Sometimes, you kid will do something atypical that makes you happy...

[Okla-homey]

To wit,

My Blonde Daughter was all fired-up for a new ride. She's been driving the same VW Jetta we bought her new in '03 and now that she's a college grajite and working, she figured to buy something newer and snazzier.

She shopped.

She moped about prices.

She shopped.

She moped some more.

Last night, and here's the good part, she resigned herself to the fact her car is perfectly functional, is generally free of dings and dents, and has at least another 100K miles left in it. Therefore, she's springing for a new timing belt, a set of shocks and wheel bearings (because its pretty much time for all that now) and said, "Daddy, I've decided to drive it 'til the wheels fall off."

Yay her.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

It's little moments like this that remind a fella that something you taught your kids stuck.

[olevetonahill]

Must take after Momma in the smarts department :D

[delhalew]

I would be mighty proud myself.

[C&CDean]

Dude, she's dumping money into a ****ing Volkswagen. That is NOT smart. Just sayin'. I mean I'm glad she's being frugal and ****, but her daddy needs to let her know he bought her a POS, and when it's time for her to dump money into wheels, she needs to steer clear of those krautmobiles.

[Chuck Bao]

Kudos to the kiddo, Homey.

With all of the talk about economic problems and unemployment, I was surprised to see so many people driving around new cars or pickup trucks when I was in the US last month.

Don't get me wrong: that isn't a bad thing if they can afford it. But, I'm left wondering how they can afford auto prices nearly the quarter of the price of a house. It just doesn't make sense to me, except that "look good" and "feel good" smell.

Your daughter has got gray matter underneath all of that blond.

[C&CDean]

With all of the talk about economic problems and unemployment, I was surprised to see so many people driving around new cars or pickup trucks when I was in the US last month.

Don't get me wrong: that isn't a bad thing if they can afford it. But, I'm left wondering how they can afford auto prices nearly the quarter of the price of a house. It just doesn't make sense to me, except that "look good" and "feel good" smell.

See, this is the rub with me. Everybody I know still works and pays their bills. I know where folks can get a ton of jobs. If you go by any casino, or better yet, amusement park like 6-Flags or Disney you'll see it's packed wall-to-wall. Go by a movie theater. The parking lots are filled to capacity - and there's nothing but ****ty movies playing. Restaurants? Bars? All the same.

So, I pretty much think the media - once again - is spouting horse****. The people without work are the lazy ****ers who are always without work. If someone wants to work, there's tons of work out there. Look at any job finding website. Economy schmonomy.

[Chuck Bao]

Ignore Dean because he is being a dick.

Those original VW bugs should rank up there with the best value for money manufactured products, ever. I do not know anything about the Jetta. For the sake of your daughter, I hope that its as durable and lasts as long.

Second on the list of value for money should be those old Datsun pickup trucks. I loved those trucks when I was a kid.

[Okla-homey]

Dude, she's dumping money into a ****ing Volkswagen. That is NOT smart. Just sayin'. I mean I'm glad she's being frugal and ****, but her daddy needs to let her know he bought her a POS, and when it's time for her to dump money into wheels, she needs to steer clear of those krautmobiles.

That so-called POS has nearly 100K on it and hasn't cost us a penny except for routine service and a new muffler last year (which I'm convinced she ruined by hitting high center somewhere).

We did have a rather wierd unintended passenger side side curtain airbag deployment after the warranty period, but VW fixed that as good will gesture.

[C&CDean]

Dude, I'm always a dick. But I'm right.

[C&CDean]

Brother Homeslice mi amigo, I listen to you on matters Air Force and law. You should listen to me on matters Army and vehicles. I'm glad her car has sorta held together for almost 100K. If she's needing all those repairs at < 100K, it's a POS. Actually, it's German, so it's a known fact it's a POS.

[yermom]

what car doesn't schedule a timing belt change before 100k?

shocks and wheel bearings don't sound like anything that out of the ordinary

my gf at the time bought a Jetta in 2000 and that thing is still going, but it's had lots of little things like power windows, locks the A/C going out. also a main seal, but that was covered under warranty a while back

driving it til the wheels fall off is still going to save some cash for a while though. especially since the upgrade from a Jetta is a steep one

[NormanPride]

Yeah from what I remember all the German cars my friends drove had electrical problems, but the engines were amazing.

