Car totalled - Civic or Jetta? (or an Altima)?
04-19-2003, 04:17 PM
#1
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 12
Car totalled - Civic or Jetta? (or an Altima)?
I hope this doesn't get locked, since I own a Maxima, but my other car (a prelude) just got totalled.
Now I'm deciding what to get, (this is actually for my mom).
a Civic EX or Jetta GL 2.0? or some other small/safe car?
What would you guys pick, and why? I wanna try and keep it below 20k.
Thanks for any input.
Now I'm deciding what to get, (this is actually for my mom).
a Civic EX or Jetta GL 2.0? or some other small/safe car?
What would you guys pick, and why? I wanna try and keep it below 20k.
Thanks for any input.
04-19-2003, 04:40 PM
#4
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 12
we already have a sentra, it's good, but we don't want another one. Thought about a camry, but but don't really need a 4 door since we already have the max.
also, buying used is too much of a headache, we're almost certain to get a new one, unless the models are more expensive than we hope for.
also, buying used is too much of a headache, we're almost certain to get a new one, unless the models are more expensive than we hope for.
04-19-2003, 05:58 PM
#7
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,749
Re: Re: Car totalled - Civic or Jetta? (or an Altima)?
Originally posted by K Pazzo 6
How about a Hummer H2
How about a Hummer H2
cuz thats under the 20K mark
If you want new, heres a quick list
Civic (not my first choice, but a reliable car nonetheless)
Accord
Altima
Jetta (eh, unless its the turbo)
Maxima
Corolla
Volvo S40(safest of the bunch)
Not exactly performance cars, but its for your mom...
04-19-2003, 06:12 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 699
Re: Car totalled - Civic or Jetta? (or an Altima)?
Here you go:
Honda Accord 4 banger
Mazda Protege
Altima 2.5L
Mazda 6 4 banger
Sentra SE
Civic
The Accord is probably the best all around - reliable, excelent 4 cylinder, roomy and nice interiors - followed by the Altima 2.5L. If she does not need the room, the Mazda Protege or Mazda 6 followed by the Sentra SE or the Civic, IMO.
Honda Accord 4 banger
Mazda Protege
Altima 2.5L
Mazda 6 4 banger
Sentra SE
Civic
The Accord is probably the best all around - reliable, excelent 4 cylinder, roomy and nice interiors - followed by the Altima 2.5L. If she does not need the room, the Mazda Protege or Mazda 6 followed by the Sentra SE or the Civic, IMO.
04-19-2003, 06:14 PM
#9
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,749
Re: Re: Car totalled - Civic or Jetta? (or an Altima)?
Originally posted by GimmeTorq
Here you go:
Honda Accord 4 banger
Mazda Protege
Altima 2.5L
Mazda 6 4 banger
Sentra SE
The Accord is probably the best all around - reliable, excelent 4 cylinder, roomy and nice interiors - followed by the Altima 2.5L. If she does not need the room, teh Mazda Protege or Mazda 6 followed by the Sentra SE, IMO.
Here you go:
Honda Accord 4 banger
Mazda Protege
Altima 2.5L
Mazda 6 4 banger
Sentra SE
The Accord is probably the best all around - reliable, excelent 4 cylinder, roomy and nice interiors - followed by the Altima 2.5L. If she does not need the room, teh Mazda Protege or Mazda 6 followed by the Sentra SE, IMO.
Eric
04-19-2003, 07:43 PM
#12
You want safe and fast for under $20K >>>>
I suggest that you get a used Volvo S70 T5, 236hp with a chip $300 chip it goes up to 290hp, or get a used Volvo S80 T6 which I believe has 268hp and with a $300 chip will be at 320hp. They are one of the safest cars out there, infact I thought that at one time the S80 was deemed the safest car in production when it first came out in 1999, very comfortable and most come fully loaded. 
04-19-2003, 08:31 PM
#13
Re: You want safe and fast for under $20K >>>>
Originally posted by JULIAN
I suggest that you get a used Volvo S70 T5, 236hp with a chip $300 chip it goes up to 290hp, or get a used Volvo S80 T6 which I believe has 268hp and with a $300 chip will be at 320hp. They are one of the safest cars out there, infact I thought that at one time the S80 was deemed the safest car in production when it first came out in 1999, very comfortable and most come fully loaded.
I suggest that you get a used Volvo S70 T5, 236hp with a chip $300 chip it goes up to 290hp, or get a used Volvo S80 T6 which I believe has 268hp and with a $300 chip will be at 320hp. They are one of the safest cars out there, infact I thought that at one time the S80 was deemed the safest car in production when it first came out in 1999, very comfortable and most come fully loaded.
