Need suggestions on a good DD for the wife

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
Long story short, my wife had a 2005 4 door 4 banger Accord with 130k miles that got on average 30mpg mixed highway city (she has a 40 mile round trip commute to work). She got into a car accident last week and the car is totalled.

Now my question is, what are some good other DDs that she should maybe consider to replace the Accord. My price range is less than $10k, so looking at 2004-2008 models, probably going to have around 100k miles. I liked the Accord because besides normal maintenance, I never had to do anything to it. So I am looking for reliablilty and MPGs. Also needs to be a four door. What do you recommend?
 
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Get a 2004-2005 VW Passat TDI and don't look back. I'm almost to 200k miles on my 04, and I've replaced the left front CV (100k miles ish), a cracked turbo hose (140k miles), and the alternator (170k miles). Change the oil every 10k miles, tires and fuel filter every 20k miles (I'm hard on tires :D). The ergonomics are great in these cars, power is fine, handling is awesome, and fuel mileage is fantastic!
 
And since I've got a little free time, here are all the ones from a search on Charlotte Craigslist with less than 150k miles and under 10k:
05, black, 105k miles, $7950 - http://charlotte.craigslist.org/ctd/4086766240.html
04, silver, unlisted mileage, $8999 - http://asheville.craigslist.org/ctd/4049764749.html
04, silver, 117k miles, $9450 - http://greenville.craigslist.org/ctd/4081595198.html
05, champagne, 138k miles, $9950 - http://asheville.craigslist.org/ctd/4066458125.html

But heres the one I would buy:
http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4070649508.html
05 with 218k miles for $9900, but its got a 5spd manual conversion, which would further improve mpg!

If you consider the TDI Passats, get a GLS, as it comes with sunroof, leather, better stereo, steering wheel controls for the radio, and heated seats.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Get a 2004-2005 VW Passat TDI and don't look back. I'm almost to 200k miles on my 04, and I've replaced the left front CV (100k miles ish), a cracked turbo hose (140k miles), and the alternator (170k miles). Change the oil every 10k miles, tires and fuel filter every 20k miles (I'm hard on tires :D). The ergonomics are great in these cars, power is fine, handling is awesome, and fuel mileage is fantastic!
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Thanks for the info! I have heard about the timing belts in these motors, are they a real problem?
 
BigClay said:
Thanks for the info! I have heard about the timing belts in these motors, are they a real problem?
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You're supposed to change them every 100k miles, but I believe thats true of many cars these days, but especially on VW's. I believe it was like $50-70 for the parts, 3-4hrs to disassemble down to the timing belt, 5 minutes to change it, and less than 2 hours to snap everything back together. The dealer will do it for like $5-700 or something, but I did mine myself at 110k.
 
my wife likes her Nissan Altima
35+mpg looks nice and very reliable.
also can get one pretty cheap used.

( these cars use timing chains not belts they last forever)
 
We got my wife a subaru outback last december. 33mpg highway with an awd system that can go from pavement to the sands of the outer banks without blinking. We love this vehicle and plan to always have a subaru in the stable.
 
I worked for kia for several yrs. I will have to say a kia optima is a surprising car in that vehicle size. when my g friend was looking to replace her car. I helped her find 1. I have my own dealership now and dont mind to help you find something when you decide what you want. dealers have several sites like the auctions we can look up vehicles. the only down side is. you dont get to talk to the p.o about issues. just a lucky pull from the hat if you get a good 1.
 
I got my wife an '09 accord V6. According to the paper in the window it got 1 mpg less than the 4 banger. But it has a ton more power. I love when that V-Tech hits about 4200rpm. It flat scoots like a turbo kicks in. Comfy ride. Good handling (for front wheel drive) and fits my 3 kids and luggage for a week vacation. Only complaints are interior stuff like the faux leather on the cemetery console armrest cushion is separating and bubbling. And the body seems to have developed a cracking noise. But it was a wrecked vehicle so that might be the culprit to the body creaking.

All in all, great car.
 
I have an 2007 Saturn aura v6 140k auto fully loaded if your interested

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