Recommend a sedan/wagon/van

[IcePickFreak]

I really have no experience with Saabs, for whatever reason there is really not that many around this area. That 3.0L V6 in that Saturn you were looking at is used in some of them though, including some with a low boost turbo.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

The underlying Saab parts are all GM anyway, right? Shouldn't be too horrendous to repair.

Not really. The 9-3 is more GM than the 9-5 and the first year of the 9-3 wagon was 2006 so for his price range - stick to the 9-5.

For Saab - Avoid the V6 turbo found in the 9-5. Stick to the 2.3l Turbo 4cyl.

Cars require premium fuel and synthetic oil changes of the Mobil 1 variety. They are prone to sludge - so find one with good maintenance history.

 

[Eli]

Don't read into mileage too much. An extraordinarily well maintained car at 200k could easily be better than something at 100k that is going to need to have a bunch of money put into it because nothing has ever been done.

Used cars are always a gamble, though.

 

[NAC]

I'll second the opinion to avoid VW, Saab, Volvo. IMO, less reliable and more expensive to repair.

I'd also vote against Japanese - they hold their value too well, so your 5k will buy a beat up car with high mileage.

Therefore, IMO your money is best spent buying American. Mid or full sized sedans don't hold their value well. Neither do SUVs. Harder to find wagons.

So then it is a matter of preference: perhaps a Ford Exporer or Fusion, or similar GM product.

I live in Jersey, and I wouldn't buy a car in the city because the cars tend to be more beat up, and the values are higher - so you get less value for your money. If I were you I'd take a train ride to the burbs, or rent a car for a day to go car shopping.

 

[NAC]

Cars under 4500 within 25 miles of Hoboken:
The Focus wagon looks nice.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searc...rid=1389592&dma=NEW_YORK_SO&rdm=1315009826584

 

[vi edit]

I'll preface in saying that I'm an admitted VW lover. The 2000-2005 V6 Passat's weren't bad cars by any means. VW took a major black eye in reliability with coilpack issues on the Turbo 1.8t engine and some shoddy build parts on the Golfs and Jettas. Their arrogant and unfreindly dealer network also did them no favors. The Germany built Passats were pretty reliable cars if look at them objectively. Maintenance isn't cheap, but it's not unbearable if you have and independent shop to turn to.

They drive very nice, at the time they were litterally the safest car on the road, insurance was dirt cheap, they have great space and their milage is decent. And on top of that you can grab a 2002’ish for a song. Probably under $5000 depending on miles and condition. I wouldn't lump a V6 based Passat into the same class as many Volvo's, Saabs, and other Euro luxury cars when it comes to reliability. They are a nice value if you can get your hands on a clean one.

 

[vi edit]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...pe=b&num_records=25&cardist=23&standard=false

Whoops that was a 1.8t but you get the idea...

 

[slackerinabox]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...pe=b&num_records=25&cardist=23&standard=false

Whoops that was a 1.8t but you get the idea...

That's just so damn beautiful. I love VW from a distance (only cars I've owned were hyundai and nissan, not an expert at all!) but have been scared off by the electric issues I keep hearing about.... I suppose an extended warranty would help lessen the blow if I find a great deal. Domestic and VW it is, have a feeling we're going to end up with a Saturn just because the prices are insanely low around here.

On going to the burbs - great idea, we're getting a rental and hitting the road once my 2 week old seems like she can spend an entire day with grama.

 

[slackerinabox]

**UPDATE**
Finally bought a car - a 2002 Saturn Vue V6, AWD from ebay of all places. $3400 plus I picked up a deluxe extended warranty (bumper to bumper, not just drive train) for $2,000 for 5 years (transferable since I plan to sell the car in about 2 or 3 years, makes a nice premium for the buyer). Not glamorous in the least but the perfect size with plenty of space for groceries. Only issues were the need for new sparkplugs (waiting for my wife's grand dad to help me out on that) plus the stock radio was stuck in lock, quickly replaced for a Pioneer which adds ipod integration and bluetooth - all in all not bad at all for just a hair over my budget. It's def. not as glamorous as the VW or volvo we wanted at first but we couldn't afford glamor with our budget, and paying for a car in cash feels great - no car payment!


Thanks for all the suggestions, wasn't even considering GM until you guys suggested it!

 

[ponyo]

You paid $2k to warranty $3.4k car? 😵

It's likely that warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

 

[sdifox]

protege 5?

 

[slackerinabox]

You paid $2k to warranty $3.4k car? 😵

It's likely that warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

It seems silly but it's a top of the line warranty that covers everything even the power windows and has a $100 deductible. One transmission issue and the warranty pays for itself, and I have 5 years of coverage. They reimburse whatever I do not use if I chose to sell the car in 2 years (which I do). So I'm really paying $800 all said and done for the peace of mind. Their were cheaper drivetrain warranties available but this company has everything from road side assistance to rental car coverage (plus hotel/etc if I breakdown out of town). Besides, raising my budget to $5,000 didn't change the quality of vehicle at all.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Buick Rendezvous:

:awe: