What "New" Car is easiest to work on?

"noise" (noise) 08/16/2013 at 15:33 • Filed to: None

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I post a picture of an my 06 Focus because that is my car, and it is what prompted this question. This "revamped" version of the original focus has caused me an insane amount of headache over the past year or so, I have what we would call a shitbox "lemon". Anyway its citruis nature is not what makes this car awful. I like working on cars, when stuff breaks i fix it, but this car makes it so damn dificult. Of the many issues It has lets discuss just one as an example. The air intake. To make this a PZEV it has a "lifetime" air filter. After 100k miles of being a fleet vehicle in some very dusty place (you should have seen the pile of sand i poured out of the hvac) that "lifetime" is surely up. So to take a break from replacing every steering component twice, and in between episodes of violent breakdowns, i decided to replace the air filter. No biggie. Or so I thought at least. The airbox on this thing is sealed, you cant buy replacement filters, and a new airbox from ford is 500 bucks. There is a duct from the throttle body to airbox 1, then out of that is another duct to another box hidden between the bbody panels and the bumper. In there is the mass airflow sensor, which i also had to replace, and that bastard is held in with security torx screws. you know the kind with a pin in the middle that need extra special torx heads? So basically i buy a whole new air intake from K&M or some shit or i fork out thye price of a new steering rack to get my air filter changed...

On top of that in every facet of the suspension the bolts are rounded over like fucking rivets. Wanna change the bushings? Too bad! Get out your grinder and buy all new bolts. Replacing one ball joint was a full wekend affair that involved a good bit of grinding and one accidental fire.

So I ask you, what modern car is easy to work on. One that you could replace your own bushings without making sparks, or just replace your own air filter? I'm curious

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > noise 08/16/2013 at 15:37

8

Toyota....Almost any one I have worked on has been easy and straightforward.

No big issues, Air filters take seconds to do.

New or old Suspension work I have done has been easy.

Hell doing a frame on the Tundras and Taco's takes us 8 hours with one guy doing them....

Takuro Spirit > noise 08/16/2013 at 15:38

2

They sell replacement aftermarket airboxes that have replaceable filters for around $200.

As far as new cars that are easy? I have no idea. I drive old crap.

HammerheadFistpunch > noise 08/16/2013 at 15:39

15

Subaru's are pretty easy because there are no surprises, Its all the same stuff as 10 years ago, just without the rust of a decade old AWD car. the only tricky part is getting to the front of the engine and spark plugs.

noise > Takuro Spirit 08/16/2013 at 15:43

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Yeah, once the steering is done i'm picking up one of those. The one on roc auto doesnt fit though. Thats another gripe I forgot to mention, half the parts and every repair manual i have ever gotten pretends they didnt change anything in 06. Its all built for the 05 and before. But the placement of things varies wildly.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > noise 08/16/2013 at 15:43

7

I'll bet working on a Tesla would just be the worst day ever.

noise > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 08/16/2013 at 15:45

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You would need to be an electrician haha

noise > HammerheadFistpunch 08/16/2013 at 15:47

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i've been considering replacing the focus with a subaru... or that saabaru....
but to sound like a true millenial here its the gas mileage that concerns me, i do a 600 mile round trip to visit my fiancee about once a month.. and any penny i can save is important.

Takuro Spirit > noise 08/16/2013 at 15:47

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My grandma has a '05 ZX3. I replaced her alternator once. I had to unbolt the motor and move it forward 6" to get it out. Then I committed suicide.

HammerheadFistpunch > noise 08/16/2013 at 15:55

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here is the thing though, you spend an extra $500 in gas but save it back in the fact that they are cheap and easy to work on, not to mention very reliable.

noise > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 08/16/2013 at 15:57

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I agree, i've never really heard anything bad ab out a toyota from a mechanical perspective. My only problem is that for my next car I want a wagon again, or at least a hatchback, and i dont want a prius or a yaris so it seems toyota has abandoned me. However i would love a goddamn tacoma. I drove one breifly doing some field work and it put my s10 to shame. Though i did like that s10.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:00

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I love Tacoma's and the Tundra....Both are great trucks.

I liked the Matrix....Its a shame that is gone.

They don't really have a wide variety anymore which is unfortunate.

I will say, the new Avalon is an awesome car.

