There is a good chance that I will be the owner of a new car sometime soon (like the next few months or so). Looking for a good balance between fuel efficiency and inexpensive to repair (something I have not really thought about until recently, regrettably). You are not a car expert, likely, but what would you advise from what you know? Details, including what this car replaces, inside.
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posted by JoeXIII007
on Apr 11, 2013 -
24 answers
I'm in the market for a pre-owned sedan with a budget of about 20k and the 2 options that I have come down to are a 2008 Mercedes C300 and a 2007 BMW 335i.
Being a total newbie about cars, I have very little idea which one should I go for. They are both certified pre-owned hence I am hoping there should not be a major problem with either one's condition.
Please advise as to which one would you prefer and what are some things I should watch out for while buying them?
posted by libbrichus
on Feb 20, 2013 -
16 answers
I'm looking for the best free online vehicle maintenance scheduling, logging, and alert website. Can someone recommend one they've used?
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posted by Jackie_Treehorn
on Dec 14, 2011 -
5 answers
The glass of the right-hand side mirror on my car broke recently, and I was able to buy replacement glass online, but it did not come with any way to adhere it to the mount. The original glass had some sort of sticky backing. Any suggestions on what kind of adhesive to use or how else to install it?
posted by briank
on Oct 3, 2011 -
7 answers
It's way past time to change my timing belt - like almost 30,000 miles past! Help me find the right Honda/Acura dealership in West Central Florida (Tampa to Gainesville) to change the timing belt on my 1994 Acura Integra.
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posted by toodleydoodley
on Sep 15, 2010 -
13 answers
I just bought a second hand Peugeot 407. It's a lovely car but I think the windscreen is giving me a headache...
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posted by twine42
on Feb 16, 2010 -
3 answers
Best second hand small car under AUD$20,000? Fuel efficient. Reliable. Low maintenance. 4 doors. No older than 4 years. Automatic. Suit young couple in Australia.
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posted by simplesharps
on Jul 20, 2009 -
20 answers
Can I buy a old car now and then claim a credit under the (seemingly likely to pass) incentive scheme to buy a new one?
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posted by TrashyRambo
on Apr 5, 2009 -
3 answers
The batmonkeymobile was in an accident today (everyone's ok) and will be totaled. My last car-buying attempt worked out splendidly and I want to repeat it, but I'm having a harder time figuring out which makes/models will best fulfill my desire to have car happiness many years into the future. Can you help?
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posted by batmonkey
on Mar 12, 2009 -
24 answers
Somebody loaned me their car for a week. I managed to ding the bumper. Help me figure out if this is something I can fix myself or if I need to take it to a body shop. Pictures inside.
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posted by floam
on Nov 1, 2008 -
19 answers
You are seated in a Cheverolet Celebrity, model year anywhere between 1982-1990. The engine is off, the key is not even in the ignition. You step on the brake pedal. Do the brake lights go on? Do the brake lights always go on when the pedal is pressed, no matter what? No matter what make, model, year of car?
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posted by sol
on Sep 10, 2008 -
19 answers
Tall guy + short car: I have a chance at a great deal on a like-new 2001 Nissan Altima. Trouble is, I'm a little tall for it and am not really comfortable. The seat mounts look unneccesarily high to me, but local dealers know of no seat-lowering kits. I'm having no luck on the web. I'd even consider a swap for a power seat if I knew it would lower more. Any suggestions?
posted by Tubes
on Jun 11, 2008 -
9 answers
I want to trade in my SUV for a station wagon. I think I've narrowed it down to the BMW 328i and the Audi A4. Can those of you who've driven those cars (or anything from from a similar line; any bmw 3 series, any Audi A4 or TT) share your experiences with me?
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posted by Peecabu
on Oct 1, 2007 -
23 answers
I've recently purchased a standard because I used to drive one and loved it, but I've never really been properly trained in how to drive one. The car I bought is much more powerful than the one I've learned on, and I'd appreciate some answers to a few questions and any general tips you've got to help me get the most of out my new clutch (and car).
