As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/
We're funding a new Acquisitions Incorporated series on Kickstarter right now! Check it out at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pennyarcade/acquisitions-incorporated-the-series-2

A Supra Good Year [car thread]

1202123252692

Posts

  • XaquinXaquin Right behind you!Registered User regular
    Car thread, I am frustrated

    I am leaning towards buying a 2020 Hyundai Kona as it fits nearly every realistic requirement I have for a car. The only problem is that no one knows a damn thing about it aside from superficial garbage like colors and heated seats. I don't want to talk to a dealer yet since they never leave you alone the second they get your name. I tried chatting with the actual hyundai website people but they claimed to not know whether the car had a sealed transmission or not.

    I want to find out things like sealed transmission or no, or whether it has a sealed timing chain or if it will snap after 90k miles and break all the pins in the engine (looking at you 2000 ford focus).

    I've even looked on the hyundai forums but they are of limited aid. Mostly it seems to be bickering about the right or wrong answers which isn't any real help at all.

    In this day and age, I can't believe how hard I'm having to look for basic information! I must be missing something. Where do you all go for basic car questions?

  • mRahmanimRahmani DetroitRegistered User regular
    ...what is a sealed transmission and timing chain? I've taken an engine and transmission design class and I don't know what you're talking about.

  • XaquinXaquin Right behind you!Registered User regular
    edited December 2019
    mRahmani wrote: »
    ...what is a sealed transmission and timing chain? I've taken an engine and transmission design class and I don't know what you're talking about.

    a sealed transmission is a transmission that doesn't need regular flushes (for example, my 2004 saturn ion has never had a transmission fluid change). a timing chain is the same principle as a belt.

    either way, I found an owners manual someone uploaded!

    edit: yay, sealed transmission!

    Xaquin on
    Janson
  • mRahmanimRahmani DetroitRegistered User regular
    Okay so what you're actually asking is whether the transmission has a "lifetime" fluid or whether there is service required, right? I generally recommend against transmission flushes because of the possibility to get debris trapped in small passages, but fluid changes every 100,000 miles is a good idea IMO.

    I checked our service documentation at work and while I don't have data on the 2020 Kona, the 2019s have a timing chain for both the 1.6L turbo and the 2.0L. The transmission fluid is classified as lifetime, but should be changed at 60,000 miles for "severe usage."
    Alldata wrote:

    Severe usage is defined as

    Driving in rough road (Bumpy, Gravel, Snowy, Unpaved road, etc).

    Driving in mountain road, ascent/descent.

    Repetition of short distance driving.

    More than 50% operation in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 32°C(89.6°F) .

    Police, Taxi, Commercial type operation or trailer towing, etc.

    XaquinpimentoDonovan Puppyfucker
  • XaquinXaquin Right behind you!Registered User regular
    Thanks!

    I really appreciate it!

    This sounds like the car for me. Relatively inexpensive and relatively low maintenance. No outlandish battery or tire requirements or anything like that.

  • TallahasseerielTallahasseeriel Registered User regular
    Someone rear ended my mom and then sped off onto the turnpike on ramp.

    I'm so mad. I wish people would learn to drive defensively instead of shoving their cars right up your tailpipe if you dare to drive the speed limit and heaven help you if a light turns red because everyone is always on their fuckin phone at the same time.

  • XaquinXaquin Right behind you!Registered User regular
    Uriel wrote: »
    Someone rear ended my mom and then sped off onto the turnpike on ramp.

    I'm so mad. I wish people would learn to drive defensively instead of shoving their cars right up your tailpipe if you dare to drive the speed limit and heaven help you if a light turns red because everyone is always on their fuckin phone at the same time.

    I hope she's ok!

    LaOsjgeisThe Escape GoatL Ron HowardIronKnuckle's GhostpimentochromdomSporkAndrewLabelJanson
  • TallahasseerielTallahasseeriel Registered User regular
    Xaquin wrote: »
    Uriel wrote: »
    Someone rear ended my mom and then sped off onto the turnpike on ramp.

    I'm so mad. I wish people would learn to drive defensively instead of shoving their cars right up your tailpipe if you dare to drive the speed limit and heaven help you if a light turns red because everyone is always on their fuckin phone at the same time.

    I hope she's ok!

    Yeah she's fine just pissed off. Her car is ok too, I guess he just bumped her a bit.

  • NaphtaliNaphtali Hazy + Flow SeaRegistered User regular
    @Xaquin if it helps, I've been driving one for about a year now (2019, basically the same). No issues of note and it's been fine thus far.

    Steam | Nintendo ID: Naphtali | Wish List
    Xaquin
  • XaquinXaquin Right behind you!Registered User regular
    Excellent!

    I can't decide if I want to get it in January when I'll have the funds or wait until next summer when I'll have to renew my tags and pass an emissions test

    My car will not pass said test so I figure that will be a good time to buy new

  • webguy20webguy20 I spend too much time on the Internet Registered User regular
    Xaquin wrote: »
    Excellent!

    I can't decide if I want to get it in January when I'll have the funds or wait until next summer when I'll have to renew my tags and pass an emissions test

    My car will not pass said test so I figure that will be a good time to buy new

    Run the old car as long as possible and come in with the biggest down payment you can manage.

    Steam ID: Webguy20
    Origin ID: Discgolfer27
    Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
    XaquinLaOsEinzel
  • XaquinXaquin Right behind you!Registered User regular
    webguy20 wrote: »
    Xaquin wrote: »
    Excellent!

    I can't decide if I want to get it in January when I'll have the funds or wait until next summer when I'll have to renew my tags and pass an emissions test

    My car will not pass said test so I figure that will be a good time to buy new

    Run the old car as long as possible and come in with the biggest down payment you can manage.

    I'll be buying it outright! I was already saving and then I got some very unexpected inheritance

  • webguy20webguy20 I spend too much time on the Internet Registered User regular
    Xaquin wrote: »
    webguy20 wrote: »
    Xaquin wrote: »
    Excellent!

    I can't decide if I want to get it in January when I'll have the funds or wait until next summer when I'll have to renew my tags and pass an emissions test

    My car will not pass said test so I figure that will be a good time to buy new

    Run the old car as long as possible and come in with the biggest down payment you can manage.

    I'll be buying it outright! I was already saving and then I got some very unexpected inheritance

    Nice! Well then do some research and see when Hyundai usually has the best deals. If you get it soon enough you can probably flip your old car on Craigslist as a fixer upper.

    Steam ID: Webguy20
    Origin ID: Discgolfer27
    Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
    Xaquin
  • JuggernutJuggernut Registered User regular
    I fucking hate oil change/brake places.

    I need new pads and I get the whole "your car is gonna literally explode if you don't give us $1,000 right now and we can't even put the pads on without rebuilding shit" schpeel.

    I told em I had access to a lift and can do it myself I'm just crunched for time so get the pads on.

    "Ok let me see if he can get the pistons back in and maybe we can get the pads on."

    Dude is gone for 5 seconds and comes back and tells me he got the pistons in and yeah, we can do the $159 option.

    Xaquinwebguy20Donovan Puppyfucker
  • Forever ZefiroForever Zefiro cloaked in the midnight glory of an event horizonRegistered User regular
    Isn't around the end of the year / beginning of the year a good time to buy a vehicle because they're doing their final sales and trying to hit their year-end goals?

    2fbg9lin3kdl.jpg
    XBL - Foreverender | 3DS FC - 1418 6696 1012 | Steam ID | LoL
  • XaquinXaquin Right behind you!Registered User regular
    I'm looking at an elantra now

    3k cheaper and nearly as big

    Same engine even

  • schussschuss Registered User regular
    Isn't around the end of the year / beginning of the year a good time to buy a vehicle because they're doing their final sales and trying to hit their year-end goals?

    Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on how far they are from their goal. Unless it's one car, you want one on the lot and you can get it done that day - not likely for crazy deal town.

  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    Xaquin wrote: »
    I'm looking at an elantra now

    3k cheaper and nearly as big

    Same engine even

    A good car, certainly. Would you consider yourself a driving enthusiast, or is your car just a method of transportation?

    Xaquin
  • jgeisjgeis Registered User regular
    The 6-speed auto (with the 2.0L engine) in the Kona is the same as the one in my Elantra GT is a "sealed" transmission in that there's no dipstick to check the fluid level and it's not meant to be serviced until 100k miles (or 60k in "severe" driving conditions). You can definitely change the fluid at home if you've got some auto maintenance experience, or have it done at basically any shop.
    Xaquin wrote: »
    I'm looking at an elantra now

    3k cheaper and nearly as big

    Same engine even

    Split the difference and get the Elantra GT.

    Xaquin
  • XaquinXaquin Right behind you!Registered User regular
    Xaquin wrote: »
    I'm looking at an elantra now

    3k cheaper and nearly as big

    Same engine even

    A good car, certainly. Would you consider yourself a driving enthusiast, or is your car just a method of transportation?

