Nothing I will ever own will be better than my 88 Mazda 323.
I had 200k on the car with very few problems. The current timing belt had 80k on it but I didn't think it was worth it to replace it, so I decided to drive it until the belt went or it needed a major repair.
The timing belt did eventually break, at 280k. Car was trouble free until that point.
I still kick myself that I didn't get a new timing belt, I could have drove that thing until it rusted out from under me.
The Festiva is a Kia with a Mazda engine. It was sold as the Ford Festiva, the Mazda 121 and the Kia Pride. The latter two obviously were not sold in the US. Later the same car became the Ford Aspire in the US.
I have also heard that Japanese cars are no longer built for the durability they once were, but don't know if that's true of Korean cars.
kent wrote:
what about the Ford Escape Hybrid which is suppose to generate electricity from the heat/friction/whatever from braking ??
Flagpole Willy wrote:Whatever you do, don't buy an electric car or a hybrid car and think that you're helping the environment. The pollution just comes from another source, that's all.
To quote Dave Mordal, "The electricity comes from MAGIC!"
Regenerative braking is a key factor in hybrid vehicles also when you're stopped in traffic the gasoline engine can switch off until you pull away with the electric motor (which delivers peak torque at low speed) then the gas engine comes on line. Basically much more efficient in traffic conditions. The Honda Accord Hybrid also can switch off 3 of the 6 cylinders when idling, again more efficient, as I recall it also uses an Atkinson cycle too.
Legalizit,
Here's a website with a list of companies that make hybrid and/or electric cars:
http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byGeo/US/byP/ev/ecars/byB/mfg/mfg.shtml
Sorry to burst your bubble though brother, but the electric cars and hybrid cars aren't doing anything to help. Automobiles are a big part of the pollution problem in other countries where older technology is used, but here in the United States, automobiles are NOT a huge part of the pollution problem (I'm sure Pete will disagree). Pollution comes from many other sources, and in way worse ways than current automobiles.
If a large city suddenly had to be filled with electric cars only, the only thing that would happen is that the pollution would be transferred from the city to the outskirts of the city where the power plant is.
Flagpole Willy wrote:
Legalizit,
Here's a website with a list of companies that make hybrid and/or electric cars:
http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byGeo/US/byP/ev/ecars/byB/mfg/mfg.shtmlSorry to burst your bubble though brother, but the electric cars and hybrid cars aren't doing anything to help. Automobiles are a big part of the pollution problem in other countries where older technology is used, but here in the United States, automobiles are NOT a huge part of the pollution problem (I'm sure Pete will disagree). Pollution comes from many other sources, and in way worse ways than current automobiles.
If a large city suddenly had to be filled with electric cars only, the only thing that would happen is that the pollution would be transferred from the city to the outskirts of the city where the power plant is.
Locally in cities automobiles are an important source of pollution. An electric car fleet would have the effect you state, however hybrids are more efficient and will reduce fuel consumption and emissions, particularly in city driving.
Hyundai Lover wrote:
Where are you getting a new Acura for under $20k?
If you want sporty, you owe it to youself to check out the Hyundai Tiburon. You'll get a fully loaded V6, automatic, air, power everything, sporty wheels, AND a 100,000 mile warranty for under $20k. It's a sweet little car. Hyundai has gotten really good...almost as good as Honda and Toyota, and a LOT cheaper.
Why would you get an automatic in a "sporty" car? I've never understood that.
Flagpole, you have made a statement that was largely incorrect.
Go to
.
You will see that a major cause of NOx (a problem pollutant in urban areas) is mobile sources - i.e. automobiles/trucks. You can also read about the health problems associated with NOx there.
Pure electric cars would only shift pollution, you are corred in saying this. This was part of the rationale for mandating them in California - to shift pollution to less densely populated areas. Less people exposed means less of a human health impact. I am not sure if there are still requirements for manufacturers to still make these vehicles. Regardless, they are hardly a factor and will likely not become widely used. I don't believe any other states have had similar rules either.
Hybrids would help directly because they are more efficient. Better mpg = less pollution per mile. Hybrids are already out there in large numbers, and are clearly going to be a big part of the future of transportation.
There have also been federal mandates in place for some time for cars (you have probably seen Honda's boast for some of its vehicles that they are "ultra low emission vehicles." When I bought my car, the emissions information was displayed on the sticker.
The Bush administration recently finalized rules (the first of their kind, one of the few environmental moves by the administration that environmentalists supported) for standards for certain types of diesel engines (trucks, construction vehicles, etc.).
