What were the three Japanese cars and what was the American car? Are
the Japs even Hondas? Or are we comparing 80s Civics to an '07
Cadillac or Lincoln?

 

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:17:00 -0500, "DodgeDriver"
<wingnut@invalid.net> wrote:

>We are in the USA. Granddaughter is looking to buy her first car. She is
>talking Honda Civic. Don't know why, but she believes that is what she
>wants. She will have about $5,000 (US) to spend. I lean toward something
>not more than 5 years old. Haven't started looking but thought I would ask
>this group for opinions re: a Civic. Are all Civics created equal or are
>there certain models/years to stay away from?
>
>Thanks for any help.


Five grand might be enough to lease a base model *new* Civic for three
years, full warranty coverage. Or maybe lease a three year old Civic
from a dealer for three years, fancy model.

J.

 

On Mar 6, 5:16 am, "Robert" <kraft....@gmail.com> wrote:
> What were the three Japanese cars and what was the American car? Are
> the Japs even Hondas? Or are we comparing 80s Civics to an '07
> Cadillac or Lincoln?

02 Legacy with 92k miles to 03 Taurus with 95k miles.
The former expired the engine at 166k while the latter
made it to the same mileage needing no major repairs.
I don't think I spent over $1k over 70k miles of the taurus.
Fair enough? With one driven wheel civics are simpler
and probably way more reliable than subarus,
but still not indestructible as the prices
for the used ones would suggest.
Repeat after me: used jap cars are WAY overprices compared
to the american cars. Ironically, the reverse is true for
new cars. I can't think of any american car for under $45k
that is a good value when new.

 

On Mar 6, 7:57 pm, isq...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Mar 6, 5:16 am, "Robert" <kraft....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > What were the three Japanese cars and what was the American car? Are
> > the Japs even Hondas? Or are we comparing 80s Civics to an '07
> > Cadillac or Lincoln?
>
> 02 Legacy with 92k miles to 03 Taurus with 95k miles.

er, 92 and 93: I don't drive THAT much :-)

> The former expired the engine at 166k while the latter
> made it to the same mileage needing no major repairs.
> I don't think I spent over $1k over 70k miles of the taurus.
> Fair enough? With one driven wheel civics are simpler
> and probably way more reliable than subarus,
> but still not indestructible as the prices
> for the used ones would suggest.
> Repeat after me: used jap cars are WAY overprices compared
> to the american cars. Ironically, the reverse is true for
> new cars. I can't think of any american car for under $45k
> that is a good value when new.

 

On Mar 6, 10:57 pm, isq...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Mar 6, 5:16 am, "Robert" <kraft....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > What were the three Japanese cars and what was the American car? Are
> > the Japs even Hondas? Or are we comparing 80s Civics to an '07
> > Cadillac or Lincoln?
>
> 02 Legacy with 92k miles to 03 Taurus with 95k miles.
> The former expired the engine at 166k while the latter
> made it to the same mileage needing no major repairs.
> I don't think I spent over $1k over 70k miles of the taurus.
> Fair enough? With one driven wheel civics are simpler
> and probably way more reliable than subarus,
> but still not indestructible as the prices
> for the used ones would suggest.
> Repeat after me: used jap cars are WAY overprices compared
> to the american cars. Ironically, the reverse is true for
> new cars. I can't think of any american car for under $45k
> that is a good value when new.

OK, that cleared a lot up. I agree. Used Japanese cars are overpriced,
perhaps due to the stereotype of the American cars. And I also agree
with your statement on new cars -- but I do have a soft spot for the
big rear-wheel-drive Crown Vics/Grand Marquis. A 1996 Merc Grand
Marquis Bayshore is my current daily driver!

