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Let's talk about cars

Let's talk about cars

Old Mar 19th 2019, 5:26 pm
  #7336  
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Radio’s gone down in the work vehicle so I’m having to use a standby vehicle, which just happens to be an electric Kia Soul. Now there is no way I’d own an electric vehicle as my daily driver, but I got to say, that instant toque is blooming fun and addicting.
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Old Mar 19th 2019, 6:13 pm
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Steerpike
Toyota Tacomas are trucks, not SUVs; do you mean Toyota Sequoia? But that's a monster SUV. The Santa Fe is a pretty decent option, I think.

Note - while Honda's have timing belts, I seem to recall, they are external to the engine, not totally buried within it - not as hard to replace as on other cars. But it's been a near-lifetime since I did that sort of thing and maybe today it's different ... but make sure you aren't ruling out the model line for the wrong reasons!
I got curious about this and did some reading, having owned hondas for decades. Looks like they've started to use chains on some engines. 2003 onwards CRVs are chain, not belt. I don't see 'Pilot' in the list, unfortunately. (ETA - looks like pilot has belt, not chain).

Honda Timing Belt and Timing Chain List - Your Car Angel - Your Car Angel
2008 to 2014 Accord V6 3.5 – Belt
2008 to 2014 Odyssey pilot and Ridgeline V6 3.5 -Belt
2006 to 2007 Accord V6 3.0 – Belt
2006 to 2016 Civic – Chain
2005 Accord 3.0 – Belt
2003 to 2011 Element – Chain
2003 to 2016 CR-V – Chain
2003 to 2004 Accord 3.0 – Belt
2003 to 2016 Accord – 2.4 – Chain
2003 to 2004 Odyssey and Pilot V6 3.5 – Belt
2002 Civic 1.7 – Belt
2002 Accord 2.3 – Belt
2002 Accord 3.0 – Belt
2002 Passport 3.2 – Belt
2002 Odyssey 3.5 – Belt
2001 Civic 1.7 – Belt
2001 CRV 2.0 – Belt
2001 Prelude 2.2 – Belt
2001 2.3 Accord – Belt
2001 Passport 3.2 – Belt
2001 Odyssey 3.5 – Belt
1999 to 2000 Civic 1.6 – Belt
1999 to 2000 CRV 2.0 – Belt
1999 to 2000 Prelude 2.2 – Belt
1999 to 2000 Accord 2.3 – Belt
1999 to 2000 Passport 3.2 – Belt
1999 to 2000 Odyssey 3.5 – belt
1998 Civic 1.6 – Belt
1998 CRV 2.0 – Belt
1998 Prelude 2.2 – Belt
1998 Odyssey and accord 2.3 – Belt
1998 Accord 3.0 – Belt
1998 Passport 3.2 – Belt
1997 Civic 1.6 – Belt
1997 Del sol 1.6 – Belt
1997 CRV 2.0- Belt
1997 Accord 2.2 – Belt
1997 Odyssey 2.2 – Belt
1997 Prelude 2.2 – Belt
1997 Accord 2.7 – Belt
1997 passport 3.2 – Belt
1996 Civic 1.6 – Belt
1996 Del sol 1.6 – Belt
1996 Accord 2.2 – Belt
1996 Odyssey 2.2 – Belt
1996 Prelude 2.2 – Belt
1996 Prelude 2.3 – Belt
1996 passport 2.6 – Belt
1996 Accord 2.7 – Belt
1996 Passport 3.2 – Belt
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Old Mar 19th 2019, 6:36 pm
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by markonline1
Radio’s gone down in the work vehicle so I’m having to use a standby vehicle, which just happens to be an electric Kia Soul. Now there is no way I’d own an electric vehicle as my daily driver, but I got to say, that instant toque is blooming fun and addicting.
How is the sound? I've been in a few hybrids recently and when on 'electric only', there's an unusual 'whine' that I can hear; maybe the sound of an inverter perhaps, or generator? It's not loud, like an IC engine, but certainly a bit distracting. Always on deceleration, not acceleration, suggesting generation related.
PS - I tend not to listen to any music when driving.
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Old Mar 19th 2019, 9:18 pm
  #7339  
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Steerpike
How is the sound? I've been in a few hybrids recently and when on 'electric only', there's an unusual 'whine' that I can hear; maybe the sound of an inverter perhaps, or generator? It's not loud, like an IC engine, but certainly a bit distracting. Always on deceleration, not acceleration, suggesting generation related.
PS - I tend not to listen to any music when driving.
so I’ve been in this and my mother in laws I3. Once you get up to speed, all you hear is tire noise, as you would on an upmarket car anyway. It’s only at low speed, the silence is weird. With the soul, of you have the window down at low speed, you hear something that makes you think electrical vehicle (no idea what it is). But again, on both these cars, fully charged, you’re lucky to get 100 miles on a charge.
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Old Mar 19th 2019, 9:53 pm
  #7340  
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Steerpike
I got curious about this and did some reading, having owned hondas for decades. Looks like they've started to use chains on some engines. 2003 onwards CRVs are chain, not belt. I don't see 'Pilot' in the list, unfortunately. (ETA - looks like pilot has belt, not chain).

