Vehicle Preference

[2LZ]

The Ranger thread got me thinking....to back in the day, a bit.

We all have our preferences to different vehicles...though most of us have owned a small boatlaod, by now....of all makes, models and sizes for what your job requires, your family needs, personal taste, what have you....

Being a mechanic-by-trade for a number of my younger years (Mid-80's to mid-90's), I saw a lot of repeat issues with vehicles (of that era), over and over.
If something came rolling in, dead on a hook, there were many times you just knew what to look for.
Dead Honda or other Japanese car? Chase the timing belt, head gasket/cracked head or fuel pump.
Dead 2.8 S10 truck or Blazer? Water in the oil due to seperating intake. (Youd smell it right away)
Dead Ranger or Bronco?....and any Ford for that matter? Ignition module or fuel pump.
Dead small block Mopar V8? Timing chain if it had over 100,000.
Escort? Module, fuel pump or inertia switch.
etc....etc.....etc....

You could literally pop a hood and start pointing at repeat probable problems over enough times.

I've owned all 3 American trucks, multiple times and have had good luck with all of them.....obviously, for a bunch of reasons, I prefer the Chevy product (for now). That's just me.

Which brings me to the point of this ramble, I guess.
I know that there's obviously been other mechanics here that frequent these forums....and there was one situation we always dreaded, (probably much like a doctor, right Doc?).....that would be the gathering or party. :roll:
The second it got out that you knew how to work on cars.....here comes the questions. Mostly free advise but there was always the Big One...

"I'm getting ready to buy a new car for (me, my daughter, son, mom....). What do you, as a mechanic, suggest I look at?"

LOADED QUESTION! 8O Whatever you suggest....will undoubtedly be the biggest POS that person has EVER owned! :x

I finally found a nice safe answer.....in the form of a question.
"What have you had luck with? Buy one of those....."

I don't care if it's an MG, Rambler, Studebaker, Hudson or Packard.....buy one!

Funny though.....I've had 3 of these vehicles, truck and car....and by far, THE WORST vehicles I've ever owned....that have given me the biggest problems, dead on the side of the road, etc..... Datsun/Nissan. Even purchased brand new!
I know there are folks by the ton that swear by these vehicles but boy....they sure hate me! :evil:

[Cal25]

My grandfather always bought Chrysler products and alway got good ones. My dad bought a few and had troubles every time.

I was looking for a small truck and wanted good Japenese quality so I ended up with a 91 Nissan pick up. Still own it and it has over 400,000 miles on it. I bought a 99 Nissan Sentra and have about 250,000 on it. I currently drive my 04 Frontier the most. Had good luck with all of them.

One thing on my list of must-not-haves when buying these vehicles were timing belts. I didnt want to tear into them every 10 months or so. All my Nissans are 4cyl.

[Jim]

I'm personally not a fan of the mid-sized pickup. I had an 89 chevy 4x4, it was a really nice truck, but I didn't like buying gas. I've had others since, but I've had 2 cavaliers (1 was a sunfire)... They're cheap, and cheap on fuel. I like them. If something goes too wrong with it I can take it to the scrap yard or sell it for not much less then I bought it for.

[FastDoc]

Good thread.

To be honest I think all modern vehicles built today are head and shoulders superior to what we had up until the late 80's.

American cars from about 1972 through 1988 were anathema. After that we improved to about the quality of Japanese cars, and recently I think the quality of Japanese cars has dropped a bit so it's a wash there.

European cars are fine, especially the Krauts, but when they break they do break expensively.

As far as Ford/Chevy/Chrysler its a wash, IMHO. Pick the one you like best.

I have a Ford, and a Chevy and I had 2 Dodges in the recent past. I also have one or more of each of the Big Four Japanese bikes, etc. I just buy what I like. No particular loyalty.

That said I'd like to have a Vette every day for the rest of my life if I am so blessed.

Also I miss my Harley still...

[yellowxj]

I specialized in the boxy Jeep Cherokees and love them still. The last vehicle designed by AMC with a great inline 6 cyl and a awesome aisen warner over drive automatic, the same motor and transmission was used from 87 to 2001 in cherokees with various external improvements...if you ever find one with a no start/no spark situation try changing the crank position sensor...located about 1 oclock on the bell housing where it meets the motor as you look from the front to the back.

When ever I recommend a favorite I always throw down the disclaimer "YOUR EXPERIENCE MAY VARY"

Neons blow up at 100k, Geo metro 3 cyl's like to burn exhaust valves and shake like a paint shaker, early to mid 90's kia sephias valve cover gaskets would leak oil in to the spark plug wells and cause misfiring...

I think the saturns were an under appreciated economical car...easy to work on once you take the time to learn about them...valve guide seals wear out and let oil into the cyls...get some smoke when you idle for a while...just check the oil often and enjoy 36mpg(on a good day)...when the auto trans starts SLAMMING into gear pull the top cover on the trans off and swap out the line pressure solenoid...they use 5 of the same one...easy junk yard items.

