Buying my first car

[CaptainHawk1]

Interesting mentioning the new Opel Insignia.

For everyone else: http://www.moto-schneider.ch/jla/images/stories/2009-opel-insignia-5.jpg

I nearly doubled over a few months ago when i learned of it (i don't follow car news at all).
Opel has (or had?) an old grandpa image in Germany.. boring cars primarily driven my middle-aged working class men. Mediocre quality, not too expensive.. forgettable in a word.

Now in recent years Opel entirely revamped their lineup, "sexed" it up and tried heavily to change their image and the culmination is the new Insignia and if i had the money i'd instantly buy one.

It looks sexy as hell, has a hell of cool gadgets for a middleclass car, has a reasonable price (certainly lower than anything comparable from Mercedes or Audi) and is Car of the Year 2009 (a price issued together by various car magazines in Europe).

Sorry for going off topic for a bit..

I partly mentioned it since it premiered at the local dealer this weekend...and I'm stuck at home because of my foot inflammation. I really want to go see it. It looks so fantastic and it's about one of the few cars that would make me abandon my beloved Saab as my choice for regular cars (remember, Saab is a domestic brand here and thus much cheaper then in the states).

And yes, Opel really have started turning a corner with their image. It's really too bad I'm to tall to be able to drive the Opel GT, because it's a sexy little roadster.

Yeah I drive an '06 Ford Focus at work and I rather like it myself.

Remember guys, I'm in Europe, different cars by the looks of it. The European focus is just...let me say it like this: I'm no fan of Toyota, but I'd rather drive my dads Prius then a Focus.

No, you're right. The Focus is a piece of shit on any continent. Ialfan is the one out of 100 who actually likes it and driving it at work and owning the thing are two different stories entirely.

Any car is great when you don't have to pay for it. What's the best kind of beer? Free beer.

-Shawn

 

[Trekker4747]

I own and drive an '00 Focus and I like it and it has served me very well.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

I own and drive an '00 Focus and I like it and it has served me very well.

Sure it has.

You might be the one guy in 100 but I doubt. People who have shitty cars usually have an interesting definition of "served me well."

I met one guy whose excuse for why American cars were so shitty was because we're Americans and we should just go out and buy a new car every three years anyway.

I'm not necessarily suggesting that yours hasn't been lucky for you, but it's generally accepted that the Focus is a piece of shit.

Just curious, aside from standard maintenance, how much money have you thrown into it?

Be honest, now.

And if you weren't the original owner, how much work did the guy who had it before you have done to it? I've got good money that said that either major transmission or engine work has been done to that vehicle.

-Shawn

 

[Trekker4747]

Bought it new myself in December of '99 and haven't had to replace anything on it that failed as a result of poor manufacturing. Only money I've sunk into it is regular maintainence: tires, brakes, fluid changes and things that've failed/broken as a result of driving mishaps (like the bent tie-rod from slaming into a curb after sliding on ice.)

I take good care of her and she takes good care of me. Has never left me stranded, has always started for me in the morning has served me pretty well and it has 96,000 miles on it.

The only "problems" I had with it were all of the recalls on it from Ford the first year or two which is probably "expected" for new model (as the US version was for the '00 model year).

Transmission is fine, engine is fine everything on the car works fine.

The Focus has routinely won awards from various industry anlaysts, magazines and such. So I don't know where your claims of the car being "a piece of shit" is coming from.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Bought it new myself in December of '99 and haven't had to replace anything on it that failed as a result of poor manufacturing. Only money I've sunk into it is regular maintainence: tires, brakes, fluid changes and things that've failed/broken as a result of driving mishaps (like the bent tie-rod from slaming into a curb after sliding on ice.)

I take good care of her and she takes good care of me. Has never left me stranded, has always started for me in the morning has served me pretty well and it has 96,000 miles on it.

The only "problems" I had with it were all of the recalls on it from Ford the first year or two which is probably "expected" for new model (as the US version was for the '00 model year).

Transmission is fine, engine is fine everything on the car works fine.

The Focus has routinely won awards from various industry anlaysts, magazines and such. So I don't know where your claims of the car being "a piece of shit" is coming from.

I'm glad it's worked out for you but as usual, you're making claims that you simply can't back up.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news02/ford_focus.html

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2000-to-2004-ford-focus.htm

I like that... 51/100 rating... fantastic.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/ford_focus_misc.html

That's fun.. What's wrong with the Ford Focus? Consumers say, "everything."

http://www.safetyforum.com/fordfocus/

That one's fun... It sums all of the problems with the car. I like how you dimiss "all of the recalls" like there were a couple of minor recalls on the vehicle like a cupholder or something.

http://www.automotive.com/2007/12/ford/focus/ownership-costs/index.html

Below average value rating for Costs of Ownership.

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/103628/article.html

#9 on the list for worst resale value.