    I love driving, but I don't really care what I'm driving as long as the ride is relatively smooth, there is an air conditioner, and the radio has a usb drive

  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    Yeah the Elantra is perfect for you then. Pleasant to drive, pleasant to own, cheap to run and insure, and super reliable. My sister in law has a 2019 and it's a great car.

    XaquinKetar
  • CormacCormac Registered User regular
    Xaquin wrote: »
    Xaquin wrote: »
    I'm looking at an elantra now

    3k cheaper and nearly as big

    Same engine even

    A good car, certainly. Would you consider yourself a driving enthusiast, or is your car just a method of transportation?

    I love driving, but I don't really care what I'm driving as long as the ride is relatively smooth, there is an air conditioner, and the radio has a usb drive

    Those statements don't necessarily go together. It sounds more like you like cruising and don't actually care what the car is, and there's nothing wrong with that at all. I think you're a prime candidate for a panther based car :P (don't get a panther based car). In all seriousness though, have you looked at anything from Mazda or considered buying something pre-owned or CPO from other manufacturers? Though at this point there often isn't much of a difference in cost between new and used, but you might be able to put yourself in something more upscale for a similar price to a new car. Look into used Lexus ES's from 2013-2015. They'll run in the low to mid-20's and are very smooth, comfortable, and incredibly reliable.

    Steam: Gridlynk | PSN: Gridlynk | FFXIV: Jarvellis Mika
    Xaquin
  • webguy20webguy20 I spend too much time on the Internet Registered User regular
    Yeah the Elantra is perfect for you then. Pleasant to drive, pleasant to own, cheap to run and insure, and super reliable. My sister in law has a 2019 and it's a great car.

    Yea we have a 2013 and have been super pleased. They've only been getting better too.

    Steam ID: Webguy20
    Origin ID: Discgolfer27
    Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
    Xaquin
  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    Cormac wrote: »
    Xaquin wrote: »
    Xaquin wrote: »
    I'm looking at an elantra now

    3k cheaper and nearly as big

    Same engine even

    A good car, certainly. Would you consider yourself a driving enthusiast, or is your car just a method of transportation?

    I love driving, but I don't really care what I'm driving as long as the ride is relatively smooth, there is an air conditioner, and the radio has a usb drive

    Those statements don't necessarily go together. It sounds more like you like cruising and don't actually care what the car is, and there's nothing wrong with that at all. I think you're a prime candidate for a panther based car :P (don't get a panther based car). In all seriousness though, have you looked at anything from Mazda or considered buying something pre-owned or CPO from other manufacturers? Though at this point there often isn't much of a difference in cost between new and used, but you might be able to put yourself in something more upscale for a similar price to a new car. Look into used Lexus ES's from 2013-2015. They'll run in the low to mid-20's and are very smooth, comfortable, and incredibly reliable.

    You know an ES is just a Camry with a leather interior, right?

  • CormacCormac Registered User regular
    edited December 2019
    Cormac wrote: »
    Xaquin wrote: »
    Xaquin wrote: »
    I'm looking at an elantra now

    3k cheaper and nearly as big

    Same engine even

    A good car, certainly. Would you consider yourself a driving enthusiast, or is your car just a method of transportation?

    I love driving, but I don't really care what I'm driving as long as the ride is relatively smooth, there is an air conditioner, and the radio has a usb drive

    Those statements don't necessarily go together. It sounds more like you like cruising and don't actually care what the car is, and there's nothing wrong with that at all. I think you're a prime candidate for a panther based car :P (don't get a panther based car). In all seriousness though, have you looked at anything from Mazda or considered buying something pre-owned or CPO from other manufacturers? Though at this point there often isn't much of a difference in cost between new and used, but you might be able to put yourself in something more upscale for a similar price to a new car. Look into used Lexus ES's from 2013-2015. They'll run in the low to mid-20's and are very smooth, comfortable, and incredibly reliable.

    You know an ES is just a Camry with a leather interior, right?

    Yeah it's not far from that, but it's also a significant upgrade in terms of interior quality and overall fit and finish.

    FWIW, my Uncle's Sonata grenaded it's engine and even though it was out of warranty Hyundai replaced it at no charge due to a recall. He's also been very happy with it and I think he's even happier with the service from the dealership/Hyundai.

    Cormac on
    Steam: Gridlynk | PSN: Gridlynk | FFXIV: Jarvellis Mika
    Xaquin
  • XaquinXaquin Right behind you!Registered User regular
    Cormac wrote: »
    Xaquin wrote: »
    Xaquin wrote: »
    I'm looking at an elantra now

    3k cheaper and nearly as big

    Same engine even

    A good car, certainly. Would you consider yourself a driving enthusiast, or is your car just a method of transportation?

