Fuck modern cars.

Most related to your issue with the HHR, A former coworker of mine had a 2006 Trailblazer. It popped nearly every fuse in the dash every time it rained because the firewall inexplicably cracked in half around 50k.

My dad's 2009 Ford fusion. From brand new, there was a sizable dent in the dashboard, and the pseudo carbon fiber dash panel straight up didn't even fit. CD player broke pretty much immediately. 1 door handle snapped and 2 more stopped working by 18k. By around 20k the engine developed a valve cover leak. Around 25k the transmission started to hesitate, and seemingly slip in 2nd gear (which makes no sense to me at all.) By 30k the transmission wouldn't shift to 5th in cruise control. Got the fuck rid of it.

My mom's 2008 Chevy Colorado. It had cold starting problems from brand new, and had warm A/C and intermittent power windows by 20k. At about 28k the Throttle control module derped out, and sent 72 fault codes. GM refused to warranty it, quoted $1000 for a repair and said they couldn't guarantee a new one would last longer than a few weeks or months.

Still doesn't compare to her 1997 Ford Windstar that literally spent more than half of its life in the shop, and threw a rod at 32k, literally as she was driving to the dealer to trade it in. Ford refused to warranty it, but they happily took $7k off the trade in value.

When my Dodge spirit got totaled, I had a 2012 Nissan versa rental with 18k miles. The motor had a really bad case of piston slap. Made an awful noise when started cold.

Earlier this year we rented a 2013 Ford focus that many of the dash controls didn't work.

My 2009 Civic SI has already been through 1 clutch master cylinder, and 4k later, the new one's already starting to go. It also has a really bad 3rd gear synchro that I've as of yet been unable to convince Honda is a problem, despite very obvious difficulty shifting, and them having issued a TSB for that issue.

am i the only one that seems to have good luck with GM cars?

Posted by Samurai am i the only one that seems to have good luck with GM cars?

Apparently. My 1999 Grand Am was enough of a lemon to not only ensure I never buy another GM vehicle but also my father (who bought nothing but GM for several decades), and most of my family will never buy another one too.

We all went to Honda's and Toyota's and have had very good luck with them.

Posted by Cor726 Apparently. My 1999 Grand Am was enough of a lemon to not only ensure I never buy another GM vehicle but also my father (who bought nothing but GM for several decades), and most of my family will never buy another one too. We all went to Honda's and Toyota's and have had very good luck with them.

you don't drive cars, you drive appliances, cookie cutter appliances for people that don't like cars.

since 1996, i've owned nothing but Chevrolets (well, there were some older Dodges in there, but those were for masochistic purposes):
your truly:
1991 Chevrolet Cavalier RS coupe
1988 Chevrolet Cavalier RS coupe
1984 Chevrolet Cavalier Type 10 coupe
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier coupe
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier coupe
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier sedan
1993 Chevrolet Lumina sedan
1998 Chevrolet Lumina sedan
1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt coupe
2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS/SC coupe
1996 Chevrolet Beretta
2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT sedan

My mom:
1984 Chevrolet Celebrity sedan
1999 Chevrolet Cavalier Z22 coupe
2000 Chevrolet S10 extended cab 4x2
2004 Chevrolet Silverado WT1500 extended cab 4x4
2007 Pontiac G6 sedan
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco sedan

my brother:
1987 Pontiac Firebird Formula 305
2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LT
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ Z71
2003 Chevrolet Malibu

my father we don't talk about because he only drives Ford, so we think he's mental.

I am currently driving a 2012 Toyota Yaris sedan as a rental, and to be honest and objective, it's worse than the Chrysler 200 i had as a loaner in September. There is nothing good about this car. It rides like buckboard, handles even moderate corners like a fat chick on roller skates. Has the personality of a mildly-retarded gerbil, has no power for hills, and is so fatiguing to drive, I can't wait to return it. I should've forked over the extra money for the Cruze Enterprise had on the lot. And this is with 33,000 miles on the odometer.

