Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda

what do you consider good gas mileage? I'll just tell you a couple that I
like.

+ Have you considered the Saturn Vue (V6). a nice mating with Honda's 3.5L
V6 which delivers 250hp. I think the 3.5L gives 20-28 mpg, not bad for the
performance and price. GM also has a $3000 rebate on them as well which
has you paying $19980 before taxes. (http://www.edmunds.com/) Not bad!
Plus who wants to steal a Saturn!?!?

+ Scion tC. (low roof)
+ Subaru Legacy/Impreza
+ Toyota Corolla XRS (6 speed manual only). The other corolla engine is
good, but not like this one!
+ Nissan Altima
+ Mazda 6
+ Mazda 3
+ Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V (6 speed manual only) (which you can find for
under $15.5k)

good luck!




"blondee_yvr" wrote in message

 > Ok, I used to have a Honda 15+ years ago. It was first made in Canada
 > and I have been plagued with problems from day one. I said to myself
 > that I would never get another Honda.
 >
 > Now, I am selling my 2002 VW Jetta because it too has many problems.
 > I could have bad luck, dunno. So, what I am looking for is a car that
 > will spend the least amount of time in the shop (warranty or
 > otherwise). I would like the most bang for my buck but ABS is a must
 > a 4 wheel disc is a plus.I am looking for decent acceleration and very
 > good mileage (no hybrid please). I also don't like the car to be
 > femine looking.
 >
 > I looked at the interior of the Honda's a couple of years ago and I
 > wasn't impressed. I am also concerned with the high thefts/break-ins
 > of Hondas. I live in North America's number one capital for car
 > break-ins and Honda is at the top of the list. So, the insurance
 > deductible is a concern.
 >
 > I have to buy new since I have what appears to be "bad luck" and I am
 > not someone who will or plans to do self-maintenance on the car.
 >
 > Are there any models or cars that one would recommend? BTW, I am in
 > my later 30's.
 >
 > Thanks
 >
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

blondee_yvr wrote:

 > Ok, I used to have a Honda 15+ years ago. It was first made in Canada
 > and I have been plagued with problems from day one. I said to myself
 > that I would never get another Honda.

like what? you mustve gotten one of the few bad ones.
 >
 > Now, I am selling my 2002 VW Jetta because it too has many problems.

do tell! can i guess... a quart of oil every 1000 miles? electrical
problems? brake/ABS malfunctions?

 > I could have bad luck, dunno. So, what I am looking for is a car that
 > will spend the least amount of time in the shop (warranty or
 > otherwise). I would like the most bang for my buck but ABS is a must
 > a 4 wheel disc is a plus.I am looking for decent acceleration and very
 > good mileage (no hybrid please). I also don't like the car to be
 > femine looking.
 >
 > I looked at the interior of the Honda's a couple of years ago and I
 > wasn't impressed. I am also concerned with the high thefts/break-ins
 > of Hondas. I live in North America's number one capital for car
 > break-ins and Honda is at the top of the list. So, the insurance
 > deductible is a concern.
 >
 > I have to buy new since I have what appears to be "bad luck" and I am
 > not someone who will or plans to do self-maintenance on the car.
 >
 > Are there any models or cars that one would recommend? BTW, I am in
 > my later 30's.

shop toyota. theyve got something youd like.
 >
 > Thanks
 >
 >
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

:
: like what? you mustve gotten one of the few bad ones.

Wow, were do I start. Repeated rotor warpage, interior seats poorly
stitched, headlight seals broken, poor quality paint (Honda repainted
the entire car), MAP sensor replacement, throttle body replacement,
proportion valve replacement, radio replaced, windows seals replaced,
transmission replaced three times. I probably missed a few things....

: >
: > Now, I am selling my 2002 VW Jetta because it too has many
problems.
:
: do tell! can i guess... a quart of oil every 1000 miles? electrical
: problems? brake/ABS malfunctions?

Actually, none of the above. Mine is a TDI. Using synthetic oil.
Door seal replaced, tires replaced, wheel alignment issues, tranmssion
linkage issues, interior console replacement, rattling and creaking
from trunk area, rear strut mounts and bushings replacement, and
clogging of the intake. All within 31,000 km.
:
::
: shop toyota. theyve got something youd like.

Unless it's a sporty model, most Toyotas are too "femine" for me. I
drove the Camry and I prefer my TDI.
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

In article ,
"blondee_yvr" <nothing RemoveThis @no.som.com> wrote:

 > Wow, were do I start. Repeated rotor warpage, interior seats poorly
 > stitched, headlight seals broken, poor quality paint (Honda repainted
 > the entire car), MAP sensor replacement, throttle body replacement,
 > proportion valve replacement, radio replaced, windows seals replaced,
 > transmission replaced three times. I probably missed a few things....

I'd long ago have asked Honda simply to replace the car. They would
have done that (for me, anyway).
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:



 >
 >
  >>Wow, were do I start. Repeated rotor warpage, interior seats poorly
  >>stitched, headlight seals broken, poor quality paint (Honda repainted
  >>the entire car), MAP sensor replacement, throttle body replacement,
  >>proportion valve replacement, radio replaced, windows seals replaced,
  >>transmission replaced three times. I probably missed a few things....
 >
 >
 > I'd long ago have asked Honda simply to replace the car. They would
 > have done that (for me, anyway).
 >

I really think you had a lemon, because that really doesn't sound like a
Honda. Even today, I still see quite a few late 80s Accords and Civics
driving around Toronto (looking like rust buckets, but they still work),
whereas most other cars from that generation have all but dissapeared.

We have owned 4 Hondas in my family over the past few years, 94 and 02
Accords, 99 Odyssey and an 01 Prelude and the only major repair was a
failed transmission on the Odyssey (covered under the warranty).
Otherwise, only minor things, and only after 150k km (95k miles) on the
94 Accord.

Give Honda a try, they are still some of the most reliable cars on the
market today.

Cosmin
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

"Cosmin N." wrote in message

: Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
::
: I really think you had a lemon, because that really doesn't sound
like a
: Honda. Even today, I still see quite a few late 80s Accords and
Civics
: driving around Toronto (looking like rust buckets, but they still
work),
: whereas most other cars from that generation have all but
dissapeared.
:
: We have owned 4 Hondas in my family over the past few years, 94 and
02
: Accords, 99 Odyssey and an 01 Prelude and the only major repair was
a
: failed transmission on the Odyssey (covered under the warranty).
: Otherwise, only minor things, and only after 150k km (95k miles) on
the
: 94 Accord.
:
: Give Honda a try, they are still some of the most reliable cars on
the
: market today.
:
:

I think it was a lemeon. I was working at Honda at the time, that's
how I got them to repaint the beast. However, they wouldn't replace
the car. I got rid of it at the end of the 4 year mark. It still had
a year left on the warranty.

Ok, so if I do decide on a Honda, which model, and cylinder would
bring me the most bang for the buck and still be reliable. BTW, I
should tell y'all I think I am cursed when it comes to reliability.


Anyhow, I really don't like the looks of the Civic or the Corolla for
that matter. They are too "girly" for me. I haven't seen the Civic
sports model though. Accords seem to be expensive and they have
tranny issues (deja vu) but I do like it looks wise. I probably will
go to an automatic this time. I may lease (kinda like an insurance
policy) but I really get screwed if I lease an import unlike a North
American model such as GM. There is also a cost factor that with the
domestics they do offer a lot of incentives so the monthly car
payment is lower.

Suggestions?
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

blondee_yvr wrote:

[snip]

 > Ok, so if I do decide on a Honda, which model, and cylinder would
 > bring me the most bang for the buck and still be reliable. BTW, I
 > should tell y'all I think I am cursed when it comes to reliability.
 >

[snip]

Whichever model you decide on, do not get the automatic transmission,
especially if you're looking for a sporty feel to the car. Granted,
automatics have come a long way in the past 20 years, but they are still
slower, less responsive and reliable than the manuals. A V6 engine will
offset some of those drawbacks (at a cost in even worse reliability),
but an I4 engine, especially the Civic one, will be sloooooow.

I was recently in the market for another car to replace the 94 Accord
before it completely devalued, and I decided to get the 01 Prelude SE
5spd. With only 18k miles, mint shape, it cost me as much as a brand new
Civic Si coupe, but it's a much better car. But if you're looking for a
brand new car, then maybe the Acura RSX, or the Accord coupe (I4). Those
were some of the sporty cars I was considering before settling on the
Prelude.

If you're looking for a sedan, the Civic sedan looks completely dated,
and the Corolla is not much better. However, have you ever considered
the Mazda 3? I love the styling, and the performance with the 160hp
engine is pretty good. It gets close to the price of the Accord though
and it's in such high demand you're not likely to get any incentives
from the dealers.

Cosmin
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

"Cosmin N." wrote in message

: Whichever model you decide on, do not get the automatic
transmission,
: especially if you're looking for a sporty feel to the car. Granted,
: automatics have come a long way in the past 20 years, but they are
still
: slower, less responsive and reliable than the manuals. A V6 engine
will
: offset some of those drawbacks (at a cost in even worse
reliability),
: but an I4 engine, especially the Civic one, will be sloooooow.

This is why I may need to look at the domestics because they *should*
have better reliability than the imports. My TDI is a 5 speed and it
really is a nuisance in the city and when I have to stop on hills. It
also ticks me off when the bozo behind me is right on my butt when I
have some roll.
:
: I was recently in the market for another car to replace the 94
Accord
: before it completely devalued, and I decided to get the 01 Prelude
SE
: 5spd. With only 18k miles, mint shape, it cost me as much as a brand
new
: Civic Si coupe, but it's a much better car. But if you're looking
for a
: brand new car, then maybe the Acura RSX, or the Accord coupe (I4).
Those
: were some of the sporty cars I was considering before settling on
the
: Prelude.

Me and used get along as much as oil and water. No matter how hard I
try, we can't mix.
:
: If you're looking for a sedan, the Civic sedan looks completely
dated,
: and the Corolla is not much better. However, have you ever
considered
: the Mazda 3? I love the styling, and the performance with the 160hp
: engine is pretty good. It gets close to the price of the Accord
though
: and it's in such high demand you're not likely to get any incentives
: from the dealers.

Agreed, it's very dated along with the Corolla. I seriously thought
about the Mazda 3 and with ABS it is in the same ballpark price as my
TDI. However, I don't like the styling of the 3. Perhaps I am a good
candidate to lease a domestic car for three years until something
comes my way that I like that way the car will be fully under warranty
regardless of [most] problems?
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

blondee_yvr wrote:

[snip]

> This is why I may need to look at the domestics because they *should*
> have better reliability than the imports. My TDI is a 5 speed and it
> really is a nuisance in the city and when I have to stop on hills. It
> also ticks me off when the bozo behind me is right on my butt when I
> have some roll.

The domestics have far worse reliability than Honda in every respect,
including the transmission. Honda got so much bad publicity because it
is very uncommon for them to have ANY problems, whereas with the
domestics replacing a transmission is just "regular maintenance". I do
understand your frustration with the manual transmission on your TDI. It
happens to me all the time that someone stops too close, but I usually
leave myself enough room in the front to pull up a bit, and when people
see I drive a manual, they back off. Rush hour traffic is another issue
though.
[snip]

> Me and used get along as much as oil and water. No matter how hard I
> try, we can't mix.

I understand. I think I looked at 15 Preludes before I bought mine...


> Agreed, it's very dated along with the Corolla. I seriously thought
> about the Mazda 3 and with ABS it is in the same ballpark price as my
> TDI. However, I don't like the styling of the 3. Perhaps I am a good
> candidate to lease a domestic car for three years until something
> comes my way that I like that way the car will be fully under warranty
> regardless of [most] problems?

That's definitely an option if you don't really care what kind of car
you drive. Just don't buy it though, the domestics have no resale value
and you don't want to be stuck with one. Next year the new Civic will
come out (and hopefully they'll do a good job on it, unlike the current
one), the new Sentra and a few others will come out soon as well. By the
time your lease will expire all the new models will be on the market.

Cosmin
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

blondee_yvr wrote:
 > the Civic or the Corolla <snip> are too "girly" for me.
<snip>
 > I probably will
 > go to an automatic this time.

First you insult my manhood and then you wimp out and go to an automatic???

<vbg>
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

In article , nothing.DeleteThis@no.som.com says...
> This is why I may need to look at the domestics because they *should*
> have better reliability than the imports. My TDI is a 5 speed and it
> really is a nuisance in the city and when I have to stop on hills. It
> also ticks me off when the bozo behind me is right on my butt when I
> have some roll.
>

Don't.

I'm in the UK, but as a Current classic Saab owner, and soon to be
generation 4 Prelude owner, I hear so many horror stories from US
forum/Newsgroup people who own Saabs and domestic US cars, and jap cars.

The Jap and Saab owners are happy, with Saab weirdness, and jap
reliability.
The domestic and Saab owners all state how much better Saab is than US
domestic, but long for the reliability of Jap cars to go with the
longevity of Saabs.

Euro cars like saab and VW etc can be odd. But having learned to drive a
stick, I don't understand how you could consider going back to a
slushmatic, you think you roll back bad now, try it with a slush box.

You just need to learn a little more clutch control, and get on the bite
before releasing the brake or parking/emergency brake.
--
The poster formerly known as Skodapilot.
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

Cosmin N. wrote:

 > Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
 >


  >>
  >>
   >>> Wow, were do I start. Repeated rotor warpage, interior seats poorly
   >>> stitched, headlight seals broken, poor quality paint (Honda repainted
   >>> the entire car), MAP sensor replacement, throttle body replacement,
   >>> proportion valve replacement, radio replaced, windows seals replaced,
   >>> transmission replaced three times. I probably missed a few things....
  >>
  >>
  >>
  >> I'd long ago have asked Honda simply to replace the car. They would
  >> have done that (for me, anyway).
  >>
 >
 > I really think you had a lemon, because that really doesn't sound like a
 > Honda. Even today, I still see quite a few late 80s Accords and Civics
 > driving around Toronto (looking like rust buckets, but they still work),
 > whereas most other cars from that generation have all but dissapeared.
 >

even in so cal, where cars dont rust, i see a lot of older hondas. late
80s and up. i still think the 90-94(?) gen accords look nice.

what i dont see are a lot of crapaliers, escorts and tempos from that era.

 > We have owned 4 Hondas in my family over the past few years, 94 and 02
 > Accords, 99 Odyssey and an 01 Prelude and the only major repair was a
 > failed transmission on the Odyssey (covered under the warranty).
 > Otherwise, only minor things, and only after 150k km (95k miles) on the
 > 94 Accord.
 >
 > Give Honda a try, they are still some of the most reliable cars on the
 > market today.

honda can afford to lose a few customers for the few lemons they make.
they end up being replaced by disgruntled GM/ford/chrysler owners. and
of those, most end up happy and stick around. if not with honda, then
acura, or toyota and lexus.

its a net gain.

 >
 > Cosmin
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda 

 > Anyhow, I really don't like the looks of the Civic or the Corolla for
 > that matter. They are too "girly" for me. I haven't seen the Civic
 > sports model though. Accords seem to be expensive and they have
 > tranny issues (deja vu) but I do like it looks wise.

no civic? no accord? looks like you arent going to be buying a honda car.
 >> Stay informed about: Advice needed: Looking for new car, perhaps Honda