Ford owns controlling interest in Mazda and the 3 series mazda was engineered by ford in detroit. the new 6 series is the same as the five hundred fords and mercury - all engineered by ford. When you buy a mazda, essentially you are buying a ford, and vice versa.
Also , remember the geo prizm, same car as the toyota corolla - built in freemont calif in the 90s. If you find a used prizm buy it instead of the corolla and save money.
[quote].... wrote:
Ford owns controlling interest in Mazda and the 3 series mazda was engineered by ford in detroit. the new 6 series is the same as the five hundred fords and mercury - all engineered by ford. When you buy a mazda, essentially you are buying a ford, and vice versa.
Right. So I was always puzzled why the people who rate such things consistently rated the Mazda Protege as a better car than the Ford Escort. They were the same car.
Better yet, a few years ago consumers digest and jd power gave good marks to the mercury sable but not the ford taurus.
Yet they share the same parts, built in the same factory- only have seating difference and slight exterior.
.... wrote:
Better yet, a few years ago consumers digest and jd power gave good marks to the mercury sable but not the ford taurus.
Yet they share the same parts, built in the same factory- only have seating difference and slight exterior.
OK. Here's a good conspiracy theory about that. Ford wants people spending extra money buying Mercuries or Proteges. So they get the places that do the ratings to rank the more expensive cars higher than the cheaper version. My wife has a cousin who wanted to buy a "good" car her last time round rather than a "basic" one like she'd always driven. She wanted something economical and fuel efficient, but not something "basic." So she was perfect for a Protege rather than an Escort. I have an uncle who turns his nose up at Fords but has had several Meruries over the years. So he's got a Sable rather than a Taurus. And he reads those rankings religiously, as does my wife's cousin. I don't think either of them will buy a disposable pen without reading a rating someplace.
So, have you bought a car yet? I have owned 3 CIVIC's in a row, all the HX or equivalent, so can get 40 mpg in town, which I like since I don't like spending my hard-earned money in a gas station. I have not had problems, just do the recommended maintenance on time, and don't wait till stuff breaks.
Otherwise how about a Hybrid, new or used? That will be my next car.
Japanese cars are harder to work on. Everything is cramped. Keep that in mind if you like doing your own work, also parts tend to be cheaper on US cars. If you want a car that lasts a long time, a Toyota (or company owned by toyota) is usually a good bet.
US cars have improved in quality in the last 10 years. If I had to pick a car, new for under 20k, My list would go like this.
- Mazda 3, everyone loves this thing. Mazda has a good reputation for quality.
- Chevy Cobalt, they make a solid car, and it'll be the newest in its class, figure they'll make it good so it can compete with other cars in its class.
- Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, if you like sporty this is tough to beat. Fast, good handling, great value.
- Scion tC, pretty cheap, should be reliable, looks like an incredible value, toyota quality Scion lets you order the specific features you want on the car, lets you really personalize it.
All you Ford Taurus-loving readers, check what your friends have to say about the car. You can check almost any year for reviews. Car and Driver is one of the best websites around.
Go with the Acura RSX..
Honda Insight. Brand new, AC,CD,AT, sub 20k. It is the highest mileage production car in the world, expect 70mpg on the highway. Durability, well it will never rust because the entire thing is aluminum. The car has 8/80 warranty on the hybrid components. With the right tire you can get to 60 in 8 seconds and top out at 117mph (at about 40mpg). In many states you get a tax incentive and carpool lane access with one driver. The car does not idle when your stopped, so there is nothing quieter out there. Finally, it is just a very comfortable car. You wont beleive it till you try it. Finally if you like world records, it is kinnda like Kenesa Bekele. Most aero-dynamic, most fuel efficient, lightest weight engine, only car with vapor recovery, first all alluminum production car, fastest hybrid, it goes on and on, get one.
Honda Civic 4DR all the way.
Or check out consumer reports rating the taurus/sable a best buy. OR consumers digest. Or motor trend.
Lone Star wrote:
All you Ford Taurus-loving readers, check what your friends have to say about the car. You can check almost any year for reviews. Car and Driver is one of the best websites around.
Go with the Acura RSX..
The Acura is rated very well, but good luck finding it for under $20,000.
On a side note, the Taurus/Sable are "Recommended" by Consumer Reports - although not as highly rated as the Camry, Accord and Passat.
I bought my 2003 Honda Element with 3,000 miles on it for 18000 completely decked out. I love it.