WheelsFellOff wrote:From a true value perspective, perhaps not. But the general consensus still holds they age better and so will inflate their resale price for a time yet.

It's the new market inefficiency!

bottom line is that car reliability is based upon average reports done by the consumer

You can have a Chevy that lasts 200K miles and have nary a problem and a Toyota that has problems from the day you get it. It's just that the chances are better with a Toyota based on the reports.

The Crimson Cyclone wrote:bottom line is that car reliability is based upon average reports done by the consumer

You can have a Chevy that lasts 200K miles and have nary a problem and a Toyota that has problems from the day you get it. It's just that the chances are better with a Toyota based on the reports.

Right, but the real gap is probably smaller than consumer perception. Of course, if your plan is to buy a two year old car and trade it in after 3 years, you'll do better with the Toyota. If you plan is to buy a 2 year old car and drive it until its wheels fall off, you might be better off with a Chevy--scrap metal is scrap metal.

A lot of "reliability" ratings seem based on the first 5 years of a cars life. These days, I'd except the first 5 years to be trouble free regardless of make or model. I wonder if anyone looks at comparisons of cars from 5-10 years. I had a 1984 Prelude that I was driving in the early nineties and though the car ran great, I had to basically junk it because the frame rusted out. Sure, between 1984 and say 1992, the car was awesome (I didn't get the car until 1988) but it went downhill fast.

Turns out the lower mileage, higher-trim car we found at the third dealer this morning was sold yesterday (it was marked down so much because it had been on the lot over 3 months). There was one at the same trim level with even lower miles (28,000 on a 3-year old Prius!) that we ended up buying, though for a bit more.

Anyway, this car is unbelievably smooth and spacious for a 50 MPG car. Loving it so far, even the rush-hour drive home from Glen Mills was enjoyable.

I'm just starting to look for a car for the first time ever (my first two were crappy ones given to me by family members). I want something that is AWD/4WD and relatively new (2010 and newer). So far I've come across a couple options that fit in my price range: Kia Sorento, Nissan Rogue, Ford Fusion and Subaru Impreza.

I've been trying to read up on reviews of all of them, but is there any there that you guys would immediately disqualify from consideration or have positive personal feedback for?

I keep thinking I've made up my mind on one type and then I change it again 15 minutes later. This shit is stressful.

Why 4WD/AWD? Are you driving a lot on unpaved roads?

I'm the guy in the office that has to go in more or less no matter the weather, and there were multiple times last year that I narrowly avoided accidents so I'd like to get something that won't give me the same issues.

Just remember--4wd/awd will help you go in snow, but it won't help you stop.

Of the cars you listed, I'd lean towards teh Subaru. Probably will give you the best mileage and reliability.

Impreza all the way

The Crimson Cyclone wrote:Impreza all the way

+1

Got mine in Feb 2007 and still love it.

TenuredVulture wrote:Just remember--4wd/awd will help you go in snow, but it won't help you stop.

that goes without saying. In the snow, at a urinal, against a tree, wherever- once you start it's impossible to stop.

/bucky'd

Well be buying a new car soon, we've been meaning too for a while, just haven't really needed to. We wanted to get a bigger car, currently our family car is a 2006 Mazda 3 with like 80k miles on it. There's nothing wrong with it or anything we just wanted something bigger for trips and what not. Trying to decide between something practical like a Hyundai Santa Fe or something less practical like an Audi q7. Well probably just get the Santa Fe or something along those lines, but I want something a little sweeter than a Hyundai you know.

I'm starting to look. I have 46 1/4 months to make a decision.

One of my neighbors is head of advertising for Ford. He said he'll hook me up with a great deal on an Escape, so I think I'm goign that route

Silence Sarge wrote:So far I've come across a couple options that fit in my price range: Kia Sorento, Nissan Rogue, Ford Fusion and Subaru Impreza.

I've been trying to read up on reviews of all of them, but is there any there that you guys would immediately disqualify from consideration or have positive personal feedback for?

A former co-worker in my group has the Sorento and she hates it. It already had 2 or 3 "service engine" alerts for very minor crap in the first 3 years she's owned it

I'd get the Rogue. I've seen that car everywhere lately and everyone i know that has one loves it

Ended up buying a 2010 Fusion Sport fully loaded and some asshole rear-ended me while I was sitting at a stop sign 6 days after I bought it. Now it barely did any damage (just got an estimate for $515 to fix the paint on the back bumper) but I since its a brand new car for me I want to get it taken care of. Come to find out the woman's insurance coverage has lapsed and she has until the 2nd to pay it or they wont cover anything.

I already know I'm going to get screwed here. Is there anything I can do to make sure she gets screwed too? I know this doesn't make me a good person, but I want her to suffer if I'm going to.