[SicEmBaylor]

I love VW's. They're great cars. The only problem I had with mine (aside from crashing it) was the motor mechanism in the driver's side window went out...fixed by VW in a few hours.

[Harry Beanbag]

Window motors break on every vehicle. I've replaced four of them on my F150.

[Okla-homey]

what car doesn't schedule a timing belt change before 100k?

shocks and wheel bearings don't sound like anything that out of the ordinary

my gf at the time bought a Jetta in 2000 and that thing is still going, but it's had lots of little things like power windows, locks the A/C going out. also a main seal, but that was covered under warranty a while back

driving it til the wheels fall off is still going to save some cash for a while though. especially since the upgrade from a Jetta is a steep one

I encouraged her to do the timing belt thing, since I'm advised if it starts to slip you can roach the engine before you even realize it. And if it breaks, you're going nowhere until it's replaced. Shocks? Yeah, it feels like it. Push down on the front fender and she kinda rocks a bit. I'm going to trust my (non-dealer affiliated) mechanic on the wheeel bearings.

BTW, for eggsellent VW, Audi, Porsche repair in T-town, without taking out a second mortgage, I recommend the d00ds at "Der German." They even caught and un-farkled something a VW dealer service dept. screwed-up.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tulsa-OK/Der-German-Imports/155941484437

[colleyvillesooner]

I love VW's. They're great cars. The only problem I had with mine (aside from crashing it) was the motor mechanism in the driver's side window went out...fixed by VW in a few hours.

Dean wins.

[SicEmBaylor]

Dean wins.

Dean also thinks Taco Bueno sucks, so take that as you will.

[SunnySooner]

My window motor in my Cutlass Supreme died, too. It is so not cool to have to open the door for your cheeseburger and diet Coke.

Our Mazda mommymobile was pretty indestructible, sold it with about 80k and had only replaced tires and changed the oil, etc. I think it was made by Ford at that point, though.

I love my Escalade. It's an '02, I will drive it til the wheels fall off, just got new tires, rides like a mattress on wheels. I love that truck so much sometimes when I'm pissed off, I can get in to go somewhere, blast my Bose stereo, and by the time I'm there, I'm all happy again, it's like Prozac with chrome trim.

Our most reliable car, however, was "Red Death", a POS Subaru hatchback that Mr. SS bought in Hawaii for the 45 minute commute from the North Shore to Pearl Harbor. It had been owned by 5 or 6 navy dudes by then, he bought it from one of the chiefs, it was about 10 years old and had over 200k on the odometer. He paid $500 for it, drove it everyday for almost 2 years, just did the oil changes as it had decent tires when we bought it. It was so rusted, you could see the road pass by under your feet, but it would get you from point a to point b. He sold it for $500 when we moved to one of the n00b lieutenants, that was 12 years ago, it's prolly still running!!

[tommieharris91]

I love my Escalade. It's an '02, I will drive it til the wheels fall off, just got new tires, rides like a mattress on wheels. I love that truck so much sometimes when I'm pissed off, I can get in to go somewhere, blast my Bose stereo, and by the time I'm there, I'm all happy again, it's like Prozac with chrome trim.


You're the first person I've heard say they like their Esclade. Most people I know say they have electronic problems.

[BillyBall]

Dean wins.

Heh...

[A Sooner in Texas]

My favorite car ever was an early '80s VW Rabbit. Very roomy and comfortable inside, very quick (like a rabbit, huh) and very smooth ride. Was a great little car. No problems until my ex decided to drive it drunk and hit another car (yes, his drinking was one big reason why he's my ex). Had some frame damage but it still drove great. Never any mechanical problems.

[SunnySooner]

You're the first person I've heard say they like their Esclade. Most people I know say they have electronic problems.

Really? Hmm, my brother has a newer one, neither of us has had anything like that. It does only have 77k on it though, maybe those problems are looming, but so far so good. It's funny, in my area of Jacksonville, for some reason, that year is really popular, we see at least 2 or 3 other '02 models every time we leave the house. There's another one that's a pewter color that has an OU plate on front, as do I. Quite a few Sooners here in our little corner of Jax, actually. It's the area known as Mandarin, south of downtown and east of the St. John's river, pretty part of town, lots of trees and Spanish moss, Old South look more than palm trees and Florida/beach look.

