lordkenmore
Well-known member
I've had fairly good luck with the European cars I've owned. The shortest lived was admittedly less than a month--but it was taken out by an accident, not mechanical failure.
My most recent car was a mid-90s Jetta. I still have it, but it needs repairs that I can't afford. (This is more about my cash flow than the nature of the repairs, alas.) This car hasn't been trouble free, but I've had few problems given the age/miles (20 years/nearly 300K miles), and that it was bought used with age/miles (about 15 years, 250K miles). The engine seemed to be going OK--until the most recent problem. Most impressive, though, is that the body still feels solid--much more solid feeling than a late 80s Honda I drove that had about 300K when it died.
However...my experience is older cars, not what's being made now. I get the impression--and it may only be an impression--that reliability could be much better years back. Repairs could apparently be easier, too, and require fewer special tools.
Not sure what the future holds... Not even sure I'll ever be able to afford a car again in my pessimistic moments... I like the way German cars drive, but I'm more concerned now (partly with life circumstances, partly the stories I hear about more recent cars) with the practical reality of keeping one going.
My most recent car was a mid-90s Jetta. I still have it, but it needs repairs that I can't afford. (This is more about my cash flow than the nature of the repairs, alas.) This car hasn't been trouble free, but I've had few problems given the age/miles (20 years/nearly 300K miles), and that it was bought used with age/miles (about 15 years, 250K miles). The engine seemed to be going OK--until the most recent problem. Most impressive, though, is that the body still feels solid--much more solid feeling than a late 80s Honda I drove that had about 300K when it died.
However...my experience is older cars, not what's being made now. I get the impression--and it may only be an impression--that reliability could be much better years back. Repairs could apparently be easier, too, and require fewer special tools.
Not sure what the future holds... Not even sure I'll ever be able to afford a car again in my pessimistic moments... I like the way German cars drive, but I'm more concerned now (partly with life circumstances, partly the stories I hear about more recent cars) with the practical reality of keeping one going.
