-
TDR Magazine subscribers receive more than the magazine! You also gain additional forum privileges!
Details here: TDR Privileges
Subscribe to TDR Magazine here: https://www.tdr-online.com/
HELP! New Car for the wife?
- Thread starter JSmith
- Start Date
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.
Thanks, TDR Staff
the VW Diesel is a great engine, but just like Dodge Dealers, you will be hard pressed to find a dealer that knows much about the TDI engine. I hear it may be coming out in the passat soon.
Originally posted by JSmith
We went looking for a new car for the wife.
Looked at:
Avalon,Camry.
Altima,Maxima.
Passat.
Volvo 60?
Please give me your opinions on these vehicles if you own them,or have owned one or more in the past.
I am also looking for upkeep,how much.
Got the wife a new Volvo S60 for Christmas. Nice Car. We have not had it long enough yet to tell you of any problems. The last tank of fuel we got about 29. 5 MPG all around type driving. I'm not easy with the right foot when driving so I'm pretty happy with the mileage. We didn't get the turbo option, the engine has plenty of power without and I figured the tires will last longer without also!
Stan
Stan
The wife has an 02 Camry v-6. It seems to be a great car, but we only have 15k on it as of yet. It gets high 20's on the freeway and goes plenty fast for us although it did not seem as fast as the maxima we drove. It's an appliance, you get in turn the key and go. No drama, it doesn't do anything rude or unexpected, ever.
We test drove the altima and maxima before we bought the Camry and the altima with the v6 is quite fast, and more of a sporty car. It rides a little harsher and is a little louder inside. Other than that it seemed to be a nice car, but we only did the test drive so I can't tell you anything of any true value about it. The maxima also seemed sportier than the Camry, but once again it was louder and harsher. Neither of these seemed to us to be as refined as the Camry although I'd bet both would out-accelerate it.
I don't know anything about the passat or volvo, neither one interested my wife at the time and since it was going to be her car... You get the point.
Good luck,
Mike
We test drove the altima and maxima before we bought the Camry and the altima with the v6 is quite fast, and more of a sporty car. It rides a little harsher and is a little louder inside. Other than that it seemed to be a nice car, but we only did the test drive so I can't tell you anything of any true value about it. The maxima also seemed sportier than the Camry, but once again it was louder and harsher. Neither of these seemed to us to be as refined as the Camry although I'd bet both would out-accelerate it.
I don't know anything about the passat or volvo, neither one interested my wife at the time and since it was going to be her car... You get the point.
Good luck,
Mike
Last May I tried to trade my Volvo 850GLT in on a Volvo S80T6, but the dealer wouldn't deal. Long story short - I wound up buying a 2003 Acura 3. 2TL-S with the navigation system. It's in the same price range as the other cars you're looking at, but has a lot of content and performance for the money. Since it's built by Honda at the Marysville, OH plant, reliability is pretty much a given. Mine hasn't been back to the dealer for anything yet.
Worth a look, IMHO!
Rusty
Worth a look, IMHO!
Rusty
Amen
Amen to that. I have an older (97) Maxima, and it has had NOTHING go wrong with it in over 96K miles.
Nissan isn't as known for quality as Honda and Toyota seem to be, but my maxima has been flawless, a really exceptional, reliable car.
As for fun to drive, the Maxima really shines. It is either the sportiest livable car or the most livable sports car out there, IMHO.
The Maxima V6 has been on the Car and Driver TEN BEST list over 10 times. It has a lot of bottom end grunt, and GREAT scream on the top end.
A Maxima with the manual trans will show you 150+ easily with the speed limiter disabled.
About the only downside I can see is how much parts cost. Spark plugs are $12 a piece!! Then again, you aren't supposed change them untill 100K-- I just do it a lot more often to ease my mind.
I have always been afraid of Front wheel drive automatics, but the Max proved me wrong by shifting very smoothly and tightly, even with almost 100K on the clock. BTW-- I added a transmission cooler and synthetic ATF to it when I bought it with 30K on it
My Maxima has always been WAY better than it's supposed to on MPG. The EPA says it should be 21 city, 28 hwy. I usually get more like 25city, 33 hwy.
