"USA imports" daily driver, whats good?

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rustytoolss

rustytoolss

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Those of you with "USA imports" (we will call them) for your daily drivers since a lot of them are actual built in USA. What do you have Honda, Toyota, hyundia, etc... Whats your experience as far as reliability, ease to work on.
I've always bought Chryslers/chevys. But lately have loss a lot of faith in them (especially Chrysler).
So I'm thinking of buying a used "USA import" something in the 8-12 thousand $ range. This vehicle would be our main car/ and needs to be wife friendly.
I'm thinking of a 4cylinder with a real automatic NO CVT transmissions. Probably an SUV type vehicle/ but that's open at this point. FWD or RWD is fine. 4 door or hatchback.
So what do you think of you "USA imports" ease to work on/ durability/ Have you had any major repairs that were expensive, or re-acuring ... I know this is an old car site...but we do live in the modern world. Thanks
 
I took a 4runner on a trade years ago when i had to have shoulder surgery and could not drive the a-100 at the time, The wife loved it so much i bought her another just like it. I thought I would hate the thing, but must say it proved itself to me over and over again. Both have the 2.7 4 cyl motor, mine auto hers 5 speed. I would load that thing full of motors and crap to go to swap's and the scrap yard and what not. I sold mine with 287xxx miles and still running great, but i needed a full size truck to move out of state. Wifes is a tough little beast, we have towed heavy trailers with it. I picked hers up for 5k with 115xxx miles on it, so your budget would get a really nice one. the 2.7 motor has a timing chain not a belt. the v6 motors have a timing belt, just food for thought.
 
Subaru Outback or Legacy. Both built in Indiana. Once you go Subaru you will never go back and the AWD is fantastic. I drive a Subaru Impreza (2011) but the Impreza is made in Japan.
 
discharger1332 said:
I took a 4runner on a trade years ago when i had to have shoulder surgery and could not drive the a-100 at the time, The wife loved it so much i bought her another just like it. I thought I would hate the thing, but must say it proved itself to me over and over again. Both have the 2.7 4 cyl motor, mine auto hers 5 speed. I would load that thing full of motors and crap to go to swap's and the scrap yard and what not. I sold mine with 287xxx miles and still running great, but i needed a full size truck to move out of state. Wifes is a tough little beast, we have towed heavy trailers with it. I picked hers up for 5k with 115xxx miles on it, so your budget would get a really nice one. the 2.7 motor has a timing chain not a belt. the v6 motors have a timing belt, just food for thought.
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So you've got an A100..Me too, a 64 A100 pickup 273/727.
I've got a PT cruiser , it's a PITA to work on, and needs a timing belt, and other things. It's 13yrs old 88,000 miles and Ohio rust. Basically I don't want to work on it.
What year is your 4 runners? Any major problems? How hard to work on ?? Thanks
 
1968FormulaS340 said:
Subaru Outback or Legacy. Both built in Indiana. Once you go Subaru you will never go back and the AWD is fantastic. I drive a Subaru Impreza (2011) but the Impreza is made in Japan.
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Thanks , any major problems ? How hard to work on ?? My dad had a Subaru station wagon in the mid 70's (was funny to see spare tire under the hood. Did not own it very long. Don't recall why.
 
My mother bought an 08 CR-V new and now has around 100000 miles(165000 kms) on it with nothing done but regular maintenence. My only complaint is the lack of power, but she doesn't mind it.
 
My daily driver is a leased Toyota corolla , I like it but the head room getting in and out is a pain.

The lease is up in may and I plan on stepping up to a camry , love the toyota's

My fleet currently includes , 1969 Dart, 1970 duster, 1999 Silverado 5.3,2013 corolla , 1985 Kawasaki.

All are licensed and insured and in driving condition.

Bought a 2010 Jeep new and it will be my last new Chrysler product , quality was poor.

And I even get Green slip from Chrysler and won't buy them.

Just because I love the old ones doesn't mean I will put up with their current offerings
 
I will have to second the Subaru- dependable long lasting cars and great for occupant safety. wife and daughter walked away from 40MPH crash when wife passed out behind the wheel and rear ended a GMC Sonoma pickup and side swiped a Cadillac - low blood sugar apparently the cause of her passing out and she remembers nothing. Our 2011 Outback was totaled as well as the GMC.
 

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dartfever said:
My mother bought an 08 CR-V new and now has around 100000 miles(165000 kms) on it with nothing done but regular maintenence. My only complaint is the lack of power, but she doesn't mind it.
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Make sure you do valve adjustments as called for, and trans fluid change outs. my wifes 01 has 198K but needed a trans at 175K
 
The CR-V is one that I'm thinking about. And even though they are Ugly of sorts, a Honda Element. Also Hyundai/Kia Tuson type SUV. I don't mind ugly. I had a 09 Jeep Patriot. Was a good vehicle , but just out of warranty had major electronics issues ( Chrysler pretty much lost a life long customer) so I lost faith in Chrysler/fiat/diamler/lawnboy/remco motors.
 
