HELP me pick a CAR! PLEASE

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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ok here's the scoop. Me want new used car. I have an 85 Buick Century with only 92,000 miles that is banged up and half the electrical stuff ain't working, but the engine seems decent.

I want to trade it in and get a car in the 8000 - 10,000 dollar range.

I want a 4 door sedan with a V6 and automatic transmission, preferably with 60,000 miles or less, and newer than 1993. What are my best options?

 

Harv22222

Senior member
Sep 25, 2000
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I'd suggest the accord. I've got an 87 with almost 170k. Been trying to ride it out to its death but it keeps on kickin. Its a very reliable car. Downside when it does break down(very seldom) it a little more expensive do to its an import.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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'97 Camry, the Honda's have rediculous resale prices. You can walk away with a new Accord for just a little more than what you can a year or two used one.

BTW, you'll be lucky to get more than $500 for your trade in :frown:
 

AaronP

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2000
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I'll wait till they have one of those "$2000 Push Pull or Drag" trade in deals. About every 5 weeks, there's a deal where you get 2000 on any car you trade in.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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Aaron, when they have those deals they'll usually just mark up the prices of the cars from what they'll usually sell them for. You really don't save much money.

Also, Radeon has a pretty nice suggestion on the Contour SE. I bought a '95 Mercury Mystique(Sister car to the Contour) with the Duratec V6 and 44,000 miles for around $7200 a year ago. It was a pretty nice car. I sold it a year later and 12,000 miles more for $6200. In the year that I owned it, it was a pretty nice vehicle.

I'd look for a '98 or so.
 

GasX

Lifer
Feb 8, 2001
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echo the contour sentiment. Major bang for the buck sports sedan with a good reliability history.
 

Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
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countours are pretty fugly for that kind of cash though!

if it has the 2.5v duratec, those are pretty fast motors!
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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If you do look at a Contour, be sure to look at the maintance history of the car. There were several recalls for the car, check the records to see if it had been in the shop for the recalls.
 

Rent

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2000
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<< if it has the 2.5v duratec, those are pretty fast motors! >>



Unfortunately, the Contour SVT was the only model available with that motor.. I was looking at a 98 but I couldn't get financed for it :| Being 19 sucks :(

I think the 2nd Gen Contours are beautiful cars tho. Much better than a Lumina or Intrepid IMO
 

Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
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i just picked up a VW corrado :) You should get a used VW. a golf or jetta with a VR6 in the 95-96 area would be in your price range. I see many 97's for $10K.

the vr6 is a top notch motor and hauls much ass. Unfortunately, i could only afford a 1.8 supercharged g60 vw. Once it gets out of the shop, should be setup for about 183hp/210 ft/lbs at the wheels.

 

Rent

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2000
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Emulex - what year/how many miles. The G60s are badass little rides man :)
 

mAdD INDIAN

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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Get a Maxima. It meets your requirements. It has a powerful V6, a 5-spd manual tranny, and has crappy resale value which works out to be an advantage to you.

It's relatively sporty, fits 5 people comfortably, and has decent aftermarket support.

Or you could go for a '94 Acura Legend 6-spd...230hp..pretty nice car..but think it would be expensive..not sure though.

Another option would be a Taurus SHO, the ones that had the Mistu V6 and 5spd manual.

Best of luck in your choice.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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<< Unfortunately, the Contour SVT was the only model available with that motor.. I was looking at a 98 but I couldn't get financed for it :| Being 19 sucks :( >>



Ummm....The SE's are available with the 2.5L V6. The SVT just uses a tweaked and tuned version of the motor.
 

BigSmooth

Lifer
Aug 18, 2000
10,484
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I agree in that the Maxima would be a good choice. Mazda and Nissan have excellent quality but their resale bites compared to Toyota and Honda.