Lets talk cars
 

Well with my new job i will have to drive 26 Miles one way. So 52miles a day. I got a real beater a 93 Buick century i use to go back and fourth to work. But i only work 1.8miles away from home. So the beater does good for that. But 52 miles a day i think it will take its toll on the beater fast.

I will be buying in about 6months and have 6,000 i can pout down. So I'm trying to keep the price below 20,000. So i will only have to finance 14,000. I will like a car that gets around 25mpg. With only wanting to spend 20k i am looking more at used cars.

I like the ford fusion and the Lincoln mkz. But the mkz may be a little yuppie for me. So i just want to hear what type of cars do you think are a good bang for your buck.

The Cars have to be FORD or GM..... I don't wnat this thread to turn into a bashing of what cars are better etc. etc. Just if you happen to own a Ford GM car please tell me about it

My wife had a Chevy Cobalt. It got about 35 mpg. It was good for trips, but it took a come-along to get me out. Something like that would be good for fuel milage, if you don't need a lot of space.

single man..no kids. gotta go with the new challenger..with the hemi of course. strap some straight pipes underneath that bitch and let it purr. oh, yeah. thats what i am talking about.

but for me gotta be a full size pickup..crew cab for the kiddos. and the minivan for the wifey!! lol.

YUGO:lol:

So.. yer not gonna make this easy, and narrow it down to full size, mid-size, 4-door, 2-door coupe, etc?

Of the more recent models, I've had both the Taurus and the Crown Victoria.
The Crown Victoria is by far much better. I had a P-71 model with a 4.6 liter motor, and got a combined 26mpg, and I'm heavy footed. I like the rear differential/rear drive cars.

Since 2008 they are only sold as fleet cars. But you are interested in buying used anyway.

I like the ford fusion, but i've read some bad revues on how cheap the interior is.. P.S. Hog check out copcarsonline.com

well.. might want to look in to a 4cyl Malibu. but if you want flat out economy.. cobalt.

NOW if you were willing to look into something else.. hands down vw TDI. my mom has one.. under myfoot.. 53mpg at 80

:)
I inherited mine from our County Emergency Coordinator, when I was full time Fire/Rescue. They are built with HD parts, so if you can find a good one, that's your best Crown Vic. You can even handcuff your unruly drunk girlfriend and make her ride in the back. :thumbsup:

Honda Accord... 06 to 08... under 20,000 easily used...

If you want new, either a Fusion or a Cobalt. If used, a Malibu, or maybe an Impala or Crown Vic. If you can afford a Pontiac G8, that'd probably do ok too. However, I still can't see myself in a car yet. The F-150 will suffice until I can afford diesel power.

Thanks everyone for your input. Im really looking at the focus and the cobalt. I can buy a brand new loaded focus for about 18,000. The more i think about it the fusion is a nice car but just alittle out of my price range unless i go used. If i can buy new i would rather do that. I would like to keep a payment around 275/month. I just paid off my truck about a year ago and that was 480/month for 5 years. I said to myself if i ever get a new car it will be under 300.

I do like the crown vics. My unlce owns one and it does get good MPG for a big car. But im looking for something smaller. This car is just to get me back and fourth to work and to run around on the weekends alittle.

As far as trucks. I already got a 2004 F-350 Diesel so im all good there.

Sorry hawk no honda for me. :thumbsup::lol:

Son-in-law works on cars all the time. Looking under the hood and seeing what it takes to repair them, and what determines the labor costs, I'm forming an opinion as to which ones I do not want. Kia is one that they can keep. Actually, the more I see of these new models, the more I'm looking for something back in about the '75 to '80 range.

Had a full size '77 LTD with a 400 cid that got me 30+ overall. Still kicking my butt because I sold it. (By now, it would have been totally rusted away, though.) The Crown Vic would be my choice. Used is fine, but the rear drive is a really big plus for me. The front drive is nothing that they talk it up to be.

Just pay attention to the details.
These cars are made on the cheap, and sometimes just too cheap.
Wiring in conduit or wrapped in tape. (tape unravels)
Rear drum brakes or disc brakes? Interior cheap? Better trim packages can really add up.
Best thing to do is go look at a bunch of cars, and lift the hood.
Look for the little things. It's important, because they try to save money in details you overlook.

You may not be so happy about the car after you've had it home for a month.

I am looking at an Audi A3 for the wife. Same engine as the VW TDI with a different tune.
That being said, Mackman is union now and can't drive a foreign car onto the lot at his new job.

Go for a used Chevy Cobalt. It should last forever, and who cares what it looks like if it is just your get to work car.

Thats right. Have to support the UAW.:thumbsup:

I just sold my Grand Prix GT. It was an 05 with the 3.8 V-6. It got at least 26mpg on the interstate. The car was a POS though. The interior was nice but very uncomfortable. The exterior looked nice as well. I'm glad it's gone. It was built very poorly. I paid $12,000 for the car with 30,000 miles and sold it for $7500.00 with 50,000 miles. I don't want another GM vehicle ever and I used to be GM all the way.

