Need an SUV, current model Year or CPO, no cvt.

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by Wolf359
Originally Posted by Ws6
Over that 200k miles or so, how much has needed repair beyond maintenance, and what is the average cost to maintain it that long? My cx5 needs plugs every 40k miles, brakes every 80-100k, and oil changes/filter changes. Not the worst, but the 40k mile plug interval is annoying. I'm guessing it's the result of pushing 17psi of boost.


I'm not sure how you lump repairs with maintenance. Things like tie rods, ball joints, control arms, sway bar links springs/shocks, motor mounts, tensioner/pulleys, alternator, thermostats, brakes, etc basically fall into maintenance for me.

With the exception of brakes, the rest of that sounds like repairs. If it's not on the maintenance schedule, I'm not sure how it could qualify as anything other than a repair. Ok fine, on a 20 year old car, it may be routine and expected to replace the radiator--but it still sounds like a repair to me.

With the exception of the engine and the transmission, I don't think you can really expect any of those parts to last more than 100k. Maybe motor mounts, but MB is known to have them fail early because they use liquid filled ones which are more likely to fail at much lower mileage, but you get a much smoother vibration free ride when they're working as opposed to regular solid rubber ones. I always replaced those parts on previous high mileage cars. Some people think they can get 150-200k out of springs/struts, but that just meant they were shot for the last 50-100k or they lived where there were really smooth roads. In this area, too many potholes for that stuff to last very long for any car.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by Wolf359
Originally Posted by Ws6
Over that 200k miles or so, how much has needed repair beyond maintenance, and what is the average cost to maintain it that long? My cx5 needs plugs every 40k miles, brakes every 80-100k, and oil changes/filter changes. Not the worst, but the 40k mile plug interval is annoying. I'm guessing it's the result of pushing 17psi of boost.


I'm not sure how you lump repairs with maintenance. Things like tie rods, ball joints, control arms, sway bar links springs/shocks, motor mounts, tensioner/pulleys, alternator, thermostats, brakes, etc basically fall into maintenance for me.

With the exception of brakes, the rest of that sounds like repairs. If it's not on the maintenance schedule, I'm not sure how it could qualify as anything other than a repair. Ok fine, on a 20 year old car, it may be routine and expected to replace the radiator--but it still sounds like a repair to me.

Call it repair or maintenance, over the course of 200K miles, I would expect all these items needing to be replaced, regardless if it's a Mercedes or a Toyota or any other car, so I don't even see a point of comparing these across different makes/models, other than if you don't DIY, replacing these items is going to cost you more on a typical luxury German car.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by Ws6
Originally Posted by Wolf359
Originally Posted by Ws6
I keep thinking about trading my turbo CX5 for an SQ5 or M340i or something, but I just can't bring myself to do it irregardless of the price difference at that time. German vehicles just worry me. Fun hobby, but not something I want to count on. If I could own a car? I'd be sorely tempted to just snag a C5 Z06. Boring but capable, and PM is 100% understood by now.


They're fun. I have two of them. I really like how Mercedes has EPC and WIS. EPC lets you look up the part numbers with the vin of your car so you can get the correct parts. When there's AWD/RWD and sports/luxury suspensions, it's hard to know for sure if the parts store has the right part listed in their catalog. WIS gives you the dealer repair manual. All for under $10 on eBay. Been counting on mine for over 5 years.

As for the CVT, I did drive a Corolla once as a rental. Somewhat gutless so basically floored most of the time. Hard to get use to a lack of power when you're used to a V6.

For me, reliability is just #1. First and last. I'm waiting for a "Japanese SQ5".

Not gonna happen.

 

[4WD]

Think the OP has left the building

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by 4WD
Think the OP has left the building


Probably because it's veered way off topic. As usual.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by Wolf359
Originally Posted by Ws6
Over that 200k miles or so, how much has needed repair beyond maintenance, and what is the average cost to maintain it that long? My cx5 needs plugs every 40k miles, brakes every 80-100k, and oil changes/filter changes. Not the worst, but the 40k mile plug interval is annoying. I'm guessing it's the result of pushing 17psi of boost.


