New car choices - maintenance costs?

2wheelsx2

2wheelsx2

New member
Seeing all these threads on news cars and the comments people have been making has made me curious. My new wife needs a new car. She is currently driving a Hyundai Accent (need I say more? :))



So my budget is quite flexible, since we are DINKS. I am thinking a fairly new second hand car, or a modestly priced new car. However, my main concern is maintenance costs. I have read several posts on how VW's have higher maintenance costs than Japanese cars, and I know how Bimmers and Mercedes are quite exorbitant.



Having said this. the cars I am considering are all 4 door sedans. Criteria is that they have 4 doors, but are quite compact, offer either Tiptronic or manual tranny (no full autos, but my wife is not sure she wants a stick in the city). It can be AWD, FWD, or RWD.



The candidates are:



Used:

Lexus IS300

BMW 3 series

Audi A4



New:

VW Jetta

Mazda 6

Subura WRX



Can the folks who have or know these cars give us an idea of the relative maintenance costs?



BTW, before everyone pipes up and says we have no Acuras and Hondas in there, nor Nissans, I will admit that my wife and I both acknowledge that Honda makes great cars, but for some reason, neither of us wants to own one. We prefer Toyotas when it comes to Japanese cars. And we didn't pick Nissan because all the more upscale 4 door sedans are too large for her, and we don't like the Sentra.
 
I'd say go with the BMW or Lexus. Both are great vehicles and will last a long time. As far as maintence they should be really close , I drive a 01 Toyota Tacoma and a friend of mine drives a 99 3 series , and our maintence cost have been about the same.
 
Really? The 3 series maintenance costs are that low? Or were your Tacoma's costs high? I drove an '89 Toyota 2WD 1/4 ton pickup SR5V6 for 12 years, and all it cost me were 4 sets of tires, oil changes, one set of front brake pads, new shocks, and 2 tuneups. Never even did the timing belt. No maintenance cost to speak of. That's why I am still partial to Toyota's.
 
Since I have one. Great car (handling acceleration etc) I haven't had a problem with it yet. Built very solid and safe so my insurance rates were suprisingly low. Someone backed into me while I was driving and the car hardly flinched.



If you get a new car you still have the warrenty; used someone else swallows the depreciation. Your choice although it is hard to argue with a BMW
 
2wheelsx2 said:
Really? The 3 series maintenance costs are that low? Or were your Tacoma's costs high? I drove an '89 Toyota 2WD 1/4 ton pickup SR5V6 for 12 years, and all it cost me were 4 sets of tires, oil changes, one set of front brake pads, new shocks, and 2 tuneups. Never even did the timing belt. No maintenance cost to speak of. That's why I am still partial to Toyota's.
Click to expand...



Thats what I am saying! Toyota rules!



I vote Lexus all the way!
 
The worse car (maintance wise) was a BMW 328 I . In 55 K mles it was in the BMW service shop about 70 times for different things. Most were check engine light. After the warrenty ran out I could not afford to keep the car. It drove like a dream.

I went back to Acuras and have had no problems. I now have an o3 TL-s and it is great!;)
 
Yeah, I like the TL-S too, but it's a bit large for what my wife wants. The CL-S is the right size, but it's two doors, and I don't like the look of them as much.



So far, it looks like Lexus to me.
 
Well I have 3 BMWs so you can guess what my vote will be for.

:)



I have never had a major problem with any of them. The 94 325is has not had anything break in over a year. As long as you find someone selling one who cares about the car, you will be fine.

Just get it checked out by a mechanic you trust, or at least a reputable BMW mechanic.
 
I would rule out the Jetta and the A4 due to cost and reliability. The BMW 3 series is a good choice but keep in mind that it will cost more to maintain than the Lexus by a bit. Bimmers tend to not have anything major go wrong (unless you include some M3 engines blowing up) but seem to have more small annoying electrical things go wrong like dash lights, power windows that don't close all the way, climate control malfunction, etc. In terms of performance, the BMW is the way to go though the newer Lexus IS300 is pretty good as is the Subaru Impreza WRX, which is basically a street legal rally car.



