Intrepid's New Car Thread

[280Z Turbo]

get a $2,000 beater for the winter and use the bimmer for the rest of the year. If your granddad left it to you in his will, I'm sure that means he wants you to enjoy it.

The problem with beaters is that they often cost more to keep running than a good car.

I support Trep in wanting to keep the BMW rust free.

[CALL_911]

I say you look for Imprezas and Legacies. They will never die (look at mine), and the 4EAT, although it isn't the greatest tranny in the world, it lasts. Plus, AWD is cool.

[JYODER240]

No. That's not what this thread is about. I've said 1000 times that the BMW will not be used year round. It has never seen snow, salt, or rain, and WILL remain garaged most of the year. It only has 42,359km (30k miles) on it. That decision is up to me and my family. That BMW was my grandfather's pride and joy and I intend to keep it the same way he did.

Don't be one of those people who won't drive their car in the rain. God forbid it gets wet.

[280Z Turbo]

If you must have an automatic, at least get something with a big torquey motor since small engines with automatics are always bad.

[nickdrinkwater]

Accord sounds a good bet.  What about the Coupe?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I thought you kept saying in your ES to R/T thread that you didn't want to sell the trep and that you were going to keep it.

That made it seem like you had a say in it, now your dad says to sell it so all of a sudden it's on the chopping block.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Why don't you just sell the trep and drive your BMW.

[ChrisV]

The problem with beaters is that they often cost more to keep running than a good car.

Only if you want to keep them perfect. if you leave little things alone, that don't affect driveability, then you can get by with very little in repairs. That's the point of a beater, is that it ins't perfect. A little belt squal here and there, maybe a rear brake pulling a bit occasionally, leave it alone. I got 323k miles out of an '81 Chevy Citation beater by leaving non-critical broken shit alone. Never stranded me, but was ugly and beat on. As a winter beater/utility car it was perfect. So, I agre with the advice to get a cheap beater, leave it a beater, and drive the nice car when it's nice out.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

It's nice to have a beater to just throw shit in.

I'm not about to drag around a leaky radiator in my EVO or Z but i'll throw it into the NX without thinking twice(ok, i'll still wrap it in something).

[TheIntrepid]

Got this list I'm checking out.


2000 Maxima SE (158,000) with snow tires
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=109011&adid=6575915

2000 Maxima SE Manual (120,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=55631&adid=6629406

2000 Infiniti I30 T (140,000)
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=433425&adid=6705033

2001 Volvo S40 Sport (169,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1416983&adid=6635330

2001 Honda Accord EX V6 (181,500) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=353856&adid=6622783

2002 Accord SE Coupe (174,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=329619&adid=6776382

2003 Nissan Altima 2.5S (120,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=89362&adid=6790016

2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.8 (133,000)
http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=771&Region=-1&subcategory=&CAT=1&ADID=6775114&ADS=6775114%7C

2002 Volvo V40 Wagon (169,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1128634&adid=6650767

[Eye of the Tiger]

Got this list I'm checking out.


2000 Maxima SE (158,000) with snow tires
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=109011&adid=6575915

2000 Maxima SE Manual (120,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=55631&adid=6629406

2000 Infiniti I30 T (140,000)
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=433425&adid=6705033

2001 Volvo S40 Sport (169,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1416983&adid=6635330

2001 Honda Accord EX V6 (181,500) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=353856&adid=6622783

2002 Accord SE Coupe (174,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=329619&adid=6776382

2003 Nissan Altima 2.5S (120,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=89362&adid=6790016

2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.8 (133,000)
http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=771&Region=-1&subcategory=&CAT=1&ADID=6775114&ADS=6775114%7C

2002 Volvo V40 Wagon (169,000) DEALER
http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1128634&adid=6650767

bullshit

[Laconian]

What's the point of all this?  The Intrepid is a known quantity. And the weak link (Chrysler tranny) has been addressed.

All of the choices you present are about as old and have as many km on the clock as your Trep, and presumably would have a similar (or perhaps greater!) risk of failure. Some of them, especially the Volvo and the Volkswagen, will be significantly more expensive to fix if they do fail.

[The Pirate]

What's the point of all this?  The Intrepid is a known quantity. And the weak link (Chrysler tranny) has been addressed.

All of the choices you present are about as old and have as many km on the clock as your Trep, and presumably would have a similar (or perhaps greater!) risk of failure. Some of them, especially the Volvo and the Volkswagen, will be significantly more expensive to fix if they do fail.

[Vinsanity]

What *were* the repairs you made, anyways? I'd be hesitant to sell a car I spent $1,000 worth of repairs on in the first place.

