Alright, i know we have a few car junkies and enthusiasts on here...i'd love to hear your expert opinions..... I appreciate ones from the regular consumer as well...lol...

Being a typical "girl" regarding car issues... I might not even know the right questions to ask... So please... Bear with me...lol...

So my question is... Overall car model for price, which do you think is the best one? And why?

Please distinguish european, american and asian brands...if you can, please...

...Ok..Ok..no bashings, I hope.... I will go do some retail therapy now and buy me some "girly" things... Lol...

Appreciate your input guys

Tough broad ranging question Pansy.....

I got the Kia Rio, it was awarded car of the year 2 years running here.......they are sold all over the world...

I do a 140 klm round trip 4 times a week and it performs like a dream

Well, that's all the world needs right now, another woman driver.

Now where's my popcorn

What do you want and need in a vehicle? There are so many different vehicles that fit different needs. The best for me may not be the best for you.

hey mikey i'm currently driving a toyota on loan from my mom... but will soon be getting a honda as soon as the bank papers are done...

the oldest car market here is the japanese market... obviously... but korean brands have caught up especially hyundai... kia cars here are ok, i guess... but the sales are not as high...

US brands are catching up too.. especially ford and chevrolet

european brands are mostly luxury brands.. but supposedly very well made ones...

at first i wanted to get a ford model, or a subaru...but after much consideration i gave regarding accessibility to parts and services, overall safety features and resale value... the honda seems to be the best choice...

well...ive pretty much made up my mind in what i want, based on what i know... i am more interested in what you know and want in cars...maybe compare notes with what ive got... like i said.. i probably wouldnt even know the right questions to ask...lol..

hummmm, I'm no good to ask.


Here depends on your toys you want to pull or haul, and weather conditions.


For me must be able to tow 3,600 pounds, and 4 wheel drive, at least front wheel drive for the snow.

after many years of fixing most anything that gets dragged into my shop. you are already in the right place tilly

my top 4 reccomendations to my customers are

toyota camry
honda accord
toyota corrola
honda civic


toyota and honda seem to be the best made and the best planned for maintainence which makes them less expensive to own.

after that lowest miles and best over all condition for the best price is the target.

For overall dependability, gas mileage, spaciousness without being too large, for me it was a Toyota Matrix. Never given me a bit of a problem. I've had it 7 years and as long as it lasts I'll keep it. I'm not the type of person who needs or wants a new car just to keep up with the Jones', so she's a keeper as long as she keeps going lol. The last Toyota vehicle I owned lasted 28 years! The Toyota Matrix is basically a Toyota Corolla Stationwagon!

yeppers missy they build good stuff

ahahaha! thats so true... i do enjoy watching US made car commercials... lol...especially the off-road model ones...

This is worth remembering.

thanks joey and remember to push every button and turn every knob.

you would be surpised at what is controled by an expensive computer these days

good input, eric and missy... ..makes me happy with my choice

the car models ive seen now has several added features that im not used to... the keyless engine start for instance... it feels weird coz partly, i wouldnt know where to put the key anymore... lol... then there's even this one model with a built-in keypad for the bluetooth function... seems strange... lol...

hey eric, have you handled cars with all these built in electronic stuff?... seems like it would be more prone to maintenance problems, in my opinion...

it CAN be so. the more gizmos the more it's possible. but typically the stuff designed for cars is "pretty bulletproof"

that said that's why i told joey what i did about pushing all the buttons on the used stuff.


ftr mom and dad are in year 10? with their keyless prius and except for needing a battery or 2, no problems.

i guess my other concern would be regarding parts...

most of the taxis here are toyota made... the car itself is not only cheaper, but there are a lot of parts available that are made to fit like the original... so cheaper to maintain and replace by taxi operators and independent car shops..

thats partly the reason why i chose the honda instead...

is this case similar to your experience?

yes i have found the toyotas mostly to be a little easier to work on than the hondas. hence the order of my list. but both fit in that class nicely. parts are readily available and they very durable

average milegae on those cars that come into my shop is well over 200,000 miles.

the only thing i would not recomend is buying a hybrid. they don't get enough better fuel economy to offset their high price tag.


we figured that out with one of my customers that bought a civic hyrid. at our fuel prices he needs to drive 300,00 miles to make up for the price increase

ok... i dont really know where this master electronic box is located... but the usual problems we have here are potholes and flooding.... i got a crv so that the engine will be a little higher up...but otherwise, how easy does it get affected by these driving conditions? my brother took the liberty of having the underchassis (righht term?) rustproofed for an extra fee.... does this really help?