What Kind of Car Do You Drive?

[S-K]

I just don't care for the 2ZZ much. Very finicky, the power band is actually pretty narrow, and VERY prone to floating valves...which then meet with pistons. It's pretty much the only interference engine Toyota still produces. I've sold a LOT of valvetrain components and pistons in Celica GT-S and the Corolla/Matrix XRS. I shouldn't have to replace valvetrain components to feel safe ^_~

Reliability wise it's a tank if driven "normally." They only break when beat on...like most people do with the applications they're found in. They're quite peppy, though.

Right now the Toyota engine that's showing it's potential is the 2AZFE. When they started building the TCs, they created an aftermarket monster for that engine. There are now people building reliable, daily-driven 400hp 2AZFEs...And it's a CAMRY engine!

Also, I'm not much for hybrid type swaps. I think a Mazda should have a Mazda engine, etc. If the Miata got a swap...it'd be a spinny engine ^_~ But...the BPZ3 can make some good power if played with right. It's also non-interference, so if, say, my t-belt let go...I'd be in the clear, save for a tow bill. 140hp/119ft-lb at the crank...0-60 is kinda "bleh" at 7.8sec, but whatever. I got my 0-60 urges out w/my WRX when I had it =P

 

[98XJSport]

True enough, it takes effort to keep it in it's powerband depending on the transmission. The Spyder guys are swapping them in with corolla? transmissions. The biggest problem Ive seen is people driving it to it's potential, and downshifting into 2nd instead of 4th... Time to buy new engine parts.

 

[S-K]

I've actually had a few people float it in 3rd gear...and they said bye-bye to their valves and pistons.

 

[98XJSport]

Good thing theres tons of room to work under the hood and parts are cheap:main_rolleyes:

Change many lift bolts? That was a pain for just removing a little piece of broken bolt...

 

[KelliH]

1966

 

[barbatus]

I drive a VW R32- its a rocket ship. cushy leather and a 3.2L V6.
18-23 MPG

 

[98XJSport]

One of the places I worked at last fall had a mustang just like that, the owners of the home bought the house and property, found the car basically in a brush pile. They pulled it out and cleaned it all up, didn't have to restore much on it. Never know what you'll find:main_thumbsup:

 

[Tanga]

Sweeet ride Kelli. I've always had a place in my heart for Mustangs.
My dream car is a 1967 shelby mustang fastback, a girl can dream.

Here's another pic of my xterra after putting together the surco safari roof rack.

 

[98XJSport]

Couldn't you regear, better flowing intake/exhaust? Hate to see sich a nice vehicle not be enjoyed due to gas mileage...

 

[dmward]

Kelli, that is a hot ride.

I drive a Solar Yellow Jeep Wrangler

 

[SteveB]

I'm sorry to report that I might be selling my jacked up xterra. The gas mileage is getting unbearable, and with the economy beng so uncertain I'm going to play it easy and get something more economical. I'm really eyeing on the new '08 nissan altima coupe, 'tis sweet. I'll be missing that 4 wheel drive in the snow though! (and the occasional off-roading of course)

I'm not sure I understand the logic of buying a new car to save money...

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Steve, I think it would be cheaper over time. And I dont see gas prices going down anytime soon.

 

[SteveB]

It might be cheaper if she was driving an H1 now... otherwise I can't see how.

12,000 miles a year, 16mpg, and $4.00/gal gas = $3000
Now upgrade to a car that gets 40mpg = $1200

You save $1800 a year, but how much are you paying in insurance and car payments for a new car as opposed to an older car that is partly/completely paid off?

 

[TokayKeeper]

Couldn't you regear, better flowing intake/exhaust? Hate to see sich a nice vehicle not be enjoyed due to gas mileage...

rear gear, take off the mileage reducer, err um roof rack and lights.

I use to have a grille guard on my ranger with 2 KC lights. After lifting it and placing the grille guard back on my mileage dropped to 16 and 17 mpg. I pulled the grille guard and mileage went back up into the 19-20 mpg range. And then winter hit and mileage took a defecation.

