I... I think I also suffer from this... and I thought I was the only one!
Over the years I have scoured the Internet searching for my dream "fun" car: a cheap, reliable, (relatively) economical and distinctive classic car, with enough safety to carry my family with confidence, all in a nice compact size.
I have been successfully put off of dozens of great cars, thanks to negative owners' reviews on the Web. In some cases I have even suffered from what I call "almost buyer's remorse": where I have dreamed about a particular car for so long but having read so much about it and discovered so many possible problems, I end up punishing myself as in "why did I want this car? I should know better!"
So... at long last it seems I have come to a decision: the Volvo 480. Cheap to buy, not as expensive to run as most, lots of safety equipment, fun to drive (from what I read, anyway), room for four adults, folding seatbacks for occasional trips to IKEA, fits quickly in any typical parking space, old enough for me not to worry too much about scratches, U.S.-spec 5 m.p.h. bumpers to send the less-parking-capable running to their local garage to get headlights fixed while my bumpers remain unscathed, and what else... oh, very nice equipment level (heated leather seats, funky on board computer), and... it's the first ever front-wheel drive Volvo and also the only one with pop-up headlights!
Sometimes I have trouble sleeping because of worrying about the electronical malfunctions and water leaks in the rear of the car, but I promise it won't be these things that hold me back from my dream!
"There’s no ‘perfect’ car, and no ‘perfect’ method of purchase. You pay your money, and take your chance."
This last sentence says it all!
Yes, we certainly should read a lot before our purchases, ask the right questions and consider the possible problems and if we are willing to cope with (and pay for) them. This method is as perfect as it gets.
Yep, absolutely right.
I think unfortunately, my job has made me very picky about cars and very complacent about the reliability of brand new vehicles.
This has made me want to look deeper into every vehicle to ensure I don't get burned, but all that does is instills paranoia.
Minor issues don't really bother me, in reality. The only things I don't really want are excessive rust, or a potential fault more than the car is worth. It's the latter that can rule out some more appealing used cars, because the more appealing ones tend to be the ones that were quite expensive when new and therefore retain their original running costs.
But don't you feel that the experiences we all gain as we buy or strings of old 'bargain' cars feed our automania? New cars never seem to thrill - especially if one is paying for their pleasure.
I agree with your article...but the only cars I regret not still owning were all older than eight years old.
If the front shockers are worn out on a '96 Golf TDI then it is funny. If they are worn out on a 2011 Picasso, it ain't.
Oh - anybody want my '96 Golf...?
Well I thought I would just stop by and say that I have indeed bought a 480 Turbo in great condition and I absolutely love it!
My friends and family might not understand the car but its condition, equipment level and price convinced them all it was great value for money.
Thanks Petrolblog for the added push!
In honesty, I have always tried to avoid doing masses of research on a model that I was keen on, for exactly this issue. If you research any model of car enough, you'll find problems with it. They may not be manufacture-wide, but only one bad experience will put me off.
My most reliable car was an '88 Polo I bought in 2001 when I was 17. Simply because I could afford it, and it ran, it was a winner.
Most of all, the issues tend to come from how a car has been used and looked after. A car with a history of clutch reliability can give up its clutch as soon as you get in if someone's been riding it regularly, and burning it out.
There's no 'perfect' car, and no 'perfect' method of purchase. You pay your money, and take your chance.