YACT: thinking of getting a new car

[GasX]

I am getting married in two months and plan to start making babies right away. My 98 Contour has been giving me problems lately and the honeymoon is over. I still like the car, but it might be time for something new. My fiance's car is a beautiful 86 Mercedes 560SEC. We won't be getting rid of it as it is soon to be a collector's item. Since it is a two door, it's not going to be the best car for a family.

Given the above, I am contemplating getting a new car that could become the "family car" when the time comes. I prefer used and wouldn't want to spend more than $15,000 including whatever I get for my contour (which won't be as much as I'd hope it seems...)

Here are the criteria:

4 doors
6 cylinders
back seat leg room
>20mpg
2-4 years old
<40,000 miles

thoughts?

 

[Passions]

IS300 sounds perfect for you!

 

[BigSmooth]

Would you want a wagon? Or is it sedan/hatch only?

Edit: do you care if it's RWD/FWD/AWD?

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Would you want a wagon? Or is it sedan/hatch only?

Open to suggestions. A small SUV would work too I suppose (e.g. Ford Escape)

 

[Red]

Really nice Maxima / Infiniti I30. Or, take a look at Subaru Forresters for if you want a little more room.

 

[BigSmooth]

Don't know if the Contour has soured you on American cars, but if you want to keep it newer, they're your best bet. Something like a 1-2 year old used Stratus/Sebring sedan might fit your needs... you can get a relatively peppy V6, they have decent rear legroom, and the depreciation on them is stunning because they're often used as rental cars. Only concern (as you know) is reliability, but you could get a car with very low mileage and probably some factory warranty left.
Other possibilities: V6 versions of the Oldsmobile Aurora and Lincoln LS. Again, these are decent cars with heavy depreciation if you are willing to take a slightly greater risk with regard to reliability.

Other than that, the normal contenders apply... something like a used Altima/Maxima/Camcord/6 (if you can find one) are good bets.
Saab is an intriguing possibility. Although it's not a V6, you could easily get an '01 9-3 SE with the 205-horse high-output turbo 4 plus the versatility of a hatchback.

Oh, and if you really want to see some spectacular depreciation, you should look at Buicks.

 

[GasX]

If it wasn't so dodgy on reliability, I'd take a long look at the LS. It's a really nice ride.

I should take a look at the Saabs. I always liked them and have heard very good things about their long term reliability.

A Maxima / Accord will also be investigated further...

 

[Quixfire]

1970 Mustang Mach 1 w/428 SCJ...










I'll have one ready by the end of may.

 

[StageLeft]

I am getting married in two months and plan to start making babies right away.

ROFL!

Oh BTW you want a maxima. I'm not kidding at all. Maxima.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
1970 Mustang Mach 1 w/428 SCJ...










I'll have one ready by the end of may.

Grabber Blue?

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

I am getting married in two months and plan to start making babies right away.

ROFL!

Oh BTW you want a maxima. I'm not kidding at all. Maxima.

Quit proselytizing your Nissan religion. What's wrong with an Accord V-6 EX? How about a TL?

 

[LAUST]

Your Maxima has had some weird problems that you posted, I wouldn't trust em

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I'd have to say the Maxima is the logical choice. I disliked my Accord EX V-6, and they are known to have transmission problems. The Max is highly reliable, has low initial resale (which works to your benefit in this situation), and is actually fun to drive. The interior is a fair amount more spacious than the Accord as well. Also, a manual tranny is available if you care (I know I do!).

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Quixfire
1970 Mustang Mach 1 w/428 SCJ...










I'll have one ready by the end of may.

Grabber Blue?

I'm sorry, this one is Grabber Green from the factory. But i does have a 4sp and a posi rear end if that helps.

 

[pukemon]

get a white chevy impala. when you're on the road, everybody will slow down around you.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Quixfire
1970 Mustang Mach 1 w/428 SCJ...



I'll have one ready by the end of may.

Grabber Blue?

I'm sorry, this one is Grabber Green from the factory. But i does have a 4sp and a posi rear end if that helps.

Grabber Green is good too!

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: pukemon
get a white chevy impala. when you're on the road, everybody will slow down around you.

would have to be a crown vic around here...

 

[DougK62]

Chevy Impala. Inexpensive and should last a very long time. The whole drivetrain is just a derivative of stuff that they've been using for more than a decade.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Passions
IS300 sounds perfect for you!

IS300 is too small for a family. My boss had one and the back seats are tiny. Besides, you'll have a hard time finding one for $15k.

 

[vi edit]

Regal GS. Nice car for the money.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Go with the Maxima. Great car. Lots of power and fun to drive.

 

[Pepsi90919]

fiancee = female
fiance = male

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Quixfire

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Quixfire
1970 Mustang Mach 1 w/428 SCJ...



I'll have one ready by the end of may.

Grabber Blue?

I'm sorry, this one is Grabber Green from the factory. But i does have a 4sp and a posi rear end if that helps.

Grabber Green is good too!

OK, I think I could convince the owner to sell it for about 60K. But I probably build one of your very own for around 35K.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: Skoorb

I am getting married in two months and plan to start making babies right away.

ROFL!

Oh BTW you want a maxima. I'm not kidding at all. Maxima.

Quit proselytizing your Nissan religion. What's wrong with an Accord V-6 EX? How about a TL?

The others are slow and cost more for what you get, because nissan has such pathetic resale.

Your Maxima has had some weird problems that you posted, I wouldn't trust em

Nah, not really the thing is a rock For stability I mean - and a rocket for speeeeeeeeeeeeed.

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: cr4zymofoQuit proselytizing your Nissan religion. What's wrong with an Accord V-6 EX? How about a TL?

The others are slow and cost more for what you get, because nissan has such pathetic resale.

Hmmm... there's gotta be reasons for it huh?