Everday Driver

Reply #15 – March 13, 2011, 06:45:05 PM

Quote from: jpc647;355292

Found an 06 monte carlo

That would be sweet. I've always wanted one of those.

Everday Driver

Reply #16 – March 13, 2011, 06:56:13 PM

Quote from: CoogarXR;355319

That's awesome. I wish my grandma could change a head gasket. I have her do a youtube tutorial.

haha. I meant like when she had it she paid someone to do it, lol. sorry.

Quote from: sarjxxx;355321

That would be sweet. I've always wanted one of those.

Yeah. It's pricey. It;s got like 25k miles but they want 18k for it. 18k is a lot for a four year old car. Drove a 2011 camaro v6 today, still a decent car, but for 30k it's a ton. I'm all over the board right now. I just want something "sport" looking, and with some power, but I want reliability and economy too, lol.

Everday Driver

Reply #17 – March 13, 2011, 07:09:32 PM

Quote from: jpc647;355322

I just want something "sport" looking, and with some power, but I want reliability and economy too, lol.

not asking for for much are ya ?

Everday Driver

Reply #18 – March 13, 2011, 07:24:24 PM

I'm seriously debating on trying to throw the cash together for a Focus as a daily driver.

Everday Driver

Reply #19 – March 13, 2011, 08:50:49 PM

2011 mustang v6? I've seen them advertised for 20-25K here.

EDIT

If you'regonna spend 30K, do this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GT-Coupe-New-Manual-5-0L-CD-Rear-Wheel-Drive-Fog-Lamps-/280632038691?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4156f91523

Everday Driver

Reply #20 – March 14, 2011, 02:29:16 AM

At this point, get a new festiva. Not a ton of power, but cheaper, good mileage abd sorta sporty.

I personally would never buy a new car, but what ever floats your boat.

Everday Driver

Reply #21 – March 14, 2011, 07:59:53 AM

How about a Fusion? I bought an 06 a couple years ago and love it. I never thought I'd want or like a 4 door but I like everything about the car. And the V6 has the same power as the late 80's Mustang Gt's so it's got plenty of spooge.

Everday Driver

Reply #22 – March 14, 2011, 08:44:49 AM

Quote from: flylear45;355224

The big problem is that you need a special tool for everything you try to do on them it seems. Not friendly to the do-it-yourself-er. Hard to troubleshoot without good manuals. Manuals can cost a pretty penny. I spent $400.00 for a set on my last one.

Can you give me a specific example? Sorry if i'm a pain, but what did you have to replace that you needed a special tool for? Like a generic pulley remover for a pump or something? You've had an Audi, you know. It'd like some of your wisdom, lol.

Quote from: hypostang;355326

not asking for for much are ya ?

Yeah, lol. I know something is going to catch my fancy. It's really just going to come down to someone saying" well what about an ..." and I'll look at it and fall in love with it, lol.

Quote from: Scott D;355328

I'm seriously debating on trying to throw the cash together for a Focus as a daily driver.

I've looked at them, I don't know, I'm not that ready to go green. If I'm going to spend a lot on a new focus, it's rather spend a little more to get something I'll like. The Camaro v6 will do 28 highway, not too shabby.- Thats just an example, many higher performance cars still get decent mileage.

Quote from: RunninWild;355334

2011 mustang v6? I've seen them advertised for 20-25K here.

EDIT

If you'regonna spend 30K, do this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GT-Coupe-New-Manual-5-0L-CD-Rear-Wheel-Drive-Fog-Lamps-/280632038691?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4156f91523

I don't know about the new mustang, I've never liked them, everyone has them, you see them everywhere. I don't want a car everything has. :/

Quote from: Haystack;355358

At this point, get a new festiva. Not a ton of power, but cheaper, good mileage abd sorta sporty.

I personally would never buy a new car, but what ever floats your boat.

I know the reasoning behind not buying a new car, yes it's an immediate loss, but I am sick of 3 nights a week at least having to work on an old car to limp back to work another day. Spending around 5k on a car, your looking at something around a 2000 with 70-100k miles. Thats a 12 year old car, how long until thats rusty and needs repairs, etc.

Quote from: 1Bad88tbird;355363

How about a Fusion? I bought an 06 a couple years ago and love it. I never thought I'd want or like a 4 door but I like everything about the car. And the V6 has the same power as the late 80's Mustang Gt's so it's got plenty of spooge.

This was my first thought. My mom has one, an 06 as a matter of fact. She's had trouble with hers, at 40k the window switches are junk, and her ac compressor is leaking, it leaks into the passenger compartment. Ford refused to fix it under warranty because "Herb Chambers tested it and it was fine". That experience sorta turned me off to Ford, and thier Fusion.

Everday Driver

Reply #23 – March 14, 2011, 10:57:56 AM

I drive a 03 gas Turbo Jetta 5spd as a DD. Its got a few small problems but is otherwise a solid performer. Mechanically, all it ever asks for is Oil, Gas, and brake pads. I got it at 50k and its about to hit 90k. (Will need a timing belt at 100k) You can scoop them up super cheap no-a-days (4-6k range). The little 1.8T will run forever so long as you PUT SYNTHETIC OIL IN IT and keep up on the timing belt schedule.

