Car Thoughts

[Arran]

I have been doing a ton of research...

I hear ya. Exhausting, yes? I stumbled on the iPad app "CarZen" a few days ago. Check it out. It has reviews, specs, hi quality pictures and all sorts of good stuff that's 100 times easier than dredging through all the manufacturer's and dealer's websites.

I can only comment on the Focus. I'm not a big fan of Ford USA's offerings but I drove a UK spec Focus back in 2006(?). It was basic rental car, but quite nippy and a LOT of fun to drive.

Never heard of the Suzuki, but I looked it up and it seems quite interesting. Gets good reviews. My only reservation would be availability of servicing locations and long-term availability of parts: I keep my cars for a while.

 

[ender land]

I can only comment on the Focus. I'm not a big fan of Ford USA's offerings but I drove a UK spec Focus back in 2006(?). It was basic rental car, but quite nippy and a LOT of fun to drive.

The 2012 focus was designed in Europe.

 

[KeriJane]

I absolutely agree with your decision to go with an "entry class" car. These are often very good cars that are sold at little or no profit so as to get you hooked on the brand name.

Another great reason to go with this class is the high fuel prices. Who needs to throw money away at the gas pump when it could be used to support something useful like an Apple addiction?

One other brand you might want to consider: Scion, which is the entry-level division of Toyota.

Keep it Simple,
Keri

PS. I've been driving the entry leven Toyota Tercel for many, many years. This is my third one and all three have been great, largely because of their simplicity.
#1 and 2 both nearly made it to 300,000 miles and #3 is halfway there with a lot of life left. Repairs and upkeep are inexpensive on a good basic car too.

 

[senseless]

My brother in law rented a Focus and was really impressed with it. He said it didn't feel like a boring rental car.

 

[CalBoy]

This Guy Is Spot On
Get a japanese vehicle, Nothing I mean Nothing is as reliable as them
i have a 94 nissan hardbody pickup and it is ugly as sin but has never broke down on me
Japanese cars last so long that you will be tired of it before it dies unlike all the american P.O.S i used to own

if you want a car that lasts 500k japanese 80k to 120k go american

I disagree. With current cars, the Japanese quality advantage has largely been reduced to a vestigial consumer belief. If there is any measurable advantage, it's doubtful whether or not it overcomes the increased cost and reduced features.

Duke, I think the Ford Focus is an excellent car. It's probably the car I will get after law school. It's ratings keep improving year after year, and it offers a lot more bang for the buck over most Japanese cars in its class.

 

[dukebound85]

At what point do you quit pouring money into a car and decide to get a new one?

I have a 1990 Celica with 141k miles. I have dumped a decent amt of money into it in the last 2 years and it is once again giving me issues with starting.

Do I give up and just get a new car, or keep repairing?

Such a pain to deal with

Here is my records sheet

 

[Macky-Mac]

how long have you had the car?

 

[smithrh]

At what point do you quit pouring money into a car and decide to get a new one?

Strictly financially speaking, it's usually a much better option to keep repairing vs. buying new.

However... what fun is there in that? Life is short, as long as it doesn't ruin you, do what makes you happy.

 

[dukebound85]

how long have you had the car?

I have had it for over 10 years

 

[skier777]

And for ***** and giggles, a 2012 Suburu WRX

I love suburu's, but make sure it doesn't have a 2.5liter engine, they are notorious for head gaskets breaking at 50k miles.

 

[Macky-Mac]

I have had it for over 10 years

significantly increasing expenses over the last couple of years? and it looks like some repeat problems? it's 20 years old?

What do you think it's worth currently? this site suggests not very much.

I think it's time to start looking for a replacement and be ready to walk away from it instead of doing another costly repair.

 

[eljanitor]

I have been doing a ton of research and want to see if anyone here had opinions/actual real time experience with these following cars

I am looking at
1) 2012 Suzuki Kizashi GTS
2) 2012 Kia Forte Koupe
3) 2012 Ford Focus

And for ***** and giggles, a 2012 Suburu WRX

Aside from the WRX, they are all in the same class except the Koupe being a 2door but looks awesome

Anyone have experience with a Kizashi?

1) Suzuki made a good motorcycle in the 80's I wouldn't ever buy their cars if I had a choice.
2) No comment on KIA
3) The Focus was a great replacement for the Escort when they replaced it for rally racing

4) Subaru WRX has a Boxer motor like Porsche and old VW's. Loved the WRX STI when it came out because it's the worlds first affordable sports car with a turbo and AWD that was produced in a long time.

I notice there all European and Asian cars any reason why?

 

[dukebound85]

1) Suzuki made a good motorcycle in the 80's I wouldn't ever buy their cars if I had a choice.
2) No comment on KIA
3) The Focus was a great replacement for the Escort when they replaced it for rally racing

4) Subaru WRX has a Boxer motor like Porsche and old VW's. Loved the WRX STI when it came out because it's the worlds first affordable sports car with a turbo and AWD that was produced in a long time.

