What Used Car Should I Buy?

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“What used car should I buy?”, is probably the question I’ve been asked the most over the years. That said, it’s the question I least like answering as you’ll see in the video. If you’ve been sent a link to this video, I hope you understand my explanation as to why this isn’t my favorite question to answer. Here’s a link to the article I mentioned in the video.
What to Look For in a Used Car Article: www.ericthecarg...
Feel free to leave your used car buying tips in the comments.
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17 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 383

@Serps-ii9zc 3 года назад

"They're all junk" truer words have never been said. I remember one of my teachers in tech school said something similar one of my first das of classes. After 10 years in this industry, it's 100% accurate, and I've actually switched around what makes I like and buy.

@markcampbell8874 3 года назад

1) Try and buy a car before you have to have one. It’s nice to be able to look at a few and take your time. 2) Check with family and friends. Maybe they have older relatives getting rid of one. 3) Look at the title before you buy. Look for salvage or rebuilt status. Look at the date the title was issued. I like to buy off someone that has owned the vehicle at least a couple of years and put at least a few thousand miles on it. 4) Ask questions in more than one way and see if you get the same answer. Pay attention to their answers. If a private seller can’t answer questions then you may as well be buying at an auction. Look close at the car. If it has 3 different brand tires that tells me they do the bare minimum of upkeep. Buying a car with lots of bells and whistles means a lot more things to go wrong and break. If you don’t know much about cars pay someone to look at it for you. Pay or take someone else to look at it. 100.00 spent for someone to tell you don’t buy it can be money well spent. At least you will have a 3rd party to negotiate from. A used car is always a gamble. Things wear out. Good luck..

@wildbill23c 3 года назад

Add to that, if you can't test drive it, don't buy it. They're hiding something.

@johnnyloveee 3 года назад

Dude... I just want you to know that your channel(channels?) has been my go to for content for years now. I don’t know you, but seriously I appreciate everything you do. You’re like that car friend I never had in real life. So thanks.

@ETCG1 3 года назад

Thank you!

@SKANK_HUNT49 3 года назад

@@ETCG1 hey Eric do you have a suggestion for a cheap used daily driver car? I mean can you tell me the year the make in the model please. 😉

@xavilopez4716 3 года назад

Eric is like the honest mechanic most of us have never met. Thanks for all you do for all of us.

@jamesglenn6461 3 года назад

ETCG1 just gave the best answer. Pick a vehicle which you can repair most things. Or learn a type well enough to competently choose and talk to a mechanic.

@groundrat1999 3 года назад

One thing I tell everyone that has asked me the same question is, "They all cost money and the all break". You make some great points here as well!

@worldhello1234 3 года назад

Yeah, but some makes or models are more reliable than others.

@mikehartmann5187 3 года назад

Hiring a mechanic familiar with the make/model is critical. I hired a mechanic to inspect a Jeep TJ and he had no experience with Jeeps and missed important common issues with the car. He gave me an erroneous thumbs up and I was a screwed human,

@BboyMobster 3 года назад

Great advice!

@michaelmiller4716 3 года назад

...A screwed human.

@ShopTalkWithJason 3 года назад

This Can't tell you the number of complete imbeciles who bring their F🤮RD to the Chevy dealer We hate F🤮RD. We just want the damn thing out of our shop before it reduces the value of our tools by its very existence!

@antoniohernandez6590 3 года назад

Buying an old Jeep was just a bad idea

@chipmccoy5077 3 года назад

Thank you Eric. I have learned that as you said, no two people will care and service a vehicle the same way. As you shown in the video of neglected cars. You are always honest and straight up. ETCG has been the site I search for when I have questions. Again, thank you.

@BboyMobster 3 года назад

Man Eric is the truth! This is something I wish I would of learned years ago. It’s all about what you’re used to working on and what parts you have for it or tools. Great video man.I feel with certain cars they tend to have less common problems or the problems are easier to fix down the road.

@MrWilliam.Stewart 3 года назад

Eric is really in his element here. I'll show myself out

@goldendevereaux 3 года назад

For me being the only car guy in the house I live in with some mates, I always get this question. For me, i always ask,” What do you need it to do, and what features?” If they want heated seats, but have never actually had a car with them before. I tell them not to worry about it. Can’t miss, what you never had. If someone said they just need a “reliable” point A to Point B car, I’d probably say any civic or Corolla from the mid 90s to early 2000s. For you as a mechanic, it is a question with your background that you don’t want to answer. Even with your “bias” for Honda’s since you worked on them.

