Hot Rod Dave
"Saucy saucy minx"
All right, finally a subject thats my specialty.
I own a brake and alignment shop, so I get the inside scoop on whats good for what reasons. It sounds like you are seeking more or less reliable and a fairly cost effective type of car. Unfortunatly for america, the japanese have got the market on that. Toyota has been the best selling car for several years with the camry and corolla. Both very fine cars, very reliable, low cost to maintain (which is the most important thing in making your car last long.) Dont wait till you car is broken...maintainence is key!!!! Parts are really cheap for these types of cars. I recommend anywhere from 2001-2005. no more that 50,000 miles. Its not so important on what year it is, miles are the first thing I look at.
As far as the mini suv stuff, I cant think of a really good one except for maybe the explorer or the escape (and they are marginal) that is worth a shit. Gas guzzling, pieces of shit where the suspension falls apart after 30,000 miles and needs brakes every 15,000. They are making these types of cars as cheap as possible and it shows after time. The only good thing on a truck chassis is either the F150 or the 1/2 ton chevy pick up.
so to recap....smaller passenger cars (toyota's etc) all though are not the most glamerous looking cars, they will last the longest and be less expensive in the long run. Mini suvs are a niche market, and they make those things so poorly that they fall apart sooner than you would like. They are so bad that I custom make suspension parts for the f150 and 1/2 ton chevy that make them last a lot longer.
Hope this helps. If not I would be more than happy to answer anymore questions you may have. after all you are my favorite pain in the ass!!
I own a brake and alignment shop, so I get the inside scoop on whats good for what reasons. It sounds like you are seeking more or less reliable and a fairly cost effective type of car. Unfortunatly for america, the japanese have got the market on that. Toyota has been the best selling car for several years with the camry and corolla. Both very fine cars, very reliable, low cost to maintain (which is the most important thing in making your car last long.) Dont wait till you car is broken...maintainence is key!!!! Parts are really cheap for these types of cars. I recommend anywhere from 2001-2005. no more that 50,000 miles. Its not so important on what year it is, miles are the first thing I look at.
As far as the mini suv stuff, I cant think of a really good one except for maybe the explorer or the escape (and they are marginal) that is worth a shit. Gas guzzling, pieces of shit where the suspension falls apart after 30,000 miles and needs brakes every 15,000. They are making these types of cars as cheap as possible and it shows after time. The only good thing on a truck chassis is either the F150 or the 1/2 ton chevy pick up.
so to recap....smaller passenger cars (toyota's etc) all though are not the most glamerous looking cars, they will last the longest and be less expensive in the long run. Mini suvs are a niche market, and they make those things so poorly that they fall apart sooner than you would like. They are so bad that I custom make suspension parts for the f150 and 1/2 ton chevy that make them last a lot longer.
Hope this helps. If not I would be more than happy to answer anymore questions you may have. after all you are my favorite pain in the ass!!