You can always go with a Scion if you want a hatch or wagon.

shpuker > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:01

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Chevy Tahoe. 350ci v8, no surprises, simple, lots of room.

philphil > Takuro Spirit 08/16/2013 at 16:04

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I'm sorry for your loss of yourself.

signintokinjalol > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 08/16/2013 at 16:04

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The Scion FRS is a stupid easy car to work, this is a perfect car for someone who wants to learn how to modify a car. Its a toy, simple as that.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:05

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Jeep Wrangler? Land Rover Defender? Toyota Land Cruiser?

Morgan ATX > shpuker 08/16/2013 at 16:06

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try changing your idler arm, power steering, pulling the drivers side valve cover (vortec w/ ac), removing front swaybar

i do not vote for this one

CobraJoe > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:07

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I had to pull the intake off of our '08 Passat to clean out a ton of carbon in the intake, and it was really quite straightforward. It even had little clearance holes to get an extension in to the intake bolts. Only problem was that they used a "Triple square" bolt to hold a brace up, but I found that a T40 Torx fit it perfectly.

I'd say it was "overbuilt, but logical."

SuPeRcHaRgER > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:07

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Or a damn physicist as well lol!

CarlitoBenito > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:10

2

Jeeps are pretty easy to work on.

Mustang 'DontHitTheCrowd' GT > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:10

1

Don't even attempt at a Nissan, that is one to rule out.

SpyWhatSpy > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:10

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The answer is Miata! You can do virtually everything yourself on the NA, NB, and NC.

vchengap > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:12

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Ahh....I feel your pain. I DD an '05 Focus ZX3 that has had its fair share of issues. These cars may have well been assembled in a Soviet-bloc country. I love my car because it's fun to whip around, but it vibrates like mad at only 72,000 miles. And it's already been through an alternator, a shift fork replacement, engine immobilizer malfunction, and decayed battery terminal cables. The only DIY I will do on it are oil changes and coolant changes. I also cleaned the MAF without any trouble from the Torx bolts.

Your article is making me think twice about hanging on to this car. I may accelerate my hunt for a used Mazda5. But they are hard as hell to find with a manual around here.

HateBox > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 08/16/2013 at 16:12

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Especially the 04-06 xB

Jefferz > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:13

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Porsche cup cars. So simple. haha

noise > CobraJoe 08/16/2013 at 16:14

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The best car I ever owned was a Jetta wagon and it was the same way. Complex solutions to simple problems but they were all well thought out and logical. You had to remove the plastic bumper cover to change the headlights, but i've never had an easier time removing plastic body panels, and everything fit well and made sense. I miss that car.

vchengap > Takuro Spirit 08/16/2013 at 16:15

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My '05 ZX3 also had it's alternator poop out at 70k miles. I briefly considered tackling the task myself. I then watched a YouTube video tutorial on the task and smartened up and took it to the dealer. It did not look fun.

Stigman Lupowsky > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:15

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THE ONE YOU NEVER NEED TO WORK ON.

dem0nicist > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:16

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My 2005 Mazda 3, which is a very similar design to your 06 Ford Focus (Ford, Volvo, and Mazda share the platform), has been a pleasure to work on.

So far I've done:
Headlights
Air Intake (Weapon-R)
coilovers in the front, dampers and adjustable springs in the rear.
Both front ball joints.
Subwoofers

In the works:
Wheel Bearings
Brakes
Exhaust
Poly bushings

The only slightly annoying issue I've had is that I have to drop the AC pump off the engine to get the passenger lower control arm out.

TheCrudMan > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 08/16/2013 at 16:16

6

You're kidding right? It's actually really straightforward since there's not nearly as many parts....you're talking traditional brake system, air suspension, and that's about it.

98798787 > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:16

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Jeep Wrangler.

HammerheadFistpunch > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 08/16/2013 at 16:16

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land rover defender...that's a good one. Seriously though, never get a big 4x4 and expect cheap running. Big heavy parts cost big heavy money it turns out.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > HammerheadFistpunch 08/16/2013 at 16:16

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Definitely Subaru, they made it even easier to do maintenance on the BRZ by putting the oil filter up top. Also it is really easy to do a drive train swap on the older models.