No arguing that the Toyota Corolla S is just an appliance, between the Civic Si and Cruze Eco, besides the fact the Cruze seems to have ripped some styling cues off the Civic, I'd say the Honda is far better looking, and the engine makes an awesome sound at 7500, although I bet torque is better on the Cruze. All in all it's about preference. They're really more similar than different. Neither car is anything special.

My ex had a Toyota Echo (predecessor to the Yaris) when we met. Sounds like the Echo blood carried on to the Yaris. It was a nightmare to drive. I don't know who the fuck thought putting the instrument cluster in the CENTER of the dash was a good idea, but they can go eat a dick. Maybe it works in other cars, but it sure didn't in that Echo.

On the subject of modern cars, I just bought a new VW. I hope all the stories I've heard about cars randomly breaking timing chains are due to not keeping up on maintenance or driving it like you stole it.

Posted by budda No arguing that the Toyota Corolla S is just an appliance, between the Civic Si and Cruze Eco, besides the fact the Cruze seems to have ripped some styling cues off the Civic, I'd say the Honda is far better looking, and the engine makes an awesome sound at 7500, although I bet torque is better on the Cruze. All in all it's about preference. They're really more similar than different. Neither car is anything special. http://www.blogcdn...10/03/cruseeco.jpg http://images.deal...tures/38775099.jpg

actually the Cruze is a fun car to drive, not as fun as my Cobalt SS, but that's apples to oranges. Also, the Cruze does everything it advertises and more. Window sticker said 38mpg, i am consistently getting 44+ on road trips, high 30's around town. Now as for sounds at 7500RPM, my Cruze doesn't rev that high. It doesn't need to. Over 5000RPM, you're just beating on the engine. It makes all of its power down low and in the mid-range. I was parked doorhandle to doorhandle with a comparable Civic of the same year (here in NY, model years are on our registration window stickers) and sorry, but the Cruze looks better, like ready to pounce. The Civic looks like a prop from a bad sci-fi movie and that dash is horrendous.

I love the dash lol. The speedo is like 1inch from the road. So easy to see. And i gotta say i miss torque, but k20 is a great engine. Its built to rev. Itll be fine. The rest of the car is nice too. Decent seats. Quality interior panels, and a trunk that fits guitar, pedalboard and a half stack. 6.1 channel speakers with usb and aux hookup, and 6 gears. If only it was capable of passing on the highway in 6th it would be the perfect car

Posted by Samurai you don't drive cars, you drive appliances, cookie cutter appliances for people that don't like cars. since 1996, i've owned nothing but Chevrolets (well, there were some older Dodges in there, but those were for masochistic purposes): your truly: 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier RS coupe 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier RS coupe 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier Type 10 coupe 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier coupe 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier coupe 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier sedan 1993 Chevrolet Lumina sedan 1998 Chevrolet Lumina sedan 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt coupe 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS/SC coupe 1996 Chevrolet Beretta 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT sedan

You're fucking crazy about cavaliers.

Well lets see: My vehicles currently, because I can't list all the vehicles I've owned, because I'm a hustler, and I own 15 a year.

1967 Mustang. 112K miles. Runs perfectly with minor annual service.
1969 Lotus Europa. Runs like a striped assed ape, when it runs, which is not often, because its British.
1969 Triumph TR-6, See Above.
1973 Triumph Spitfire. See above.
1973 Ford F-250. Put 256K on the original motor, then put in a rebuilt. 143K on that, and I would drive it to Alaska tomorrow.
1975 Volvo 242DL. 300K on the motor, and it will not die.
1985 Chevy Suburban. 75K miles, on its 2nd motor and 3rd tranny in its life. It leaks fluid from every orifice, and if I own a vehicle that runs less often than the Lotus, this is it.
1987 Suzuki Samurai. 138K on the first motor, 34K on the current. Runs flawlessly and everything works perfectly
1988 Toyota Corolla SR5. Had 334K when the odometer quit working 5 years ago. Barely burns any oil, and still gets 36 MPG

So, the only ones that don't run well are Chevy or British. Go figure. Also notice that there are no fuel injected or computerized vehicles. There is a reason for this.

