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Commuter Car Advice

Runner 68 said:
Hey Steve, hey RC.

The reason I'm leaning German is longevity plus there are plenty of options out there for not much dough. Perhaps that should tell me something. I do all my own work on them and have found European cars extremely easy to work on because they are well thought out. My old Volvo has been the cheapest transportation I have ever owned. Paid $3K for it with 120K miles on it 9 years ago. probably have put $400 a year in parts on it. Still running and driving strong. Replace CV axle, 1 hour. Replace timing belt, with all the other crap, 1.5 hours.

The wife has a 4 Runner which is bomb proof which is why I was considering Lexus.
Thanks for the input guys.
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German cars run great for a few years, but when they get up there in miles, they will develop gremlins due to their over-complexity. I know this from experience with my kid's VW's, a MB for my wife and having 6 work Sprinter vans and I have now sworn off German vehicles.
 
Yea, the German cars get a bad rap because most people are afraid to work on them I think. I have always loved the engineering on European cars. No slam on the US but I think generally they're better at it. Afterall, didn't Benz invent the damn thing?
For the commute I have always found a descent used car and simply run them until they drop. I can't bring myself to spend the money on a new lease simply to abuse the car on the interstate not to mention I drive 25,000 miles a year so the lease isn't a real good idea.
After a little more research today I'm leaning toward the Volvo S60. Essentially the same engine as my 850 so I'm familiar with it plus they probably have the best seat design ever. Several 05-09 around here with 80K miles on them for $6K-$7K.
 
Richard Cranium said:
German cars run great for a few years, but when they get up there in miles, they will develop gremlins due to their over-complexity. I know this from experience with my kid's VW's, a MB for my wife and having 6 work Sprinter vans and I have now sworn off German vehicles.
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I suppose it's all how you maintain them. I have a friend who has a fleet of Beemers, that's all he and his family drive. He retires them at 200K. Most of the gremlins are the electronic toys that aren't needed anyway.
 
I'd say the GS or the E class.
I find the Merc is slightly more comfortable. (I'm 6'3", 230)
 
Lionized said:
I'd say the GS or the E class.
I find the Merc is slightly more comfortable. (I'm 6'3", 230)
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Thanks Lion, you and I think alike....I think. However after a little more research I have bumped the GS and my current top two as of now are the Volvo S80 and the Merc. Yes, I dropped the VV S60 and stepped up. Small fact, Mercedes parts in general are cheaper than Lexus parts.

It just goes to show you that opinions are like @ssholes, everybody has one. That's what's great about FBBO, lots of opinions and lots of @ssholes.

Thanks for the input guys.

BTW Mar, since you're a hard core 3 series guy, have you tried the 5 series? To me night and day. A gentleman of your stature needs to drive something more suited to your age.
 
Thanks Runner!

My first BM was a 545i (32 valve V8). and damn was that a rocket!

But, times are tough now and I had to move down-bracket to a 3. The 3's aint no slouch mind you, but I would looooooove to get back into a 5.
 
Runner 68 said:
Thanks Lion, you and I think alike....I think. However after a little more research I have bumped the GS and my current top two as of now are the Volvo S80 and the Merc. Yes, I dropped the VV S60 and stepped up. Small fact, Mercedes parts in general are cheaper than Lexus parts.

It just goes to show you that opinions are like @ssholes, everybody has one. That's what's great about FBBO, lots of opinions and lots of @ssholes.

Thanks for the input guys.

BTW Mar, since you're a hard core 3 series guy, have you tried the 5 series? To me night and day. A gentleman of your stature needs to drive something more suited to your age.
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You should also check out the Infinity Q60S. I know it isn't on your list but it's a fine automobile. Great stereo too!
 
Owned two BMWs. M3 and a Z3. M3's drivetrain was great! Bulletproof! Great power! Car drove great! But the issues outweighed it's greatness. I had about 60k miles on it. Both catalytic converters failed... twice! IIRC it was about $700 a pop for those plus labor. The interior was falling apart by the time I sold it. The headliner was starting to droop and the fabric on the A pillars and C pillars simply fell off! I was very prompt and timely with all mx and repairs, plus pampered the thing, so you can't fault my ownership. Next the Z3.. where to even start. Nothing but expensive problems with that thing. It would throw a code, and I'd clear it with a new tire sensor. Another code, now it's a mass O2 sensor ($800 IIRC). Another code and on and on and on. Door lock failed. It was a convertible and the rear window started separating from the top! On top of it all the thing was freaking gutless in the power department.. you'd assume with such a small car and largish engine it would have some power, but it was bleh all around. I'm glad the wife drove it and not me.

Recently drove a '13 (I think) M3.. the one with the V8.. wow was it disappointing. Chinsy materials inside, cramped, uncomfortable. The gauge cluster looked super cheap. They ditched a lot of the features I used to like on Beemers. Regarding power.. it was just okay. I'm not sure where they hid all that power it has on paper.. but it didn't seem like much to me. It was leaps and bounds worse than my old M3! I was shocked, surprised, and very disappointed, but at least I can rule that car out now.

So Marpar, that's where I get my personal opinion. Glad to hear you're having good experiences though. Never again for me. And I don't lease.
 
Lionized said:
You should also check out the Infinity Q60S. I know it isn't on your list but it's a fine automobile. Great stereo too!
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Yea, I have looked at them. Damn good looking car too. The problem with the used luxury line Jap cars is that there are not enough of them out there to choose from. And when you find one they want high $$ for them. Which I suppose is a testament to their quality.

Wish I could find one of these for around $20K.
one-77-1280-02_opt.jpg
 
Runner 68 said:
Yea, I have looked at them. Damn good looking car too. The problem with the used luxury line Jap cars is that there are not enough of them out there to choose from. And when you find one they want high $$ for them. Which I suppose is a testament to their quality.

Wish I could find one of these for around $20K.
View attachment 363363
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I hear that. You could probably find a mid-late 90's DB7 for 30ish.
Unfortunately this isn't included:

2PZ67Je.jpg
 
My daily driver is a 2011 VW CC, 2.0L Turbo. Overll it's a nice car, definitely above most "regular" Japanese brands in terms of styling and handling. I've driven most of them throughout the years. It was a lease vehicle, so it was used, now has 75k and still drives fine. I hate the turbo lag though and have no real emotional attachment to it. I can't say that I love it, but that could be because I'm just really attached to my Plymouth, :). My dad has an Infinity QX50, nice but I like my VW more. My next car purchase will definitely be a luxury brand (because it does make a difference when you spend time commuting) probably German or American.
 
I still have a hard time accepting that people will buy, AND DRIVE, foreign cars.
I bought a 2013 Charger for commuting to work.
 
Darthomas said:
I still have a hard time accepting that people will buy, AND DRIVE, foreign cars.
I bought a 2013 Charger for commuting to work.
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Don't they build these at the Brampton plant in Ontario? Furthermore, just where is FCA Global headquarters based out of?
 
I have no complaints from my Mazda suv but out of your short list I would not touch any but the Volvo that's the only car there that won't put you in the poor house
 
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