Battle of the "Budget" USED SEDANS - you vote

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Dang! Now i see that the LeSabre and the GM 3800 Series II had intake gasket problems to 2005. I'm looking at a 2003.
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All terrible, Scion wins if i have to pick. All 3 of the GM products have the 4t65e which can easily cause you a big repair bill in many ways, ask me how i know
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The Taurus does have springs and heater core issues, but other than that pretty decent, i had a 99 Vulcan had both issues. The original rear suspension had 145k hard city miles and just started rubbing on the rear tires in hilly curves.
 
Used Accord, Camry, Corolla and Civic of any year were and are never a good buy. You can be a new Accord for not much more than a 1-2 years old, many owners of 4 above cars paid too much and they think they can get back 90-95% what they paid.
 
None spark my interest. The 3800 engines are fantastic, but they eat intake manifold gaskets, too risky. Also their transmissions suck.

Look for a Camry. I bought my 2000 in August for $2100 and the only problem is the passenger side window gets a little sticky, after 204k miles and 16 years it's allowed to die lol. It's a $35 part. I've put just shy of 10,000 miles on it the past 4 1/2 months. Flawless and bulletproof.

Here's some cars.

2007 Corolla $3800
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/5347009550.html

2000 Camry $1850
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/5378326132.html

1994 Camry $1800
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/5385906595.html

1999 Camry $2500
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/5388188809.html
 
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
All terrible, Scion wins if i have to pick. All 3 of the GM products have the 4t65e which can easily cause you a big repair bill in many ways, ask me how i know
smile.gif


The Taurus does have springs and heater core issues, but other than that pretty decent, i had a 99 Vulcan had both issues. The original rear suspension had 145k hard city miles and just started rubbing on the rear tires in hilly curves.



I'd get this Taurus:

http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/5374516778.html

Says it has a slipping transmission, but you could try changing the fluid/filter. Dropping one in from a junkyard is probably around $1000 or so. They all had weak springs, but some years were worse than others, but all you do is put in new quickstruts and those are relatively cheap, they're around $300 for all 4. Bad heater cores were more like the Vulcans, the one I linked to is the Duratec which was more like a 200hp engine than the 145hp Vulcan one. If you get a Taurus, look for the SEL or SES with the Duratec engine, they were usually more loaded with leather and sunroof along with the keypad entry and they were all basically the same price as a base SE model. The engines are probably good for at least 200-250k.
 
Scion. See how the seller mentions "The only option we got are the floor mats". They still remember the buying process and still have pride in the car. They seem cheap, but not in a bad way, and keep the car up.

The uniroyal tiger paw tires scream walmart, but also say they'll pay for middle-of-the-road parts.
 
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
None spark my interest. The 3800 engines are fantastic, but they eat intake manifold gaskets, too risky. Also their transmissions suck.

Look for a Camry. I bought my 2000 in August for $2100 and the only problem is the passenger side window gets a little sticky, after 204k miles and 16 years it's allowed to die lol. It's a $35 part. I've put just shy of 10,000 miles on it the past 4 1/2 months. Flawless and bulletproof.

Here's some cars.

2007 Corolla $3800
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/5347009550.html

2000 Camry $1850
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/5378326132.html

1994 Camry $1800
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/5385906595.html

1999 Camry $2500
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/cto/5388188809.html


Which years were the sludgers on the Camry?
 
Money is money but if you can't swing a better car try leasing a new one with no money down and the taxes and tags rolled into the deal well negotiated of course and keep your $4k in the bank for a rainy day.
Of course good credit is in the mix but crazy high repair bills are not. Good luck.
 
What makes folks attracted to junk piles and craigslist. There are nicer old cars out there but they rarely make it to craigslist. Typically upper end owners who put money into car and take care of interior don't bother with the flea bag craigslist. They mention the car and they get sold.

My wife/I sold all our older civics in exceptional condition to an employee at her work (1000 employee hospital). My brother was offered $300 trade in on an exceptional condition 95 Saab aero with 190k. We sold it to family we know as first car for $750 in need of brake booster after they took to mechanic. The interior and exterior where in incredible condition.

My brother never would use Craigslist.

I tried once Craiglst and found folks wanting to trade chickens in for my car or never replying after first contact. Time waster.
 
Didn't you get like 12 grand for the Corolla - look at nicer cars.

I think the fender has been replaced on the civic by the looks of the Gap, which isn't of itself bad, but why the gap and what other damage? I still like it best.

Then probably the Buick
Then the Taurus and Scion tied... The Scion being one owner is in its favor but you do need to check on which engines have the bad pistons... They Taurus - what engine? didn't they use the Vulcan and Duratech? - Though I think the Duratech has fender emblems. Make sure the heat works changing the heater core is non-trivial.
 
I like 4 cyl and simple for basic transportation. I'd have a look at the Scion first, then the Focus if something was amiss(the passenger side upper mount is a 30 minute job if you DIY).
I'd also be tempted to try a new Versa, see how you like it. With an msrp of $12k, you can probably drive it for 7 years and sell it for $5k. $1k/year for a new car isn't a bad deal if your OK with the car.
 
If you have a trusted mechanic try asking him for a car.
Mine also buys and sells.
 
If the only thing wrong with the Buick is the intake gasket that is an easy fix with the metal Fel-pro ones. If it is your first time doing it set aside half a day and take your time. Should cost about 150 with oil, coolant and parts. With those miles I bet is has already been done. You can tell if it has the metal gaset by looking where the intake meets the heads. You will see the silver gasket between them.

Having said that. They are all used with some miles. Pick the one you like best as chances are they will all need some type of maintenance. Seems based off this thread everyone one of them has some none issue that is pretty easy to get around.
 
The GMs have intake gasket issues but are good cars if fixed right.
That year Honda had A/T issues.

As mentioned for the Fords and XB

I too like the LaSabre.
 
The Taurus only really have heater core and cooling system problems on the Vulcan 3.0. It's a cast iron engine and has cooling system corrosion issues if the coolant isn't changed.

If the coolant is full of crud, walk away from it.
 
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