 

On Mar 7, 6:48 am, "Robert" <kraft....@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mar 6, 10:57 pm, isq...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Mar 6, 5:16 am, "Robert" <kraft....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > What were the three Japanese cars and what was the American car? Are
> > > the Japs even Hondas? Or are we comparing 80s Civics to an '07
> > > Cadillac or Lincoln?
>
> > 02 Legacy with 92k miles to 03 Taurus with 95k miles.
> > The former expired the engine at 166k while the latter
> > made it to the same mileage needing no major repairs.
> > I don't think I spent over $1k over 70k miles of the taurus.
> > Fair enough? With one driven wheel civics are simpler
> > and probably way more reliable than subarus,
> > but still not indestructible as the prices
> > for the used ones would suggest.
> > Repeat after me: used jap cars are WAY overprices compared
> > to the american cars. Ironically, the reverse is true for
> > new cars. I can't think of any american car for under $45k
> > that is a good value when new.
>
> OK, that cleared a lot up. I agree. Used Japanese cars are overpriced,
> perhaps due to the stereotype of the American cars. And I also agree
> with your statement on new cars -- but I do have a soft spot for the
> big rear-wheel-drive Crown Vics/Grand Marquis. A 1996 Merc Grand
> Marquis Bayshore is my current daily driver!

I forgot about those. They probably are indispensible to cop
due to ability to withstand abuse better than the japs.

I can't picture cops going over curbs at any decent speed
in accord. Not to mention that a police turn in an fwd car
would be an interesting feat to watch :-)

But I can't picture myself in a crown vic (except maybe in
the back after having too much fun in my jap cars

Solstice probably would not have been bad if it were not so
heavy. Good enough for midwest I guess.

 

In article <1173278935.720069.265330@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups .com>,
"Robert" <kraft.fhs@gmail.com> wrote:

> OK, that cleared a lot up. I agree. Used Japanese cars are overpriced,
> perhaps due to the stereotype of the American cars.
That reminds me of when a lady friend asked me for advise when buying a
new car in 1994.
She liked both the Taurus and Honda Accord which cost a bit more, but
she told me the Honda dealer told her the Taurus would be worth much
less in 3 years.
I asked her how long she intended to keep the car, she replied about 10
years. Then I said there will be little difference in value.
She bought the '94 Taurus which has served her very well and which she
still drives daily.

 

On Tue, 13 Mar 2007 07:46:16 +0000, who wrote:

> In article <1173278935.720069.265330@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups .com>,
> "Robert" <kraft.fhs@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> OK, that cleared a lot up. I agree. Used Japanese cars are overpriced,
>> perhaps due to the stereotype of the American cars.
> That reminds me of when a lady friend asked me for advise when buying a
> new car in 1994.
> She liked both the Taurus and Honda Accord which cost a bit more, but
> she told me the Honda dealer told her the Taurus would be worth much
> less in 3 years.
> I asked her how long she intended to keep the car, she replied about 10
> years. Then I said there will be little difference in value.
> She bought the '94 Taurus which has served her very well and which she
> still drives daily.

1994 Accord EX $2736
1994 Taurus LX $754

These are the current private-party values for those 2 cars. The Honda
is still worth significantly more. If she were to trade in her Ford right
now, she'd get a paltry $323 for it from the dealer.

 

On Mar 13, 3:28 am, Joe LaVigne <jlavi...@hits-buffalo.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 13 Mar 2007 07:46:16 +0000, who wrote:
> > In article <1173278935.720069.265...@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups .com>,
> > "Robert" <kraft....@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >> OK, that cleared a lot up. I agree. Used Japanese cars are overpriced,
> >> perhaps due to the stereotype of the American cars.
> > That reminds me of when a lady friend asked me for advise when buying a
> > new car in 1994.
> > She liked both the Taurus and Honda Accord which cost a bit more, but
> > she told me the Honda dealer told her the Taurus would be worth much
> > less in 3 years.
> > I asked her how long she intended to keep the car, she replied about 10
> > years. Then I said there will be little difference in value.
> > She bought the '94 Taurus which has served her very well and which she
> > still drives daily.
>
> 1994 Accord EX $2736
> 1994 Taurus LX $754
>
> These are the current private-party values for those 2 cars. The Honda
> is still worth significantly more. If she were to trade in her Ford right
> now, she'd get a paltry $323 for it from the dealer.

