CARS & IMAGE - - lets have some feedback :)

R

RWattier

Cathlete
So we are thinking of buying a new car this year - what does the following car types say about you? Any feedback on any of the following is appreciate too if you have one....

2007 Toyota Camry

2007 Mercury Milan

2007 Ford Fusion

2007 Honda Accord

2007 Volkswagon Passat




These are probably my front runners.....if you think of any other good ones to test out in that mid size sedan category - let me know :)
 
This opinion is based on my experience, and the experience of DH who has been an auto-body technician for almost 20 years and knows the ins and outs of many types of vehicles.

When I think Toyota or Honda, I automatically think "quality", "reliability", and "high resale value".

I had a Honda Accord and loved it. It was a great vehicle. DH is on his 2nd Toyota pick-up truck. He would have kept the first one, but he had a really good opportunity to upgrade and someone who was willing to pay high book value for the truck he had.

I know several people who love, love, love their VW's, but DH isn't all that keen on how they put some of their stuff together, particularly the wiring he's seen on a few vehicles.

I had one Ford, I'll never own another. Since Mercury is part of Ford, I'll say the same for them.

For the record, I currently drive a 2000 Volvo S40, which I like very much. However my next vehicle will most likely be a Honda or Toyota.

Okay...I'm a car snob...I admit it. ;-)
 
I highly recommend the Camry. I don't know what it says about us, but our '96 Camry has 170,000 miles on it and has never had a problem. Gotta love that!
 
Don't know what the car types say about someone?

I have been driving a Honda Accord since 1999. It's a great car, haven't had any major problems (knock on wood) other than the battery dying every year (common problem in Arizona). Never had to call roadside assistance. I am at around 110,000 miles now.

I will be buying a new car this year, won't be a Honda this time around. I will probably get a Volvo XC90 or Volvo v70 or a Passat or Audi Hedgeback (sp?)/ station waggon.

I would absolutely buy the Accord again but I have dogs (a lot of them :) - 4 to be exact) and the Accord doesn't accomodate that very well.

Good luck!

Carola
 
I drive a Ford and can't wait till it dies. It has been a black hole in terms of repairs. Our Nisson Sentra has been a dream and when the Ford goes it will be replaced by a Nisson Altima or Maxima. Die Ford, die!

Cheryl
 
Love the Honda-I would never get anything else. I also think of higher resale value and it just looks like a smart car to me.

Good Luck

Lisa
 
I would defintely pick Honda. My husband drives the Honda Accord. Never a problem with it. It has been through a lot, it was shipped to Puerto Rico and back here to the states, when we lived in Puerto Rico, we lived acrossed from the ocean, I figured it would have rusted by now, but nope, still looks and drives fine. If Honda had made a large SUV , I would have bought one from them instead of the 2007 Tahoe we bought last summer.
 
I had a Toyota Camry for 11 years & put over 220,000 miles on it. It pretty much only had "wear & tear" types of repair, ie, new muffler & exhaust, brakes, drive belt, battery, etc. Never a lick of trouble really. Didn't buy another one just cuz I was so tired of the style. My very first car was a Ford -- had so many problems, I sold it after 66,000 miles and was glad to be rid of it. I've had 2 Nissans -- enjoyed them both, but they weren't as well built as that Toyota. Whatever you get ... enjoy the newness! Deb
 
I LOVE my Ford Escape...have never had any issues. Have driven both the Fusion and Milan and like the Milan better. I want to try the Edge next. I once drove a Ford Escort and got over 135,000 miles on it and it wanted to keep going and going but I purchased a Mustang instead and I still have it for my fun car. I'll never buy a Toyota (saw one go to the junk yard...YES...the junk yard, believe it or not and it wasn't in a car accident!). Also I know of one person who was in the market for a car and walked out of a Toyota dealership because she was being totally ignored. A friend once had a VW that was in and out of the repair shop all the time before he finally dumped it (I can't remember which model). The people I know who own Hondas seem happy with them. But I love my Ford!!
 
I LOVE LOVE lOVE my Honda Accord! It's pushing 10 years now and the only problem I had with it was a flat tire and too much dog hair in the back seat....so not really the car's fault!

I'm looking to replace ONLY because it doesn't have all the "new" bells and whistles, like CD player, etc. My neighbors are lining up to buy it for their teenagers - it's a great car.

Good luck!
 
>This opinion is based on my experience, and the experience of
>DH who has been an auto-body technician for almost 20 years
>and knows the ins and outs of many types of vehicles.
>
>When I think Toyota or Honda, I automatically think "quality",
>"reliability", and "high resale value".
>
>I had a Honda Accord and loved it. It was a great vehicle. DH
>is on his 2nd Toyota pick-up truck. He would have kept the
>first one, but he had a really good opportunity to upgrade and
>someone who was willing to pay high book value for the truck
>he had.
>
>I know several people who love, love, love their VW's, but DH
>isn't all that keen on how they put some of their stuff
>together, particularly the wiring he's seen on a few
>vehicles.
>
>I had one Ford, I'll never own another. Since Mercury is part
>of Ford, I'll say the same for them.
>
>For the record, I currently drive a 2000 Volvo S40, which I
>like very much. However my next vehicle will most likely be a
>Honda or Toyota.
>
>Okay...I'm a car snob...I admit it. ;-)

I agree 100% with everything Gayle said! I drive a Honda Civic and LOVE it. I've driven Ford and Mercury and the quality was so substandard, that I refuse to buy those brands ever again. My next car will likely be a Toyota. VW's are cute, but they have a lot of quality problems too.

