29th Jul 2008, 09:01

"I bought my 84 Accord when it was brand new, and it now has 768,000 kms and it's running great! On a recent road trip it got 45mpg! That's more than a brand new cobalt"

Yes, but it also gets better mpg than a new Civic, and by most objective accounts, hybrid vehicles (which are a huge scam) under most conditions too. I do not think it is fair to single out the Cobalt, which has the best standard fuel economy in its class, while still being more powerful and larger than its competitors.

All older cars from the 80's and early 90's get better fuel economy the new cars. That is because of the new emissions control standards, especially those pertaining to NOx. To reduce NOx, you have to reduce combustion temperature by diverting exhaust gas (through the EGR valve) into the combustion chamber. This reduces the engine's efficiency, and thereby its fuel economy. It also increases CO, CO2 and hydrocarbons. Moreover, all of these additional emissions control components increase weight, which further reduces fuel economy. But, that is what happens when you you have mind-numbed politicians who could not engineer their way out of a paper bag, instead of actual scientists and engineers making these types of decisions.

Additionally, your '84 Accord is positively not faster than a Cobalt. The Cobalt has in excess of 140 HP and 150 ft/lbs of torque at the wheels, compared to your Accord with only having 86 HP, which Honda probably measured at the flywheel (as Japanese manufacturers are known to do), ignoring driveline losses. I own a vehicle with the same engine as the Cobalt and have driven a friend's Accord of the same vintage as yours. The Cobalt engine can drive circles around your car and any stock Honda from that period of time.

22nd Apr 2009, 20:30

I have 1995 Chevy Beretta 3.1 V6 that has purred since the day I bought it. 183,000 miles and still going strong. I haven't had any engine problems and I'm always racing someone. I paid $1000 for it and have had little work done. American or import, it should be obvious.

9th May 2009, 18:19

I drive a '94 Beretta 3.1L V6 and I adore it. I've had my share of problems, but most were easily fixable. The car also has under 80K miles. People are always shocked when I tell them how often I put gas in my car, as their new cars can't compete with my mileage. People are also shocked when they ride with me and I actually put my foot down. Take care of your investments, and your investments will take care of you. Can't do anything about the bungholes who ding your car here or there though..

13th May 2009, 17:14

I am seventeen, and my mom bought me my first car when I was 16, a year ago. I love it. It's been running good with me for 2 years. I wrecked it once in the front, got messed up. I fixed it and it's going like new.

Things that went wrong with it is: the door handle on the passenger side broke off. The window on the passenger will not go up or down. The window on driver will not go up. I drive it everyday, everywhere, and it's still going good. I am supposed to be getting a new car, but I still don't want to sell the Beretta! LOL. It's a 1995 c. Beretta, it's pearl white and it's a v6. I love it!!

18th Jun 2009, 08:14

I own a 95 Beretta, the V6, bought new with 12 miles on it, and it is still going strong with 195,000+ miles on it.

Sure, I have put $ into it (new alternator, 2 batteries, new radiator, new EGR valve, 2 front brake changes, 1 rear, and had the A/C charged once), but all that (except 1 of the front brake changes, which occurred at 80K, and 1 battery, which was my own fault -- didn't realize until it was too late that I left the interior light on over a weekend) has been since I hit 100K miles, and all told has cost me well less than 3 monthly car payments on a new car would have.

The gas mileage is great on this car. I live close to my job now, but I used to travel 75 miles 1 way to commute, and I was getting nearly 30 MPG then. (I get about 22 now doing all local driving). Earlier this year I used the Beretta for a business trip (and there was plenty of room for luggage and the like) and still got 28 mpg. Not bad for a V6. Another good thing is that the tank holds a lot of gas -- if I let it get to about 1/8 of a tank, I can get gas about every 3 weeks/325 miles.

The size of the Beretta is also great. I love being able to fit it in tight spaces and parallel park it anywhere. The visibility is good, and I like the large mirrors to limit blind spots. Adults are cramped in the backseat, but the baby seat fits well in the middle, and my dog, a black lab, has room when she is taking a ride.

I admit, the car isn't perfect -- when the rear defroster is on, the power systems in the car lag (the turn signals blink very slowly, the auto lock system doesn't work, the lights are dimmer), which can be a drag, literally and figuratively. The interior has faded and the seats are worn more than I think they should be for this age, and the cup holders do not hold a typical travel mug or large soda. However, this car has been rear-ended and backed into while parked, and people are always amazed at the good shape it is in (a tiny paint chip in the hood and one little rust spot starting by the hinge inside the trunk, not visible from the outside).

This car has taken me from a new college graduate, just getting my first job and car, all the way through to homeownership, marriage, and parenthood. Although I can still use the Beretta for shorter family trips and errands, with a baby, her paraphernalia, two adults, a black lab, and luggage, the Beretta isn't going to cut it for a family vacation. We are discussing keeping the Beretta for commuting to work and buying a good family car for transporting all of us (and any future children) to relatives for the holidays, family vacations, etc. Anyone have any recommendations that will make us as happy as the Beretta has? I just can't see me driving a minivan!

24th Aug 2009, 15:04

I have a Z26 3.1. I've had it for about 9 years, I'm the third owner and I have $180K on it. It's really ran great for me. I haven't put too much money into replacing things.

I think car issues are relative to how people take care of the car with routine maintenance, and the way that they drive, and maybe the climate they live in.

Most things that have went wrong have been cosmetic, such as the cup holder breaking or the rear view mirror coming off, but overall the other repairs were not that serious.

Right now it needs the EGR valve and the power steering pressure hose replaced, and these are problems that people seem to have had at 100K or so, and I have almost double that on mine. I really want to keep it forever.