Good Used Cars..

[dogface]

I have not accepted a position as of yet, but need to narrow the list down of vehicles I want to get.

Out: Anything over $20k or brand new!

In... anything else. I need a nice, clean vehicle, good looking vehicle that will have occasional clients in it. I am not buying new, as I don't want to lose the moeny off the lot, and I may just very well find another position within the year that provides a vehicle. I thought about leasing, but I will be putting near 30k miles per year, so not possible.

Looking for ideas.... I have a slight preference to a smaller SUV, but not a given. Front wheel drive at least due to MN winter.

Vehicles I have had prior:

Escape
Grand Prix
Camry
Impala

Escape was ok, nothing special got relatively good mileage for an SUV. Grand Prix, didn't like as much. Camry, I thought was cramped. Impala I was pleased with.

Some initial thoughts:

Used:

2009 Malibu
Taurus (Based on the 500 re-badging)
Escape/Mariner
Saturn Aura XR


Other keys are: good to very good fuel economy, low cost of running, with great reliability. I hate putting money into work vehicles!

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Have a couple state employees that have had malibu and taurus in past 2 years and all raved on taurus and ranted on malibu.

I really like the look of the late model Alitma's by Nissan.

Last 3 cars I boaght were Altima-Maxima and Infinte--had great service from all of them.

Currently driving Infinte J30T which was rebuilt wreck with 30,000 miles. Paid $10,000 for it and got 220,000 miles on it now. Has been very cheap and reliable transportation--and saved a lot on ins by only having liabilty.

 

[toastonastick]

Saab 93 or 95. You can get them loaded with under 50k miles between 11k and 15k. They drive awesome and get good gas mileage.

 

[dogface]

Thanks guys.


Altima's are too small, when I had the Camry some had the Altima... getting my size in there left no room for anyone else to have shoulders in the front! :scared

Maxima's I do like...

I drove a 2009 Impala LTZ and it was only ok, IMO. Also drove a 2009 Malibu LT2 loaded, and it was far superior in my test drive. Impala was $17k, Malibue $19k both under 15,000 miles.

There is a 2006 Mercury Montegro (Think Ford 500 Hundred/Taurus) that was 21k in miles, loaded and for $16k.. didn't get a chance to drive it though.

More looking today...


dogface

 

[dogface]

Saab 93 or 95. You can get them loaded with under 50k miles between 11k and 15k. They drive awesome and get good gas mileage.

What are repair costs on Saab's?

 

[MadJack]

you can get an 06 Deville for around $20K with 25-35k miles and transfer of full warranty. plenty of room, all the buttons, lots of comfort, ~ 20MPG, and trouble free. then you'll never go back :SIB

 

[dogface]

you can get an 06 Deville for around $20K with 25-35k miles and transfer of full warranty. plenty of room, all the buttons, lots of comfort, ~ 20MPG, and trouble free. then you'll never go back :SIB

I did look at a CTS.... but how is the rear whell drive on the Caddie's in winter? I haven't had a rear wheel drive since High School. (1980 Gradn Prix with V8, I think a 302)

dogface

 

[MadJack]

I did look at a CTS.... but how is the rear whell drive on the Caddie's in winter? I haven't had a rear wheel drive since High School. (1980 Gradn Prix with V8, I think a 302)

dogface

they aren't rear wheel drive.

 

[MadJack]

i think the last rear wheel drives were chevy caprice and mercury marquis :shrug:

 

[SixFive]

What are repair costs on Saab's?

they aren't pretty! Hard to get anybody to work on them too. Dad had to take his to Nashville way too many times to get things fixed. Huge pos.

 

[dogface]

i think the last rear wheel drives were chevy caprice and mercury marquis :shrug:

:shrug:

CTS - Rear-Wheel Drive
STS - Rear-Wheel Drive standard
DTS: Front-Wheel Drive

Some all-wheel drive options... I will have to investigate more...

dogface

 

[MadJack]

i didn't know anybody made rear wheel drive anymore. i know mine is front

 

[layinwood]

i didn't know anybody made rear wheel drive anymore. i know mine is front

LOL, shows how much I know about cars. After you said this I started thinking and I have no clue what my car is. I've always thought it was rear wheel but maybe it isn't.

 

[c20916]

just bought a used 2008 Ford Fusion, I pick it up tomorrow, I'll let you know how I like it.

 

[kneifl]

Get a used honda accord. I bought a 2007 new and not one problem so I bought a 2009 this year as well. They're good cars, used or new I've heard. Resale value is decent too.

Good luck with what ever you choose:toast: :toast:

kneifl

 

[BADTODABONE]

Saturn Aura XR

:scared

Check dealers in your area....

The dealership I worked for is still there in TX, closest one to Kansas City is Topeka.....not good

Penske trying to buy the brand from GM as well as dealer groups

 

[dogface]

:scared

Check dealers in your area....

The dealership I worked for is still there in TX, closest one to Kansas City is Topeka.....not good

Penske trying to buy the brand from GM as well as dealer groups

GM underpinnings though, even when bought out, they will still service them correct?

I am driving one of them today, a loaded XR with only 19k miles and $14,949. Seems like a steal... understnd same car as the Malibu, aslo based on a caddy?

 

[2muchchalk]

i have an altima 2003. Not the best car (cheaply made) but reliable and has enough little thing to make it a decent valued car. If i were to do it again i would of gotten a maxima or used honda accord (wife has one).

 

[Terryray]

i think the last rear wheel drives were chevy caprice and mercury marquis :shrug:

Those all-American cars you mention are the last of the traditional 4 door, rear wheel drive + body on frame + front V8 engine + live rear axle vehicles--which is the way almost all American cars used to be put together. :violin:

The Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car, and Ford Crown Victoria are still being made (in Canada to get around the federal goverment's fleet gas milage CAFE regulations) on that ancient "panther platform". The oldest car platform still being utilized in US.

The fifth-generation Seville (STS and SLS), produced from 1998-2003, was front wheel drive. Been rear-wheel drive since then.

The next generation DTS, slated to debut next year, will most probably change to rear-wheel drive.

below are pics of the FG Falcon, also built on the panther platform, by Ford Motor Company of Australia:

 

[countinguy]

Ford Mustang is still rear wheel driven, absolutely horrible in the winter.