I bought a new car (the "I wanna be like Gugs" thread)...

[General Zod]

Greg ... just happened upon this review. Very positive! ... and these guys are usually very brutal ...

Thanks for the link. Not sure what they mean by....

The 3.5SE's six-speed manual is better than Nissan’s standard fare, delivering unrestricted access to every last one of the 350SE Coupe’s 270 horses. If you start comparing it to better gearboxes… just offer a silent prayer that it’s not a CVT.

I assume it's a shot at CVT, as automatics aren't for purists. However, I would liked to have heard what their specifics complaints were.

Zod

 

[lurch70]

most automotive journalists have an issue with CVT's but realy they kick all sorts of ass ... especially in manual mode.

HOWEVER ...

they have proven to be not very reliable, especially in higher mileage vehicles.

i never had one problem with mine, but it was the BIGGEST reason I sold my MC as it was nearing to be out of warranty.

 

[lurch70]

About 5-6 thousand by the time I am ready to purchase in april.

that's the worst pricepoint

 

[General Zod]

most automotive journalists have an issue with CVT's but realy they kick all sorts of ass ... especially in manual mode.

HOWEVER ...

they have proven to be not very reliable, especially in higher mileage vehicles.

i never had one problem with mine, but it was the BIGGEST reason I sold my MC as it was nearing to be out of warranty.

I'm confused... your Mini Cooper had a CVT? I thought your Mini had a 6-speed, like Paula's.

As far as reliability, I'm not too worried, as it will be a lease, and under full warranty for the life of that lease.

Zod

 

[lurch70]

yeah, it was not a manual, it was a CVT ... manual in NYC is murder.

but yeah if you are leasing it does not mean didly.

going tommorow to the mini dealer to check out the new Clubman ... for shits and giggles as its being launched in the US this week

 

[NAD]

Holy balls I would totally never own a CVT. Most carmakers (read: all) still haven't nailed making a regular automatic, and that is a god damn 60+ year old design. Also I hate the term "automated manual" because it, like so many things, is a lie. Cars without a clutch pedal are not worth driving.

@EricT: I always recommend Toyota pickups for cheap, reliable motoring. 22RE or 2RZ/3RZ 4-cylinder + 5-speed tranny = runs forever

There was some form of Subaru discussion, in terms of reliability earlier:

My WRX has almost 59k miles on it, and has had the following items replaced:

oil
oil filters
tires (OE tires are FUCKING DANGEROUS)
front brake pads and rotors
rear brake pads
driver-side sideskirt which was forcibly removed and subsequently lost during a drunken offroad adventure
a handful of light bulbs
gasoline

That's it, so far so good. I drive the absolute piss out of it too.

 

[General Zod]

Holy balls I would totally never own a CVT.

I won't own it, I'm leasing it. It will be under warranty for the life of the lease. So, I'm not at all worried about transmission issues.

Most carmakers (read: all) still haven't nailed making a regular automatic, and that is a god damn 60+ year old design.

What ya talkin bout Willis?

Zod

 

[NAD]

I have no idea about silly things such as actual statistics, but it just seems like auto transmissions are always the big failure point when it comes to cars.

Maybe I'm just racialist against them though.

 

[NAD]

Oh, so you did get the Altima then? Those are rad.

 

[Demilich]

Anyone want to offer opinions on Hyundai's subcompacts?
Reading high recommendations, low maintenance costs, good access to service, etc etc. about them. Consumer Reports says they've really turned their business around the past few years similar to how Honda did back in the day.

Now, I've increased my spending limit for the used vehicle I'm looking for at the moment. I now have probably $7-8k to drop on this thing. The Hyundai Accent / Elantra, Mazda 3, Toyota Echo, and other small shit like that seems to be the direction I'm headed. Bearing in mind that I need something good on gas, decently cheap to insure, etc.

Any words of support/suggestion/rebuke?

 

[General Zod]

I have no idea about silly things such as actual statistics, but it just seems like auto transmissions are always the big failure point when it comes to cars.

Maybe I'm just racialist against them though.

To me, the benefit of a manual was performance. However, with a good number of car manufacturers, their 0-60 times are superior with their automatics. So why the hell would anyone want to shift? Just to be a purist?

Oh, so you did get the Altima then? Those are rad.

LOL. Not yet, but the decision is made. I'm definitely getting it. Test drove one again on Saturday. Going from 0 - 80, without the car ever shifting, is pretty wild.

Zod

 

[General Zod]

Now, I've increased my spending limit for the used vehicle I'm looking for at the moment. I now have probably $7-8k to drop on this thing. The Hyundai Accent / Elantra, Mazda 3, Toyota Echo, and other small shit like that seems to be the direction I'm headed. Bearing in mind that I need something good on gas, decently cheap to insure, etc.

Any words of support/suggestion/rebuke?

Loved my Mazda 6. Never heard a bad word about the Mazda 3. I'd put that to the top of the list.

Zod

 

[Demilich]

Was looking into Subarus also but everything out there seems to be in the 150-200,000km range (we're talking 5-8 yr old cars here)

 

[Tide In Mind Out]

those mazda 3's are hot little things. if i were in the market i'd definitely check it out.

 

[lurch70]

yeah my Mazda3 had one oil change for the 5500 miles in 5 months I had it. It's almost annoyingly reliable. 95% made in Hiroshima, Japan ... a good sign.

Subaru's have very tight cockpits and you my sasquatch friend might have a hard time in them.

I am not sure if you will find a Mazda3 for 7-9K, but you might a Protege, which was before the 3 from 2002 going back.

Also it must be said that even a 5-6 year old Corolla can be had for your price range ... try to score one off of an older woman driver, my friend did some years ago for $3K and never had a major problem with it to this day.

LOL @ 0-80 with no shifts Greg ... does it lurch under 10mph? mine did ... in a weird kind of cool way.

 

[General Zod]

yeah my Mazda3 had one oil change for the 5500 miles in 5 months I had it. It's almost annoyingly reliable. 95% made in Hiroshima, Japan ... a good sign.

Brought my Speed6 in last night fr service. The dealer gave me a 2008 Mazda3 to use. Cool car. If I was shopping for a car, in this segment, I'm fairly certain this would be my choice.

LOL @ 0-80 with no shifts Greg ... does it lurch under 10mph? mine did ... in a weird kind of cool way.

Didn't notice. Between my two test drives, I've only spent 15 minutes in the car.

Zod

 

[dorian gray]

A Toyota Echo would be a good choice for the tall dude. I rented one a couple years ago and it was fine little car for city driving - really good gas mileage and tall roofline. The performance was zippy because it is so light.

 

[En Vind Av Sorg]

My asshole friend just installed solar panels on his Prius last week, the bastard gets 73 miles to the gallon now. On the upside I can still make fun of him for driving a Prius.

 

[dorian gray]

Those are nice cars, btw. I wouldnt be caught dead driving a car that has a huge exploding battery pack in it but they have a really solid, nicely-built look to them. I've read American cars, or at least Chevy, is now achieveing this look and feel.

 

[lurch70]

i went to check out and drive the new MINI CLUBMAN yesterday ... dammit

http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/18/mf-review-mini-clubman-cooper-s/