The car is notorious for reliability problems. I've had personal experience with it and it's garbge. Good for you that it's worked out. If you're looking to sell, I'll give you $50 and whatever change I have in the cushions of my couch.

-Shawn

 

[Trekker4747]

Oh no, I admit there were *a lot* of recalls on it.

And it was frustrating but I guess (don't laugh) I'm just a patient person in this manner. I wrote it off as "expected" for a new model. Why should I care about the recalls? I took my car in, got a rental (for free) and then got my car back in a couple of days. No biggie.

I'm writting off your consumer complaints article as being anecdotal. No way of knowing if they're "real" or not -granted you've just as much to go with me- they're just tales. No way of knowing about the specifics of those cars or those drivers' habits.

The HSW article you linked too. Let's look at some of those those scores.

Performance: 3
This isn't a sporty car by any stretch. It's a standard transportation car with 2L 4 cylinder engine. So, yeah. Not this car's catagory.

Cargo Capacity: 3
It's a mid-size car with what I think is a fairly good sized trunk, but it's certainly not something you'd see in a full-size car or even a boat.

Ride Quality: 4
An opinion-based catagory and mostly, IMHO, irrelevant.

The other scores are down the middle or higher (8 on economy, 7 on controls). So, no, 51 isn't high but it's perfectly average.

My experience has been good, others have been bad. You'll find that with many -if not all- automobiles of all makes and models and people with bad experiences will tend to be more vocal and even more discriminating.

I like my car. it's the first car I've ever bought and paid for and as I said it has served me well during its tenure of service.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Oh no, I admit there were *a lot* of recalls on it.

And it was frustrating but I guess (don't laugh) I'm just a patient person in this manner. I wrote it off as "expected" for a new model. Why should I care about the recalls? I took my car in, got a rental (for free) and then got my car back in a couple of days. No biggie.

I'm writting off your consumer complaints article as being anecdotal. No way of knowing if they're "real" or not -granted you've just as much to go with me- they're just tales. No way of knowing about the specifics of those cars or those drivers' habits.

The HSW article you linked too. Let's look at some of those those scores.

Performance: 3
This isn't a sporty car by any stretch. It's a standard transportation car with 2L 4 cylinder engine. So, yeah. Not this car's catagory.

Cargo Capacity: 3
It's a mid-size car with what I think is a fairly good sized trunk, but it's certainly not something you'd see in a full-size car or even a boat.

Ride Quality: 4
An opinion-based catagory and mostly, IMHO, irrelevant.

The other scores are down the middle or higher (8 on economy, 7 on controls). So, no, 51 isn't high but it's perfectly average.

My experience has been good, others have been bad. You'll find that with many -if not all- automobiles of all makes and models and people with bad experiences will tend to be more vocal and even more discriminating.

I like my car. it's the first car I've ever bought and paid for and as I said it has served me well during its tenure of service.

You're illustrating my point completely about American cars. We've come to expect and be satisfied with mediocrity in American cars and it's not fair that American manufacturers have so little regard for us and expect us to just take it. You shouldn't have had to be patient. The car should've been road-worthy before it was ever released to market.

My hatred for American cars comes down to battered wife syndrome. I was a loyal American car buyer since I graduated from high school and year after year I kept giving GM and Ford money and they continued to be abuse me and I kept just kept going back for more and being patient with the abusive attitude expecting it to get better. After the crap Ford tranny in my Mazda 626 shit the bed for the second time in two months, I vowed to never buy anything even related to an American car manufacturer again.

Now that I've owned Hondas and Toyotas I'll never go back.

Fair enough about the consumer complaints article but I disagree with you that when it comes to cars, the only people you hear about are the people with negative stories. People rave about their cars when they are happy with them.

Seriously, though, I'm glad your car has worked out for you and there is something to be said about not only owning your own vehicle but owning it outright and having it still runinng.

But on the whole, the Focus would not be a car I would recommend.

-Shawn

 

[indranee]

my neon SXT 2005 works well, too. I friggin' love it and aside from the slightly sluggish pushoff, I love the way it drives. it's got great stability and I love driving it on winding roads -- something I love to do having grown up near mountains. I'm a fast driver and once I'm off, this car can go pretty fast. I regularly do an easy-peasy 95-100mph on that little stretch of 495 between Wilmington and Philly when I go visit my folks in Jersey. thank the gods I haven't been caught (yet ). anyway, I've never had any work done on it aside from brakes and tires (and I take it into Washington DC almost every single day). it's got close to 50,000 miles on it and I do have the warranty. I just don't know how much the warranty's really worth right now what with the GM/Chrysler problems.

I know a lot of people who make fun of my little car (including family and friends) and I can understand their POV, but I don't want to buy a better (read, Japanese) car right now. maybe I will a bit later. I've developed some emotional attachment to it as well. got a lot of memories stacked in this little car.

anyhow, all I wanna say is the fact that someone has a good experience on a generally "shitty car" does not invalidate THEIR good experience with that car. it's still a valid POV.

