Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
#16
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
and your point is? my point is that it's all horse sh*t about jap cars being more 'adaptable' out here....that maybe the case for used cars and in which case ALL used cars over here, regardless of make/model will have been treated like sh*t....especially anything over 3 yrs ie where there is no service history...so to say jap cars are better than german cars out here, is total bollocks.
The only reason you see more jap cars is because they are cheaper
The only reason you see more jap cars is because they are cheaper
Reliability is unrelated to the cost of the car, a connection you seem unable to make. Whether that is because you are defending your German car or simply are stupid I'm not sure.
#17
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
The meaning of "reliability" had changed immensely over the past 40 years. Back in the 1970's a "reliable" car started most of the time, and there was a good chance it would get you to your destination without needing to stop and look under the bonnet.
These days even most "unreliable" cars will go tens of thousands of miles with nothing but fuel and regular servicing.
My Accord has stopped and refused to start just three times in 14 years. On each occasion the battery had failed. I had new transaxles fitted last week because of wear causing a vibration, at 331,000 miles. The original engine lasted 296,000 miles but the original clutch is still going strong!
These days even most "unreliable" cars will go tens of thousands of miles with nothing but fuel and regular servicing.
My Accord has stopped and refused to start just three times in 14 years. On each occasion the battery had failed. I had new transaxles fitted last week because of wear causing a vibration, at 331,000 miles. The original engine lasted 296,000 miles but the original clutch is still going strong!
#18
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
The first Japanese car I bought amazed me. Previously I'd only had EOL vehicles with various issues that could just about be patched up. The last of these wasn't too bad, a then 2 year old MG Metro Turbo. Nothing earth shattering but it was at least mostly reliable, so far as any Leyland car of that vintage ever was. The car that replaced it, a 1988 Toyota MR2 was just in another league, even though it was from the period when the Japanese seats were more like something from a sitting room suite everything about the car was a simple story in all that was wrong about British cars.
Today I drive a Merc at home, I just don't see the same quality or attention to detail in Japanese cars. Certainly more expensive but so what, I like it and I very much enjoy driving it. It's my first new one and so far nothing but good to say about it. Not sure if I would buy a Merc in this part of the world. New, maybe, secondhand, only at the right price, not more than 3 years old and with an expectation that it spend the first couple of weeks getting all the worn and unattended to details fixed, probably budget 30-50k for that.
Today I drive a Merc at home, I just don't see the same quality or attention to detail in Japanese cars. Certainly more expensive but so what, I like it and I very much enjoy driving it. It's my first new one and so far nothing but good to say about it. Not sure if I would buy a Merc in this part of the world. New, maybe, secondhand, only at the right price, not more than 3 years old and with an expectation that it spend the first couple of weeks getting all the worn and unattended to details fixed, probably budget 30-50k for that.
#19
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
My Accord has stopped and refused to start just three times in 14 years. On each occasion the battery had failed. I had new transaxles fitted last week because of wear causing a vibration, at 331,000 miles. The original engine lasted 296,000 miles but the original clutch is still going strong!
You'll be telling me you wash out oil filters next.
#21
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
So hold on..... you changed the engine (so split the block and the gearbox) and didn't change the clutch at the same time? Or you replaced the engine and gearbox and put the original clutch in it (makes no sense). Either way, I'd sack my mechanic in both cases. Why on earth would you ever split a block and gearbox and not replace a clutch with 296K on it? Just because it looked OK doesn't mean it is. Old clutches can crack and explode without warning when old..... and for the price of buying and fitting a replacement compared with the price / hassle of splitting a block and gearbox in the future makes zero sense. ....
FWIW The gearbox is also original.
#22
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
I had exactly that conversation with the mechanic, and based on the discussion of costs, risks, benefits, and the condition of the clutch we agreed that the old clutch stayed in place. Almost two years and 35,000 miles later I am perfectly happy with the decision no matter how irrational it seems.
FWIW The gearbox is also original.
