"2nd" most reliable car ever built?
#31
Instructor
I wonder if there really are any Toyota or Honda cars that are or were deemed "unreliable?" I believe there are in fact Subaru cars. Though it will never happen, when I had decided on the M2 (completely nixed then the LS came into the picture) after the Golf R, I had considered a loaded Mazda 3. Still comes in a stick, has HIDs and rain sensing wipers. Just couldn't spend that much money for something that didn't wow me. But buddy has had 3 over 7 years as he leases, and in each case, none of the cars have ever gone to the dealer for warranty work.
#32
Lexus Fanatic
edit there's not much on it, but I guess my aunt's Buick Opel looked like this....
http://momentcar.com/images/opel-isuzu-5.jpg
Last edited by Johnhav430; 04-21-17 at 11:06 AM.
#33
Lexus Champion
My friend drove his 1996 Lexus ES330 for 410k miles before he sold it. No repairs whatsoever except normal maintenance per the manual although when he sold it it badly needed shocks and other suspension parts. I'd say the Lexus ES 330/350 series is also extremely reliable if well maintained.
#34
Yes
Look at all the problems Honda/Acura had with their transmissions in the 2000s.
Basically everything with a V6 and an automatic transmission had to be replaced. It covered a lot of models.
Even the 2016 and below Acura TLX are also having major transmission problems, it made Consumer Reports list of "Used Cars to Avoid"
For whatever reason, the Honda brand has really had a lot of problems with transmissions over the years.
#35
Lexus Fanatic
Yes
Look at all the problems Honda/Acura had with their transmissions in the 2000s.
Basically everything with a V6 and an automatic transmission had to be replaced. It covered a lot of models.
Even the 2016 and below Acura TLX are also having major transmission problems, it made Consumer Reports list of "Used Cars to Avoid"
For whatever reason, the Honda brand has really had a lot of problems with transmissions over the years.
Look at all the problems Honda/Acura had with their transmissions in the 2000s.
Basically everything with a V6 and an automatic transmission had to be replaced. It covered a lot of models.
Even the 2016 and below Acura TLX are also having major transmission problems, it made Consumer Reports list of "Used Cars to Avoid"
For whatever reason, the Honda brand has really had a lot of problems with transmissions over the years.
#37
Instructor
#38
Pole Position
Ah the state inspection, we have to pay anywhere from $46-$90 per year (a $39.99 coupon ends up being $46 out the door). On the one hand, it's not bogus, in that it removes unsafe cars from the road, yet at the same time, its motivation is to provide revenue to shops. It's all over the place, since the Lexus dealer doesn't actually answer the phone (the one near my house), I ended up at Toyota and paid around $76 for the LS430, and waited in a crowded lounge. The BMW dealer charged me in the $60's, provided a loaner car, and actually the SA apologized he called me too late and I kept the loaner 2 days (the car passed but the tech didn't put the stickers on and now it was too late). It's a racket.
But as far as sinking $1700 into a reliable car, imho that's nothing. New 4 cyl. cars can top 60k today. Even 3 yrs. ago, CR-Vs broke the 30k threshold (today it's nothing, headed for 40k). For someone to not put $1700 into a reliable car is reflective on how thinking has changed, and that even cars are disposable.....I always felt that some folks justify getting a new car by saying there "may" be repairs coming. My buddy's wife has a 2k12 Q5 and when the headliner broke, she was thinking about getting a 2018....my sister in law is the same way. Cha ching!
But as far as sinking $1700 into a reliable car, imho that's nothing. New 4 cyl. cars can top 60k today. Even 3 yrs. ago, CR-Vs broke the 30k threshold (today it's nothing, headed for 40k). For someone to not put $1700 into a reliable car is reflective on how thinking has changed, and that even cars are disposable.....I always felt that some folks justify getting a new car by saying there "may" be repairs coming. My buddy's wife has a 2k12 Q5 and when the headliner broke, she was thinking about getting a 2018....my sister in law is the same way. Cha ching!
