Picky friend needs a used car. Recommendations?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,430
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Sorry to call you out Mike, but I honestly don't understand why this is such a big deal to some people. Sure, 10 years ago when Premium cost 20% more than Regular, it mattered, but now, it's less than a 5% difference, and will continue to shrink for the foreseeable future. For comparison purposes, this is equivalent to a difference of 1mpg for a car whose economy is in the mid 20s, or 1.5mpg for one that's in the upper 30s. Would you immediately disqualify a car because it got 1mpg worse than another one you were looking at? I certainly wouldn't.
And what if the car that takes premium gets 2mpg better than the one that takes regular? That means it's cheaper to pay for 91/93 than 87. Rejecting a car solely because it requires high-octane fuel is cutting off your nose to spite your face, IMO.
And what if the car that takes premium gets 2mpg better than the one that takes regular? That means it's cheaper to pay for 91/93 than 87. Rejecting a car solely because it requires high-octane fuel is cutting off your nose to spite your face, IMO.
I don't entirely disagree with you. You have a somewhat valid point, but Premium fuel DOES make a difference to a lot of people. They count every penny that goes into the tank.....even if the precentage difference between 87 and 93 octane is less than in the past.
It also makes a difference how many miles you actually drive and how much fuel you burn.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,430
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,430
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Negative reliability, however, as you suggest, doesn't faze some people. Corvettes still have a fanatical group of followers despite decades of worse-than-average reliability. And the VW Beetle itself has become a cult car with both males (yes, males) and females alike despite its unreliability.
Last edited by mmarshall; May 11, 2008 at 12:21 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,430
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yes, I agree. It doesn't always make sense, but that's the way some people are. The same way that some people will pay huge dealer markups for a new hybrid that will take years to repay back in gas savings....if ever.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Woodlands, TX
actually, the latest CR magazine (June 2008) recommends the VW Rabbit over a lot of other cars and they say the reliability is very good.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,430
Likes: 249
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yes....I said in an earlier post that the Rabbit, in its first year at least, has been more reliable than most other VW's. Perhaps VW's promise to improve quality is starting to show some results. But let's wait and see if Rabbits hold up well for 4 or 5 years.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,044
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From: Southeastern PA
She'll want a tsx, trust me. With the new 09's out you should be able to find a good deal on a used model.
Its a smart value car that a lot of women go for. Lots of luxury features at a minimal price. If you can find a deal, thats heads and shoulders above any rsx or civic.
Its a smart value car that a lot of women go for. Lots of luxury features at a minimal price. If you can find a deal, thats heads and shoulders above any rsx or civic.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,044
Likes: 98
From: Southeastern PA
CR has been rating cars for decades. If they weren't on point most of the time, no one would buy their magazine. I don't see how you can discount their ratings because of people you know who own VWs--they conduct extensive reader polls every year. VWs may not be lined up on the side of the road, but they have a long way to go before they are considered a "reliable" brand.
CR has been rating cars for decades. If they weren't on point most of the time, no one would buy their magazine. I don't see how you can discount their ratings because of people you know who own VWs--they conduct extensive reader polls every year. VWs may not be lined up on the side of the road, but they have a long way to go before they are considered a "reliable" brand.
Anyway, enjoy CR - I think there's plenty of better sources.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,221
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From: CA
It really sounds like she'll be happiest in another Acura. Take her to some SoCal Acura dealers or do a web search on Carmax. That will quickly show what's in her price range that meets her requirements. She could end up with an RSX, TSX, CL, or TL (all have been offered with a stick).
My one caution will be with the RSX. My older sister has driven nothing but Integras since the first model year. With each generation change she liked it more and more, until her RSX. In general she found the materials quality, comfort, performance, and overall "feel" to be cheapened and lessened from what she was used to. Just make sure your friend really likes the RSX before she jumps into one and maybe regrets it down the line. At least a TSX, CL, or TL would be a clear step up.
My one caution will be with the RSX. My older sister has driven nothing but Integras since the first model year. With each generation change she liked it more and more, until her RSX. In general she found the materials quality, comfort, performance, and overall "feel" to be cheapened and lessened from what she was used to. Just make sure your friend really likes the RSX before she jumps into one and maybe regrets it down the line. At least a TSX, CL, or TL would be a clear step up.
It's best we look for something used, and take advantage of the car's depreciation...
That might be worth a look, depending on what kind of deals the stealerships are cutting. I think the TSX or RSX would be great choices for her, especially since she already has owned, and likes Acura's.