• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Picking out a project car - luxury/cruiser type...

mvbighead

mvbighead

Diamond Member
Well, in the next month I'll be moving into my new house which has a three car garage. I have two cars, and I'll be looking for a cheap (preferably less than $3-4k) car to work on.

Since I'll have my DD, I am hoping to learn and not rely solely on my mechanic for simple repairs. I guess you can say I've been inspired by the threads of Jlee and Fuzzydunlop. However, I am a long, long ways away from either of their levels.

So I come to ATG to ask for some ideas on what I should look for. As the title suggests, I am looking for something that can be used as a cruiser, and also take the DD job away from my 00 Jeep GC in the non-winter months. Since the GC tops out at 19-20MPG (averages 16 or so with mostly city driving), I am hoping to find something that tops out a bit closer to 30 (averaging 25ish).

Cars I have considered thus far are:

2000+ Cadillac Deville or Seville (leaning more towards Seville) - MPG ratings top at 28, so I'd guess an average of 23+ with mostly city driving, and closer to 25 as my new trip will be more hwy driving.

1998+ BMW (528i or similar) - Seems that the mileage doesn't get much higher than 25mpg tops though.

I will say that in my recent searchings for anything Cadillac, it seems headgasket problems run rampant in these cars. It also seems to me that the Northstar engine must be something of a PITA as various "head gasket sealants" have a special blend for Northstar engines. Based on this, it would seem that the Cadillac may not be a good idea... no? The plus side, however, is that I may find one cheap enough that I could get cracking and try to learn that sort of thing (though it may be something way, way beyond what I ever end up doing).

I would assume the BMW engine would be more reliable, but the parts might be a bit more costly.

Please offer up suggestions of any other models I should consider. I would like to shoot below 3k for the starting cost, and would like to find a vehicle that has a body that is in good shape, and preferably not have to take the entire engine apart. I have seen a few in this price range, so I know it isn't entirely unrealistic.

I look to you for suggestions.

EDIT:
Here is one car I would consider:
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/ctd/2543558768.html
 
Last edited:
I would think something like an old Avalon or Lexus or something along those lines. Will still be as reliable as a fork with 200k, but when it does need some TLC, you'll be able to find parts in stock within a mile of where you break down for pennies on the dollar.

Haven't looked at what a 90s LS400 goes for lately.

Northstar or BMW is asking for it for a first time fixer upper.
 
Last edited:
exdeath said:
I would think something like an old Avalon or Lexus or something along those lines. Will still be as reliable as a fork with 200k, but when it does need some TLC, you'll be able to find parts in stock within a mile of where you break down for pennies on the dollar.

Haven't looked at what a 90s LS400 goes for lately.

Northstar or BMW is asking for it for a first time fixer upper.
Click to expand...

Awesome, awesome suggestion!

http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/2531798098.html

Toyota had crossed my mind, but some of the bodies I see on them can be rather tarnished. I'll definitely take a look at the Avalon. Not sure why I didn't consider a Lexus before, but that looks like it may very well could be the route I end up taking.
 
The great thing about Lexus is that it's a Lexus, but its still as reliable and low maintenance as any Toyota.
 
Had an ls400 awesome car your mpg isn't gonna get much better then 22mpg the es300 nice car also had an is300 too favorite by far about 25-27mpg and its a fun car prices. Wise a mid 90's ls400 would fit your budget
 
I will say that in my brief bit of looking, the MPG on the 2000ish range of Lexi seems to be pretty poor. 22 or so vs the 25+ for the other cars. I'll be digging in further to find a more appropriate model. Granted, it won't be the end of the world if it isn't that high, but I really would like to see closer to an average of 25.
 
What about a lincoln LS?


I'd lean towards an e39 540... Great 'aftermarket/forum' support and they really aren't THAT horrible to work on.. Like any luxury car of this age you have to keep up with maintenance.. It starts out as a $300 waterpump & coolant flush but quickly turns into a $3000 cooling system overhaul if ignored.
 
Heh.. Water pump on a Lexus is $40 because it's just a dime a dozen 1MZ or whatever engine used in a bazillion other Toyota models.
 
SpatiallyAware said:
What about a lincoln LS?


