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What's the best vehicle for my needs?

1145 messages,  Last post on Sep 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying


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#763 of 1145
Re: I'm looking for a used winter awd [stewardrobbins] by jchan2
Jan 05, 2009 (7:57 pm)
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Replying to: stewardrobbins (Jan 05, 2009 4:08 pm)

Depending on how old you're willing to go, I think a Subaru is a decent choice; you can pick up one as recent as a 2000 model in the $5K neighborhood, which isn't bad for a winter beater.
 
I would also consider an Isuzu- since the brand has died, the products it left behind will have depreciated significantly. While the Rodeo and Trooper weren't exactly the greatest of cars, they fit your criteria as a winter beater. Other Isuzu vehicles, such as the Axiom and Amigo (Rodeo Sport, in later years) are also fine choices, although the Rodeo/Trooper will be an easier pair to locate.
 
Another decent choice would be a Ford Explorer, although it may not be as good of a deal as you expect as the Explorer doesn't depreciate as much as you'd expect from a Ford product.
#764 of 1145
Re: I'm looking for a used winter awd [stewardrobbins] by plekto
Jan 05, 2009 (9:39 pm)
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Replying to: stewardrobbins (Jan 05, 2009 4:08 pm)

Toyota Tacoma 4x4 about 2-5 years old.. Add whatever bits you want. Add a shell, too, if you desire, and the crew cab option as well. The crew cab models are exactly like a modern sedan or SUV inside. Quite nice, actually.
 
Extremely straightforward and stable in bad weather. High resale value. Nearly impossible to kill reliability. And, it's not insanely huge like a 4Runner or Suburban.
#765 of 1145
Re: I'm looking for a used winter awd [stewardrobbins] by qbrozen
Jan 06, 2009 (9:01 am)
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Replying to: stewardrobbins (Jan 05, 2009 4:08 pm)

your price and miles expectations would help.
 
We just picked up a '99 Subaru Legacy L wagon with 95k miles for $4k for my brother. Very clean.
 
If you are looking to spend more, I've seen Volvo S60 2.5T AWDs for very cheap, relatively speaking.
#766 of 1145
Need Some Help by jnorman76
Jan 06, 2009 (10:31 am)
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I am really having a hard time even deciding what cars I should look at, and I need some help from some savvy car shoppers.
 
I am turning in a '05 Pacifica, which I really liked except for horrible gas mileage and big rear end.
 
I have a budget of $12,000 for the car itself (plus WI taxes/fees). Here are my requirements: comfortable for my frame (6'2", 350), sedan, automatic trans, not a base model - but no need for premium features (leather, etc.).
 
Cars I have driven to date include: 2008 Chevy Malibu (too small), 2007 Chevy Impala (was okay, but didn't get me excited), 2008 Ford Taurus (I like, but probably out of price range). I would like to test drive: 2008 Mitsu Galant, 2008 Chrysler Sebring.
 
Anything else I should consider?
#767 of 1145
Re: Buying a car after 10 years and need help... [TWoP_Fan] by peetert
Jan 06, 2009 (10:57 am)
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Replying to: TWoP_Fan (Dec 28, 2008 6:31 pm)

This past summer we picked up an '05 Acura MDX Certified Pre Owned w/ < 30k miles for 22,9. Yes its awd, but unless your planning on serious off-roading it'll be fine. I've owned 4x4's and awd's since the mid 80's. As for sliding on ice, I've done it w/ a Cherokee in 4wd. after all ice is slippery It's got a 3rd row as well for add'l passengers. I've got 3 kids w/ one still in a carseat. Peeter
#768 of 1145
Re: Need Some Help [jnorman76] by qbrozen
Jan 06, 2009 (12:43 pm)
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Jan 06, 2009 10:31 am)

well, here I go again with the same ole suggestion. One might think I work for volvo... anyway, I say a used S60 2.5T. Comfiest seats you will find. Although it MAY be too small if you think the Malibu is.
 
I'm surprised there are so many mid-sized '08s in your pricerange. I would never have guessed.
 
How about a Grand Marquis? Brand new those can be discounted almost to your price limit, if you go easy on features. although you didn't say what kind of mileage you actually want out of your vehicle. We got 17-18 mpg in our Pacifica, so we were quite happy to now be getting 21 in our XC90.
#769 of 1145
Re: Need Some Help [jnorman76] by stovebolter
Jan 06, 2009 (4:06 pm)
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Jan 06, 2009 10:31 am)

How old a car are you willing to consider? $12,000 doesn't go too far for 2007 or older models.
 
The Ford 500/Mercury Montego might work for you - it's the basically the same as the new Taurus except with a smaller engine. An '06 Buick Lucerne might also fit you well, or if you want to look older the Park Avenue might work.
#770 of 1145
Re: Need Some Help [jnorman76] by guss
Jan 07, 2009 (6:19 am)
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Jan 06, 2009 10:31 am)

Try an '07 or '08 Mazda6, they were redesigned for '09 so the older models should be cheaper. Their seats go down pretty far , so the headroom is very good. Plus they have a tilt\telescoping steering wheel, an option I am sure you will want.
#771 of 1145
Re: Need Some Help [jnorman76] by jchan2
Jan 10, 2009 (9:54 pm)
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Jan 06, 2009 10:31 am)

Instead of the Ford Taurus, I would look at the similar-but-somewhat-underpowered Ford Five-Hundred and Mercury Montego (an '06 or '07 should be into your price range)
 
You could also consider an older Volvo S80; someone mentioned the S60, which is probably too small for you (the S60 is only slightly larger, if any, than a 3-Series) I think at $12,000 you could get into an '03 or an '04; S80s don't hold their value too well.
 
What about a 2007 or 2008 Dodge Charger (or its corporate cousin, the Chrysler 300)? It's not terribly expensive, a full-size, they're available EVERYWHERE, and with Chrysler on the ropes, you could probably swing a pretty good deal on a used one. Or, if you want to spend a few grand more, you could get a brand new one, although it'd be a stripper SE model with the underpowered 2.7L engine (I've seen some advertised in the $16,500 range)
 
Haven't seen a Galant recently enough to judge it, and I'd stay away from the Sebring if at all possible. Just... no.
#772 of 1145
Ideas Please!! by CdnRdr
Jan 14, 2009 (12:19 am)
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Hello everyone,
 
I am hoping for a little bit of advice regarding which makes and models of vehicles I should be looking at.
 
I am looking for a fuel efficient, reliable, used small car that I can drive for many many years. Reliability is probably the most important factor to me in this purchase, with fuel efficiency coming second. I do probably 50% of my driving on the highway, and 50% in the city. I do live in the NW and get a bit of nasty weather during the winter so handling and traction are also something I need to consider.
 
I "need" - something small, fuel efficient and reliable that I can drive for hundreds of thousands of kilometers.
 
I would really like - cruise control, power windows/locks,
 
I'm thinking I'd prefer manual transmission due to better fuel efficiency and price (new), but I'm finding with my looking that most used compact/subcompact vehicles are automatics and the ones with manual transmissions do not have lots of extras like cruise control. (I've been looking at newish, low milage subcompacts)
 
Forgot a vital detail . .. . I'm willing to spend up to $15 000.

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