Used cars: Legacy GT vs Park Ave Ultra vs Acura TL

[Xyclone]

Well, the time has come to buy a new (used) car. I have about $9,500 saved up for the purchase, and am reviewing a few options. I will either spend $3,300 on a 1994 Buick Park Avenue Ultra, and save up to buy a 3rd gen Acura TL/TL-S ($12.5k - $15k) in a year or two, or buy a <$10k car outright.

Options:


a.) 2005 Subaru Legacy GT w/ 102,000 miles

I've always liked this car: the clean, sophisticated exterior styling, the smooth lines, etc. But how is the interior quality? And more important yet, how is the reliability? I am a poor college student.

Pros:
-2.5l Turbo Boxer engine (lots of power)
-Exterior Styling
-Great handling

Cons:
-Too many miles for a Subaru (how's reliability at the 150,000+ mile mark?)
-Supposedly cheap interior
-Cloth seats, but nice cloth
-Not getting enough car for the money?
-Is it comfortable enough for the handling it provides?


b.) 1994 Buick Park Avenue Ultra w/ 66k miles

I really dig this car. It has great exterior styling (1992-1996), taken after the Jaguar XJ. It's extremely reliable (GM 3800 V6 engine w/ supercharger), built to high quality standards, etc. And, it's so cheap!

Pros:
-Impeccable comfort (important to me)
-Great quality interior
-High quality Leather seats
-Exterior styling
-Low profile (not a cop magnet)
-Amazingly low price
-Lots of power (Eaton supercharger w/ "Ultra" model)

Cons:
-Handling, due to a soft suspension
-The car is "old"

c.) Acura TL (3rd gen, ~2004)

This is only an option if I buy the Buick now, and save up to buy this car in a year. This is unless I purchase a 2nd gen TL, for example a 2002 TL-S w/ 100,000 miles for $9.5k, which I don't want to do. I think the 2nd gen TL looks a bit boring, like an Accord, and it probably drives the same way.


So, beautiful people of AT, what do you think?

 

[Throckmorton]

You like the Buick's styling? It looks like a swollen Bugs Bunny

Oldsmobile's rebadge looked better

 

[JulesMaximus]

You like the Buick's styling? It looks like a swollen Bugs Bunny

Oldsmobile's rebadge looked better

They both look like ass.

Get the Acura. Best car of the lot by far.

 

[punjabiplaya]

yeah I was going to suggest the Acura too, but if the Buick breaks, I don't know what you plan on doing.

 

[Throckmorton]

Just buy the Buick. Then you'll have a lot of money saved to spend on repairs, tires, etc etc.

 

[Bignate603]

Personally, I'd probably buy the buick and just drive the thing into the ground. It should easily last a few years and over that time you can save up for what you really want.

 

[saratoga172]

Look for a late 90's model Buick Riviera. Soft handling and drives like a boat, but with the SC it's pretty damn quick for its size. Super comfortable as well. And I liked the styling on it a lot.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=1996+buick+riviera

 

[Throckmorton]

Don't forget the Aurora. What a beautiful car

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Oldsmobile LSS

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LSS-...3562183?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item415d063547

Go with the Buick.

 

[kaerflog]

What the hell ?? That Buick is not a car, its a pontoon.

 

[A5]

I had a 1993 Park Avenue (non-Ultra) as my high school car. Thoughts in bold below.

b.) 1994 Buick Park Avenue Ultra w/ 66k miles

I really dig this car. It has great exterior styling (1992-1996), taken after the Jaguar XJ. It's extremely reliable (GM 3800 V6 engine w/ supercharger), built to high quality standards, etc. And, it's so cheap!

Pros:
-Impeccable comfort (important to me)
-Great quality interior. Meh. Fit and finish was fine, but the layout and amenities are severely dated.
-High quality Leather seats. Unless the Ultra has different leather than the optional upgrade leather on the base, this isn't even kind of true by modern standards. Feels more like vinyl.
-Exterior styling. Strongly disagree, but I guess that's subjective
-Low profile (not a cop magnet)
-Amazingly low price
-Lots of power (Eaton supercharger w/ "Ultra" model)

Cons:
-Handling, due to a soft suspension. This is true. Calling what this thing does "handling" is being generous.
-The car is "old"

Like others have said, the TL is by far the best car you listed here. You seem to have some infatuation with the Park Avenue, but I can tell you that it wouldn't last long once you had to drive it every day.

 

[Tristicus]

How the hell can you think that Buick looks good?

 

[T2urtle]

I'm a lgt fan based on awd, boost and that motor should be able to take some abuse. its not that far from a grown up sti, in terms of power.



- tapatalk

 

[JulesMaximus]

Don't forget the Aurora. What a beautiful car

:thumbsdown: Another snoozer from GM. The original Aurora wasn't bad but they really made it look generiatric with this version.

 

[sdifox]

as long as the gaskets of the subie has been taken care of, you should be fine.

 

[alphatarget1]

I actually think the interior materials of the legacy is pretty nice. I have one of those right at the mileage you are looking at. No major problems so far. Just make sure the timing belt is changed.

 

[Throckmorton]

:thumbsdown: Another snoozer from GM. The original Aurora wasn't bad but they really made it look generiatric with this version.

It looks clean and modern. Closer to an Audi than a Pontiac. Compare it to the other frumpy cars from that era.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

It looks clean and modern. Closer to an Audi than a Pontiac. Compare it to the other frumpy cars from that era.

Seriously - The 2nd gen Aurora is an extremely clean & fluid design that looks great. Olds did well in the early 00's with the Aurora & Intrigue.