04-19-2003, 11:03 PM
#15
I drove a 2002 VR6 Jetta tonight - I was sorely disimpresed. The thottle response is shaky, the shifting is jerky, it's already making strange sounds from the front right strut....and only 9k on it....I also noticed alot of power drop at high RPM - but I'm used to driving a boosted Max, so maybe that's just me.
It also was VERY small inside....smaller than I had imagined.
I liked the feel of the steering wheel itself, and the dash decor....and that was about it.
It also was VERY small inside....smaller than I had imagined.
I liked the feel of the steering wheel itself, and the dash decor....and that was about it.
04-19-2003, 11:13 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 355
Not sure what you're looking for, but if reliability matters, don't buy a Jetta. All 4 cylinder models have below average reliability in the latest auto issue of Consumer Reports.
Also, when they looked at the avg. # of probs for 3 year old 2000 model cars, VW was 2nd to last w/74 probs per 100 cars. The average was 55. Nissan got 40. The top spots were Acura: 21, Toyota and Lexus: 25, Honda: 32.
Perhaps you should try (in no particular order): 2.5L Altima, Mazda 6, Civic, Corolla, Protege. If your mom wants power but doesn't care about reliability, how about a Dodge SRT-4?
Also, when they looked at the avg. # of probs for 3 year old 2000 model cars, VW was 2nd to last w/74 probs per 100 cars. The average was 55. Nissan got 40. The top spots were Acura: 21, Toyota and Lexus: 25, Honda: 32.
Perhaps you should try (in no particular order): 2.5L Altima, Mazda 6, Civic, Corolla, Protege. If your mom wants power but doesn't care about reliability, how about a Dodge SRT-4?
04-20-2003, 05:40 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,883
Re: Car totalled - Civic or Jetta? (or an Altima)?
Originally posted by slim082
I hope this doesn't get locked, since I own a Maxima, but my other car (a prelude) just got totalled.
Now I'm deciding what to get, (this is actually for my mom).
a Civic EX or Jetta GL 2.0? or some other small/safe car?
What would you guys pick, and why? I wanna try and keep it below 20k.
Thanks for any input.
I hope this doesn't get locked, since I own a Maxima, but my other car (a prelude) just got totalled.
Now I'm deciding what to get, (this is actually for my mom).
a Civic EX or Jetta GL 2.0? or some other small/safe car?
What would you guys pick, and why? I wanna try and keep it below 20k.
Thanks for any input.
04-20-2003, 10:14 AM
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by cwerdna
Not sure what you're looking for, but if reliability matters, don't buy a Jetta. All 4 cylinder models have below average reliability in the latest auto issue of Consumer Reports.
Also, when they looked at the avg. # of probs for 3 year old 2000 model cars, VW was 2nd to last w/74 probs per 100 cars. The average was 55. Nissan got 40. The top spots were Acura: 21, Toyota and Lexus: 25, Honda: 32.
Perhaps you should try (in no particular order): 2.5L Altima, Mazda 6, Civic, Corolla, Protege. If your mom wants power but doesn't care about reliability, how about a Dodge SRT-4?
Not sure what you're looking for, but if reliability matters, don't buy a Jetta. All 4 cylinder models have below average reliability in the latest auto issue of Consumer Reports.
Also, when they looked at the avg. # of probs for 3 year old 2000 model cars, VW was 2nd to last w/74 probs per 100 cars. The average was 55. Nissan got 40. The top spots were Acura: 21, Toyota and Lexus: 25, Honda: 32.
Perhaps you should try (in no particular order): 2.5L Altima, Mazda 6, Civic, Corolla, Protege. If your mom wants power but doesn't care about reliability, how about a Dodge SRT-4?
I know many people who have had VW's period, with no problems. The 2003+ are actually the most reliable because they fixed alot of issues they had with them in the past. The 1.8t is one of the most reliable engines as well that you can get.
The vw is the safest car out of them all...I would recommend it for that. The civic is more like a tin can.
04-20-2003, 11:27 AM
#19
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 672
Don't get the civic. Rattles like crazy and road noise is horrendous. I'd get a used Max or Camcord. Jettas are unreliable and are overpriced. Tons of electrical problems have been associated with the Jetta. Consumer reports and some of the other mags that rate reliability has given a poor score to the Jetta so if you do consider it, get the extended warranty.
04-20-2003, 12:29 PM
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by EZ
Don't get the civic. Rattles like crazy and road noise is horrendous. I'd get a used Max or Camcord. Jettas are unreliable and are overpriced. Tons of electrical problems have been associated with the Jetta. Consumer reports and some of the other mags that rate reliability has given a poor score to the Jetta so if you do consider it, get the extended warranty.
