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2latecrew
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« Reply #20 on: February 18, 2007, 04:56:24 pm » |
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The reviews here are great for scratching the surface but when you visit some of the car specific forums a great deal more specific problems emerge.
My current contenders are being hampered by the following:
Legacy = 2.5l gaskets
Accord = Auto transmission problems (if I could just find a manual!)
Maxima = woeful crash protection
Altima = 4 cyl problems. It seems like there are numerous problems with them.
It seems like the more time I spend researching the cars that I find more weak points. I think my next move is just to test drive one, like it, get it checked out thoroughly and buy the darn thing.
Where do you find that Maxim's have woeful crash protectyion. I can't find anything that tells me that? http://www.carfax.com/car_safety/ratings/SRR.cfm/year/1999/make/NISSAN/model/MAXIMA
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DM
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Location: Toronto, ON
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« Reply #21 on: February 18, 2007, 08:44:00 pm » |
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What about a Volvo S40? Safe for the kids, has a turbo (even though there is no manual tranny), and is pretty darn fun to drive.
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mdxtasy
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« Reply #22 on: February 19, 2007, 10:09:31 am » |
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That perfect car with no problems at all, will be found at the end of the rainbow.  |
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initial_D
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« Reply #23 on: February 19, 2007, 11:32:15 am » |
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Arthur Dent
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« Reply #24 on: February 19, 2007, 12:39:58 pm » |
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Contour SVT assuming you can find one |
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lurker
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« Reply #25 on: February 20, 2007, 05:49:22 pm » |
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The reviews here are great for scratching the surface but when you visit some of the car specific forums a great deal more specific problems emerge.
My current contenders are being hampered by the following:
Legacy = 2.5l gaskets
Accord = Auto transmission problems (if I could just find a manual!)
Maxima = woeful crash protection
Altima = 4 cyl problems. It seems like there are numerous problems with them.
It seems like the more time I spend researching the cars that I find more weak points. I think my next move is just to test drive one, like it, get it checked out thoroughly and buy the darn thing.
Where do you find that Maxim's have woeful crash protectyion. I can't find anything that tells me that? Weird. The stars look better than the ratings right from the actual site. I was probably eyeing the crash protection of the 96 and under models as well. Not woeful I guess but could be better. |
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lurker
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« Reply #26 on: February 20, 2007, 11:36:05 pm » |
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I like the idea of a Volvo but Consumer Reports gave them average reliability ratings.
I may go take a look at it though. Is this S40 the one that is based on the Focus/Mazda3 platform? Is there more room in it?
The SVT would be sweet as well but there is the availability factor. Again unsure if Contours have much room in the back seat for baby. |
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2latecrew
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« Reply #27 on: February 21, 2007, 07:54:29 am » |
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I like the idea of a Volvo but Consumer Reports gave them average reliability ratings.
I may go take a look at it though. Is this S40 the one that is based on the Focus/Mazda3 platform? Is there more room in it?
The SVT would be sweet as well but there is the availability factor. Again unsure if Contours have much room in the back seat for baby.
The 2004.5 and up Volvo S40/v50 are based on Mazda 3 platform but you are not getting one for any less than 20 K (unless its wrecked ) so for get that. the previous s40/v40 was based on a mitsubishi and came only with turbo automatic combo. I don't know if you'd find it particularly sporty. v6 manual contour's are reasonably sporty but from what i've read and experienced are not a good reliability bet. Its very very hard to get sporty, reliable , roomy and under 13 K. |
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safristi
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« Reply #28 on: February 21, 2007, 08:13:06 am » |
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ANY ALTIMA 3.5's available..??.prolly higer mileage..but they meet the criteria. |
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THERE IS NO CURE FOR "LOTUS"......ONLY TREATMENT.....
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lurker
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« Reply #29 on: February 21, 2007, 11:49:07 am » |
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ANY ALTIMA 3.5's available..??.prolly higer mileage..but they meet the criteria.
I loved the one I drove that had all the bells and whistles. I may be able to find an okay condition one if I bump up my loan. I just looked at a 2003 Maxima today and I loved it. The accords I looked at seemed pretty dowdy compared to it. The Maxima is high on the list. If I could find one privately now. |
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« Last Edit: February 21, 2007, 04:08:55 pm by lurker »
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lurker
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« Reply #30 on: February 21, 2007, 04:38:37 pm » |
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What is the consensus on the Saturn L300?
