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Help me find the next vehicle for my wife...

spencevans

spencevans

Overlander
Location
Farmington
sixstringsteve said:
I was really hoping the volvos would be less quirky. :(

I'm open to cars too. I'm currently leaning towards a rav4.
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My buddy has several 2003ish Volvo wagons and they have been dead reliable while returning excellent mpg's. He uses tham as daily drivers to transport his 3 young kids. All he has ever done over the past few years is change the oil on them. The Volvo 5 cylinder is very reliable. Both of his Volvo wagons have over 150k miles and he has no issue driving them anywhere. He also sells used exotics like Ferrari, Maserati, etc, but he chooses to dive the Volvo's because they are reliable.
 
spencevans

spencevans

Overlander
Location
Farmington
sixstringsteve said:
Its not the engine I'm worried about, its the little electrical gremlins
It seems all European cars end up with little issues that nickel and dime you to death


That being said, I'm trying to have an open mind and I love hearing others' experiences.

Keep the ideas coming, I'm really liking the suggestions, its helping a lot.
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The 2006 TDI has oiling issues. I would recommend staying away from that model year. A very, very small number of 2009-current TDI's have been reported to have metal shavings found in the fuel pump, but it is a very small number. The whole issue has been blown out of control. My 2009 TDI has over 100k miles and it is going very strong. I have only had the rear hatch switch and the cruise control switch replaced. I average about 40mpg with mixed driving. It has been a very reliable car.
 
Caleb

Caleb

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverton
Rot Box said:
I did but I blame it solely on my own ignorance :( Turns out they need to be adjusted periodically and I had no idea until the check engine light came on. I was lucky enough to just set the proper lash and carry on as if nothing happened. If I would have ignored it there is a good chance the valve(s) would have burned--ugh.
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Really? What modern vehicle do you still have to manually adjust valves on? That seems like a consumer nightmare. (or money maker)
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
spencevans said:
My buddy has several 2003ish Volvo wagons and they have been dead reliable while returning excellent mpg's. He uses tham as daily drivers to transport his 3 young kids. All he has ever done over the past few years is change the oil on them. The Volvo 5 cylinder is very reliable. Both of his Volvo wagons have over 150k miles and he has no issue driving them anywhere. He also sells used exotics like Ferrari, Maserati, etc, but he chooses to dive the Volvo's because they are reliable.
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I love the volvo motors, super reliable. It's all the elctronic stuff I worry about (same with BMW, Audi, VW, etc). I'm really leaning towards a T5 V50 (small wagon). I also like the idea of the xc70, but the '07 and newer is out of my price range and the older ones don't seem as reliable.
 
Rot Box

Rot Box

Diesel and Dust
Supporting Member
Location
Smithfield Utah
Caleb said:
Really? What modern vehicle do you still have to manually adjust valves on? That seems like a consumer nightmare. (or money maker)
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Yep crazy I know. Its similar to the headache of timing belts :sick: In reality many cars including Toyota, Honda, Subaru etc. have adjustable valves with a recommended inspection/adjustment in the owners manual. Whether its shims (more common nowadays) or tappets many run the course of the engines life without any issues. The Honda 1.8's however have been known to burn valves if they are not kept within spec. I think the interval is check and/or adjust the valves is every time the timing belt is changed which might be once maybe twice for most people. Its a simple procedure but I agree its probably a good money maker for the dealer lol :-\

Great motor--great car (for what it is) but it does need timing belts and valve adjustments every 100k or so.
 
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N-Smooth

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
my '05 acura requires it as well, i think at 110k miles. while it's inconvenient, i'm just glad it has a timing chain instead of a belt so i don't have to do both. the '02-06 crv's also have a k24 (just a little different) so they will be the same FYI


Rot Box said:
Yep crazy I know. Its similar to the headache of timing belts :sick: In reality many cars including Toyota, Honda, Subaru etc. have adjustable valves with a recommended inspection/adjustment in the owners manual. Whether its shims (more common nowadays) or tappets many run the course of the engines life without any issues. The Honda 1.8's however have been known to burn valves if not kept up on. I think the interval is check and/or adjust the valves is every time the timing belt is changed which might be once maybe twice for most people. Its a simple procedure but I agree its probably a good money maker for the dealer lol :-\

Great motor--great car (for what it is) but it does need timing belts and valve adjustments every 100k or so.
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Unimog

Unimog

Eric
Location
Stansbury Park, UT
Cascadia said:
From the sound of a jetta tdi, why doesn't everyone have one? 700+ miles per tank is RIDICULOUS! I'm looking for one!
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I often tell people that it is almost the convenience of not having to fill up so often that is nicer than the cost of running one - especially with the high cost of diesel now!
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
gravesdiggerxj said:
Why do you NEED a vehicle that will go over 200million miles anyways?
You'll only keep it like 6 weeks before you'll move on anyways.
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I don't swap my wife's car much. It's MY cars that I swap a lot. Actually, I've had my tacoma for 7 months now! That's got to be a record for me.
 
Bart

Bart

Registered User
Location
Arm Utah
We've got an 01 Volvo XC70 wagon and it's been a great car, especially compared to the 99 Audi A4 wagon we used to have.
 
Unimog

Unimog

Eric
Location
Stansbury Park, UT
sixstringsteve said:
it's looking like all the TDIs in my price range have 180K + miles.
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That is one bad or good thing about the TDIs - They hold their value really well. I have a buddy who had his teenage daughter total his after driving it down a rough dirt road and knocking a hole in the oil pan. It was a 2002 with 250,000 miles and the insurance paid him $4500 for it.
 
rockreligious

rockreligious

NoEcoNaziAmmo
Location
Ephraim
Maverick said:
I was going to ask you about the Edge when I was down there. What kind of mileage are you getting out of it?
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I got 22 mpg last weekend driving to Lake Powell with the wife, Kids and 500 lbs of camping gear and coolers, with stuff strapped to the roof,(wind drag). I need to check it with out all the gear.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I'm pretty set on a 2005 or newer CR-V, or a 2007 or newer Element. Here are the criteria:

- Color: black, charcoal, white, gold/tan
- under 110k miles
- must be awd
- must be an automatic
- under $12,500

Keep your eye peeled for something that meets those criteria. I'll be checking KSL every few hours.
 
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