| Help me choose a model and year used car I've begun a non urgent search for a used car, and I am trying to decide what model best suits my needs and wants.
Due to my personal circumstances and priorities, cars are not a special interest in my life. Because of that, I am ignorant of what models have what features, and what years particular features were introduced on particular models.
So I could use the suggestions of any knowledgeable people here. Any helpful suggestions are welcome.
I'm looking a specific model suggestion, and a specific year or range of years. I know I am not likely to get everything I want, so I am looking for best match.
Here's my criteria.
Due to my budget, I would prefer a model at least 5 years old, and as much as 10 years old. If that isn't possible, I can wait a few years for a newer car to depreciate into my budget.
My MUST HAVE list:
Be a domestic USA brand.
Have side curtain air bags, at least on the driver side.
Very good to excellent safety rating.
My WANT list, in order of preference:
Very good to excellent reliability rating.
Rear disk brakes.
Lately I prefer Ford over GM or Chrysler.
Prefer a mid sized car, for example a Taurus. Second choice would be a larger car, for example a Crown Vic.
V6 or larger engine.
My MUST NOT list:
No foreign cars, and no foreign brand assembled in the USA.
No compact cars, for example Ford Focus.
No SUV or pick up trucks. Might consider a van.
My DON'T CARE list:
Gas mileage, because I only drive about 5,000 miles annually. |
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sailorPremium
join:2003-10-21
Long Island
kudos:6 | Which is? |
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matt5
join:2001-10-06
Lagrangeville, NY | reply to dark_star
Honda accord, if you don't want to hear what is good... then why waste the time just buy any POS.
Based off your wants and nots... you already only have like 3 cars in that list. |
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| reply to sailor
I want to keep it under $6,000.
Keep in mind I am talking about a person to person price, not a used car dealer. And I am in no hurry, so I can watch Craigslist daily until a good deal on the model I want is posted. |
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| reply to matt5
Foreign versus domestic flames are against this forum's rules.
I have my reasons for wanting what I want. If you want a foreign car, I am not denigrating you or your choice. Why do you need to denigrate my choice? |
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 ironweaselWeezyPremium
join:2000-09-13
Belen, NM
kudos:1 | said by dark_star:Foreign versus domestic flames are against this forum's rules.
I have my reasons for wanting what I want. If you want a foreign car, I am not denigrating you or your choice. Why do you need to denigrate my choice?
There is not one single car assembled in the US that uses 100% of its parts from US sources. The "Big 3" manufacture most of their vehicles in Mexico and Canada. The Chevy Malibu is the most "american" car that's made by an "american" company.
After the Malibu, the Ford Explorer is up next but being an SUV, you won't go near it, after the Explorer is the Jeep Wrangler - another SUV. Finally, we have the Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia....two more SUV's.
By your specifications, you need to look for a Chevrolet Malibu.
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Support the country you live in or live in the country you support! |
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nonymousPremium
join:2003-09-08
Glendale, AZ | reply to dark_star
Re: Help me choose a model and year used car Just get your Taurus or Crown Vic and be happy.
Not sure which ones as have not really kept up on cars in the past years but there may also be a Buick you may like. |
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| reply to ironweasel
Thank you for your help.
100% American parts is not a requirement, not even on the “want” list. So no need to worry about that.
I've now read the Chevy Malibu Wikipedia page. Unfortunately it doesn't mention safety features.
I could Google the Malibu further, but the whole idea of my request for help is to ask people who already know, and are willing to share their knowledge.
I already have spent a lot of time in reading Ford forums, investigating what year side bags became an option on the Taurus, Vulcan versus Duratech engines, and other minutiae.
That was the point where I realized that by the time I did some in depth research on every possible candidate, I could have a hundred hours invested.
So if you could, what years of the Malibu include a drivers side curtain bag as optional, and what years (if any) are they standard?
If you don't know the answer, I certainly can investigate on my own, and I do appreciate the help you have already provided. |
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| reply to nonymous
I am in fact liking the Taurus. That said, the side air bags are optional for the years in my price range. And the years that have the side bags don't have rear disk brakes.
So I want to find out if another model is a better fit. |
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 BonezXBasement DwellerPremium
join:2004-04-13
Canada | pontiac G6
4wheel disk, side curtain airbags. |
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| reply to dark_star
A Saturn Aura might be something up your alley. They're GM-made.
»www.edmunds.com/saturn/aura/2008/ |
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 Gordo74Premium
join:2003-10-28
Monroeville, PA | reply to dark_star
2004ish Chevy Impala or same year range Malibu
My 2004 Impala is still running strong with only regular maintenance and a water pump after 180k miles.
My cousin has a 2003 Malibu he bought new, only did routine maint and is at 264k miles.
If you're looking for a bigger car, that's the best in that year range IMO. |
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| reply to BonezX
Great suggestion, thank you. Slightly above my budget on the Louisville Craigslist, but as depreciation works its magic, it will become more affordable. |
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| reply to dbsanfte
Nice vehicle, but relatively rare and too pricey for me. Only two on the Louisville "by owner" section of Craigslist, and both of them are above $12,000. |
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| reply to Gordo74
Any idea what year side / head airbags became standard on Impala / Malibu? |
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JonRup
join:2008-07-20
Hilliard, OH Reviews:
 ·WOW Internet and..
·RoadRunner Cable
| If you do plan on getting a Malibu, avoid the years 1997-2003, the ones with the 3.1 L engine in it, unless you want a $900 fee to replace a gasket.
Been there, done that...sold...
EDIT: If disc brakes are really a huge deal to you, you could always get a Taurus wagon, as they have disc brakes in the front and the back. Very reliable vehicles. |
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Gordo74Premium
join:2003-10-28
Monroeville, PA | reply to dark_star
said by dark_star:Any idea what year side / head airbags became standard on Impala / Malibu?
They were an option 00-05. However, the crash test rating is superb even without them.
»www.cars.com/chevrolet/impala/20···ratings/
Best option is not to crash IMO :P |
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 r81984Fair and BalancedPremium
join:2001-11-14
Katy, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
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| reply to dark_star
My coworker just bought a 2 year old impala for $10K from a dealer, it used to be a rental and is still under warranty.
Right when he got it the CD player did not work and he was missing some cosmetic trim pieces on one of the doors. The dealer replaced the CD player and bought the trim pieces under the warranty and installed them for free after he already bought the car.
The word foreign and domestic does not mean much anymore, but I have to assume you park at hostile union shops that key/damage any car they incorrectly think is foreign so you have to have a ford, chevy, or chrysler even if those cars are 100% foreign.
My corolla is one of the most domestic cars make in NUMMI (GM/Toyota Plant) in california.
Actually the best used car that you can buy that will last would be a "Pontiac Vibe". It is a rebaged of the toyota matrix sold under pontiac. It has the same reliable engine as my corolla that will last easily 300K miles.
You cant go wrong with a pontiac vibe. It is roomy and a great car and it is badged as pontiac. You can use this to get around hostile union rules.
My dad has a 2005 pontiac vibe. It has had no problems exept one recall for a winshield wiper part that was fixed for free. The car would be perfect if you can find one for cheap.
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...brought to you by Carl's Jr. |
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