@chrishernandez2490 3 года назад

Bro, that "heated seat" statement is seriously flawed. Not tryna be a dick but following that logic, nobody would have anything lol. "Want a car? You never had a car? Welp, you cant miss what you dont have"

@s4n714g000 3 года назад

@@chrishernandez2490 Depends, heated seats I can do without (my truck has them and I've never once needed to use them even in minus 0c°), AC is a different subject. Also I can do without powered windows, only because I really don't care and I feel like the less things the car has the less things can break, however it's sort of a "poor man's" mentality, but I've seen electronic locks on trucks bed gates go out or get stuck because of some dirt, it seems better not to have them in the first place. Same with the van Eric is fixing, automatic rear doors seem so pointless to me, or trunks that close automatically. All personal preference ofc

@chrishernandez2490 3 года назад

@@s4n714g000 yeah, heated seats I could do without too. But power windows/locks are a MUST for me

@randyp6370 3 года назад

Well said, just purchased an 07 Acura TSX 6spd., service records from the dealer and from two previous owners with Blackstone Lab results. I refused to have a car payment, so far so good.

@mph5896 3 года назад

I got tired of working on my moms 10 year old GM. Told her to buy a new one 2 years ago and she did. I haven't heard a peep about it besides a couple oil changes she went to the dealer for. Thats the kind of car I like to maintain.

@fastinradfordable 3 года назад

Dude because it’s only 2 years old. Give it a couple years and u will have problems u never even imagined out of new junk.

@The513Warning 3 года назад

I love you, Eric. I remember when I first got into your vids about 5 years ago. I was working two jobs: one at UPS and another at a warehouse doing similar work. The one hour I had after getting off from UPS, getting a nap and catching the bus to my next job, I'd make it a point to watch your vids. It was therapeutic and your vids still are and educational.

@ETCG1 3 года назад

I'm happy to be of service. Thanks for that comment. It really made my day.

@angrysmileyface78 3 года назад

This is always a loaded question. Even when you're familiar with different things. Every car has its quirks and all makes and models usually have some defining failure for that year group or chassis type. None of them are flawless. Even more so, even if you're accomplished at purchasing used cars, I find even a second and sometimes a third opinion is necessary.

@taimaishu-nao1922 3 года назад

Really good advice. Everyone in my town puts the third generation 4Runner so high on a pedestal as being “one of THE best trucks to own”. Sadly, the one I’ve driven was a lemon that ALWAYS broke down when I had even a little extra money and sometimes when I didn’t. The saving grace? I had an AWESOME mechanic! My point? Sometimes, you just don’t know. My recommendation is to look around you and see what vehicles are the most common in your area. Pick a time to rest up near a busy road and see how many cars of a particular make and model pass by for a set period of time, perhaps like 10 minutes or so. Usually, the more common a car, the better the buy. However and this is very important: ALWAYS, ALWAYS have your vehicle looked over by a trusted, independent mechanic! Not only will this help you to know you’ve made a sound purchase but sometimes it helps your mechanic get more familiar with a particular vehicle. Plus, a lot of mechanics love when they can stop wrenching for 10 minutes just look at a car and not have to worry about fixing it.

@PhotoKitchen425 3 года назад

As a Honda Element owner, I love to see all the great Element information!

@Oblithian 3 года назад

Periodic information is helpful.

@SkylineFTW97 3 года назад

Spot on. All suggestions come with the massive caveat of: Pending inspection by someone competent. I'm a technician myself, so I inspect my own cars before purchase. Just bought myself a 2013 Ford Focus as a daily last month for $3000 from an auction. The only major work it needed was an alternator and rear brakes. There was no rust and the worst damage cosmetically was a ding in the rear bumper. The battery and tires were all less than a year old, the engine ran like a clock, the trans shifts like butter (it's the manual, not the dual clutch), and it's relatively easy to work on. The other part is ensuring that it stays reliable with proper maintenance. Plenty of people get good cars for cheap, only to ruin them through neglect. A friend of mine bought and fixed up a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta with the 2.5. We changed the PCV diaphragm, the valve seals, the MAF sensor, flushed out the cooling system, and did a bunch of minor work to get it well sorted. He ended up selling it to his girlfriend's brother, who destroyed the transmission through abuse.

@Dakiraun 3 года назад

Absolutely true words! Any good mechanic may offer suggestions as to what is better or worse based on experience and reputation, but the one thing they will ALL say is exactly what you did; Get it checked out! Without a thorough inspection, a person is buying blind. Any make of car, no matter how reputable, could be a disaster waiting to happen depending on what's going on inside all the electronics and mechanical hardware. Most good mechanics charge a very minimal fee to do an inspection, and it's the best money one can ever spend on getting a user car.

@matthewnelson5472 3 года назад

I finally had a birthday sync up with an ETCG1 Happy Birthday wish! Thanks ETCG1!

@stillnotsophia2393 3 года назад

happy birthday

@kevinb158 3 года назад

Finely a etcg1 video on my birthday. Thinks 100% agree it what you like have it checked out if it's all good and you want it buy it and if you're looking for a project car and it's what you want for the right price of course Buy that

@shane6961 3 года назад

One of these days I want to Bring my 97 Honda Acty to you and see what you think. Even make a video about it!

