Just received a terminal diagnosis on the Camry

"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja) 05/29/2018 at 16:17 • Filed to: pour one out

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2000 Toyota Camry. ~235,000 miles. In the last year we bought new tires, front struts, and a new battery. Last week my wife reported a loud popping/tapping noise above 2k rpm. We dropped it off at our mechanic today, and I just heard back that the noise is definitely coming from the valve train in the reciprocating system. We’re looking at 1.5k to 2k to fix it. So I guess its car shopping time...

She’s mainly interested in the Mazda3 hatch, Civic hatch, and the Impreza hatch. I don’t know if there will be any new Corolla hatches on dealer lots this month, but she does like the way it looks. I also want her to test a GTI too, just to see if she digs it. Any other suggestions? Her wants are faily simple. No crossovers, a hatch, and she’d like to have carplay but its not necessarily a deal-breaker.

E90M3 > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 16:21

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I had a fancy Golf an Audi A3 in England and liked the way it drove, I would definitely check out the Golf.

ToyotaFamily > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 16:23

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Corolla iM would be a decent choice.

TheRealBicycleBuck > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 16:25

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Perhaps you can find a used head with valves for cheap. It might be worth a couple hundred to see if you can save it.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > TheRealBicycleBuck 05/29/2018 at 16:27

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Could be. I’m feeling like a lot of that quoted cost is labor though. I’ll definitely talk with my mechanic about this option though.

PartyPooper2012 > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 16:28

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I’ve been wanting an engine saving project...where is the car? Willing it give it away?

Honestly I don’t care if I make it run or borke it up even more. I just want to wrench on it and see if I can save it.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 16:30

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Can’t go wrong with all 3 options.

Mazda 3 hatch is fun, no CVT, manual option, 2.5Engine is great but NVH. Infotainment is basic

Civic hatch is ugly as per most people, I don’t mind it. Available sport trim is fun, good 1.5T but most inventory will have CVT

Impreza hatch is safe with confidence of AWD, reliable, has good resale, spacious but is slooowwww, and most listed examples will have CVT which is not better than the Civic CVT. The Crosstrek is techincally a lifted hatch, if she likes the rugged looks.

My recommendation: Check out the Elantra GT Sport, 201HP Turbo hatch, manual or DCT. There’s also a 2.0L NA 175 something HP version (The Turbo is worth it IMO)

Chariotoflove > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 16:38

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I’m just sorry you put that $$ into it recently. No matter what the cost of a repair, time to let it go. There is more waiting to ambush your wallet around the bend.

I like the 3 hatch myself. My brother has a newer Civic. Good car.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 05/29/2018 at 16:42

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I’m definitely leaning towards the Mazda3 as my dad has a Mazda 6 and it’s a really nice car for the money. We’regonna thatdrive as much as possible, even stuff we’renot strictly interested in so we can get a good idea of all of our options.

Quick question about the Elantra...how different is it from its forte cousin? Would there be and advantage to buy one over the other? 

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Chariotoflove 05/29/2018 at 16:48

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Then plan was to make it to the end of next year so that my car would be paid off and we’d have time to put a little more money together for a down payment. But...such is life. Its probably a good thing though. My wife drives a lot more than me and she really deserves a safer car.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 16:49

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I haven’t driven the Elantra or Forte 5 only seen and read lot of reviews so recommended based on that. I assume they might be close. reviews from the same guys for a fair comparison:

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > PartyPooper2012 05/29/2018 at 16:50

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Its not really mine to give away as my wife’s dad holds the title. Transferring the title was one of those things we kept meaning to do and just never got to.

Long-Voyager > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 16:57

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$1500 is cheaper than buying a new car.

As long as the car is solid otherwise, fix it.

gettingoldercarguy > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 17:28

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Fantastic deals on the Fiesta ST can be had right now.

Chariotoflove > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 18:33

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...and she really deserves a safer car...

...that you can borrow when absolutely necessary.

Chariotoflove > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 18:35

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No crossovers, a hatch, and she’d like to have carplay...

Fulfills all criteria:

RacinBob > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 22:20

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If her budget allows a “new” car, get a new Civic Sport Hatch. A sport model is a lot of car for the $$. Looks like you can get a factory certified 2017 for about $18.5 on autotrader. Great warranty on certified cars, plus the payments can be stretched over 6 years.

My wife loves her ‘17 CVT Civic coupe. Her 2 liter gets over 40 mpg per tank.

RacinBob > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 05/29/2018 at 22:34

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If her taste and budget allow a new car, get a new Civic Sport or EX Hatch. A sport model is a lot of car for the $$. Looks like you can get a factory certified 2017 for about $18.5 on autotrader, My wife loves her ‘17 CVT Civic coupe, she gets over 40 mpg per tank.
 
The below EX at Manchester Honda with 22,000 miles $19.3. Great warranty on certified cars.