It seemed quite nice interior-wise but I'm sure would be no match on the road for the Maxima. A good deal cheaper of course.
2003 Saturn L300 57k $12k |
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kaliban
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« Reply #31 on: February 25, 2007, 04:59:37 am » |
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I was originally looking at new cars but have decided to just use our down payment on the purchase of a used car. I have a 5 month old baby girl so safety and room is a concern.
My sitch:
$10-13k to spend + taxes
Car must have the following:
Manual transmission unless the car is quite quick.
4 doors
Enough room for a baby seat (or two).
Reasonably safe in a crash
Reliable
I'm very happy with my 2003 Focus Wagon ZTW. Has a pretty sporty feel to it. It's AT but reasonably quick and sporty feel. Pretty cool looking for a wagon. I get compliments on it all the time. Easily room for 2 car seats, probably with a small kid sitting between them. Decent amount of cargo room as well. 2/3-1/3 split rear fold down seat. Cargo cover, roof rack, Cruise Control. The ZTW is very difficult to find on the market. Anyway, it might be a model worth taking a look at. I'm also going to sell mine soon, in case you're interested. Feel free to email me. Cost about $1800 CAN shipping from Seattle to Grand Forks, Minnesota, which means it would be right in your price range including shipping, if you didn't mind driving a couple hours to pick it up. Pretty loaded, including auto sun/moon roof, changer-ready, cd also plays mp3, which is pretty cool. |
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lurker
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« Reply #32 on: February 25, 2007, 06:59:06 am » |
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I've looked at a lot of cars over the last week...
Cars ruled out...
The Volvo S40 is too small.
Focus Wagon. I had a 00 Focus that sat for a month in the shop. Not a good experience.
Altima feels cheaply built.
Cars not ruled out but seem difficult to find...
Accord. Couldn't find a manual transmission combined with side airbags.
Legacy. Need a manual in good condition with side airbags. Tough find.
Two that me and my wife both like...
00 Nissan Maxima GLE 76k for $12,900
Seems to be in excellent condition however it idled at 600 and stalled when I put it in park once.
05 Chev Malibu Maxx LT 20k for $14,900 (they are very open to offers)
The car hadn't been cleaned up but drove well. My wife disliked the brakes but I feel she could get used to them. The back seat can push back so you have monster room. |
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safristi
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« Reply #33 on: February 25, 2007, 02:42:57 pm » |
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THERE IS NO CURE FOR "LOTUS"......ONLY TREATMENT.....
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lurker
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« Reply #34 on: February 25, 2007, 03:17:48 pm » |
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I would indeed have to be desperate to have a Focus Wagon shipped from the US to a US city and drive 8 hours to pick it up! |
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safristi
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« Reply #35 on: February 25, 2007, 03:35:08 pm » |
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THERE IS NO CURE FOR "LOTUS"......ONLY TREATMENT.....
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kaliban
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« Reply #36 on: February 25, 2007, 05:23:20 pm » |
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lol No, I just meant it would cost around that to ship it up close to the US/CAN border; about 2.5 hour drive from Winnipeg. I figured I could sell the car plus ship within his budget. Perhaps a silly idea :p Anyway, I believe the focus has 38,000 miles. -k |
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safristi
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« Reply #37 on: February 25, 2007, 05:30:53 pm » |
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I "believe" in Faeries......  |
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THERE IS NO CURE FOR "LOTUS"......ONLY TREATMENT.....
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lurker
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« Reply #38 on: March 01, 2007, 04:23:55 pm » |
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An update... purchased a 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE
Black on Black leather, loaded. Paid $12,500.
We are very happy and the baby seat fits back there sans problemo.
Thanks for the suggestions by all! |
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dr_spock
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« Reply #39 on: March 01, 2007, 05:16:55 pm » |
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An update... purchased a 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE
Black on Black leather, loaded. Paid $12,500.
We are very happy and the baby seat fits back there sans problemo.
Thanks for the suggestions by all!
Congrats. Nice choice. I had one for a month before I had to give it back. I loved using the overdrive button to pass. |
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