Rxdoxx
Premium,Mod
join:2000-11-03
Middle River, MD
clubs: 
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
Host:
Software
Washington & Balti..
| Recommend a used one? Wife's g-kid has moved in with us for college. Needs a car.
Has $4,000 max to spend on one.
No snow driving experience, so I'm wanting at least FWD for him (or AWD) cause I've found better control, and in Maryland he will have to drive in snow from time to time.
From what I've learned so far, taurus transmission is out.
As a poor student, he is thinking great gas mileage is good, but I've convinced him that if he can get a good car at maybe $2,000 less, he will have years of driving before the "better gas mileage" breaks even.
He is over 6' but I don't think that is a big issue these days.
Any suggestions for model and year appreciated. TIA
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Was a Cruise Fanatic, one cruise on Princess cured me. Bleah | |
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pmohr
Premium
join:2002-09-22
Oak Ridge, TN
| Re: Recommend a used one? I may be biased, but personally I would (and did) go with a 4th gen ('95-'99) Nissan Maxima.
Reliable as all hell (very few major issues to be expected, and the VQ engine just won't die), decent power, decently large interior and trunk space, etc. Can be had for well under $4k, depending on area, and maintenance is relatively cheap on them as well. Not to mention the ~20 MPG city and ~30 MPG highway.
Best of all, V6 sedan with available 5 speed. Very common to find them with a lot of options as well; sunroof, keyless entry, 'premium' sound, alloy wheels, ABS, cruise, etc.
But again, I may be biased  | |
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Rxdoxx
Premium,Mod
join:2000-11-03
Middle River, MD
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
Host:
Software
Washington & Balti..
| Re: Recommend a used one? Thanks guys
Real budget for car is really $4,000... anything less is gravy
Maxima? Didn't know that they could be had that cheap, I drove one for a bunch of years, don't remember the exact year but it had just changed the name from 810 to Maxima. Definitely be looking in that area now
Agree snow is not like Rockies but for an inexperienced driver just moved here from Houston, he is going to encounter things that there is really no way to prepare him ahead of time, from things like slush ridges between the beltway lanes up to how and when to keep an eye out for black ice. FWD/AWD will be some help.
Not a question of what he wants at all, he is open to practically anything (except maybe hot pink  )
Factors in descending order are reliability, then price, then MPG. He can put a slipcover on the seat if it looks bad as long as the car is solid.
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Was a Cruise Fanatic, one cruise on Princess cured me. Bleah | |
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX
1 edit | Re: Recommend a used one? You have to shop the cars
1 Honda might not be as nice as this Toyota. | |
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX
1 edit | What's that real budget? Cash?
Snow. It's not like that is the Rockies.
Not counting insurance? | |
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX | What does he want? | |
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX
1 edit | Re: Recommend a used one? Me personally I'm against the dealer thing.
I agree with the cars though. | |
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Jim Gurd
Premium
join:2000-07-08
Plymouth, MI | If you're looking for a good AWD system I suggest a Subaru. | |
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e_dub
franknbeans
Premium,VIP
join:2001-08-12
kickin ass
| Re: Recommend a used one? said by Jim Gurd  :If you're looking for a good AWD system I suggest a Subaru. x2 at looking at a used Subaru. | |
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dirtyjeffer
Lest We Forget
Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed
| said by Rxdoxx :From what I've learned so far, taurus transmission is out. not sure what you mean here?...1999 and older Taurus' may have issues with their transmissions..2000 and newer should be fine as they did make improvements with the newer design...if you are buying a used car, consider looking at a decent domestic car...because of their low resale value, you will get a lot of car for the money and still get decent quality.
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability. | |
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itguy05
join:2005-06-17
Camp Hill, PA
| quote:
Toyotas and Hondas seem to be the workhorses of longevity anymore. I think Hyundai has made great strides as well with their latest vehicles.
Google Toyota Sludge or Honda Transmission..... Just as bad as the domestics.
You could go Taurus - lots of car for little $$ and recent models are fine as far as reliability.
Or Focus - same thing.
Or even a recent Cobalt.
Hyundai/Kia are nice as well.
What I learned is at that price point anything will need a decent amount of repairs as the mileage is usually high. | |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County
1 edit | quote:
Google Toyota Sludge or Honda Transmission..... Just as bad as the domestics.
Not in my experience - replaced the auto tranny in a Chrysler before it was 7 years old yet the 12 year old Accord Wagon's tranny is fine.
Chrysler is still far worse and my ILs 2000 Oddessy - the tranny was fixed for free or they replaced then for free. I got to pay $3400+ for the Chrysler. I know which one I trust more....
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Brian
"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain | |
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dirtyjeffer
Lest We Forget
Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed
| Re: Recommend a used one? yea, but everyone knows Chrysler transmissions are crap...they have been for years...much like the transmissions used in most domestic minivans.
