HELP WITH CARS!!! Family looking at new/used cars need advice all knowing AT PEOPLE!

[UnatcoAgent]

Ok cars to look at (so far) :

Ford Focus, the wagon and the sadan like one with 4 doors. 2001-2000 models

Pontiac Grand Am 1990 - 2001 models

These are the two my mother really wants to look at as well as myself. She also wanted an equivalent of an early 90's honda accord wagon but I didn't know anything off hand that was similar, so does anyone know how these cars measure up, especially the focus. Good on gas? Rust quickly? Any advice is appreciated. I will add more cars as time goes on since I JUST found out about this.

 

[CraigRT]

I wouldn't really look at those personally.. Go look at the Accords!!

 

[UnatcoAgent]

What are the new accords like ?

 

[LAUST]

Originally posted by: Yield
I wouldn't really look at those personally.. Go look at the Accords!!

I agree, those or Camry's

 

[QTArrhythmic]

Originally posted by: LAUST

Originally posted by: Yield
I wouldn't really look at those personally.. Go look at the Accords!!

I agree, those or Camry's

Camry's are good and safe.

 

[conjur]

The Focus has had a TON of recalls. Grand Ams are ok but I just don't care for that 'boy racer' look and the cheap look and feel of the Pontiac buttons-everywhere interior.

I second looking at the Accords, but, then again, I'm quite biased! (Check my sig)

A guy that was in sales training w/me the last 3 weeks has an Accord wagon with over 150,000 miles on it and it's looking sweet. Hondas will last forever and a day. If your mom is looking for something new, might want to check with your local Honda dealership as I heard today from a manager at work that Honda has GREATLY lowered the 'money factor' on 4-year lease financing on new Civics only (and the APR for purchase financing is down to 1.9%). My sister was thinking of dumping her '95 Grand Caravan for a Honda and I called her tonight with that news and she is coming in to look them over. Check your dealers' lots for Certified pre-owned Hondas, too, as those will come with a 12-month, 12,000 mile non-powertrain warranty and a 7-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty here for more warranty info

Hope that helps and best of luck!

 

[dethman]

grand am = ew.

 

[tnguyen88]

The new accord is a pretty good buy, so is the new Camary. You may also want to consider one of the new Civics if money is an issue. Either way, you can't really go wrong with either of those cars. In the end it'll all come out to personal choice between them.

As far as the Grand Am and Focus go... I'd avoid them. Pontiacs (as well as most GM's), Fords and most American cars tend to have pretty cheap, plastic interiors from my experiences. Sometimes it feels like the car's going to shake apart

 

[Willoughbyva]

Try Edmunds they have forums and stuff there too.

Personally I would go with a GM car. Nice V6 like the 3800. Parts are pretty cheap for the most part. I just bought a 1992 Buick Lesabre Limited and like it very much. I had to replace the starter, but it was very inexpensive. It gets about 24 mpg which isn't to bad for what the car is. It drives and rides like a dream.

Before I had this car I had a 1990 Chevy Lumina Euro. It had a 3.1 V6 and the engine is leaking anti-freeze at 274,000 miles. I have had it since it had about 140,000. All I have had to do is general maintenance. I did have to replace the altanator and a fuel regulator on it. Other than that it was pretty trustworthy. If you get a V6 or just about any car make sure to get one with overdrive.

Personally I like to stick to a domestic vehicle with a V6 or V8 cylinder. Mostly because there is a salvage yard around here that has very good prices. Most of the GM cars have similar drivetrains and a lot of the parts are interchangable. Plus somewhere like autozone will sell stuff cheaper for demestic (at least from what I have experienced). I don't really trust Ford or Dodge/Chrysler unless it is dealing with their trucks.