I'm not sure how you lump repairs with maintenance. Things like tie rods, ball joints, control arms, sway bar links springs/shocks, motor mounts, tensioner/pulleys, alternator, thermostats, brakes, etc basically fall into maintenance for me.

With the exception of brakes, the rest of that sounds like repairs. If it's not on the maintenance schedule, I'm not sure how it could qualify as anything other than a repair. Ok fine, on a 20 year old car, it may be routine and expected to replace the radiator--but it still sounds like a repair to me.

Try to drive Camry 130mph and feel like BMW, MB or Audi. It comes at price.
In addition, I think I changed suspension on my Land Cruiser like 5-6 times in 150k period, and it is not driving like my X5 did.

 

[supton]

I don't get it. I took my VW TDi on the other side of 100 a couple of times, first at 100k then at 200k. First time it had original struts. When I got rid of it after 300k it had gone through two sets of struts, LCA rear bushings, a top engine mount, and nothing else on your list. Original starter, alt, ball joints, all other bushings, etc. At that point it did need a new rear axle (they warp with time) and rear axle bushings, a clutch for the otherwise untouched a/c, a radiator fan (which it was happily running without), and... nothing else. I did have to do a clutch, fuel pump and turbo, at 250k, I'll grant you that. Oh and 3 or 4 windshields over 11 years.

And that was on a car not known for reliability! So I fail to see why I'd expect that kind of repairs in an appliance! In 9 years my wife's Camry has need a set of brakes in 205k (and something like 5 sets of tires). My older Camry, back from those "legendary" Toyota years, can't hold a candle to that.

As it is, there is no place that I can legally drive 100 (let alone 130) and I have no reason to do that again. Fun, but not again. So why would I need anything better than an appliance? If I buy an appliance, I expect appliance like reliability. If I buy a "fun" car I accept the costs. Look, I bought a fun car once, I enjoyed the ride, I accepted the repairs. It was a fun time. Some day I might go back when I can. But why would I buy something that costs more money up front, and more in running costs, that doesn't increase my happiness in one iota in return?

 

[4WD]

We maintain LC's overseas … not as bullet proof off road as folks think …

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by supton
I don't get it. I took my VW TDi on the other side of 100 a couple of times, first at 100k then at 200k. First time it had original struts. When I got rid of it after 300k it had gone through two sets of struts, LCA rear bushings, a top engine mount, and nothing else on your list. Original starter, alt, ball joints, all other bushings, etc. At that point it did need a new rear axle (they warp with time) and rear axle bushings, a clutch for the otherwise untouched a/c, a radiator fan (which it was happily running without), and... nothing else. I did have to do a clutch, fuel pump and turbo, at 250k, I'll grant you that. Oh and 3 or 4 windshields over 11 years.

And that was on a car not known for reliability! So I fail to see why I'd expect that kind of repairs in an appliance! In 9 years my wife's Camry has need a set of brakes in 205k (and something like 5 sets of tires). My older Camry, back from those "legendary" Toyota years, can't hold a candle to that.

As it is, there is no place that I can legally drive 100 (let alone 130) and I have no reason to do that again. Fun, but not again. So why would I need anything better than an appliance? If I buy an appliance, I expect appliance like reliability. If I buy a "fun" car I accept the costs. Look, I bought a fun car once, I enjoyed the ride, I accepted the repairs. It was a fun time. Some day I might go back when I can. But why would I buy something that costs more money up front, and more in running costs, that doesn't increase my happiness in one iota in return?


You're in NH. Smoother roads there and less damage. Sort of the difference between highway and city driving. I wear out brakes all the time, they never last more than 2-3 years, 4 if I'm lucky. City driving is way less miles on the car, but way more hours on the engine and all those other parts, especially when you creep along and average 12-15mph on a tank of gas. I've replaced those components in other cars too. I replace them when they're worn, not when they break, some of it's preventative. Each car manufacturer tends to have their own quirks, certain things go but not others. Lately starters don't seem to be going, haven't done a starter in a long time, but alternators always seem to go. Probably too much city driving.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by Wolf359
You're in NH. Smoother roads there and less damage. Sort of the difference between highway and city driving. I wear out brakes all the time, they never last more than 2-3 years, 4 if I'm lucky. City driving is way less miles on the car, but way more hours on the engine and all those other parts, especially when you creep along and average 12-15mph on a tank of gas. I've replaced those components in other cars too. I replace them when they're worn, not when they break, some of it's preventative. Each car manufacturer tends to have their own quirks, certain things go but not others. Lately starters don't seem to be going, haven't done a starter in a long time, but alternators always seem to go. Probably too much city driving.