 

[Trekker4747]

Fair enough about the consumer complaints article but I disagree with you that when it comes to cars, the only people you hear about are the people with negative stories. People rave about their cars when they are happy with them.

Fair enough on that point. I guess we push on that. I'd further say that people who're just "okay" with their car don't rant OR rave about them.

I bought my car because I could afford it, I'm a Ford fan and I liked it.

I'm not in love with it, necessairly, it suits my needs. It gets from A to B and that's all she needs to do.

Seriously, though, I'm glad your car has worked out for you and there is something to be said about not only owning your own vehicle but owning it outright and having it still runinng.

Indeed.

I will say that with my car fast aproaching 100K miles the thought is in my mind of buying a new car :shudder: It'll likely be another Ford -infact it most likely will be as I like them (mostly their styling) the most- probably one of the newer model Focuses... Foci? But that's neither here nor there.

But on the whole, the Focus would not be a car I would recommend.

Your choice, different strokes.

It has been one I've reccomended to people looking for something affordable to drive. One person took the reccomendation and drove the car for 5 years without any complaint (he just "lived" on a five year cycle with cars.)

So I guess we've had different experiences in this area and I'm guessing you're are more practical and professional where as mine are more anecdotal and a bit practical too (having owned one for the better part of the last 9 years).

 

[Tomato]

I know a lot of people who make fun of my little car (including family and friends) and I can understand their POV, but I don't want to buy a better (read, Japanese) car right now. maybe I will a bit later. I've developed some emotional attachment to it as well. got a lot of memories stacked in this little car.

Personally I love small cars. (not yaris small) If you do a lot of downtown driving I feel less secure since I swear I'm going to knock something over.

So I'm going to visit the nissan dealership on Wed. Toyota on Thursday, maybe Saturn on Wed and hopefully by then I would've made my decision.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I will tell you, Nissan's are awesome. I highly recommend them.

 

[FordSVT]

^My 2001 Sentra was the biggest POS I've ever owned. My Pathfinder has been solid, the Z doesn't have enough miles on it to let me know how it will be, but so far so good.

 

[RevDMV]

Did a quick scan of this thread.

Now is probably the best time to buy a new vehicle. There are 3 to 6 months of almost any model sitting in the pipeline.

A corolla would be a good choice given your list of needs. Go to Edmunds.com, take the incentives off the price and then subtract about some from there. Don't be afraid to walk, you will be called back.

 

[Trekker4747]

I will tell you, Nissan's are awesome. I highly recommend them.

Nissan's what are awesome?

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Did a quick scan of this thread.

Now is probably the best time to buy a new vehicle. There are 3 to 6 months of almost any model sitting in the pipeline.

A corolla would be a good choice given your list of needs. Go to Edmunds.com, take the incentives off the price and then subtract about some from there. Don't be afraid to walk, you will be called back.

DYK that there are more Corollas on the road than any other car (from all years)?

Neat.

-Shawn

 

[Trekker4747]

Did a quick scan of this thread.

Now is probably the best time to buy a new vehicle. There are 3 to 6 months of almost any model sitting in the pipeline.

A corolla would be a good choice given your list of needs. Go to Edmunds.com, take the incentives off the price and then subtract about some from there. Don't be afraid to walk, you will be called back.

DYK that there are more Corollas on the road than any other car (from all years)?

Neat.

-Shawn

I thought that honor would go to the Ford F-150 pickup being that it's the best selling vechile.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I will tell you, Nissan's are awesome. I highly recommend them.

Nissan's what are awesome?

Yes, very good. Nissan's Sentras are awesome.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Did a quick scan of this thread.

Now is probably the best time to buy a new vehicle. There are 3 to 6 months of almost any model sitting in the pipeline.

A corolla would be a good choice given your list of needs. Go to Edmunds.com, take the incentives off the price and then subtract about some from there. Don't be afraid to walk, you will be called back.

DYK that there are more Corollas on the road than any other car (from all years)?

Neat.

-Shawn

I thought that honor would go to the Ford F-150 pickup being that it's the best selling vehicle.

The problem is that they don't last as long as the Corolla which hence, kills their numbers.

-Shawn

 

[Tomato]

Funny in Canada everybody drives Cvics. Uggh.. Stayed past another 1.5 hours at work. With another 1.5 hour commute back home. I got back at 8:15 tonight. Which is ridiculous. And my carpool is off at their SO's place so no carpool tomorrow. Ugh... can't wait till I get a car.

 

[RevDMV]

Did a quick scan of this thread.

Now is probably the best time to buy a new vehicle. There are 3 to 6 months of almost any model sitting in the pipeline.

A corolla would be a good choice given your list of needs. Go to Edmunds.com, take the incentives off the price and then subtract about some from there. Don't be afraid to walk, you will be called back.

DYK that there are more Corollas on the road than any other car (from all years)?

Neat.

-Shawn

Not surprising, they are built all over the world. Two factories in North America.