As I said lifted...5 inches on 33x10.50x15 with manual trans and 4.10 gears. There's gotta be a few things to do to that x-terra to return some fuel economy to it and still have it lifted.

It might be cheaper if she was driving an H1 now... otherwise I can't see how.

12,000 miles a year, 16mpg, and $4.00/gal gas = $3000
Now upgrade to a car that gets 40mpg = $1200

You save $1800 a year, but how much are you paying in insurance and car payments for a new car as opposed to an older car that is partly/completely paid off?

EXACTLY! You won't be saving much when you have a new loan, new/higher interest, and required full coverage insurance until vehicle loan is paid off. Or at least that's how it works for the loan on my truck. Thankfully I only owe $4300 on it. Tax refund should eat a large chunk of that.

 

[98XJSport]

You probably won't save money, but you can slow the bleeding a bit.

My car was valued at what I had to pay for it plus what I still owed on my jeep. So, my gas savings paid for the insurance increase, my loan payments stayed about the same. I didn't save money, but I would rather be spending my money on owning 2 vehicles than just burning it up in gas. Plus I like vehicles, 2 are better than 1

 

[Tanga]

It might be cheaper if she was driving an H1 now... otherwise I can't see how.

12,000 miles a year, 16mpg, and $4.00/gal gas = $3000
Now upgrade to a car that gets 40mpg = $1200

You save $1800 a year, but how much are you paying in insurance and car payments for a new car as opposed to an older car that is partly/completely paid off?

The Xterra was paid for in full back in 2003 right off the lot, no loans.
I'm thinking the decline in gas mileage is due to a lot of reasons, besides the lift and tires, I only upgraded the original stock tires from 31's to 32's w/ different' rims.

I think my problem can be a few things, seeing it's high mileage, it's possible I have a clogged fuel filter. I also need to have all the spark plugs replaced. She's already at almost 90k miles and I should've done this maintenance awhile back.

I also did the calculations in my head about how much money I would lose if I traded/sold, also how much money I'd be saving in gas, etc. I'd be saving a lot in the long run because I usually run my vehicles to at least 100k, if not more.

 

[yellermelon]

I got a new car its a beater, 91' 240 sx. Im gonna make it into not so much of a beater in the next year or so no pictures trust me you dont wanna see.

 

[SteveB]

The Xterra was paid for in full back in 2003 right off the lot, no loans.
I'm thinking the decline in gas mileage is due to a lot of reasons, besides the lift and tires, I only upgraded the original stock tires from 31's to 32's w/ different' rims.

I think my problem can be a few things, seeing it's high mileage, it's possible I have a clogged fuel filter. I also need to have all the spark plugs replaced. She's already at almost 90k miles and I should've done this maintenance awhile back.

I also did the calculations in my head about how much money I would lose if I traded/sold, also how much money I'd be saving in gas, etc. I'd be saving a lot in the long run because I usually run my vehicles to at least 100k, if not more.

I'm curious, so I hope you don't mind...

Okay so let's say you get 10k for it (calculated on edmunds 2003 Nissan Xterra XE 4WD 4dr with every option and perfect condition, just to get an idea)
The truck should get ~18mpg and lets say it's down to ~14mpg now...

An 08 altima coupe starts at 20k and gets ~28mpg.

So how many years will it take to make up the 10k you will owe?

12,000 miles 14mpg $3/gallon = $2570
28mpg = $1285

In order to save $10,000 in gas, you need to drive the car for nearly 8 years and over 93,000 miles.

At which point you most likely will be looking to buy a new car. Over the life of your new car, you'll break even in gas savings. How much will your insurance go up?

Buy a new car if you want a new car, but gas mileage just doesn't seem to justify it.

 

[paulnj]

happiness and piece of mind are worth what?

 

[SteveB]

Which is exactly why I'm giving her an argument to keep her truck. She's clearly put some money into making it hers. And she comments that she'll miss the 4wd and occassional offroading.
If it's in good condition and it makes her happy, using mileage may not be the right justification for moving on...