[Bemopti123]

This my first Honda automobile.  I didn't know they are so easy to work on and cheaper to maintain. 
Let's see, my son is 10 now so probably this car will last 10 more years then would be his first car. 

The goal for my Honda Accord 2001, to drive it past 200K.  Of course, I take it as to the dealer for its schedule maintenance tune ups.  One thing is sure about Hondas, reliability is king.  I drove mine about 10K within 1 month the first year I have had it doing cross country back in 2001.  Try that with many other cars. 

Not to make some enemies here, but Mazdas are strange.  They have some very innovative technology, especially with the Rx-7 itinerations, the rotatory engine, but other things such as reliability have gone up bust, especially in comparison to older models.  Can we blame it in Ford that owns part of the manufacturer?  Many Ford cars shared Mazda components such as my old Escort Wagon that had a Mazda transmission. 

The Honda Accord 2008 will be a sure hitter.   

[jon_010101]

The goal for my Honda Accord 2001, to drive it past 200K.  Of course, I take it as to the dealer for its schedule maintenance tune ups.  One thing is sure about Hondas, reliability is king.  I drove mine about 10K within 1 month the first year I have had it doing cross country back in 2001.  Try that with many other cars. 

Not to make some enemies here, but Mazdas are strange.  They have some very innovative technology, especially with the Rx-7 itinerations, the rotatory engine, but other things such as reliability have gone up bust, especially in comparison to older models.  Can we blame it in Ford that owns part of the manufacturer?  Many Ford cars shared Mazda components such as my old Escort Wagon that had a Mazda transmission. 

I agree that Mazdas are strange -- my '88 626 turbo has four-wheel-steering (fully functional after all these years).  At the same time, it's about to turn 200k miles with zero major engine work, and it drives just like it did in the 90's.  The new Mazda3 is nearly 100% japanese parts content, and for the most part it is Ford leaching off of their goods rather than the other way around.  Even the new Volvo S60 will be based on that platform, not to mention the C30 and S40.  I have faith in the Mazda 

[SET Man]

The goal for my Honda Accord 2001, to drive it past 200K.  Of course, I take it as to the dealer for its schedule maintenance tune ups.  One thing is sure about Hondas, reliability is king. 

Hey!

    No I don't own car. But, Levi and Bemopti123 I think you will be happy to know this.

    My brother bought a Honda '92 Accord EX around 2005 and the original engine started to give out a little over 180K miles

    Of cause he got the '92 EX model because he know that he could swap out the old engine with the Vtech one from the Prelude of the same year without any mod







    And my little bro still happily driving his pimped "sleeper" Accord.

   So, Levi and Bemopti123 with good care I think your Accord could break that 200K mark for sure.

Take care,
Buddy

   

[Porter]

I'm looking for a fun to drive, yet affordable car w/ decent milage. All the car magazines rave about the Mazda 3. They say the performance is excellent and the build quality belies the low price. Anyone here agree? Or have other suggestions?

Don't tell me to get a BMW 3 series. My girlfriend has an 05 325 ragtop, and I think it's overall one of the finest cars made. The balance between sports car handling and comfortable ride is hard to believe. But even if someone gave me one, I couldn't afford the insurance/maintanence/etc.

Need a rugged daily car, no frills?  Subaru Impreza 2.5i.
Need a sporty daily car, no frills?  Subaru Impreza WRX.
Need an elegant daily car, no frills?  Subaru Legacy 2.5i.
Need an elegant sporty daily car, some frills?  Subaru Legacy GT.

I think you see where I'm going here.   The non-turbo models make 30mpg, btw.  Quality and reliability are extremely high on all of the above.  Please drive one before making a car decision.

[boead]

I have been driving a 93 E300 Mercedes for the last 6 years. It just turned 193k and its in excellent condition, likely it will go another 100k without any trouble however, the car is expensive to repair and I'm afraid of loosing it to a major repair if I continued to put 20k+ a year on it commuting to work everyday.







So I bought a 2004 Acura RSX with 18k miles (82k miles left on a bumper to bumper warranty). I paid just over $18k for it as a Certified Acura Vehicle.




I’ve had it for a few weeks now and I like it very much. Its NOTHING like the Mercedes and I have to say that the Mercedes is built many times better. However the car drives nice, its very nimble and sporty. Still, I’ll likely buy another Mercedes next time. There really are only a few cars made that well. I haven’t sold my E300 yet, I have it for sale right now but I’m in no rush to get rid of it and if I don’t get what I want, I’ll keep it as a third car.