What kind of brake job did the dealer say it needs?

[280Z Turbo]

What *were* the repairs you made, anyways? I'd be hesitant to sell a car I spent $1,000 worth of repairs on in the first place.

What kind of brake job did the dealer say it needs?

Probably just wear items like pads and rotors. Not a big deal.

The dealer is more than willing to rip you off for work even a monkey could do.

[Raza]

-Automatic (If you argue with me about this, you will be ignored. Please and thanks.)

I think you should get a manual. 

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I think you should get a manual. 

Trep can't drive stick

[TheIntrepid]

Trep can't drive stick

I can drive stick just fine, thank you.

What's the point of all this?  The Intrepid is a known quantity. And the weak link (Chrysler tranny) has been addressed.

All of the choices you present are about as old and have as many km on the clock as your Trep, and presumably would have a similar (or perhaps greater!) risk of failure. Some of them, especially the Volvo and the Volkswagen, will be significantly more expensive to fix if they do fail.

That's true. However, the transmission is still original. My dad's theory is to get out before it goes. Also, my dad's very, very closed-minded (as you can see from most of this criteria) and he will ONLY get the car serviced at the dealer.

Also, call me old-fashioned but won't a Nissan, Honda, or Subaru be MUCH more reliable than a Chrysler LH car? Sure, the mileage is similar, but the way I see it I'm getting out of a 165k domestic and into a ~150k import, and they all have MUCH better reliability ratings than my car.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I can drive stick just fine, thank you.

Probably another one of your lies.

[Vinsanity]

Also, call me old-fashioned but won't a Nissan, Honda, or Subaru be MUCH more reliable than a Chrysler LH car? Sure, the mileage is similar, but the way I see it I'm getting out of a 165k domestic and into a ~150k import, and they all have MUCH better reliability ratings than my car.

No guarantees. A lot can happen within the course of 150k km.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Definately get a manual. +1 +1!

[Eye of the Tiger]

I can drive stick just fine, thank you.


That's true. However, the transmission is still original. My dad's theory is to get out before it goes. Also, my dad's very, very closed-minded (as you can see from most of this criteria) and he will ONLY get the car serviced at the dealer.

Also, call me old-fashioned but won't a Nissan, Honda, or Subaru be MUCH more reliable than a Chrysler LH car? Sure, the mileage is similar, but the way I see it I'm getting out of a 165k domestic and into a ~150k import, and they all have MUCH better reliability ratings than my car.

OMG> Both you and your dad are crazy. Getting rid of the TREP for another USED car of equivalent POS-NESS is incredibly stupid.

[The Pirate]

I can drive stick just fine, thank you.


That's true. However, the transmission is still original. My dad's theory is to get out before it goes. Also, my dad's very, very closed-minded (as you can see from most of this criteria) and he will ONLY get the car serviced at the dealer.

Also, call me old-fashioned but won't a Nissan, Honda, or Subaru be MUCH more reliable than a Chrysler LH car? Sure, the mileage is similar, but the way I see it I'm getting out of a 165k domestic and into a ~150k import, and they all have MUCH better reliability ratings than my car.

The car's maintenance history and how it was driven come into play there.  At that point, just about any car can be hit or miss.  If you're going to get something to replace the Trep, you are better increasing your budget and getting something with less mileage (perhaps CPO if you can swing it).  Pony up some of your cash, or try to convince your dad to shell out a little more.  Otherwise, you're better off keeping the Intrepid.

[Laconian]

Your Trep was only $3000, no? These are all $9000. That's three almost-new Treps.

[Cookie Monster]

Ok, thanks. What if an Accord has had a rebuilt tranny? My cousin has a 2002 Accord LX AT and it's been fine, with about 130-140k on it. FWIW I don't want a Civic; my girlfriend had one for a while and my best friend has one. Don't like them too much.

Stay away from Honda AT's.

[Cookie Monster]

Saab 9-3?

[Laconian]

Stay away from Honda AT's.

I hear Honda just sucks with V6+AT. Managing torque is a new concept for Honda.

[TheIntrepid]

Your Trep was only $3000, no? These are all $9000. That's three almost-new Treps.

No good deals from the company on off-leases right now. Plus, dad says that domestic = same problems could happen in a couple years.

I wish my father wasn't so closed-minded.

[TheIntrepid]

Probably another one of your lies.

Yeah, that's just it.

You know, for a wealthy guy in his early 30s, you've got a lot of growing up to do.

[Cookie Monster]

I hear Honda just sucks with V6+AT. Managing torque is a new concept for Honda.

Well, I'm biased because of the Accord's transmission.
I have heard of 4 cylinder transmissions lasting a while though...