So if I buy one of these exotic cars (VW, BMW, etc) I might be able to have a low TCO, like I've seen on my econoboxes? I don't mind how my Toyota's drive, save one feature--the steering is awful. My old Camry is as I'd expect, the other two... hateful! I need to keep an eye out for what I'll replace them with, and if a non-appliance can have appliance like running costs, then all the better.

But I still think that "if it's not on the maintenance schedule then it's a repair". YMMV. Maybe it doesn't matter, since TCO doesn't care if it's purchase, repair or running cost.

 

[4WD]

Wearing out brakes ? A hybrid can turn that into energy …
Our Fusion has 123k and brakes have not been touched !

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted by supton

So if I buy one of these exotic cars (VW, BMW, etc) I might be able to have a low TCO, like I've seen on my econoboxes? I don't mind how my Toyota's drive, save one feature--the steering is awful. My old Camry is as I'd expect, the other two... hateful! I need to keep an eye out for what I'll replace them with, and if a non-appliance can have appliance like running costs, then all the better.

But I still think that "if it's not on the maintenance schedule then it's a repair". YMMV. Maybe it doesn't matter, since TCO doesn't care if it's purchase, repair or running cost.


BMWs and VWs are "exotic"?

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by MCompact
Originally Posted by supton

So if I buy one of these exotic cars (VW, BMW, etc) I might be able to have a low TCO, like I've seen on my econoboxes? I don't mind how my Toyota's drive, save one feature--the steering is awful. My old Camry is as I'd expect, the other two... hateful! I need to keep an eye out for what I'll replace them with, and if a non-appliance can have appliance like running costs, then all the better.

But I still think that "if it's not on the maintenance schedule then it's a repair". YMMV. Maybe it doesn't matter, since TCO doesn't care if it's purchase, repair or running cost.


BMWs and VWs are "exotic"?


To me they are.

I realize that in the scheme of things, they aren't. But for a guy who owns old Camry's, do you really think I could handle anything with, well, handling?

 

[DaRider34]

Originally Posted by supton

To me they are.

I realize that in the scheme of things, they aren't. But for a guy who owns old Camry's, do you really think I could handle anything with, well, handling?



Supra, BRZ, WRX, Miata?

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by DaRider34
Originally Posted by supton

To me they are.

I realize that in the scheme of things, they aren't. But for a guy who owns old Camry's, do you really think I could handle anything with, well, handling?



Supra, BRZ, WRX, Miata?

Fair enough, have me on those. Those may well be just simple enough for me to deal with. Some day, maybe.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by Wolf359
You're in NH. Smoother roads there and less damage. Sort of the difference between highway and city driving. I wear out brakes all the time, they never last more than 2-3 years, 4 if I'm lucky. City driving is way less miles on the car, but way more hours on the engine and all those other parts, especially when you creep along and average 12-15mph on a tank of gas. I've replaced those components in other cars too. I replace them when they're worn, not when they break, some of it's preventative. Each car manufacturer tends to have their own quirks, certain things go but not others. Lately starters don't seem to be going, haven't done a starter in a long time, but alternators always seem to go. Probably too much city driving.

So if I buy one of these exotic cars (VW, BMW, etc) I might be able to have a low TCO, like I've seen on my econoboxes? I don't mind how my Toyota's drive, save one feature--the steering is awful. My old Camry is as I'd expect, the other two... hateful! I need to keep an eye out for what I'll replace them with, and if a non-appliance can have appliance like running costs, then all the better.

But I still think that "if it's not on the maintenance schedule then it's a repair". YMMV. Maybe it doesn't matter, since TCO doesn't care if it's purchase, repair or running cost.