Honestly don't think you can go wrong with an Equiniox/Terrain, despite it not being an import. Can probably get a deal on one too.

Parents have owned an 09 Malibu 2.4L since new and I've had a '12 1.4L Turbo Cruze and they are both great. The only problem between the two of us has been that my trunk release button failed, which was covered under warranty.
 
1968FormulaS340 said:
Subaru Outback or Legacy. Both built in Indiana. Once you go Subaru you will never go back and the AWD is fantastic. I drive a Subaru Impreza (2011) but the Impreza is made in Japan.
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I like the Outback, it's an impressive little car. Never owned one, but a couple of people I know do, although they run the manual transmission. Talk about a quick little car, my one buddy's car in third gear at 90 is still pulling like a freight train.

Many, many trouble free miles.
 
rustytoolss said:
Those of you with "USA imports" (we will call them) for your daily drivers since a lot of them are actual built in USA. What do you have Honda, Toyota, hyundia, etc... Whats your experience as far as reliability, ease to work on.
I've always bought Chryslers/chevys. But lately have loss a lot of faith in them (especially Chrysler).
So I'm thinking of buying a used "USA import" something in the 8-12 thousand $ range. This vehicle would be our main car/ and needs to be wife friendly.
I'm thinking of a 4cylinder with a real automatic NO CVT transmissions. Probably an SUV type vehicle/ but that's open at this point. FWD or RWD is fine. 4 door or hatchback.
So what do you think of you "USA imports" ease to work on/ durability/ Have you had any major repairs that were expensive, or re-acuring ... I know this is an old car site...but we do live in the modern world. Thanks
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I recommend you consider AWD, and Honda, Nissan, and Toyota all have good entries.

Subaru is always a good choice, too.
 
At different times I have owned a Toyota Corolla (98, Fremont, CA, 4 dr automatic) and a Honda Civic(08, Maryville, OH, 2 dr 5-speed). The Honda was more nimble but also more susceptible to "tracking" grooves in the road. 180 miles of crappy I-35 between Dallas and Austin was an ordeal in the Honda. The Toyota was what the Honda was not in terms of driving dynamics. It was an excellent road car. Drove from Dallas to Wheeling, WV for F-I-L funeral during blizzard conditions. The car was easy to drive. Both cars got excellent fuel mileage (~40 on the highway). During the time I owned them, neither car needed anything other than normal maintenance. In terms of preference, I preferred the conventional gauges on the Toyota to the bi-level arrangement on the Honda. Honda uses a large digital display speedometer. It is very easy to read, even from the next lane over.

I currently drive a 14 Dart (Normal, IL, 2.4 Liter, 6-speed). The only significant imported component on the car is the Italian transmission. Engine and body were made in USA. I have only 8K miles on it. Am adjusting well to the touchscreen info-tainment center. (like it). Am getting high 30s on the highway. Ride is very stiff with Rallye pkg and 225/45-17 tires. Car corners well. Interior & exterior fit and finish are good as far as I can tell. (Kudos to the UAW at the Normal plant. You guys have tightened up your game.) My only gripe is the shifter sometimes goes clunky and is reluctant to find first gear. Some of that is me getting used to the odd gear spreading.
 
4 runners are 1999 and 1998. the 4 cylinder is super easy to work on. I thought for sure i would have to have it serviced but ended being able to tackle everything myself.
I had to sell my A-100 when I ruptured my rotator cuff in work related injury. I was unable to drive it with one arm so i sold it to buy a vehicle i could drive w/ one arm- 4runner auto.
 
None....if its not built by an AMERICAN based company..an certainly nothing with a 4-cylinder:violent1::violent1:
 
I'll be DAMNED if I will ever own or recommend an AWD anything. You ever had to buy a viscous coupling? Price one. Nuff said.

That said, we had an 02 Toyotee Corolla. Got consistent 43 MPG. Cannot beat them for what they are.
 
RustyRatRod said:
I'll be DAMNED if I will ever own or recommend an AWD anything. You ever had to buy a viscous coupling? Price one. Nuff said.
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My neighbor, across the street has a 1998 Forester. Unbelievably economical, and reliable. About a month ago we were talking about it. He bought it new for his wife. it went through all three of his kids, and now it's his daily driver. According to him, not a singe major repair. Just maintenance and normal wear items.


