Opinionated MURCers give me your car reviews

[spoogenet]

I'm possibly in the market for a new car. Please keep the reviews to cars available in America since that's where I'll be buying.

The main cars under consideration currently are:

Honda Accord EX 4cyl 5sp
Toyota Camry SE 4cyl 5sp
VW Jetta GLS 1.8T 5sp
MB C230 Kompressor 6sp

Opinions reviews are desired and welcome for the mentioned cars. Perhaps there is something in the price range that comes recommended ($21-28). But before getting all excited and posting reviews that are irrelevant to my purchasing woes, let me say this much.

Here are some requirements the car must satisfy to be considered:
manual transmission
side-impact airbags
sunroof
cloth interior
engine immobilizer
4 wheel disc brakes

Nissans are pretty much out, I considered the Altima and Maxima, but to get what I want, I would have to buy the extra ~$1000 Bose (*cough cough*) sound system which, consequently, I refuse to pay any more than $0 for. Quite frankly I don't see how side-impact airbags and ABS relate to Bose sound systems? So I basically have to have worthless "luxury" items just to have safety items? Hahahahaha....worthless pieces of crap.

I've read some horror stories about the VW's, varying problems. I've also read horror stories about the Camry's "sludge" problems. I've also read horror stories about paint problems with Camrys and Hondas. I've seen the Honda paint problem personally, however I'm still a traditional Honda lover.

Anyhow, I know somebody's gots something to say....don't be shy.

b

[Wombat]

I like my Nissan Sentra. I didn't get the side impact bags (they're packaged with the ABS option on a Sentra), but that's about it, and it was $16,2 (add 800 for the bags and brakes, but take off $800 since I got an auto tranny) And the 2002 line has both the return of the SE-R, and the special SE-R (Mark VI?), with more horsepower, 6-speed manual, and a few other tricks.

I'm just mentioning it since you haven't really said what it is you're looking at/for. The Accord and Camry are there, but the Jetta isn't that class of car.

I would really leave the Jetta out of consideration. Expensive to fix, and if you're going for cabin space, just about ANYTHING else has more room for rear passengers. Also, since the last Jetta redesign, they've been making the car bigger without proper chassis changes. The chassis is still as small as it was a few years ago, but they're adding a bunch of struts and extensions to make it a nice, unstable mess (I only read this, didn't verify it). At least consider a Passat instead, if you want VW. Oh, Rags will be here soon to warn you about VW, too

Why no BMW 3 series on there?

[spoogenet]

The 330 comes later, when I have money.

The SE-R Type V (I think that's what it's called) seems pretty nice, but then again, I'm not looking to pay for extra features just to get safety. ABS and airbags go well together, but ABS, airbags, and Bose....well, enough said already.

I'm looking for something practical, not excessively costly over the course of time, and reliable. I look forward to hearing reasons not to get VW....I really like the Jetta and Passat, but that's based upon a certain set of criteria and evaluations....I want the nitty gritty on the car now.

The only real thing holding me back from the C230 (well, price is a slight issue) is that instead of a hand brake for the parking brake, it has a foot pedal brake.....yeah.....just what I don't want. I consider myself good with a manual, but there is only so much you can do when Billy Bob pulls up behind you with his tank of a truck and is only inches from your rear bumper on an incline. I guess Benz is better known for auto trannies than manuals, though. Other than that, though, I think it's a sweet ride. I hear it's just a 'stripped down Mercedes'.....however compared to cars of similar prices, it seems to have quite a few features/gimmicks.

I think Accord and Camry are running for the top place on my list. Funny, they're in the top two of the stolen car list, too....

b

[KvHagedorn]

Get a 2yo bimmer if you can't afford a new one.

[The PIT]

You can always buy a tank as someone did in Sheffield. Very low in insurance however the fuel comsuption sucks a bit. Replacing the tracks maybe a bit exspensive. No problems with parking just drive over the basterds anyone shunts you, well they've got the damage.
If you get a bit of road rage you can go for the crush option or blow them all to bits with that nice gun.
Get blocked in no probs Snow no problem no arguments at lights roundabouts yes thats the way to go.

[KeiFront]

I should choose the Honda (maybe a little bit subjective), great brand. I currently own a Honda (Prelude) and it's a great car no problems at all. Except the paint problem you've mentioned (the paint comes easly off when a little rock or something hits your car). But my dads car (also a Honda) hasn't got this problem.

[Gurm]

I would rather own a certified pre-owned BMW than any of the cars you listed. Period.

The Kompressor is an interesting car, but thoroughly impractical. You can pick up a nice pre-owned 330 for well within your price range.