Someone Else's Projects > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 08/16/2013 at 16:17

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Their transverse V6 cars, though, are a pain. Whoever thought that the oil filter should be pointing upwards and mounted right under an exhaust manifold is a prick plain and simple.

HammerheadFistpunch > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ 08/16/2013 at 16:17

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its the same with all FA/FB engines. I love that kind of thinking.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:17

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My MKIV VW Jetta is easy to work on, I even replaced the struts myself, I've done some other work on it too.

DennyCraneDennyCraneDennyCrane > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:17

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... this just inspired me.

I was thinking that a particulate filter couldn't ever possibly be lifetime, because no matter how durable it is, eventually its semi permeable membrane will be clogged.

But...

Dyson handled the problem by separating particulates out via centripetal force, the particulates get thrown to the outside while clean air stays in the middle.

This could be adapted for a car, couldn't it?

... I'm all curious now.

noise > vchengap 08/16/2013 at 16:18

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I'm glad yours vibrates too haha. And that combined with my inability to replace my bushings means my whole rear end rubs metal on metal. So flying down the 120mile stretch of rt 88 going to visit the Mrs with no other life around i feel like i'm flying a goddamn helicopter. Its jostle your eyeballs right out of your head and sound like an industrial park while its doing it.

noise > Jefferz 08/16/2013 at 16:18

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i wish!

GeorgeyBoy > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:19

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Umm I see the problem, you bought a fleet vehicle. I had a focus that was a "Lemon", had a door sticker saying that and everything. But it was great, never gave me any problems. I think I replaced the motor mounts, that was about it. Great car, took many years of abuse.

toplessFC3Sman > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:19

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I've been pleasantly surprised by how easy everything's been to replace/renew/work on for my 2006 Saab 9-3; sure it's a transverse-engine FWD car, but at least with the 2.0T I haven't come across any maintenance parts that were very expensive or difficult to do

noise > SpyWhatSpy 08/16/2013 at 16:19

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believe me, if i could get a miata hatch we wouldnt even be having this conversation

nezuko > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:20

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I don't have a ton of car history buy on my old 2008 GTI it was pretty easy to swap stuff out. I'm talking filters, brakes, stereo, suspension.

Jowens > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:20

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psychocandy > HammerheadFistpunch 08/16/2013 at 16:21

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You can pretty much take the whole car apart with 4-5-6 mm allen wrenches and 8-10-12-14 mm sockets. Some Subies have easier to reach plugs than others.

HammerheadFistpunch > psychocandy 08/16/2013 at 16:22

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its true, the turbo EJ engines aren't bad for plugs (not like the SOHC ones) but yeah, its about as simple and strait forward to work on a Subi as any car.

Color-Commentary > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:23

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Morgan 3-wheeler: Exposed everything.

http://www.netcarshow.com/morgan/2012-3_…

Scrape > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:23

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Get yourself a Hyundai or a Kia. Long-ass warranty, so if anything major goes wrong, THEY have to fix it. And the minor periodic maintenance stuff is very cheap to buy, easy to find, and dead simple to replace. Even the more advanced stuff is pretty easy to do. I don't know why car companies make servicing a vehicle so hard. I recall GM shoving the oil filters INSIDE the oil pan on some of their cars. What a PITA.

Certain Benz and VWs allow you to change the oil from the top side of the engine, which makes things a freakin' breeze. I don't know why more car companies don't do that.

FlyingV > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:24

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Lotus Elise is pretty easy.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > HammerheadFistpunch 08/16/2013 at 16:24

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Yeah I am really hoping those features carry over into the newer models. especially in the new WRX.

Kerberos824 > HammerheadFistpunch 08/16/2013 at 16:24

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My Forester is the easiest car in the world to work on. Don't even have to jack it up to change the oil. And the engine bay has enough room to smuggle several full grown adults in complete comfort.

aismo > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:24

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I was gonna say, my old Zetec Focus was damn near the easiest car ever to work on. Plenty of space, relatively simple engine setup (compared to the wiring hell on the PZEV). Suspension was cake, brakes, engine stuff, everything. You can fix most stuff on that car in less than a day.

Lou_Schmidt > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:25

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My 2002 "bugeye" Subbe WRX was pretty nice; there wasn't a bad wrench position that I ever found. I now have a 2006 Miata (because... Miata!) Its a bit tighter, but still not bad. And parts are readily available and inexpensive.

ranwhenparked > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:25

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I've never wrenched on one, but those new 2013 Ambassadors are supposed to be really easy to work on.

