Golani Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 So basically I'm looking for my first car. I've googled a few cars, payed attention to them when I was on the highway, and I think I want the Honda Accord. It's slightly smaller than the Toyota Camry - which I like. The Camry was a little too big for my liking. I believe the Accord is a good car - not to Toyota standards, of course, but not bad. I don't want the civic, as that's the lower end of Honda. What I'm really looking for is not a big car, but not a puny car. And it would be great if the parts weren't insanely expensive. My brother, for example, has a Jetta, and those parts are some of the most expensive. The car would be a used car, but it wouldn't have too many miles on it, maybe around 50k? So just wondering, from anyone with car knowledge, what they think of a used Honda Accord?
PoLiX Posted August 9, 2008 Report Posted August 9, 2008 I bought an 89 Lx-I 5spd for $100, just sold it for $1000. Had to do a lot of engine overhaul and interior work as it was left out under a tree with windows open through the winter. But it runs great still for the guy I sold it to. Amazing gas milage too.
Chambahs Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 Hondas last forever. Seriously, I know of a couple of hondas that have about 250k miles on them and run fine.
rootbear75 Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 Ford Focus is what i have. Small, economic, and fits my fat !@#$%^&* comfortably.
CRe Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 I've had a civic for a long time. Its worked awesome but then I got in an accident and it got busted. Anyways like Chambahs said hondas last forever. I say go for it.
»Purge Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 My first car was/is a used Mitsubishi Lancer (05). I'd recommend Mitsubishi over any American made car.
PoLiX Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 Not all Mitsubishi. They're very good at upping the power of the engines in their galants (older galants) and eclipses and then at the same time upping their weight. Plus the newer eclipses are just fugly... from side and front not bad, but from behind, fugly. Honestly I just picked up a 94 Integra and been doing a lot of work on it. Granted it only has 125k miles on it, so its not even broken in yet (if even stock engine, looks waaay too clean) and it'll run forever more. Also could use a new paint job and fix where the bumper is molded into the fender, but eh, the color has grown on me. Amazingly a lot of guys don't seem to mind a purple car, so meh.
»D1st0rt Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 Old volvos run like tanks man, mine is older than I am. I have an '86 740 wagon that I picked up for $1000 and the thing just goes, lots of space too. Corners really well but doesn't have much kick which ends up making you a better driver anyway.
Drake7707 Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 I bought a used silver colored Peugeot 206 for 4500€ from 2000 with 100000 kilometers and aside from the brake rubber blocks and the distribution belt that needed to be replaced, it drives well. It's a very popular car here
Cancer+ Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 Don't get a Pontiac Grand Am. I have one and it is the !@#$%^&*tiest car. I have put soooo much money into it and it just breaks down every month. Nissan Altimas are good cars. Good gas mileage, good safety rating. It really depends on how much you want to spend on a car too. I'm looking at an 05 Mitsubishi Galant and I like it. The ratings are good and everything. I haven't heard anything bad about them. When you find a nice car that you like, like the Accord, look at all the ratings. Obviously the safety ratings are the biggest thing, and then look to see if they break down alot or what. Look for forums with people talking about the car. See what they think. Volkswagons are good cars though. They may have expensive parts, but they break down rarely.
The Real Picard Posted August 10, 2008 Report Posted August 10, 2008 Toyotas are quieter inside than the Hondas, and are better all around vehicles. If you want second best, get a Honda.
ESCANDAL0SA Posted August 11, 2008 Report Posted August 11, 2008 i prefer the Civic... it is on the lower end of Honda but if you really compare a Civic and Accord, you won't find any big differences. but i do a lot of work with my Civic (slamming it down, adding more speed, etc.) and Civics look better than Accords when it's pimped out, but that's just me. Hondas are really reliable... the only problem is when it comes to repairs, the parts are really expensive. as long as you drive properly and take care of your car, you shouldn't have any problems. in my life, i've owned 4 Hondas and i fell in love with them <3 lol, so as your first car, you should probably start with one. stay away from American-made cars... not reliable at all. Toyotas are ok... not a big fan of them, but from what i hear, they're pretty good cars. Nissans are the best. they're really reliable, good gas mileage, SEXY engines lol. i have a Versa and a fill-up only costs me about $40-50, which is really good considering the high gas prices. but, i doubt you'll want the Versa, it's more of a "family" car for me. you should take a look at the Nissan Altima. BMW's are more expensive, but it's one that will never give you any problems. and if you're looking for an '05 model or something, you'll probably get it for a really good price. right now, i have a '08 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, '08 Nissan Versa and '06 Honda Civic.and i'm looking at the Infiniti G35 2-door... such a SEXY car <3
»doc flabby Posted August 11, 2008 Report Posted August 11, 2008 stay away from American-made cars... not reliable at all.The irony is both Toyota and Honda build and !@#$%^&*emble their cars in the USA for the USA market. However Ford and GM offshore alot of their production So American made really is better but it needs Japanese design and Quality Control
Drake7707 Posted August 11, 2008 Report Posted August 11, 2008 I heard Volvo's are pretty sturdy, there's a factory here nearby too (approx ~20km from here (Volvo Ghent))
NBVegita Posted August 11, 2008 Report Posted August 11, 2008 Any car you buy can last you 200K+ miles if it's taken care of. !@#$%^&* one of my moms friend has a hyundai accent with 190k on it and it runs like a champ. My brother elantra is over 120 with no major problems. The thing is how much money you're looking to spend. For the price you could get an Accord with 50k miles, you could get an American car with 20-30k miles on it. My parents have always bought American and because my dad takes care of the cars have never had a problem. !@#$%^&* I think my dad's escort has about 170k on it right now lol. My fiance drives a 98 lx accord with 80k miles on it and just about everything but the engine and transmission has gone on it. I personally drive American (07 Lincoln MKZ) and love it. I don't reccomend honda's unless you're reallying looking to spend extra money for the hype, because you'll find if you treat your car well, any car (with exceptions) will last. Also LOSA, for the price of a G35, you might as well get an A4 or C-class. I test drove a G35 and I don't see the hype.
