'79 Honda Accord, 3dr hatchback, 5 speed. Loved the car, but not reliable over 150k miles. No A/C, no power steering, no power windows or locks! Struggled to get over 80 MPH. Had that car about 7 years, went to the wrecker when the transmission died a second time.

'87 Saab 9000T, started as an automatic, had it converted to 5 speed. My favorite car ever so far. Had just about every mechanical part on the car replaced in the 10 years I owned it, costing me a fortune (but still less than new). Drove it for 180k miles, sold last year to get a car with A/C, fewer trips to the shop, and better fuel economy. Big mistake.... now looking for another 9000T.

'81 Datsun 310, 5 speed. Bought for $500 in 1997 to deliver pizza in while my 9000T was down with a dead automatic transmission for the second time. Unusual car, 3dr hatchback, could not get less than 30 MPG even flogging the hell out of it delivering pizza, usually got in the mid 30's. Sold to my mom for $300, later died in an accident.

'05 Suzuki Aerio SX, 5 speed. Bought to replace my '87 9000T. Has about 95% of the Saab features at half the price. More cargo volume with the seats folded if you go to the roof, most power of any compact under $15k, ACC. Fun to drive, excellent interior fabric and ergonomics, great back seat room, good acceleration when empty at sea level, and great fuel economy (30.5 MPG over 17k miles). However, ride is really choppy, highway noise excessive, cargo area unimpressive despite more overall volume, fuel economy takes a serious hit over 65 MPH, power vanishes at high altitudes. Seems pretty reliable, but already three trips to the dealer for repairs in the first year, plus the engine pings in hot weather and knocks on cold starts.


So Gina, you seem to have a lot of experience with VW's. My fiance really wants to get an old Beetle. Of course, they are all too old to search for in the usual places like Auto Trader, and there's precious few offered in the local classifieds. Where might you suggest searching? Are there any web sites you'd recommend for researching good/bad years (if there is such a thing) and common problems for the old Beetles? Thanks!



Aaron Gilbert



posted by 71.217.54...

• can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, gina, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 07:58:35
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, vtsnaab , Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:43:02
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, onefastdriver, Thu, 14 Dec 2006 20:22:55
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, David Wright, Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:58:22
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s), BobR, Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:28:19
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, dboone, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:11:14
    • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, Jeff, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:07:53
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s), Mike C, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 17:39:29
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s), PGAero , Sun, 15 Oct 2006 15:56:08
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, DAO, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:33:43
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, RTSDan, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 10:30:32
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, Kurt, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 09:32:49
  • some of you have had some VERY COOL CARS..., Gina, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 06:14:58
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, Rasta, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 22:48:03
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, Ron, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 20:58:28
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, yaofeng, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 17:35:08
  • This must be a young crowd., R. Frist, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:56:22
    • Not all that young!, Bill Davies, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 03:34:26
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, TML , Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:23:47
  • A little of everything..., Craig, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 12:46:14
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, Joe98, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 11:43:17
    • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, hanesj75, Mon, 16 Oct 2006 11:56:36
    • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s), V-Aero, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 14:20:48
  • Yep, somewhat short list... also, VW Beetles?, Aaron Gilbert, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 10:42:44 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: Yep, somewhat short list... also, VW Beetles?, dave24 , Mon, 16 Oct 2006 09:57:45
    • Re: VW Beetles? (Aaron...), Gina, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 16:54:50
      • Aaron - see KEN MANIAC's post for some accurate info.., Gina, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 06:17:52
        • Thanks Ken and Gina!, Aaron Gilbert, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:47:02
      • Gina? is that you?, KenManiac , Sat, 14 Oct 2006 19:52:21
        • thanks Ken - I was afraind I wasn't totally right., Gina, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 05:58:13
  • Re: can you list ALL cars you've had up to your saab(s) ???, Abusot, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 10:05:38
    • wow...abusot - you've had some COOL cars..., gina, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 10:29:30
      • Don't be too impressed, Abusot, Sat, 14 Oct 2006 12:21:10

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