[C&CDean]

C'mon people, we've had a brazillion threads about the pure suckiness of European automobiles. People that own them think they're the bombdiggity, people that actually know something about automobiles understand the irrefutable fact they're massive steaming piles of feces. It's not opinion. It's not conjecture. It's fact.

Check out a Consumer's Report. Check out any reliability specs you want. Sure, you may find a VW something-or-other in the average category sometimes, but overwhelmingly all the Euro-trash is in the ****ter.

I don't wanna keep picking on the Homer, but dude, if the timing belt "slipped" you'd be on your way to pick her up cause it ain't gonna run anymore. If it breaks, depending on the model, you'll bend valves, etc. Basically a complete rebuild.

Once again, good on your girl for trying to be smart and thrifty. Only next time buy her a Nissan/Honda/Toyota/Ford/Mazda/Kia/Hyundai/Subaru or even a ****ing Chevrolet or Dodge if you have to. Just never buy her a Jeep product. Oh wait...

[C&CDean]

Really? Hmm, my brother has a newer one, neither of us has had anything like that. It does only have 77k on it though, maybe those problems are looming, but so far so good. It's funny, in my area of Jacksonville, for some reason, that year is really popular, we see at least 2 or 3 other '02 models every time we leave the house. There's another one that's a pewter color that has an OU plate on front, as do I. Quite a few Sooners here in our little corner of Jax, actually. It's the area known as Mandarin, south of downtown and east of the St. John's river, pretty part of town, lots of trees and Spanish moss, Old South look more than palm trees and Florida/beach look.

Your Escalade is a Chevy with fancy badging. The Suburbans/Tahoes/GMC Yukons etc. are known for having some electrical issues. I've owned several Suburbans, and every one of them had starter/alternator or wiring issues at some point.

Case in point - I had a GMC Suburban all tricked out in the late 90's. Nice ride. When I set the cruise control, the rear A/C quit blowing. I took it into the shop. They said they fixed it. I turned on the cruise, no rear air. I take it back again and told them to fix the damn thing before they call me back. A week goes by, and I decide to stop by the dealership to check it out. Here's my Suburban with the headliner torn out, wires hanging everywhere, and a well-worn electrical shop manual laying in the back. I ask the shop foreman about how they're doing and his response was "well sir, I have to tell you, this one has caused my guys to drink. We've tried everything we know, and we just can't figure it out. One of the guys today said call a priest, this one is possessed."

Seriously, that's what he told me. My ****ing $50K Suburban is "possessed?" Are you kidding me? I go "put the damn thing back together and call me when you're done." He called me the next day, I picked it up and brought it home. I took it down to the Toyota dealer and traded it in on a 4-Runner - that my wife put 140K on without anything but tires, oil changes, and a set of front brake pads. The positive thing was I did get a free GM Service manual cause the guys left it in the back of the Suburban.

[NormanPride]

Kia?

Dean, I lost respect for you.

[C&CDean]

Kia pwns Mercedes.

[NormanPride]

I realize that Kia has done a lot to improve their image, but aren't they still really cheap and crappy?

[SicEmBaylor]

My aunt has a Kia minivan. She's had it for about 4 or 5 years now and never had any problems with it. I like it...I mean as far as a cheaper car company goes you get a good value I think.

[AlbqSooner]

Kia and Hyundai - same company same car. Up until about 5 years ago they were the cheap and crappy so far as creature comforts. I have an 06 Tucson - the Limited or Ultra or whatever they call their tricked out version. I could not be happier.
Dean is correct about the VW. I had a 72 VW squareback (mini station wagon looking) and it was an excellent car. Before that I had a 62 Mini Bus with a 36 HP engine that was great. The Beetles and minibuses were great back then too. HOWEVER, the VW of today does not measure up. They don't make em like they used to.

[bluedogok]

what car doesn't schedule a timing belt change before 100k?
My BMW....but then it has a timing chain :D


Window motors break on every vehicle. I've replaced four of them on my F150.
That does seem to be a common failure, my dad replaced one on my sisters Grand Am (riveted in place) and I replaced one on my wife's Civic.


