posted on May 10, 2001 08:47:00 AM new
I thought I'd dive into the wealth of knowledge here on AW and get some info and ideas. We live 20 miles from town on rough dirt/sand/gravel roads and my crappy taurus is not cutting it. Talk about a lemon!! So I'm in search of a new vehicle.
We already have a big 4x4 gas guzzling truck so I need something that gets better fuel milage and can handle the roads without falling apart. Right now I'm thinking along the lines of Subaru Outback but I need used to keep the budget happy. Any comments on used Subarus? Any other ideas?
posted on May 10, 2001 10:16:47 AM new
I live almost a mile from a paved road. My husband had a 1986 Subaru wagon for a few years - finally got rid of it because it didn't have enough pickup and bought a Jeep. I think newer Subarus don't have that problem. Many of my neighbors have them and are satisfied.
posted on May 10, 2001 12:24:35 PM new
Check the April issue of Consumer Reports - it's their annual car issue and is always worth reading. I have zero interest in cars. So 16 years ago, I looked at the magazine and bought their recommendation for a subcompact. Once a year, I take that same car into the dealer, hand them the key and vaguely say "do whatever you think needs to be done." The bill is usually less than $60.
posted on May 10, 2001 12:24:41 PM new
Jeep used to be AMC, AMC sold the Jeep line to Chrysler, Chrysler was bought by Daimler Benz, so now a Jeep is a Mercedes [email protected]
I did that exact same thing during our last gas crisis (could only buy gas during odd & even days). I bought Consumer Report's recommendation and it was a good car while I had it.
posted on May 10, 2001 12:39:37 PM new
Well, I dunno. I have a new Taurus and it wins hands down through any type of road conditions. Of course, I try to stay out of potholes in the dirt, but as far as running on dirt roads, gravel, rock roads, ice and snow to get 7 miles up and down a steep winding mountain, uhmm, it beats my hubby's 4x4 pick up hands down.
I think the only thing that really matters in the long run is tires. If you have the wrong tires, no car will work. I have Michelin Rainforce. Love 'em! Well worth the money we spent considering I was the only one able to get out this winter in ice and snow!
posted on May 10, 2001 12:53:54 PM new
A new Taurus has no relation to a Taurus with as little as 60,000. By then everything rattles, the front end parts are loose, the exhaust is a mess of loose baffles and broken hangers, the engine will clatter as though there were little beasts banging tin drums in there, and the oil will leak out all over the ground. No better than jeeps.
posted on May 10, 2001 01:06:49 PM new
When it was time to get rid of my Ford Escort my husband talked me into buying a pickup. I ended up with a used extended cab Nissan P/U. I kept that thing until well after 200,000 miles, and we had a 1/3 mile dirt driveway I took every day at 30 to 40mph. Hated to sell it. Of course it's just me and my DH, if you have a family.... never mind.
Do a search for vehicles in general, or whatever kind you are looking for - you can see how they are rated, what others have to say about them, problems with them, etc.
This is my favorite website. It's better than consumer reports, IMO.
You can also look up just about anything else too, from movies, household items, to websites. If you rate a product, they will pay you for it too - I made over $100 in just a couple months.
I was driving up behind a car the other day that I had never seen before. As I was driving up, my thought was that the back end looked a lot like the (ugly) Pacer. What is it?
Once I approached it I was shocked to see that it was a Mercedes model.
Wouldn't that guy loved to have heard my first impression of his car? LOL
posted on May 10, 2001 01:27:21 PM new
Thanks to everyone! It looks like I'm searching for a used Subaru. I will NEVER own another Taurus!!! In the past year we've put in a new transmission, redone the heads, replaced the power steering pump, fixed the A/C plus a whole lot of little garbage. The transmission is giving troubles again but it's still under warranty, engine sounds rough, and the power door locks work when the mood suits them.
I've given some though to the Nissan pickups but we have a young daughter. I don't think I want to spend the $$ to get the new 4 door model!
I only hit pavement the last 1/2 mile from town and our roads are bad! Over the winter and when it rains you really need 4wd to get through safely. I swore I'd never own a "station wagon" but think of all the garage sale and auction stuff I could fit in the back!
posted on May 10, 2001 02:38:42 PM new
I can sell you the one that I had stolen. They called it has been found! It is an Olds touring sedan, great in snow and rough terrain, but you will need to use a screwdriver now to start it...
posted on May 10, 2001 05:36:28 PM new
Ummm, geee, uh thanks lorndav but I think I'll pass. I drove an Olds Delta 88 diesel in high school. Great car, holds lots of people, beat the crap out of it and it still ran! I need some ground clearance though and my Olds sure didn't have that. If fuel wasn't $1.85 I'd be getting a Tahoe but...
posted on May 10, 2001 07:18:38 PM new
Wow, all that trouble in a Taurus? Did you buy it new?
I had a 97 used Taurus, not one bit of trouble. My daughter drives a 96, just does maintenance on it. I havee a 2000 model now and the most I've ever done was change the oil.
I will be servicing the transmission on a regular basis because with front wheel drive, you can't let this maintenance go. If you do, you have all kinds of transmission problems. If your car is still under warranty, they do have to fix these things for you free or give you a new car. There's the Lemon Law to look into.
krs, my 97 had over 70,000 miles and never did all those things you say. And I live in the mountains. Mountain driving is bad on any car, yet the only time I had it in for warranty work was for the power seat runner. That was the day I saw the new one! Needless to say, I drove the new one home. They sold the 97 with no delay.
My daughter's '96 has had no problems like you describe either and she's the third owner. It started as a rental car and we have all the service records. Just oil and tranny oil changes is all it ever had besides normal brake maintenance, etc. No leaks, no rattles, no clangs. Just a nice smooth ride. We stuck a new battery in and changed out the alternator which we do on all used cars that we buy. Those two things aren't to fool with when you have a young woman driving alone in the mountains at night.
My hubby is very particular about what type of oil and filters and gas we use. Perhaps that's the key to no problems with the Taurus. Or we've been extremely lucky. I don't rightly know.
posted on May 10, 2001 07:46:59 PM new
IBStitchin - I have a Subaru Legacy and I ADORE it. I've never had a problem with it, just the usual maintenace. When I trade this one in, I'm getting another one. I used to have a Honda Accord, and a Toyota Celica before that - none compare to the Subaru!
posted on May 10, 2001 11:11:19 PM new
My, my, my. I am no advocate of gas-guzzling SUVs. No, I am not, by gosh, I am not. But I understand the need for more space, for sure I do, I do.
Still, I can't recommend those SUVs, I can't, you see, since they use so much, so much you say, of resources. But Honda/Acura
is the place for me, for me, I tell you. Hope it's for you too.
Pickup and satisfaction - isn't that what most cars promise?
