car experts- I need your advice on buying a new car

[Asher]

I hear you whining all the time about consumer reports, but I never see you actually do anything other than spew rhetoric and quote JD Powers & Associates numbers for quality and reliability well within warranty periods.

You're out to lunch on this one. Everyone knows Ford and GM reliability post-warranty is ass compared to Toyota and Honda. Look around you.

[Frozzy]

TW you were complaining about fuel economy so I'm sure you will be heart broken to learn that the BMW only gets 12 mpg city and 16 highway. The Mustang, which you complained was so fuel inefficent, actually gets you 50% further on a gallon of gas on the highway then the BMW.

Source? My sources say 19.1mpg combined for the M5 and 19.2 combined for the Mustang. So, I'm heartbroken to learn that you are trying to dictate me with false facts on "high"-performance cars

Do you not understand that money doesn't grow on trees and that if you want to make a car go fast at 1/4 the price of that M5 then you're going to have to trade off a few things. That's just the way it works. If you want the $85k car (and have the money) then buy it but don't whine that the $28k car isn't as posh as the $85k car

Try a 530d SE. Similar price to the Mustang (not counting shipping costs), more torque than the Mustang (for whatever that's worth), faster top speed, and a whopping 40.1mpg on highways/urban combined.

Um... I think the message to Ford is clear. For a similar price BMW can do far more than Ford can.

[LTEC!]

[QUOTE] Originally posted by Zkribbler
Darn...I know there's a site the compares cars and their prices. Strangely, it's a guy's first name, but I can't think of it.
[QUOTE]

The name of the site is Edmunds.com

I'd try the consumer reports site or buy the magazine now that it is out. they will usually list which year release is the best for each model, best bets, etc.

if you don't want to haggle, go to carmax.com

[Dis]

Originally posted by Oerdin


Did you know that that set up will produce more torque at a lower RPM then a multivalve, dual cam set up? I personally don't prefer this set up but the reality is multivalve engines are only more efficent at high rpm so what's the use if a car is mostly driven at low rpm by boring middle aged people?



I could turn this around and ask what is the point of multilink suspension, vented breaks, racing calipers, and a 10k rpm engine if you're not going to use it? Just realize that different cars are designed for different things. Ford made a design choice to spend more on the interior materials and what not instead of other things. Those are the types of trade offs companies make in order to produce a powerful car at a budget price range. If you want a really great sports car at a bargin price then look at the new Chevy Corvetts but realize you can buy two Mustangs for the price of one Corvett.

exactly. I'm not rich you all know. $25,000 is pretty steep for me. Though I probably could afford a corvette. It would hurt me bad. It's very tough for me to spend money on myself. I went through a lot of remorse over buying this thing. but it's worth it whenever I drive it.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Asher


I have edited your post to correct it.

As I've told you many times now, the American cars are designed to last until their warranty period expires and then falls apart. Toyota and Honda design their cars with pride and to simply last, as it's their image -- their quality requirements far exceed typical usage under warranty conditions, which is contrary to American manufacturers.

This is precisely why I've repeatedly told you quality under warranty period is meaningless -- not only is it covered by the manufacturer, but it's a situation that American cars are designed to be reasonably reliable in.

Consumer Reports this year has reported that a 2 year old GM vehicle is as reliable as a 7 year old Toyota. That's huge.

My 11 year old Dodge Ram 1500 is hoding up just fine many years past it's warranty

[Arrian]

A sample size of one. My buddy's Dodge Dakota which is prolly half the age of yours isn't holding up very well.

You need meaningful numbers before you can draw conclusions. I mean, I'm sure there are people out there who had lemons from great manufacturers and gems from companies that make total crap.

-Arrian

[Dis]

here's a pic

and I'm not middle aged, and I don't drive it slow. .

That's the point. I'm buying this while I'm still young. When I'm over 40, I'll drive old fogey cars. I promise.

[Hot Mustard]

Found
On
Road
Dead

Your mechanic will love you. Have fun!

[Dis]

it used to be fix or repair daily.

And ford is considered good quality. At least for the F-150's. I'm not sure about the mustangs. But you see a lot of older ones on the road. More than any other sports car except maybe camero. So they must hold up okay (or their owners pump a lot of money into them )

[Dinner]

I've had my Ford for 11 years now and it has never broken down on me. Every time I turn the key it starts and that says something.

BTW nice car Dis.

[Arrian]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I've had my Ford for 11 years now and it has never broken down on me. Every time I turn the key it starts and that says something.

BTW nice car Dis.

I sure hope that it starts every time you turn the key! That is somehow impressive??

I hope you enjoy your car, Dis.

-Arrian

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by Dis
But you see a lot of older ones on the road. More than any other sports car except maybe camero. So they must hold up okay (or their owners pump a lot of money into them )

It's the latter. Some people just have that emotional attachment and can't let go, no matter the cost. And they share a large cross-section with people who buy American, despite superior alternatives.

It's not that a Ford or GM vehicle can't last ages - pretty much anything can, given the right circumstances (environment, owners, treatment). But in my personal experience, they just don't measure up to the alternatives in quality, longevity, and most importantly - resale value...although if you can find another emotional buyer with a nostalgic bent, you'll probably be able to unload a Mustang without too much difficulty.

Seriously though - enjoy it! If you're willing to make such a large purchase on emotion and impulse, you'd better get all the pleasure you can out of it.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I've had my Ford for 11 years now and it has never broken down on me. Every time I turn the key it starts and that says something.

BTW nice car Dis.

My neighbor's late-90s Taurus is up on blocks as we speak on his driveway.

[Saras]

GERMAN ENGINEERING INDAHAUSE!!

[Lawrence of Arabia]

french engineerings - rocks my world