FMBI Posted August 11, 2008 Report Posted August 11, 2008 (edited) Get a used Toyota. Cheap, and they're the best you can find. Unlike American cars, which will cost you a couple times the original price over their lifetime if you get them used (as an extreme example, I remember my parents having a Blazer that cost them something like $3000 a year for maintenance when I was younger), they're fine except for the routine checkups. Right now, my inherited car is around 220k miles and it's running better than American cars at 50k. edit - Detail enhancement. Edited August 11, 2008 by Finland My BorgInvasion
ESCANDAL0SA Posted August 11, 2008 Report Posted August 11, 2008 the old American cars are good. my friend has a '94 Pontiac with 350k on it and it's still running... those cars were built to last. but American cars these days will break down after like 5 years, or will require a major repair. i just don't like American-brand cars... they're so ugly =/ lol... and they're not as good as Japanese cars. i drove my boy's Infiniti G35... and i loved it. it needs a lot of work but i was thinking of adding more HP, etc.
NBVegita Posted August 11, 2008 Report Posted August 11, 2008 I'd have to say the Chevy malibu beats both the accord and camry in looks. Plus dare I say 2010 camaro ftw? Really its all a matter of preference, plus how long do you plan to have a car? I don't car what care you have, around 100k/10 years you'll go through the death roll, then past that it'll last till you drive it into the ground.
ThunderJam Posted August 12, 2008 Report Posted August 12, 2008 In addition, since your geting a used one, for quite a while the honda and toyota I4 engines were considered to be almost as powerful as an American v6. Just food for thought. Obviously in more recent times thats not the case. Used toyota or honda will last forever, drives smoothly, and they aint bad looking. Downside is that every other person on earth drives one, do you wanna be the same as everyone else?
ESCANDAL0SA Posted August 13, 2008 Report Posted August 13, 2008 Used toyota or honda will last forever, drives smoothly, and they aint bad looking. Downside is that every other person on earth drives one, do you wanna be the same as everyone else? that's true... but the good thing about these cars is you can customize it to make it look different, especially with Hondas.
CRe Posted August 13, 2008 Report Posted August 13, 2008 Used toyota or honda will last forever, drives smoothly, and they aint bad looking. Downside is that every other person on earth drives one, do you wanna be the same as everyone else? That's why they come in different colors. Duh.
darkhosis Posted August 14, 2008 Report Posted August 14, 2008 (edited) Don't get a Pontiac Grand Am. I have one and it is the !@#$%^&*tiest car. I have put soooo much money into it and it just breaks down every month. Nissan Altimas are good cars. Good gas mileage, good safety rating. It really depends on how much you want to spend on a car too. I'm looking at an 05 Mitsubishi Galant and I like it. The ratings are good and everything. I haven't heard anything bad about them. When you find a nice car that you like, like the Accord, look at all the ratings. Obviously the safety ratings are the biggest thing, and then look to see if they break down alot or what. Look for forums with people talking about the car. See what they think. Volkswagons are good cars though. They may have expensive parts, but they break down rarely.I've had two pontiac grand ams and havent had any problems with them. I know that's not the norm though. But the next car I buy is gonna be another grand am (or grand prix) probably, just because I love 'em. My first car was an 89 grand prix that I had absolutely zero problems with except the alternator would !@#$%^&* up every year or two (got it with like 60k miles, traded it in at 120k miles for like $500 laf), then I got a 99 grand am GTX that i totalled out in like 2002 and replaced it with a 2001 used pontiac grand am GT (30k miles). between those three cars, i've probably only had to spend $2000 on repairs (but i also go to a really nice garage that doesnt rip ya off and actually fixes !@#$%^&*). my 2001 has over 100k miles on it now too so it's due for a tuneup, but that's just routine maintenance.. still looks great too, except that rear spoiler is pretty re!@#$%^&*ed (remove it). btw, i got out w/o a scratch on a head on collision in that car i totalled. the other guy wasnt so lucky, and he was in a lincoln continental. so based on my personal experience, grand ams have great safety features! but despite all this.. for a first car? it depends on your budget but !@#$%^&*uming you arent made of cash, i'd probably snag a toyota. Edited August 14, 2008 by darkhosis
The Real Picard Posted August 14, 2008 Report Posted August 14, 2008 Buy a Toyota. That sir, says it all!
ESCANDAL0SA Posted August 14, 2008 Report Posted August 14, 2008 btw, i got out w/o a scratch on a head on collision in that car i totalled. the other guy wasnt so lucky, and he was in a lincoln continental. so based on my personal experience, grand ams have great safety features! Grand Ams are ok... they're the only American cars i'd give a second look at, but i don't think i'd ever buy one. i don't feel safe in them... i loved the old ones though, you could be in a head-on collision with an SUV and your car would have no damages.
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