NationStates Jolt Archive

I've honestly been an American car lover for... well, for my life. But, until I can actually afford a decent one (stern look at Chevy/Dodge/Ford's unimpressive "economy" line) I've decided to buy imports. The first was a Nissan Altima... which I proceeded to wreck after passing out - I think (I can't remember a thing before hitting the car in front of me, but I do remember hitting the car).

Anyway, my question is: Would you buy an '03 version (w/ 37k miles, still under 100k warranty) of one of these?

http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4067290

Note: The Hondas and Toyotas in this price range were '99s and below with at least 100k miles on them.

Good God no.

Not for that price. Isn't it only like a few thousand more for a 2007?

Not for that price. Isn't it only like a few thousand more for a 2007?

Its Carmax. Basically you pay for a car you know is going to work... Rather than going to a hole in the wall for about $2K cheaper.

Oh, and I can't really afford anything more than a $10K car...

It's not my type of car, so I definitely wouldn't buy it.

But the decision is yours. You must decide what you need and whether this car will do the job for you. And once you decided that, you'll have to go and inspect it, do a test drive and then decide whether the price is worth it.

We might be able to give some advice, but we can't tell you whether or not it's worth your money.

It's not my type of car, so I definitely wouldn't buy it.

But the decision is yours. You must decide what you need and whether this car will do the job for you. And once you decided that, you'll have to go and inspect it, do a test drive and then decide whether the price is worth it.

We might be able to give some advice, but we can't tell you whether or not it's worth your money.

I have. It feels solid... But the life expectancy of the car is a whole other thing.

I'd rather get a Honda Civic HB, but they're way too much used. Too many ricers want 'em.

http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4028728
http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4028783

Two much better cars from your search list.

http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4028728
http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4028783

Two much better cars from your search list.

Reliability with the Fords have been spotty. I wouldn't exactly trust them, even if it is a Focus. Plus, it's an automatic. :D

The Jetta I would get... But I've seen a lot of reports about the unreliability of them, especially in the electronics department.

Its Carmax. Basically you pay for a car you know is going to work... Rather than going to a hole in the wall for about $2K cheaper.

Oh, and I can't really afford anything more than a $10K car...

Ah, okay, I just seems over the odds for a 2003 with 37k miles.

The only other thing I could say is don't buy a ford. Ever. Under any circumstances.

At least you wouldn't be driving about in something that looked like it had been styled by someone in the dark. :p

Yeah, I know... the back end looks like something out of a horror film, no?

Reliability with the Fords have been spotty. I wouldn't exactly trust them, even if it is a Focus. Plus, it's an automatic. :D

The Jetta I would get... But I've seen a lot of reports about the unreliability of them, especially in the electronics department.

At least you wouldn't be driving about in something that looked like it had been styled by someone in the dark. :p

The warranty is for 10 yrs or 100k miles... for the powertrain. Not the clutch, of course. ;)

That'll go out in about... oh, a month with me driving. :p

And my first car was a '89 Ford Taurus SHO. It had more than 200k miles... with OEM parts. I pulled the O2 sensors off of it and I could still see the Ford logo on it.

If it's reliability you're after, why not go for the 68k miles Honda?

http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4020092

It might be twice the mileage, but it will go for twice as long.

EDIT: I just realised that the 2002 Honda looks suspiciously like the pre 2001 model. Do they keep the best cars back from you Americans or something?

If it's reliability you're after, why not go for the 68k miles Honda?

http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4020092

It might be twice the mileage, but it will go for twice as long.

EDIT: I just realised that the 2002 Honda looks suspiciously like the pre 2001 model. Do they keep the best cars back from you Americans or something?

Hmm... I actually didn't see that one. I might have to take a serious look at that one, too.

Actually, now that I think of it, having a Hyundai could be a theft deterrent in itself... because who the fuck in their right minds would want to steal a Hyundai? :D

Well, I myself am looking for a Honda Integra VTI-R at the moment (in the US I believe they're called GSR).

Maybe that's something to look for. Or, alternatively, the car I looked for previously: a Renaultsport Clio 172.

If it's reliability you're after, why not go for the 68k miles Honda?

http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4020092

It might be twice the mileage, but it will go for twice as long.

EDIT: I just realised that the 2002 Honda looks suspiciously like the pre 2001 model. Do they keep the best cars back from you Americans or something?

Yup.

I'd honestly buy Euro cars on the spot if they weren't so unreliable in America.

The link doesn't work, so I can't comment...

Hmm... I actually didn't see that one. I might have to take a serious look at that one, too.

Looking at it in more detail, it's more obvious why it's so much cheaper. It's an equipment free zone. I don't know what you're after, but I'm guessing that no air-con in California is probably a no-no.

Actually, now that I think of it, having a Hyundai could be a theft deterrent in itself... because who the fuck in their right minds would want to steal a Hyundai? :D

This is true. :p

The link doesn't work, so I can't comment...

http://carmax.com/MultiImages/KMHDN55D63U096558/KMHDN55D63U096558-2.jpg
http://carmax.com/MultiImages/KMHDN55D63U096558/KMHDN55D63U096558-4.jpg

Looking at it in more detail, it's more obvious why it's so much cheaper. It's an equipment free zone. I don't know what you're after, but I'm guessing that no air-con in California is probably a no-no.


That's the problem: Hondas are just so good now that the futt buglier ones are way overrated.

Get a Subaru or Toyota: They have the best reputation for lasting forever.

Although, you can get a Hyundai if you have no self respect and you are prepared to blow several thousand a year repairing it I suppose

Oh, and I can't really afford anything more than a $10K car...

Doesn't leave much room for choice. Still, try to get as much of a TVR as you can.

I've honestly been an American car lover for... well, for my life. But, until I can actually afford a decent one (stern look at Chevy/Dodge/Ford's unimpressive "economy" line) I've decided to buy imports. The first was a Nissan Altima... which I proceeded to wreck after passing out - I think (I can't remember a thing before hitting the car in front of me, but I do remember hitting the car).

Anyway, my question is: Would you buy an '03 version (w/ 37k miles, still under 100k warranty) of one of these?

http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4067290

Note: The Hondas and Toyotas in this price range were '99s and below with at least 100k miles on them.

I wouldn't buy anything from Carmax, they are overpriced. I looked recently when buying a car.....for about 12K there I could get a 2004-ish car with about 90K miles, but for my 12K at another dealer I got a brand new 2007 with 2 miles on it. I think one of those is a better deal.

Sure I had to work the dealer, and it helped that I paid cash......(well, with about the third dealer, the first two looked at me like I had three heads when I said I don't finance cars)

Its Carmax. Basically you pay for a car you know is going to work... Rather than going to a hole in the wall for about $2K cheaper.
not necessarily.

Oh, and I can't really afford anything more than a $10K car...
are you paying cash? (just curious...)

get this (http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4223618) one transfered to your store LOL, my mom has had a Rio since 2000 and not a problem yet (and she is very rough on cars)

fuck no, there's far better cars for that price.

The only other thing I could say is don't buy a ford. Ever. Under any circumstances.

One of my cars now is a Ford. Its the third one I've had. Its got almost 100,000 miles.
Its the third Ford I've had. The other two went over 150,000 miles. One went 185,000.00 miles before I gave it to my brother.

This one-Has only needed maintenance-oil & filter, tune up, tires and a new muffler at 85,000 miles.