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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 317 of 330

#3153 of 3286 Re: I need opinions/suggestions on used small truck... [kreuzer] by qbrozen

Mar 12, 2013 (10:55 am)

Replying to: kreuzer (Mar 11, 2013 2:22 pm)
I'm really not much of a truck person. I'd have to think, however, saddling one with a 4-cyl and auto trans is going to make it a dog no matter the brand.
 
Just comparing in my area, though, I can see there are more Dakotas than anything else and they are by far nicer for the money. Here are just a few examples.
 
This one even has 4 doors
 
Extended cab and 4x4
 
Standard cab '03
 
For comparison, an '01 Chevy 4-cyl.

#3154 of 3286 Re: I need opinions/suggestions on used small truck... [qbrozen] by plekto

Mar 12, 2013 (11:39 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Mar 12, 2013 10:55 am)
Myself and my friends have owned pretty much every truck and SUV of note that's capable of off-road use or for work (as opposed to yuppie "soft-roaders").
 
The best two for work are the Chevy/GMC 1500 and the F150 (who would have guessed - heh )
 
Other than that, though, it comes down to one choice. Get a Toyota with the 3RZ engine in it. Get it with manual. The automatic is terrible but the older Toyota manuals are bulletproof. Mine lasted 280K miles before I had to get it replaced. And not a minute of that was anyone giving it any love, either. The truck is still running around somewhere in N. Cal I think with about 350K on it (sold it at almost 325K on it two years ago).
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_RZ_engine
Nothing else works like it does in terms of low cost to maintain and the durability overall. There are several vehicles that used it, so you have a good range of years and models to look at. The newer TR and ZR 2.7L engines are also good, but they lack the tractor simplicity of the RZ.
 
And, yes, manual with short gearing and 160HP will out-accelerate most yuppic-mobiles unless they floor it. I found it to be extremely enjoyable to drive, even in So Cal traffic as I'd just leave it in 2nd or 3rd gear and trundle along in heavy traffic. And then when I had to dodge into a gap in traffic, I was already in the right gear.

#3155 of 3286 Re: Help, Im driving myself crazy looking for the right car [bayvillian] by plekto

Mar 12, 2013 (11:50 am)

Replying to: bayvillian (Mar 11, 2013 5:00 pm)
That's a tough order. One car came to mind, though, and that was the Pontiac G8. GM did a horrible job of marketing it, but it was the best selling car in Australia at the time. Quality is/was excellent and it's a good mid-sized sedan. Of note, though, is the fact that it is rear wheel drive so it turns and parks like a whole size smaller FWD car.
 
The problem is finding one as most people who have one simply aren't interested in selling theirs.
 
The only real downside is the fuel economy. It gets about 25mpg highway. But other than the issue of MPG, it's probably the best solution that I can work out since you won't want a European car. It does use normal 87 octane fuel, though, so that's worth about 2mpg right there vs a higher mpg car that requires premium.

#3156 of 3286 Re: I need opinions/suggestions on used small truck... [plekto] by qbrozen

Mar 12, 2013 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Mar 12, 2013 11:39 am)
well, he specified auto trans. So how does the Toyota stack up with that in mind?
 
Hell, I still think the 22RE engine with manual trans was the most bulletproof setup ... but good luck finding that with low miles and no rust.
 
EDIT: I just looked it up. Even an '02 Tacoma 2wd reg cab with 100k miles is going to be well over the OP's budget.

#3157 of 3286 Looking . . . by durans

Mar 15, 2013 (11:29 am)

I, too am looking to buy something different. I do not like driving what everyone else has. I had an appointment to test drive a Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT this weekend and sell my BMW. Was very serious about it, then I talked to my insurance agent and the insurance rates on the Maserati made me cancel everything! I LOVED my Jaguar S-Type R. 'She' did save me and daughter's life, we were hit by a drunk driver at 50+mph and 'she' held tough. I do not like the XF can't get over how it looks like a Chrysler in the front and Toyota in the back. Can't seem to get too excited about the F-Type coming out this fall. When I say I prefer 'foreign' I mean European. I truly have looked and looked and I can't seem to get too excited about much. I am looking for something that when I go out into my garage I have a smile on my face. I like the look of a sedan. Two or Four door does not matter. I only buy used and don't mind the year, but would prefer that it look very close to it's newer counterpart. I'm not asking for much, right? LOL Would LOVE to hear everyone's opinions and perhaps check out cars I've overlooked. Much Thanks to everyone and I, in advance would like to Thank You for your time and input.

#3158 of 3286 Re: Looking . . . [durans] by boomchek

Mar 15, 2013 (11:39 am)

Replying to: durans (Mar 15, 2013 11:29 am)
I worked at a Maserati dealer and the QP is indeed a nice car to drive, but servicing can get constly because these are very temperamental cars.
 
How much were you looking to spend?

#3159 of 3286 Re: Looking . . . [durans] by qbrozen

Mar 15, 2013 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: durans (Mar 15, 2013 11:29 am)
what year was the maser? I would only consider one with the ZF auto trans, which was optional in '07 and standard since '08. I'm waiting for one of these to get down into my pricerange.
 
Peronally, I love the looks of the XF.
 
pricerange would definitely be helpful in this situation.

#3160 of 3286 Under 30 and got a car recently? by steve_ HOST

Mar 15, 2013 (1:54 pm)

A reporter would like to talk to someone under the age of 30 who bought a car within the last few months. Please reach out to predmunds.com by Wednesday, March 20, 2013 if you'd like to help.

#3161 of 3286 4-door sedan best for limited mobility by brendab1

Mar 16, 2013 (7:21 pm)

I'm looking for a new, full-size 4-door sedan for my father. The biggest concern is that he has had both a hip and knee replacement and needs extra room for his knee. In other words, in the Toyota Camry that he currently has, his right knee always bumps into the middle console. He used to have a Chevy Tahoe and loved the leg room, but for other reasons, he needs a sedan instead of an SUV, but one that has maximum room for the right knee.
 
$40,000 is the maximum he can spend, but he'd prefer something less expensive.
 
Does anyone have any suggestions?

#3162 of 3286 Re: 4-door sedan best for limited mobility [brendab1] by sebring95

Mar 16, 2013 (8:39 pm)

Replying to: brendab1 (Mar 16, 2013 7:21 pm)
Finding something without a center console is the trick. That's getting to be almost impossible in the sedan world....the only new vehicle I can think of is the Impala. It is still available with a front bench seat on certain models....and might not be a bad option for him. They're not the greatest vehicles by a long shot...but if used as intended they can be decent. I had a rental not long ago and outside of the sloppy handling it was fairly comfortable, good power, and impressive mpg. It's not something I would pick on its own...but if I needed a comfortable sedan and had a knee issue...it might be at the top of the list.

Messages Page 317 of 330

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