    I love driving, but I don't really care what I'm driving as long as the ride is relatively smooth, there is an air conditioner, and the radio has a usb drive

    Those statements don't necessarily go together. It sounds more like you like cruising and don't actually care what the car is, and there's nothing wrong with that at all. I think you're a prime candidate for a panther based car :P (don't get a panther based car). In all seriousness though, have you looked at anything from Mazda or considered buying something pre-owned or CPO from other manufacturers? Though at this point there often isn't much of a difference in cost between new and used, but you might be able to put yourself in something more upscale for a similar price to a new car. Look into used Lexus ES's from 2013-2015. They'll run in the low to mid-20's and are very smooth, comfortable, and incredibly reliable.

    I'm trying to avoid preowned

    I honestly haven't looked at mazda since both my uncle and grandfather owned one and they were $texas to get fixed

    I flat out refuse to own a ford again

  • jgeisjgeis Registered User regular
    edited December 2019
    I know they're not the most popular with the crowd around here, but Fiat-Chrysler cars are on hella sale right now. I guess they use an algorithm to determine production numbers and they were a liiiittle off, so there are a lot of unsold cars on dealer lots.

    Around me I'm seeing discounts of like $10,000 on Chargers and Challengers (V6 and V8 models), there are Jeep Renegade Latitudes (the trim level above the cheapest, which is Sport) for $13,500 (MSRP of $22,000+) and other discounts in that range on many of their models. And most of the discounts listed to hit those prices apply to most people.

    Like here's a 2019 Challenger R/T with the Shaker package and the Performance Handling Group with an MSRP of just over $42,000 going for $30,550.

    jgeis on
    davidsdurionsL Ron Howard
  • JansonJanson Registered User regular
    edited December 2019
    Hello car thread!

    Even though we’re broke right now our Honda Fit that @Moriveth drives went and died on us. The suspect is the alternator. It’s been giving us various problems for a few years and depending on the estimation we receive to fix it we may end up getting a new car sooner rather than later. (We have decided our limit is probably $2k on repairs before we say fuck it).

    Mori and I are clueless about cars so any help or recommendations on where to start would be greatly appreciated. Here’s our criteria:

    - our main car is a Toyota Prius-C which has so far served us very well but, as you can appreciate, is a very small car. The Fit is also small but does have a lot of interior space that has saved us on trips to get bales of hay or furniture from IKEA. Our new car would also need to fit a bale of hay or furniture.
    - not a Honda. I know a lot of people have Hondas but honestly they have caused nothing but issues for us and for friends. Also I cannot get comfortable in a Honda. My ankle is still fucked from driving the Fit a couple of weeks ago.
    - we live in Washington where Subaru reigns supreme and everyone drives and loves a Subaru so the availability of Subarus is pretty good up here.
    - we’re surrounded by gorgeous mountain ranges so a car better equipped to deal with mountain driving than my tiny Prius-C would be appreciated. It also occasionally snows and even though my Prius-C coped surprisingly well in the snow with the addition of new winter tires, it has laughable ground clearance, so something with decent ground clearance would be good.
    - we are definitely not cool people (we drive a Prius-C, c’mon) so safety/reliability/practicality all take precedence over cool or good-looking cars.
    - we have two kids so I am sure they’d appreciate some leg room as they grow older

    Janson on
    Moriveth
  • sponospono Mining for Nose Diamonds Booger CoveRegistered User regular
    How much do you want to spend?

    640qocnq4ske.gif
    Janson
  • davidsdurionsdavidsdurions Your Trusty Meatshield Panhandle NebraskaRegistered User regular
    Sounds lime you’re in the market for an Outback or Forester.

    PwH4Ipj.jpg
    pimento
  • davidsdurionsdavidsdurions Your Trusty Meatshield Panhandle NebraskaRegistered User regular
    Perfect typo, stays.

    PwH4Ipj.jpg
    JansonThe Escape GoatL Ron Howard
  • JansonJanson Registered User regular
    spono wrote: »
    How much do you want to spend?

    Yeah, that’s the real question, and one I am still debating. I’d say we’d want to stay at or under a $300 monthly payment. Could get $2k cash downpayment together in a week + the Fit if that’d even be worth anything.

    Fuck, though, I was really trying to make the Fit hold out for two more years.

  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    Janson wrote: »
    Hello car thread!

    Even though we’re broke right now our Honda Fit that @Moriveth drives went and died on us. The suspect is the alternator. It’s been giving us various problems for a few years and depending on the estimation we receive to fix it we may end up getting a new car sooner rather than later. (We have decided our limit is probably $2k on repairs before we say fuck it).