The new Mazda 6 is getting rave reviews though and you get a new car warranty. It was the TSN Motoring 2003 car of the year, if you put any weight to such type of awards.



I guess it really depends on what your wife intends to do with the car ie. does she want a bullet proof daily grocery getter with low maintenance or a performance oriented vehicle?
 
On that list? Easy, the Mazda 6.



My brother has had 3 Mazda 626s (and if his wife wasn't expecting in late August, he'd be getting number 4), including a 1988 Mazda 626 GT turbo that he put 215,000 miles on the original transmission, engine and turbo and the car still went like stink. He's had no major problems with any of them.



Besides, the Mazda 6 is a great looking car and the 5 speed V6 version runs low 15's at 93-94 in the quartermile. Even the 4 speed automatic runs mid 16's.
 
Yeah, I had not thought about the Mazda much because I have a '97 626. I had some brake problems (all four caliper sliders were seized up) at about 90,000km, but it was a lease return from up north that I purchased used for a great price because it is a 5 speed.



I find the car a little boring except for the engine (I have the 2.0 L V6), mostly because of the styling. However, I really like the looks of the new one.



Yeah, I was thinking that the Jetta might be as expensive as the A4 to maintain. I might have to look hard at the IS300 (used) or a new 6.



The dilemma I am having is that my wife would like a good looking reliable grocery getter (women all care about looks) and I would like one that performs well, as that would be our weekend car.



Oh well, I guess I can get the one she wants and hold out for a new sports car for me! :)



Anyway, I think you have a good point Scottwax. I think I have it narrowed down to a used IS300, the new 6, or a new Jetta, depending on what she likes. I know that she likes the Jetta the best, although that may change when we drive them later this year. Thanks, guys.



Oh, one more question for you Scottwax. You mention in one of the other threads about Toyotas not having a problem with destroying the valves if the timing belt goes, but Honda having that problem. What about the 6?
 
2wheelsx2-I am almost 100% positive the V6 in the Mazda 6 will have a timing chain that should last the useful life of the car. I don't know about the I4 though. A quick call to your Mazda dealer should give you the information you need though.



Other than the turbo 4, the other 2 626s my brother had were V6s. The 93 (5 speed) was pretty quick and ultra smooth and pulled to 7000 rpm. His current 626 (between the 93 and the 99, he had a 96 Accord EX and a 94 Infiniti Q45 and went back to Mazda) has the V6 and automatic. While the engine is smooth and pulls to 7000 rpm like the 5 speed version, it just doesn't feel as strong as the 5 speed.



I seriously considered a 626 when I bought my Honda, but the aftermarket doesn't support Mazda the way they support Honda and I cannot stand driving a totally stock car. I always have to do something to the engine. The new Mazda 6 is a car I could live with in stock form (once I drop it an inch or so and bolt on much larger anti-roll bars....cold air intake and aftermarket exhaust that is!).
 
Thanks, Scott! I'll find out. My car just turned over 100,000 km and I was going to have the timing belt done.



I'll update you guys when we start looking at the cars as to how it's working out.
 
Scott...I just talked to the local Mazda dealer, and he told me that the timing belt should be replaced at 96,000 km, which is about 60,000 miles. Sounds a bit low to me. I guess I had better look into this.
 
My vote is for a 3 series BMW, specifically a '00 328i or 328Ci. I will have owned my car 3 years come Feb. 15th. I've driven it almost 50k miles and have spent $0 on maintenance, outside of oil changes. Of course, being inside the warranty period could explain why I haven't spent any money. I have had one problem that would have been costly to repair. I had to have some valve lifters replaced because of a lifter failure. Most likely only 1 failed, but the replaced 4 of them because the tech could only narrow the tapping sound down to the #1 and #2 cylinders. My problem was kind of rare, and that was 2 1/2 years ago and no problems since. For me, my car is as close to perfect as I could ask for. I love driving it as much today as I did 3 years ago and I've never been able to say that about any other car I ever had before, even my '97 M3. Another thing about BMWs, after spend some time in one, you come to appreciate the thought and engineering BMW puts into their cars.
 
