Buying Aerio need advice

[teal854t]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a small used car and been comparing a few cars: Toyota Echo, Suzuki Aerio, Mitusbishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra. I'm leaning toward Aerio which as more HP and looks nicer though I no nothing much about Echo or Lancer. Need some advice on what to look for and some good and bad stuffs about Aerio.
Thanks

[logmgr]

I would go with the ECHO.
STAY AWAY from the Nissan or mitsubishi.

[jljbtm]

My 03 aerio has now about 80,000 miles and all i have had to do was tires and front brakes, great little car.
Jack

[sokolpolishdancer]

oh here's a general statment which i know i work and fix mostly japanese cars

toyota good choice-they did make a few shit cars tho a 93 station wagon if i remeber

honda-popular good but i don't like them

nissan good cars but harder on gas than the toyota and honda's

mitsubishi-the shit of the japanese made with cheap parts will fall apart looks nice that's about it.

-mazda- good cars but made with alot of ford parts so their so so

subaru- good cars also but parts are pricey they seem to last a long time and be fairly good

suzuki-my newest favorites drove my aerio 4 years not one i mean one problem



suzuki is good as it has a patent on the timing belt you never have to change it. and their transmission also. alot higher off the ground then most japanese cars and not too tiny but still great on gas.

so here's my choices in order

suzuki
toyota
nissan
mitsubishi

at 135000 kms didn't break once on me i've just done basic maitence like oil and brakes, etc

[Tadlocke]

Have an '02 , manual....and has not given me a bit of trouble...just turned 80k....still going strong!!....worth the purchase!!

[bogamil]

have had 03 aerio sx for 3 yrs, only problem are tire wear and ac noise at idle

[greg409]

I researched extensively for a econo-car recently & based on consumer reviews boiled it down to Saturn ls2, dodge/plymouth neon, suzuki aerio.

Do a lot of research- I bought an '03 Aerio "s" a month ago w/144k miles on it.

Read my '03 Aerio road trip post of last week - I didn't mention that I had a passenger & 200# of construction tools in trunk.

I digress, once you've read all the consumer reviews re: cars that interest you, then do a local search for the cheapest one you can find. Bring a good mechanic if you need, This is an investment.

I'm not sure why, but the aerio has low resale, which makes it a "Good buy".

My brother tells me there's TONS of them throughout Europe.

I read up on parts costs as I'm probably going to have to do neglected maint. etc. Suzuki's parts are not expensive by comparison.

Good luck on your decision

[Ironrat]

how about metal timing chain?

[SDC]

Timing chain is for life as long as the engine has good maintenance (read oil changes).

[greg409]

Bingo, SDC, my nissan pathfinder timing BELT cost me $1100 to replace @ 100k mi.

$800 for front wheel bearings.

Teal, my suggestion is that you research parts costs based on what you or your mech thinks is a consumable for a car of interest based on the mileage & condition.

With the internet, it's easy & can be fun (although you know that or you wouldn't be reading this site)

Good luck, greg