@timpindell8178 3 года назад

Eric, I haven't seen a new video alert in quite a long time and thought you were not posting until I manually went to your channel. Please ask viewers to click the dingleberry bell and check every once in a while.

@MrSealion59 3 года назад

Top gear uk did this exact thing with the 325i bmw's. Admitting that people ask them the same thing and they don know how to answer it and in a entertaining way explain the same thing. Same three cars same era same spec give or take very different examples. So glad you suggest the same. Used cars are 100% unique and the life they have lead is the key to the condition they are in.

@MrSealion59 3 года назад

I always just say what ever you looking for in a car narrow it down and start there opening it back up to what ever fits That is for sale. It will last as long as it is kept up. Every car is expensive and every car is on its way to the scrap heap how long that journey is, is up to the owners.

@89Interceptor 3 года назад

exactly, ive had good luck with fords but i also know some people who have had bad luck with fords, so i guess it all comes down to what you like and what youre willing to deal with

@truthislam6481 3 года назад

This is a good question for Scotty Killmer! Personally I do my own homework. These days there are forums for every make and model of car. It is simply a matter of typing into the Google search field the make of the car you like and the word 'forum'. Once you have registered in said forum you can chat with folks who have owned the type of vehicle you are thinking of buying.

@golfmanmatt 3 года назад

94 Toyota Celica. Oh wait, wrong channel

@midwestfarm757 3 года назад

I really miss the rust from the pre 2000 Hondas. Brought back some great memories from the car wash when my Accord's bumper was ripped off the car because it was too rusty.

@donaldcrites7504 3 года назад

Or when they suddenly develop 3 wheel steering.

@ketoninja 3 года назад

Meh, the K24 in those Elements is one of the most indestructible engines ever made, the one in the TSX, an overbuilt and strengthened version of same, even moreso. But I see Eric's point - one never knows where a used car has been or how it has been treated. He's also right about the post-2K models having more problems.....but I still think if you meticulously research the reputation and known issues of a particular year and model you're interested in buying, you can avoid a lot of issues and have a higher probability of buying a reliable car.

@donh215 3 года назад

Kevin kracht absolutely correct. Not all Hondas after 2000 are junk as Eric stated. More issues than prior to 2000, maybe. Any Honda with a K24 is about as good as it gets for reliable low maintenance power & longevity. The J series V6s have also been very reliable and long lasting. Again, it’s all about maintenance intervals to get there. Even the best won’t last if neglected

@glenfrink7140 3 года назад

Well said. Not many people understand that. I'm partial to the domestic vehicles, but mainly the old ones. The problem there is I don't have the heart to drive them in the winter up north here for obvious reasons. Lol. A Lot of people do Not really take care of their vehicles and that's what we have to look out for!

@toddhorting4419 3 года назад

Eric it is coming up on spring. The part that I miss the most of the old shop is the noises outside. Yes it was small and uneven concrete, but it wasn't so big that there was an echo. Almost all the vintage videos you did had birds in the background. Had to watch an old video "Slow Pay" not very up beat, but the birds where still in the background. I think the first ETCG1 videos where done at the left corner of the garage. You are coming up on 10 years in the new garage or should I say 10 years not being in the small garage. There has to be enough video about the good, bad and ugly of that garage for ETCG1 to have a birthday cake video for the new garage. Its been a good ride. Thanks

@ETCG1 3 года назад

Thanks for the suggestion. Good idea. As for birds. There is a nest of them in the wall of the new shop in the back corner by my desk. I hear them all the time.

@mrz80 3 года назад

"...It could've been in a flood..." Had THAT experience once. We looked at a really REALLY nice Nissan Maxima with surprisingly low miles for a low enough price that my antennae twitched. Sure enough, open up the trunk and you could *see* the high-water line about halfway up inside the trunk where the car had clearly had a much closer acquaintance with recent hurricane-related flooding than you might like :D . That's one you learn to look for when you live in Florida or any of the Gulf coast states. :D

@BareRoseGarage 3 года назад

Not just there. Utah is a hot spot for "title washing". You get a car/truck from UT with a salvage title, you are more than likely getting one from the Gulf. Then they send them up here to Idaho to change the paper again. It's a "global market" in the dirty laundry business.

@bilaltariq7819 3 года назад

Ironically I bought an r56 JCW mini as a toy, infact it was the cheapest one in the country (UK). Quite a bit of stuff wrong it except for the engine which I've got receipts galore for everything from replacement turbo to timing chain, valve cover, all sorts of gaskets, etc. Today I bench pressed (with great difficulty) the gearbox into car after doing the clutch, restored the subframe, polybushed, coilovers, EBC pads and some other stuff. This is the first car I've properly worked on (other than oil changes and 1 engine replacement done with someone else) and to be honest, with the price I paid and have paid on parts so far it's well worth (imo)

@davidwright1653 3 года назад

Consumer Reports Car buying issue just came in the mail and has a section on "Reliable Cars". Even if your not in the market for a vehicle it's an interesting read and a great reference.

