# What to do about my Honda? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 2, 2014, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192 "2014-04-02T19:17:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/61 "2014-04-04T20:22:18Z")
Last post didn’t make sense. Final sentence should read “Not only are they NOT the tuner car of choice like Hondas are…” ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/62 "2014-04-04T20:24:27Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > I googled up that intersection and the car driving toward the camera here is a VW (I think; blurry photo): > > [https://www.google.com/maps/@39.988029,-83.046008,3a,15y,362.65h,85t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sy7Vs5F6Pdq-SH5Jnf8ZQQA!2e0!6m1!1e1](https://www.google.com/maps/@39.988029,-83.046008,3a,15y,362.65h,85t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sy7Vs5F6Pdq-SH5Jnf8ZQQA!2e0!6m1!1e1) It _is_ a VW driving towards the camera…a Touraeg. Driving away from the camera is a green Camaro, in front of it is a Honda Civic, and parked up the road on the right is a Toyota Prius. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/63 "2014-04-04T20:27:01Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > I googled up that intersection and the car driving toward the camera here is a VW (I think; blurry photo): > > [https://www.google.com/maps/@39.988029,-83.046008,3a,15y,362.65h,85t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sy7Vs5F6Pdq-SH5Jnf8ZQQA!2e0!6m1!1e1](https://www.google.com/maps/@39.988029,-83.046008,3a,15y,362.65h,85t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sy7Vs5F6Pdq-SH5Jnf8ZQQA!2e0!6m1!1e1) I’ll admit, that particular frame seems to have more European cars than your typical midwestern street scene, but there’s still way more Japanese cars in the frame. You don’t notice them because they are, as your mechanic says, boring driving appliances. But that’s what most people _want_ in a car, not some temperamental but fun European thing. (Also, in refutation of your overall point that nobody keeps old Japanese cars, I think the oldest car in that frame is an 80’s Toyota Cressida wagon. Although if you wanted to make the argument that it’s because that’s from back when Toyota actually made interesting cars, I’d agree.) ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/64 "2014-04-04T20:29:53Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > I’ll admit, that particular frame seems to have more European cars than your typical midwestern street scene, but there’s still way more Japanese cars in the frame. You don’t notice them because they are, as your mechanic says, boring driving appliances. But that’s what most people _want_ in a car, not some temperamental but fun European thing. > > (Also, in refutation of your overall point that nobody keeps old Japanese cars, I think the oldest car in that frame is an 80’s Toyota Cressida wagon. Although if you wanted to make the argument that it’s because that’s from back when Toyota actually made interesting cars, I’d agree.) Actually, that frame is a little atypical. Often there are more German cars around there than that (and for some reason, a lot of Chrysler 300s!). I have seen several Porsche Panameras in that neighborhood, and somebody around there drives an Audi R8. On the freeways, though, \*between \*cities, I tend to see proportionally fewer German cars. I have no idea why. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/65 "2014-04-04T20:33:46Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > I’ll admit, that particular frame seems to have more European cars than your typical midwestern street scene, but there’s still way more Japanese cars in the frame. You don’t notice them because they are, as your mechanic says, boring driving appliances. But that’s what most people _want_ in a car, not some temperamental but fun European thing. > > (Also, in refutation of your overall point that nobody keeps old Japanese cars, I think the oldest car in that frame is an 80’s Toyota Cressida wagon. Although if you wanted to make the argument that it’s because that’s from back when Toyota actually made interesting cars, I’d agree.) Is the Cressida wagon the blue beater parked just to the left of the CVS sign in what looks like a bank parking lot? ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/66 "2014-04-04T20:37:25Z")
Any update on what is actually wrong with the car? ---
**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/67 "2014-04-04T20:39:47Z")
* * * > [@Melchior](#): > > all I’m saying is a 1999 Passat is likely a better investment than a 1999 Honda. Surely there must be data that can either back up or refute this claim. However I’m having a surprising amount of difficulty finding any good data. So far the only things I’ve found are these two Forbes pieces: 1. [Cars That Will Make It Past 200,000 Miles (2010)](http://www.forbes.com/2010/12/08/most-reliable-cars-2010-business-autos-reliable-cars.html) Of the 10: - 5 are Toyotas (including Lexus) - 2 are Hondas (including Acura) - 2 are Fords - 1 is a Porsche, believe it or not 1. [10 Vehicles That Can Run For 250,000 Miles (2013)](http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehmk45kehe/acura-rdx-2/) Of the 10: - 2 are Honda/Acura - 6 are Toyota/Lexus/Scion - 1 is a Chevy - 1 is a Mazda So the tally is **15** out of the 20 are Hondas or Toyotas (16 are Japanese). **None** are VW/Audi. Granted these articles are very, very imperfect for answering this question for many reasons, and I don’t for a second believe that the true answer is so skewed. In fact I’m willing to believe it’s pretty close but my gut tells me the edge goes to Honda/Toyota over VW/Audi. But I’m still looking for some good data, preferably going back to 1999 model year cars to accurately reinforce or dispel your claim. I’d honestly like to know; I’m going to be in the market for a new car soon and I’m considering an Audi. Also, sorry to continue the hijack. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/68 "2014-04-04T20:40:07Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > Any update on what is actually wrong with the car? It’s leaking a touch of oil. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/69 "2014-04-04T20:41:44Z")