And I suppose you're right, $1,700 isn't a lot when you consider how much new cars cost, but I just figured when you're talking about a car with over 200,000 and being ten plus years old...some would cut bait there. I appreciate the ones that don't and keep it running (I'm a high mileage fan). Love seeing people push their cars to ridiculously high mileage limits.
And it's funny you mention your sister in law...my brother in law is the same way. He dumps cars every few years because of "repairs that are going to be coming up". Makes me laugh, then he gets himself into a new car and "actually saves money on his monthly payment". What he's not telling you is he just extended himself for another five years, where as he only had a year left on his current note.
#39
So glad MN gave up the vehicle inspections after finding out it cost to more run then save. Was a money pit that the state could not afford. They build all
those inspection stations around the state only to sell them off, most of them turned into independent garages. This was back in the early 80`s.
those inspection stations around the state only to sell them off, most of them turned into independent garages. This was back in the early 80`s.
#40
Lexus Fanatic
Yeah it's $45 where I go, in my state they can charge whatever they want but the going rate is roughly $40-$45.
And I suppose you're right, $1,700 isn't a lot when you consider how much new cars cost, but I just figured when you're talking about a car with over 200,000 and being ten plus years old...some would cut bait there. I appreciate the ones that don't and keep it running (I'm a high mileage fan). Love seeing people push their cars to ridiculously high mileage limits.
And it's funny you mention your sister in law...my brother in law is the same way. He dumps cars every few years because of "repairs that are going to be coming up". Makes me laugh, then he gets himself into a new car and "actually saves money on his monthly payment". What he's not telling you is he just extended himself for another five years, where as he only had a year left on his current note.
And I suppose you're right, $1,700 isn't a lot when you consider how much new cars cost, but I just figured when you're talking about a car with over 200,000 and being ten plus years old...some would cut bait there. I appreciate the ones that don't and keep it running (I'm a high mileage fan). Love seeing people push their cars to ridiculously high mileage limits.
And it's funny you mention your sister in law...my brother in law is the same way. He dumps cars every few years because of "repairs that are going to be coming up". Makes me laugh, then he gets himself into a new car and "actually saves money on his monthly payment". What he's not telling you is he just extended himself for another five years, where as he only had a year left on his current note.
My sis in law just got a new 2017 Audi A4, wouldn't listen when I said you have to get the sport package with any German car, it's serious bang for buck (usually worth it for the sport seats alone, all the suspension etc. is gravy). Would not listen. Wouldn't listen on the stick either. And she buys, doesn't lease. I said 2 yrs. from now when you're getting rid of that car, I'll pay cash for it. Dunno why but I know they won't do it, they'd rather take what the dealer gives them than sell it to a family member for that number--I even offer to add the sales tax they'd save to the price. My hunch is the dealer high ***** the trade, and low ***** the discount on the new car. So my offer is really over wholesale, but below retail, fair imho.
You hit the nail on the head with something. 13 years ago all my coworkers were refinancing their homes like it was shooting fish in a barrel. I asked a mortgage banker, should I refinance? He told me it's up to you, but if it were my wife and me, no. You're only saving 0.75%--you have to crunch the numbers, but remember that you are paying fees plus title insurance. I said but my coworkers say they are doing no fee refinancing? He laughed, do you think the bank is paying the title insurance? Do you think I would pay your title insurance? They are likely rolling that into the principal, and calling it a $0 out of pocket refi. Every now and again you come across people in an industry who give you the real deal that may not be in their intersest of selling products. That's integrity.
I did come across a real no fee product, and we have that now. Our home has a 10 yr first lien position home equity, i.e. no mortgage. The caveat is that the rate is in-between 15 and 30 yr. mortgages, but is amortized over 10 years. Did this twice, and it truly has no fees except $68.50 for a county record. It has to be below a certain amount (maybe 150k?) and the borrower must be able to afford a 10 yr. payment. We have 7 yrs. to go. Sometimes I toy with the idea of selling my stock portfolio and being done with a house payment. If the market tanks 30% it would have been nice to have done that...just that it seems over the next 7 yrs., the stocks should average more than 3.37% annualized....one never knows....
edit--the point with the refi is that even though significant costs are rolled into the principal, the monthly payment goes down, causing the borrower to move forward with the refi, but the main reason is the borrower may have gone from 24 years, all the way back up to 30.....
