QuestionQUESTION: Hi, I have a couple of questions:
1. if buying a CPO honda (from dealership), do i still need to have a private mechanic check it?
2. how will an '06 EX accord or '06/'07 EX civic do on snowy roads? My Odyssey is awful, & I drove an '05 CR-V & didn't love it. Tested an Element & don't like the visibility.
3. how important are EBD, 4 discs, traction control, etc.? If I buy an Accord or Civic without them, is it problematic for general safety or for slippery roads?
4. I'm concerned about safety & reliability, but I fell in love with an '06 VW New Beetle 2.5L. What do you think??
Thanks!!
ANSWER: Honda's have problems just like every other manufacturer, however the news does not like promoting Toyota or Honda problems like domestic manufacturers. That being said if it is certified and at a Honda store, I would forget the inspection from a private mechanic. I have never driven either of these on snowy roads, however I have lived in upstate New York, Watertown, to be exact and it really snowed there a lot. My friends that all had 4 wheel drives had problems in the snow, my little front wheel drive car handled great. So logically the accord or the civic could be good snow vehicles, tires are the key, you have to have good all season tires. EBD and 4 wheel disc brakes are great to have if you can afford them as options, the traction control is really what would help and you are probably only getting traction control if it has the two other options, abs is a must. (in the snow and ice). If it isn't snowing then you should be fine without the other options, however understand they are there to help you maintain control of your vehicle. I have never witnessed the aftermath of a vw new beetle accident, I don't know if it is because the cars are good at avoiding accidents or because they are totaled easily. I do know that vw builds good cars and they are usually pretty reliable other than little things like window switches breaking or a trim piece coming loose, all things that any other car could have. I have contemplated buying a new beetle before but I have two pre teens and the back seat is really not desirable for that. Make yourself a list of priorities, and then balance that against which vehicle you wouldn't mind writing the check for each month. No matter what you get, you will be sick of it quick if it is not what you like and you are making payments on it.
hope this ramble helps
zach
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks, Zach, big help. If considering a used convertible, what are your thoughts (safety,reliability,slick roads):
1. '06 Beetle 2.5L (VW certified), 12K miles ($19,000)
2. '04 Volvo C70 (Volvo certified), 50K miles ($19,000)
3. '03 Audi A4 Cabriolet (not certified), 71K ($15,000)
4. '01 BMW Z3 (not cert.), 56K miles ($17,000)
5. '04 BMW Z4 (not cert.), 39K miles ($20,000)
6. '02 BMW 325ci (not cert.), 44K miles ($21,000)
All are for sale at various dealerships. Thanks!
Answeri actually have an 07 vw convertible with only 3000 miles for sale at my dealership and on ebay, item #140206941328, it isn't much more than the 06 you are looking at. but I would stay away from the older non certified bmw and the miles on the audi scare me to death. I thing the beetle is you best bet on this list.
