Anyone here pleasantly surprised by the vehicle they bought/own?

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Anyone here pleasantly surprised by the vehicle they bought/own?

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:13:05 PM EDT

I have a 03 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS, and I have to say it has proven to be a reliable and sturdy vehicle. It has survived being hit by other cars, driving fast over road bumps, hitting curbs, etc without so much as a re-alignment being needed or major mechanical repairs.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:14:05 PM EDT

[#1]

VW Jetta TDI. I was a bit hesitant about getting a diesel. Love the thing now.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:14:25 PM EDT

[#2]

95 Impala SS

I wish it would burn or get stolen. Id settle for it getting totaled out in a wreck.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:14:54 PM EDT

[#3]

I have a 2001 Chevy Malibu that aside from routine maintenance has been flawless for almost 80K.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:15:28 PM EDT

[#4]

Almost 70k on my Isuzu Axiom, been hit 3 times each time for how hard it was got away with minimal damage.. no problems from it either really..

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:16:36 PM EDT

[#5]

My 2004 F350 4x4 extended Cab Power Stroke, Its a beast and quick as can be.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:18:10 PM EDT

[#6]

'97 Chevy Z71 4x4. 175,000 miles and not a single problem. Regular maintenance is a bit of pain sometimes but well worth it in the long run.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:18:28 PM EDT

[#7]

Bought a 91 Grand AM with 75000 miles on it for $1500. Paint looks like hell but it runs good. I being cheap and into guns will drive it til it explodes.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:19:34 PM EDT

[#8]

'00 Celica..

Been good to me so far.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:20:33 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
My 2004 F350 4x4 extended Cab Power Stroke, Its a beast and quick as can be.

+1, but mines an 05

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:20:55 PM EDT

[#10]

My wife bought a Honda Pilot. I really, really wanted to hate this vehicle. Right after she bought it, I took it on a 57 hour drive, towing a small trailer. I must say, Its hard to hate. The fuel efficiency is remarkable. It has great pulling power and a very smooth engine/tranny. Pretty roomy and comfortable, quiet too. I would'nt trust it more off road than gravel though.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:21:20 PM EDT

[#11]

1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL. Bought it with 189,000 miles, at 217,000 its still going like a Swiss watch. Dirt roads and stuff don't phase it, and its quite comfy. Its got quite a bit of pickup for a 3.8L V8.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:21:37 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
'97 Chevy Z71 4x4. 175,000 miles and not a single problem. Regular maintenance is a bit of pain sometimes but well worth it in the long run.

I ran 189000 miles on my 98 Chevy before I sold it, it was still running strong just a little hard to start in the morning.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:23:07 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Almost 70k on my Isuzu Axiom, been hit 3 times each time for how hard it was got away with minimal damage.. no problems from it either really..

+1 on the Axiom. Only mine only has 30k miles and no hits.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:24:08 PM EDT

[#14]

2002 Acura RSX type S. Not one issue yet and fun as hell to drive.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:24:30 PM EDT

[#15]

Yes, 1993 Chevy S10 4.3L A/T Long bed. Bought new in the fall of 1992 for $9,998.00.

Ran great, 22mpg, plenty of power. Drove it from Michigan to California and back at least 6 times.

Around 1996 wife was rear ended by an unlicensed driver. No damage to the truck but she had some back pain. State farm pais us 1,200.00 To settle the claim, even after we insisted we were not going to file a claim against them. Put the money in the bank.

Around 2000 a idiot pulled out infront of me in RAV 4. i got a golf ball sized dent in the front right fender. State farm was insistant on settling the claim. Our somn had just been bormn and i didnt have the time or energy to mess around with such a minor repliar. State farm gave us $1,300.00 to fix the truck. i never fixed it and put the money in the bank.

Around 2004 a drunk driver crashed into the truck whiule it was parked in the street. Mercury bought the truck for $3,700.00.