> [@arseNal](#): > > * * * > > Surely there must be data that can either back up or refute this claim. However I’m having a surprising amount of difficulty finding any good data. > > So far the only things I’ve found are these two Forbes pieces: > > 1. [Cars That Will Make It Past 200,000 Miles (2010)](http://www.forbes.com/2010/12/08/most-reliable-cars-2010-business-autos-reliable-cars.html) > > Of the 10: > > - 5 are Toyotas (including Lexus) > - 2 are Hondas (including Acura) > - 2 are Fords > - 1 is a Porsche, believe it or not > > 1. [10 Vehicles That Can Run For 250,000 Miles (2013)](http://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehmk45kehe/acura-rdx-2/) > > Of the 10: > > - 2 are Honda/Acura > - 6 are Toyota/Lexus/Scion > - 1 is a Chevy > - 1 is a Mazda > > So the tally is **15** out of the 20 are Hondas or Toyotas (16 are Japanese). **None** are VW/Audi. > > Granted these articles are very, very imperfect for answering this question for many reasons, and I don’t for a second believe that the true answer is so skewed. In fact I’m willing to believe it’s pretty close but my gut tells me the edge goes to Honda/Toyota over VW/Audi. > > But I’m still looking for some good data, preferably going back to 1999 model year cars to accurately reinforce or dispel your claim. I’d honestly like to know; I’m going to be in the market for a new car soon and I’m considering an Audi. > > Also, sorry to continue the hijack. I’m surprised no Volvos are on that last given the reputation of some of their wagon models. Perhaps those bastions of reliability are older than 2001 models. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/70 "2014-04-04T20:52:46Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Is the Cressida wagon the blue beater parked just to the left of the CVS sign in what looks like a bank parking lot? I think so, although now that I look at it again it could be a Reliant-K wagon. That particular shade of blue seems to me more typical of the Toyota (although a Toyota of that vintage existing in the Midwest without having completely rusted away is maybe a little unusual). ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/71 "2014-04-04T20:59:05Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > I think so, although now that I look at it again it could be a Reliant-K wagon. That particular shade of blue seems to me more typical of the Toyota (although a Toyota of that vintage existing in the Midwest without having completely rusted away is maybe a little unusual). All I know is that I see a \*lot \*of VW/Audi and Mercedes cars in that neighborhood (not as many BMWs); close to half of all the cars if not more than half are German (at least in the early evening when I am walking that street), and a lot of them are older ones that their owners apparently don’t want to get rid of (or maybe are second owners). ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/72 "2014-04-04T21:20:37Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > All I know is that I see a \*lot \*of VW/Audi and Mercedes cars in that neighborhood (not as many BMWs); close to half of all the cars if not more than half are German (at least in the early evening when I am walking that street), and a lot of them are older ones that their owners apparently don’t want to get rid of (or maybe are second owners). Dude, let it go already. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/73 "2014-04-04T21:31:56Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Dude, let it go already. > mmm One on’t cross beams gone owt askew on treadle…and it was a Honda! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/74 "2014-04-07T13:31:21Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > It’s leaking a touch of oil. If by “touch” you mean a 50-gallon drum. ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/75 "2014-04-07T15:37:26Z")
> [@Melchior](#): > > One on’t cross beams gone owt askew on treadle…and it was a Honda! Now we see the violence inherent in the System! Help! Help! I’m bein’ repressed! [http://youtu.be/1Q58nTiZrJ0](http://youtu.be/1Q58nTiZrJ0) ---
**Author:** ![Melchior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/76 "2014-04-07T15:38:34Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Dude, let it go already. > mmm Friday evening I saw hardly any German cars. Then Saturday, it seemed as though 2/3 were German. It’s strange! As far as what to do with the Honda described by the OP, I would suggest finding the nearest cliff and pushing it over said cliff. Then file an insurance claim. ---
**Author:** ![Noodles\_Fellicini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@Noodles\_Fellicini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noodles_Fellicini)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192/77 "2014-04-08T00:21:22Z")
Ask around and find a good mechanic to determine exactly what it will take to get your car running again. That will determine what to do next. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-my-honda/685192.md?page=3)