Wanted: A-B transportation cheap

[haroldk]

OK, my wife's car was totalled and we're looking for some cheap transportation for her. Right now, we've got $700 to spend, but we're working on getting more than that. We need something that'll be reliable; it doesn't need to be pretty or fast. If you've got something that might fit the bill in the Twin Cities, give me a heads-up with a PM or e-mail me through the board.

Thanks
--Harold

[Chad]

I possibly have a great running and reliable Merkur XR4Ti for sale for $700. It will need some new tires but is in great shape and has heated seats.
Although it is a 5sp. and has rear wheel drive so the wife might not be so keen on it.
Email: Deba0016@tc.umn.edu

[haroldk]

Well, I'm sure if I didn't have an XR, she wouldn't mind having one. She's fobidden me to have more than 1 Merkur until we're rich and famous (or at least until we've got a house). She likes my XR, but she doesn't want to have another right now. Also, she really, really hates the T9.

Thanks for the reply, though.
--Harold

[SalahK]

My recommendation is to get a 4 year old Kia Sephia or Hyundai Accent. Here are some reasons why:

1. Horrendous drop in resale value in the first few years = great buy in the used market.
2. 5-yr/60k bumper-to-bumper warranty = total piece of mind.
3. Overall quality is lower that Japan and Germany, but on par with U.S. offerings.
4. Cheap insurance.
5. Nobody wants to steal them.

They are NOT fast, agile or beautiful, but then you want basic, hassle-free transportation at ridiculously low prices right?

Kelley bule book private party values for 1999 model year w/50k miles & good condition:
Kia Sephia = $3500
Hyundai Accent = $3000

Ok, so they are not worth $700, but think of time & cost savings associated with not having to deal with reliability issues. You may argue that you can just dump the $700 car, but then you're back to square one !

[haroldk]

You see, we've got $700. We can't afford a loan, so a $3000 car is out of the question.

[RHD]

I think I may be able to help you out, I am a U.S. Marine currently stationed in Japan. Back home (in MN) I have a 1986 VW Jetta GL. (1.8l 8v 5sp) with roughly 140k miles on it. Mechanically it is in excellent condition (just had a new exhaust put on). Cosmetically it has a little bit of rust around the edges (very good for 17 years in MN). The interior is nearly perfect, and it was never smoked in. It is Gold with a Brown Interior, You may have seen it, I used to run HST at autocrosses in it. The only upgrade I have on it is Boge Turbo Gas Shocks. There are also a Kenwood CD player and Boston Acoustics Speakers installed. Before the bottom dropped out of the used car market, I was looking for around $1200 for it, I haven't read a local paper in the last year and a half so I have no Idea what it is worth now. If you are interested call my father Thomas Austin at 651-439-1039, Tell him Eric sent you.

[haroldk]

Thanks for the reply on this. I forgot, however, to post that we managed to find a car for her almost 2 weeks ago.

[RHD]

no problem, I should have looked at the date before posting.
-Eric

[StevenMosley]

Salah,

The German's build way to much junk to be considered as reliable as the japanese cars. I would have to rank them below the American cars and even with the Swedish cars. I'm not saying that Swedish cars are bad, because I love the Volvo S40 my finance has and we are thankful everyday that we didn't get a Jetta instead.

Steven

[RHD]

Whoa whoa whoa, wait a minute. Where did this notion that German cars are unreliable come from?
-Eric

[Chad]

And the notion that swedish cars aren't reliable?

[weidnerpaul]

Gee what about British cars, they're the MOST reliable---right

Things wrong with the MINI so far:

Wrong VIN # on plate under windshield (had to remove windshield to replace)
Drivers inside door latch needed replacing
Had to remap the engine computer with new software as it would die while idling just after being started.
Drivers exterior latch stopped working
True British craftsmanship.
Yes I still do like my British car...
Paul

[StevenMosley]

Paul,

Why do cute cars have so many problems?

The Beetle has had the following problems:
-blown headlights (4 in two years)
-window regulators failed
-drive axles tick
-Armrest is failing apart, dealer said that was just the way they are built.
-Speedometer and Odometer only work when head lights are on and then only about 75% of the time.

Hopefully I don't have to add the coli packs to the list before my lease is up.

Steven

[00bmw00]

VWs are german but aren't the epitome of fine German Engineering. The examples given are mostly vws. I've owned a Jetta. It was as reliable as my chrylser laser turbo and thats not saying much. Newer Jettas are alot better in build quality.

Bimmers, Benzs, Porsches, and Audis. In that order are world class and usually set the bench mark in automotive industry. Swedes build good cars (Volvos and Saabs) but are not the caliber of German cars. How many Saabs do you see on the track or on the top 10 list of car and driver. I'm kind of amazed at that statement German cars behind American cars in reliability? Japanese cars probably. American cars? because the parts are cheaper? I didn't get were you were going with that. :hoho

[jclemen]

This is an old thread but...

As a bmw owner (m3), I'll say that german cars have a REPUTATION for being reliable, but obviously looking at the jd powers 2003 survey on 2000 model cars, its the japenese who have the reliability thing down.
My car has had software upgrades, it was in every other week when I first got it for interior trim issues, the gas guage went goofy this past fall before storage, i've got a brake light relay error that occurs only if I activate the outside temp on the computer, plus, the early cars suffered from a less than reliable water pump. This is not world class leading stuff, even though its not a 7 series, I'd expect they're paying attention along the m line.
Reputation and brand loyality usually cloud the waters of perceived reliability.
BTW-Lutz is determined to take Buick to the next level is this category, he's picked a good platform judging by its scores.