I love my IS300. It is a joy to drive, city, highway, or backroads. You can find new ones for just under $30k with everything but navigation, manual or auto. I have the manual and wouldn't want it any other way. I have not had nor expect any major issues with my car which I plan to keep until it no longer is worth fixing. You said this is for your wife, but take it for a test drive. The steering, brakes, shifter are one of the best I have driven (better than the last 3-Series I have driven). And no one argues with the smooth I6, except wishing for a little more power.



I don't expect everyone to like it, but it you are a driver, you'll like it.
 
I must put in a good word for the Jetta. The only problem I have had with mine is the Diverter Valve. The stock ones are crap. My total out of pocket maintenance has been less then $50 for the inspection and a new wiper blade.

My only reservation with the Jetta is that you can only get the 6 speed with the VR-6 and I like the 1.8t plus it isn't cheap I got a good price on mine.
 
APT, you don't have to convince me. I love it. I've had my eye on a blue one for some time. I was just waiting for a 5 speed. It's a bit underpowered compared to the Altima and G35, but it still hauls. I like the fact that it is rear wheel drive, just like a sports car. I am old school, and react better to RWD. However, my wife doesn't care about performance as much as I do, and the sticker price is pushing the high end of my range (new one is about $47k in Canada - so $30k US). I would be more comfortable with a new or used car costing no more than $42 - $43 k Cdn. But that's why I have been looking at used ones. I can get a low mileage '01 or '02 for my price range. The only thing is to find the right colour and condition.



But I am keeping an open mind, and driving a few. But I just don't want to wasting a lot of time trying cars that I can't afford.
 
If you don't mind waiting a bit, the Acura TSX might be a good alternative. It's based on the European Accord. It has the same 200hp I-4 that's in the RSX and should be priced at about $25,000 US.



But off of your list, I would go with the IS300, I've always loved the way it looked/drove. It should also prove reliable. The 3-series is also nice too. I have a friend with a 00 325i that has had a few minor problems (blown out HID bulb, busted speaker, faulty CD player), but these were replaced under warranty. However, the BMW is probably one of the best driving cars available.
 
I drove a Mazda 6 last Sunday. While the 220-hp Ford Duratec V6 isn't as fast or refined as the Accord's V6, it certainly feels faster. The raspy exhaust note is excellent. The handling of the 6 is impressive for a front-drive car as it understeers less than its competitors. The manual transmission is slightly vague, but less so than a Jetta's. Interior-wise, door panels and rear headrests are not up to snuff... the dash materials are good.



New Jettas and used A4s are solid choices. My used A4 1.8T has no problems during my ownership. I have friends with Jettas, Golfs, and GTIs, and none of them have mechanical problems. My 8-month-old Passat GLS with 12k miles has no problems so far.



Still, my vote goes out to a slightly used E46 328i. I currently own a 1999 528iA with 55k miles. I haven't spent a dime on maintenance (except detailing and tires) or repairs (I purchased the extended free maintenance.) The only problems were broken cupholders, burned out taillights and headlights, and creaking rear door panels, which were all fixed under warranty. My other recent BMW's were a 2001 325i Sport and a 1992 325i. Both had no significant problems.



A 1999-2000 328i is an excellent choice. IMHO, it has the best combination of handling, steering, braking, engine, and transmission, all in a manageable size. The feedback and crystal-clear responses educates the driver with information, without feeling harsh. Some people don't understand the phenomenon in BMW's, but those who appreciate it, love it.



I can only say that I have driven sedans as "capable" as BMWs, but they just perform like good machines, rather than one good friend.
 
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