HammerheadFistpunch > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ 08/16/2013 at 16:25

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well the new wrx will get a version of the forester XT engine I suspect, so...yes it will.

oldirtybootz > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:25

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My 2010 Focus has been bulletproof in 64k hard miles.

HammerheadFistpunch > Kerberos824 08/16/2013 at 16:26

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yeah, i miss working on my forester. The land cruiser has a massive engine bay but EVERYTHING on that car is had to get at except the exhaust manifold (you know, for all the times you work on that)

PogosRevenge > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:26

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Jeep Tj (1997-2006) You can take an entire Jeep apart and put back together in hours. The only complaint is half the bolts are metric and half are SAE.

MrDude_1 > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? 08/16/2013 at 16:26

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I would expect it to be just the opposite.

jovimon7 > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:27

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'06 Focus ST, installed Eibach springs, struts, shocks, powerslot rotors and Steeda CAI in my driveway. No problems.

Judge__Mills > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:27

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My 05' Civic has been easy so far. 119k miles. Replaced the timing belt last winter. It wasn't terrible at all. I don't like the placement of the oil filter though.

BrokenWall > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:27

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Did an engine swap in a 96 Altima the hard way. Disconnected the engine from the Transmission and pulled it out through the top, and dropped in the replacement the same way. They said it couldn't be done, and we were stupid for trying. But we did it, and well it almost killed us with all that wiggling we had to do.

But I drive a 2007 Ford Ranger with a Duratec 2.3L and it is a breeze to work on. Fact is it is the same Ranger they have been making for years but with the newer all aluminum engine, everything is right within reach. Nothing gets in the way. I changed my fan belt in 5 minutes, did wires and plugs in 15 minutes, oil change can be done in about 30 minutes. I'm so sad the Ranger is gone.

CaptainFaux > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ 08/16/2013 at 16:28

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When I took my previous Forester home to meet my parents (only half-joking there as it was the first Subaru in my gearhead family), my SCCA 60-something year old boy racer/track day instructor dad was actually quite impressed with the layout of the engine bay. If I were actually allowed to tinker with it in my parking lot, having a Subaru would give me the confidence to learn to start doing my own wrenching.

MrDude_1 > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 08/16/2013 at 16:29

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My Jeep wrangler is an 07, so its not the new 2012+ pentastar engine.. but I can say that it is fairly "normal" to work on.. its basically the chrystler minivan v6, but its in a classic longitudinal layout, unlike the transverse layout of the minivan, so its pretty open.
I am sure theres a few tight spots to work in, but overall it wasnt too difficult. Then again, I never found the 4thgen Fbodies hard to work on either, and half their engine was under the cowl...

Sky Blue > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:29

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Not one of these!

Or these! Can't get to anything unless you have a lift handy.

Maxzillian > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:30

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Part of the reason I bought my '11 Cruze was because it looked so stupid simple to work on. I can reach over the engine and firmly grasp the steering rack... that's what I call working room! The only things I can poop on are that the passenger side engine mount has to be removed to replace the serpentine belt and the tank has to be dropped to change the fuel pump. Other than that I think it's going to be a good car to wrench on when the warranty runs out.

 > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:31

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It's modern in a sense that they made them until 2011.

RyanFrew > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:31

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Not really new at all, but I think this is the most recent carbureted car sold in the US. And carbureted engines are almost always easy in my experience:

Kevin Barrett > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:31

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One of the things I check out when car shopping is how accessible the oil filter is. I don't want a repeat of my Protege5's situation (a fantastic car in every other regard), where I have to be under the car and reaching up to a place I can't see between the block and the firewall to change the filter. The Mazda2's oil filter is accessible just under the nose of the car, right behind the front bumper.

KirkyV > jovimon7 08/16/2013 at 16:31

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All these American Focii look so strange to me! Before I found this website, I'd never seen a Focus saloon. Hell, I didn't even think there was such a thing.

Kinetis > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:32

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Countdown to 2016. Naruse's Tribute.

Chairman Kaga > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:33

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I've owned 4 Hondas, and not only were they relatively easy to repair, but they also never broke down, so you didn't have to.

