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To: BigTex5
Its almost hard to find a newer car that doesn't have a rubber timing belt. But they normally last 60-90k miles. And its not that expensive if you change it time, now if you don't when it snaps it will probably bend the valves.

Not if its a non-interference engine. ;)

Do some research on different kinds of used cars. Some Toyotas and Chrylsers have known tranny problems. Some Nissan's have some known quirky electrical problems. Some GM products with the 3800 series II engines have quirky faults too, a Ford Taurus is a total POS...but a Focus is a sold vehicle, etc., etc.

Talk to a mechaninc you trust...see what he drives, see what he would recommend.

66 posted on 01/03/2006 6:57:17 PM PST by BureaucratusMaximus (Mortify your imagination when it saddens you with the prospect of a dreary future.)
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To: BureaucratusMaximus
Some Nissan's have some known quirky electrical problems

Not major problems, just a relatively small problem with some distributors on some models. The distributor on 93-97 Altimas is Nissan's weak spot because an oil seal on the shaft is prone to leak as it gets older. Leaking oil can sometimes seep into the electronics in the distributor head, and if they fail the engine suddenly shuts off as though you flipped a switch.

I had a seal fail on a '94 Altima at about 150K miles. I noticed the leak before it caused an ignition failure, and a local shop replaced the seal for less than $100. No big deal unless you don't notice the leak in time and the engine cuts off on the freeway at rush hour. Other than that one weak spot Nissan engines and trannys are virtually bullet proof in my experience.

One thing I like about most models of Nissan engines is that they use a timing chain instead of a Gilmer belt which has to be replaced at regular intervals, which isn't a cheap job. (A Honda dealer wants almost $2000 to replace the belt on my son's Odyssey) The chain is designed to last the lifetime of the engine, and a Nissan engine is good for a LOT of miles if maintained properly.

91 posted on 01/05/2006 10:17:04 AM PST by epow
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