That said, we had an 02 Toyotee Corolla. Got consistent 43 MPG. Cannot beat them for what they are.
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Good point. Some cars are excellent at what they are supposed to be. The Corolla is ans economy car, and, as you said, it's good at what it's supposed to be. They were inexpensive to buy, and inexpensive to operate, and very reliable little cars. Use them for what they were designed to do, and they last for ever.

My ex-business partner's daughter has a 1987 Corolla. My partner bought it new in 1987 as his daily driver. Nothing special. 5 speed manual, trans, crank windows. One of the few options it has is AC. He gave it to his daughter when she became old enough to drive ( 1995 or 96) and she still has it. She lives in the Tampa area, and uses it to commute to work, so she can leave her new car in her garage at home during the week. So, it's a 28 year old car now, and it's still serving as designed. Good car!
 
5 drivers, 4 cars in the family. 63 Valiant (sleeps during the winter) 72 Dart year-round driver: 1998 Camry; bought used 6 years ago 130k now- only repairs have been exhaust related, defrost/ac are not the best. 2005 Honda Pilot bought used in 2007- 180K now been very happy with it. Some normal suspension issues but only after years of heavy use hauling passengers and cargo. Maybe you could find an older Acura TL in that price range. My Dad has an 06 and it is a very nice car (nicer than anything I have ever owned)
 
Sussmad said:
5 drivers, 4 cars in the family. 63 Valiant (sleeps during the winter) 72 Dart year-round driver: 1998 Camry; bought used 6 years ago 130k now- only repairs have been exhaust related, defrost/ac are not the best. 2005 Honda Pilot bought used in 2007- 180K now been very happy with it. Some normal suspension issues but only after years of heavy use hauling passengers and cargo. Maybe you could find an older Acura TL in that price range. My Dad has an 06 and it is a very nice car (nicer than anything I have ever owned)
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Thanks for the information about the Acura TL. My needs are more along the line of a wagon/suv type of vehicle (wife friendly hatchback type of thing)
 
Bad Sport said:
I like the Outback, it's an impressive little car. Never owned one, but a couple of people I know do, although they run the manual transmission. Talk about a quick little car, my one buddy's car in third gear at 90 is still pulling like a freight train.

Many, many trouble free miles.
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I looked online at some Subaru Foresters. That engine looks like a nightmare! might not be as bad in real life.
 
Yeah, I don't know if I'd want to work on one, I don't like working on any thing that's newer.

The Outback that John has is a nice little ride, fully loaded, leather heated seats very comfortable to get in an out of, and I'm 6'2" 250. Plenty of legroom etc.

My neighbor has a Subaru, and that's all he buys. He travels about 150 miles a day round trip to work, and he runs them to 200K or so before he gets a new one.
 
If you have $12000 to spend, lease a new Honda CRV. They hold their value well enough that you should be able to sell it before the lease is up for more than the residual (and make some $$$ back). Put the profit down on the next one and you get a new car with lower payments. A good friend of mine does this and claims it's cheaper than a used car. He's no car guy, but he is a CPA.

Subarus are designed for people who find the very concept of a car offensive. My daughter bought one of the darn things and I had to make her sear in writing that she wouldn't turn vegan and grow out her leg/armpit hair. Subarus are absolutely diabolical to work on and the parts are ridiculously expensive.

If you want a car project, old cars are great. If you need a reliable fuel efficient car, get something that says Honda or Toyota on it.
 
C130 Chief said:
Subarus are designed for people who find the very concept of a car offensive. My daughter bought one of the darn things and I had to make her sear in writing that she wouldn't turn vegan and grow out her leg/armpit hair.
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That's hilarious.

I'm not a big fan of any "foreign" compact, but they seem to be built well.



Subarus are absolutely diabolical to work on and the parts are ridiculously expensive.
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That I can believe.
 
I said what I did about the AWD because I ran the office in a local transmission shop about two years. AWD vehicles are nothing but trouble. People buy them and then have no clue how to take care of them.

They are required to have the same size tires front and rear. Not just that. The factories also recommend sequential serial numbers on the tires, so that they are all four as close as possible to the exact same diameter.

The viscous coupling that connects the front and rear differentials is THAT sensitive. As little as 1/2" difference front to rear can burn up a viscous coupling. Done. Over. Toast. A lot of times, it causes a violent enough reaction that it takes the transmission out with it. Can you say $5K in repairs?

And since Subaru DID come up, they have one of the most bullcrap systems there is. The break in procedure for a rebuilt transmission and viscous coupling is basically doing doughnuts in a parking lot. Ok. No problem. Know what the service manual says? Something like "if the coupling continues to chatter after break in, remove the coupling and manually burnish the cutch plates"

While I was there we only had ONE problem child that would NOT go away. Guess what it was? A Subaru AWD.
 
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