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posted by patr1ck
on Sep 21, 2007 -
37 answers
Do I need to follow Chrysler's service schedule to the letter, or risk having my warranty voided? My 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a fine car, but it's quite expensive to have all the Chrysler-scheduled service items done at the designated # of miles. However, the service manager says that if I don't do all the items, Chrysler may refuse to honor my warranty. How much choice do I really have? Can I delay or ignore some of the scheduled service items?
posted by JimN2TAW
on Jul 27, 2007 -
11 answers
What is the REAL life span of auto spare parts compared to what the manufacturer or the auto mechanic tells you? Is there some sort of graph showing risk of failure of parts versus time out there? Specifically I am interested in Peugeot cambelt life spans. How dead am I if it fails?
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posted by vizsla
on May 24, 2007 -
11 answers
In three cars I've driven, I get about 300 miles per tank of gas. But with all three cars, I can get up to 200 miles by the time I hit 1/2 tank. But invariably, by the time I near the 300 mile mark, I'm on E. Am I nuts or do gas seem to burn faster in the lower 1/2 of my tank? Is this mental or by design?
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posted by mathowie
on Apr 7, 2007 -
22 answers
I drove for about nine months on a bad oxygen sensor. Will my car suffer any long-term ill effects?
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posted by donpedro
on Oct 8, 2005 -
12 answers
We are searching for unbiased reliable reviews online for used SUV's a la Consumer Reports. Suggestions?
posted by Heatwole
on Aug 27, 2005 -
6 answers
AccountingFilter:
I purchase a car for 10,000. with a $1000 rebate
The state levies a 5% sales tax of $500 . Am I not entitled to to a tax refund of $100 ?
My good buddy Google is uncharacteristically mum about this query.
posted by Fupped Duck
on Feb 13, 2005 -
7 answers
I've just purchased my very first new car. However, in the process, I visited nine dealerships - 7 of them asked me for a cash deposit before they would even discuss prices with me. The one dealership that I gave a $500CDN deposit to (I later changed my mind on it) took almost 2 hours to refund my deposit. What are my rights, and what are strategies to get around this deposit requirement?
posted by burhan
on Jan 15, 2005 -
39 answers
I would like to buy a car. Fun to drive (think handling, not necessarily pickup) is paramount, everything else is negotiable: 2-seaters are fine, I'm willing to shift for myself. My price tops out at $16k and I live in Los Angeles. Recommendations? I'm leaning towards a Porsche Boxster, which Consumer Reports says is surprisingly reliable. (more inside)
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posted by lbergstr
on Dec 14, 2004 -
57 answers
I have a 99 Hyundai Sonata, that we purchased used from a Hyundai dealer. The remainder of the manufacturers warranty remains...and we purchased the extended warranty. I Took it to my friendly neighborhood repair shop to have the rotors replaced. They mentioned to me that we also might need to have a bearing replaced. Here's the question... if I take it to the dealer they want to charge me $75 just to look at it to tell me if it's covered by warranty. Does replacing the bearing sound like something that might be covered by my warranty?
posted by TuxHeDoh
on Dec 6, 2004 -
5 answers
Is it safe to always keep the car air conditioner on, and on recirculate? A good idea? Because apparently that's what people in Taiwan do, but I've never seen it done in the US.
posted by calwatch
on Oct 26, 2004 -
10 answers
Is it bad for a car's air conditioner to leave it running while idling for 15 minutes or so? Does the fan setting matter? Also, is it bad to have the a/c going hard while driving around in the heat everyday?
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posted by callmejay
on Jul 5, 2004 -
8 answers
Ok mefi gear heads, riddle me this: how can you tell if a timing belt has been replaced?
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posted by Hackworth
on Dec 8, 2003 -
9 answers
