Author Topic: 2nd Car (Read 759 times)

Cougar68 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2004, 11:22:12 PM »

We just got my Mom a 2000 Chevy Impala. Great car. Rides real comfortable and has been completely hassle free. Shop around a bit and you should be able to find a real nice one under 10k.

Cougar

Hawklore · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2004, 09:43:30 AM »

Mom also wants something thats easy on the Insurance...

She dosn't think the protege will be easy on insurance..

Tarmac · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2004, 09:49:30 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Maverick
Go with a Saturn. I have had 3 now and all were solid and comfortable. Good mileage as well.

Westy · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2004, 10:37:58 AM »

"She dosn't think the protege will be easy on insurance.."

On the other hand the Ford and VW have bad reputations for reliability and repairs won't be easy on your wallet either.

Maverick · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2004, 10:53:49 AM »

My insurance company has rated the Saturn very highly for safety and the rates show it. It ain't "fancy" but it's good transportation and I'd trust my Mother in one no problem.

crowMAW · « **Reply #20 on:** January 27, 2004, 07:54:31 PM »

If insurance is a major consideration, then I agree that the Saturn is it. However, for all the cars listed in the thread, the insurance for 6 months in Jax will run between $800-$1100. The Kia (if she chooses a Sephia) is the most expensive at $1100. The Saturn is the cheapest at about $800. The Escort will run about $960 and the Mazda will run about $1040.

This assumes 2 adult household, no tickets, homeowner, married, $500 deductable...etc etc yadda yadda...YMMV depending on the real situation.

All my respect to the Saturn drivers and the car...it is just a little boring for my taste.

gofaster · « **Reply #21 on:** January 28, 2004, 09:57:27 AM »

I had a '92 Saturn SL2, white, twin cam four with 5spd and rims. Nice little car. Handled well, pretty solid, comfortable. Plastic body panels probably saved a little girl's life when she pedaled her bike out in front of me. Drove it for 5 years until the plastic dash supports broke on the passenger side. I was going to fix it but the wife convinced me to trade it in on a '98 4-runner.

If the 2001 Saturns are as good as the first generation Saturns, then you can't go wrong. Just don't abuse the dash!

Dowding · « **Reply #22 on:** January 28, 2004, 10:25:17 AM »

VW bad for reliability? First I've heard of it. They are reknowned for build quality.

gofaster · « **Reply #23 on:** January 28, 2004, 10:30:46 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dowding
VW bad for reliability? First I've heard of it. They are reknowned for build quality.

Over here the VWs have a history of brake problems and overheating, plus some nibbly things like broken switches and such. Depends on model and year of course, but generally those are the commonalities.

Dowding · « **Reply #24 on:** January 28, 2004, 10:35:41 AM »

I guess so. But usually, over here, if you're looking for build quality VW is a pretty safe bet. You regularly here of Golfs doing 120,000+ miles with only your basic consumables replaced.

Westy · « **Reply #25 on:** January 28, 2004, 10:55:22 AM »

I don't believe the VW's for sale in the US are quite the same as those sold in Europe Dowding. From what I understand the power plant is made in Germany but the rest of the auto (Jetta and Golf anyway) are made and assembled in Mexico.

pugg666 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 28, 2004, 11:58:37 AM »

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the rest of the auto (Jetta and Golf anyway) are made and assembled in Mexico.

I thought the Jetta was still 100% german made and only the Golf and Beetle were made in Mexico?

Tarmac · « **Reply #27 on:** January 28, 2004, 12:08:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Westy
I don't believe the VW's for sale in the US are quite the same as those sold in Europe Dowding. From what I understand the power plant is made in Germany but the rest of the auto (Jetta and Golf anyway) are made and assembled in Mexico.

I don't know about that, VW had an entire production run of engines with the piston rings in upside-down... from Mexico. Burned through all the engine's oil in days. Lots of siezed engines from that one. Whoops.

Their parts distribution network is crap over here. They had an entire run of cars that had all 4 ignition coils defective - all four would die within six months or so. They couldn't get enough coils to replace them as fast as people brought them in. There are horror stories about dealers taking coils off good cars (other customers) to repair busted ones, people's cars sitting at the dealer waiting for parts for 6 weeks or more. What's worse, they knew that all four coils were bad, but only had enough to replace them one at a time. All of those owners had to bring in their cars 4 times over six months to have a coil replaced, instead of just getting it all out of the way (like the dealers knew they'd have to eventually).

If you gave me a VW, I'd drive it once to say "it works," then sell it immediately. Not a company I'd want to deal with.

Squirrel · « **Reply #28 on:** January 28, 2004, 01:09:10 PM »

Another vote for Saturn. Gave my 92 to the in-laws at 160K miles and it was still going strong. Recently got a 2001 for my daughter to drive since it seemed the best bang for the buck for cost/safety/insurance. BTW a loaded 2001 SL2 in excellent condition is no more than $8k around here.

Tarmac · « **Reply #29 on:** January 28, 2004, 01:35:07 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squirrel
Another vote for Saturn. Gave my 92 to the in-laws at 160K miles and it was still going strong. Recently got a 2001 for my daughter to drive since it seemed the best bang for the buck for cost/safety/insurance. BTW a loaded 2001 SL2 in excellent condition is no more than $8k around here.

Excellent choice for a kid car. I bought my '91 SL1 (first year they were made) when I was 16; I'm 22 and still driving it with no major problems. Not enough power to get a kid in trouble, but does everything it needs to, can carry quite a bit of cargo (has carried everything from mini-fridges to 27" TV's up to college), and looks pretty good to boot. Insurance was even reasonable (relatively speaking) for a 16 year old driver.