So in 12 years i drove the shit out of it, banked 6,200.00 in insurance settlements and only replaced the alternator, battery, water pump and rebuilt the trans.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:25:30 PM EDT

[#16]

Got an 05 Ford Taurus in Nov of 05. It was preowned, and I got a good deal on it, so I'm pretty happy with it. Then again I'm happy just sitting on my sofa right now, too.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:25:35 PM EDT

[#17]

I need to replace mine. Would be nice if something would happen to it, would get rid of that needing to sell it problem and get me off my ass to get something else

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:25:37 PM EDT

[#18]

VW New Beetle turbo

It's the second one I bought. Here is the first one:

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:27:26 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
I have a 03 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS, and I have to say it has proven to be a reliable and sturdy vehicle. It has survived being hit by other cars, driving fast over road bumps, hitting curbs, etc without so much as a re-alignment being needed or major mechanical repairs.

+1 on the eclipse. I have a 2003 GT, it's tough as nails. I was rear ended in the summer. The guy hit me hard enough to knock my hat clean off my head, not a scratch on the car. It did blow a reverse light, and oddly enough a fog light, though.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:28:36 PM EDT

[#20]

I remember the thread with those pics AyeGuy.. looks scary..

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:31:44 PM EDT

[#21]

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. About 76000 miles and few problems. My only beef is that this puppy runs on the hot side when pulling a trailer during warm weather. It's a known issue with those critters. The 4x4 system is GREAT. We have a place in the sticks about 50 miles north of Boise and this rig has come through time after time in nasty weather.

It has a 4.7L V-8 that typically gets 18-20 MPG on the highway (best ever was 23 between Boise and Klamath Falls).

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:31:55 PM EDT

[#22]

I purchased a 94 Chevy 1500 short bed P/U with a V6 vortec in 93. Sold it in 05 with 280 thousand miles on it. I needed one alternator, 2 water pumps and one AC unit replaced over 12 years of driving. Awsome truck. kept getting broken into though. Chevy Trucks are solid.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:37:19 PM EDT

[#23]

98 Pathfinder. Actually I was not surprised. I knew it was going to a super dependable vehicle.

Posted: 2/19/2006 5:40:04 PM EDT

[#24]

My 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix has been a great automobile. I got it in January 2002 with 8,200 miles on it. Now it has over 152,000 miles on it and still going strong. It was rear ended, no damage to my car, has hit a deer while going 65 mph on I90 and only suffered a broken fog lamp, total cost to fix of $135. No major breakdowns and gets 31 mpg on average. I have spent about $3,000 in performing mostly routine maintenance and tires. As get reimbursed for the milage I drive it on company business and almost all of the 144,000 milse has been company business, the care has paid for itself twice over. I would get another Grand Prix in a minute. Unfortunately our company has now decided to give us lease vehicles and we get a Ford Taurus. nothing against them, but they are no Grand Prix. I can't think of a more vanilla car than a Taurus.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:16:12 PM EDT

[#25]

Early Miata (Mx-5)

They get good reviews, but I don't know how much fun they are till I bought one.
Not much in the way of extras (unless you call electric windows and a/c extras)
Put extra bracing in and New shocks, decent tires, Not a fast car, but the handling is excellent.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:19:39 PM EDT

[#26]

My wifes 99 gmc safari. Over 300k miles and all it has had besides regular maintenance is a starter and a water pump. The 4.3 is a damn good engine.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:20:45 PM EDT

[#27]

1994 Ford Tempo..3.0L V-6.....bought it 97 with 60k on the odometer....repairs, 500 bucks for trans valve body, 50 bucks for a starter. It is at 170k now and runs great.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:21:57 PM EDT

[#28]

We have an F-350 Ford Van at work . Its a 98 model with the Diesel. It has over 560,000 miles on it and it is still going.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:23:24 PM EDT

[#29]

I bought my first truck in 1990 and I'm still driving it today. Chevy Silverado w/vortec V-6 and standard tranny. Just rolled past 300k last week on the original motor and needless to say I'm very satisfied.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:26:34 PM EDT

[#30]

2001 Nissan Xterra SE. Close to 70K on the odo no problems. Decent MPG. Great 4wd, no power house with the 3.3l 6 cyl, but it pulls a trailer fine and rides great.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:33:23 PM EDT

[#31]

Honda Pilot V6 AWD. I scoffed at the heated front seats until one cold day....