Posted by budda I love the dash lol. The speedo is like 1inch from the road. So easy to see. And i gotta say i miss torque, but k20 is a great engine. Its built to rev. Itll be fine. The rest of the car is nice too. Decent seats. Quality interior panels, and a trunk that fits guitar, pedalboard and a half stack. 6.1 channel speakers with usb and aux hookup, and 6 gears. If only it was capable of passing on the highway in 6th it would be the perfect car

the Cruze makes you forget about all the compact Chevrolets that came before... the seats are fantastic, especially on a long trip. The radio, although not the Pioneer system, is ok. It does lose a bit of umph up high, but it doesn't tin or fuzz out. There is surprising torque/power in 6th gear... on the highway, its rare I have to downshift. I live in a mountainous area, so power was foremost on my list. It's no race car, but i am never worried climbing, merging or passing. I miss my Cobalt SS just for the absurdly massively fun power and suspension it had, but this is a better car on a trip.

Traded the 10 Corolla in for a 12 Camry with the addition of another rugrat and, well, I kinda like it. The more I drive it the more I like the damned thing.

Now let me clear this up though, I can't get attached to it. I still have my XJ because it's part of my family. It's like a pet. I actually care for that vehicle in a unhealthy way. Now my Miata I bought, well I'm just gonna sell it. I'm not enthusiastic about working on it, hell I've had it a year and have yet to even go out and do much more than put the tarp on it when it blows off. But I still tinker with the XJ. The Buick Century I have gotten attached to as well ( though last week I had a fender bender in it and will have to get it fixed, damned thing is a tank though, took on a lifted Dodge Ram and escaped with minimal damage ). I like it's comfort. I like it's power. I like it's plain jane don't look at me styling.

I feel like a fucking G Man driving it lol. Call me Fox Mulder.

All that said I prefer older cars all day every day. But the Camry will serve its purpose quite well I think. It just will never have the soul my Cherokee has.

Jonsered, are you on TB? Just curious.

/Off Topic!

After smashing my Civic dead center into phone pole at 40, and somehow not bending the frame rails whatsoever, I take it back. Modern cars are ok.

Posted by budda After smashing my Civic dead center into phone pole at 40, and somehow not bending the frame rails whatsoever, I take it back. Modern cars are ok.

if you saw the fucking hole I drove into tonight, you'd cry.

Posted by 944kid Jonsered, are you on TB? Just curious. /Off Topic!

Umm, I don't believe so, since I don't know what it is.

Posted by Jonsered Umm, I don't believe so, since I don't know what it is.

Aha it was a shot in the dark.

turbobricks.org

For all your Volvo [242] needs.

Not to mention 5x the shenanigans.

Figured you might get the "TB" reference if you were already a member.

Check it out, you might find some map pockets for your ride, since your's are probably already broken. Or you might find a nice set of 5 panel tail lights if your's look like a toddler took sand paper to them and set them in the sun for a year.

75 was a good year for those. If you're ever looking to sell, guys in Cali will pay a premium for your ride so long as it's in decent shape. 75 and under doesn't get the smog nazi check!

P.S. I go by "Tuesday" on there if you check it out.

Enjoy it, I miss my 740s. Had 3, they're the ugliest bulletproof cars known to man!

Posted by Samurai if you saw the fucking hole I drove into tonight, you'd cry.

Explain?

Posted by budda Explain?

i pulled out of the driveway of a hardware store last night to go around back to pick up four bags of wood pellets. Hiding under the snow was a storm drain, a good 7-8" drop... It damn near ripped the splash guard off and did who knows what else to the underside of my car.
On top of that, the body work that was done on this car this fall? that paint is coming off.

Posted by 944kid For all your Volvo [242] needs.

I had a 242GT. I loved that car so ridiculously much.