Ford's and Dodge's to me are better quality than GM stuff. I heard there was a new Focus coming out soon and it should be great on gas with a big hatchback. There are some small Dodge's like the Avenger that are great on gas as well.

I'm not sure why you don't like foreign cars. To me if your just wanting a commuter car then the miles are going to rack up on something nice and will be worthless soon anyway. If you live up north the salt will eat away a nice car commuting as well. Why not just get a second car for work and back, then get a nice car for weekends and stuff like that?

Just my thoughts. I'm not trying to be bossy. Just suggesting what I would do. I can't see paying $20,000+ on a car, making payments and then driving all the miles, but that's me.

Around here you can get a very nice low mileage domestic or foreign car for less than $6000 anyway.

I would do that long before financing a work car.

Sorry If I sound bossy. It's just after having lost thousands on vehicles over the years. I've gotten a lot more rational in my thinking.

You are not coming off bossy at all. Your just giving me youe 2cents which i asked for and glad you did:thumbsup:.

The thing about foreign cars is i just dont want one. Its not my style. I understand there are some good ones out there. But I'm really a Ford guy. All i ever owned was ford trucks. 89 f-250, 96 f-350 and my 04 f-350. All of them were great trucks. So i want to stick with ford. They never gave me a reason to not like them.

My dad knows an old guy that might be selling a jeep wrangler. If i can buy cash then thats what i want to do. But 6,000 ain't going to get you much of anything. I want a car that will last me 5-7 years with little problems.

Thats why I'm thinking a new focus or something. I can get the extra warr. and still be under 20,000 and i should not have nay problems for years to come.

It will be around 6months before i buy anything. So i will still be using the 93 Buick beater. If i feel i can get more life out of it then i will keep driving it. But i think the end is near for it.

If you can't get anything nice for less than $6000. It must be where you live then Mackman.

I live in Arkansas. There is an auto auction less than a mile from my house.

Last week I saw two PT Crusiers go through both with less than 20,000 miles and neither one sold for more than $7000. There was so many cars going through I didn't stay for all of the sale. Sale starts at 6 and goes to ????

That's not the only place to get a deal. Craigslist has some awesome deals as well. I still would suggest that you just spend your cash on a "better beater."

I just got my sister an 04 Chevy Malibu with 60,000 miles. It's like new in and out and I paid $5200 cash for it. It will easily last her 4 to 6 years. Her last car was a Chevy Lumina and it was a 95. She's had it for a very long time and it cost her less than $4000 when she bought it.

I'm just anti Chevy myself. I'll have my Dodge Ram Quad cab till it rots. I love that truck.

BTW I paid $6200 cash for my Dodge. No warranty no problems. More than likely your car will outlast your warranty anyway. Just more thoughts from someone who's been there and done that.

if the wrangler is the straight 6 you wont have trouble with it. the motors are bullet proof. actually.. they're just a a 8-71.. run forever just start leaking.

Honda's are the Peterbilts of Cars... Take care of them the paint will fade but it will still run like a champ!!! (If the Pete has a Cat Motor :lol:) But i got you, Fords Suck tho!!!! SAY NO TO FORD!!

LOL well if the honda is a pete. I guess that makes a ford a MACK.

Mack and Ford were making cars/trucks before peterbilt and honda were a wet dream LMAO:thumbsup:

Had a look at a Honda last week, and will be looking at it again. It has 101 vacuum lines to the intake, and will not idle well at all. A mechanic that works only on Hondas said they all do that after they get a few miles on them. Acts like it has a vacuum leak in the intake, but "you'll never find it". You'll spend enough money trying to fix it, that you could buy a brand new one, but it will still idle like sheit.

I'm afraid the Hondas I've had a look at aren't living up to your reputation of them.

And, actually, the most reliable car I've ever owned was a Ford. But, not one of the new ones.

I dont like any cars. I think you should just drive the POWERSTROKEDIESEL!:clap:

UPDATE

I think im going to keep my 93 buick century. I was doing some reading online the V6 3.3 is a great motor. Im not much of a GM guy so i dont know for sure. Just by what i was reading.

The Buick needs about 250 bucks worth of body work. It needs a new header panel and grill cuz i hit a deer about 6months ago. I just bought the header panel and grill today. It should be in 2morrow. I will post pics of before and after i paint it. The car only got 78,000miles on it. I bought it for 800 bucks 3.5years ago off an old lady and it only had 53,000 on it then. This car has not really cost me much money. 2 new front tires, brakes and rotors, muffler, battery and alternator. So i think im just going to dump about 300 in it and keep on truckin with it. When the time comes that it dies then i can always buy another car. I might get 6months or 3-4 more years out of it.