I have driven a lot of other imports, and I liked the Maxima the best. The hondas are very reliable, but blandly styled, gutless on the bottom end (all rev, no go), and seem to be designed for smaller folks. (I am a shade over 6 ft) The Toyotas I have driven, had superior fit and finish, but seemed to have a numbness to them-- it's hard to know what's going on with the car.
FWIW, Nissan is pushing the Maxima upscale in the market, and marketing the new Altima in the market niche formerly held by the Maxima.
If you want a great new Maxima, buy the Altima with the V6 and the 6-speed. You'll have a little money left over for bombs, too.....
HOHN
Amen to that. I have an older (97) Maxima, and it has had NOTHING go wrong with it in over 96K miles.
Nissan isn't as known for quality as Honda and Toyota seem to be, but my maxima has been flawless, a really exceptional, reliable car.
As for fun to drive, the Maxima really shines. It is either the sportiest livable car or the most livable sports car out there, IMHO.
The Maxima V6 has been on the Car and Driver TEN BEST list over 10 times. It has a lot of bottom end grunt, and GREAT scream on the top end.
A Maxima with the manual trans will show you 150+ easily with the speed limiter disabled.
About the only downside I can see is how much parts cost. Spark plugs are $12 a piece!! Then again, you aren't supposed change them untill 100K-- I just do it a lot more often to ease my mind.
I have always been afraid of Front wheel drive automatics, but the Max proved me wrong by shifting very smoothly and tightly, even with almost 100K on the clock. BTW-- I added a transmission cooler and synthetic ATF to it when I bought it with 30K on it
My Maxima has always been WAY better than it's supposed to on MPG. The EPA says it should be 21 city, 28 hwy. I usually get more like 25city, 33 hwy.
I have driven a lot of other imports, and I liked the Maxima the best. The hondas are very reliable, but blandly styled, gutless on the bottom end (all rev, no go), and seem to be designed for smaller folks. (I am a shade over 6 ft) The Toyotas I have driven, had superior fit and finish, but seemed to have a numbness to them-- it's hard to know what's going on with the car.
FWIW, Nissan is pushing the Maxima upscale in the market, and marketing the new Altima in the market niche formerly held by the Maxima.
If you want a great new Maxima, buy the Altima with the V6 and the 6-speed. You'll have a little money left over for bombs, too.....
HOHN
We also looked at new cars, and although it was not my choice, she loves her Honda Accord V-6 coupe. She works, she drives, so she decides! I've heard good things about the Hondas, time will tell. TimI am very partial to the VWs. The B4 (Passat) is really and Audi A4 for less $$. During warranty period, they are maybe a bit more fuss than the Japanese stuff, but infinitely more charactar and bit better technically. Long term, there is pretty good aftermarket support for parts and accessories because of the Audi connection and VW popularity. If you want one with oil burner in it, you must buy used or wait until the fall of 03 when the 130 PD (electronic injectors) engine with the 5 spd auto will be available. I couldn't wait so got mamma another Jetta TDI. What a sweet ride.
Pat
Pat
Originally posted by RustyJC
No go??
Acura 3. 2TL-S Performance Data:
R&T - March 2003
0-60 6. 5 seconds
1/4 mile - 14. 9 seconds @ 95. 6 MPH
Top Speed - 150 MPH
C&D - June 2002
0-60 6. 2 seconds
1/4 mile - 14. 8 @ no MPH given
Top Speed - 147 MPH
Goes pretty good for a 4-door sedan, I'd say.....
Rusty
that's not the little ±1. 6 liter engine in civics or the ±2. 2 in the accords. now an accord with the v6 goes good... but, i do like that maxima a lot.
I put a supercharger on my 99 maxima. I ended up selling it but that car could scream. I held my own against most sports cars, vettes could take me, but mustangs and camaros i had in the bag. I certainly held my own against sedans. I raced a guy in a caddillac with the 32v V8, he just thought i didn't have a chance. Well his 5000 lb monster sure didn't hold up very well to a superhcarged maxima.