I'd lean towards an e39 540... Great 'aftermarket/forum' support and they really aren't THAT horrible to work on.. Like any luxury car of this age you have to keep up with maintenance.. It starts out as a $300 waterpump & coolant flush but quickly turns into a $3000 cooling system overhaul if ignored.
Click to expand...

A big chunk-o-Detroit-iron would be fun. I'd be tempted to get a Crown Victoria/Lincoln MK5 or something similar, add supercharger, then profit.
 
mvbighead said:
I will say that in my brief bit of looking, the MPG on the 2000ish range of Lexi seems to be pretty poor. 22 or so vs the 25+ for the other cars. I'll be digging in further to find a more appropriate model. Granted, it won't be the end of the world if it isn't that high, but I really would like to see closer to an average of 25.
Click to expand...

Yeah big heavy fully loaded luxury vehicles with relatively underpowered engines working hard through slush boxes stuffed with pillows = crappy mileage. Pretty much sums up classic Toyota/Lexus engineering in the 90s early 00s :awe:
 
JulesMaximus said:
Lexus SC300/400. Fantastic sporty 2 door GT car.

Maybe an older 6 series coupe?
Click to expand...

Most likely trending away from coupes unless it is a stellar buy.

Also, I believe the Continental, Grand Marquis, and similar types of autos suggested are just a bit too big for me.
 
After just a bit of browsing, it seems like the ES300 (dates around 1996 or so) are decent mileage wise (tops at 26) and definitely within my price range. Thanks all for the suggestions, and if you have something that was left out above, let me know.

Right now, exdeath's comments have really steered me in a completely different direction, and all for good reasons. It'll be a little while before I buy, but I wanted to get in a fair amount of research prior to buying so I have a fair idea of what to expect. (Like my research on the Seville/Deville and the fairly common head gasket issues.) If the ES300 winds up being comfortable for me (I'm a taller guy), it very well may be the direction I go.
 
mvbighead said:
preferably not have to take the entire engine apart.
Click to expand...

Lol I missed this in your OP , yeah you don't want a Northstar then. You have to do just that, take the engine apart, to do something simple like a starter (it's in the block valley in the V under the intake manifold and stuff)
 
exdeath said:
Lol I missed this in your OP , yeah you don't want a Northstar then. You have to do just that, take the engine apart, to do something simple like a starter (it's in the block valley in the V under the intake manifold and stuff)
Click to expand...

I am soooo glad I made a post like this before just going out and getting started!

I am starting to settle in to a specific year of the ES300, which seems to be the 1996. Though, just as a check of what to expect for if a power window stops working, I checked and the prices are quite shocking when comparing a 1996 to 1997 for the window regulator/motor. The 96 seems to average at about $500+, while the 97 is about $70. I realize that this is just one part that may not encounter a problem with the vehicle, but why such a difference?

As an example, this seems to be about right:
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/cto/2542612570.html

and another one:
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/cto/2549489385.html
 
Last edited:
mvbighead said:
I am soooo glad I made a post like this before just going out and getting started!

I am starting to settle in to a specific year of the ES300, which seems to be the 1996. Though, just as a check of what to expect for if a power window stops working, I checked and the prices are quite shocking when comparing a 1996 to 1997 for the window regulator/motor. The 96 seems to average at about $500+, while the 97 is about $70. I realize that this is just one part that may not encounter a problem with the vehicle, but why such a difference?

As an example, this seems to be about right:
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/cto/2542612570.html

and another one:
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/cto/2549489385.html
Click to expand...

Perhaps it was a specialized part in 1996, and they switched to a cross-platform part in 97?
 
Don't know, is it a short lived platform that didn't have anything in common with other models? A prior generation that has parts out of production from Toyota and the one that replaced it shared parts across lines, etc. 96 to 97 saw a lot of completely new platforms and 96 was the last year for many chassis.

Sometimes a new model gets introduced, say in 96, then totally changed in 97 with a new platform, leaving the 96 a one off oddball. The Avalon had something like that where they just rushed it out on a modified Camry chassis at first, now it has it's own platform at the top and serves to pioneer new technology which then trickles down.
 
Last edited:
My DD is basically what you're looking for. It's a 1997 Lincoln Town Car. Quiet, comfortable, and an interesting drive (never driven anything like it - it's like the anti-sportscar).

It has the benefits of being very well built, very reliable, and very easy to work on. I'd say a mid-90s Town Car that's been kept well will have just about enough problems to keep you interested, but is unlikely to break in a way that's a huge pain in the ass or drain on your wallet.