My '02 Focus SVT was a tall, cold glass of lemonade. Yes it was unreliable and temperamental, but it was also a hoot to drive. Hated working on the damned thing.

My Saabaru was a breeze.

My Pathfinder was cake.

Even my Alfa isn't too terribly challenging.

My wife's Camry, strangely, is not much fun. From the odd fastener sizes to the fact you need jack stand adapters to lift it, I just don't have much love for wrenching on that one.

noise > DennyCraneDennyCraneDennyCrane 08/16/2013 at 16:33

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Oh i'm sure it could be, but there are two problems:

1. Ford, especially mid 2000s ford would never spend that money for the consumer and

2. It may limit availability of air for the engine to suck in. You want lots of air real quick on demand, the cyclone thing might be restrictive.

noise > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 08/16/2013 at 16:33

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My jetta was great but some of the parts were pricey

isnewton > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:34

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I can't help myself. Your mom is easy to work on. Trololol.

DarthWentworth > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:35

8

I loved the Suzuki Sx4. Easy to fix and modify, they even made lift kits for the AWD crossovers. It's sad they left the US market. This is what mine looked like.

And this is what a lifted one looks like.

nataku83 > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:36

2

I don't know about new cars, but as far as "new" cars go - my Saturn LW200 is the easiest car I've ever worked on. A totally simple, twin cam I4 in an engine bay meant to fit a quad-cam v6, simple suspension, simple electronics. I have had very few things go wrong with the car (water pump, a/c compressor clutch, brake caliper slave cylinder dust boot), but when I do work on it - either doing maintenance or one of those infrequent repairs - it's trivially easy to get at the part, get it off and fit the replacement. I can compare it to my other cars, past and present (first gen Dodge Intrepid, pre-LT1 Roadmaster wagon, NA Miata, early E30, late E24, AW11 MR2 and my wife's V6 Ford Escape) and say with complete certainty that it's been far and away the easiest to work on.

Scootin159 > DennyCraneDennyCraneDennyCrane 08/16/2013 at 16:36

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Trouble is that airflow into a car engine isn't as linear as you would think. It's more a series of pulses - two steps forward, one step back type stuff. It's also extremely variable from nearly zero flow (at idle) to full flow (at full throttle). All of this adds up to making it extremely complex to design a vortex generator that would always work.

Plus those Dysons are really only good at getting out the heavy particulates with the vortex generator - they all still have a traditional paper filter later on in the line that catches the little stuff that the vortex generator misses. In a car intake it's almost exclusively this fine stuff that would go straight into the paper filter anyways.

noise > jovimon7 08/16/2013 at 16:37

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the ST is actually a whole different beast. They knew people would want to mod that one and made it easier. You have the 2.3l right? Not the 2.0 duratec? I think a steeda might replace my goddamn airbox actually, and i want to do all the struts and stuff but like i said, the peened over bolts make it a more than 1 guy job, and i am only one guy... and a lab scientist. So most of my friends arent very... erm... mechanically inclined up here

gnarkiller > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:38

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Those ball goints are a bitch.

patman > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:38

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Full-size trucks with pushrod motors - soooooooooooooo much room to work. Anything is easy to work on if everything is out in the open and easy to get at.

The only issue might be if you're shorter then reaching over the grill or fenders might be difficult.

DennyCraneDennyCraneDennyCrane > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:39

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Well, 1: Plastic extruded nozzles might end up being even less expensive than the paper filter, so they might actually save money with it on a per-unit cost.

and

2: I'm not totally familiar with the dynamics, but it might be possible to have a bunch in parallel... I was more concerned with the low end, filtering might not be as effective at the lower air flows. Might require multiple nozzles, and some are closed when demand for air is reduced. I can even think of some passive methods to pull that off...

gnarkiller > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 08/16/2013 at 16:40

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Try changing a timing belt on a 80's or early to mid 90's mr2 without dropping the motor out of the car. Or doing anything to the motor on a previa minivan. Let me put it this way, the valve covers are accessed through a little porthole under the drivers seat. Nearly impossible unless you have tiny hands.

noise > BrokenWall 08/16/2013 at 16:40

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i worked on a ranger owned by a park ranger actually... he loved it. But it had a slushbox that died on him twice over the life of that truck. If i had stayed at my old job I was working on requesting a ranger for my field work. Forest green. With the state seal on the doors. and a light bar cause light bar