Your Escalade is a Chevy with fancy badging. The Suburbans/Tahoes/GMC Yukons etc. are known for having some electrical issues. I've owned several Suburbans, and every one of them had starter/alternator or wiring issues at some point.
I think that's a GM thing, in all the Fords that I have had (other than the 71 Ranchero GT with a 351HO which require weekly attention, but it was fast) I don't think that I have had to replace an alternator or starter and I traded many of those off with well over 150,000 miles. A (free) Cavalier that I drove for a few years needed two new alternators in one year and the starter ate the flywheel, which evidently was the second starter on the car since when we replaced it we found the bolt next to the motor broken off in the block. My parent bought that for my sister with 19,000 miles on it and my dad did all the maintenance and hadn't replaced the starter. It also happened to be the year (1990) that GM tried changing components, the 89/91 starter was around $40.00, the 1990 model was $130.00, the same thing with the alternator. In 91 they went back to what they used in 89.

[olevetonahill]

Window motors break on every vehicle. I've replaced four of them on my F150.

Drivers side , always break befor any other
;)

[SOONER44EVER]

If the timing belt "slips" how does it still run? Wouldn't it be out of time?

[Leroy Lizard]

If the timing belt "slips" how does it still run? Wouldn't it be out of time?

Yes, and you can end up with bent valves up the yin-yang.

[olevetonahill]

If the timing belt "slips" how does it still run? Wouldn't it be out of time?

One notch and it will run like shat.


Yes, and you can end up with bent valves up the yin-yang.

Not only Bent Valves but a busted Piston and a broken or cracked head :mad:

[Breadburner]

I would definetly get a second opinion on the wheel bearings.....Call Mike at Migellies VW Service here in Tulsa.....

[KC//CRIMSON]

One notch and it will run like shat.



Not only Bent Valves but a busted Piston and a broken or cracked head :mad:


Le'roid cracked his head a long time ago.

And for the record, I fricking love Volkswagens. So suck it, Deann.:P

[C&CDean]

Le'roid cracked his head a long time ago.

And for the record, I fricking love Volkswagens. So suck it, Deann.:P

It figures. It's the perfect ride for a flaming birkenstocker.

[KC//CRIMSON]

Admit it, you on a Volkswagen is like a monkey on a Rubik's Cube, thavage.

[C&CDean]

Well I did knock the bottom out of a few hippy chicks in my old man's 63 VW bus. In fact, I drove it to the first concert I ever went to - Deep Purple, Fleetwood Mac, and Rory Gallagher. Lots of herbal products and DNA were spilled in pop's old bus.

[soonerboomer93]

Kia?

Dean, I lost respect for you.

You do realize that KIA was bought by Hyundai a while back?

[KC//CRIMSON]

Well I did knock the bottom out of a few hippy chicks in my old man's 63 VW bus. In fact, I drove it to the first concert I ever went to - Deep Purple, Fleetwood Mac, and Rory Gallagher. Lots of herbal products and DNA were spilled in pop's old bus.

You got to see Rory Gallagher? Schweet.

Those old buses or surfer buses is what I'm talking about, I'd love to have one.

Check this video out when you get a chance. It shows how they gutted this 1958 train wreck and turned it into the pic below. It's got all kinds of cool gadgets on the inside. Minus the wheels, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

http://www.streetfire.net/video/pimp-my-ride-volkswagen-bus_636425.htm

http://cdn.complex.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/2522021648_2f0ccefe26.jpg

[delhalew]

A Kia/Hyundai will last you forever, like the Toyotas of old. Lots of standard ammenities these days as well. That Hyundai Genesis is sick.

[Okla-homey]

I would definetly get a second opinion on the wheel bearings.....Call Mike at Migellies VW Service here in Tulsa.....

Nope. Wouldn't be prudent. The guys at "Der German" are trustworthy, all-knowing, and can run rings around the goobers at Migelli's. Besides, who in their right mind would take a kraut kar to an Italian-owned place? That would be like trying to buy bacon from a Muslim butcher shop.;)

[MR2-Sooner86]

You do realize that KIA was bought by Hyundai a while back?

Probably why their reliability and such has gone up. Just a few years ago KIA was the worst reliable car manufacture on the road.

