YACT - Best Used Car for 14K?

[Britboy]

I am interested in buying a used car in a few months, here are my requirements:

• Four door sedan as I have a 1 year old and need a car seat in the back

• Safety is important

• Reliability is top priority as I will be keeping it for a long time

• Prefer a slightly older vehicle with more creature comforts than a newer more basic car

• I plan on keeping it a long time, my current car is a 1990 Accord w/200K on it

Here's what I have looked at so far:

• Honda Accord EX 2001/2002 - Found out has transmission problems that could cost $3K to fix, so out of the running

• Acura TL 2001 - Same transmission problems as the EX

• Toyota Avalon 2001 - Engine sludge issue, $4500 to fix, maybe not a concern with regular oil changes

So far the Avalon is my top choice as the engine sludge issue is covered for 8 years and I would change the oil regularly. Yes I do wish I could buy something more fun but that kind of car will have to wait!

Thanks for your input.

 

[nakedfrog]

1998-2001 Volvo wagon.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Late 90's/early 2000's Subaru Legacy. Very very reliable, nice interiors IMO, above average safety, reasonable mileage (23/28 IIRC), AWD, and fun to drive

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: Britboy

So far the Avalon is my top choice as the engine sludge issue is covered for 8 years and I would change the oil regularly. Yes I do wish I could buy something more fun but that kind of car will have to wait!

Thanks for your input.

Why can't you get something more interesting? Do you need a car as large as the Avalon?

How about a slightly used Mazda 6 or a Saab 9-5?

 

[Gand1]

A Saab?!?!? sheesh why not get a Puegot instead! I think reliable was in his equation.

 

[swtethan]

volvo wagon, maybe even an R... or the cross country

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: swtethan
volvo wagon, maybe even an R... or the cross country

Yep, turbo, AWD, loads of amenities and lots of room to haul stuff, good safety...

 

[vi edit]

Maxima/Altima SE? Nissan's only real hiccup are weak rotors, but that is hit or miss. Otherwise they are pretty reliable vehicles. Timing chains instead of belts, roomy & comfortable interiors, and good crash ratings.

Plus the resale isn't as high as Toyota/Honda so you can get a newer, lower milage car for the same $$.

***This post is Skoorb approved***

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: Gand1
A Saab?!?!? sheesh why not get a Puegot instead! I think reliable was in his equation.

New saabs are ranked relatively well on reliablity surveys, and due to their low resale values you can get a newer one very cheaply. Problem History Any issues to worry about were dealt with during the 1st or second year of production. The only thing to worry about is engine sludge (just like with the avalon) so you should get one with good maintenance records.

 

[Britboy]

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. I like the look of the Saab 9-5 - Nice ride!, the reliability issues mentioned on carpoint didn't look all that big of a deal.

I will check out the rest of the models when I get time.

My biggest fear is for a car to turn into a money pit after it gets over 100K on the clock. My 90 accord is going strong after 16 years, I've spent less than $1000 total in the past 8 years on maintenance. I'm a cheap bastard!

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Britboy
My biggest fear is for a car to turn into a money pit after it gets over 100K on the clock. My 90 accord is going strong after 16 years, I've spent less than $1000 total in the past 8 years on maintenance. I'm a cheap bastard!

See my sig

Headgasket went at 173K (known engine defect), replaced front CV axles at 205K ('cuz I beat 'em to death), normal maintenance otherwise.

 

[cmdavid]

toyota camry...

 

[xanis]

Take a look at used 2000-2004 Acura TLs. Most have around 50K miles or less and are very dependable.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Gand1
A Saab?!?!? sheesh why not get a Puegot instead! I think reliable was in his equation.

Do they actually sell Peugots here?

 

[Gand1]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Gand1
A Saab?!?!? sheesh why not get a Puegot instead! I think reliable was in his equation.

Do they actually sell Peugots here?

Not sure but I'm not willing to find out either you Volvo humper you!

 

[Britboy]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Maxima/Altima SE? Nissan's only real hiccup are weak rotors, but that is hit or miss. Otherwise they are pretty reliable vehicles. Timing chains instead of belts, roomy & comfortable interiors, and good crash ratings.

Plus the resale isn't as high as Toyota/Honda so you can get a newer, lower milage car for the same $$.

