I've been given the assignment by my CEO to look into getting a new company car for our cardiology group. We currently have a '98 Taurus with 62K miles that I drive from the office daily to pick up our mail and make deposits at the bank. On average, I drive it 80-90 miles a week. A couple of years ago after seeing what we were charged (one of the benefits of working in the accounting department) by a shop for a tune-up on one of our vans ($13 PER spark plug!), I told them that from now on I'd volunteer to do the routine maintenance on the Taurus, since that's the one I drive. Just two weeks ago I changed its plugs, tranny fluid & filter, and changed the oil for all of $78. These little efforts to save the company money (and the fact my boss told the CEO this) go a long way...especially since next month's my review.
Well, when I was running through the gears the other weekend after I put the transmission fluid in, I noticed when I put my foot on the break, the pedal went to the floor. Me thinks this isn't good! I get out and see a puddle of brake fluid below the driver's side. Sure enough, a brake line rusted through. Fortunately it happened while it was sitting in my driveway and not on I-65 on my way back to the office. The car sits out at the office 24/7/365 and the elements and the winters took its toll. So after the $500 job at the shop for new brake lines on a $3K car, it was decided that since the AC needs replaced at $1K+, that it was time to buy something newer. YES! Nothing better than spending someone else's money for my benefit!
I've been given a set of parameters to work with. First, it must be an "American" company...Chevy, Ford, Chrysler, etc. Since the CEO isn't a car gal, I don't think I better say anything about most American cars are made outside of the US and most foreign cars are made in the US. Remember....my review's next month. So, I had mentioned to her that on the GM side, a Malibu is similar in size to the Taurus. She said we should stick with a price range of $10,000-$12,000, and nothing larger than a mid-size.
So, with that in mind, I'm looking for opinions. I'm guessing we'll end up with a Cavalier or Cobalt (she seemed to stress going small) since I prefer Chevy of the American makes. I was looking at the newer Malibus that have the 2.2 4 bangers that are rated around 34mpg on the highway. For those of you experienced Ecotec owners (regardless of what it's in), what are your opinions of the engine? I drove my nephew's '04 Cav the other week and I was really impressed with the pep. As for the cars themselves, are Malibus, Cobalts/Cavaliers junk? I've no idea about Ford products these days other than the 10 year old piece o'crud I've been driving at work for the past 5 years. Chrysler products?? Suggestions welcome!
I've been given a set of parameters to work with. First, it must be an "American" company...Chevy, Ford, Chrysler, etc. Since the CEO isn't a car gal, I don't think I better say anything about most American cars are made outside of the US and most foreign cars are made in the US. Remember....my review's next month. So, I had mentioned to her that on the GM side, a Malibu is similar in size to the Taurus. She said we should stick with a price range of $10,000-$12,000, and nothing larger than a mid-size.
So, with that in mind, I'm looking for opinions. I'm guessing we'll end up with a Cavalier or Cobalt (she seemed to stress going small) since I prefer Chevy of the American makes. I was looking at the newer Malibus that have the 2.2 4 bangers that are rated around 34mpg on the highway. For those of you experienced Ecotec owners (regardless of what it's in), what are your opinions of the engine? I drove my nephew's '04 Cav the other week and I was really impressed with the pep. As for the cars themselves, are Malibus, Cobalts/Cavaliers junk? I've no idea about Ford products these days other than the 10 year old piece o'crud I've been driving at work for the past 5 years. Chrysler products?? Suggestions welcome!
