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10 Cars Mechanics Hate
autos.yahoo.com ^ | Tom and Ray Magliozz

Posted on 09/12/2010 7:39:28 PM PDT by ThinkingBuddha

These are the cars that cause us to mumble under our breath when they drive by. So smug. So reliable. Sure! Drive right past our shop! How's a mechanic supposed to make a monthly boat payment with so many of these things on the road?

Yes, the cars we hate most, as mechanics, are the cars that provide us with the fewest repair dollars. I mean, you see a '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee roll into the shop and you can practically smell the transmission rebuild. But the cars on this list? You'll be lucky to sell their owners a set of brake pads or a muffler.

If you're looking for a car to buy, however, this list might provide you with some good clues. Oh, sure ... don't worry about us!

P.S. This list reflects our own experience, of course. So when we cite the ready availability of parts, we're talking about the typical repair experience in metropolitan areas in the Northeast. We're not sure the same is true in North Grainbucket, Iowa.....

(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: automobole; quality; reliaility; usedcars
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To: driftdiver

‘86.5 Nissan Hardbody pickup. Has never had any work but normal maintenance except in the second year when a heating coil under the throttle body failed (warranty repair).


61 posted on 09/12/2010 8:41:45 PM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by nature, not nurture)
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To: ThinkingBuddha

‘98 Jeep Wrangler with a 2.4. Had it for 7 years.

Sold it with 100K miles on it.

Replaced the soft top.
Replaced both front sway bar links (I off-roaded it a lot)
Radiator leaked, but nothing stop-leak couldn’t fix.

That’s it.

Loved that thing. Wish it had been practical for me to keep it.


62 posted on 09/12/2010 8:45:45 PM PDT by FLAMING DEATH (Are you better off than you were $4 trillion ago?)
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To: editor-surveyor
The 45RFE was introduced in the Jeep Grand Cherokee in 1999, it is notable for including 3 planetary gearsets rather than the two normally used in a 4-speed automatic. It also features 3 multiple disc input clutches, 3 multiple disc holding clutches, and a dual internal filter system (one primary filter for transmission sump, one for the fluid cooler return system). In the 45RFE applications four gears are utilized, with a different (1.50:1 rather than 1.67:1) second gear to increase versatility when downshifting. In 545RFE usage, an extra taller overdrive ratio is also used. Chrysler decided to refer to it as a "multi-speed automatic".

The 45RFE is produced at the Indiana Transmission plant in Kokomo, Indiana. It is normally paired with the 4.7 L PowerTech V8.

--wikipedia

63 posted on 09/12/2010 8:45:55 PM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by nature, not nurture)
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To: troy McClure

LOL! I think this post has more “Hollywood script writing” than reality but it is funny. Trabbies were made out of paper.

See here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLW4tVGgz9o

Red Ferrari 250 GT California LWB? That car is worth about $5 million.


64 posted on 09/12/2010 8:46:31 PM PDT by Frantzie (Imam Ob*m* & Democrats support the VICTORY MOSQUE & TV supports Imam)
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To: Frantzie

Yeah, the TR-7 Wedge was a “cool” look as long as you weren’t sitting behind the wheel dead in traffic, which was pretty much a daily occurence.


65 posted on 09/12/2010 8:49:36 PM PDT by caper gal 1 (November 2010 . . . America's last chance for survival.)
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To: editor-surveyor

BS. Jeep Cherokees and the Grand Cherokee went through transmissions like most people go through socks. Rubbish.


66 posted on 09/12/2010 8:51:57 PM PDT by Frantzie (Imam Ob*m* & Democrats support the VICTORY MOSQUE & TV supports Imam)
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To: ThinkingBuddha

Just bought an ‘88 Honda Accord with 188,000 miles on it. It runs a bit rough and the tranny isn’t the best, but whaddaya expect for $500?

Needed it to get me to/from work while Mommy has the other car to take her to school.

Mechanic friend at my church says he’ll help me fix whatever else may come up. Says he’s driven Accords with 400K+ miles on them.


67 posted on 09/12/2010 8:54:44 PM PDT by hoagy62 (.)
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To: troy McClure

Here you go mate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLW4tVGgz9o

Go to 7:42 in the video and James May said the Trabbi was made with - cotton.

