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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18219 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 7:34 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1675 of 1823

#16733 of 18219 Luxury Service in Non-Luxury Cars by ntrainer

Jan 15, 2012 (7:49 am)

We are in the market for a new "commuter car" (e.g. car used primarily for commuting to work), since our old Acura Integra is on its last legs. A very sad moment, since we have loved this car for 15 years. (Seventeen years if you count the version of it which was stolen and gutted when we lived in Boston, but that's another story.) We're looking at lots of different vehicles, of course. Having spent such a long time with our Acura, we have come to rely on (and enjoy) the "luxury car" experience -- namely, when the car needs fixing, the dealership automatically provides a loaner vehicle and sends you on your way while the car is fixed. No waiting, no hassle. Yes, of course, we're looking for a fantastic, reliable car, and many of the luxury cars fit that bill anyway, but let's get real: all cars need service every now and then. We'd like to make it as painless as possible to get that service.
 
I guess we're wondering whether we might be able to "cheat" this time and get a nicely-appointed, reliable car (like a Toyota or Honda) but pay less for it than the "luxury" vehicles... and still not spend two hours waiting for that 30,000 mile check-up. Or take a "shuttle bus" to/from the dealership.
 
Is there such a thing as getting an automatic loaner vehicle at a non-luxury dealership? Or is this really one of the reasons why people spend $5,000 - $10,000 more for that luxury car?

#16734 of 18219 Re: Luxury Service in Non-Luxury Cars [ntrainer] by backy

Jan 16, 2012 (11:55 am)

Replying to: ntrainer (Jan 15, 2012 7:49 am)
The answer is "Yes", but this tends to be more per dealer service policy than manufacturer policy. Once you have an idea of the brand/kind of car you want, you could check dealerships in your area to see if they offer free loaners for service. In my experience, many dealerships do that for major services, e.g. something that will take more than an hour or two, or if the car needs to be kept overnight. Other dealers offer free shuttle service to your home or business. I've found that works well for me with a dealer that is just a few miles away... they take me home, I work out of my home office all day, and come back later to get the car when it's convenient for me (i.e. when my wife can drive me over there). And some dealers offer two-way shuttles, e.g. to/from work or the airport.

#16735 of 18219 Re: Luxury Service in Non-Luxury Cars [ntrainer] by m6user

Jan 16, 2012 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: ntrainer (Jan 15, 2012 7:49 am)
Just because a dealer doesn't routinely provide a loaner doesn't mean it can't happen. If you use that as part of a negotiation I would think the dealer could flag your computer file to make it possible for you to get a loaner during your service visits. It may cost you a few hundred $$$ in price when you buy you the car but it would provide you with a service experience a little closer to what you've been used to. Remember though that it would only be at that dealer. If you moved or didn't end up liking the service at that dealer your "loaner deal" would not carry over to another dealer.
 
Someone will probably say you could just rent a car from the dealer for the few times that service really took that long but I think you'd agree that it is a very different experience to just sign and jump in a loaner versus actually renting a car.
 
Another thing to consider is buying an end of model year premium car may be not much more money than a newer non-premium car. And if you tend to keep your cars for a long time which it appears you do, it may be well worth it to drive the nicer vehicle for all those years.

#16736 of 18219 Re: Luxury Service in Non-Luxury Cars [ntrainer] by altimate

Jan 16, 2012 (6:49 pm)

Replying to: ntrainer (Jan 15, 2012 7:49 am)
I can give you my personal experience. Leased a Subaru Legacy in 09 from a dealer some 15 miles from my home. The deal sealer was the offer of a free loaner for service. I could have purchased from a dealer just two miles from my home, but the place was a zoo. I was waiting for a salesman and I hear a gong banged and someone yell out "congratulations, another person has purchased a car from us". Frankly, I prefer to deal with a serious concerned for the customer dealer, not a three ring circus.
 
I would agree that this is probably something that could be negotiated with your deal.
 
