I did manage to steer my mom away from some of the 21st century's greatest automotive turds (including a Freelander) and into a lightly used 1-series. That car hasn't been bad apart from its known problem with rainwater-cooled electronics. Luckily a BMW specialist was able to dry it out and seal the leaks.
In reply to Tony Sestito :
Oh but thats where you're wrong. They changed the name to Sonic.
slefain said:Some used to ask "hey, I know you got a screaming deal on that (random oddball car), how did you do that?"
The answer is: I fixed it up. The non-running car with a supposedly nuked engine that I got for $68 required me to spend several days bringing it back to life, using not only my massive tool collection, but a few animal sacrifices to JoBu. I always offer to help them with their new automotive hobby, but most of them change their mind when they realize the money saved was balance by sweat equity.
Probably just as well - they sound like the sort who'd forget that it's very bad to steal JoBu's rum, too.
There's some people I know who have managed to kill Honda and Toyota products bought new. I'm not sure what to recommend them except possibly an air cooled VW, on the grounds that at least they'll be forced to take it apart and learn how to work on cars.
Daylan C said:In reply to Tony Sestito :
Oh but thats where you're wrong. They changed the name to Sonic.
I believe the name you're looking for is Versa.
Appleseed said:Daylan C said:In reply to Tony Sestito :
Oh but thats where you're wrong. They changed the name to Sonic.
I believe the name you're looking for is Versa.
No, I believe the Versa is Nissan's attempt to provide an even worse driving experience while still charging a higher price. But as far as I know it's actually an in-house Nissan product.
But the Daewoo-produced Aveo really did become the Sonic.
NOHOME said:I remind them that "Car Guys" are the wrong people to be asking this question; we are way to emotionally involved in our own car niche to be able to offer unbiased advice. I can easily point to my fleet as proof of this.
You're not wrong and likewise, never ask the advice of somebody who's just bought a car. They'll be looking for ways to justify it.
Functionally, though, it shouldn't matter. As I've said here many times, when people ask your advice they're not actually looking for advice. They just want you to agree with them.
Little did I know that science had name for it.
Oh, and the Aveo and Sonic, completely different cars. The Sonic is actually rated quite high and more reliable and better driving than the Fiesta. I know, I just bought one 
I've also had my advice ignored time and time again.
On the other hand, I recently helped a friend buy an SUV. She took heed of my advice, and did it the right way.....every step of the way. After checking out and driving several SUV's that she liked, she decided a Honda Pilot was the vehicle for her. We then searched for a few weeks, and found the perfect vehicle for her. (right color, right mileage, right condition)
She's thrilled with her (new to her) machine, and likely will be for a long time. I actually enjoyed the entire process--- -as she listened, took advice, and ended up with a great new rig.
So, although it's frustrating when advice is ignored.....It's rewarding when folks take heed and do it right.
I'm a sucker, so I'll help again
Suprf1y said:You're not wrong and likewise, never ask the advice of somebody who's just bought a car. They'll be looking for ways to justify it. Functionally, though, it shouldn't matter.As I've said here many times, when people ask your advice they're not actually looking for advice. They just want you to agree with them.
Little did I know that science had name for it.
Did you just buy a Porsche 996?
Suprf1y said:Oh, and the Aveo and Sonic, completely different cars. The Sonic is actually rated quite high and more reliable and better driving than the Fiesta. I know, I just bought one
I stand corrected; thank you. But neither is related to the Nissan Versa.
Duke said:Appleseed said:Daylan C said:In reply to Tony Sestito :
Oh but thats where you're wrong. They changed the name to Sonic.
I believe the name you're looking for is Versa.
No, I believe the Versa is Nissan's attempt to provide an even worse driving experience while still charging a higher price. But as far as I know it's actually an in-house Nissan product.
But the Daewoo-produced Aveo really did become the Sonic.
Isn't it the Spark that's a Daewoo?
Appleseed said:Daylan C said:In reply to Tony Sestito :
Oh but thats where you're wrong. They changed the name to Sonic.
I believe the name you're looking for is Versa.
Nah, versas aren't nearly as terrible as an aveo
I don't really get the "what car shall I buy" questions. I get the "what is wrong with my car" questions. I should add that although I'm really the only car guy that actually works on their own car in the building I work in a building full of Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineers, Helicopter pilots and mechanics. I'm one of the Helicopter mechanics. Actually surprises me with how many are not technically savvy on how cars work. But we design helicopters and work out repairs for the army helicopters for a living.
Mndsm said:Appleseed said:Daylan C said:In reply to Tony Sestito :
Oh but thats where you're wrong. They changed the name to Sonic.
I believe the name you're looking for is Versa.
Nah, versas aren't nearly as terrible as an aveo
Aveos are terrible. Versas are slightly nicer. The Sonic is actually pleasant to drive and reliable. There's one in my driveway.
The Aveo is a miserable little car, especially the sedan with an automatic, which is what they have. It's slow, crude, and just awful.
The Sonic, despite it's Daewoo involvement, is exponentially better. The Versa would be an upgrade as well.
Since they keep buying Chevys, I'm hoping with some effort to steer them toward a cheap Cruze next time if they will listen. One of those in any configuration would be like a freaking Maybach compared to the Aveo.
I try to avoid giving much car advice. When someone follows your guidance and then has a problem of any kind, guess who's "fault" it is?
I find that my mental well-being has been better protected by trying to give as little advice about *anything* as possible. I don't try to fix problems I wasn't asked to fix anymore (this is about life outside of work), generally, unless it's something outright dangerous or unsafe that needs attention. I try to be invested as little as possible if/when I'm asked to give advice.
For a long time I thought I should try to be as helpful as possible and give ideas or advice when I thought I had something worth sharing. My sister is a couple years younger and still tries really hard to be as helpful as possible with this stuff. I watch it make her crazy/anxious and just shake my head. She's wired a little differently than I am and everyone is of their own mindset. This is something that works for me.
My only Sonic experience was a 1st gen Sonic. To be fair it was mediocre at worst. I've actually heard good things about the new ones.
Oh, yeah, this is a car forum. Uh, I had a Dodge Caliber as a rental car once, and hated it. I returned it the next day, was handed the keys to an Aveo, and liked the Aveo more. So, you know, it could be worse.
I learned years ago to not have those conversations
Most people are looking for validation to reinforce their already formed opinion.
They don't want actual advice.
That's precisely why forums, Facebook, IG, I'm about to turn it all off.
The "Which Car" advice question, not so much. Minor win, however, in that I have finally got the family to start following my advice regarding tire choices.
In reply to z31maniac :
See my sig 
I can only tell people to buy a Chrysler minivan so many times...
I used to sell cars at a KIA Dealership. This was partially my job, to find out what would best fit what the customer 'needs'
One time I had a gentleman come in because we had a cheap Montana van on the lot. Local trade, low KM's. Decent shape, just older model. He told me he was looking for a van to use for his small renovations company he had and wanted to be able to keep everything locked up and carry supplies. He wanted that van, asked specifically to see that van. Test drove it, talked final figure for a cash purchase, said he wanted to clear it with his SWMBO as she wasn't with him. We offered the van overnight for him to take it home to show her as he lived out of town so he took it.
He brought it back the next day with his SWMBO and told us that he had purchased a new dodge truck about 45 minutes after he took the van from the lot....
And this is partly why I got out of selling cars.
I just stopped answering
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