[Weldangrind]

I'm really bored with modern cars. I've had several of the eighties and up jellybean-shaped sterilized vanilla units.

I'd much rather build the car (or cars) of my dreams. The one in my mind right now is a late (1930 or 31) Ford Model A Tudor. I'd build a fun 21 stud flattie for it and drive the wheels off of it. I have several other sick ideas floating around up there as well.

[Jim]

Maybe you need that Pontiac my dad's selling ;)

[Weldangrind]

Can't take on a car project right now. In fact, I just let my '49 Ford go. :(

[Jim]

The thing I like about bike and atv projects is they don't require the same amount of space as car projects.

I really like the old cars at the penticton car show. I don't know a heck of a lot about them, but I like em.

[Weldangrind]

Jim, you might like Hot Rod Deluxe, a bi-monthly mag from Hot Rod magazine. It is dedicated to old hot rods, and it's the best mag I've ever read. Lots of great vintage photos and tech.

/hijack.

[Jim]

I prefer to do my reading online, it's free, and I can save the images :wink: Such as your beast images and write ups.

[Reveeen]

My #1: Maserati Bora

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_Bora

My #2: Jensen Interceptor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jensen_Interceptor

But for all-round "fun": Caterham

http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/html/showroom.html

All unique, all with "shock" appeal (as in WTF was that?), and all affordable used in average condition.

[katoranger]

I have become less brand loyal and pic out models that have tend to have a good record. Current fleet consists of one of each of the big three domestics. Not too big on Jap cars. All of the ones I owned never lived up to the name.

I too like the XJ jeeps. Had two of those. I am have owned over 70 cars in my short driving span. Most of these sub $500 units. Some bought for parts only.

2LZ. I drove an 85 S10 with the 1.9L Isuzu. 400K plus on it. Frame finally let go after an 1100lb scrap run. Replace with another one just like it. Replacement had power steering. :roll: Shop truck.

Like Doc said. Current vehicles are way better, but they also tend to cost more to repair.

97 Buick lesabre that I bought last year. Older tech in a known solid platform. Any issues are easily solved and the local yard has about 20 of them for parts. $1500 spent. $300 for some maintenance parts. Over 10K miles with no issues. Everything works. No rust. Gets good mileage. 205hp smokes the hondas. :lol: wire wheels a spinnin.

[TurboT]

I know this will sound stupid but I think cars pick people to like. I've always loved the Dodge products I've owned, they've never let me down and rarely break. These are ones I've owned or ones that my parents owned when growing up.

My dad swears by his Cheby's, but even his truck has had 4 alternators and a leaking intake manifold before it had 250,000km on it. I can see 1 alternator, but 4... dunno.. perhaps not the fault of GM, but if it was me, I'd be swearing about GM stuff.

I'm meaning here that some will have good luck with certain brands while others will not, it's like the car or truck KNOWS you're unsure of it. Much like the OP said, and I liked his answer to the question. I used to hate getting a call at the engine shop about "What do you think about the motors in these cars, I might buy one?" Yikes.

Best vehicle I ever bought was a 1998 Jeep Cherokee with as mentioned inline 6, manual tranny and 4x4. I loved my 'Jeep' I'm still pissed it got stolen, but the buyout from the insurance company went as a down payment on my house, so I guess it lives on.

[2LZ]

I know this will sound stupid but I think cars pick people to like.
I definitely have to go with this!
Again, I've had good luck with all my American trucks. There's been little things along the way but nothing to complain about for the service, abuse and mileage.
Backing up your point, while the Ford trucks were great, the Ford cars have all hated me like the Nissan's did. You're gonna love this story....

Example: I bought a used '66 Falcon Futura. Red with a white top, chrome encased windshield, stock hub caps and everything. It was a 'find' for 500.00. Interior was perfect. Little inline 6 ran perfect. I rubbed it out beautifully, polished all the chrome, detailed under the hood, babied that vehicle the whole time I had it....THAT DANG CAR HATED ME! :evil:
I was convinced it was possessed! 8O I'm not kidding! I'd be driving home from work, rainy, cold night.....just as the windows started to defrost, THE FLOOR FRESH-AIR VENTS (remember those?) WOULD POP OPEN ALL BY THEMSELVES LETTING IN TWO HUGE RUSHES OF COLD, DAMP AIR! 8O Happened all the time! I played with the cable actuaters and everything. Had no clue!
The windows would uncrank and start to roll down all by themselves as I drove! It constantly would pop out of park into reverse when I started it lungeing the vehicle backwards! (common problem)
Best of all, I met my dad one day at Jack in the Box for a burger. I park next to his Grenada (he was a big Ford man), got out.....started walking away AND MY DAMN CAR STARTED CRANKING OVER, TRYING TO START ALL BY ITSELF! THE KEYS WERE IN MY POCKET!
I turned around...."What the hell!?" :o 8O I ran back, popped the hood and had to pull a battery cable before it dragged the battery all the way down! I'm telling you...possessed!
So....I'd had enough and sold it . I told the new owner all the problems I had, down to every detail. He lived a couple miles away...I wanted to be truthful, I didn't want any problems.....plus, I made a few hundred on it so that was ok.
I saw the man 2 years later. HE HADN'T HAD ONE SINGLE PROBLEM WITH THAT VEHICLE! :x His wife drove it every day and loved it. She had one exactly like it in high school and she said she'd never sell "her baby".
So yes.....I really think cars pick you.