Personally, I think the 13' Fusion is a likely candidate for my next car but, I'm a bit nervous about going back to a big impersonal dealership after my pleasant experience with the relatively small dealership I'm currently with. Well, that purchase is probably a year or two away so I guess I won't worry about it.

#16737 of 18219 Re: Cost/point of Hybrids [cannon3] by gene84

Jan 18, 2012 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Nov 27, 2011 6:04 pm)
I've put 70,000 miles on a 2001 Prius and 190,000 miles on my 2004 Prius. I know of no one who has replaced a battery in a Prius. Over 95% of a NiMH battery is recycleable. I've been told they are available from some junk yards for about $500 or from the dealer for $2,200 to $2,600. Local Toyota service dept. told me they have yet to replace brakes on a Prius. Local taxi company has 12, 2004s and a number of 2010s. Oldest have over $400,000 miles - maint. mgr. says "they are bullet proof, you can't kill them". Prius has no timing belt (cost $1,500 on a Jetta at 100,000 miles and $4,000 to replace catalytic converter when it goes out). Also Prius has no transmission service (has electric motor). Prius has no belts or hoses to replqace. THE LIST GOES ON. Best reason to own a Prius is not the high MPG but low maintenance cost.

#16738 of 18219 Re: Cost/point of Hybrids [cannon3] by gene84

Jan 18, 2012 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Nov 27, 2011 6:04 pm)
I've put 70,000 miles on a 2001 Prius and 190,000 miles on my 2004 Prius. I know of no one who has replaced a battery in a Prius. Over 95% of a NiMH battery is recycleable. I've been told they are available from some junk yards for about $500 or from the dealer for $2,200 to $2,600. Local Toyota service dept. told me they have yet to replace brakes on a Prius. Local taxi company has 12, 2004s and a number of 2010s. Oldest have over 400,000 miles - maint. mgr. says "they are bullet proof, you can't kill them". Prius has no timing belt (cost $1,500 on a Jetta at 100,000 miles and $4,000 to replace catalytic converter when it goes out). Also Prius has no transmission service (has electric motor). Prius has no belts or hoses to replqace. THE LIST GOES ON. Best reason to own a Prius is not the high MPG but low maintenance cost.

#16739 of 18219 Re: Cost/point of Hybrids [gene84] by crankeee

Jan 19, 2012 (6:41 am)

Replying to: gene84 (Jan 18, 2012 12:20 pm)
Very informative post. I wrongly concluded that the batteries were ahigh cost maintenance item after a friends Ford Escape required $6000 in new batteries. He traded for a new one with new batteries and warranty. We see lots of Prius models in our southern location. They "like" the warmer weather and the short intown commutes. I may consider a Prius for intown use as our fleet wears down and gas continues higher. Thanks

#16740 of 18219 - by dudleyr

Jan 24, 2012 (1:30 pm)

The prius may not have any belts, but it should have some hoses. I am pretty sure it has air conditioning and a radiator.

#16741 of 18219 Re: Cost/point of Hybrids [gene84] by fushigi

Jan 24, 2012 (4:12 pm)

Replying to: gene84 (Jan 18, 2012 12:20 pm)
As of the 2010 model the Prius doesn't have any belts, but it still has hoses. See for yourself: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0903_2010_toyota_prius_first- _look/photo_21.html
 
As for the transmission, it doesn't have a trans in the conventional sense but still has gears and a differential to get the ICE output to the wheels: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_Synergy_Drive#Transmission The Prius setup, as reliable as it may be in practice, actually sounds more complex than a regular AT or CVT.
 
While you're correct that the Prius uses a timing chain & not a belt, your reference to the catalytic converter shouldn't matter as the Prius does have one - every modern car with an ICE does.

#16742 of 18219 Re: Cost/point of Hybrids [fushigi] by scwmcan

Jan 24, 2012 (4:41 pm)

Replying to: fushigi (Jan 24, 2012 4:12 pm)
So you are saying the Prius does not have an alternator? Seems strange to me. Any just because you can see any in that picture doesn't mean they are not there you can't really see anything in that pic the engine bay is too crowded. Has to have hoses for cooling the engine etc.

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