The third row of seats are OK, I actually rode back there once to try them.

I believe we got around 21 mpg on the last trip.

AWD worked fine. Good visibility and the wife likes driving it so I don't have to drive unless I want to.

Dave, the guy at the credit union who found the car for us owns one for his family of four.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:36:17 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
Early Miata (Mx-5)

They get good reviews, but I don't know how much fun they are till I bought one.
Not much in the way of extras (unless you call electric windows and a/c extras)
Put extra bracing in and New shocks, decent tires, Not a fast car, but the handling is excellent.

i26.photobucket.com/albums/c110/young-kiwi/dny-mx5ar15.jpg

At any point in time you're just one good shove away from climbing into the bell tower, aren'tcha?

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:49:35 PM EDT

[#33]

1994 Saturn SL1. The beast just won't die! 180,000 as of today. I bought it with 7,000 on it and have only paid to put tires on it and 1 new clutch. Pretty ridiculous. My truck get neglected since the car gets 40mpg and the truck get 15mpg downhill with a tailwind.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:50:43 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a 03 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS, and I have to say it has proven to be a reliable and sturdy vehicle. It has survived being hit by other cars, driving fast over road bumps, hitting curbs, etc without so much as a re-alignment being needed or major mechanical repairs.

+1 on the eclipse. I have a 2003 GT, it's tough as nails. I was rear ended in the summer. The guy hit me hard enough to knock my hat clean off my head, not a scratch on the car. It did blow a reverse light, and oddly enough a fog light, though.

Though, I must add, my sister has a 2000 Mitsubishi shEclipse V6, it is the worst car I've ever had the pleasure of eventually refusing to work on. Literally, she's put at least $3000 into repairs since she bought it less than 20,000 miles ago... I don't think it has more than 50,000 miles on it. It's truely a sad vehicle. Though, she's been lucky in that nothing major (drivetrain) has failed. So far it's only been damn near everything else on the car that's broken.

I bought a '94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham for $2300 with 120,000miles on it, I now have just shy of 150,000 miles, and I haven't had any real problems (with that many miles on the car) other than I replaced exhaust manifold bolts and my damned air suspension's pump keeps getting water or something in the plug, and it gets in the contacts and won't let the air suspension pump work. Best part is, I got around 23-24MPG consistently, until just recently, which I'm not sure why, but now I get 21mpg, I think it might be because the ass end is sagging and tweaks the aerodynamics, lowering my fuel economy. Though it doesn't sound amazing... keep in mind, it's the longest car since the '70s and weighs about as much as a half-ton truck (4400lbs), all while running low 15's in the 1/4 mile.

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:53:58 PM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a 03 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS, and I have to say it has proven to be a reliable and sturdy vehicle. It has survived being hit by other cars, driving fast over road bumps, hitting curbs, etc without so much as a re-alignment being needed or major mechanical repairs.

+1 on the eclipse. I have a 2003 GT, it's tough as nails. I was rear ended in the summer. The guy hit me hard enough to knock my hat clean off my head, not a scratch on the car. It did blow a reverse light, and oddly enough a fog light, though.

Though, I must add, my sister has a 2000 Mitsubishi shEclipse V6, it is the worst car I've ever had the pleasure of eventually refusing to work on. Literally, she's put at least $3000 into repairs since she bought it less than 20,000 miles ago... I don't think it has more than 50,000 miles on it. It's truely a sad vehicle. Though, she's been lucky in that nothing major (drivetrain) has failed. So far it's only been damn near everything else on the car that's broken.

I know somone who had a 98 same thing. Paint peeling off, body rusting through, all kinds of stuff failing. this was in 2001

Posted: 2/19/2006 6:54:33 PM EDT

[#36]

Not suprised...
But I am happy with my little 4Runner...170,000 and no problems...just get in and go.

