Poll: what car to buy?

[Elie]

I traded in my last European car in 1967. Japanese ever since for reliability.

I agree about the reliability of Japanese cars, my Acura integra had 330,000kms on the motor before I gave it away. been driving my 528i for 3 years now, changed a few things on it, and it's been great. Plus we have harsh winters here and cars take a major beating.

[Elie]

Down in my part of the world BMW along with all other European cars mean high maintenance costs.. Especially after they're over 3 years old

Yes, maintenance costs are high, but you don't have to maintain it that often, there are certain parts you want to make sure you replace, especially if you buy a used 5 series BMW like I did namely...

1-Water pump
2-thermostat
3-front left and right control arms

Otherwise they are really good cars, and handle incredibly well!!

[Brian Ellis]

You don't care much for handling, comfort and overall driving experience, ha?
I enjoy driving my Citroën ZX (1994) more than I did with the brand new Toyota corolla (2008) I had last year.

The last Camry I had in Switzerland handled extremely well, was quiet and comfortable, with good insulation from the medium-hard suspension which gave it its handling qualities and I enjoyed using it with many 800 km trips.

My current HCH is possibly the best handler I've ever had: extremely good roadholding and precise steering. It is not the most comfortable, with a certain amount of road noise because of the low rolling resistance tyres, but it would be difficult to do 800 km non-stop on this island without getting the feet wet. But the raison d'être of a hybrid is low carbon emissions and it is more than adequate for the work I put it too, with half the consumption.

I do not like French cars: I feel too isolated from the road and they tend to wallow with soft suspensions. They may be excellent lounges, but I prefer cars that I feel the master of.

[TransformX]

My current HCH is possibly the best handler I've ever had: extremely good roadholding and precise steering. It is not the most comfortable, with a certain amount of road noise because of the low rolling resistance tyres, but it would be difficult to do 800 km non-stop on this island without getting the feet wet. But the raison d'être of a hybrid is low carbon emissions and it is more than adequate for the work I put it too, with half the consumption.

I don't know whether it's true or not but I've heard a lot of buzz about current related radiation(?) inside hybrid cars.

I do not like French cars: I feel too isolated from the road and they tend to wallow with soft suspensions. They may be excellent lounges, but I prefer cars that I feel the master of.

Italian would be the way to go

[Dr Mordrid]

I don't know whether it's true or not but I've heard a lot of buzz about current related radiation(?) inside hybrid cars.

EMF's, yes but everything produces that these days including electric motors. Levels are regulated anyhow lest they cause interference with other devices.

Ionizing radiation like x-rays etc., no. It takes at least 12,000 volts to do that, and to get really penetrating ones 40,000-120,000 volts. Know of any normal car gear that uses that kind of voltage other than spark plugs? Neither do I.