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From: mag@whuxlm.UUCP (Gray Michael A)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.consumers
Subject: Re: New car shopping--my criteria and what I've discovered
Message-ID: <655@whuxlm.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 27-Jan-85 13:45:41 EST
Article-I.D.: whuxlm.655
Posted: Sun Jan 27 13:45:41 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 28-Jan-85 06:05:46 EST
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> 
> A major problem to my mind with the Honda Accord is that to change
> the oil filter you have to raise the whole machine on ramps or
> something.  (Expletive-deleted)!  I couldn't even see the oil filter
> going down on the floor in the dealership.  But in the turbo-charged

I have an 84 Honda, and this is a pain -- you have to jack up the car
about 6 inches on one side and crawl under with a strap wrench or a socket
wrench.  It adds about 15 minutes to the time one would normally change
oil.  But I wouldn't allow this to have a major effect on a buying
decision -- it costs me about 1/2 hour of minor inconvenience
annually.  Also, I switched to Mobil One after 7500 miles, so I
only change the oil annually from now on.  (This violates the
owner's manual advice, but I don't care.)  Anyway, it's not
a "major problem."  I just jack behind the left front wheel with
the Honda scissors jack and stick in a stand for safety.

> 
> In the area of safety, Volvo has always claimed to be the safest.
> Whether this is true seems to be definitely unclear.  Volvo
> enthusiasts, take up the challenge.  As far as Saabs are concerned,

I was hit on the driver's door by a driver who skidded out of control at
about 25-30 mph.  My car was knocked sideways about 15
feet.  The car that hit me was about a 3000 lb Ford.  Result:
Sheet metal on front and rear doors was trashed. A little bit
of the quarter panel was trashed.  No broken glass. No interior
damage.  No injuries (I had on belts.)  The beams in the doors
did not deform.  The pillar between them did not deform.
Repair cost: $1909.00.
> 
> P.S.:  If I felt I could, I would prefer to give my business to
> Americans, not foreigners (foreigners, please understand).  But

Four door Accords and Civics sold east of the Mississippi are
manufactured in Marysville, Ohio, by American labor.  Mine is
one of these and the quality is excellent.  I was also influenced
by the desire the help the balance-of-payments without sacrificing
quality.  The Honda offered me this choice.

If this sounds like a plug for Honda, it is!  I used to drive
large Pontiacs and recently converted to Honda.  I am glad I did.

Regarding other Japanese cars, some gut feelings and ramblings:
Honda and Toyota are very reliable, and certainly the best looking,
in my opinion.  Nissans are good looking, but unreliable.  Mazda
and Subaru aren't that stylish, and have inferior reliability also.
Mitsubishis are nice looking, but I have no knowledge of reliability.

Mike Gray, BTL, WH