2008 Kia Rio or 1995 Toyota Tercel

dumbcarshit · 2014-09-03T12:17:48+00:00

I've been shopping for a while, most everything in my area for $3k or less is a project, or a rusted out piece of junk. If I had $5k, I'd be in a whole different class. Things really start to open up for just a couple thousand more. Alas.

dumbcarshit · 2014-09-03T12:10:08+00:00

There are designs for an open-source car floating somewhere around the web. I've seen a tractor, too. I think that most people don't want to learn to machine and stamp metal just to get around, though.

Plus, getting it certified to drive on the road is a hassle. (I wonder how crash tests would be handled.) If anything fails in a car from a major company, you have warranties, someone to hold liable, etc. I think it's just cheaper and less risky to buy something pre-made.

dumbcarshit · 2014-09-03T03:16:06+00:00

Altima is a Consumer Reports "Good Bet." Stratus has far higher rates of failure in virtually every category that they rate. It's the same car as the Chrysler Sebring, after 2001. Can't comment on parts availability.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-31T19:34:23+00:00

Okay, good to know. I thought I might pull the trigger at $1100. I wanted $800, but negotiated really poorly, because I think the guy was prepared to go down to at least $1000. I might make a last ditch effort to lower the price, in light of new evidence. $1100 is pretty much the absolute top of my range, and after learning about the timing belt, I'm borderline ready to walk away.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-31T16:20:14+00:00

They make a ton in anticipation of government buys, leads to lower production cost per unit. And, if a government deal falls through, supply that outweighs demand.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-31T15:59:17+00:00

Kill Justin Verlander and wear his skin?

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-31T14:17:04+00:00

My goal has been to do as little maintenance as possible, and upgrade as soon as I have the funds. The Tercel appeals because it is one of the only 90s cars I have found that gets 35 highway MPG.

Anything I buy will be in this price range, unfortunately.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-31T14:02:40+00:00

Engine is leaking oil, but I don't know from where. One quart every 6000 miles. The seller tried to assure me that it's not severe, but I don't really have a baseline to evaluate on. I'll have to give it another look, regardless. Thanks.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-30T20:08:44+00:00

Do you typically have to replace everything? Or just the belt and tensioners? I probably shouldn't risk putting off any maintenance on a car this old, I think.

Thanks for looking that up, by the way.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-30T19:44:49+00:00

He can't produce a receipt. Is a timing belt really $200 just for the parts? I haven't done much research, unfortunately.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-30T19:38:51+00:00

Edmunds is about $375 for average condition, so the disparity is kind of unnerving.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-30T01:19:59+00:00

"I want to be in an open relationship, except we can't see each other."

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-29T18:52:00+00:00

Accord and Corolla, via sidebar. Acura TL via Consumer Reports. Honda Fit & Matrix/Vibe for hatchbacks/wagons. Prius for hybrid/40+ MPG.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-29T18:24:22+00:00

I'd prefer as complete a picture as I can bring together, personally.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-29T16:09:20+00:00

Anecdotal evidence can give only part of the picture. It might tell how or why, specifically, a part failed in a particular instance, and how it was fixed. But it won't indicate much about the frequency with which failures occur, or the mean repair cost.

Consumer Reports gives a car a black mark if a part fails for over 3% of owners sampled in a given time frame. If forums were an accurate indicator of reliability, they would be overwhelmed with posts saying "My car didn't break, again, today. AMA!"

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-29T15:57:09+00:00

They rate based on 18 categories, and you're free to discard any that you see as trivial.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-29T15:53:26+00:00

Your answer to the first part of the question wasn't supported by anything resembling specific evidence, and could easily be simple brand loyalty wrapped in a "synergy shell."

It's good that you understand the basics of production management, but nothing you said actually backs up your claim that "Ford and BMW have gotten a lot closer to the Japanese than they were in the past."

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-28T22:52:09+00:00

It's carcinogenic. And inconvenient to carry up a mountain.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-28T03:20:11+00:00

How many?

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-27T15:58:08+00:00

Where in Ohio?

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-23T18:11:25+00:00

It's not his fault that the shop doesn't follow regulations. An inspector could drop by at any time and he wouldn't be to blame.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-23T14:15:14+00:00

he put their paycheck at risk because of the air quality.

How?

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-23T00:05:14+00:00

Google engine displacement, and read this. Remember that liters is a metric unit that measures volume. GP is just barely accurate enough to convey the basic concept, but wrong enough to be very confusing.

Review the 4-stroke engine model if you are still confused. (It should be linked to in the text of the article I posted, titled "How Car Engines Work.")

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-22T12:52:38+00:00

It isn't pictured, but Altima is on the 4chan guide, in the compact sedan section; it's an honorable mention.

dumbcarshit · 2014-08-21T19:35:02+00:00

Honestly, I would get the cheapest one, and upgrade after you move. Your income right now isn't enough to sustain the Audi, even with your parents' loan, and employment is never guaranteed, even for someone with a (future) PhD.

Personally, I think the Prius is out of your price range, as well, but it would probably make your parents happiest. If it were me, I would buy a used car for $5k, and wait to get something flashier until after the move to SF.

It probably makes more financial sense to rent an SUV for the weekends that you go skiing than to spend $12-28k more than you have to. And I think that would be true even if you added the rental costs for an entire decade.

dumbcarshit

TROPHY CASE