Looking For A Used Car

[desy]

Lets see, why the Buick?
Its in his budget and he'd get a lot newer one than a Avalon for the same $
Its easy to workon, reliable, and good on gas, He wants it in good condition, old guys buy Buicks and baby them and garage them.

"My Dad and I can do minor car repairs"
Did he asked what kind of car would take an engine swap? :roll:

 

[shawn130c]

Sorry Guys,

It has been a pretty busy week.

On the buick issue, its on the list but its near the end of the sedan list... I like the reliability, just that I like looks chevy cars alittle better. But I did a quick search and it appears some of the rendezvous have the 3800 v6 engine (I am assuming its the same one you guys are talking about). How is the rendezvous compared to other SUV that meet my criteria? I have seen a few of those around and they aren't the best looking around, but I like their looks more than the buick sedans.

Also just to settle any questions. Desy is right, even though I like a car that are easy to work on. A car that can have an engine easily dropped into is not something I am worried about or really considering. If I need to put an engine in it, I do not consider that a reliable car and I do not have enough experience or knowledge to do something like that. It would be nice to try someday, but with work and school there is very little time in the day to spend working on the car.

 

[shawn130c]

Well I bought a 2006 Equinox LS for 11500 today. I hope I didn't do too bad but I like it and I couldn't find anything anything in my price range/mileage/warranty that I liked after searching for a month online and in person. In addition my camry was getting worse and I was about to settle for a cheap sedan. I was really hoping for a trailblazer or xterra but either too high price, high mileage or no warranty/no haggle private parties.

So today, I was out car shopping at a dealer (yeah I know not the best idea for me but it couldn't hurt) and I saw a 06 Chevy Equinox LS with 43000 miles and retail/sticker was 13000. I liked the look and took it for a test drive and love the handling except at slower speeds is not the greatest.

I was able to negotiate out the door for 11300 (10200 + taxes, ect) and added a sekurit anti theft system for 200 (was able to haggle down from 600 but I cant seem to find the real price for one them so don't really know if that is a good deal but I get a insurance discount at least and don't have to deal with aftermarket systems) so about 11500 when I signed the check. Price seems ok, I checked edmunds and kbb and private parties (craiglist, auto fairs) and it seems like a good deal.

What I like:
Handling and Ride Quality on Highways
GM certified so I have 12000/1 year bumper to bumper and 60000 or untill 2011 untill powertrain warranty expires.
Interior space, especially the back seat
Looks (not as nice a trailblazer though)
Safety/Crash Test Rating
3 day/150 mile return policy (gm certified)
mpg about 19 mixed.
newer than other cars looking at
edmunds best bet


What I don't really like:
Alittle more than I wanted to pay but I think this is a better deal than some 9k suvs I was looking at.
slow speed steering
some slight rear view visibility issues
generic interior quality (but seating is nice)
location of some controls
taxes

Thanks for all the help from guys, I didn't really follow your recommendations but i got some valuable advice for what cars to look at and I don't think i would ever saw this model if I wasn't looking at the dealership for other models you mentioned. Also if it breaks at least I can't blame you guys

 

[desy]

Chev powertrains are good so you ushouldn't have to do anything major
Equinox is like a lot of Chevs, weak when they first come out and better and better through the product cycle
Unless your major offroading you won't miss the Xterra or Blazer and appreciate the better gas mileage