Non Euro Car advice needed..

[Wildfire]

My fellow eurodriver brethren. Some of you may know after being away for over a year I am moving back to Calgary next week. My Permanent residency visa came through last month.
Im beginning a new journey in a foreign country that will be my new home, and im starting completely from nothing. The journey is exciting but at the same time it is downright frightening. (Im so nervous, just thinking about the move is making me feel like throwing up.)

I was wondering if I may pick some of your brains on the forum regarding the Canadian Car market. Though I lived in Calgary for three years, there are many things I don't know or have not got my head around (so forgive my lack of knowledge/common sense/knowledge if its blatantly obvious. I don't know any other forum and beyond.ca needs a non hotmail account to sign up)

I have researched using Kijji and Autos.ca for car info to check reviews, average prices, model year and milage. But though they point out known faults and recalls. It would be nice to have personal experiences and feedback on the vehicles. I know some you have vehicles other than European and I was wondering if I may get some advice, point out things to look out for/ consider, & maybe have personal experiences to share.

Im looking to buy Japanese (yeah this is a Euro forum, I know I know) for the sake of reliability and cheaper maintenance costs as I focus on other priorities to settle down.( & before any of you say it.. no Im not buying a Toyota Corrola). I have not ruled out Ford completely. Im not a fan of American vehicles and build quality, but im happy to keep an open mind. Feel free to make any suggestions or recommendations.

My budget is around $3-7.5k(more on the lower end). If its a car it has to be a manual. SUV can be either. Im not working when I land, so will be looking for work(but thats another story).
In terms of understanding/costs. The benchmark is the 1.8T Golf GTI that I used to own. I managed 580km on a full tank city driving (Summer). Oil changes being $90 from Tune Dub. Something cheaper in maintenance, but equivalent(ish) or cheaper fuel milage is fine.

How much higher are the servicing costs of a SUV (Honda CRV/Rav4) in comparison to a Car?

I have some questions on the following cars. If anyone has any knowledge, or has owned, feedback would be appreciated.

Cars.
Nissan Altima 2000-2004. I know nothing of V6 engines(3.5/2.5). Does anyone know from personal experience the fuel economy of these engines for city driving. From what I can find, some people are getting 600-700km per tank.

Honda Accord 2000-2005. City driving fuel economy(V6), does anyone have any personal experiences or know of the fuel economy.

Acura EL (1.7L) 2000-2004. Does anyone know how it drives? (i.e When one puts their foot down, does the engine respond like a strangled cat?). From what I can find, its a civic underneath.

Subaru. I know nothing of the cars of this make, how they drive, reliability, maintenance costs etc(i.e how much is a oil change on a WRX Impretza?). I have found head gasket problems come up in reviews. Any recommendations on vehicle type?

Ford Focus 2000-2005. Anyone own these? I had one here on this side(London), they are great. I did notice differences in Canada that had me running for the hills. Family in Calgary telling me to avoid Ford as they are junk. But I had one friend telling me they ok. But i'd like to get some more info.

SUV's.

Rav 4 2000-2004. Anyone owned one of these? I do like these, but reported transmission failures on reviews are making me think twice.
Honda CRV 2000-2003. Does anyone own one of these? If so thoughts? Im mooching towards one of these..
Ford Escape 2000-2005. Looks nice, parts will be cheap. How reliable are these and what is the milage like on a tank(sensible city driving) Im getting mixed reviews. The size of the engines are scaring me.

Any advice or direction is much appreciated.

[BolideVW]

Re: Non Euro Car advice needed..

My dad has a 2002 accord special edition v6. And honesty I think the economy is around 600kms to a tank. I don't it's ever really needed anything in terms of repairs (obviously maintenance such as brakes, filters etc..., are to be expected)

[idlandk]

Re: Non Euro Car advice needed..

Accord has a 10l bigger tank than a mk4. I knew a guy who had one and he was getting 6-700km but that was 90% highway. It was an auto and we figured out I was getting pretty well the same with my b5 1.8t.

