I have had so much bad luck with cars lately. I had an Acura Integra J32 that got stolen and trashed but I fixed it up eventually. I bought a Rover 200 Coupe whose timing belt snapped after having it only a week. Then, a Toyota Camry, who I thought would be least likely to give me any trouble at all, had its brake calipers "hydrolock" [whatever that means] nearly catching fire.

So, I am looking to buy a different car. These cars are on my list. I basically want something comfortable, reliable, and interesting.

Peugeot 405 MI16 [Used to own a Sportwagon, not a MI16, until it started smoking like a train and burning oil due to bad valve stems]

Alfa Romeo 164 LS/Q

2008 Kia Amanti

Saturn Aura XR

Toyota Matrix XRS

Acura RSX Type-S

Acura CL Type-S [Manual]

Any thoughts? I know I really should make my own decision but since I have never owned a Kia/Saturn Aura/Matrix/RSX I thought I would ask.

 

Rover...
Peugeot...
Alfa...

You must be a masochist of some type, or have other reliable transportation available while working on 15+ year-old vehicles.

I don't think "reliable" is an expectation for the first 3 of your choices, and parts are unlikely to be cheap due to rarity.

IDK about the Aura.
The Matrix is probably a good bet for reliability; the CL is probably the best compromise of comfort and reliability. The RSX will seem loud and buzzy in comparison to those two.

 

Saturn Aura was probably the best Saturn ever in production.
Too bad Saturn went under. It was a highly praised car.

 

Out of the cars on your list, if you want something fun and reliable, I would go with the RSX. At least with the RSX it will be easier to find one that wasn't beat to crap and modified to hell as was the case with civics and integras.

And yea, stay away from the Alfa Romeo and the Peugeot if you want reliable.

Have you considered an older Accord coupe? Stay away from 98-02 (hope I got the model years correct), but if you get a manual in those years, I think you're safe.

 

Brake calipers hydrolocking causing fire? That's a new one.

My vote is for the Alfa. With your luck, whatever car you get will break down anyways. Might as well have fun.


Serious vote: CL-S.

 

RSX

 

Actually, and don't make fun, but the car I am most compelled towards is a 2008 Kia Amanti. It is a beautiful car. It looks like a Bentley and purportedly has a soft, bouncy ride. Has anyone been in a Hyundai Azera? Those are basically identical except for their styling. I have never driven either and they are quite scarce.

The reasons why those smaller cars are on this list is because they are probably easier to drive and I do prefer cars with titty sizes because parking in Downtown St. Paul can be a hassle!

 

This is the weirdest group of cars I've ever seen assembled within the same paragraph. It is literally all over the place lol

 

Both of these posts had me laughin' out loud.

 

Good grief. If you want a comfortable car, buy an older Acura RL. You'll have something far more reliable and comfortable.

 

OP's 3d requirement is that the car be "interesting," so an RL is not an option.

 

Lol! I have so many cars I want since moving from Hong Kong which is why the Alfa and Peugeot is on this list. I have already had an Alfa Romeo 164 LS and it wasn't bad as far as reliability. The most unreliable car I have ever had was a BMW 540i and that is why I never want another BMW of any kind forever no matter what.

I added another car to my list...Volkswagen Passat W8 manual transmission. Anyone own a Passat W8? I read a little about them and the autos are unreliable apparently.

So I update the list:

Peugeot 405 MI16

Alfa Romeo 164 LS/Q

2008 Kia Amanti

Saturn Aura XR

Toyota Matrix XRS [Nevermind]

Acura RSX Type-S [Nevermind]

Acura CL Type-S [Manual]

Volkswagen Passat W8 [Manual]

 

Yes, it is odd! My car started pulling to one side on the highway and I kept driving because I thought I humped it too hard on a pothole but apparently, the caliper was freezing and caused smoking! I thought the engine was on fire but it was the caliper or something...I still love the Canary forever but...not that particular one!

 

Why not buy a buick if you want a bouncy ride?

 

Please expand on these titty sizes you speak of

 

Since I've only owned/driven a CL-S6 out of the group of cars you listed, I'll give you my opinion on it. It was a great car, a lot of fun to drive (especially after a few mods), and it was very reliable. If you can find one that has low miles, jump on it and get some blizzak's for the winter.

 

I like titties... Don't like many cars on your list... I had a Passat once (not the W8 though), liked the ride...

 

Had a girlfriend that owned an Aura, great drivers car. Dumb bitch wrecked it after a night of heavy drinking. I drove it once and really enjoyed it.

 

From my research, the W8 will certainly keep you entertained if you enjoy being under the hood. Or not, a lot of seemingly mundane services on that car require pulling the engine. The bay is already pretty crowded on my 1.8T.

Love your outfield choices though.

My advice: Just go and drive them. Used cars are tricky because a lot of the drive depends on how the owner maintained the car. But that's the only way to truly find out what you like best. I bet you could drive an example of all your choices on a good Saturday.

Good luck with your search! Very interested to see what other choices you find/what you end up purchasing.

 

Good grief. I meant "titty size" meaning something compact, small and easy to park. The Camry I had felt like an underpowered boat compared to the tiny cars I am used to driving but a comfortable one nonetheless.

So far, I am leaning strongest towards the Acura CL Type-S [Manual] and the Alfa Romeo 164 LS. If I could find an Acura CL Type-S for around $5500, I would be very pleased and there are no shortage of them but a lot of them are salvaged vehicles.

Peugeot 405 MI16

Alfa Romeo 164 LS/Q

2008 Kia Amanti

Saturn Aura XR

Toyota Matrix XRS [Nevermind]

Acura RSX Type-S [Nevermind]

Acura CL Type-S [Manual]

Volkswagen Passat W8 [Manual] [Nevermind, don't know why this was on my list to begin with!]

Lexus SC400 [1998 and beyond. They are beautiful! and rare]

 

Here was my Rover...bet you've never seen one of these in the USA!

 

I don't think you can even get a 164 or 405 in the US.

 

Chevy Beretta.

 

Well you're right, we never had one of those. However, we DID have the Sterling company, which sold a 1st generation rebadged Acura Legend. That was also known as the Rover 800..

 

 

A Volkswagen Phaeton can be had for decent/cheap $$$....if you can still find one around.

 

As look as you don't intend on driving it, the Phaeton is a excellent used car that can be found really cheap.

 

Thanks for the great ideas guys! I appreciate it. I have narrowed down my list by a lot.

Peugeot 405 MI16

Alfa Romeo 164 LS/Q

Acura CL Type-S [Manual]

Lexus SC400 [1998 and beyond. They are beautiful! and rare]

1989 Mitsubishi Sigma [http://bringatrailer.com/2012/10/10/...galant-sigma/]

It is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Lusting after these oldies. Has anyone ever owned one of these cars?

I have only owned the 164 and the 405. They were actually very reliable.