Don't get the civic. Rattles like crazy and road noise is horrendous. I'd get a used Max or Camcord. Jettas are unreliable and are overpriced. Tons of electrical problems have been associated with the Jetta. Consumer reports and some of the other mags that rate reliability has given a poor score to the Jetta so if you do consider it, get the extended warranty.
04-20-2003, 05:53 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 355
Originally posted by RussMaxManiac
Yea just like how Acura CL-S / TL-S gets a high reliability report but we all know thats false with the trannys. Do not trust any consumer reports. I personally don't believe them.
I know many people who have had VW's period, with no problems. The 2003+ are actually the most reliable because they fixed alot of issues they had with them in the past. The 1.8t is one of the most reliable engines as well that you can get.
Yea just like how Acura CL-S / TL-S gets a high reliability report but we all know thats false with the trannys. Do not trust any consumer reports. I personally don't believe them.
I know many people who have had VW's period, with no problems. The 2003+ are actually the most reliable because they fixed alot of issues they had with them in the past. The 1.8t is one of the most reliable engines as well that you can get.
Generally speaking, I've found their reliability reports to be pretty accurate for the cars my parents and I have owned.
As for VWs, I've known of some people who haven't had any probs whereas others have had some probs (some major).
04-20-2003, 05:58 PM
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by cwerdna
I was surprised by the TL and CL getting good reliability transmission reliability ratings too, but I wonder what the actual # of people encountering failures is. Looking at people's posts on mesasge boards isn't always a good indication.
Generally speaking, I've found their reliability reports to be pretty accurate for the cars my parents and I have owned.
As for VWs, I've known of some people who haven't had any probs whereas others have had some probs (some major).
I was surprised by the TL and CL getting good reliability transmission reliability ratings too, but I wonder what the actual # of people encountering failures is. Looking at people's posts on mesasge boards isn't always a good indication.
Generally speaking, I've found their reliability reports to be pretty accurate for the cars my parents and I have owned.
As for VWs, I've known of some people who haven't had any probs whereas others have had some probs (some major).
04-23-2003, 04:49 PM
#23
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 12
woo hoo!! we ended up getting an accord lx.
We went and test drove the civic... it sucked. Tried the accord and loved it. It is sooooo smooth and comfortable, I'd ALMOST compare it to my maxima. For a 17,800 (19,200 d/o)... I can't imagine a better car.
One thing I do feel kind of screwed about is my lease agreement, $305/month 48 months, 15k miles. Does this sound like a good deal, or does it seem like I got shafted in the finance room?
We went and test drove the civic... it sucked. Tried the accord and loved it. It is sooooo smooth and comfortable, I'd ALMOST compare it to my maxima. For a 17,800 (19,200 d/o)... I can't imagine a better car.
One thing I do feel kind of screwed about is my lease agreement, $305/month 48 months, 15k miles. Does this sound like a good deal, or does it seem like I got shafted in the finance room?
04-27-2003, 11:46 AM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Car totalled - Civic or Jetta? (or an Altima)?
Originally posted by slim082
I hope this doesn't get locked, since I own a Maxima, but my other car (a prelude) just got totalled.
Now I'm deciding what to get, (this is actually for my mom).
a Civic EX or Jetta GL 2.0? or some other small/safe car?
What would you guys pick, and why? I wanna try and keep it below 20k.
Thanks for any input.
I hope this doesn't get locked, since I own a Maxima, but my other car (a prelude) just got totalled.
Now I'm deciding what to get, (this is actually for my mom).
a Civic EX or Jetta GL 2.0? or some other small/safe car?
What would you guys pick, and why? I wanna try and keep it below 20k.
Thanks for any input.
I found my wife one for 13150 with 45k and 5spd the car is crazy I sometimes want to drive it over the Max trust me you will love it jetta 1.8t
03-25-2005, 05:28 PM
#36
1 of few unmodded 4G Maxs
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Commerce Twp., MI
Posts: 2,828
Originally Posted by slim082
I hope this doesn't get locked, since I own a Maxima, but my other car (a prelude) just got totalled.
Now I'm deciding what to get, (this is actually for my mom).
a Civic EX or Jetta GL 2.0? or some other small/safe car?
What would you guys pick, and why? I wanna try and keep it below 20k.
Thanks for any input.
Now I'm deciding what to get, (this is actually for my mom).
a Civic EX or Jetta GL 2.0? or some other small/safe car?
What would you guys pick, and why? I wanna try and keep it below 20k.
Thanks for any input.
Here are some suggestions:
Mazda 3i or 6i
Altima 2.5S
Honda Accord DX/LX
Toyota Corolla or Base Camry
Sentra 1.8S
If reliability isn't your concern:
Chevy Cobalt
Pontiac G6
Dodge Neon