Honda Timing Belt and Timing Chain List - Your Car Angel - Your Car Angel ....
Our 2003 Accord has a timing chain engine, but the 2003 model year was a transition year and there were a couple of times when our Honda dealer suggested changing the timing belt, and the chain lasted the 296,000 miles that the engine lasted. They also suggested a "transmission flush" a couple of times! Our local Ford dealer's service staff have also made the same mistake several times.

Last edited by Pulaski; Mar 19th 2019 at 9:56 pm.
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Old Mar 19th 2019, 9:54 pm
  #7341  
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Steerpike
Toyota Tacomas are trucks, not SUVs; do you mean Toyota Sequoia? But that's a monster SUV. The Santa Fe is a pretty decent option, I think.

Note - while Honda's have timing belts, I seem to recall, they are external to the engine, not totally buried within it - not as hard to replace as on other cars. But it's been a near-lifetime since I did that sort of thing and maybe today it's different ... but make sure you aren't ruling out the model line for the wrong reasons!
I did the timing belt on my wife's '04 Honda Accord a few years back. It was easy enough but would have been much easier if I had small hands like the average oick!! The average Asian car builder obviously doesn't have fingers like sausages!

Edit: I believe all the 3l models have belts.

Last edited by zzrmark; Mar 19th 2019 at 10:01 pm.
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Old Mar 27th 2019, 2:46 pm
  #7342  
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Steerpike
Toyota Tacomas are trucks, not SUVs; do you mean Toyota Sequoia? But that's a monster SUV. The Santa Fe is a pretty decent option, I think.

Note - while Honda's have timing belts, I seem to recall, they are external to the engine, not totally buried within it - not as hard to replace as on other cars. But it's been a near-lifetime since I did that sort of thing and maybe today it's different ... but make sure you aren't ruling out the model line for the wrong reasons!
True, but it was other reasons too. For example the 3.5 Honda engine of that generation fitted to Pilots and Ridgelines was noted for being noisy and poor on gas.

Originally Posted by zzrmark
I did the timing belt on my wife's '04 Honda Accord a few years back. It was easy enough but would have been much easier if I had small hands like the average oick!! The average Asian car builder obviously doesn't have fingers like sausages!

Edit: I believe all the 3l models have belts.
I have a 9 month old and other hobbies, so I prefer not to waste my precious time changing timing belts when I can buy a chain engine and save the time.

To finish this up. I picked up a 2nd gen Santa Fe on the weekend. 2007 one owner from new and I got it for a steal so I'm happy!

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Old Mar 27th 2019, 3:11 pm
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Harveyspecter
True, but it was other reasons too. For example the 3.5 Honda engine of that generation fitted to Pilots and Ridgelines was noted for being noisy and poor on gas.
just to clarify, the CR-V has a chain engine, per the list above. I had a 2011 CR-V and really loved it.
Originally Posted by Harveyspecter
I have a 9 month old and other hobbies, so I prefer not to waste my precious time changing timing belts when I can buy a chain engine and save the time.

To finish this up. I picked up a 2nd gen Santa Fe on the weekend. 2007 one owner from new and I got it for a steal so I'm happy!
Congratulations! I have rented Santa Fe's and like them. I was also going to suggest a Kia Sportage. I rented a Kia Sportage in UK this year and quite liked it. However - if you are looking at 10 year old models, not sure where Kia where in their evolution as a major player back then! Today, Kia and Hyundai are on a par with the big boys in my opinion (in terns of reliability, warranty, etc).