Thanks for everyones input.

I currently drive a 1998 Honda Accord with 150,000 miles on the clock. It doesn't use a drop of oil and runs like a top. I've also had several Fords and they were great. I did have a 1995 Chevy Lumina with the 3.4 liter V/6 and it had oil leak problems. And if you needed to replace the alternator (it went through 3 before I traded it for the Honda) a mechanic needed to remove both the right wheel and fender!

My wife drives a 2001 Ford Explorer 2wd 6cylinder. We bought it use in 2004 with 60,000 miles on it and it now has 130,000 plus. Runs great except for a rough idle (I am not going to look for that vacuum leak either). All we have had to do to it besides routine maintenance was water pump, lower ball joints, and ignition switch.

Mackman the 3.3 is a little brother to GM's 3800. The Firing order is the same and alot of the parts are the same. What is differant is that one does not have the Balance shaft or the Tuned Port injection that the 93 era 3800 series had in them. MY mother had one in a 91 Century that ran for 165K with no major issues. What we had to replace on it was one TPS at 120K worn out a set of plugs and wires normal maintance. I also replaced the Oil pump however easy to get to External on it with a High Volume one at 100K and replaced the ECM HAVE FUN IF THAT GOES. Located under the dashboard and you have to hang Upside down from the Passenger seat whilke working over your head to get to it.

Brakes when you replace the rear drum linings would advise New Cylinders also mine blew apart 1 week later. But beyond that Motor is BULLETPROOF. The only engine that has lasted LONGER in production than the Buick V-6's which there were 3 at one time the 3 liter the 3.3 and the daddy of the line the 3.8 which GM sold to AMC then had to BUYBACK in 1973 is the Small Block Chevy. These started off the line in the early 60's and were stopped in 2007 and replaced with a 3.5 that no one likes.

Thanks IE for your input on the 3.3 motor. I was reading online alot of people are getting 200k plus out of them. So that kinda what made me keep the car. I hope i can get the front end fixed today. I will be painting the header panel outside. I just hope it aint real windy. I will have pics of my body work lol. I painted the whole car myself about a year ago.

off topic but best GM v6's hands down are the 3.8 and the 4.3.

Time for some pics and video.
What happens when you hit a deer around 30mph.
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/100_0330.jpg
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/100_0331.jpg
Header panel off and new header panel and grill
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/100_0337.jpg
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/100_0338.jpg

Painted
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/100_0341.jpg
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/100_0342.jpg

Quick dumb video i made. Im waiting for the header panel to dry to put it back on.

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...h_100_0339.jpg

All back together. Getting the turn singles to line up were a bitch but other then that it wasn't bad. I did start to but it back together before the paint was 100% dry. But it was the beater so a couple finger prints don't bother me. :
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/100_0344.jpg
http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/100_0343.jpg

Did you get to keep and dress the deer Mackman?

I bought my wife a new Ford Escape for last Christmas, very pleased with it, has a v-6, all wheel drive and gets 24 mpg around town in the mountains

LOL now that SOB ran off. I was pissed. It was hurt cuz it was limping bad. It was funny an older lady came out of her house cuz she saw me hit it. Asked if i was ok. I told her I'm fine. Then she asked if the deer was ok. I turn around to her and said i hope i killed that SOB. :smokin: She looked at me like i was crazy. :thumbsup:

:lol: Coyote's got him for sure.

Thanks for the photos, and she looks great.
I think you made the best decision. You have a great new job, but I think our future is still unstable.
I certainly wouldn't want to take a new debt for anything that wasn't an emergency.

Well the way i see it now is.... I will run the buick till she dies and then buy a new car. Buy now or buy later im still buying. So i will just save in the meantime.

If the buick does have some downtime i still got my truck to use. :thumbsup: I ran the numbers and it just didnt add up for me to go buy a new car right now.

What new job? What'd I miss?

I have (well, my wife has) a 1999 Chevy Blazer (S-10). We got it 2 years ago and love it. It gets around 15mpg around town and about 25mpg on the highway. When we bought it there was just over 100,000 miles on it. It now has about 125,000. I've had to put some money into it, maintenance-wise, but it's a very reliable vehicle.

Trying to think of all the work I've had done: oil cooler lines leaking (VERY common on those), a/c compressor, brakes/rotors all around, shocks all around, 2 sets of lower ball joints (VERY common on those), 4wd switch (on the dash), 4wd vacuum actuator on the front axle... I know there was more, just can't think of everything. I *think* I've put about $2,000 in total for parts/repairs on it. I used to do my own work, but gave that up a few years ago because of never being home. Now we just take it to the garage and let them fix it.

The a/c compressor was probably the worst item to go out, mainly because it destroyed itself and seized. Had to have the Blazer towed for that one.