Car Trouble, Need Advice

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Actually that is a myth, that kind of stop and go driving is actually hard on a engine.

Fine. My point is that if you look, you can find good used cars for reasonable prices. You want to look at brand, history, type of driving (highway is better as you say), and overall wear and tear on the car, but there are lots of good deals out there.

Another case, a co-worker of mine bought a Toyota Van, kept it immaculate and rarely drove it. Still did maintenance every 3000 miles and the thing was in mint condition. He decided to get it after 3 years, had paid way down on the loan, and could have sold it on market easily at or just below KBB. He took it back to the dealership, and they really did a job on him. Point being, if he had sold it on his own, some new family would have gotten a sweet deal on a used Toyota Sienna. Shame it didn't work out that way, and I imagine only the dealership got something positive from it.

[mlmdub130]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Fine. My point is that if you look, you can find good used cars for reasonable prices. You want to look at brand, history, type of driving (highway is better as you say), and overall wear and tear on the car, but there are lots of good deals out there.

Another case, a co-worker of mine bought a Toyota Van, kept it immaculate and rarely drove it. Still did maintenance every 3000 miles and the thing was in mint condition. He decided to get it after 3 years, had paid way down on the loan, and could have sold it on market easily at or just below KBB. He took it back to the dealership, and they really did a job on him. Point being, if he had sold it on his own, some new family would have gotten a sweet deal on a used Toyota Sienna. Shame it didn't work out that way, and I imagine only the dealership got something positive from it.

you think that's bad, my wife's dumbass friend, who is also a pretty good friend of mine had an old saturn, it was abeater but in fairly decnt shape a few mechanical problems but it ran and had a valid inspection. she told me she was goin to get a new car and i told her i would help her sell her car. instead she went to carmax and bought a used accord and traded in her saturn, you wanna take a stab in the dark at what the gave her???? 50 big ones

me personally i like selling cars myself, and i have sold all of my own and sold cars for others as well, by the way anyone looking for a blue 03 4x4 trailblazer? freshly detailed and ready to go for $5k

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by mlmdub130

you think that's bad, my wife's dumbass friend, who is also a pretty good friend of mine had an old saturn, it was abeater but in fairly decnt shape a few mechanical problems but it ran and had a valid inspection. she told me she was goin to get a new car and i told her i would help her sell her car. instead she went to carmax and bought a used accord and traded in her saturn, you wanna take a stab in the dark at what the gave her???? 50 big ones

me personally i like selling cars myself, and i have sold all of my own and sold cars for others as well, by the way anyone looking for a blue 03 4x4 trailblazer? freshly detailed and ready to go for $5k

Only if it comes with a "FIRE DANNY" sign:cheeky-sm

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I will say this. I paid $5000 for a 1999 Honda Civic in 2005, it had 98000 miles. It now has 223,000 miles, and is starting to act quirky (although it could just need a basic service). $5000 may get you an older car, but if you are diligent in looking for a good buy (only driven on Sunday to church by a little old lady kinda thing) you can get a lot of mileage for a little bit of cost.

Agreed!

[BleedBurgundy]

saden, have you considered leasing? If you're the type that always wants a "newer" vehicle that's going to be covered by warranty, it's not a bad idea. Keeps you from absorbing all of the depreciation.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

saden, have you considered leasing? If you're the type that always wants a "newer" vehicle that's going to be covered by warranty, it's not a bad idea. Keeps you from absorbing all of the depreciation.

I don't really care to own a new car every few years...I mean, I would if leasing wasn't such a complete rip-off. Leasing a Murano for 3 years is 16K if you're lucky and don't go over the miles.

I've had my car for 8 years now...it's good to have a car and no car payment for a few years.

[warpaint]

Check your motor mounts for the shaking.

Check your fuel pump and filters for the choking.

Change the brakes.

i dont think you need a power steering flush if it handles good.

[SolidSnake84]

I've been a truck man all my life. I've never had a car or SUV for myself. I guess i get it from my dad..

Anyway, my last couple used trucks have all been high mileage and they ran like a champ and were just super trucks.

My dad also works as a professional mechanic in Martinsburg, WV, so he has always been on hand to help me keep stuff up and running, and the dealership has given me good prices on whole-sale and other high-mileage trade in trucks.

My last few trucks:

1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4: 189,000 mile
1994 Dodge Dakota 4X4: 212,000 miles.
1997 Ford F150 4X4: 225,000 miles.

My current truck, which was just paid off yesterday, is a 2006 Ford Ranger SCrew 4X4, with a 5 spd. It has 102,000 miles and has been running full synth. since it was new. no probs what so ever. should easily get 300K+ out of it...

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

I've been a truck man all my life. I've never had a car or SUV for myself. I guess i get it from my dad..

Anyway, my last couple used trucks have all been high mileage and they ran like a champ and were just super trucks.

My dad also works as a professional mechanic in Martinsburg, WV, so he has always been on hand to help me keep stuff up and running, and the dealership has given me good prices on whole-sale and other high-mileage trade in trucks.

My last few trucks:

1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4: 189,000 mile
1994 Dodge Dakota 4X4: 212,000 miles.
1997 Ford F150 4X4: 225,000 miles.

My current truck, which was just paid off yesterday, is a 2006 Ford Ranger SCrew 4X4, with a 5 spd. It has 102,000 miles and has been running full synth. since it was new. no probs what so ever. should easily get 300K+ out of it...

I will have to say the Rangers last awhile, my one buddy seriously did nothing to his, like maybe 2 oil changes a year and I think he got 200k miles out of it, crazy!

[SolidSnake84]

Originally Posted by mredskins

I will have to say the Rangers last awhile, my one buddy seriously did nothing to his, like maybe 2 oil changes a year and I think he got 200k miles out of it, crazy!

Yeah. the 4.0 V6 engines are basically bulletproof, same with the 4.6 V8 that is in F150's.

My dad's boss told me one time that the 4.6, which commonly sees duty in police cruisers and taxi cabs, usually go around 400,000 miles before the companies take them down for a routine overhaul. They've done a few overhauls for the police, so i know its true.

It just goes to show you that advertising and the dealerships make you think that a car is wore out at 150,000 miles. It's all to make you buy new cars. It's mechanics that tell the other story, of how cars run well into their 200 and 300 thousand mile range, as long as reguarly maintained.

Go to ebay sometime, and type in work truck, and then search by highest mileage first. Many trucks on their that were fleet vehicles that have 300 thousand miles or more, and still running fine.....

[firstdown]

I have never purchased a new car. The SUV I just purchased was a 2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with 94,000 mile garage kept. I paid $6,500 cash and if I get 3 to 4 years good use then I have done good. The SUV looks almost like new and drives like new. I can easily afford a new car but to me its such a waist of money I would rather save it for retirement or something else. Same deal with the boats I have owned. I don't knock people who buy new cars it just not my fancy.

[CRedskinsRule]

You get a 2nd retest free, so it's just having to make a second trip. I think if you go back and fail again, you have to show a certain amount of repairs in order to pass. They give you 3 months between the fail and the retest tho.

[firstdown]

I'm glade Va does not have emission test.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I'm glade Va does not have emission test.

Why they get you on everything else plus personal property tax on your car...I gladly take MD rules on cars.

[saden1]

What? VA doesn't have emission testing anymore?