I'd say it's a way better choice than a big FWD Caddy, at least. I'd love an old 5 series but parts would be killer. When the big Lincoln breaks, parts are almost always cheap.

A nice one can be had for under 5 grand.
 
mvbighead said:
After just a bit of browsing, it seems like the ES300 (dates around 1996 or so) are decent mileage wise (tops at 26) and definitely within my price range. Thanks all for the suggestions, and if you have something that was left out above, let me know.

Right now, exdeath's comments have really steered me in a completely different direction, and all for good reasons. It'll be a little while before I buy, but I wanted to get in a fair amount of research prior to buying so I have a fair idea of what to expect. (Like my research on the Seville/Deville and the fairly common head gasket issues.) If the ES300 winds up being comfortable for me (I'm a taller guy), it very well may be the direction I go.
Click to expand...

One of the many reasons I like my 95 Camry so much as a beater/DD. 6'3" 200. I can just open the door and jump in or out in .01 seconds without having to duck or do a one leg at a time or anything special. Has more head and leg room front and rear than just about any other compact/mid size sedan I've rode in that isn't all out full size boat. Its something I take for granted and don't consider because to me it's just a given that all cars are similar. Until I sit in someone elses car and feel the hairs on the top of my head rubbing the head liner in a Altima or tilting my neck in the back seat of a Mazda 6 or something and otherwise just not feeling right.

Its slow and boring as hell, but for A to B transport, everything about it is just "right".
 
LordMorpheus said:
My DD is basically what you're looking for. It's a 1997 Lincoln Town Car. Quiet, comfortable, and an interesting drive (never driven anything like it - it's like the anti-sportscar).

It has the benefits of being very well built, very reliable, and very easy to work on. I'd say a mid-90s Town Car that's been kept well will have just about enough problems to keep you interested, but is unlikely to break in a way that's a huge pain in the ass or drain on your wallet.

I'd say it's a way better choice than a big FWD Caddy, at least. I'd love an old 5 series but parts would be killer. When the big Lincoln breaks, parts are almost always cheap.

A nice one can be had for under 5 grand.
Click to expand...

I have two issues that I don't think would allow me to go in that direction:

1) The mileage is not much different than my current DD:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/13635.shtml
vs
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/16356.shtml

2) The car is a bit too big for my tastes.

1 is really the sticker for me, as the 1996 Lexus ES300 gets 21 avg:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/12738.shtml

Essentially, 15. 18, and 21 are the respective numbers for MPG between the Jeep, Town Car, and ES300, so I'd wind up with a much better looking average in the ES300 than the Town Car, and an even more improved number over my current Jeep.
 
exdeath said:
I would think something like an old Avalon or Lexus or something along those lines. Will still be as reliable as a fork with 200k, but when it does need some TLC, you'll be able to find parts in stock within a mile of where you break down for pennies on the dollar.

Haven't looked at what a 90s LS400 goes for lately.

Northstar or BMW is asking for it for a first time fixer upper.
Click to expand...

A buddy at work has a well maintained LS400. Handles like a boat (at least compared to my E39), but man is it comfortable. Have sat in the back seat a few times, and it's absolutely snooze inducing (in a good way).

OP - the LS400 needs premium gas. Don't know if the ES has the same requirement?
 
mvbighead said:
I have two issues that I don't think would allow me to go in that direction:

1) The mileage is not much different than my current DD:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/13635.shtml
vs
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/16356.shtml

2) The car is a bit too big for my tastes.

1 is really the sticker for me, as the 1996 Lexus ES300 gets 21 avg:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/12738.shtml

Essentially, 15. 18, and 21 are the respective numbers for MPG between the Jeep, Town Car, and ES300, so I'd wind up with a much better looking average in the ES300 than the Town Car, and an even more improved number over my current Jeep.
Click to expand...

That's a fair point - it's got a longer wheelbase than most shortbed trucks.

The ES300 as a project car just seems sort of a waste - a Camry just doesn't seem as special as a big Lincoln, Caddy, or BMW.
 
I am really curious at up to 28MPG on a older Caddy esp one thats now 10+ years old.

Most cars like this that get into the high 20's only average high teens in the city.

Edmunds and KBB should have this info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top