First Car Advice

[MonksMac]

I seem to recall some Volvo owners complaining about the high repair costs though. I didn't question their remarks, as I've not had one. I just can't get around the styling/image.

Is this the case?

I've never owned a car(yet), but I've always been interested/studied and learned all I could about cars so I thnk I'm at least somewhat knowledgeable. (Just a little disclaimer )

From what I've read/heard the Volvo's from before Ford bought them out were more reliable and tank like (except for the pre 1987 760's), but as with any European car, is still higher than a domestic or Japanese brand. Newer Volvo's are not as reliable it seems. I recall reading somewhere that Volvo was second to Mercedes in length of time that they were owned-something like 19.6 years of ownership on average, but that includes pre-Ford cars though.

 

[NT1440]

I've only been here a little over a year, but recently Dmac you've said you were 14.....

 

[MonksMac]

I've only been here a little over a year, but recently Dmac you've said you were 14.....

Maybe he had a birthday?

 

[NT1440]

Maybe he had a birthday?

Edit: stupid me, I should have ready closer.

I guess that tells me these eyes are too tired to continue for the night.

 

[Sun Baked]

Buy the frumpy reliable tank as the first car ... the sexy money pits in your life should wear skirts.

 

[nanofrog]

I've never owned a car(yet), but I've always been interested/studied and learned all I could about cars so I thnk I'm at least somewhat knowledgeable. (Just a little disclaimer )

From what I've read/heard the Volvo's from before Ford bought them out were more reliable and tank like (except for the pre 1987 760's), but as with any European car, is still higher than a domestic or Japanese brand. Newer Volvo's are not as reliable it seems. I recall reading somewhere that Volvo was second to Mercedes in length of time that they were owned-something like 19.6 years of ownership on average, but that includes pre-Ford cars though.

The older ones where, as I understand it. But those are at the age where they may not have much life left, or need alot of maintenance/repair to get them back in shape (reliable). Looks, who knows.

Maybe it's just me, but the foreign makes Ford's gotten ahold of, seem to have suffered as a result. Jaguar's persistant electrical issues for instance.

Buy the frumpy reliable tank as the first car ... the sexy money pits in your life should wear skirts.

Good advice, but I don't think it's well comprehended yet.

 

[MonksMac]

The older ones where, as I understand it. But those are at the age where they may not have much life left, or need alot of maintenance/repair to get them back in shape (reliable). Looks, who knows.

Maybe it's just me, but the foreign makes Ford's gotten ahold of, seem to have suffered as a result. Jaguar's persistant electrical issues for instance.

Good advice, but I don't think it's well comprehended yet.

It was under Ford that the Jaguars got better, the early ones anyway, but anything was probably more reliable than a British Leyland car... However they still have their problems.

Many cars made since the late 1980's and 1990's are designed to last up to 200,000 miles. If a car has been well maintained it should last at least that long.

I actually like the old boxy Volvo's (Yeah, I have a weird taste in car styling...) especially if they are a Turbo model- no one would expect a Volvo to beat a car with a bigger engine...

 

[mac88]

Don, just get a beater and enjoy high school. Don't get something that you are going to freak over if it gets scratched, dented etc. Save yourself the aggravation!

 

[Demosthenes X]

I've no idea how location alone affects the rates, but it has made a difference for me. Florida, Pensylvania, and Maryland in the same vehicle, same coverage. Though I shopped rates, I ended up sticking with the same company. It was highest in Florida (Orlando).

Theft and accident rates are part of it. My sister's insurance went up by 40% when she moved because her new location was more theft prone and because there were more accidents there. Those two things mean the insurance company is statistically more likely to make a pay-out, so premiums rise accordingly.

 

[FadeToBlack]

Don, just get a beater and enjoy high school. Don't get something that you are going to freak over if it gets scratched, dented etc. Save yourself the aggravation!

I agree with that.

It's awesome to have a nice car, but odds are, you'll probably end up getting a ding or two and it's not as bad if you've got a beater.

My first few cars were beaters. I didn't get my first nice car 'til I was like 19 and that was a 2001 Cavalier. That was back in 2003, though, so it was a relatively new car.