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LOOK DAMNIT, CHOOSE A CAR FOR ME :) ***SPEND MY $8000!!!*** EDIT: NOW WITH NEW QUESTION!!

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DuffmanOhYeah

Golden Member
Ok, well, some of you may remember my posts about my honey of a car (88 Dodge Aries), but it looks like she is on her last legs. 🙁 My best guess is that she has blown her head gasket, and I am unwilling to pay 600 to get it replaced as her blue book is like 550. Anyway, I figure it is the head gasket cause A: she is losing coolant like a bastard, and B: now when I check the oil dipstick, the oil is all orange and frothy which makes me think that the coolant is passing into a cylinder or cylinders and is mixing with the oil. Think that may also account for her really rough idling as of late too. But I digress

So it seems that it may be time to get a replacement. I would like to spend no more than 8000 and I am looking for reliability. I won't be ricing, and I DON'T need to go fast, so please no recommendations for like a 91 supra. I have been looking at 3 cars in particular, a Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, and a Toyota Camry. I would also like to keep mileage as low as possible, hopefully under 60k. What do you all think? Feel free to make recommendations or suggestions. Thanks.

Edit: Seems like I can find a relative abundance of somewhat older cars (92-95) with like 100k-130k miles on them. Most of them are Toyota's (Avalon/Camry), a nice 94 Infiniti Q45, and several Lexus ES30's. Now the question is, what does everyone think about a car with these kinds of miles on them? Is it stupid to even be looking at them? I guess I have heard that the timing belt is a major concern on higher mileage vehicles. Is there anything else to be worried about other that general wear and tear? Does anyone have any experience with one of these cars in the higher mileage range?
 
'88 k car to an 8000 car. Nice upgrade!

I'd recommend the Maxima if only because it's faster than the other two...I know speed may not be your thing, but still...now if you want ultimate reliability the maxima is also going to probably be slightly older than the other two for the same price so that means you have to choose between altima and camry. Not that I have any stats but I'd say the camry could be a bit more reliable although the Altima is a tad newer so that will help as well. Really depends what's available locally. If you have the effort I'd recommend a private sale because you go to a used dealer and you're likely to pay more. Remember to use carfax! And getting it checked out by a mechanic is a good idea as well.
 
If you can find one for the right price, I'd recommend a Maxima. I know you said you didn't want to go fast but a six cylinder engine is a nice thing to have 🙂 Hondas also have a good track record with longevity and reliability. (This from an AT car girl)
 


<< '88 k car to an 8000 car. Nice upgrade! >>


Yeah, truth be told though, Id still rather keep my baby. 🙁

So Im seeing two votes for a maxima, does anyone recall offhand if they require premium? That might also be a factor, although potentially not a big one.
 
Maxima's do require premium. We have had a couple, and they are super cars. Of those you listed, that would be my choice. Ever consider a Mazda Protege? Great handiling car that can be picked up for ubercheap used.
 
Of the choices listed, I'd say an Altima. Every considered a Honda Civic? Last forever and fun to drive too. I like em better than Altima's and Maxima's definitally.
 


<< Of the choices listed, I'd say an Altima. Every considered a Honda Civic? Last forever and fun to drive too. I like em better than Altima's and Maxima's definitally. >>


Yeah, but a civic is a little small for my taste. Im looking for something midsize or larger.
 
id say go with the protege. nice car and itll save you a bundle of cash. otherwise go with the altima. ive driven the maxima and it was ok. but the altima is better value for the money in my opinion.
 
any of the Nissans.. i'm a die hard Nissan fan... you would be satisfied with either the Maxima or the Altima, the Maxima always has a bit more power than the Altima though. - if your head gasket is done (which is infamous on those cars) then you'd be seeing white smoke with coolant loss. if you aren't seeing white smoke, well it's probably going into your oilpan or something via a cracked block.. hahaha
my friends sundance had this type of problem.. the car had 330,000 kms so he couldn't complain.. it was burning oil, but no blue smoke. we checked the rad one day because the car had started running warm recently, and the rad was filled with oil and sludge, there was a part explanation! he burned a bit of white smoke on startup too, there was definitely problems, the car was totally slow and had like no compression.. anyways, i know exactly what you're talking about with your car. 🙂 I didn't want to get rid of my 88 LeBaron too... the mechanics of my car unlike yours were MINT.. 'cept the car was getting rotten underneath, but with a mere 250,000 kms it was running like a champ.

I'd recommend the Alty or the Max.
 
Back in August, I found a loaded altima 4-door GXE for 8 grand from a nissan dealership. You'll probably be able to get one of those down to like 7.5? It was a nice car. I could have afforded the 8 grand, but after tax and everything, it would be about 8800 out the door. 800 too much, so now I'm driving my mom's Camry. Great car, but I woulda liked the lil extra power.
 


