Post by: Ryan in Maine on March 13, 2008, 05:27:50 PM
I'm 23 and trying to keep the price under the mid-teens. I've been looking at all sorts of new offerings from every dealership in this area but I'm open to buying used if you can educate me a bit. Within an hour we have GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota (disclaimer: I do not want a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep) dealerships.
I just need it to hold up on the terrible roads and winter conditions here in northern Maine. The roads suck 10 months out of the year and this winter we're on pace to break the all-time snowfall record of 181".
What would you recommend from each company (or any one company or whatever)?
Right now my front runner for a car is the Chevy HHR and for a truck is the Toyota Tacoma.
Post by: Jamisjockey on March 13, 2008, 05:36:28 PM
For cars, I am a fan of newer hyundais. I had an elantra, and it was an outstanding car. Its not an accord, but it was reliable and surefooted.
Post by: Boomhauer on March 13, 2008, 05:53:28 PM
Toyotas are always good bets. I just couldn't find a used Tundra or Tacoma that anybody was willing to turn loose of for a reasonable price. That says something right there.
GM is also good- don't know much about the newer years, though. Ford might be OK (at least better than Chrysler). Honda good too.
Post by: charby on March 13, 2008, 05:58:57 PM
Post by: mfree on March 13, 2008, 06:12:46 PM
Post by: Hawkmoon on March 13, 2008, 06:15:48 PM
Post by: K Frame on March 13, 2008, 06:26:15 PM
I've been in some heavy snows and some really bad roads in my Outback and it's a freaking mountain goat. I've gotten places where pickup trucks haven't been able to go.
Post by: Ryan in Maine on March 13, 2008, 07:16:27 PM
I have heard the Tacoma is a great truck. After doing some comparisons it seems like you can just get more truck for the money there. The hard part is finding one that's available for anything less than $18,000.
Unfortunately we don't have a Hyundai dealership in the area, otherwise I'd give them a look. Their new cars are getting good reviews.
Avenger:
For now I've already ruled out Chrysler for personal reasons. I actually like some of the offerings from Jeep and Dodge.
With the Toyota, they just seem to last forever. The highest mileage vehicles I've personally seen have all been from Toyota. It's like you said though, hard to find a good Tacoma for under $18,000. At least a 4x4.
GM has been great in my experience (I wish I had the cash for a Silverado with active fuel management). You'd be surprised at what my '97 Sunfire has been through and it is still a solid vehicle. I've checked GM for the Chevy HHR and the GMC Canyon (are they serious about the console in the Canyon though? It looks like a toy). I like what Saturn has been doing too.
Ford has been impressive lately too. I've taken a strong look at the Ford Fusion. I also found a great deal on an '08 Ford F-150 4x2 with a V8, but I'm not sure I can afford the gas.
Charby:
What about the Tundra? I've heard very little in the way of complaints. From what I hear it's a 5-star vehicle. I think you can throw a plow on the '08 or '09 versions now too. I think it's genuine competition for Chevy/GMC and Ford.
MFree:
I'll have to figure out the cost to own a Hyundai in this area since we lack a dealership within 3 hours. I don't think it's going to work out though.
What are the common V8 engines? I'm pretty sure I can find a Chevy/GMC or a Ford in my price range. Actually I'm fairly certain. The trouble with a bigger truck for me is affording the gas though. Doesn't hurt to learn about it though.
HawkMoon:
Jeep is fairly predominant around here. The Cherokee and Liberty specifically (not sure I want to gas them up though). My problem is the ownership at the local dealership. Guy is an ass and likes to take advantage of people. Also, when one of his mechanics drove my mother's Dodge Neon into a wall, he actually turned into a bigger ass, believe it or not. When they get their act together up there, I'll stop by.
Mike:
Subaru is another predominant brand up here - you're right. Even the Baja has a small following. I have priced used models and I could swing a pretty decent one (but no way am I buying a new one with that ugly face). I've had the pleasure of driving Subaru's Legacy, Forester, and WRX. Not only were they absolutely amazing drivers, but their reliability seems to be comparable to Toyota.
Post by: drewtam on March 13, 2008, 07:42:51 PM
Outlanders compete with Honda CR-Vs, Toyota RAV4. Each of these come with AWD options and vary in price. Although the AWD design is not optimized for serious offroading like some jeeps and trucks, it has handled very well on ice and snow on steep grades.
Post by: LAK on March 13, 2008, 10:38:24 PM
If I were in your position I would go for a standard Jeep. With the straight six motor they are still a good on and offroad vehicle, spares abound and the list of aftermarket accessories and suppliers is staggering.
-----------------------------
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Post by: seeker_two on March 14, 2008, 01:28:09 AM
www.insideautomotive.com
Post by: geronimotwo on March 14, 2008, 02:28:51 AM
Post by: Jamisjockey on March 14, 2008, 02:33:45 AM
I had an Elantra....5 speed, 18,000 miles and two years old when I purchased it for $8900...almost half what they are new. I put 30,000 miles on it. Great little car.