Altima has a 75l tank so 600km to a tank sucks not to mention they drive like a pos. Just dont buy one.

Subarus do have the head gasket problems with the 2.5 and they seem to have a large range for when they are going. Oil leaks also seem to be a common problem. Can't tell you actual fuel mileage but I heard they can be thirsty. I am thinking about buying an outback myself. Wrx doesn't have hg problems and would generally be reliable but everyone that gets ahold of one kills it. Almost every wrx or sti on kijiji advertises new engine. Oil changes in red deer are the same as vw for subie

Those focus' are pretty reliable and cheap to keep on the road. Definitely the gayest of the bunch haha. I had a friend that had 3 of these and one of them dropped a valve which apparently can happen with them.

Hope that helps some. I'm sure people can add to it

[sabbySC]

Re: Non Euro Car advice needed..

4 cyl accord, my brother had one, it had just enough power to get around, got amazing mileage and generally was a really good car.

I would stear clear of older ford economy cars, and the altima would be very low on my list.

[tirerub]

Re: Non Euro Car advice needed..

I have a Subaru legacy with the 2.2 for my winter / daily car and its stupid reliable it's coming up on 300k and I just removed the stock clutch and it gets about 625 k to a tank with mixed driving. And with the head gasket issue my brother in law picked up a legacy gt with the. 2.5 knowing it had a bad head gasket we replaced it with the revised Subaru oem one and that cars been perfect as well. When mine dies I know where I'll be looking again

[Tuna]

Re: Non Euro Car advice needed..

I had a 2000 Imprezza 2.5 RS. It got ok mileage (can't remember now exactly now as it's been 8 years). Was a fun car but build quality feels like crap, rattly and cheap plastics, but really, my 2009 Jetta rattles too so... I would buy another though for sure. was so nice in the winter. Funny what someone said about all the WRX's having new engines. I was looking for a WRX/STI a couple months ago and found the same thing. I was told though that there's a problem with those that some of the cylinders get starved of oil so eventually blow up (someone confirm?).

Anyone I've EVER known that has had an accord has loved it, totally reliable and really good on fuel. Only thing is finding a manual accord is more difficult than say a civic.

The Acura EL I think is just a tarted up civic (leather and nicer buttons and such). So you will probably pay more than a civic. I think there are a lot of closet honda fans on here so you could probably get some good input.

[BolideVW]

Re: Non Euro Car advice needed..

^ should have mentioned that my mom has a 2001 Acura el. Good on gas...but IMO thats the only thing it has going for it. Terribly slow, my mom has had to put 6000$ in it in the last year (although dealership maintained). Clutch is also starting to go on it and it's only at 150 000 kms and she knows how to drive standard. I'd stay away, I think she just got a lemon since civic are usually known to be good for reliability.

[B4NE1]

Re: Non Euro Car advice needed..

A friend of mine had a 1998 Acura EL that was just totalled in an accident. Aside from that it had 350,000 km on it, original clutch and the clutch still performed well which speaks loads for reliability. As well it only ever had regular maintenance fluids, brakes etc. I'm assuming the later models like you're looking for should be as reliable. Apart from BolideVW's lemon.

[dwvw]

Re: Non Euro Car advice needed..

I have worked on all those cars interiors (car stereo installer) and to tell you the truth the Focus is better built than everything other than the Accord IMO. I would take a 4 cylinder Accord over the Focus though. The RAV4 would be my choice in the SUV listed. Again these are from my observations about the build quality of the interior.

[Wildfire]

Re: Non Euro Car advice needed..

Thanks for the info guys. I landed Wednesday night. Its sooo sunny here compared to back home!

The Subaru info was interesting. I saw a Mazda 3 today, but turned it down as it had no way been looked after and rust spots everywhere. I have a Accord on my list and a CRV on Sunday to check out..