<< any of the Nissans.. i'm a die hard Nissan fan... you would be satisfied with either the Maxima or the Altima, the Maxima always has a bit more power than the Altima though. - if your head gasket is done (which is infamous on those cars) then you'd be seeing white smoke with coolant loss. if you aren't seeing white smoke, well it's probably going into your oilpan or something via a cracked block.. hahaha
my friends sundance had this type of problem.. the car had 330,000 kms so he couldn't complain.. it was burning oil, but no blue smoke. we checked the rad one day because the car had started running warm recently, and the rad was filled with oil and sludge, there was a part explanation! he burned a bit of white smoke on startup too, there was definitely problems, the car was totally slow and had like no compression.. anyways, i know exactly what you're talking about with your car. 🙂 I didn't want to get rid of my 88 LeBaron too... the mechanics of my car unlike yours were MINT.. 'cept the car was getting rotten underneath, but with a mere 250,000 kms it was running like a champ.

I'd recommend the Alty or the Max. >>


Yup, you got it pretty much right on. I do see white smoke on startup and for a few minutes after. Quite a bit out the exhaust and some coming from between the block and the firewall, so I can't see the source. And yeah, I think the block got cracked like 6 years ago......totally my Mom's fault. She was driving back home from taking my sister to Penn State, and right out of happy valley, the car temp was way above redline. She said she was "too scared to stop driving" (I could kick her for that by the way) so she drove about 150 miles on BONE DRY radiatior. Impressive that the car has gone this long after that I suppose. Ah well, nothing I can do about it now.

So I gues it is maxima hunting for me. Although I have seen several reasonably priced Acuras in my search. One 1992 Vigor with about 150k, and a 1996 TL also with like 150k. Higher miles than I would like, but NICE cars. Anyone have any experience?
 


<< Back in August, I found a loaded altima 4-door GXE for 8 grand from a nissan dealership. You'll probably be able to get one of those down to like 7.5? It was a nice car. I could have afforded the 8 grand, but after tax and everything, it would be about 8800 out the door. 800 too much, so now I'm driving my mom's Camry. Great car, but I woulda liked the lil extra power. >>


What market are you in? Im in the DC area, so Im guessing things are just a little more expensive here. Do you remember ow many miles were on the one you were looking at?
 
I'd suggest a 240SX?? My family just bought one, it was a '95 240SX fully loaded 5-spd with 113K kms (~75k mi) and we got it for $12k CDN ($~7k USD).

Great car, not to fast, but damn fun to drive and WICKED handling. Oh..really comfortable (if your hte driver).

update: remembered your post..you wanted a bigger car...then I'd suggest a Maxima.
 
Hm. Looking at your taste for cars (reliability, low mileage, etc.) you might want to look at the Hyundai Elantra. A friend of mine just bought a 1998 Elantra with 40k miles on it for $5,000 that has a warranty up to 100k miles. I know Hyundai isn't very popular, but I drove this car and it's really nice for the price tag.

Looks like a 1999 Elantra can be bought for about $8,000 (Edmunds)
 
HMMmmmm, seems like Im not really finding any Maximas that meet my criteria: Under 60k and $8000.
I have found a 97 Camry and a 96 Acura TL that do fit though. What do people think about these?

Also, where else should I be looking. I have used autotrader.com, cars.com, carpoint.com and autobytel.com. Does anyone else know a good place to find listings? Again, thanks for all the advice guys, it is appreciated.
 
Ok, I have also found some early model Lexus ES 300's (92-94) from between 80k and 140k miles. How do you guys think that these will hold up? Consumer reports seems to think that they have an excellent reliability rating. Does anyone have any personal experience? How trouble free do you think these might be after these mile marks?
 
Lexus is made by Toyota, thats why they have a good reliability rating.
Lexus, Infinity or Toyota would be awesome... one of the best for being well built. I would lean towards the Toyota side if I was you, because you arn't looking for speed. Most Lexus and Infinity cars aim a little more towards performance which means a tad bit more cash.. you could get a newer toyota for less money and have great reliability - you just won't be going as fast.
 
A prelude would be good if you like sportscars - but the maxima is your best choice. I just bought an '89 maxima in almost showroom condition w/ 50k miles(yep, you read that right) for $3,000 from an old man. He was 82! At least he took care of the car - no I just have to get the Old Man smell out of it...... 🙁
 


<< A prelude would be good if you like sportscars - but the maxima is your best choice. I just bought an '89 maxima in almost showroom condition w/ 50k miles(yep, you read that right) for $3,000 from an old man. He was 82! At least he took care of the car - no I just have to get the Old Man smell out of it...... 🙁 >>


:Q Holy Crap that is a good deal. An 89 with only 50k on it??? Seems like it would be worth the old man smell. 🙂 I don't think Im gonna go with a spotry car though. More like a sedan of some sort. A maxima sounds nice, but I really can't find one in my area that fits the bill Im looking for. I think as of right now, the front runners are 97/98 Altima, 92-94 Lexus ES300, 97 Camry, 96 Acura TL, and an outside possibility of a 92 Acura Vigor. This is of course all subject to these cars being available. With my luck, I sure that when I call tomorrow, all of these cars will be gone, and I will have to start all over again.
 
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