Last edited by Johnhav430; 04-22-17 at 04:42 AM.
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Doublebase (04-22-17)
#41
Moderator
You hit the nail on the head with something. 13 years ago all my coworkers were refinancing their homes like it was shooting fish in a barrel. I asked a mortgage banker, should I refinance? He told me it's up to you, but if it were my wife and me, no. You're only saving 0.75%--you have to crunch the numbers, but remember that you are paying fees plus title insurance. I said but my coworkers say they are doing no fee refinancing? He laughed, do you think the bank is paying the title insurance? Do you think I would pay your title insurance? They are likely rolling that into the principal, and calling it a $0 out of pocket refi. Every now and again you come across people in an industry who give you the real deal that may not be in their intersest of selling products. That's integrity.
I did come across a real no fee product, and we have that now. Our home has a 10 yr first lien position home equity, i.e. no mortgage. The caveat is that the rate is in-between 15 and 30 yr. mortgages, but is amortized over 10 years. Did this twice, and it truly has no fees except $68.50 for a county record. It has to be below a certain amount (maybe 150k?) and the borrower must be able to afford a 10 yr. payment. We have 7 yrs. to go. Sometimes I toy with the idea of selling my stock portfolio and being done with a house payment. If the market tanks 30% it would have been nice to have done that...just that it seems over the next 7 yrs., the stocks should average more than 3.37% annualized....one never knows....
edit--the point with the refi is that even though significant costs are rolled into the principal, the monthly payment goes down, causing the borrower to move forward with the refi, but the main reason is the borrower may have gone from 24 years, all the way back up to 30.....
I did come across a real no fee product, and we have that now. Our home has a 10 yr first lien position home equity, i.e. no mortgage. The caveat is that the rate is in-between 15 and 30 yr. mortgages, but is amortized over 10 years. Did this twice, and it truly has no fees except $68.50 for a county record. It has to be below a certain amount (maybe 150k?) and the borrower must be able to afford a 10 yr. payment. We have 7 yrs. to go. Sometimes I toy with the idea of selling my stock portfolio and being done with a house payment. If the market tanks 30% it would have been nice to have done that...just that it seems over the next 7 yrs., the stocks should average more than 3.37% annualized....one never knows....
edit--the point with the refi is that even though significant costs are rolled into the principal, the monthly payment goes down, causing the borrower to move forward with the refi, but the main reason is the borrower may have gone from 24 years, all the way back up to 30.....
#42
The Saturn line of cars, I really never cared for but the Saturn Sky roadster is an interesting vehicle. I do own a 1990 Jaguar XJS with 33K miles and it has never let me down. Knock on wood... LOL. I do maintain it very well and it runs fantastic. Most people that had problems with the Jag V12's is because they did not maintain or drive them enough... The engine is built like a tank and if you want to find a place where we can drive our cars at a high rate of speed(over 130 MPH for hours on end), I will take up your challenge. LOL.
#43
Lexus Fanatic
one would think Honda or Toyota, but as recent posts have pointed out not all of them are totally reliable. It may be a year thing, cuz my 1998 Maxima is a rather tough act to follow. Based on what I have read thus far, it's more reliable than the LS430
#44
Instructor
The Saturn line of cars, I really never cared for but the Saturn Sky roadster is an interesting vehicle. I do own a 1990 Jaguar XJS with 33K miles and it has never let me down. Knock on wood... LOL. I do maintain it very well and it runs fantastic. Most people that had problems with the Jag V12's is because they did not maintain or drive them enough... The engine is built like a tank and if you want to find a place where we can drive our cars at a high rate of speed(over 130 MPH for hours on end), I will take up your challenge. LOL.
#45
Lexus Fanatic
tranny went on my buddy's, it was a nice car, aluminum body if I'm not mistaken. Got rid of it for a Acura RL, and that may have been the worst car they ever got...back into an Audi. At least Audi gave them a loaner for almost a year due to the Takata airbags, save 50k+ miles off their own car, was dealer, not Audi that provided. Asking him what yr it was, guessing early 2000s