Last edited by Steerpike; Mar 27th 2019 at 3:15 pm.
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Old Jun 27th 2019, 11:59 am
  #7344  
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

We are looking at getting a new car later this year. We are looking at financing a car (hopefully on a good dealership finance deal, otherwise we will do it through our bank) over 3-4 years. Are there any stuff we should watch out for when getting a new car etc?

We are looking at the 20k-25k range, putting a downpayment of 7k-10k (depending how much more we can save between now and the end of the year). We already own the house (no mortgage) and have no student loans. Our only outgoings currently are utilities, groceries, pet, gas, phone, and internet bills, plus some subscription stuff (spotify, netflix). We are just past our mid 20's, and earn a decent income combined for our ages, I think! Is that kind of price range and downpayment reasonable, or is there a better number we should aim for?

We already have some cars in our sights, and we are looking for hatchbacks. Currently topping our list is the Veloster and the Mazda3 hatchback, any others we should keep an eye out for?
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Old Jun 27th 2019, 12:21 pm
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Looks like the best APR you can currently get from Mazdas captive lender is 2.9%, you'll probably struggle to do better than that from a bank or credit union.

With the downpayment you mention, you should have no problem getting approved since you'll have positive quity in the car from day 1,
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Old Jun 27th 2019, 2:24 pm
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by civilservant
With the downpayment you mention, you should have no problem getting approved since you'll have positive quity in the car from day 1,
On that point, the dealer might try to roll in Gap Insurance into the deal, which covers you against negative equity in the car in case of an insurance loss. Don't get that as you won't need it and it's just wasted money.
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Old Jun 27th 2019, 5:59 pm
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Maste
We are looking at getting a new car later this year. We are looking at financing a car (hopefully on a good dealership finance deal, otherwise we will do it through our bank) over 3-4 years. Are there any stuff we should watch out for when getting a new car etc?

We are looking at the 20k-25k range, putting a downpayment of 7k-10k (depending how much more we can save between now and the end of the year). We already own the house (no mortgage) and have no student loans. Our only outgoings currently are utilities, groceries, pet, gas, phone, and internet bills, plus some subscription stuff (spotify, netflix). We are just past our mid 20's, and earn a decent income combined for our ages, I think! Is that kind of price range and downpayment reasonable, or is there a better number we should aim for?

We already have some cars in our sights, and we are looking for hatchbacks. Currently topping our list is the Veloster and the Mazda3 hatchback, any others we should keep an eye out for?
Costco have a good 'car buying service'; at least use them as a cross-check on pricing perhaps. Be aware, though - it's easy-ish these days to get a solid, reliable quote on a new car. But if you are trading in a used car, all bets are off - they will try to make up any loss of profit on the new car by low-balling you on the trade-in. I got a great price for a new honda a while back, and was all set to buy from the dealer but they would not offer me anything near what I wanted on my trade-in. I 'walked', and they never got back to me so they really did not want to pay my price!
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Old Jun 27th 2019, 6:35 pm
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Steerpike
Costco have a good 'car buying service'; at least use them as a cross-check on pricing perhaps. Be aware, though - it's easy-ish these days to get a solid, reliable quote on a new car. But if you are trading in a used car, all bets are off - they will try to make up any loss of profit on the new car by low-balling you on the trade-in. I got a great price for a new honda a while back, and was all set to buy from the dealer but they would not offer me anything near what I wanted on my trade-in. I 'walked', and they never got back to me so they really did not want to pay my price!
The second car we are replacing that I've been using is just an old 98 BMW convertible, which the wife's family gave to me to use until we have enough saved for a decent downpayment, so I'll be transferring that back to her dad when the time comes. Our only focus will be on the total cost of the car!
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Old Jun 27th 2019, 6:37 pm
  #7349  
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Maste
The second car we are replacing that I've been using is just an old 98 BMW convertible, which the wife's family gave to me to use until we have enough saved for a decent downpayment, so I'll be transferring that back to her dad when the time comes. Our only focus will be on the total cost of the car!
Then you are in a good position and I would say, make the most of all the various car-buying / pricing services out there.
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Old Jun 27th 2019, 10:00 pm
  #7350  
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Default Re: Let's talk about cars

Originally Posted by Steerpike
Then you are in a good position and I would say, make the most of all the various car-buying / pricing services out there.
We are not CostCo members, so couldn't use that program. I found out about TrueCar, is that the same premise? And do these websites often come back with good, no BS, deals? I have little patience and know I'll walk out of the dealership once the BS starts because I don't have time for that!
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