I'm a car snob too, I guess. ;-)
 
Sounds interesting. . .Toyota and HOnda definitely get good reviews as far as reliability goes -)

We looked at a few Camry's last night, and it seems like price ranges from 20,000 to just over 30,000 which seems like a huge price variance to me......will have to see if those options are really worth it.

I have a Ford Escort right now too - its got over 135,000 miles on it - had some minor probs - but my one door in the back won't open anymore because the lock is broke, there is a scratch on the front (visible) and the shocks need to be replaced - I have had it for 8 years so its has seen better days......;)

I am very excited! I might check online and look at the Volvo's I have never even though about those vehicles - - probably not in my price range though?
 
As far as image - this is what I mean...


When I think of the Dodge Charger - I think of someone who is really independent and take charge driving that vehicle, probably single....

When I think of the Volkswagon Bug - I think of a spoiled little girl driving around (no offense to anyone)

When I think of a Lexus car or suv - I think of someone who is well off, likes people to know they are well off but not too showy

When I think of the Toyota Camry - I think of a pracitical car, someone maybe conservative living in the suberbs...

Those are just images that come to mind - - for some reason I want my next vehicle purchase to reflect who I am...(and yes I have lots of time on my hands today - LOL )

I see myself as practical, independent, environmentally concerned (so no big suv - even if they would be sweet to have), and a little fun :)
 
my 10 year old camry has never been in the shop!! i am currently considering the 07 Altima..great new body style..or i amy do a small suv..love the redesigned crv..very cool!!! my DH is buying a saturn Aura
 
my 10 year old camry has never been in the shop!! i am currently considering the 07 Altima..great new body style..or i may do a small suv..love the redesigned crv..very cool!!! my DH is buying a saturn Aura
 
My DH likes to buy American, and we've never had any issues with our American cars, except for the Fords! We had one and will never buy another one again.

Most Japanese cars are well made with good safety and reliability records. An interesting find we noticed when shopping for a car for my mom, very few Japanese cars have anti-lock brakes as a standard feature. You usually have to pay extra if you want it.

IMO, and DH's, stay away from European cars! Esp. VW's. They aren't reliable and they'll hose you for parts. I know several people who own Volvos and VW's and never leave the garage without spending mucho $$$$!
 
It has been our experience that foreign cars outlast the traditional "American" cars like Ford, Chevy, etc. every time!

I have a 1999 Mazda Millenia with 153,000 miles on it and have never had a bit of trouble out of it. It's still going strong, and I refuse to replace it until it dies. It looks brand new!

We just traded in a 2003 Chevy S-10 with about 100,000 miles on it and it was a lemon the whole time we owned it. We replaced it with a Toyota Tacoma.

We also have a 2006 Lexus IS 350 that is a dream. We intend to have this car around for many many years.
 
>
>IMO, and DH's, stay away from European cars! Esp. VW's. They
>aren't reliable and they'll hose you for parts. I know
>several people who own Volvos and VW's and never leave the
>garage without spending mucho $$$$!
>
>

I would have to agree (no offense to ANYONE!!)...I drive an Audi and it is a NIGHTMARE when it needs to go in for service..which seems to be pretty frequently as of lately. The parts are outrageous. For example, I just had to replace the wheel bearing (sp?) and the repair cost almost $400...the mechanic said on a Honda or Toyota, the same repair would have been about $150.

My next car will NOT be a European one...unfortunately because I love 'em!
 
Consumer Reports (April 2007) is the car issue to read and confirm plus I am thinking about buying new too. As everyone mentioned, Toyota and Honda are rated real high. My choice is a 2007 Honda Civic LX Sdn in Hunter Green or Midnight Blue.
Right now, I am driving a VW Jetta GL '95 and I've had problems with it,not in the past 6 months now, and only because I found a mechanic that does only VWs, my expensive repairs have been bearable.
My Jetta is quite fast and quick considering it's age. It has a kick butt stereo with seperate alarm system with 8 speakers. Two speed intermittent wipers, Cruise, air. Even though it's old, it looks good. And, it is Red.
Can't speak much about Ford, I haven't driven one since my family went off the A-plan.

Have fun test driving!
 
I'm don't where you live, but if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow, I would recommend checking out a Subaru as well. I know that Honda and Toyota are both highly recommended and really good vehicles, but I am on my third Subaru and absolutely LOVE it! I have a Subaru Legacy Outback and it is great in the snow (it comes with all wheel drive as a standard feature). My family skiis, so it is nice to have the all wheel drive and safely get to the ski slope when we want to go! Whatever you choose - good luck with your new purchase!
 
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