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability. | |
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join:2005-09-25
Lake Villa, IL | Re: Recommend a used one? They were crap,in the late 80's and early 90's.Now not so much.I thought they were great,I made a lot of money overhauling 604s.Nowadays we almost never see problems with them | |
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dirtyjeffer
Lest We Forget
Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed
| Re: Recommend a used one? said by bemis :Don't count out the Taurus/Sable yet... My 2000 3.0 Duratec has done remarkably well in terms of repairs costs (avg less then $250/yr) and now has just over 100K miles. i have had equally good reliability from my 2000 Taurus (with the Duratec engine as well).
one thing i did at the 100,000 kms mark is a transmission flush with new fluid and filter...$80 at the Ford Dealership i get my service done at...it shifts as good as it did the day it was new.
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability. | |
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Pentaxian
Premium
join:2008-01-23
West Milford, NJ | Find a used Subaru - good on gas, great in poor weather, very reliable. | |
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uber69er
join:2009-03-19
North of You | Civic or Corolla | |
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slaterK
join:2006-01-31
| A late 90's Subaru Impreza would be the good AWD option.
Other than that, a civic is a great way to go. For 4k, you can probably get something from the 2000 era.
Maxima is a great car for little money, however they are frequently beat up and will generally not last as long as the cars above. Whatever he gets, he should look for one in good shape that has had its maintenance for the foreseeable future done. Concetrate on this more than actual mileage. A civic with 120k that has had all the major maintenance done recently can be way less expensive to own that one with 70k that just about to be due for the big stuff. | |
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markwp2001
Spreadhead
Premium
join:2002-05-25
Long Beach, MS
| As mentioned earlier, Consumer Reports has extensive long term reliability data. No one else comes close, as far as I know. While specific models and specific years might vary, your best bets on inexpensive older cars are:
Honda and Toyota
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Into music? tealeafgreen.com | |
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markwp2001
Spreadhead
Premium
join:2002-05-25
Long Beach, MS | Re: Recommend a used one? What is true is the long term reliability data; the issue of a newer domestic vs. an older Honda is a matter of opinion.
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Into music? tealeafgreen.com | |
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matt5
join:2001-10-06
Lagrangeville, NY
| Honda, Toyota, older Jeeps with the in line 6.
Anyone who buys American has no idea whats going on.
Yes everyone will make cars that have a defect, however buddy of mine has 3 vehicles.
07 ford 350 (bought new) all options, front end is already 3-5 inches lower than new.
07 caddy XLR, leaks like hell so it smells. Been to dealer a few times for other issues as well (bought used with 3k miles)
09 Yukon Denali (bought new), leaks, also smells, been to dealer, still leaks.
3 of 3 suck, and those are high end cars and trucks.
Before the Yukon he had a GMC truck again top end one, by 80k miles door handles were breaking, had a clunk in the front end no one could find. American cars and trucks are junk.
Don't remember what make and model but, 6year old American car, blow motor goes bad, was around $200 for the blow motor, another $30 for the install kit... HAHA! | |
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markwp2001
Spreadhead
Premium
join:2002-05-25
Long Beach, MS
| Re: Recommend a used one? Ah, but the OP is not shopping for a new vehicle, so ten year old differences are important.
Also, how would we know if "everyone makes great vehicles now"? Only time will tell, and the data right now is that certain makes are better than others.
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Into music? tealeafgreen.com | |
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dirtyjeffer
Lest We Forget
Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed
| Re: Recommend a used one? said by markwp2001 :
Ah, but the OP is not shopping for a new vehicle, so ten year old differences are important.
they shouldn't be, anything 10 years old is going to need repairs.
quote:
Also, how would we know if "everyone makes great vehicles now"? Only time will tell, and the data right now is that certain makes are better than others.
there are differences, but as i said, the differences are not as significant as they used to be...don't forget, the 80's were over 20 years ago. 
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability. | |
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markwp2001
Spreadhead
Premium
join:2002-05-25
Long Beach, MS
| Re: Recommend a used one? said by dirtyjeffer : said by markwp2001 :
Ah, but the OP is not shopping for a new vehicle, so ten year old differences are important.
they shouldn't be, anything 10 years old is going to need repairs. Budget is $4,000, it's going to have to be a few years old
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Into music? tealeafgreen.com | |
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dirtyjeffer
Lest We Forget
Premium
join:2002-02-21
London, ON
·Rogers Hi-Speed
| Re: Recommend a used one? said by markwp2001 :Budget is $4,000, it's going to have to be a few years old sure, if all he looks at is Honda's and Toyota's.
he could probably get a decent domestic in that price range that isn't 10 years old.
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Today's motto: Dearly beloved, We are gathered here today to bid farewell to personal responsibility and accountability. | |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs: | Re: Recommend a used one? Then have to pay thousands in repairs as the domestics will be hitting their out of warranty period. | |
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