The new maxima auto's, the 2002+ have really been improved. My 99 was a 5 spd, because i just can't stand automatics. My buddy bought an 02 auto and i was impressed. They really improved low end response and it finds the gear faster than most i've encountered. To me its the most car for the money. I'm trying to sell my wife on buying one for her, but she doesn't listen. The Nissan name doesn't sit well with many. The one bad thing i hated about that car was the transmission, that 5 spd with top o the line synthetic oil still shifted like crap. Honda/Acura make fabulous transmissions... i'll hold my engine comments.
If it were me and i had some dough, i'd get an infinity... its like the maxima but a bigger motor (340 hp V8) rear wheel drive, and overall a nicer car (build quality). But thats some money, like 50+K. For the money I think the maxima is one of the best 4 door sedans out there.
The new maxima auto's, the 2002+ have really been improved. My 99 was a 5 spd, because i just can't stand automatics. My buddy bought an 02 auto and i was impressed. They really improved low end response and it finds the gear faster than most i've encountered. To me its the most car for the money. I'm trying to sell my wife on buying one for her, but she doesn't listen. The Nissan name doesn't sit well with many. The one bad thing i hated about that car was the transmission, that 5 spd with top o the line synthetic oil still shifted like crap. Honda/Acura make fabulous transmissions... i'll hold my engine comments.
If it were me and i had some dough, i'd get an infinity... its like the maxima but a bigger motor (340 hp V8) rear wheel drive, and overall a nicer car (build quality). But thats some money, like 50+K. For the money I think the maxima is one of the best 4 door sedans out there.
agreed
Yes, that's not bad. Then again, I did say Honda, not Acura. Granted they are the same COMPANY, but not the same BRAND. I also owned (very briefly) an Acura RSX Type S. 200HP in a little car-- that thing was fun, but as I said before, it had nothing at lower revs. Once it hit 5K, though, you were gone-- if you waited until you got it to 5K. The 6-speed it came with helped the narrow powerband a lot.
An engine from honda/acura is a work of art in engineering and build quality. Consider how long a Honda engine lasts, even with rod/stroke ratios around 1. 5!
a 3. 2 Acura is a great car in a bland package. It's a shame that Honda's perfection had left the cars devoid of character.
The reason I favor the Maxima over the Honda is 1) my Max has been NO less reliable 2) it is just more FUN 3) overall cost of ownership is less, primarily insurance.
We have had many Hondas go a long time in my family. One Accord 5-speed went 324K, then we sold it. Unfortunately, late 80's Hondas had a metal bar in the seat surface that would make your whole leg have terrible pain after about an hour in the saddle.
IMHO, most of the big import three (honda, toyota, nissan) are ahead of their domestic counterparts in fit, finish, and reliability. It's too bad-- I would like to see American brands with the rep of the best in the world. I guess that's the hard part about aboutn being on top-- only one way to go. Proof that it's harder to stay on top than to get there.
hohn
Originally posted by RustyJC
No go??
Acura 3. 2TL-S Performance Data:
R&T - March 2003
0-60 6. 5 seconds
1/4 mile - 14. 9 seconds @ 95. 6 MPH
Top Speed - 150 MPH
C&D - June 2002
0-60 6. 2 seconds
1/4 mile - 14. 8 @ no MPH given
Top Speed - 147 MPH
Goes pretty good for a 4-door sedan, I'd say.....
Rusty
Yes, that's not bad. Then again, I did say Honda, not Acura. Granted they are the same COMPANY, but not the same BRAND. I also owned (very briefly) an Acura RSX Type S. 200HP in a little car-- that thing was fun, but as I said before, it had nothing at lower revs. Once it hit 5K, though, you were gone-- if you waited until you got it to 5K. The 6-speed it came with helped the narrow powerband a lot.
An engine from honda/acura is a work of art in engineering and build quality. Consider how long a Honda engine lasts, even with rod/stroke ratios around 1. 5!
a 3. 2 Acura is a great car in a bland package. It's a shame that Honda's perfection had left the cars devoid of character.
The reason I favor the Maxima over the Honda is 1) my Max has been NO less reliable 2) it is just more FUN 3) overall cost of ownership is less, primarily insurance.
