R J asked:


My friend needs a stopgap for a year or so to wait for her credit to get better to purchase a new car. Her old car is breaking down more often, she wants to buy a used car, doesn’t want to lease. Wants to spend less than 5k. As far as possible repair costs are concerned, what is the cheapest, safest make/model to look for?

She needs enough room in the trunk to fit a wheelchair to transport her grandma, etc. She wants good gas mileage (30+). What is a reliable used car to buy that will work as well on it’s 100k’s as it did in it’s 10k’s?

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Cool amazing planet asked:


Cars with good gas mileage, wnad what is their stricker price used and new ? names so I can just look them up on kelly blue book value ?

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Braga asked:


Well i was origionally going to get a civic beacuse of its gas mileage, but i had found a Geo Metro which gets around 40-45mpg and its old so its really cheap. Are theyre any other cars like that i dont know about that get great gas milage and isnt expensive?

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punjabi15 asked:


I am willing to pay up to 20,000 for a car for my daughter. I want to know what reasonable cars there are for a new (young adult) driver. The cars must be reliable and with good safety features and good gas mileage.

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Theodore Olson asked:


As gas prices continue to rise, the auto industry is out in full force touting the benefits of car maintenance. Many repair shops even have custom “fuel saver” services. While maintaining one’s car is indeed important, does it really save gas? Before we answer this, let’s step back and look at auto maintenance for today’s cars.

The first question we need to ask is – what does my car need (according to the manufacturer) for it to be considered “maintained.” Today’s cars no longer have distributor caps, rotors, points, and a variety of other ignition components – so these don’t need maintenance. Many vehicles now come with extended service parts such as 100,000-mile platinum spark plugs and life-time fuel filters. Oil change intervals have been extended to 5,000 miles or more. The 3,000-mile oil change is ancient history. Coolant flushes and transmission services aren’t needed until 100,000 miles if at all. Yet, even if we performed all the above services, will they increase fuel efficiency? Probably not. Unless your vehicle is misfiring (i.e., not running on all cylinders), you’re gas mileage is likely fine.

So what part of car maintenance adversely effects gas mileage for the average driver of a late model vehicle? Three things: tire pressure, air filters, and excess carbon.

Tire Pressure: Setting your tire pressure is free, and is the best maintenance service you can perform to maintain maximum fuel efficiency. It’s that simple.

Air Filters: Air filters can indeed get plugged after a considerable amount of driving and can then restrict air flow, which will not allow your fuel to burn efficiently. This can also cause excess carbon build-up, which can reduce miles per gallon. The good news: air filters are cheap ($15 to $30), are easy to install, and usually only need replacement every 30,000 miles.

Excess Carbon: There is another auto maintenance service that “can” help gas mileage. It’s called a fuel system cleaning service. Some repair centers call it fuel injector auto maintenance, or a fuel injection service. Simply, chemicals are added to your fuel system through a variety of orifices to clean out excess carbon deposits on your valves, pistons and intake manifold. This naturally forming carbon (in excess) is not good for gas mileage. Excess carbon absorbs gasoline, which would otherwise be used to power your vehicle. However, before you run out and spend the $150 + to have this service performed, there is one important consideration – the service will only work for vehicles that need it. In other words, yes the stuff works, but you’re vehicle may not have any excess carbon build-up. You wouldn’t wash clean clothes – right?

When you see those “fuel saver” services for $100 to $300, they’ll likely include an air filter, tire pressure check, and a fuel system cleaning service. If you’re wondering whether or not your vehicle needs it, ask yourself the following:



Do I use quality gasoline consistently?

Have I replaced my air filter at least every 30,000 miles?

Have I checked my tire pressure recently?



 

If you can answer these questions affirmatively, you’re probably ok. Buying cheap, no-name gas once-in-awhile is ok. Replacing the air filter and setting your tire pressure is common sense. Also, if you drive like grandma, get out on the highway and press the vertical pedal at your right foot “all the way to the floor” until your vehicle accelerates to speeds at which you’re not all too entirely comfortable. Then repeat a few more times. This will help clean out excess carbon – FREE – less the cost of fuel. Be careful. Watch out for cops.

In summary, follow your manufacturer guidelines for your car’s maintenance – not ones designed by those who stand to benefit most. Use name-brand fuel, set your tire pressure now and again, pop in an air filter, according to your car’s recommended interval, and don’t be afraid to drop the hammer now and again.



LOWELL

guenter hohmann asked:


Taking care of your auto and spending a little money on it now will save you money in the long run.

How true the expression “pay me now or pay me more later is”. For instance;

Spend a little extra money to do the wheel alignment if your tires wore out from uneven wear. If you don’t the new tires will wear out prematurely and you will spend more money on tires again.

Replace those spark plugs and wires as suggested by your auto manufacturer. It’s cheaper to do it as maintenance than develop a misfire or break down on a long trip causing more expensive damage plus inconvenience.

Change that oil every 3 to 4 thousand miles to keep the engine clean. Dirty oil creates sludge and lessens gas mileage not to mention major engine repairs for lack of maintenance.

Check those brakes. Brakes usually last 30 thousand miles in the front and somewhat longer in the rear. It is much cheaper to replace the brake pads and shoes when they are getting thin rather than wait until they are metal on metal and ruin the drums and rotor.

If the car drifts one way or another and/or the steering wheel shakes while driving it should be check very soon. This condition can cause other components to wear plus it is a safety issue.

A “check engine” light on, misfire, stalling condition, or hesitation should be checked immediately. These symptoms can rapidly cause other damage and can lead to very expensive repairs if ignored.

Many of today’s autos have timing belts. These are of the same basic materials that the other drive (fan) belts are made of. The timing belt is probably one of the more expensive and more important maintenance items you will have to do. Follow your manufacturer’s time and mileage recommendations for this service. Many of today’s engines are called “interference engines”. This means if your timing belt skips or breaks the valve and pistons are no longer in sync and will hit each other causing very extensive damage internally to the point of having to replace the complete engine itself. A timing belt is a VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE.

With all of the expenses we occur in today’s age it is very easy to put off auto maintenance because there is always tomorrow. Unfortunately tomorrow may be the time you are on a long trip for vacation and the car breaks down. This may very well be MUCH more expensive to repair than what it would have cost for routine maintenance not to mention a vacation cut short and ruined.

Keep the old buggy maintained and it should run trouble free for a long time. Today’s vehicles tend to last much longer than those of the past.



LEON