FWIW The gearbox is also original.
We have a saying...Look after your broom.
... And the broom will look after you?
No. Look after your broom.
#23
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
The cost of the engine two years ago was less than two years depreciation on a new car.
#24
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
Basically, original poster, buy what you wish.
You're always going to come across a shit load of boring middle aged, middle managers who buy the safe, middle style, middle safety, middle car to fit in with a middle life, middle earning, middle existence.
Buy a Range Rover or a BMW X5 or a Merceded GL 500. Why not? **** it. You'll only end up in a Pajero feeling like a twat for getting the middle one when the Indian guy at the lights with a terrible 'tache and 3 coloured pens in his shirt pocket has the deluxe Pajero.
You're always going to come across a shit load of boring middle aged, middle managers who buy the safe, middle style, middle safety, middle car to fit in with a middle life, middle earning, middle existence.
Buy a Range Rover or a BMW X5 or a Merceded GL 500. Why not? **** it. You'll only end up in a Pajero feeling like a twat for getting the middle one when the Indian guy at the lights with a terrible 'tache and 3 coloured pens in his shirt pocket has the deluxe Pajero.
#25
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
Basically, original poster, buy what you wish.
You're always going to come across a shit load of boring middle aged, middle managers who buy the safe, middle style, middle safety, middle car to fit in with a middle life, middle earning, middle existence.
Buy a Range Rover or a BMW X5 or a Merceded GL 500. Why not? **** it. You'll only end up in a Pajero feeling like a twat for getting the middle one when the Indian guy at the lights with a terrible 'tache and 3 coloured pens in his shirt pocket has the deluxe Pajero.
You're always going to come across a shit load of boring middle aged, middle managers who buy the safe, middle style, middle safety, middle car to fit in with a middle life, middle earning, middle existence.
Buy a Range Rover or a BMW X5 or a Merceded GL 500. Why not? **** it. You'll only end up in a Pajero feeling like a twat for getting the middle one when the Indian guy at the lights with a terrible 'tache and 3 coloured pens in his shirt pocket has the deluxe Pajero.
#26
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
I think he should rent for the first 6 months, for 2 reasons,
1. To get acclimatized and have the chance to really look at different cars first hand.
2. Just in case he has no job after 3 months!!!!!
1. To get acclimatized and have the chance to really look at different cars first hand.
2. Just in case he has no job after 3 months!!!!!
#27
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
Something about driving something almost worthless that I love. No cares, no worries, cut me up, see if my brakes work, your choice.
#28
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: Buying a Car - Reliability Confusion
I had exactly that conversation with the mechanic, and based on the discussion of costs, risks, benefits, and the condition of the clutch we agreed that the old clutch stayed in place. Almost two years and 35,000 miles later I am perfectly happy with the decision no matter how irrational it seems.
FWIW The gearbox is also original.
FWIW The gearbox is also original.
Basically, original poster, buy what you wish.
You're always going to come across a shit load of boring middle aged, middle managers who buy the safe, middle style, middle safety, middle car to fit in with a middle life, middle earning, middle existence.
Buy a Range Rover or a BMW X5 or a Merceded GL 500. Why not? **** it. You'll only end up in a Pajero feeling like a twat for getting the middle one when the Indian guy at the lights with a terrible 'tache and 3 coloured pens in his shirt pocket has the deluxe Pajero.
You're always going to come across a shit load of boring middle aged, middle managers who buy the safe, middle style, middle safety, middle car to fit in with a middle life, middle earning, middle existence.
Buy a Range Rover or a BMW X5 or a Merceded GL 500. Why not? **** it. You'll only end up in a Pajero feeling like a twat for getting the middle one when the Indian guy at the lights with a terrible 'tache and 3 coloured pens in his shirt pocket has the deluxe Pajero.
I'd still avoid German cars though if you're not happy with the cost of their upkeep.
Agree. And if you're not used to aggressive driving then you're gonna have a bump or two.