The trabbi he has there is quite a nice one...if that is possible.


68 posted on 09/12/2010 8:55:32 PM PDT by Frantzie (Imam Ob*m* & Democrats support the VICTORY MOSQUE & TV supports Imam)
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To: troy McClure

How did you deal with mixing gas and oil? It’s my understanding that at least some years ago, you could find pre-mixed gas and oil at the pump in at least some European countries.

Did you just carry several cans of oil with you?


69 posted on 09/12/2010 8:56:12 PM PDT by B Knotts (Just another Tenther)
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To: jjotto

“Ford is tops among the domestic automakers. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan once again beat the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The upscale Lincoln MKZ beat its rivals, the Acura TL and Lexus ES.”

That’s from your link. of all cars built in america, the most important/dominant ones are the camry/accord/and similar competitors.

Ford wins.

Next most important segment is full sized pickup trucks. I didn’t see that in your link anywhere but I’d bet a dollar ford won that segment too. No one sells more trucks than ford.

after that I would say minivans are third most important segment. Ford probably doesn’t win that segment.

After that I would put midsized SUVs as 4th most important...that would be the ford explorer and competitors. Ford probably doesn’t win that segment.

hybrids and teeny tiny cars are not significant segments of the auto market and I wouldn’t even bother to comment on them.


70 posted on 09/12/2010 8:57:24 PM PDT by mamelukesabre (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
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To: hoagy62

Change the oil every 4 to 6 K and also flush the radiator every 2 to 3 years.


71 posted on 09/12/2010 8:59:13 PM PDT by Frantzie (Imam Ob*m* & Democrats support the VICTORY MOSQUE & TV supports Imam)
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To: Frantzie

> “Cherokees and the Grand Cherokee went through transmissions like most people go through socks.”

.
Bullshit!

I have 15 and 20 year old cherokees that are used off road in severe conditions in land surveying, and neither of them has ever needed more than a water pump or a coolant bottle replaced.

Say something that makes sense for once. Jeep is heavily preferred because they perform and last forever.
.


72 posted on 09/12/2010 9:01:25 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Obamacare is America's kristallnacht !!)
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To: ThinkingBuddha

I’ve got a Fusion - one of the best cars I’ve ever owned.

I’ve also got an Explorer, you know, the ones mechanics like to sneer at. 12 years old, and all I’ve had to replace was a starter, a couple of stabilizer bar links, a battery, muffler and a couple of tires. Runs like a champ.


73 posted on 09/12/2010 9:02:15 PM PDT by reagan_fanatic (YouTube My Space and I'll Google your Yahoo.)
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To: Frantzie

Thank you. Any advice about the tranny?


74 posted on 09/12/2010 9:03:29 PM PDT by hoagy62 (.)
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To: mamelukesabre

> “after that I would say minivans are third most important segment. Ford probably doesn’t win that segment.”

.
The “Ford” minivan is a Nissan, and the Nissan truck is a Ford. This arrangement has been going for over ten years, and will likely continue.
.


75 posted on 09/12/2010 9:04:50 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Obamacare is America's kristallnacht !!)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

I purchased a used 1970 Ford Maverick in 1973 for about $1,000 and had it until 1982-3. Never had many problems with it.


76 posted on 09/12/2010 9:06:29 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: hoagy62

I’ve seen them hit 350,000.


77 posted on 09/12/2010 9:06:36 PM PDT by mamelukesabre (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
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To: editor-surveyor

I only knew 2 people that had grand cherokees. 1 new and 1 used from a dealer. Both had their transmissions fail. I think one of the failed twice. No offroading either.


78 posted on 09/12/2010 9:07:40 PM PDT by Frantzie (Imam Ob*m* & Democrats support the VICTORY MOSQUE & TV supports Imam)
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To: B Knotts

I still get a kick out of that picture every time I see it.


79 posted on 09/12/2010 9:09:05 PM PDT by Little Pig (Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.)
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To: editor-surveyor

You must be thinking of mazda. Not nissan.


80 posted on 09/12/2010 9:10:01 PM PDT by mamelukesabre (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
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