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Help Me Choose!

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

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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 314 of 329

#3131 of 3286 Re: Need Help Choosing My Next Car! [suydam] by qbrozen

Mar 08, 2013 (4:08 pm)

Replying to: suydam (Mar 08, 2013 12:59 pm)
which are the majority of cars nowadays for a good reason
 
yes, because they are cheaper to build.

#3132 of 3286 Re: Need Help Choosing My Next Car! [nicolaip] by boomchek

Mar 08, 2013 (4:24 pm)

Replying to: nicolaip (Mar 07, 2013 9:47 pm)
Yes I forgot, but a few of the Chrysler 300's came in AWD.

#3133 of 3286 I need opinions/suggestions on used small truck... by kreuzer

Mar 09, 2013 (11:28 am)

I'm looking for a small used truck, reg. cab, 2wd, auto, A/C and my price range would be no more than $6000. Some things I do know that I don't want are the following: chevy s10 4cyl models (tested a couple out and the truck can't get out of it's own way), no manual shift, the lower the mileage the better, that's about it.
I know toyotas are very good but they want a lot of $$ even when they have close to 200,000mi. on them. I'm considering all brands with the exception of the s10 4cyl. I would consider the s10 with the 4.3 v6.
All suggestions welcomed. Thanks!

#3134 of 3286 Re: I need opinions/suggestions on used small truck... [kreuzer] by sebring95

Mar 09, 2013 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: kreuzer (Mar 09, 2013 11:28 am)
I'd stay away from any of the GM options...S-10 or Colorado/Canyon. You're looking at a very old vehicle with the S-10 and the Canyon/Colorado is garbage from all my experience. So there's not much to pick from once you eliminate the Toyota...and there's usually a reason they command the money. So I guess Ford Ranger is about it. Good luck finding a 2wd V6 Ranger that's not been beat to death...they're famous as fleet vehicles.

#3135 of 3286 Re: I need opinions/suggestions on used small truck... [kreuzer] by suydam

Mar 09, 2013 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: kreuzer (Mar 09, 2013 11:28 am)
Nissan Frontier? Extremely basic so maybe cheaper.

#3136 of 3286 Re: Need Help Choosing My Next Car! [suydam] by plekto

Mar 09, 2013 (3:03 pm)

Replying to: suydam (Mar 08, 2013 12:59 pm)
Stick with front wheel drive. Make life easier on yourself. Snow tires are another expense you don't need if you get Front wheel drive
 
This is simply not true. While you can muddle along at slower speeds without snow tires or chains with a front wheel drive car, you will in no way come close to the performance that you'll get with any car with snow tires. It's exactly like wearing a pair of Converse high-tops to do hiking. Regular tires are simply the wrong tool for the job.
 
In fact, snow tires will even beat an all wheel drive car with all-seasons on it.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGfvyPtYR0Y
Comparisons of different tire types
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STaximkaQxo
4WD and normal tires vs RWD and snow tires. The "trick" that everyone in Europe uses is that they have snow tires on all of those German cars which are RWD. Only in the U.S. do we see people who simply ignore reality and figure that they can make due with normal tires wherever they go.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BXupo38Pew
Subaru with all-season tires vs a Mini with snow tires.
 
When they say "prepare your car for winter" they mean swap the tires and rims when it's going to start snowing. Most people should keep a separate set of winter tires to swap out in their garage. It's a larger initial cost, but given that the each set are only getting used for half the year, it's no more expensive in the long-run.
 
Or, you can end up on Youtube like this. Your choice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp2sqrfGSPI

#3137 of 3286 Re: Need Help Choosing My Next Car! [plekto] by suydam

Mar 09, 2013 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 09, 2013 3:03 pm)
I have lived in Ohio for 30 years and have had front wheel drive for every car but one, and my daughter made it thru 4 years in Beloit ( 1 hour from Chicago) with a Toyota Camry. We've done fine. The majority of cars in the east are front wheel drive because people like them and they get good fuel economy. That said, if the poster wants a Rwd car I would recommend what he/she wants. My impression was the leaning was towards a fwd vehicle with good mileage. Hence I am simply pointing out that that is perfectly doable on Chicago.

#3138 of 3286 Re: Need Help Choosing My Next Car! [plekto] by benjaminh

Mar 09, 2013 (4:24 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 09, 2013 3:03 pm)
Useful stuff. Thanks!!

#3139 of 3286 Re: Need Help Choosing My Next Car! [suydam] by plekto

Mar 09, 2013 (4:43 pm)

Replying to: suydam (Mar 09, 2013 4:11 pm)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65UfKUS9-mQ
 
Summer tires actually turn hard at temperatures below 45F. (ouch - that's 1/3 of the year, even in California!) All-seasons are a bit better and are good down to 0C. But beyond that, they are essentially as dangerous as summer tires. It got down to 28 degrees a month ago. And I'm in Los Angeles. All-seasons sort of work in a pinch if there's no snow or if it's cold and the roads are perfectly dry (since the road friction will warm them up just enough after a few minutes), but if there's actual snow or ice, it's way too cold even for "all-seasons".
 
Note - they really should be called "three season" tires. Winter is simply not their place.
 
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/safetyBelow45.dos
Watch the little embedded video. It's not the snow that's the real problem so much as the winter tires stay soft enough down to about -20F. Below that, of course, you really do need chains or studded tires.
 
Of course, the opposite is true as well. Above 45F, winter tires are basically racing tires and wear incredibly quickly. So most people use all-seasons in the spring through fall and then switch to winter tires when the first snow comes.
 
Note - if you have a truck and are running Mud Terrains on it, they are essentially snow tires compound-wise. Which is why you typically get 30K out of a set. This is why a lot of SUVs also end up in the ditch. All-terrains are the same rubber as all-season tires. And while they will work a bit better due to bigger treads, the tread blocks also get rock-hard when it's below freezing. This is why you see all serious off-roaders just running with MTs on all year round and dealing with the need to swap their tires every other year. They aren't as good as dedicated studded snow tires (tend to pack with snow quickly), but at least won't get hard when it gets below freezing.

#3140 of 3286 depends on your needs by printerman1

Mar 09, 2013 (5:35 pm)

if mostly big city, and cheap little car. EV are nice but pricey, and have not been proven. I hate plug in's.
Escape is self generating (good idea) but once your USA govt starts cut backs on incentives, look out.
Or maybe a bicycle.

Messages Page 314 of 329

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