PilotMan > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:41

2

No so obvious choice, 2008-2011 Town & Country, Caravan. Pushrod V6s, gigantic engine bay with room to get to everything. A/C, alternator, belts, plugs/wires, are all easily servicable. You don't even need ramps or a jack to change the oil. Take good care of the transaxle and it will last, you should base service intervals on the tranny fluid condition rather than the dealer's recommend intervals. I know it's a freakin minivan but they are damn useful. The first time you fold all the seats into the floor, you will be amazed at the mobile living room/camper that you know have. My 2009 gets about 20-24mpg.

Obvious choice is a pickup, 2wd with plenty of room to fix anything,

Gamecat235 > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:41

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It's < del > and < / del > not strike. =)

Reisario > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:42

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I hate to give my wife's 2011 Nissan Sentra any credit, but it is probably the easiest FWD car I've ever had to work on. Lots of room to get your hands around the engine and the layout is as straight forward as you could ever want it to be. It's still abysmal to drive though.

gnarkiller > Chairman Kaga 08/16/2013 at 16:42

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I don't know what year your pathfinder but I know the 90's to mid 2000's models had one of the hardest timing belts in the world to change. Ask any mechanic who has done one.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > Kevin Barrett 08/16/2013 at 16:42

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I dint know if that was intended as advice, but I think that's some of the best advice I've ever heard.

noise > dem0nicist 08/16/2013 at 16:42

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The only reason my ball joints were a pain was the grinding. I(f it was normal bolts like every other car it would have been a breeze. I almost bought an 05 3 when i was shopping for this car. But the dealer skeezed me out topo much so i got the focus on a farm. bad call

dogisbadob > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 08/16/2013 at 16:43

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except for transverse V6's where you need enhanced interrogation techniques to get to the back of the engine (like to replace spark plugs or the valve cover gasket)

But other than that, Toyotas are awesome

noise > GeorgeyBoy 08/16/2013 at 16:44

1

i didnt know it was a fleet vehicle when i bought it. Though the back up alarm shoulod have tipped me off (BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP). I bought it off a farmer out of a barn. Seems way sketchier in hindsight

noise > toplessFC3Sman 08/16/2013 at 16:44

2

i would love a saab... i may be a bit of a fanboy

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:46

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Not a 2004 Pontiac grand am. Have to remove the whole taillight assembly just to get at a burnt out bulb.

noise > Sky Blue 08/16/2013 at 16:46

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i can attest to this. Also that engine bay, while annopying, is an impressive feat of cramming stuff in. Holy shit

uRbAn > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 08/16/2013 at 16:46

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My first car was a Camry '92 standard. It was so easy to change filters, oil and anything else besides transmission and engine. I love that car, I really really did.

Mr. MiniBig, where's my coffee? > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:47

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I gotta say Hondas are pretty easy to work on. They put components in places that make sense and easy to get to. The small ones like Civic, Fit and early Accords had tons of space in the engine bay so you can get to most things pretty easily. The worst for me has to be Nissans. I owned a Maxima and they cram that engine bay full there's no space for hands to fit without it looking like ground meat coming out.

Union of Smog Techs of CA > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:47

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It would be totally illegal in CA, but that's a damned Mazda engine and I think the Mazda3 air box is serviceable and could be swapped in.

I never understood how stupid Ford had to use a AIR pump with these to meet emissions while Mazda did not.

noise > Maxzillian 08/16/2013 at 16:48

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i was wondering about the cruze specifically. Although the serpentine belt sounds like a pain.. i changed mine just this 4th of july! Stranded... on the side of rt 88... in oneonta.. 4 hours from home, 4 hours from the destination. That was a great time but once i found an open auto parts store it actually changed pretty easy. Lost of swears and a little elbow grease and i was back on that miserable road.

J. Walter Weatherman > noise 08/16/2013 at 16:48

3

I don't know that I have ever encountered a car so successfully engineered to be economical in ALL aspects of car ownership as the Toyota Echo. Cheap to buy, cheap to insure, cheap on gas, cheap parts, cheap maintenance, insanely reliable and mind-numbingly easy to work on.

noise > Color-Commentary 08/16/2013 at 16:49

0

so much yes