@wasabitoburrion4409 3 года назад

As Honda owner of CRV and a Pilot, they’re relatively easy to repair and extremely reliable. I’m also a fan of body on frame Toyota Pick ups and SUV due to their long term reliability and ease of repair work.

@benjamincoulsey7367 3 года назад

Words of pure wisdom Eric. Thank you for the content.

@joeg9143 3 года назад

Wow great advice, thanks for your honestly

@AntonioClaudioMichael 3 года назад

Always doing a great job trying to help people keep it up Eric I love helping people solve there problems on the ericthecarguy website @ETCG1

@ChiefLink 3 года назад

Got a used 2012 Honda Fit last year with a couple electrical gremlins, but perfectly sound otherwise. I also have a 1998 Mazda B3000 I got in 2015 that worked fine until the differential gears broke, then the engine seized in 2018. Not stuff that was obvious in the test drive. Preventable, but not obvious. And lastly, a 2008 Jeep Patriot that had no issues at first until the 3-4th synchronizer had a conniption and I had to rev match until I sold it. Sometimes things go bad or the maintenance just wasn't good enough. I took care of the issues my cars had because I could. Anyone who can't should definitely go for CPO or a new lease so there's a better guarantee.

@malibuStroker 3 года назад

Excellent points, great video!!👍

@orozcocris93 3 года назад

Well said Eric. Needed to be said

@Andrew-zv4fm 3 года назад

Great video and great advice.

@vijayantgovender2045 3 года назад

Well said Eric I agree with you I am from South Africa

@zach914v8 3 года назад

Lol, you are so right... 19 year mechanic and I get asked all the time, what to buy?... I always say, doesn't matter, they are all junk!!!! Although I do try to steer people away from cars with variable timing. It seems like all I do anymore is cam gears and timing chains.

@kingart813 3 года назад

Glad this was made, when I saw the title, I was like: No way! There's no way he can tell me what used vehicle will be a good buy for myself.

@JayTdub13 3 года назад

I’ve been really lucky. I’ve gotten some really good used cars. I will never purchase new.

@bighands675 3 года назад

At all costs, trying like crazy to stay away from purchase!

@wyattandwill12 3 года назад

The only car I’d buy new if I had cash today is something cool like a Mustang, I don’t feel like I need something new to have something reliable.

@jeffreysalzman1497 3 года назад

I always say that I'm too mechanical to pay the exorbitant new car tax.

@bighands675 3 года назад

@@jeffreysalzman1497 id rather take a bus...at very least Uber or Lyft

@jeffreysalzman1497 3 года назад

@@bighands675 I'd rather have a red hot poker stuck in my eye than take public transportation :)

@jasonyoung6420 3 года назад

I am comfortable suggesting a Toyota Corolla or Camry as a "budget" option, the newest one that can be afforded. *Important info to obtain before buying however* -Check/ask for maintenance records -Check the VIN for accidents/theft etc. -Have a Mechanic check it over, the hour or two for their labor is worth it in the long run -Certified is safer, and typically comes with a warranty

@Penguin545 3 года назад

I respect that you’re unbiased enough to not say Honda’s are better than VW so I’ll just say it as a guy who has worked at both dealers- Honda’s are better than VW ☺️

@youngbuckrestoration3912 3 года назад

I got an obs Chevy pickup when I graduated high school after a family member passed away and I've had it for four years now. Even though I appreciate that it was given to me for free it has beaten the tar out of my wallet in those years, and I'm about to spend more money on fixing a massive power steering leak. But I won't get rid of it too easily. I tell everyone the only way I'm getting rid of it is if it throws a rod or the transmission blows up. I'm surprised neither have yet, given the condition of them.

@jasoneas 3 года назад

Ford and Honda. Why? Like you said. I know them and they are easy for me to work on. And they are my favorite brand of vehicles.

@letsdosomething806 3 года назад

Its true all cars are junk. I know my 97 chevy suburban is junk, but when(if) it fires up I cant help but smile. Thats the secret to find junk that makes you smile.

@closertothetruth9209 3 года назад

for me in my country, its a brand thats very popular, reliable, easy to work on and parts are cheap and readily available.

@nos1000100 3 года назад

I agree 100% about the "all junk" comment. Ive seen plenty of cars that are normally classified as great cars be garbage yet on the flip side, ive seen plenty of cars classified as junk be great. You just never know. Its always good to do your own research on the car youre trying to buy. For example. A lot of people say toyotas are pretty damn good but they always seam to have a server oil leak and are kinda underpowered imo yet ive seen plenty 4.7l dodge trucks run all the way to 400k miles and still look brand new.