I drove a bunch of new cars. I also bought a 07 Civic EX which I didn’t take. A friend bought a '07 Accord. I felt the Acura was the best choice. It out handled and drove nicer then any of the Honda or Toyota cars I drover (and I drove them all), the VW is a piece of shite (but it looks nice) and the Nissan was ak as well as the Mazda but both the Honda and Toyota were way better then any of them.
The RSX has 160HP, 5-speed manual or automatic and gets 28mpg so far. Mine is a auto. The RSX-S only comes with a 6-speed manual, 200HP and gets about 24mpg. The RSX in Japan is called a Honda Integra, its not a Civic as many think.

The Acura RSX was discontinued in 2006. It still being sold in Japan as an Integra Type-R or Type-S. The Acura TSX replaced the RSX in North America which is really just a Jap/Euro Accord not otherwise sold in the USA. It only comes in a sedan and they start at $27k.

[wych]

My wife has a new '07 Mazda 3 5-spd manual 5door Grand Touring model. She likes the handling, looks, ride, sat radio. She drove Audi A3, Honda Civic Si sedan, Honda Accord, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Mazda6 and 6speed. What she really wanted was the Mazdaspeed 3, but the exhaust note is a bit too loud plus gas mileage and premium unleaded. Now that's one sweet handling car with power to spare! Personally the Audi A3 is very nice, but I have a VW Passat Wagon and would be concerned about reliability. TSX handled almost as well, but is more reliable. She settled on the Mazda 3. Hope that helps.

[Levi]

Hi wych,  this is your post:1  Where have you been hanging out?  Welcome to AC! 

[drphoto]

Thanks for the replies. Just to respond to a few post....I like the Mini, but it seems really pricey, plus it seems that short wheel base would beat the snot out of you on a long haul. However maybe w/ their relationship w/ BMW, they've solved that.

 Interesting that someone mentioned Subaru. I really like the new Legacy. First time I saw it, I thought it was a new model Acura or Lexus. It's a bit rich for my sitution, but I suggested it to my friend that has BMW convert. as a second car w/ more room and all weather capability.

I like VW, but I've heard reliability is generally poor, except maybe for the Passat.

As far as Ford's relationship w/ foreign makers.....haven't they improved quality at Jag and Land Rover? Not sure why Mazda would suffer from the arrangement.

I'm hoping I can get something fairly low milage for around $15K, and the 3 fits that bill pretty well.

One nutty idea I've thought about (though not too seriously) is to get a worn out Miata cheap and rebuild it into a street legal race car. I don't care about going fast on the freeway. (rarely drive above 70) but I love to go out to a curvy country road and slide around corners. I took the BMW on such and had an absolute blast.

[Levi]

The Subaru are good nice cars plus all-wheel-drive.  Legacy if I am not mistaken makes 14Mpg in the City so you may want to take that into consideration.

I like the Miata as a second car.  It also makes a good SCCA car!

You should be able to find a good used automobile for $15K budget.

[wych]

To Levi,
I have been enjoying Audio Circle for about a year now. I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile, but a "stereo buff" from the 80's. However, Audio Circle helped convince me to buy Klaus' Odyssey Khartago Monos for my Maggie 1.6's this past year. I thought my first post would help someone with which I had good first hand knowledge of.

[jon_010101]

The Subaru are good nice cars plus all-wheel-drive.  Legacy if I am not mistaken makes 14Mpg in the City so you may want to take that into consideration.

I like the Miata as a second car.  It also makes a good SCCA car!

You should be able to find a good used automobile for $15K budget.

14MPG ??  Certainly a bit pessimistic (unless you do some stop light drag racing) -- the GT turbo gets about 18-19 realistically, but the non-turbo (verrry nice car) gets over 20 very easily.  Frankly, I've never seen any less than 22MPG in my Saab 9-2X Aero aka Subaru WRX wagon.

In the $15k range, I wouldn't even have to think about it -- I'd buy a used Mazda3S or 6I hatchback. 

[carusoracer]

The new Mazda 3 is a great car. Very quick and comfortable.
I have a Miata that is the best car for fun with the top down.low maintenance and great city manners. OTH my RX8 blows it away when it comes to speed,power and more practicality. Gas mileage is so,so compared to the Miata. You do not necessarily have to rev it, though it does make big power all the way to 9100 RPM, you just have to choose a lower gear more often...

[Porter]

The Subaru are good nice cars plus all-wheel-drive.  Legacy if I am not mistaken makes 14Mpg in the City so you may want to take that into consideration.

Non-turbo Legacy makes 30mpg highway, 23mpg city.  Most people see 25-28 in daily driving, over 30 on long trips.