***This post is Skoorb approved***

After some research a 2001/2002 Maxima is now my #1 choice. Only concerns I can see are the rotors as you mentioned, failure of the MAF ($600) or someone stealing the headlights (I would guess that to be fairly unlikely around here).

 

[mrchan]

Originally posted by: Britboy

• Honda Accord EX 2001/2002 - Found out has transmission problems that could cost $3K to fix, so out of the running

The 01's have an extended powertrain warranty, 7 years (maybe 10)/100,000 miles. Even after the warranty, most people have been getting goodwill warranties where they only pay the $500-$700 for labor, and Honda pays for the tranny.

The 02's do not have the problem.

 

[Ornery]

1. Best bang for the buck by far!

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: Ornery

1. Best bang for the buck by far!

Haha, I read this and the avatar matched and I thought I had posted this!

anyway, here is me and my 1997 Lincoln Town Car (Cartier, not signature) - picked it up on tuesday. Fantastic car, mine is in excellent shape (has the new part aluminum intake manifold, new air shocks, ~80k on the clock, very clean, well maintained).

http://img64.imageshack.us/my.php?image=car9tb.jpg

 

[RapidSnail]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus

Originally posted by: Ornery

1. Best bang for the buck by far!

Haha, I read this and the avatar matched and I thought I had posted this!

anyway, here is me and my 1997 Lincoln Town Car (Cartier, not signature) - picked it up on tuesday. Fantastic car, mine is in excellent shape (has the new part aluminum intake manifold, new air shocks, ~80k on the clock, very clean, well maintained).

http://img64.imageshack.us/my.php?image=car9tb.jpg

How much?

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: RapidSnail

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus

Originally posted by: Ornery

1. Best bang for the buck by far!

Haha, I read this and the avatar matched and I thought I had posted this!

anyway, here is me and my 1997 Lincoln Town Car (Cartier, not signature) - picked it up on tuesday. Fantastic car, mine is in excellent shape (has the new part aluminum intake manifold, new air shocks, ~80k on the clock, very clean, well maintained).

http://img64.imageshack.us/my.php?image=car9tb.jpg

How much?

7, from a dealer. The site Ornery links to listed dealer for a cartier at 7.6, KBB said 8.7, so I'm happy with the purchase.

edit - the site ornery links has an overview - here's a good quote:

That floaty suspension won't be disturbed a bit by expansion joints, pot holes or the occasional Honda Accord.

Its true. You hear expansion joints, you don't feel them. Same thing with little imports.

 

[Ornery]

Just installed two air springs on mine a couple weeks ago. About two hours labor and $160.00 for the parts. I can live with that. My turn signal was "rebuilt" by me last Friday. An hour's work and no charge for parts! Funny thing is, I don't mind working on it. It's over ten years old, so I expect things to break, but haven't had to deal with much of anything. Last thing I worked on before the springs was a $15.00 coolant temperature sensor last year.

I dare the OP to test drive one. I'll be damned if he doesn't like it!

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I absolutely love Lincoln Town Cars. Most likely going to be my college car. That or a Chevy Tahoe. Fuel efficiency is important nowadays, but i simply cant fit in small cars without the steering wheel being between my legs.

 

[Britboy]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Just installed two air springs on mine a couple weeks ago. About two hours labor and $160.00 for the parts. I can live with that. My turn signal was "rebuilt" by me last Friday. An hour's work and no charge for parts! Funny thing is, I don't mind working on it. It's over ten years old, so I expect things to break, but haven't had to deal with much of anything. Last thing I worked on before the springs was a $15.00 coolant temperature sensor last year.

I dare the OP to test drive one. I'll be damned if he doesn't like it!

No doubt I like the LTC! several years back we used to rent those things for road trips, in fact it was probably a '96 or '97 model. I drove one all the way from the Midwest to New Orleans, then on to Dallas and back. Some days we spent 8+ hours and it was incredibly comfortable. Also took one on a trip to Chicago, we had 9 people in at one point driving round the city. Before we returned it we took it to a huge parking lot and did donuts in the rain

I was considering a used DeVille at one point, they also seem to be a great value used. I think the gas mileage and perceived maintenance costs put me off and made me start thinking about a smaller 'more sensible' car

 

[Ornery]

Gah! Don't cmpare it to any domestic FWD. It has none of the troubles and costs associated with that kind of platform.