YACT! I have $8000 to Spend on a Car

[Jadow]

First off, my only criteria, I want a sedan, and of course will be getting a used car.

So, what should I be looking for in my price range? Used Taurus? What about Saturn Ion?

 

[sniperruff]

a 01-02 maxima

 

[funkymatt]

why would you want a taurus or a saturn?

get a honda or a toyota... or hyundai if you want some money left over.

 

[radioouman]

Get something that you like and don't worry about what we say.

 

[cmv]

Originally posted by: Jadow
First off, my only criteria, I want a sedan, and of course will be getting a used car.

So, what should I be looking for in my price range? Used Taurus? What about Saturn Ion?

- buy what you like
- most recent models aren't all that different in terms of ratings
- numbers obsessed people (and people who still trust Consumer Reports) will focus on small differences that aren't all that relevant over the life of a car
- if you obsess listen to those people
- if you don't have experience buying cars then get it inspected (and even if you do it doesn't hurt)
- buy what you like

Now back to recommendations to buy the most highly rated vehicle because the gas release button fails 3% less often then that of another model.

 

[TruePaige]

A VW Passat/Jetta

 

[Xyclone]

Originally posted by: cmv

Originally posted by: Jadow
First off, my only criteria, I want a sedan, and of course will be getting a used car.

So, what should I be looking for in my price range? Used Taurus? What about Saturn Ion?

- buy what you like
- most recent models aren't all that different in terms of ratings
- numbers obsessed people (and people who still trust Consumer Reports) will focus on small differences that aren't all that relevant over the life of a car
- if you obsess listen to those people
- if you don't have experience buying cars then get it inspected (and even if you do it doesn't hurt)
- buy what you like

Now back to recommendations to buy the most highly rated vehicle because the gas release button fails 3% less often then that of another model.

Umm, reliability isn't something you should overlook. If it's the transmission or engine or water pump that gets ruined its money out of your own pocket. You shouldn't say, "Oh, Consumer Reports states MK4 Jettas as unreliable, but screw em!"

 

[cmv]

Please carefully look into what CR rates on and how they rate if you're going to drink the kool aid.

 

[Xyclone]

Originally posted by: cmv
Please carefully look into what CR rates on and how they rate if you're going to drink the kool aid.

I know how they rate. Reliability is not part of their rating system. Mercedes cars rate high yet they're not recommended because they're not reliable. It's just the "those who still trust CR" that I was responding to.

 

[overst33r]

Buick Century or any GM with the 3800 should fit the bill nicely and leave you with money left over.

 

[cmv]

Originally posted by: Xyclone

Originally posted by: cmv
Please carefully look into what CR rates on and how they rate if you're going to drink the kool aid.

I know how they rate. Reliability is not part of their rating system. Mercedes cars rate high yet they're not recommended because they're not reliable. It's just the "those who still trust CR" that I was responding to.

Well I don't want to turn this into a CR thread so we'll have to agree to disagree. I'm firmly in the "screw CR" group.

Good luck Jadow.

 

[Ilikepiedoyou]

I was in the market about 3 weeks ago looking for the same thing, I checked out accords, passats, camrys, maximas.... I didn't car about speed, or apperance. My top three areas of comparrison were: reliability, safety, and fuel economy.

It came down to a maxima vs. saturn vs. a camry. The maxima requires premium fuel and has a v6. The mileage was much less than the camry and it got worse crash ratings. So I choose a camry. I could not be happier. Reliability wise I would stick with a saturn or the camry or the taurus is a good choice. Maximas have engine issues such as a knock sensor that tends to fail as well as 02 sensors. The passat has major reliability issues as well as the volvo I looked at. Both have various problems that cost over a grand such as rear mean seal and abs module on the volvo and electrical problems on the vw. Good Luck

 

[iversonyin]

No love for the accord? Are you kidding?

 

[Kerouactivist]

Corolla's are great cars when it comes to reliability and mpg....


For my next car here is my list
1. Comfortable ( I spend way to many hours driving to not be comfortable in my car)
2. mpg
3. reliability
4. Trunk space

My current vehicle pretty much is great at 3 outta the 4....wish it got better gas mileage though (1997 buick century) it's not aweful though

It all comes down to what you want though.....

 

[Shawn]

Honda Accord?

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: Jadow
First off, my only criteria, I want a sedan, and of course will be getting a used car.

So, what should I be looking for in my price range? Used Taurus? What about Saturn Ion?

The Ions were always kind of lousy.

 

[xanis]

Look into a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Both are reliable, get good gas mileage and are good all-around cars.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
Buick Century or any GM with the 3800 should fit the bill nicely and leave you with money left over.

Yeah a used American road cruiser isn't a bad choice. They work fine, definitely not the best cars to drive but hey neither are hondas, and they are dirt cheap. Also parts and maintenance are generally very cheap.

 

[Ilikepiedoyou]

what kind of mileage will you get with a 3.8 liter? that is a bit on the large side

 

[nonameo]

4 grand civic, save the rest.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Ilikepiedoyou
what kind of mileage will you get with a 3.8 liter? that is a bit on the large side

If you don't have metal in your right foot you can pull 30s on the hwy... City is prolly low 20s or high teens...

 

[Running]

i have a used lexus 96' es300 that i got for 6250. has 78K miles when i got it.

for 8k you could get like a 97' es300 with less mileage. they are comfortable cars and are very reliable.

 

[Davegod75]

Originally posted by: cmv
Please carefully look into what CR rates on and how they rate if you're going to drink the kool aid.

where do you suggest getting reliability ratings then? JD power?

 

[eits]

i bought a silver 2000 volvo s40 for just under $8000

 

[theeedude]

The answer is always whatever pre-2004 Maxima you can afford.