Oh, and I drive almost entirely in the city and get a reliable 24-26 mpg. Even when I flog it.

Everday Driver

Reply #24 – March 14, 2011, 11:12:01 AM

If you are seriously considering the Audi, go onto a forum that has the model you are wanting, and research what people are fixing at the mileage the car has.

It may not scare you off it, maybe it will. I have owned Porsches and Audis. They are well built, quality cars with great handling, looks and a superb driving experience, but the fact is that high end used cars are more expensive to maintain. They just are.

I had Audi 5000's and a 4000, so no recent experience. That's why I suggest browsing a good forum. I wish I hadn't owned the 5000's, the second one ate me up in repairs. The 1st 5000 and the 4000 were pretty good. The 924 I wish I hadn't bought, but the 951 was a jewel. Best car I ever owned. I put more into it than what I bought it for, though.

If I was to get a used DD today for me, I'd be looking at a mid 2000's BMW Z4 for around $15,000-18,000. I only need 2 seats, though. I was looking at Jag XKS's, but the probable maintenance was too iffy on them. You can tell I like German and British stuff.

It's all very subjective.

Another resource I use is the Edmunds site. People review their ownership experience there. You can't do too much research. Try to not be too impulsive and you'll come out ahead. Pick a make, model you want, then hang back and wait for the right car to came along. Get it up on a rack and check the carfax, and be ready to offer. Sellers are often ready to 'get it done' and take less if you are there first with your money in hand.

Everday Driver

Reply #25 – March 14, 2011, 12:10:03 PM

Thank you for the response. Obviously I'm in the preliminary stages now, I haven't decided on a car, quite yet. Considering most things as options right now. I like the advice about looking around at forums and the like, very good idea. Thank you.

Everday Driver

Reply #26 – March 14, 2011, 03:40:45 PM

Quote from: jpc647;355365

and her ac compressor is leaking, it leaks into the passenger compartment.

That sounds like the drain for the condensation from the A/C evaporator is plugged up.

I have had the drain hose plugged by insects making a copuppies in it.

Everday Driver

Reply #27 – March 14, 2011, 04:01:01 PM

Quote from: jpc647;355376

Thank you for the response. Obviously I'm in the preliminary stages now, I haven't decided on a car, quite yet. Considering most things as options right now. I like the advice about looking around at forums and the like, very good idea. Thank you.

Hope it helps. I'll bet I belong to 20 forums I never ever return to. LOL

Everday Driver

Reply #28 – March 14, 2011, 04:12:14 PM

Quote from: jpc647;355365

Can you give me a specific example? Sorry if i'm a pain, but what did you have to replace that you needed a special tool for? Like a generic pulley remover for a pump or something? You've had an Audi, you know. It'd like some of your wisdom, lol.

It's not so much that you need special tools, though to my knowledge VW/Audi is the only manufacturer to use "Spline drive" bolts (as opposed to standard, hex or torx). And where it's not a spline drive it's usually a hex drive (allen bolt). the allen bolts can be troublesome if they're seized in because they strip so easily. The spline drive bolts are generally only troublesome if you don't have the proper tools. And most people don't have them. You can buy them at NAPA in Canada, so I expect you could in USA as well.

No, your big problem with VW/Audi (and BMW, and Mercedes) is not so much special tools, it's special techs. What I mean is that it's not easy to find someone willing to work on one, and when you do you'll pay through the nose. If you do your own work you'll pay through the nose for parts (and generally will have a wait because nobody stocks them, not even the dealerships), and shop manual type info (such as wiring diagrams) is not easy to come by and not easy to read when you find it. German cars generally don't play well with generic scan tools - you may be able to read generic OBD-II stuff (you can read codes, as required by law) but nothing else. No ABS, no SIR, and no live datastream. That being said, and this being the internet age and all, you can usually find some help in message forums dedicated to the cars.

An example of shops being hesitant to work on 'em: When I first started my new job at a large used car dealership I noticed there was an appointment for a timing belt replacement in a Golf we had just sold. I fully expected to be given the job, given that I had a lot of german car experience in my last job. I asked the service manager about it, and she said "Oh, we'll just send that to the dealership". I was surprised and told her so, and she said "You can work on VW's?!?", like I'd just told her I could walk on water. Long story short, I ended up doing the job and saving the shop the cost (and embarrassment) of sending it out. She was amazed (christ, it's just a timing belt, and on a 2.0 SOHC at that - not exactly rocket science) and I cemented my position there.

Unfortunately I also cemented my position as the VW/Audi/BMW/Mercedes guy...

Everday Driver

Reply #29 – March 14, 2011, 06:44:41 PM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;355384

Unfortunately I also cemented my position as the VW/Audi/BMW/Mercedes guy...

We'll be up that way the next time my wife's car needs some big time work