- Gurm

[spoogenet]

Why thoroughly impractical? It actually could be more practical, since I could fold down the back seets and probably fit my bike in the back....I fit it in the back of a GTI once by doing the same, so I figure it should fit in the C230.

Other than that, though, it's a coupe, tiny back seet, etc. Could be a plus, then all the scrubs I know can't ride in my car.

--begin edit--
What year model Hondas??? I haven't seen the paint problem on anything older than a 98. All the complaints I was reading about seemed to be coming from 98's and newer....it's a shame, because I know people with 92's that look better than new cars and have plenty of miles on them. I've also see the paint bubbling/cracking on a used one that I was looking at a while back, I believe it was a 98 as well.
--end edit--

b

[Helevitia]

IMO, All Hondas and Toyotas are very uncomfortable to sit it. They have rigid, sit up straight kind of seats and the bottom cushion is too close to the ground. I am one for comfort and neither of those cars are comfy. You can get a lot more bang for your buck if you buy an american car such as a Grand Am or Grand Prix. The Compressor is basically a commuter car and you will soon find out how much you miss having baackseats. VW, though not as uncomfortable as Hondas and Toyotas, they still have that same rigid seat design. I am 5'9" and I felt that there was not enough leg room in the lower end Hondas and Toyotas. I can't remember what the Accord was like but the Camry is cramped. I guess it depends on what you are looking for.
My wife drives a Chrysler Cirrus, fully loaded including leather seats, sun roof, and V6. It was about 21-22K. I think you are going with the masses if you buy a Honda or Toyota.

Dave

[Rags]

Re: Opinionated MURCers give me your car reviews

Originally posted by spoogenet
I'm possibly in the market for a new car. Please keep the reviews to cars available in America since that's where I'll be buying.

The main cars under consideration currently are:

Honda Accord EX 4cyl 5sp
Toyota Camry SE 4cyl 5sp
VW Jetta GLS 1.8T 5sp
MB C230 Kompressor 6sp

Opinions reviews are desired and welcome for the mentioned cars. Perhaps there is something in the price range that comes recommended ($21-28). But before getting all excited and posting reviews that are irrelevant to my purchasing woes, let me say this much.

Here are some requirements the car must satisfy to be considered:
manual transmission
side-impact airbags
sunroof
cloth interior
engine immobilizer
4 wheel disc brakes

Nissans are pretty much out, I considered the Altima and Maxima, but to get what I want, I would have to buy the extra ~$1000 Bose (*cough cough*) sound system which, consequently, I refuse to pay any more than $0 for. Quite frankly I don't see how side-impact airbags and ABS relate to Bose sound systems? So I basically have to have worthless "luxury" items just to have safety items? Hahahahaha....worthless pieces of crap.

I've read some horror stories about the VW's, varying problems. I've also read horror stories about the Camry's "sludge" problems. I've also read horror stories about paint problems with Camrys and Hondas. I've seen the Honda paint problem personally, however I'm still a traditional Honda lover.

Anyhow, I know somebody's gots something to say....don't be shy.

b

Here's my choices out of your picks in order:

1. Honda Accord--nice and smooth, crisper handling than the Camry, lighter feeling, a rather bland neutral feel on the road, which isn't always a bad thing. Reliability is unmatched by anything on the road.

2. Toyota Camry--Very reliable, great gas mileage, bigger than the Accord, but it also drives bigger. It sways too much when snapping the steering wheel, which makes it feel less stable than what it really is.

3. Mercedes C230--I really tie this with the Jetta, I have driven a few of these and they don't feel like a MB at all. They feel like a plastic factory on wheels. The Accord puts its build quality to shame and the expense for repairs is insane. Also good luck if you are on the road and need a MB dealer. They have silly maint. record requirements for warranty repairs just like VW.

3.--VW Jetta--This car is tied with the MB, it's silly fast in accelerating, but that's the only thing I like about it. The interior has various problems, the transmissions leak like crazy, and I am sure you have read all of the various other problems--they are all true. IMO, these are less reliable than a Chevy Monte Carlo.


Now, If I put the Maxima in the equation, I would put it number one. It's more reliable than a Camry, is quicker than the Jetta, handles better than the hole lot above, gets excellent MPG for the 255 HP it puts out, and you just gotta love that V6 snarl it gives when accelerating. Don't know why you would balk on the bose sound system when you want the side airbags, but the sound system isn't that bad, in fact it's the best of the bunch above, and I traditionally hate Bose systems. The auto sunroof it comes with is really cool with no need to hold the button to get it to stay where you want, just slide the switch to its position and let it go.

What is the reason for wanting side airbags?

Rags

[spoogenet]

I do like the Maxima. A little over priced....and the 6sp manual isn't available yet, the guy at the dealership told me that they released it, then took it back because they weren't happy with the gear ratios....so it's supposedly still under test.

