnowboard] by mr_gone

Dec 01, 2012 (1:48 pm)

Replying to: mattsnowboard (Dec 01, 2012 11:43 am)
The 2008 model was the first year of what's known as the 8th generation of the Accord (2008-12). Given the complexity of designing and manufacturing a car, there are issues that often aren't discovered until the new design has been produced, sold and driven extensively enough for those issues to emerge. This was a known phenomenon among American manufacturers for decades, but the Japanese quality control systems seemed to have been sufficiently robust to avoid the issue in years past. The 2008 Accord was, from my understanding, proof that even Honda can suffer from the first-year-is-the-worst-year malady. It's probably best just to avoid 2008s and look for 2005-07s that meet your requirements. By 2007, Honda had four years of experience with that (7th-generation) design, which was new in 2003. Many Accord fans prefer the 7th generation to the 8th generation for other reasons as well.

#2967 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [mattsnowboard] by sebring95

Dec 01, 2012 (9:42 pm)

Replying to: mattsnowboard (Dec 01, 2012 11:43 am)
Exactly why I left the '08+ off my list. Bigger, heavier, less performance/economy and too much cost trimming (aka chintzy bits) for the 8th gen. The 7th gen had a nice feel to it and my experience is there really weren't any major problems on the 4cyl models. I have a friend that is a service manager for a Honda dealer. On the side, he buys these with 150k-200k miles, goes through them to make sure they're serviced and takes care of any needed repairs. He has a waiting list of buyers....

#2968 of 3286 Used car under 10k by suydam

Dec 02, 2012 (5:22 pm)

Not sure the Accord would be a fit for your board. Did they even have split folding rear seats? -- The Vibe/Matrix may be boring but they definitely have a ton of room, get good fuel economy, do well in bad weather with all season tires. What I'm not sure of is if they have the oomph for mountain driving. I have one but I live in Ohio where it's fairly flat or just hilly. An older Subaru Impreza hatch or even the Legacy wagon might be good. Fuel economy isn't horrible and they are quite reliable and dependable. I saw a lot of them in Oregon. Of course another Camry would probably do just fine too.

#2969 of 3286 Re: Used car under 10k [suydam] by mr_gone

Dec 02, 2012 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: suydam (Dec 02, 2012 5:22 pm)
The Accord has a back seat that folds down. If you're just carrying snowboards, a sedan with a folding seat is plenty sufficient. I don't think I'd go the AWD route if you're trying to save gas. I've lived in the Northwest and AWD isn't really necessary.

#2970 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [mattsnowboard] by qbrozen

Dec 02, 2012 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: mattsnowboard (Dec 01, 2012 3:03 am)
Protege5 or mazda3 hatch. I know you said mid-sized sedan, but you did say you are just "leaning" that way. A compact wagon will obviously fit your board.
 
Used Camcords just aren't worth what people wind up paying for them, IMHO.

#2971 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [qbrozen] by mr_gone

Dec 02, 2012 (9:18 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 02, 2012 8:27 pm)
Only problem with the Protege5 and Mazda3 is that they're not particularly safe. Check the results of the Highway Loss Data Institute/ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Accords and Camrys fare better. They're bigger, heavier cars than the Protege/3, which are in the same size category as the Civic and Corolla. And the 3 in particular is more of a gas hog than you would expect (at least until the SkyActiv system came along this year.)

#2972 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [mr_gone] by qbrozen

Dec 03, 2012 (10:22 am)

Replying to: mr_gone (Dec 02, 2012 9:18 pm)
I'm aware of the fuel situation, but... for example... paying $10k for an Accord to get 30mpg vs $6k for a protege5 to get 28mpg doesn't make sense.
 
I'll leave the safety issue up to the buyer. Its not something I concern myself with when purchasing.

#2973 of 3286 Re: Used Car Under $10k - commute and winter mountains [qbrozen] by plekto

Dec 03, 2012 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 03, 2012 10:22 am)
I'd give a 2005 Rav4 a serious look as well. It's basically a small car/hatchback that's been lifted and has 4WD added. It'll do very well in snow, though, as they can be had with a locking diff, which makes it good for actual bad roads and snow as opposed to something to get you out of your driveway in the morning (as most AWD systems tend to be, especially in older vehicles in your price range)
 
It can also be had with 4 cylinder and manual, which gives it pretty good MPG. (19/25 - new EPA ratings) I had a co-worker who had one and he said he would consistently get closer to 30mpg highway if he kept a light foot on the gas.
 
Most AWD vehicles are lucky if they can get 18mpg by comparison, as they are all saddled with a V6 and a huge amount more weight.

Messages Page 298 of 330

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