We have had many Hondas go a long time in my family. One Accord 5-speed went 324K, then we sold it. Unfortunately, late 80's Hondas had a metal bar in the seat surface that would make your whole leg have terrible pain after about an hour in the saddle.
IMHO, most of the big import three (honda, toyota, nissan) are ahead of their domestic counterparts in fit, finish, and reliability. It's too bad-- I would like to see American brands with the rep of the best in the world. I guess that's the hard part about aboutn being on top-- only one way to go. Proof that it's harder to stay on top than to get there.
hohn
Comfortable, good milage, good $$$
If your wife is not into racing like most of the people here think she is ... my money would be on a Grand Marquis. For short money you can get every amenity conceivable, a very nice V8, good milage (upper 20's/gallon) and comfort galore with plenty of room.
What you can get for the money is amazing in a Grand Marquis, plus you get a very safe car.
If your wife is not into racing like most of the people here think she is ... my money would be on a Grand Marquis. For short money you can get every amenity conceivable, a very nice V8, good milage (upper 20's/gallon) and comfort galore with plenty of room.
What you can get for the money is amazing in a Grand Marquis, plus you get a very safe car.
Re: Comfortable, good milage, good $$$
My post was merely a response to a statement that Hondas are gutless. Numbers don't lie.
As a point of interest, I had every intention of buying a Mercury Marauder when FoMoCo was throwing around a pre-introduction price of $29,995. When it actually hit the showroom floors, however, the price had gone to $34,995. Therefore, I went with the Acura and got better quality, performance (check the numbers out), fuel economy, reliability and more content for less money.
That's what's great about a free market economy. We vote with our checkbooks. At the end of the day, ya pays yore money and ya takes yore choice.
Rusty
My post was merely a response to a statement that Hondas are gutless. Numbers don't lie.
As a point of interest, I had every intention of buying a Mercury Marauder when FoMoCo was throwing around a pre-introduction price of $29,995. When it actually hit the showroom floors, however, the price had gone to $34,995. Therefore, I went with the Acura and got better quality, performance (check the numbers out), fuel economy, reliability and more content for less money.
That's what's great about a free market economy. We vote with our checkbooks. At the end of the day, ya pays yore money and ya takes yore choice.
Rusty
Rusty is right
Just so no one gets the wrong idea, I should point out that an Acura like Rusty's is a totally different animal than your run of the mill Honda.
The 3. 2TL Type S is a flat out amazing car, especially when you compare it to BMW 3 series and that ilk. It gives you more refinement and engineering excellence per dollar than almost any other car anywhere near that market.
I didn't mean for a second to include V6 powered cars like the Acura in the same league as non-VTEC four bangers.
Rusty, just want you to know that I don't question your choice of the 3. 2 even for a second. It is truly an exceptional car, and I doubt that any other car under 30K is even close in the peformance, quality, and refinement.
BTW-- If you have EVER seen an Acura engine torn apart, it is stunning to see the quality of the internals. Drain the oil, hang it on the wall, and you have a work of art. Every piece looks like it came straight out of a Formula One car... maybe because Honda is so heavlily involved in F1 racing?
HOHN
Just so no one gets the wrong idea, I should point out that an Acura like Rusty's is a totally different animal than your run of the mill Honda.
The 3. 2TL Type S is a flat out amazing car, especially when you compare it to BMW 3 series and that ilk. It gives you more refinement and engineering excellence per dollar than almost any other car anywhere near that market.
I didn't mean for a second to include V6 powered cars like the Acura in the same league as non-VTEC four bangers.
Rusty, just want you to know that I don't question your choice of the 3. 2 even for a second. It is truly an exceptional car, and I doubt that any other car under 30K is even close in the peformance, quality, and refinement.
BTW-- If you have EVER seen an Acura engine torn apart, it is stunning to see the quality of the internals. Drain the oil, hang it on the wall, and you have a work of art. Every piece looks like it came straight out of a Formula One car... maybe because Honda is so heavlily involved in F1 racing?
HOHN
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising
Turbo Diesel Register
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising
