Fiat 124 Reliability to my other cars

[velozi]

So I have a 76 Spider, 95 Camry and a 98 BMW 328ic.

In amount of miles, I drive the BMW more (99k miles @ 8k/year), then the Camry (200k miles @ 3k/year) and last the Spider (88k miles @ 2k/year). I take public transit every day so I buy and keep cars for a long time.

In terms of reliability the Camry, even with 200k miles, has no issues. The Spider drives and drives without problems but adjustments are frequent. The biemmer's cooling system is possesed. Yesterday I replace the radiator, all hoses, pump and thermostat. Hopefully it will be the end of my cooling problems.

2009 maintenance costs:
-Camry: $580. Major work: Front suspension.
-Spider: $690. Major work: Brakes and front suspension.
-BMW: $1,200 Major work: Cooling system, brakes and front suspension.

Summary: Japan knows how to make a reliable car. Not much fun to look at but they last forever. Italians can make a good engine but you have to constantly look and adjust. German make a good driving, fast car but they can not cool it down.

Will replace the Camry in 2010 but not sure what.

[spiderrey]

The real problem with the bimmer is that when it breaks, no matter what breaks , youd better have lots of money to throw at it. Kinda like an ex wife. lol My buddy has a 540 and itts killing him to keep it on the road.

[ga.spyder]

Great Post! That pretty much sums it up.I saw in the new R&T that the Lexus supercar is finally in production.It is awesome performing and looking.Toyota Corp. hasnt made anything exciting in a long time,but you cant kill 'em.Most German cars are great drivers,but very expensive to maintain properly.And the Spider...always wins the grins per mile contest.
Craig

[Jimb]

I curretnly have a 2005 Honda Civic Si with 37,500 miles, a 2000 Tacoma 4x4 27,500 miles, and just sold our 1989 BMW 325 Cabriolet 113,000 miles, and am expecting my 1985.5 Volumex to arrive tomorrow.
I keep very accurate maintenace records and have for years.
It's surprising that with just about all cars I've owned it cost on average $600/year or $50 /month.and that includes oil changes.
I also had a 1990 BMW M3 Cabriolet (from europe) and the cost was pretty much the same for the 9 years I owned her.
Jim