Why not have side airbags? Is there a good reason not to? I would like any reasonable safety feature possible. ABS is one that I don't care as much about, I've been driving cars without ABS since I started driving, but in the event anybody else drives my car, I'd like them to have ABS. I don't exactly plan on getting in any wrecks, but I'd like to have maximum protection in the event one unfortunately happens.

I'd really love a Maxima with RWD.

I'm not too partial to Bose. Partially because I think they have some not-so-great stuff at high prices, and they didn't give me a second job interview.

But I'm definitely NOT willing to pay an extra $1000 for a damn sound system just to get a safety feature, that's extortion. Besides, I could better spend that $1000 with a little extra and get myself a better custom sound system. I'd also like to customize the car in varying ways, and I don't believe in buying unnecessary stuff that I plan on replacing unless it's necessary for proper function of the vehicle (air intake, exhausts, headers, wheels, etc).

The sunroof sounds like the way VW/Audi do it. I prefer the VW dial over everybody else's buttons.

How is Nissan paint? I read some horror stories about the new Altima's having poorly built interiors....some complained the parts didn't even fit up properly leaving ridges around, and everybody complained that it looked like they cut the hole in the carpet for the gas release using an exacto knife.

b

[cbman]

It wasn't an exacto knife... it was a box cutter...
But that was only because someone lost my pair of scissors

[Wombat]

Well with the Nissans, it sounds like you're not paying much for the Bose.

Sentra: The ABS/Side-Impact adds $800
Maxima: The ABS/Side-Impact/Bose adds $1000

I've only seen the new Altima, haven't ridden or heard about it. But you can get the 240hp V6 on it.

[Rags]

Originally posted by spoogenet
I do like the Maxima. A little over priced....and the 6sp manual isn't available yet, the guy at the dealership told me that they released it, then took it back because they weren't happy with the gear ratios....so it's supposedly still under test.

He is full of it. I just drove my second 6spd Maxima today. They are a blast and one test drive would have you forgetting about silly side airbags

Why not have side airbags? Is there a good reason not to? I would like any reasonable safety feature possible.

Because they are unproven and they are rather expensive, also all mfrs have problems with them, so the likelyhood of you having to pay after warranty for side srs problems is VERY high.

ABS is one that I don't care as much about, I've been driving cars without ABS since I started driving, but in the event anybody else drives my car, I'd like them to have ABS. I don't exactly plan on getting in any wrecks, but I'd like to have maximum protection in the event one unfortunately happens.

ABS is more important than side airbags IMO. I consider myself a very good driver and I concede that ABS can regulate the brakes better than I, especially in cornering. Don't shrug it off, they do have benefit and I believe it's greater than side srs.

I'd really love a Maxima with RWD.

I hear ya, but you gotta realize that the Maxima is considered to be the most RWD-like FWD car out, and it sure handles like it.

How is Nissan paint?

No complaints with the newer models. We don't have acid rain in wyoming, so....

I read some horror stories about the new Altima's having poorly built interiors....some complained the parts didn't even fit up properly leaving ridges around, and everybody complained that it looked like they cut the hole in the carpet for the gas release using an exacto knife.

]

Altimas are an exception to the Nissan rule for their cars IMO, they are the replacement for the Stanza, which was also a lost cause car, too big for most, too small for the rest. Maximas and Sentras have far better build quality than Altimas, also fewer overall complaints.

Rags

[KeiFront]

Originally posted by spoogenet
Why thoroughly impractical? It actually could be more practical, since I could fold down the back seets and probably fit my bike in the back....I fit it in the back of a GTI once by doing the same, so I figure it should fit in the C230.

Other than that, though, it's a coupe, tiny back seet, etc. Could be a plus, then all the scrubs I know can't ride in my car.

--begin edit--
What year model Hondas??? I haven't seen the paint problem on anything older than a 98. All the complaints I was reading about seemed to be coming from 98's and newer....it's a shame, because I know people with 92's that look better than new cars and have plenty of miles on them. I've also see the paint bubbling/cracking on a used one that I was looking at a while back, I believe it was a 98 as well.
--end edit--

b

The Prelude is from 1996, first it was just a Prelude problem I guess the new 5th generation prelude still has the paint problem I'm not sure about the other honda's.

Iff your a long distance driver my milages is now around ±221000 KM and the engine is running without a problem my dads car has ±350000 KM on his car (2.5L engine).

Have you read some automagazines spoogenet, sometimes they have usersreviews about cars these user reviews are very interesting you instantly know the advantages and disadvantages of a car.

And have a look at http://forums.murc.ws/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30135 great GTA