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:00:11 PM EDT

[#37]

2003 Nissan Frontier. Only had it for 4k miles so far, I owe about 11k on it right now and the truck books at 15.5K I have pulled trailers and boats with it already I have had it off road about 6 times and have yet to get stuck the 3.3 is no power house but it has yet to let me down. Gas mileage sucks though, at about 16mpg

but this is my first 4wd I have no complaints

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:07:12 PM EDT

[#38]

1996 Honda Civic 2-door, no power anything, bought new in 1995. Now has 230,000 miles on it. Still gets 40 MPG, has the ORIGINAL clutch, no problems other than regular wear-n-tear items and the catalytic converter at 120,000 miles. Tranny, engine, suspension and clutch all fine. Never failed to start even in 0 degree weather, and handled the snow/ice covered mountains of East TN with aplomb. I hope to get more miles out of it for a while as it is my 80 mile-per-day commuter car. My house should be sold by the end of March, though, and it will be time to replace the wife's car with a Toyota RAV 4, and a little later I'll probably get another Civic.

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:21:37 PM EDT

[#39]

I have a '97 Wrangler and would do it all over again. If I won the lottery, I'd get it totally up to brand new condition and also buy a Rubicon.

I'm a Wrangler guy and that's not likely to change.

HH

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:22:13 PM EDT

[#40]

I have a '97 Wrangler and would do it all over again. If I won the lottery, I'd get it totally up to brand new condition and also buy a Rubicon.

I'm a Wrangler guy and that's not likely to change.

HH

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:27:31 PM EDT

[#41]

2000 Eclipse GT. No problems with anything. Yes, I have been pleasantly surprised.

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:32:53 PM EDT

[#42]

'97 Chevy C-2500. 305 V-8 A/T, cheyenne package, power nothing. Bought almost 2 years ago with 61K. Now has 70K, very little problems other than:
-fuel pump
-alternator
-air cleaner
-left brakelight went out today.

'05 Chevy TrailBlazer, Bought July 05. 7K miles. No problems whatsoever.

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:35:06 PM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:
My wifes 99 gmc safari. Over 300k miles and all it has had besides regular maintenance is a starter and a water pump. The 4.3 is a damn good engine.

My mom's 88 Chevy Astro was trouble-free mainly for 5 years and then my dad managed to throw a rod

at 122,272 miles.

My mom also had a 2000 Chevy Blazer LT with the 4.3. Damn good motor, got about 30K miles trouble-free minus a bad fuel-sending unit and a bad 4WD switch.

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:37:47 PM EDT

[#44]

My 2000 C5 corvette is quite a car for 23k. I'm very pleased with it.

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:46:16 PM EDT

[#45]

2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 4.0 litre, 72,000 miles and just paid it off this past friday. It's been a great vehicle with very few problems and looks sharp.

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:48:24 PM EDT

[#46]

I've been really happy so far with my Volvo V70. It's a 1998 that I bought used in 2000 - and I've put almost 90,000 miles on it with no major problems at all.

Posted: 2/19/2006 7:49:00 PM EDT

[#47]

2001 Ford Escape, 6 cylinder, auto trans, 4x4. 22 mpg when I drive well (below 65 or so). Hauls most loads I want, and has been UTTERLY dependable for over 80k miles (just turned 110,000 miles). Roomy, too, I 'm kind of 'laterally enhanced' and 5'10" and I fit into it pretty well.

Posted: 2/19/2006 8:10:54 PM EDT

[#48]

2004 Jetta TDI wagon. best damn car EVER. handles great, fun to drive. 55+ mpg highway

2002 avalanche. biggest piece of shit ever. by 30,000mi was burning a quart of oil every 2 weeks. dealer swore the white smoke was water vapor. then the complete brake system needed replaced due to bad master cylinder casting. cost me $1700 and i got GM to cover half of it after much BS. a month after i sold the truck i got a recall notice for the brake system. GRRRRRRRR