It's certainly going to cost more in repairs as parts a bit more money. Usually for parts, American parts are cheapest and then Japanese parts are a bit more and then it's Euro parts after that. But certain popular items have aftermarket parts and certain parts you can only get from the manufacturer. When American and Japanese cars had hundreds of thousand made every year, pretty much every part is available on the aftermarket, but when you get around 50k a year, then you're sometimes stuck with OEM. But there's still stories on here of people spending 8k on repairs on a Toyota, the dealers charge a lot no matter what brand you have. If you can DIY some of it and find a good indy, I didn't think it was too crazy to maintain.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by Wolf359
Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by Wolf359
You're in NH. Smoother roads there and less damage. Sort of the difference between highway and city driving. I wear out brakes all the time, they never last more than 2-3 years, 4 if I'm lucky. City driving is way less miles on the car, but way more hours on the engine and all those other parts, especially when you creep along and average 12-15mph on a tank of gas. I've replaced those components in other cars too. I replace them when they're worn, not when they break, some of it's preventative. Each car manufacturer tends to have their own quirks, certain things go but not others. Lately starters don't seem to be going, haven't done a starter in a long time, but alternators always seem to go. Probably too much city driving.

So if I buy one of these exotic cars (VW, BMW, etc) I might be able to have a low TCO, like I've seen on my econoboxes? I don't mind how my Toyota's drive, save one feature--the steering is awful. My old Camry is as I'd expect, the other two... hateful! I need to keep an eye out for what I'll replace them with, and if a non-appliance can have appliance like running costs, then all the better.

But I still think that "if it's not on the maintenance schedule then it's a repair". YMMV. Maybe it doesn't matter, since TCO doesn't care if it's purchase, repair or running cost.


It's certainly going to cost more in repairs as parts a bit more money. Usually for parts, American parts are cheapest and then Japanese parts are a bit more and then it's Euro parts after that. But certain popular items have aftermarket parts and certain parts you can only get from the manufacturer. When American and Japanese cars had hundreds of thousand made every year, pretty much every part is available on the aftermarket, but when you get around 50k a year, then you're sometimes stuck with OEM. But there's still stories on here of people spending 8k on repairs on a Toyota, the dealers charge a lot no matter what brand you have. If you can DIY some of it and find a good indy, I didn't think it was too crazy to maintain.

Yeah, I've been wanting to get out of my Tundra before the trans goes, as I know that will be like $5k or whatever when it does. Some Toyotas are cheap at high miles, other models can be crazy--as you said, qty sold per year comes into play.

On my VW I couldn't DIY until the bitter end, and even then it was a pain in dirt driveway. It was heaven when I had an indie 45 minutes away, but when he closed shop... it was time to move on. Now that I have a garage I've been tempted, but get caught on the whole TCO thing--my car hasn't worn out yet, so, I can't justify getting rid of it yet.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by MCompact
Originally Posted by supton

So if I buy one of these exotic cars (VW, BMW, etc) I might be able to have a low TCO, like I've seen on my econoboxes? I don't mind how my Toyota's drive, save one feature--the steering is awful. My old Camry is as I'd expect, the other two... hateful! I need to keep an eye out for what I'll replace them with, and if a non-appliance can have appliance like running costs, then all the better.

But I still think that "if it's not on the maintenance schedule then it's a repair". YMMV. Maybe it doesn't matter, since TCO doesn't care if it's purchase, repair or running cost.


BMWs and VWs are "exotic"?


To me they are.

I realize that in the scheme of things, they aren't. But for a guy who owns old Camry's, do you really think I could handle anything with, well, handling?

The BMWs and VWs will be in the shop for repairs while the Camry owner will just drive on by...

 

[supton]

Originally Posted by grampi

The BMWs and VWs will be in the shop for repairs while the Camry owner will just drive on by...

Mine's been parked for plenty of repairs.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted by grampi
The BMWs and VWs will be in the shop for repairs while the Camry owner will just drive on by...


Refresh my memory; how many BMWs have you
owned?
driven?
sat in?