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If coils are your problem, and one is going bad, then guaranteed the others will fail shortly too. Might as well do them all and be done with it, if that's the problem. Especially if you're getting them replaced under warranty. Our car was out of warranty when the problem came up, unfortunately.
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Sentras were all four cylinder cars so four coils.
The thing to remember about warranty work is that dealers aren't going to replace something if it isn't definitely broken. They will most likely replace the coil that is definitely the problem, but not be willing to replace the others because "they might go out soon as well".
Re the warranty work, probably so about the dealer not wanting to replace something unless it's definitely broken, but I'd still try to cut a deal of some sort to replace them all at once. Depends on the dealer and how badly he wants your continued business, maybe. There may be an advisory from Nissan on this, as it's a well-known problem.
We replaced only the one the first time it went out, but the second time, decided we didn't want to go through this one by one business any more, and just replaced them all. In the long run, easier, cheaper, and less aggravating.
I'm real sorry the Stratus had to go back...I gotta feelin' the new car bug has infected the ole Sandman. HELP!!!!!
The Sandman
If you want a new car, and generally like Nissans, have you considered the Altima? It's a big step up from the Sentra; it's basically now where the Max was a few years ago.
For right now, I'm gonna wait with the Sentra and see what's out there for '07. I was planning on getting an '08 model anyways. The timetable might be pushed up a bit!
The Sandman :confuse:
My advice, if you can afford it, buy new. Good luck.
If it were me, which it isn't, I would try to bargain the 2004 down to the same price as the 2003, and explain why - that you're thinking of buying a lower mileage, similar Ody. This is assuming the 2004 also looks well-maintained.
If they won't meet that price, then I'd probably buy the 2003.
Are you financing, or paying cash? If cash, there's not a big difference. If you're financing, that $1,000 difference in purchase price will balloon to probably twice as much, maybe more, over the length of the finance contract. So for that reason, I think the lower priced, lower mileage vehicle is your best bet.
1. 2002 Honda Accord EX $10,000 60,000miles
2. 2001 Nissan Maxima GXE $10,000 59,300
3. 2003 Toyota Camry LE $10,500 46,000
4. 2001 Toyota Avalon XL $12,900 44,000
My priority is highway comfort. I plan to travel 340 miles round-trip every weekend. So which one is the better value? Wellcome suggestion for any other choice. Thanks.
But, if you main criteria is highway comfort, then I vote for #4 (with #2 a close second).
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Terry.
Only difference is I think the Camry is a better cruiser than the Maxima (in other words, the yota is more softly sprung than the max). So, best value = Camry. Best cruiser = Avalon, with Camry 2nd to that.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Also depends on how you like your ride. The Max is sportier and the Toyotas are cushier and softer. I had a Camry before I bought the Max and liked it very much. Only problem was one tail light kept burning out; there must have been something a bit off with the wiring but I never really sorted it out before I sold it.
Another issue is the sad fact that the ignition coils are a weak point on Maximas. If the one you're looking at has already had them replaced, then fine. If not, you're probably looking at a repair bill of around $600 or so pretty soon. Right around 60,000 miles is when the problem typically shows up.
Personally I wouldn't buy the Honda because Accords do not have a split folding back seat, it's all or nothing. I often fold down one side for cargo and have a passenger in the other seat. That's just personal preference, but you might want to consider that.
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5. 2001 Cadillac Seville SLS $11,900 68,979miles
6. 2003 Buick Regal LS $9,945 57,144
7. 2005 Chevrolet Impala $11,999 16,000(3.4L V6)
8. 2006 Ford Taurus SE $11,999 13,000
9. 2001 Nissan Maxima GLE $11,300 32,000
10. 2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS $12,000 26,500
11. 2002 Volvo S60 2.4 $10,900 73,910
ouch, too many choices, my head begin to spin :confuse:
Frankly, if you like the Caddy, I would take a look at Towncars and Grand Marquis. Cheap and reliable transportation ... although quite a bit thirstier than the Camry/Accord.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Yes, the GLE will ride a bit softer than the SE. It is considerably more luxurious than the GXE, as it will have leather seats (which hold up very well; mine look great after 6 years), and possibly side air bags and a Bose stereo (look for those as options on the car).
The GLE was considered just a tiny step down from the Infinit I-30 of those years. It's not quite as quiet as the Infiniti as the Infiniti's windows were thicker. Other than that, very comparable.
The SE was the "sport" version. Has a bit tighter ride (read, a bit more jiggly over bad roads), has (IMHO) a dopey looking spoiler, and the taillights are a little different, surrounded with black trim.
Again, I'm biased as I own one, but I think you'd be very, very happy with the GLE at 32,000 miles. There's a lot of life left in that car (assuming your mechanic checks it out for anything unusual, of course).
At the time, the Maxima was regarded as "the poor man's BMW" and "the four-door sports car." So, again comes to what you want - a sporty car (go for the Max GLE), or a somewhat floaty cruiser (go for one of the Toyotas.)
I think that you could do better that that price on the Buick Regal. I wouldn't offer over 7k for the vehicle personally.
