Bill S
Thread Killer
Yeah, my 1998 Camry agrees. Good on gas, super reliable, never been stolen.
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My Hyundai car got stolen (Sept 2023)
- Thread starter Romeo Wolf
- Start date
Uuummmmmm, no theft insurance?
Im driving a 1996 Camry with 110k miles on it. Should have got one thirty years ago.
Im driving a 1996 Camry with 110k miles on it. Should have got one thirty years ago.
ConradH
Lunatic Member
Huge problem with that here. The laws are such that the kids can't be put in jail and just get a wrist slap. Everybody, including the cops, are frustrated. Parts shortages and the insurance companies don't want to insure the cars anymore. Just happened to a guy at work, plus they stole his catalytic converter a few months ago. Can't win. Sorry.
Romeo Wolf
Super Member
Basically no. Only thing the car had going for it was liability insurance, which means nothing.
So sorry that happened to you. I would recommend a Honda. Simply wonderful, reliable cars. For most people I would recommend a used Fit, but because you are a learner, I think you should get something a bit larger and heavier that will protect you in an accident. If you live where it snows I'd recommend a smaller SUV like a Honda CRV. The HRV is a wonderful vehicle also, really the perfect size.
Romeo Wolf
Super Member
I'm not really an SUV guy, nor do I want anything that large. But a Honda Passport would be one of my exceptions. But yes, it does snow where I live. In fact my mother's apartment is located on a hill, and once it gets icy, it becomes sketchy to try and drive up or down that hill.
as far as SUV's I'm also considering a Chevy Blazer/Trailblazer, or Nissan Pathfinder.
DeadRock
Ideas Guy
So...you are or are not "an SUV guy"?
Romeo Wolf
Super Member
Not an SUV guy.
...here's hoping you find what you're looking for!
Bill S
Thread Killer
This thread will probably go the way his, "which speakers should I get" threads. Lots of input and he goes off and buys some junk that doesn't work. Honda Passport 2018 and up are still expensive. Honda Passport from 1994 - 2002 is a rebadged Isuzu. Bad juju. You should prioritize your needs. 1) reliability/cost to own. 2) safety 3) costs to insure. Nothing else is important with a first car. Not a radio, style, residual value, nothing. Get a solid car that meets the top 3. That's all I'll say.
petehall347
the brandy coffee man
if that happened over here the insurance would take of everything and supply a hire car whilst its being sorted .
DeadRock
Ideas Guy
On this side of The Pond people choose to opt out of theft insurance to save on monthly payments...not always the wisest move...unless you're driving a "beater" (worth its weight at the junk yard, typically the equivalent of about 3 months insurance...or less)
I'm a fan of the Honda Fit - got a 2012 Sport - 1500cc 4 with a 5 sp. Easy on gas but can be zoomy if you like that sort of thing
(I do so I keep sticky tires on it.) Here's an old picture, right after I had the windows tinted, but its now passed 100k miles.
Most folks go for a Civic or Accord, so the Fits aren't as noticed and go for less. Kind of a sporty station Wagon - lotsa room inside!
I blacked out the front grill, the Honda logo and lower grill myself (The H needs a touchup).
My wife drives the Honda Civic SI I bought new in 2000 - its plenty zoomy but holds a high resale -
You won't likely find a good one cheap, and sadly, most were driven hard and put away wet.
(I do so I keep sticky tires on it.) Here's an old picture, right after I had the windows tinted, but its now passed 100k miles.
Most folks go for a Civic or Accord, so the Fits aren't as noticed and go for less. Kind of a sporty station Wagon - lotsa room inside!
I blacked out the front grill, the Honda logo and lower grill myself (The H needs a touchup).
My wife drives the Honda Civic SI I bought new in 2000 - its plenty zoomy but holds a high resale -
You won't likely find a good one cheap, and sadly, most were driven hard and put away wet.
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Bill S
Thread Killer
Heck yeah. Even a VW GTI would be a fun, economical hatch.
@hjames I own the same car. Mine is a 2013. Its my wifes car as she likes cheap basis transportation. My favorite part about car is its usable space inside. The rear seats fold flat or you can raise the bottom cushion from the floor. Pretty good greenhouse with small A pillars with good visability. That said the 1.5L is like a sewing machine. Not a real highway cruiser. Noisy inside at highway speed. Shifter is vague as hell. Great around town car however. Luckily when we hit the highway we all pile in the big cushy luxury laden Buick enclave for roadtrips. Big, safe, comfy cruiser!
Romeo Wolf
Super Member
I'm not saying I'm going to buy one, now or later. This is just so I can bring this forward and get some opinions, either based upon experience or speculation. I know a fair bit about cars, but I just want to make sure that what I'm thinking about choosing isn't "junk". This is an investment, and an essential item, unlike speakers.
I've been considering a late-90's Pontiac Grand Prix, it's a car I've admired from the internet for years and it seems to be the car that I'd be looking for, at least in hindsight. But again, I want to make sure I'm not ending up with a crappy first car. So here are some of my thoughts on the GP based upon Bill's three priorities:
1. The Grand Prix should be a pretty reliable car, especially if I can get the GT trim with the 3.8L V6 ((3800 Series II), or the GTP trim which has a supercharged version of the 3.8L.) which is technically bulletproof and should last forever given proper maintenance. The 3.1L V6 is also a good engine, but not as good as the 3.8L. I'm curious to know how either of these will stack up to a Toyota in terms of reliability? They do seem to pack plenty of torque, great for driving up hills like we do here in the PNW. My Elantra would be struggling a bit unless I really pushed the laggy accelerator.
The GP should also get decent mileage, about 20MPG city and 29 highway. Not as good as the Elantra, but passable. It's not like I care about having the most efficient car possible, but I don't want a guzzler either. I will be taking it on occasional road trips, but for the most part it's just going to be errands and commutes.
2. Obviously since this is a 25+ y/o sedan, it's not going to be the safest on the road by a large margin. The IIHS gave it an "acceptable" rating, which isn't great but passable. But it's much better than the aluminum land yachts which are basically death traps, or the trucks which have the fuel tanks located behind the bench seat.
However, on the other end of things, I don't want to become one of those lazy phone or alcohol zombies who swerve off their lane or drive slow in the fast lane (which an older car will deservingly give me the consequences), nor do I want a newer car with every single little bell & whistle to alert me while I'm trying to drive in peace. Even if they are safer. What I'm saying is, I want to become a genuinely good driver, and I have the reflexes and awareness to do that. But I don't want to deal with having a car to hinder my driving skills because it's so "trigger-happy", if that makes sense. The Elantra was perfect for that. It would let me know the essentials, like if the door was ajar or somebody's seatbelt wasn't on - it would let me know, but I would be able to do everything else at my own accordance without interruption. Meanwhile my father's gigantic Ford lightning.... that's a different story for another day.
3. Insurance varies from person to person and from state to state. If it's worth it, I would get the car insured...but I would much rather buy from an individual or private party rather than a dealer. Of course - making sure everything on the car is intact and that it has a clean title (no crashes or rebuilds or anything), and the asking price is reasonable for the time frame we're in and the region.
I've been considering a late-90's Pontiac Grand Prix, it's a car I've admired from the internet for years and it seems to be the car that I'd be looking for, at least in hindsight. But again, I want to make sure I'm not ending up with a crappy first car. So here are some of my thoughts on the GP based upon Bill's three priorities:
1. The Grand Prix should be a pretty reliable car, especially if I can get the GT trim with the 3.8L V6 ((3800 Series II), or the GTP trim which has a supercharged version of the 3.8L.) which is technically bulletproof and should last forever given proper maintenance. The 3.1L V6 is also a good engine, but not as good as the 3.8L. I'm curious to know how either of these will stack up to a Toyota in terms of reliability? They do seem to pack plenty of torque, great for driving up hills like we do here in the PNW. My Elantra would be struggling a bit unless I really pushed the laggy accelerator.
The GP should also get decent mileage, about 20MPG city and 29 highway. Not as good as the Elantra, but passable. It's not like I care about having the most efficient car possible, but I don't want a guzzler either. I will be taking it on occasional road trips, but for the most part it's just going to be errands and commutes.
2. Obviously since this is a 25+ y/o sedan, it's not going to be the safest on the road by a large margin. The IIHS gave it an "acceptable" rating, which isn't great but passable. But it's much better than the aluminum land yachts which are basically death traps, or the trucks which have the fuel tanks located behind the bench seat.
However, on the other end of things, I don't want to become one of those lazy phone or alcohol zombies who swerve off their lane or drive slow in the fast lane (which an older car will deservingly give me the consequences), nor do I want a newer car with every single little bell & whistle to alert me while I'm trying to drive in peace. Even if they are safer. What I'm saying is, I want to become a genuinely good driver, and I have the reflexes and awareness to do that. But I don't want to deal with having a car to hinder my driving skills because it's so "trigger-happy", if that makes sense. The Elantra was perfect for that. It would let me know the essentials, like if the door was ajar or somebody's seatbelt wasn't on - it would let me know, but I would be able to do everything else at my own accordance without interruption. Meanwhile my father's gigantic Ford lightning.... that's a different story for another day.
3. Insurance varies from person to person and from state to state. If it's worth it, I would get the car insured...but I would much rather buy from an individual or private party rather than a dealer. Of course - making sure everything on the car is intact and that it has a clean title (no crashes or rebuilds or anything), and the asking price is reasonable for the time frame we're in and the region.
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Romeo Wolf
Super Member
Honda Fits are nice, I would add it to my list. It seems in my area they go for around $4-8K? Which doesn't sound too terrible, unless I'm missing something?