@JoseOrtiz-pf4ve 3 года назад

Some good advice i once heard was look at the vehicles that tou see on the road. The ones that suck arnt on the road for long.

@bighands675 3 года назад

Even worse when people ask, “what is best cheap reliable car to get?” My response, cheap and reliable doesn’t go together concerning a vehicle!!! Take the bus instead!

@adventureoflinkmk2 3 года назад

I just link em to 4th or even 5th gen Toyota Camries lol

@bighands675 3 года назад

@@adventureoflinkmk2 I personally had crap luck with vehicles but never drove a Toyota 🤔

@adventureoflinkmk2 3 года назад

@@bighands675 believe me, I was sold on a 97 Camry and after how well that thing went to and from long distances still without skipping a beat, I'm sold on 4th gens Now if only I can find a manual trans Camry and another 4th gen with a good frame I'd be sold (yes I want a 4th gen one day to hopefully convert to EV)

@bighands675 3 года назад

@@adventureoflinkmk2 personally as long as it works, I don’t mind the make. Seems like Toyota is popular in comment thread too

@adventureoflinkmk2 3 года назад

@@bighands675 and for good reason too dude

@josephreisinger33 3 года назад

Like u said, you don't know what your getting. 2 years ago i pick up a 2000 CRV from a so called friend and he never mentioned that his sister-in-law over heated the thing 2-3 maybe 4 times. The spark plugs will not come out. It's pushing antifreeze out every were. The head and block are junk. It sits in my yard with a tarp over it till I can get a motor for it. Tanks Erik for all the good info.....

@bdrift107 3 года назад

For me it's parts availability, part costs, and labor costs. Expect anything and everything to break on a used vehicle. And if you live in the rust belt you have another monster to tackle.

@dadtype2339 3 года назад

Be honest EC, you are making an ETCG Elemental Fleet?! Thanks for this video!

@chrisrandom1404 3 года назад

When asked what vehicle I like I tell everyone the same thing. One I don't have to fix. Lol. But seriously I have had a lot of good luck with Fords for years. They are my go to. As long as a vehicle is well maintained, regardless of brand, it will last a long time. It's all about the owner imo.

@questioner1596 3 года назад

Something else to consider is whether a car is designed for easy servicing. My Toyotas, Hondas, Chevys, etc all develop leaks, but the gaskets sure were easier to replace in my Japanese cars than my Chevys, because GM puts all kinds of things in the way.

@northpoint1039 3 года назад

My mother decided to get a new car. She let me buy her old car off her - 2007 Buick Lucerne - loaded - with 26k miles on it. I gave it to my wife. I drive a 2008 with 150k on it now. I have done a lot of work on my car. But to be fair, I bought it off a dealer lot. Im sure they got it at auction and just changed the oil and slapped a price tag on it. However, Its got the Buick 3800 in it and its a great engine. Only thing is the intake gaskets die in them. Since I do all my own work its not that much of a problem for me. However Im pissed about the suspension system in these cars. Dont put Quick struts in them because you will lose the 'soft' ride. They use a stiffer spring in the quick struts and Im not sure you can get the original coils still for them. Im talking about the FE1 'soft coils'. So, Mine is a bit of a stiff ride. I would not buy a newer GM though because I hear a lot about the transmissions being just horrible. Then the timing chains fail and all kinds of fun stuff. So, Im looking at a used (1 or 2 year old) lexus RX350 later this year.

@EarlSinclair97 3 года назад

Regarding vehicles, an applicable quote by Waldorf & Statler: "...say, those cars aren't half-bad." "I know, they're ALL bad!"

@mwelke90 3 года назад

Well got a Honda Accord CU2 (K24Z3) year 2010 or for you fellow Americans an Acura TSX 2g. Bought it used with 150k km and have now 210k km. No issues at all, I am just maintaining it regularly. I'd say mostly newer vehicles with direct injection and all these emission control devices are junk. Meanwhile on our company vehicles (VW Caddy year 2017) there are more quirks, overall they're okay but in my opinion overvalued

@nopenottalib4366 3 года назад

Yeah, there's just way too many factors to consider when buying a vehicle that there's really no way to recommend a vehicle for someone else. Honestly, I don't think you could recommend a brand new vehicle either. Best case scenario is you could tell them what vehicles YOU like and why. (Which you did in this video.)