I think she couldn't care less. Old people usually have
a good idea how hard money are to get (for most people anyway)
and are pretty stingy as a result.
For her probably it matters only if she can get another
5 or 10 years out of it. Won't be surprised if she could.
Heck, my old boss has a 10 y.o. taurus that was stinking
(literally) pretty badly and despite making about $1/4mil (US) a year
among himself and his wife he just could not let go.
His secretary is driving LS400 though :-D

 

On Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:12:34 -0800, isquat wrote:

> On Feb 26, 2:17 pm, "DodgeDriver" <wing...@invalid.net> wrote:
>> We are in the USA. Granddaughter is looking to buy her first car. She
>> is talking Honda Civic. Don't know why, but she believes that is what
>> she wants. She will have about $5,000 (US) to spend. I lean toward
>> something not more than 5 years old. Haven't started looking but
>> thought I would ask this group for opinions re: a Civic. Are all Civics
>> created equal or are there certain models/years to stay away from?
>>
>> Thanks for any help.
>
> For $5k I'd buy an american over a jap car anyday. Much better value and
> reliability

Isn't this an oxymoron?


> because $5k buys you a dilapidated jap car and an american car
> in very good shape.

Bull. I bought a 1995 Toyota Tercel in 2001 for $1400 and sold it in 2004
for $1400 with 130,000 miles on it and PLENTY of life left in it.
Car was in near mint condidiotn, it had a dent in the door, ran like a top
and got 44 MPG with an AT. I needed to sell it to get the money to buy a
Supra. If you look hard and long enough, you can find deals.


> Unless your daughter is a mechanic or runs a repair
> shop I won't advise to buy a desirable fun car for that kind of money. I
> suggest to get something some boring piece of junk that won't fall apart
> next day.
>
> Speaking of that, are 07 and 08 Civics any better than 06s reliability
> wise?

 

On Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:57:35 -0800, isquat wrote:

> On Mar 6, 5:16 am, "Robert" <kraft....@gmail.com> wrote:
>> What were the three Japanese cars and what was the American car? Are the
>> Japs even Hondas? Or are we comparing 80s Civics to an '07 Cadillac or
>> Lincoln?
>
> 02 Legacy with 92k miles to 03 Taurus with 95k miles. The former expired
> the engine at 166k


There's a maintenance schedule in the book. You were supposed to change
the timing belt at 120K.


> while the latter made it to the same mileage needing no
> major repairs. I don't think I spent over $1k over 70k miles of the
> taurus. Fair enough? With one driven wheel civics are simpler and probably
> way more reliable than subarus, but still not indestructible as the prices
> for the used ones would suggest.
> Repeat after me: used jap cars are WAY overprices compared to the american
> cars. Ironically, the reverse is true for new cars. I can't think of any
> american car for under $45k that is a good value when new.

 

On Mar 23, 3:43 pm, Hachiroku ハチ�ク <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote:
> On Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:57:35 -0800, isquat wrote:
> > On Mar 6, 5:16 am, "Robert" <kraft....@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> What were the three Japanese cars and what was the American car? Are the
> >> Japs even Hondas? Or are we comparing 80s Civics to an '07 Cadillac or
> >> Lincoln?
>
> > 02 Legacy with 92k miles to 03 Taurus with 95k miles. The former expired
> > the engine at 166k
>
> There's a maintenance schedule in the book. You were supposed to change
> the timing belt at 120K.
>
My nightmare of a car had nothing to do with the timing belt.
Did I mention timing belt anywhere? You think with $10k dumped
into the car I would've tried to save pennies on the timing belt?

 

On Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:39:55 -0700, isquat wrote:

> On Mar 23, 3:43 pm, Hachiroku ハチ�ク <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote:
>> On Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:57:35 -0800, isquat wrote:
>> > On Mar 6, 5:16 am, "Robert" <kraft....@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> What were the three Japanese cars and what was the American car? Are
>> >> the Japs even Hondas? Or are we comparing 80s Civics to an '07
>> >> Cadillac or Lincoln?
>>
>> > 02 Legacy with 92k miles to 03 Taurus with 95k miles. The former
>> > expired the engine at 166k
>>
>> There's a maintenance schedule in the book. You were supposed to change
>> the timing belt at 120K.
>>
> My nightmare of a car had nothing to do with the timing belt. Did I
> mention timing belt anywhere? You think with $10k dumped into the car I
> would've tried to save pennies on the timing belt?


Well, most people who kill their Hondas do so by not changing the timing
belt when called for. I figured you probably ignored the belt and ruined
the engine.

But I now see you came up with a more ingenious way to kill what should
have been a bullet-proof car...