I notice there all European and Asian cars any reason why?

American and Asian, and no, no reason. Just the ones that appeal to me

 

[dukebound85]

I have another question!

A hail storm came through and as a result, new cars have been marked down to compensate. The damage is very slight but I am unsure what to offer.

If they have a car with a price marked to 19,9xx....what would be an appropriate offer?

Websites like carbuyingtips and the like don't really cover hail damaged cars...so thanks for any insight!

 

[samiwas]

I have another question!

A hail storm came through and as a result, new cars have been marked down to compensate. The damage is very slight but I am unsure what to offer.

If they have a car with a price marked to 19,9xx....what would be an appropriate offer?

Websites like carbuyingtips and the like don't really cover hail damaged cars...so thanks for any insight!

Ummm...I think it would depend on what type of car. A $21k car marked down to $19.9k...play ball. A $40k car marked down to $19.9k...i'd almost just pay the price and go.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Definitely the Focus for the tech.

 

[Abstract]

Why haven't you bought the car yet?


Out of the lot, I'd get the Ford Focus (hatch version), but I'd also consider the Hyundai Veloster when it comes out. Both look really good to me.

 

[neiltc13]

2012 Ford Focus is by far the nicest small car on the market right now. It is full of tech and should give you good handling, good fuel economy and decent power. There are other competitors that might outshine it in this area or that, but as a total package it is hard to beat the new Focus.

It still amazes me that you guys call the Ford Focus a "small" car.

This is Ford's small car, the Ka:

 

[nizmoz]

I would seriously look at VW and the golf and GTI. Include the new Jetta to that list too. Great build quality. Feels like driving a Lexus on how well built they are. The new mk6 models.

 

[Sanveann]

I see this is a few months old ... but fwiw, we just rented a Focus for a few weeks, and it was a really nice car. Neither my husband nor I are Ford people, but we both really enjoyed driving it.

 

[dukebound85]

Why haven't you bought the car yet?


Out of the lot, I'd get the Ford Focus (hatch version), but I'd also consider the Hyundai Veloster when it comes out. Both look really good to me.

Haha I take my time. Plan on getting one within the week however as I am now in buy mode vs research mode lol.

I like the focus and all but they are hard to find around here as they get sold right when they arrive and that leaves one pretty much paying msrp for it

It still amazes me that you guys call the Ford Focus a "small" car.

This is Ford's small car, the Ka:

The focus is a small car here

 

[Theclamshell]

My grandpa bought a Forte may of 2010. I drive it a fair bit and I have to say it is a wonderful car. KIA has really stepped up their game and it is a nice car. We got the EX 4 door. The ride is a bit stiff but all in all its a very nice car. In our experience, Kia WILL negotiate. Alot. So that is my opinion of the Kia. Not a bad sound system either.

 

[sysiphus]

I would seriously look at VW and the golf and GTI. Include the new Jetta to that list too. Great build quality. Feels like driving a Lexus on how well built they are. The new mk6 models.

Good lord, no. Not if you're going to keep it out of warranty, at least. They're a blast to drive, but money pits to keep running out of warranty--the only VW worth considering is a diesel, and that's only due to the severe lack of non-fancy diesels in the US.

 

[nizmoz]

Good lord, no. Not if you're going to keep it out of warranty, at least. They're a blast to drive, but money pits to keep running out of warranty--the only VW worth considering is a diesel, and that's only due to the severe lack of non-fancy diesels in the US.

May I suggest you look at the latest info on VW as they have gone way up in reliability. We own a 2011 GTI with not a single issue other than Texas heat that killed my battery. We also own a Honda Civic 2008 and a 2009 Acura TL. Both of those cars have had MORE problems than the VW. As the VW has never even seen the shop yet.

Please do not spread false info as you are wrong about VW reliability.

 

[sysiphus]

May I suggest you look at the latest info on VW as they have gone way up in reliability. We own a 2011 GTI with not a single issue other than Texas heat that killed my battery. We also own a Honda Civic 2008 and a 2009 Acura TL. Both of those cars have had MORE problems than the VW. As the VW has never even seen the shop yet.

Please do not spread false info as you are wrong about VW reliability.

I wish you the best of luck with your GTI, and am glad you like it. That said, your car is still practically new, and VW has an ugly history over the past decade or so. I'm not saying they can't change, but they've to a ways to go before they deserve the benefit of the doubt as being reliable.

Recent source: Consumer Reports via USA Today
They've had many issues. Just for one, try looking up "VW Coil Pack"--virtually every 12V VR6, etc had a massive flaw that VW never acknowledged/did a recall for. What fun. Similar issues continued with the common 1.8T engine as well as the 24V VR6, though they actually admitted fault there. It goes on and on. Or, try asking a New Beetle owner how they like the electronics in their car...