@mrphiscal 3 года назад

So your saying buyer beware!!! Shocking news. I will be sharing this video Often

@ajs622 3 года назад

Truer words have never been spoken. A certified used is the safest bet on used cars. My thoughts, if a person can’t afford a certified used but even if you can do your research. Every make has its “characteristic” failures . For example many GM engines were known for intake gasket failures. All makes and models have some known failure spots. So know what you’re probably getting into, pick your poison so to speak, what problems are you willing to deal with. Then try and find something that wasn’t treated to badly maintenance wise. It probably would be a good idea to pay the few hundred bucks to have a technician from a dealership of whatever make you’re interested in give it a full once over. You could save yourself a real headache + put yourself in a better position for negotiating a price. If the current owner isn’t willing to let you have that done you probably don’t want the car anyway. I also think the biggest mistake a person can make when car shopping is letting your emotions get in the way. Don’t let the fact that it’s your favorite color or it’s a great price or it’s got all the bells and whistles make your decision. Keep a level head, is it a piece of junk or not, don’t buy someone else’s problem.

@NoWr2Run 3 года назад

The one on the lift has the BLOWN ENGINE.

@antoniohernandez6590 3 года назад

I just wanted to say i think it would be great if Eric made a vmanual/video on a Honda V6 transmission swap or any FWD transmission swap.

@corvettekro818 3 года назад

couldn't agree more.... I - personally - love Audi's but I also know they are the worst plastic crap there is, and stupid engineered where One have to remove half the car to fix a $1.- item.... but I just love them.

@matteogiancola9913 3 года назад

Hey Eric, I'm thinking of picking up a stock, clean GSR soon. I was wondering what tires you suggest for it. I live in Canada, so I will prefer summers, as I will get a separate set of winters anyways, or store the car during the winters.

@HotRod-wv4vm 3 года назад

Even new I had a 2003 Honda Element that felt peppier than my current 2004.

@TreyCook21 3 года назад

Spent $11,000 on a Colorado. I had the GM place inspect it; they even put it on the lift. Two months later, the frame cracks in half where the rust holes (filled with Bondo and painted over) failed. It is currently cracked in half in my driveway, and I'm forced to keep paying for it. NC laws are not made for the working man.

@aserta 3 года назад

I hate this question with a passion. This is one i get a lot in my group of people, and i almost never want to answer it, so i just throw the basics. Needs to have crash protection above 4, no older than 10 years, and depending on the travel routes, diesel or petrol. Tho recently i was coerced to answer and it turned out that it was an electric, specifically the BMW i3, which they found for super cheap, because the previous owner crashed it right out of the gate, and the insurance company wrote it off and paid in full. And get this, the damage exclusively on the passenger door and front bumper. No frame damage, nada. Insurance companies either fight you to the last toothpick or just throw money at you...

@mrjsv4935 3 года назад

It indeed is difficult to say for someone else, what car is best for him/her, even about new cars. Talking about people asking questions, today experienced a weird one. Visited a shop (Biltema) which sells all kinds of stuff, home stuff, automotive stuff, etc., I was looking for an in-house TV-antenna myself and walked through the automotive shelves, where some random guy asked could I help him find and choose the right coolant for his 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-series :D Why me, I'm just random customer as well and not a mechanic, not to mention any kind of Mercedes expert :P I saw the shelf for coolants, but told him to ask for sales person, because I know that much about coolants, that it's not good to mix wrong kind of coolants together (for example green vs red coolant, based on different chemicals) and of course I didn't know the car's history, what kind of coolant it currently had. He was specifically looking for adding coolant to his car, as it appearantly had some coolant loss & running too hot. Similar things have happened in the past as well, people thinking I'm the sales person when I'm just another random customer :D

@jordans.2665 3 года назад

I bought a 98’ Saturn W2 wagon today in SoCal for $900 5 spd manual, 88k owned by a elderly woman... it’s really true - Buick’s can be great, chevys can be great, Honda’s and Toyota’s have beat all the other manufacturers in terms of brand association with reliability and for good reason. It all depends...

@dennisferron8847 3 года назад

Here's a question for you for another video: at what point does an amateur mechanic's skills and experiences make it moot that a brand or car model has a reputation as unreliable or hard to work on? In other words, if you buy a brand for perceived reliability, but you do pretty involved work on your cars anyway, are you over-valuing a trait that isn't actually as important for the relationship YOU have with your vehicles? Sometimes I see a cool car from outside the Honda/Toyota ilk and think wow I might like that - except for perceived unreliability / expense to own / difficult to work on. But then I'm always swapping engines, transmissions, etc on my Hondas so why should I be scared if something else requires an engine out service? On the third hand I feel spoiled by how well-designed and easy to work on my Element and my Prelude are; it's hard to know if I'd hate my life if I tried to work on a more complicated/difficult brand or if I'd wonder what I was afraid of.

@jorgeglez7112 3 года назад

The best used car ... for me? ... is the 2001-2003 malibu (yes, I know it has the intake manifold gasket fault!). In the family we had a 97 Malibu (which lasted for months with more water than oil in the engine and never failed) and we have three other Malibu (01, 01, 02). I became an "expert" in them (engine, suspension, brakes, interiors, lights, etc). If I had the money, I would buy one for each day of the week. By the way, all cars (regardless of manufacturer), sooner or later will need a lot of money to maintain them.