As for VW, a whole lot of their cars they put out there now are utter ****. They are not the same cars the built back in the day. Mercedes is the same way along with BMW and Audi. They're trying to fix that though as Japan has been kicking their asses the past few years.

The most recent list I could find 2008 rankings.

1 Scion
2 Acura
3 Honda
4 Toyota
5 Lexus
6 Infiniti
7 Subaru
8 Hyundai
9 Mitsubishi
10 Kia
11 Lincoln
12 Mazda
13 Mini
14 Nissan
15 Mercury
16 Volvo
17 Ford
18 Buick
19 Porsche
20 BMW
21 Suzuki
22 Audi
23 Saab
24 Chevrolet
25 Volkswagen
26 GMC
27 Mercedes-Benz
28 Jeep
29 Pontiac
30 Dodge
31 Cadillac
32 Chrysler
33 Saturn
34 Land Rover

[Zbird]

Dude, I'm always a dick. But I'm right.

Nope,
Wrong about VWs
Wrong about fords
Wrong about scotch whisky
I'll give you a right about Tullamore Dew Irish and most other things.

[GottaHavePride]

Probably why their reliability and such has gone up. Just a few years ago KIA was the worst reliable car manufacture on the road.

As for VW, a whole lot of their cars they put out there now are utter ****. They are not the same cars the built back in the day. Mercedes is the same way along with BMW and Audi. They're trying to fix that though as Japan has been kicking their asses the past few years.

The most recent list I could find 2008 rankings.

1 Scion
2 Acura
3 Honda
4 Toyota
5 Lexus
6 Infiniti
7 Subaru
8 Hyundai
9 Mitsubishi
10 Kia
11 Lincoln
12 Mazda
13 Mini
14 Nissan
15 Mercury
16 Volvo
17 Ford
18 Buick
19 Porsche
20 BMW
21 Suzuki
22 Audi
23 Saab
24 Chevrolet
25 Volkswagen
26 GMC
27 Mercedes-Benz
28 Jeep
29 Pontiac
30 Dodge
31 Cadillac
32 Chrysler
33 Saturn
34 Land Rover


Heh. I like my Scion.


Seriously, the new Kia - whatever they're calling the model that replaced the Spectra - is a decent car. The only complaint I've heard about them is that they need a little more torque from the engine. But then, the Mazdas have the same problem. Nice car, but you can put your foot to the floor and it's not going to move any faster. My tC, on the other hand, will jump if I so much as look at the gas pedal funny. My only complaint: making the entire top of the car glass means 1) it's heavier than a car its size should be and 2) it sucks when it starts hailing.


On the other hand, prize for my family's most reliable car goes to an '86 Acura Integra. First year they made the Integra model. Still going, probably over 150K by now.

[yermom]

i'm not sure i've ever heard anyone badmouth the Integra for about any reason

[C&CDean]

Nope,
Wrong about VWs
Wrong about fords
Wrong about scotch whisky
I'll give you a right about Tullamore Dew Irish and most other things.

I will give you VW's are the best cars that come from across that pond, but they're still woefully weak compared to the Japanese/Korean/USA products. It's not opinion, it's proven. Not wrong.

Several Ford models have been rated at, or near the top of the last several years' Consumer's Report ratings (and other automobile ratings). Not wrong.

Scotch is scotch. If you've got a palate for it, good on ye. I'll drink it if it's what's being served, but I ain't paying for it. Not wrong, not right.

There, that pretty much clears this one up.

[olevetonahill]

VW has plants all over the dayum place
several in South America , Mexico and here in the US

[TheHumanAlphabet]

Hope I made my pa proud as I drove my Honda Accord for 20 years until I donated it 2 weeks ago. 265,000 miles and still running. Been good for a kid car, but no kids.

[bluedogok]

Yes, and you can end up with bent valves up the yin-yang.
Depends on if it is an interference engine or not. I had two break, both on a non-interference Ford 2.3L 4-cyl, one was 80 Capri and the other a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. The T-Bird was easy, it had almost a foot between the water pump and the radiator so working on the front of the motor was easy.

Gates - Timing Belt Replacement Guide (http://www.gates.com/downloads/download_common.cfm?file=428-1466_web.pdf&folder=brochure)