Looking for a used car

[Occ]

So right now I've got a 97 Ford Explorer with 150000 miles. It's been really good up to this point in terms of reliability, my parents bought it new, I learned to drive with it, took it to college, and they gave it to me as a grad present (unfortunately invalidating it's usefulness as a Clunker for Cash which was announced about a month later). It's never needed anything beyond oil changes, brakes, and once I put a new air filter in it. However, it is beginning to show its age. Radiator fluid is (slowly) leaking and the engine is burning it. The ball joints need to be replaced. It's time for new brakes. When idling it vibrates side to side. I can floor it at 60 and nothing happens. It creaks over even mild speed bumps. Gas mileage has never been its strong suit. The mechanic I took it to estimated the engine would last to 180,000 miles.

I'll miss it for the nostalgic value, but I'm also tired of driving it. I use my motorcycle to commute 50 miles a day and pretty much take the bike regardless of weather, because I hate taking the Explorer (also, HOV, Express lanes). However, after getting some flat tires and so forth resulting in some downtime for the bike, I have determined I need a better backup for the motorcycle. I'm not really set on a replacement, but lately I've been hearing good things about the Nissan Maxima. I'm not looking for an uber performance car, just something at least somewhat fun to drive, is reliable, doesn't get atrocious gas mileage, can be worked on, etc. Low profile (the Explorer is basically invisible to police I've decided... unlike my bike). Under $10k after tax (which is 10% :thumbsdown. Older Maximas seems to meet these criteria.

I've been keeping an eye on Craigslist, thinking probably I'm looking for 2000-2003 year models. However, these tend to have quite a few miles around the $5k price point and ones with sub 100k miles tend to run right up against my $10k line. Also, finding non-gold ones with a manual transmission is apparently really difficult. However, I found a 1993 Nissan Maxima with 80k miles. Owner is asking ~$3000. I'm interested, but want some opinions before pursuing. A 1993 is going to be 20 years old in 3 years. How important is Age vs Mileage? Provided I like driving it, I don't have a problem with dumping money into it to keep it running smoothly provided nothing major goes (i.e. an engine that blows up). I figure the difference of my car budget would just get shelved into an account set aside for car repairs. Also keep in mind in this is going to be a backup vehicle at least 6 months out of the year.

Also, I don't really have a mechanic, should I get it to a Nissan dealer and have them do an inspection? The local Ford dealer seemed to do a reasonably good one on my Explorer for free.

Cliffs:
- Drive 97 Ford Explorer with 150k miles
- Want something smaller, faster, more efficient, good bang for $$$
- Absolute max budget is $10k after taxes and so forth, prefer sub $8k
- 93 Maxima with 80k miles for $3k worth pursuing?

 

[desy]

Mazda 6 too
nothing wrong with a maxima, 93 is too old for 'reliable'

 

[Occ]

Problems are expected. I guess in this instance I am thinking by reliable if I fix something, it will stay that way for a reasonable period of time.

 

[Arkaign]

A 93 can be pretty solid, but at that age you have to realize a lot of things like seals, hoses, suspension bushings, etc can be worn just from age and exposure to humidity/temperature cycles. It varies depending on climate and usage obviously. For $3k if it's a solidly taken care of vehicle it could be a decent deal.

Honestly throwing a few more g's in there will help you a lot though. I've seen '05-'07 Focus 5mt and very low miles sell for $5-$6k pretty commonly, and they have :

Excellent reliability (Duratec motor, like the VQ it uses chain vs. belt)
Excellent fuel economy (I get 30+mpg in mixed driving, and break 40mpg on highway)
Easy to work on
Excellent safety ratings
Dirt cheap insurance

Another thing to think about, which is always worth pointing out, is that it's often better to just look at everything that comes across in your area within your budget and scour for gems that you might not even have really been looking for. Trying to find a particular model in some markets at a certain price with certain features can be maddeningly frustrating, but by opening the possibilities up you may stumble on something great.

 

[Pulsar]

There's a pretty big change in quality from 93 to 2003. In fact, a huge change.

Have you checked out Fusions?

I was able to find 9 Fusions under 10 grand with under 80k miles within 100 miles of myself. There's likely to be a lot fewer issues on a car that's a decade newer.

 

[Vette73]

Look for an Impala or mid-size buick. Great cars that are cheap when used.

 

[StageLeft]

'93 maxima for 3k DO NOT WANT.

I sold a 2000 maxima this year with a 5 speed and 134k in superb condition for $4k. I was eager to let it go (nice car but I hate selling cars) but a 2002 with 100k you can have for $7kish, I'm sure of it because I've seen a few of those.

 

[CraigRT]

Maxima is a great car and it's why I ended up with one also.

If you want the most reliable of the mix you want the '00/'01. The VQ30DE-K is a better engine in a few regards. It does not have the raw power of the VQ35DE ('02/'03) but does seem to have less finicky problems. I speak from experience. my dad has a 2k, and I have a 2k2.

I would not give up the VQ35, but I also don't mind working on my cars.

The VQ30 just goes, never an issue, never anything to do. The VQ35 takes some attention. it's not really the engine that's bad, its what's attached to it. (and they are also known to burn oil whereas the 3L does not ever.)

Try to find a 2001 Anniversary edition, one of the best Maximas ever.

 

[Occ]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I looked around and all the Ford Fusions in my area are only just under $10k. I'm really more comfortable around $8k, the upper limit would have to be for a car I was excited about. The Fusion doesn't really do anything for me.

I have indeed heard good things about the 2001 Maxima, but haven't found any likely candidates yet, so I was looking to expand the pool of cars I was looking at. I'm looking at something just a step above a true econobox... the Focus looks interesting though, need to sort out all the different types (zx3, se, ...). Originally I was looking at Mazda3s with the 2.3 engine, for reference. Is there a "sporty" version of the Altima worth looking into?

 

[angry hampster]

Late (2003-2005) Volkswagen GTI. These years are nearly problem free and the 1.8 Turbo motor gets great mileage. The VR6 is more fun though.

 

[Occ]

I honestly like the GTI but I've heard bad things about VW cars... apparently their electrical systems like to go out or something?

 

[TraumaRN]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I looked around and all the Ford Fusions in my area are only just under $10k. I'm really more comfortable around $8k, the upper limit would have to be for a car I was excited about. The Fusion doesn't really do anything for me.

I have indeed heard good things about the 2001 Maxima, but haven't found any likely candidates yet, so I was looking to expand the pool of cars I was looking at. I'm looking at something just a step above a true econobox... the Focus looks interesting though, need to sort out all the different types (zx3, se, ...). Originally I was looking at Mazda3s with the 2.3 engine, for reference. Is there a "sporty" version of the Altima worth looking into?

Focus might be win for you. We bought my wife one for 11K out the door was a 2009 Focus SE with ~30K miles all highway. You could easily find an 07, maybe an 08 Focus for under 10K. They are fairly good handling wise, peppy, pretty good on gas(wife averages about 31-32MPG) and reliable. Easy to work on as well.

 

[Occ]

Hm, I really like what I'm seeing in the 2007 Focus ST... and there's one nearby for $25 under $10k . Think I will be doing a test drive after work.

 

[angry hampster]

I honestly like the GTI but I've heard bad things about VW cars... apparently their electrical systems like to go out or something?

Mine has 75000 miles (2003 model) and I haven't had a single electrical issue. Late 99-2001 GTIs were prone to ignition coil pack failure, but as I mentioned it was resolved mid-2002. To be honest, my GTI is a hell of a lot more reliable than my '97 Grand Cherokee was.