@DumbCarGuy 3 года назад

Just get a 2018 Shelby Cobra GT350 with the VooDoo engine. 8200 rpms.

@g-mang-man7924 3 года назад

Track record of reliability, maintenance records (if available) cleanliness and condition of paint and body work, and then inspection by a trusted Technician. That said, all of the used vehicles I have purchased in the last 10 years have been Toyota products. 2000 Tundra, 2001 Camry LE , 2002 Lexus ES 300, 2003 Lexus RX300, 2004 Lexus ES 330, and 2011 Tacoma TRD off road double cab V6.

@nestorroman2694 3 года назад

ETGC1 you dam right! 😆

@jeffreysalzman1497 3 года назад

I agree that a car is only as good as it's maintenance, but some cars are engineered well and some are just horrible. i.e. my buddies Saab 9-3 turbo engine bay is a nightmare of cramped insanity while my Toyota FJ Cruiser is like a dream to work on.

@thepeeve 3 года назад

Just like dogs, vehicles are as good as their owners. I have had a ram 2500 5.9 GAS 5 speed 4x4 with 425,000 miles and was the most reliable vehicle I have owned. Have owned stuff that had less miles that had more issues, also have had 90% of my vehicles have over 200k. With maintenance, all of them were great and reliable because I got to know the owners and how they took care of them

@leonkloonsner 3 года назад

Maintenance is everything unless you drive a totally garbage design

@HotRod-wv4vm 3 года назад

Yep do your homework find out which model years had the fewest problems. As an Element owner I look forward to seeing the video.

@jonhagan7378 3 года назад

"They're all junk!" Yea man! I bought a car that had every single service record & oil change in the glove box. I inspected that thing repeatedly. Two weeks after purchase a rattle showed up in the front. Thats just how it goes sometimes.

@barfo281 Год назад

I've bought used rental cars (from Hertz) and they've been perfect.

@worldhello1234 3 года назад

@2:52 Yes, but that reduces the odds of getting a junker and the car can take a certain level of neglect.

@fastboatster 3 года назад

The answer does exist and it’s depends) I’d argue that for a non-car person some Toyotas and Hondas are a way to go. If you are, then it’s going to be some Hondas, Mazdas and some (few) European cars.

@norcalhozay 3 года назад

Hey Eric, what used car should I buy? 2006 Dodge Intrepid? Thanks.

@fastinradfordable 3 года назад

Nooooooooooo

@sirnik84 3 года назад

I answer people who ask questions like this, "What ever car you wanna work on" Personally, after buying a truck load of tools from a retired Mercedes mechanic, people think I'm nuts when I say I'd buy a Mercedes... Only because I'm already in that "ecosystem" My dad loves his Honda 1992 Accord... So we're rebuilding that right now. I really do love Hondas, but I'm not a equipped for them.

@The.Dude.Abides. 3 года назад

I think sound advice would simply be "just stay away from any used Fiat-Chrysler product."

@adventureoflinkmk2 3 года назад

As well as any European vehicle make (Mercedes, VW, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Fiat, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, etc) Also throw in Land/Range Rovers, Jaguars, etc EDIT: can't forget about 2003 to present Nissans lol

@roberts1159 3 года назад

@@adventureoflinkmk2 Sound advice, you must be a Scotty Kilmer fan!

@bilaltariq7819 3 года назад

@@adventureoflinkmk2 depends how much money you have tbh

@adventureoflinkmk2 3 года назад

@@roberts1159 well have fun with things always breaking down and costing thousands of dollars to fix ;)

@AntonioClaudioMichael 3 года назад

I been both a Toyota Tech as Well as. Ford Tech and I agree all brands have there problems they all need to be fixed and some are money pits... when people ask me what the best impact wrench is I or the best hammer drill is I always say I can't answer that question without more information its all about what is best for you because not one thing in this world is the best of the best its all what's best for the user and there application and what they want @ETCG1

@jjmarz1001 3 года назад

I have three used Honda Elements, don't ask me which used vehicle to buy.

@mobes329 3 года назад

Just take a potential purchase to a mechanic you trust to check it over.