    Mori and I are clueless about cars so any help or recommendations on where to start would be greatly appreciated. Here’s our criteria:

    - our main car is a Toyota Prius-C which has so far served us very well but, as you can appreciate, is a very small car. The Fit is also small but does have a lot of interior space that has saved us on trips to get bales of hay or furniture from IKEA. Our new car would also need to fit a bale of hay or furniture.
    - not a Honda. I know a lot of people have Hondas but honestly they have caused nothing but issues for us and for friends. Also I cannot get comfortable in a Honda. My ankle is still fucked from driving the Fit a couple of weeks ago.
    - we live in Washington where Subaru reigns supreme and everyone drives and loves a Subaru so the availability of Subarus is pretty good up here.
    - we’re surrounded by gorgeous mountain ranges so a car better equipped to deal with mountain driving than my tiny Prius-C would be appreciated. It also occasionally snows and even though my Prius-C coped surprisingly well in the snow with the addition of new winter tires, it has laughable ground clearance, so something with decent ground clearance would be good.
    - we are definitely not cool people (we drive a Prius-C, c’mon) so safety/reliability/practicality all take precedence over cool or good-looking cars.
    - we have two kids so I am sure they’d appreciate some leg room as they grow older

    I cannot recommend a Hyundai Tucson enough. AWD, good ground clearance, heaps of room inside, very reliable, cheap to own and run, and quite nice to drive. If you can stretch to the SEL with the bigger motor, it'll retain better resale value in the future.

    JansonMorivethKetar
  • JansonJanson Registered User regular
    Awesome, that definitely looks like it would fit our bill!

    Fuck I do kinda hope we can just patch up the Fit for now, though. I’d love to go car shopping when we can take our time and save up a decent deposit.

    Donovan Puppyfucker
  • webguy20webguy20 I spend too much time on the Internet Registered User regular
    Fits are well built, not complicated cars with a huge parts catalog available. I'm sure it'll be able to be fixed up and stay on the road for a while longer.

    Steam ID: Webguy20
    Origin ID: Discgolfer27
    Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
    Donovan Puppyfuckerpimento
  • MorivethMoriveth BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWNRegistered User regular
    webguy20 wrote: »
    Fits are well built, not complicated cars with a huge parts catalog available. I'm sure it'll be able to be fixed up and stay on the road for a while longer.

    I sure hope so! Like Janson said, it'd be nice to be able to wait a little longer before having to get a replacement.

    Donovan Puppyfucker
  • webguy20webguy20 I spend too much time on the Internet Registered User regular
    Moriveth wrote: »
    webguy20 wrote: »
    Fits are well built, not complicated cars with a huge parts catalog available. I'm sure it'll be able to be fixed up and stay on the road for a while longer.

    I sure hope so! Like Janson said, it'd be nice to be able to wait a little longer before having to get a replacement.

    What year is it and how many miles do you have on it?

    Steam ID: Webguy20
    Origin ID: Discgolfer27
    Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
  • MorivethMoriveth BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWNRegistered User regular
    It's a 2008, and it has about 114,000 miles? I don't really put many miles on it - I want to say like 15 miles a day during the week, because that's as far as I have to go to / from the parking lot by the train station?

  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    A replacement alternator shouldn't cost more than a few hundred US dollars - I can find them on a British car parts website for 211 pounds, which is what? 350 bucks American? Then an hour or so for fitting (it's only a couple of bolts and like three wires), if the workshop quotes you more than ~$500 put on your frowny face and start asking questions.

    Xaquinpimento
  • webguy20webguy20 I spend too much time on the Internet Registered User regular
    edited December 2019
    $150 (roughly) US for an alternator. So yea, anything over $500 is too much. They'll mark the alternator up about 50%, then a couple hours of work at around $100 an hour.

    Have you kept up on regular maintance? Getting the fluids changed, plugs and wires swapped, things like that? Your suspension is probably wearing out at this point if you haven't had anything changed yet. If it lived mostly in California then you don't have to worry about rust issues, which is always nice. Probably in the next couple years it would be worth changing out the rubber hoses to and from the radiator, they start to get brittle. Your o2 sensors are probably getting worn, I would expect one or both to fail in the next couple years, so budget for that. Thermostat might be soon too, but can be replaced when the hoses are replaced.

    Pretty much set aside $100 a month like a car payment until you have about $2000 for any emergency repairs. Also works as a down payment if you decide to get a new car before any big bills!

    webguy20 on
    Steam ID: Webguy20
    Origin ID: Discgolfer27
    Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
Sign In or Register to comment.