As odd as it feels to ask OTHERS for advice on cars, I need your help!!

My brother is 16 and the family is tearing apart the classified ads, autotrader.com, craigslist, etc. looking for a nice, used car priced under $7000.

We've narrowed it down to:
1999+ Jetta
1999+ Passat
Saab 9-5
Saab 9-3
Volvo (of some kind)

And possibly Hondas (which I already know about since I work at a Honda dealer) or Acuras.

Unfortunately, nobody in my family has ever owned a VW, Saab, or Volvo and so we're pretty clueless as to problems they have, reliability ratings, etc.

Has anyone/does anyone own of these cars or know something about them?

Also, if you have one for sale, PM me.

 

Do not get a Passat unless you are a VW mechanic or
married to one.

From limited experience I'd say don't get a VW at all, unless
it's something like a 72 bug.

BTW I'm not the bitter apple here.
Ours performs flawlessly. It's just VERY expensive
to maintain, unless you Know Somebody.

 

I'd go with the Honda for a first car if your brother is in charge of paying for fueling and fixing it. Lots of parts=less money spent, family connection - - and reliable! I've seen posts here where some young owners quickly get out of their league financially.

Good luck!

 

Old Subaru's are a decent choice. Readily available in AWD if your state is a snow bound one, easily go 200k+ miles, and a joke to maintain.

 

you should consider the tata, you can buy a new dream car.

if your brother's really not into cars, have him check out a
old corolla. those things are garbage as far as it being a
car, but it is a reliable means of transporation.

 

listen to this man. unless your brother intends on learning automotive skills avoid europe as a whole. i love my VW and it runs great...when it runs (most recent problem is it wont start when its too warm out, just in time for summer) Saabs i would avoid like the plague, my cousin had an awful time with his.

i would say stick with Japanese cars. as much as i hate them, toyotas run for ever. same thing goes with honda, im not the biggest fan of them but they are entertaining to drive and run forever.

 

Ahh you all told me exactly what I hoped wasn't true: Euro cars don't have a good rep.

Coming from the Honda world (had a Honda before my MCS), it would be like relapsing, falling off the wagon... haha

Thanks for the advice though- kind of what I expected, but still disappointing... Euro cars just look SO much better!

(and have a little thing called "torque")

 

+1 for the Japanese cars.

Buying any of the European cars you listed for under $7000 would be a waste of money...they would all have tons of miles and tons of problems. Both VW and Saab are known for their electrical problems, among others. As windsorlove stated, they're great cars...when they work.

I came from a Honda Prelude, everybody in my family has Hondas and nobody has problems (knocks on wood).

 

Just make sure he doesn't develop a liking for teh VTAK. Here, you can see where the VTAK kicks in:

 

you only have a cf hood scoop and 20% tint and you think
you got torque? get a 15% reduction pulley, CAI, and milltek, budd!

 

I think its more like "WAAAAAAAHHHHHHH VTEC VTEC VTEC"

 

We have owned countless numbers of VW's. They are great cars and the motors last forever...Almost like Honda's but Yes...you need to know the common things that go wrong. And having a VAG-COM tool helps a crap ton. Common stuff was window motor/regulators and coil packs. That was really it that went out on our Jetta's. Now that I have the Touareg....Its performed awesome. There are a few issues....but I caused them...not VW...

 

i REALLY REALLY REALLY need to invest in a VAG-COM. VW's are notorious for coil packs and window regulators. i just recently got my car to run properly in the rain, now it doesnt like the hot weather...as summer rolls in.

 

remember though, UKSUV mixes his own transmissions... this guy is a guru.

 

VOLVO! (if you can't talk him into a Honda or Toyota)

The VW and Saab will have you crying every time they're in the shop which will be all the time! They break frequently and parts are expensive

VW's typically have bad electrical problems but are fairly solid mechanically

A coworker of mine has 1999 Saab which is already on it's second engine. That Saab of his is a money pit!
A lot of my fellow engineers do love the Saabs though they are great driving cars and give you frequent opportunities to break out the tool box

Volvo should be relatively reliable and SAFE.

 

hey, our electrical problems arent that bad. who needs power windows, or cars to run properly in the rain, or an air bag light to stay off, or power locks to work properly, or...

 

When you're 19, working 30 hours a week, and going to school full time, a $300.00 payment and some little add on items are the only things in my budget right now.

In comparison to an Acura RSX Type S that I drove at work- yes, my European car has more torque than a Japanese car.

CAI is on its way.

 

I've had a good experience with VW when I had my mk4 GTI, well other than the windows, & stereo dying in the first year, but since you work for Honda, why not get a Honda? Of all the cars I've owned, the 2 Hondas have been the best, really the best car dollar for dollar sold today, just boring, & torqueless. Just make him get a stick, it will make him a better driver.

 

Trying to talk him into a TL... early 2000's...

No luck with making him get a stick... pansy. haha

He's in love with VW and Audi... unfortunately. I'd be ecstatic over a TL as a first car!

The journey continues.... lol

 

yikes. i was only kidding.

 

No big deal! Just saying... haha

 

oh ok!

 

thats the problem. VW/Audis are cult cars (much like the MINI's) and people will spend thousands of dollars to keep their beloved car on the road. If he wants to learn how to fix a car, pick up a cheap MK2 (1985-1992) or MK3 (1993-early 1999). these cars are a dime a dozen, and easy/affordable to repair in the driveway. If he will only drive an auto, make sure (with the MK3) he gets the VR6. the 2.0 is a dog with the auto.

 

Besides, I painted my calipers yesterday- so now I have tons more torque.

 

most excellent!