@rodgercottrill3342 3 года назад

69 impala 2dr. 327 3 speed

@SmittySmithsonite 3 года назад

"They're all junk!" - ain't it the truth! I've owned cars from every decade going back to the 70's, and you can see how automakers continually cheaped out on certain parts over the years. Back in the 80's, we never could've dreamed of a brand new car's engine failing just a few years down the road. Some models from the 70's and 80's were utter garbage in build quality, but they always ran - drivelines were always off limits to the cheapout game. A prime example of this is my '86 Grand Marquis - 100% original driveline (except for u-joints, axle seals, and a timing chain set) - 274k miles and still running strong. Even has the ORIGINAL electric in-tank fuel pump! Never been changed! We don't drive it in winter, since the bodies were crap in those years. Everything will rust away in no time flat if it came in contact with road salt. Now take a look at my '07 Silverado 1500 4x4 - I bought it brand new with just 47 miles on the clock. Nothing but trouble since literally day 1. Interior sounded worse than my 266k mile '94 K1500 as far as squeaks and rattles go, brakes pulsated on the test drive (42 miles on the clock), lower ball joints failed at 38k, uppers at 50k, along with front diff oil leaks, engine oil burning, and a bad strut, hub bearings failed not long after that, rear differential failed at 97k, and the transmission at 103k. Has 105k on it now. Engine or transfer case will be next. Whenever someone asks me, "What's a good used car to buy?" I tell them, anything built prior to the 1996 model year.

@2fast4all 3 года назад

Your '07 1500 is not far away from my '16 Malibu 1LT. I'm on my 3rd battery, first motor blew up at 59K miles, new motor by GM with a very weak warranty that was a joke, LSPI/cracked pistons/spark nock before 20K miles, replaced alternator+rear shocks at 80k, and roughly deep $5,5xx~ in unexpected repairs and maintenance 5 years now.

@Avrelivs_Gold 3 года назад

Many brands are badly designed junk What you want is a car that is easy to repair and cheap to keep running. And no rusted through metal (not worth fixing)

@andrewbutton5580 3 года назад

Repeat after me LS Element.....has a nice ring to it doesn't it ? Have you tried to find a decent used Honda made before 2001 lately ? I agree, Honda really blew it starting in 2001, but older Civics of the golden years are owner number 16 by now and most of them are falling apart or painted with spray cans. They killed the Accord and made it trash years before the civic, but finding any GOOD Honda of a decent vintage anymore is like winning the lottery. Element is 15 years old, and so thats ancient in car years, and they were infinitely better in 2005 than they equivelant car is, now, as you well know. (PRE CANBUS garbage I think) if I am not mistaken. Civics from those years weren't great by any standards but the Accords of those vintage are just pure garbage. As were the vans. I used to like Hondas, and had many, but when I saw the 2001 Civic where they made the suspension junkier and made that bastard engine, I was done with them. I just figure I will have to repair whatever I buy, so I look for simplicity and cheap parts. IE not Eurotrash.

@Max2JZZX10R 3 года назад

Buying new during this time and age is a huge financial mistake when there are such great cars that are 10, 15, 20+ years old. Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Acura, Chevrolet. And don't forget used motorcycles too, but those are totally different especially with mileage concerns.

@hemiboy374 3 года назад

I drive a ford.... I do not like fords. Also a certified diesel mechanic, I would never own one though. ETCG is right, everything is a unicorn when it's sitting on the show room floor... but in 10 years, it's all junk. WELL SAID Eric

@jimmysapien9961 3 года назад

True , Some point in time after a while they will need to be upgraded - ball joints tie rods motor mounts etc. etc.

@fastinradfordable 3 года назад

U need a good diesel. One with an injection pump. Just imagine. Rabbit pickup with a Tdi. That’s what I drive. How much money do you waste getting under 20mpg. When you could get 50+mpg? Is it worth hundreds every month To drive a behemoth? Well maybe u have money to burn. CaUse u are burning it. But I don’t like to turn my money into pollution three times as much as I have to.

@dvddmc 3 года назад

read lots of reviews and what people think also a good clean Carfax is also good to have before buying they give some good history

@Thankyou_3 3 года назад

Hi Eric, great video. I liked what you said about Honda made after 2000s. This is so true, Honda have been producing poor quality cars after the 2000s. For this reason, I have become a Toyota fanboy lately because many of the Toyota model are made in Japan still. Lexus is also far superior cars than Acura after mid 2005s. I am sad to say that I personally think Acura days are numbered with the no vision from them, their target is always moving. They need to go back to their heritage, simplicity without all the Turbos and GDI technology.

@CRAPO2011 3 года назад

Nearly all US specification toyota models are no longer assembled in Japan. Lexus has more Japan assembled models IS, LS, LC,LX . Acura just sells MDX like hot cakes, dont think they care to build the brand into a full lineup like back in the 90s.

@Thankyou_3 3 года назад

@@CRAPO2011 4Runner, CHR, Corolla Hatchback are made in Japan...I am sure there are more models made in Japan but I can’t think of it now. Honda have none made in Japan!

@CRAPO2011 3 года назад

@@Thankyou_3 the girlie chr is made in Japan,duly noted. I think some(very few) CRVs are assembled in Japan and imported only when capacity isnt met at the other factories. Last true japan assembled honda would probably be the Acura RLX (cancelled a few years back)