[yellowxj]

Some people have what we call "redneck luck"...like my friend who bought a old mazda pick up with a piece of black electrical tape over the number 4 on the shifter...there was no fourth gear...we called it a 3 speed w/ overdrive...drove it from fla to virginia the same week he bought it...replaced the tranny a month later...no gear oil just some silver metallic paste that oozed out...I could never get away with that.

Actually I take that back..

we knocked the rear drive shaft out of a jeep on the trail...it broke off that tiny tab that keeps the ujoint centered in the yoke...we got out the broken bolts and found some spare straps/bolts....put it together...then wrapped the yoke with speaker wire and duct tape...or the time we made tire plugs out of the cord from an old coaches whistle and blue RTV...took 4 plugs to fill the hole...made it off the trail and back to the trailer.

[FastDoc]

That's a great story, XJ. Reminds me of something we'd see on Top Gear. :D

[katoranger]

I have had vehicles that didn't like me. GMC Safari van was one. Started with a fuel leak. Replaced seal on top of tank. Next it snapped the output shaft on the trans. Rear planetary grenaded.

Rebuilt the 4l60E using junkyard parts. I had another one from a firebird that donated parts and we did some upgrades with 4l80 parts too. Shift kit and deep pan. Shifted really nice after that. 8O

All was going good. Drove it MN. Picked up 3 motorcycles on my trailer. Going home it spun a rod bearing in IA. Oil pressure never dropped.

Friend of mine drove from GA with a Cummins Ram and a large trailer. We loaded both the van and my small trailer on the big one.

I should have traded it for something else in IA, but no we put a crank kit in from the bottom of the van. :roll: Got it running again. Ran good,but leaked oil. New seals and everything. I drove it a few more months and pawned it off on some "undocumented workers" for $1500. Guy in broken english. "transmission is rough". :wink:

Got me a $750 escort wagon. 40mpg. 8)

[Weldangrind]

My first Caravan was an '89, and it had the strangest symptom. The wipers would sporadically make one pass, night or day, rain or shine, for no reason. Several hours later, it might happen again. Of course, the dealer could never get the problem to occur, so they did nothing. :roll: Of course, they had never heard of such a symptom before. Riiiight.

I've had four Caravans since then, and they've all done it. My 2009 did it just yesterday.

[TurboT]

My first Caravan was an '89, and it had the strangest symptom. The wipers would sporadically make one pass, night or day, rain or shine, for no reason. Several hours later, it might happen again. Of course, the dealer could never get the problem to occur, so they did nothing. :roll: Of course, they had never heard of such a symptom before. Riiiight.

I've had four Caravans since then, and they've all done it. My 2009 did it just yesterday.

I'm on my third Caravan in the family, never seen that happen. :)

[cheesy]

My dad worked for AMC from the mid fifties to the mid eighties and us kids were required to own at least one AMC product while we were living at home.
I had a 67 Ambassador DPL that looked good, ran great, and got good gas mileage. However, it didn't like the BW Flash-O-Matic transmission. I wasn't hard on them, no lighting up the tires or reversers. They would just quit. I got to where I could yank one out and shove another in in about three hours. It died in VA, though, in 1975.

I was the first in my family to consider owning an import and bought a new 1975 Honda Civic Hatchback. You could pop the hood, spit on the engine, and it would start to miss. Needless to say, that was my last Honda.

When AMC got bought from Renault out by Chrysler, I started buying their products. The 84 Horizon served us well being replaced by a 95 Le Baron that I became well versed in changing front axles. I currently have an 05 Wrangler whose Check Engine Light is the most dependable feature on the vehicle.

My truck of choice has been Fords though I had a sweet 52 Chevy 3100 pickup that a clown in an Olds used for ramming practice.

I've had a few GM product that I usually bought used because they were cheap. A 74 Opel Manta that was truly a nice car. An 83 Pontiac 6000 that marked its territory via its valve covers and an 84 Suburban whose main feature was rust. I did have a 78 Chevy Malibu Classic Estate wagon that was such a POS that I would leave it parked out on the street with the windows down, doors unlocked, and keys in the ignition and the damn thing would still be there in the morning.

I almost wish I could have that 67 Ambassador back.

[katoranger]

I did have a 78 Chevy Malibu Classic Estate wagon that was such a POS that I would leave it parked out on the street with the windows down, doors unlocked, and keys in the ignition and the damn thing would still be there in the morning.



I had a pontiac that the windows did not go up, door locks didn't work, didn't need a key anymore. It sat in the parking lot like that. No one bother it for fear of tetanus. :wink:

I believe teh padlock hasps on the passenger side clued them in.