anyone owne these cars? (looking for owner opinions)

[vacuumfreeeke]

Hi there. I'm looking to upgrade my car and I thought I'd ask here to see if any of you have the cars I'm considering. The car I've always wanted is an Oldsmobile Alero. I love the way it looks on the inside and outside and it has the features that I want. However, they have numerous chronic problems and I've read too many horror stories to consider getting the only car I've ever wanted. I don't have the time or energy to spend over half my life in a repair shop... I need my car to work! So, letting go of that was a little hard because I've wanted one for so long... it just wouldn't be prudent to put myself through that. I also thought about a Saab 900, but expensive repairs do not appeal to me.

The other cars I'm considering are the VW Jetta or Passat (1999 or newer), Camry, and Accord. I don't want to spend over 5 thousand dollars because I want to pay cash and not have a car payment. A guy at work said he had an 04 Mazda Potege 5 hatchback and it was the best car he ever owned... he said I'd be silly not to check them out. I'm not crazy about the looks of those cars, but the hatchback model is almost tolerable.

For any of you that were at the Ruskin gathering a few weeks ago, I drove over in a 1984 Pontiac Fiero. I bought that car from my ex two years ago... It is falling apart, and the fact that I'm driving a car that my ex sold me is not a good thing! My mechanic broke the A/C a couple months ago while changing belts and refuses to admit responsibility. Now the radiator fan has stopped working and the relay I need to make it work isn't manufactured anymore. When I drive a POS, I feel like one... this next car will be my first car that isn't a jalopy so I want to make the right decision.

If you have any of the cars I mentioned above, or any experience with them, please share it with me! I would very much appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[jaxsunst]

Of the cars you mentioned, the Honda Accord would probably serve you the best. You might also want to look for a Subaru. They can't be killed.

 

[mistereric]

Alero

Hmm.. Mom owns an '03 Grand Am, which is the same platform. She's had nothing but trouble with it - google "gm 3400 gasket" and see all the issues people are having with the V6 version of this car.

So far mom has had the Lower Intake Manifold gaskets and head gaskets replaced, a faulty front brake caliper replaced, and most recently the fuel regulator replaced.

I used to like GM cars... but damn.. this car is only 40k miles. Seems like a piece.

You may have better luck with the 4cyl version. Or get yourself a Honda.

 

[pulsator]

I did a Bobload in the Neptune TL to see what it can do!
The load consists of 8 full sized bath towels, 2 floor towels, 1 hand towel, and 2 men's large hoodie sweathshirts. I used the Super Wash cycle (which seems to have the fastest tumbling speed), warm/warm, heavy soil, and max extract.

 

[pulsator]

Here it is all loaded and ready to go!

 

[pulsator]

Washing away!

 

[pulsator]

Final spin:

 

[pulsator]

One full dryer!!! Vids of the wash, final spin, and final result to come!

 

[lavamat78800]

Wonderful Load....

Jamie,
I really love your towels and your pictures you always post!
But I´m always wondering where you get the money from to buy new appliances...mhhh ;-)

 

[funguy10]

Finally! A BobLoad thread which is a clothes washer and not a dishwasher! My dream has come true!

 

[pulsator]

Wash vid!

 

[pulsator]

Final spin vid!

 

[petek]

From all you've mentioned I'd go with the Camry or Accord. I had a 93 Camry back when and it was a very good car. Sister had a 92 Accord and it was good as well. I don't think you can go wrong with either so long as you know it's not been absused. There's nothing worse than having a car that's always in need of a fix and $.
What about a Corolla, less money, great cars as well, hard to kill.

 

[joeekaitis]

Your humble author's '96 Subaru Legacy with All-Wheel Drive shows no signs of giving up the ghost as it approaches its first 100,000 miles.

Oil changes every 6,000 miles, major maintenance (tranny, radiator, plugs, filters) every 30,000 by a reputable indie mechanic. New timing belt coming up at 102,000 but it's cheaper than a new car.

 

[pulsator]

Here's the final outcome!

 

[jasonl]

Fuel Economy: VW TDI Beetle or Jetta
Most reliable: Honda Accord/Civic, Toyota Corolla/Camry (even though my Bug has been good to me)

Wanna draw attention to yourself? Smart Fortwo. Don't knock the little car. It's roomy on the inside, makes 50mpg and does well on the interstate (about the same as an old Bug)

 

[rp2813]

I agree, you should add Subaru to your list. I'd say you'd be safe with either the Camry or the Accord too. I drive a '97 Passat VR6 with 137K miles on it and I really like the car, at 6' tall I'm way more comfortable behind the wheel in it than I ever was in my partner's old MBZ 190. My Passat does require regular maintenance that doesn't come cheap but as Joe stated above, it's cheaper than a new car. I had to have the clutch replaced last year, that was a killer repair and the most major one it has ever needed but I honestly don't think all components needed repair. The mechanic I took the car to would always try to find more things wrong every time I brought the car in. So after the shock of the clutch bill, I quit him and the car hasn't needed attention since but somebody new will be working on it next time. My sister has a 2001 Subaru Forester and loves it. It hasn't given her any trouble, she just gets routine maintenance done and it keeps on going. I would definitely scratch the Olds off your list. That is just asking for trouble.

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Cars!

If you don't want expensive repair bills, then stay away from Volkswagen! Especially Jettas from 2000-2003/4. I've heard numerous horror stories about poor reliability--them constantly being in the shop. My mom has a 2001 Cabrio that has been nothing but check engine light, after check engine light. She takes meticulous care of it, but it still seems to act up again and again... a few days after it's home from the shop...

I have a 2000 Mazda Protege, and have had it for 4 years now. I've put minimal repairs into it--other than changing the oil and rotating the tires. I did do a timing belt at 65,000 miles, and now have 117,000 miles on it. It's gonna be time for another overhaul/tune-up/brakes very shortly--so my mechanic told me.
They're great cars, and will last forever... and are reasonably priced when looking around the used-car market. The 5 door is indeed a nice looking car!

My other half's previous car was a 1994 Mazda Protege that was originally my fathers (bought new), and then became my sisters... she sold it to Joe when she got her Honda about a year and a half ago. That Protege went through a clutch--but we'll blame that on the sister. Otherwise, it was just regular maintenance, and bits and pieces that wore out over time. It had 150,000 miles on it and the air conditioning didn't work--but even then, it drove him from Wisconsin to North Carolina last summer. He would probably still have it if the A/C were working-- in this southern heat and humidity, no A/C really sucks! We traded it in on a 2007 Mazda 3 back in August.

And of course, everyone knows that used Hondas make excellent cars... they have some of the highest resale values.

I seem to remember Tom Anderson having an Oldsmobile Alero--and having tons of problems with it.

Personally, I don't like American cars. I think that foreign cars (esp. Japanese) are tons more reliable!

Good luck! Keep us posted on your decision!

~Fred

 

[rp2813]

Well, I'm impressed with all that machine can hold and still clean it well. I don't think I'd stuff that much in my Duet HT! No doubt the Bobster will be giving you his blessing on this one!