Jeff

Average problems per vehicle
Lexus 1.63 Volkswagen 3.91
Infiniti 1.74 Suzuki 4.03
Buick 1.79 Daewoo 4.21
Porsche 1.93 Land Rover 4.41
Acura 1.96 Kia 5.09

[DCM]

A car salesman once told me about cars; "they all rust, they all rot, they all fall apart"
He was right!

This was at B & K Imports in Minneapolis about 1967. they were a dealer of BMC cars, where I bought my 1965 MGB. [which I loved]
Hmmmmmmm?
But since working as a auto mechanic since 1968, at service station, dealership, [17 years] independent garage, and then self employed.
I learned to just hate some cars. Any other mechanics out there who can relate to this?????

After working at at VW dealer, and Audi/Porsche previous to that, I never wanted to see one of those again.
My dad to his dying day, [he passed on 2 years ago] loved his Dodges. And anything else just wouldn't do. But Chrysler hasn't built a decent car since 1970. [IMO] Hey, I owned a 1976 Volare! [WAPOJ]

But in my humble opinion, [and I am opinionated] right now, the Japanese have the edge in quality.
But I was a Mercedes tech for 20+ years. And they were a wonderful car.
But my first love has always been LBC's. I've owned numerous Austin Healey Sprites, and several MGB's. The 'B' is my all time favorite.
Want more of this?
Dwight

[00bmw00]

Pure driving satisfaction is whole another ball game. Reliability i.e. windows, radio, speedometer, working properly after 10 years. I'd take a honda or toyota over any make. But a car that makes you grin when you look or drive it...Call it owner loyalty but I'm on my 6th bimmer and I've driven Saabs, Volvos, VW,Chrlysler, Hondas, Acuras, Fords,Nissans, Benzs, and Porsche (944 turbo).

I loved my 318is so much I dropped a m3 engine in it with m3 ltw suspension, linked to a high ratio diff and when I got into an accident. (never drive a bimmer in the snow)...I Did the same swap again into a 318 I.

I guess we all take different paths in the road of life and those different winding roads leads us to a car we either despise or love. :D

[StevenMosley]

Originally posted by 00bmw00


VWs are german but aren't the epitome of fine German Engineering. The examples given are mostly vws. I've owned a Jetta. It was as reliable as my chrylser laser turbo and thats not saying much. Newer Jettas are alot better in build quality.

Bimmers, Benzs, Porsches, and Audis. In that order are world class and usually set the bench mark in automotive industry. Swedes build good cars (Volvos and Saabs) but are not the caliber of German cars. How many Saabs do you see on the track or on the top 10 list of car and driver. I'm kind of amazed at that statement German cars behind American cars in reliability? Japanese cars probably. American cars? because the parts are cheaper? I didn't get were you were going with that. :hoho

From Jeff's post it shows that the Jap's build the best cars for reliabilty and the American's and German's both have a car in the top 5, but VW's stink.

I also remember reading an article this week(in one of the following Business Week, USA Today, or IBD) stating that Benz's reliablity ratings are falling like a rock from 1st in 1990 to 6th last year to 32nd this year. I also read something about BMW having simular issues now that they are build so many new models.

Back in the 80's Volvo's and BMW's might have been the benchmark, but they lost something in the 90's and surely are not today. GM has really done a great job as of late building reliable cars and are surely better then VW's. If you have some time go check out Edmunds consumer reviews they will give you a good insight of what issues to look at regarding a yr/models issues.

Do I like german and swedish cars? Yes, they have some of the best styling, but
I'm scared to own one not under warranty.

[phile]

They all rust, they all rot, they all fall apart.

But:

The Saturn has more parts, and more visible parts, that do not rust or rot. My Saturn is 11 years old and has more than 130,000 miles on the clock. I have treated like an appliance year-round in the salt capital of the world for several years now, and I think the former owner did the same. It looks pretty good. The Twink engine still loves to rev. The clutch hasn't gone away yet. The stock suspension is pretty competent.

Phil Ethier

[Dave Kral]

Originally posted by DCM


A car salesman once told me about cars; "they all rust, they all rot, they all fall apart"
Dwight

Well, mine might fall apart eventually, but it sure ain't gonna rust :p Can't beat that aluminum!!

Oh, and 00bmw00 - you say Honda's don't put a grin on your face. Have you tried an S2000 or NSX?

Dave
'95 Audi A6
'91 Acura NSX

[Dennis G.]

I dont think going to a 7-series BMW gets you any more overall quality. The 7 series USED TO have a reputation for intake manifold gaskets going out LIKE CLOCKWORK, at close to a given mileage. I forget what it was, but around 70, 000 to 80,000 mi. The car was usually out of warranty (barely) by that time, and with a VERY crowded, intimidating engine compartment, and with not many 7-series owners being "do-it-yourselfers", it was off to the dealer. A bill for somewhere between $1000 and $2000 was normal.

[jclemen]

They (7 series) USED to have a lot more problems than just the intakes. Whole engine blocks were being replaced in the early/mid 90's. That's why you'll find them used for about $15k. My comment was to imply that they should be paying attention to quality on the 7 series line as its their flagship, but not necessarily succeeding.
How about the first-secret, now-public m3 recall for the s52. Not inspiring by any means, makes it hard to look at getting one unless it has the changes documented.
On the other hand, not too fair as this is a hand built motor, but it really surprises me that their performance icon car has/had a major problem. For $50k, I think I look at a three year old c2 as I don't want to deal with another failure down the road.
Having said that, I'd buy a bmw tomorrow if I could/had to, no major problems with the M, i'll be sad to see it go...

Jeff

[Dennis G.]

I suppose if you didn't catch the coolant leak (into the crankcase) and put a few hundred miles on it with a quart of coolant in the oil....you got a bad block, PLUS other stuff warn badly.