I would only consider the Taurus if you planned to keep the car for its useful like (a long time) as the car will have little resale value as the 2006 model is a "fleet only" and the model is "long in the tooth".
I wouldn;t touch the Volvo but that is my personal opinion. I have had more problems with the Saabs and the Volvos in my fleet than with all the otehr vehicles combined.
But "better mileage?" My Max gets 27 - 28, sometimes around 30, mpg on the highway. Is the Impala better than that?
Yes - The couple of people I know that own Impalas with the 3.4 get 30-32 consistently on the hwy. I also know a few people with the same car, with the 3.8 and they get 29-31 on the hwy.
To take it a step further...I know someone that owns a Buick (larger, heavier car) with the same 3.8 (and 130,000 miles on it), and he still gets 31 on hwy trips.
I even got it above 40 mpg on one trip in perfect weather conditions. I bought it when it has 91,000 miles on it and sold it about four years later when it had 148,000 miles.
Way back in the day, back in the late 60's, my mom bought a beautiful light blue Impala, with AIR CONDITIONING, thank God, after a string of station wagons during the late 50's and into the mid-60's where air-conditioning was provided by opening the windows.
That Impala was the first car I got to drive regularly, and I felt so elegant, arriving someplace still cool and not all dusty and sweaty.
I was glad to see the Impala name brought back; still have fond memories of that late '60's car.
On highway, we get 31 mpg, in the city 26 mpg.
I second the idea about LTC/GM.
Drop your budget a little and keep the money for repairs - pick up a town car/grand marquis or even a Crown Vic - and call it a day.
If you like the limo-like ride (clearly a preference for a long highway ride), those 3 cars are the best sleeper deals you can find.
abfisch
Personally, I don't care for the floaty, mushy ride of a Camry or an Avalon but others may consider it a "better cruiser". It's a matter of what a person happens to like.
I would be gunshy of the Caddy for the same reason.
Well the Impala doesn't handle like a Maxima. Now that's no surprise. An Impala (or a Maxima) doesn't handle as good as my 85 Corvette but that doesn't surprise or disappoint me either.
Domestic sedans have a softer ride suspension that some people like and some don't. After you get used to the domestic highway cruiser ride thing you might just find that you like it.
A domestic sedan just isn't a performance car but they sure are comfortable. I'll take an Impala over a Maxima for comfort and for a much much better price.
If you just have to have that stiff ride. Put some stiff springs on and a stiff sway bar. That'll sure change the ride.
The Sandman
It may be off-topic, but it might be useful...
-Mathias
(Another non-typer here).
If i drive highways a lot, i would definitely take the impala.
Well a clicking sound as you are turning is the classic symtptom. Better get it fixed or when you pull in front of that Semi Truck your power just may go away.
If it's just a defective wheel bearing then either loud noises or a frozen (won't turn) wheel or a wobbly wheel are classic symptoms.
so far there r two problem:
1. it pulls slightly to the left on highway.
2. at lower speed, the wheel does wobble when I turn it in certain angle (close to straight ahead) and the wobble disappears when I turn it slightly to left or right.
could this be a bad axle?
I have a question about whether buying a new car or leasing a new car. The car I am looking for is either a Camry or a Civic.
The situation here is I need a car now but will not keep this car for more than 3 years. Buying a new is nice but I don't know if I can find good financing. To avoid any big-size down payment, leasing a car seems ideal. But the question is I do not know how long I will keep this car (the length of time is not controlled by me). I hear that the penalty for terminating a lease earlier is big. Do you guys know how bad that penatly fee is. Is it possible to ask somebody else like a friend to continue the lease before its termination?
Thanks in advance!
If you own your car, you can sell it whenever you want, keep it as long as necessary. You won't run into those problems of lease end coming up but the time isn't quite right to get the new car you will then need.
If three years is roughly your time span but you're looking to save a little money, you might want to look at a one or two year old Camry or Civic. Either of those cars should give you another trouble-free three years pretty easily.
Mackabee
Im looking to get a car that is 1-3 years old (I want there to be at least some transferrable warranty) and in the price range of around 20k plus or minus 2K. I am considering 2 types of cars, SUVs and midsized sedans.
The cars im looking at are the maxima, avalon, TSX because of big early depreciation. Also looking at the honda pilot, infiniti FX etc.
I would appreciate any input into what other cars I should be considering. Im going to stay away from the BIG3 makers on this one but am open to euro cars although everywhere I read it sounds like the cost of maintenance is a bit high with those. Im trying to buy a car with good early depreciation (TSX not good in this i know) but still with good quality. I plan to turn the car over in 3-5 years depending on age at purchase.
I hope I can get a great deal. Otherwise Im just going to have to buy a New 2007 camry. Oh and even though I like the Hyundai, it is not an option per the family
My wife drives a Pilot - it's a fine vehicle but the gas mileage is, not surprisingly, terrible (far worse than my Odyssey). Given the direction of gas prices, I'd think long and hard about buying an SUV unless one has a particular need for it. Minivans serve the same purpose with more utility at less cost.