Post by: geronimotwo on March 14, 2008, 02:44:16 AM
Post by: Manedwolf on March 14, 2008, 04:15:14 AM
Post by: K Frame on March 14, 2008, 04:22:40 AM
And yes, the Subaru Baja is very likely the single ugliest car on the road today.
Post by: mfree on March 14, 2008, 04:26:21 AM
Uncommon ones, as much as I hate to admit (it's a "pet" motor) is something like Ford's 351M/400 motor, or the very old 360v8... or finding a chevy truck with a 265 in it, or a dodge with an A engine or early semi-hemi, just stuff that didn't span decades and may have issue with parts availability both native and aftermarket.
Aftermarket parts availability isn't just for speed, it adds a whole world to how creatively you can fix something if there's an issue with the native parts. The local dealer may be gouging you $800 something for a replacement stock intake manifold on a 351W when you can mail-order an edelbrock aluminum intake for less, as an example.
Oh, and learn how to tune a carb and set points, that's easy stuff and will greatly expand the number of vehicles you'd be comfortable with... particularly points. There are a lot of beat up trucks down this way that go for pennies because the original owner let the dwell drift out of range so far the engine barely runs, and doesn't know how to adjust. One would buy it, limp it home, whip the dizzy cap off and maybe 2 minutes later after fiddling with a screwdriver and a feeler guage it's running fine.
Oh, and read up on transfer cases. Some are great, some suck, and they are on the edge of being considered a wear item (regular replacement) when they suck, and there's next to no rule of thumb as to what you'll find under a particular truck.
And don't be afraid to crawl under and give the driveshafts a shake; if they have play that's a good sign that the truck wasn't maintained as well as it might look like after a prep to sale.
Post by: Manedwolf on March 14, 2008, 04:32:19 AM
I've often said that winter doesn't truly start for me until I see my first SUV turned turtle because the idiot driver doesn't get the concept of what 4WD will, and will not, do for you.
And yes, the Subaru Baja is very likely the single ugliest car on the road today.
And yes, the Subaru Baja is very likely the single ugliest car on the road today.
I still think that honor belongs to the Pontiac Aztek, the only car whose looks are improved by a front-end collision.
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on March 14, 2008, 04:36:31 AM
The Toyota Highlander isn't to bad, either.
But the Outback is a great car.
Post by: charby on March 14, 2008, 05:25:00 AM
Charby:
What about the Tundra? I've heard very little in the way of complaints. From what I hear it's a 5-star vehicle. I think you can throw a plow on the '08 or '09 versions now too. I think it's genuine competition for Chevy/GMC and Ford.
I read somewhere about issues with the engine and a weak transmission, but that might have been sorted out.
Post by: mfree on March 14, 2008, 06:01:45 AM
Those who do so will find the tailgate bent, or worse collapsing.
It is *not* a good working truck.
Post by: Tallpine on March 14, 2008, 06:31:47 AM
The gas mileage isn't that much worse (14-16 as opposed to maybe 16-18). You can buy a lot of gas for what you could save in the purchase price. Repairs are cheap(er) and simple on the older pickups.
OTOH, I suppose everything is all rusted out and scrapped already on the east coast
Post by: Manedwolf on March 14, 2008, 06:36:29 AM
If you don't have to drive the pickup a lot, you might consider an older full size Chevy or Ford 4x4. Pre-1988 is better for Chevy/GMC if you can find one (1975-80 even better).
The gas mileage isn't that much worse (14-16 as opposed to maybe 16-18). You can buy a lot of gas for what you could save in the purchase price. Repairs are cheap(er) and simple on the older pickups.
OTOH, I suppose everything is all rusted out and scrapped already on the east coast
The gas mileage isn't that much worse (14-16 as opposed to maybe 16-18). You can buy a lot of gas for what you could save in the purchase price. Repairs are cheap(er) and simple on the older pickups.
OTOH, I suppose everything is all rusted out and scrapped already on the east coast
Where there's salt up here, the Fords and GMs are biodegradable. The Japanese and German cars stay sharp seemingly forever. Not sure what's different about their body treatments.
Post by: jamz on March 14, 2008, 06:42:47 AM
Post by: Tallpine on March 14, 2008, 06:44:37 AM
That guy was amazing. He lived and worked off-grid, and had hand/pedal powered woodshop tools. He did have an old sawmill powered by a 6-cyl chevy engine IIRC.
We had awful bad luck with our Subaru
Post by: RadioFreeSeaLab on March 14, 2008, 07:16:43 AM
Post by: Scout26 on March 14, 2008, 08:25:01 AM
Post by: roo_ster on March 14, 2008, 09:43:48 AM
Also, the last body style (not current) was one of the last truly compact pickups...with compact pickup mileage (22-27MPG 4cyl/5sp).
The Ford Ranger is still a compact, too, though the oldest pickup design out there.
Post by: jbrown9709 on March 14, 2008, 10:59:27 AM
Jeff
Post by: LAK on March 15, 2008, 02:50:07 AM
--------------------------------------
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http://ussliberty.org/oldindex.html
http://www.gtr5.com
http://ssunitedstates.org