Do I really wnat one of these cars?
Senior Member
Posts like a 4 Banger
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 134
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From: North East, PA
I've had mine for 3 years and put on 75,000 miles so far, I've had to replace UIM & LIM Gaskets (did it myself), heater core (dex is bad) and a passenger side wheel bearing. Other than that, its been an excellent car. Rides & drives alot smoother than my wife'* 02 Camry, that has had a few problems of its own (don't believe the import hipe, all cars are subject to a problem at some point).
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 64
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I have an '03 with just over 150,000 miles on it. So far my list includes:
Brakes 3X (slotted rotors in the front, good pads all around, std. rotors in the back)- $300 each time approx. ($900)
2 sets of tires (no including the originals, and the current set is on its way out) - about $550 each ($1100)
About 15 oil changes on Synthetic (I drive about 12,000 miles. The DIC says it'* still good usually, and I've had the oil tested after the drain and it was still good- using Amsoil though)- approx. $50/ea for oil and filter ($750)
3 Transmission fluid changes including filter, using Amsoil Synth fluid- $105 ea ($315)
2 Sets of ignition wires, 4 spark plug changes (copper plugs, 8 mm wires) - about $20 each for the plugs, about $50 each for the wires. ($180)
About 6 air filters - $15 ea ($90)
1 New Fuel Filter- $10
2 New Oxygen Sensors - $100
About 1 can of throttle body cleaner- $5
1 New batter $130
New Fuel Pressure Sensor, Evap Solenoids (there'* 2 with slightly diff. names, I replaced both) - this was to fix an evap issue that the dealer wanted $100 to diagnose- $80 total
1 New Catalytic Converter (replaced with Magnaflow high flow)- $220 including the ebay part to pull the O2 sensor out of the Cat for the high flow and professional installation.
1 New Transmission (recently)- $2,300
Appears I will need the following shortly:
1 New A/C Compressor $250 for a reman.
2 New Belts ($65)
New Wheel Hub (Wheel Speed Position Sensor issue- stability system).
Grand Total: $6,670 approximately.
Of this, $3,510 is items that are pretty much maintanence items. This leaves me with about $3,200 in repair items over 150,000 miles. $2,300 of that is a transmission that went about 1,500 miles ago. I bought the car for approximately $22,000 in 04 with 20,000 miles on it.
You tell me if it is worth it? I don't think you'll find a much lower priced car to repair, especially when you do it yourself.
Brakes 3X (slotted rotors in the front, good pads all around, std. rotors in the back)- $300 each time approx. ($900)
2 sets of tires (no including the originals, and the current set is on its way out) - about $550 each ($1100)
About 15 oil changes on Synthetic (I drive about 12,000 miles. The DIC says it'* still good usually, and I've had the oil tested after the drain and it was still good- using Amsoil though)- approx. $50/ea for oil and filter ($750)
3 Transmission fluid changes including filter, using Amsoil Synth fluid- $105 ea ($315)
2 Sets of ignition wires, 4 spark plug changes (copper plugs, 8 mm wires) - about $20 each for the plugs, about $50 each for the wires. ($180)
About 6 air filters - $15 ea ($90)
1 New Fuel Filter- $10
2 New Oxygen Sensors - $100
About 1 can of throttle body cleaner- $5
1 New batter $130
New Fuel Pressure Sensor, Evap Solenoids (there'* 2 with slightly diff. names, I replaced both) - this was to fix an evap issue that the dealer wanted $100 to diagnose- $80 total
1 New Catalytic Converter (replaced with Magnaflow high flow)- $220 including the ebay part to pull the O2 sensor out of the Cat for the high flow and professional installation.
1 New Transmission (recently)- $2,300
Appears I will need the following shortly:
1 New A/C Compressor $250 for a reman.
2 New Belts ($65)
New Wheel Hub (Wheel Speed Position Sensor issue- stability system).
Grand Total: $6,670 approximately.
Of this, $3,510 is items that are pretty much maintanence items. This leaves me with about $3,200 in repair items over 150,000 miles. $2,300 of that is a transmission that went about 1,500 miles ago. I bought the car for approximately $22,000 in 04 with 20,000 miles on it.
You tell me if it is worth it? I don't think you'll find a much lower priced car to repair, especially when you do it yourself.
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,837
Likes: 3
From: Fitchburg Ma _ToastedRice_
Originally Posted by jseklund
Of this, $3,510 is items that are pretty much maintanence items. This leaves me with about $3,200 in repair items over 150,000 miles. $2,300 of that is a transmission that went about 1,500 miles ago. I bought the car for approximately $22,000 in 04 with 20,000 miles on it.
You tell me if it is worth it? I don't think you'll find a much lower priced car to repair, especially when you do it yourself.
You tell me if it is worth it? I don't think you'll find a much lower priced car to repair, especially when you do it yourself.
lets not forget about the extra maintenece that goes into alot of cars that we dont have to deal with, like $500 clutches and $400 timing belt services
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Northwest, Ohio
Well I'm a less concerned about the reliability of this car than I was before. Clearly not everyone has the same problems and some have no significant problems at all. I know every car has some problems, I just don't want to end up w/ a lemon!
At this point I'm not certian what car I want, seriously concidering a Park Avenue Ultra along w/ a Bonny.
slick94prix, I'm about 20 miles west of Sylvania - near a 1 stop light town called Lyons.
At this point I'm not certian what car I want, seriously concidering a Park Avenue Ultra along w/ a Bonny.
slick94prix, I'm about 20 miles west of Sylvania - near a 1 stop light town called Lyons.
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 13
Since when did the SSEi use more gas than an SE or SLE?
They both get the same mileage. The only difference is you need to run Premium. And that'* only a couple extra bucks total when filling the tank.
I'll move your topic to General Chat. This isn't a topic about a specific mechanical problem you're having.
They both get the same mileage. The only difference is you need to run Premium. And that'* only a couple extra bucks total when filling the tank.
I'll move your topic to General Chat. This isn't a topic about a specific mechanical problem you're having.
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Northern WV
Since when did the SSEi use more gas than an SE or SLE?
SE,SLE = 21 MPG
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calcu...umn=1&id=18754
SSEI = 19 MPG
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calcu...umn=1&id=18753
Not much difference, but they say there is one.