First car for son: 3800 Buick vs Crown Vic vs Camry 2.2L....need advice

C

Chris B.

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Hello everyone! So my 15 year old son will be driving soon. We are going to be helping him get his first car and he will be working to help pay/earn it. I've been looking for a bit and have found some decent options I think. Iven been out of the car market for a long time and I'm wondering how hard it might be to get parts for these cars now that they are older. Do you know what the parts industry is like these days and how hard or easy it will be to find parts and keep them on the road?
My next question is on pricing. What should I offer on an older used car like these below? First up is a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. I know the GM3800 is an awesome engine but how is the tranny and the rest of the car? The next car is a 1997 Toyota Camry that very high mileage but is a one owner and according to the car fax has been impeccably maintained and it looks beautiful like it has been well cared for. The last is a 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis.

All of these have clean car facts reports with really good maintenance done to all of them. What all thoughts do you have one these? Any other good older cars to consider? Reliability and crash safety is our main concern along with the car being rust free and clean inside and out. Thanks everyone!

https://www.markleyhonda.com/viewdetails/used/2G4WD562851219316

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...BwE&pid=mini_vdp_main_image#listing=386893721

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...BwE&pid=mini_vdp_main_image#listing=406716950
 
None of them at those prices lol. My kids 1st cars were 4 bangers (I payed for gas) and were cars I could afford to be destroyed. My daughter got my hand me down Volvo and my son got a 98 ford ranger. My youngest got my hand me down 09 Altima. I’d for sure rule out the grand Marquis unless you own an oil field, and probably would never pay 5k for an almost 30 yr old Toyota. Good luck.
 
pop quiz, my answer is Camry.

My mentality is based on what you've said (my kid is 11 and I have no plans on buying him a car in 4 years), lowest cost possible, in your scenario that's $4,950. Then, because the word "Camry" is there, I'd say go with it. I remember the 1997 Camry was like a BMW 3 coupe was in the model year 2000 and 2007. You couldn't find any dealer that had one on the lot and one had to wait for it. The 1997 Camry was a hit. I notice a pattern at work--today, many 16 y.o. care about status and what car they get and the ones I see them get, are better than what I have. So that route is also a possibility, 2025 Tesla etc.

Also, it's not just the car. I've heard insurance doubles, simply by virtue of a new driver. Assuming a 16 y.o. lives at home (aren't they required), why do they need a car lol
 
Me, I like the Grand Marquis. It's not the right first car for a kid. A rear wheel drive in Colorado snow is not advisable. All those you listed are over priced. I would look a for an older Toyota Corolla. When he can save, he can then buy what he wants if he doesn't like a Corolla. Hopefully he won't total it which is why I wouldn't get something very expensive for his first car.
 
Way too much money for any of those. 227k 1997 Camry for 5k? No sir.
IMO:
Private seller. No big dealers for this type of car. Or find a value lot in town and take a walk through. The kind that advertises on CL solely. Cash only type or "buy here pay here" and make a cash deal. The kind of dealers most of honorable society will pass up for a name brand conglomerate or national chain. You can find some gems. I have. Also I have found the transaction to be drama and game-free. There are some really honest folks in this tier of shop. You wouldn't initially think so, but I have found this phenomena after multiple transactions at this type of dealer, in many states.
 
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I'd find a cheaper car as he will beat on it, I raised 2 boys personally.
Out of your options I'd go with the small 4cyl motor in the Camry. I guarantee he will try and burry the speedo and that one would be the slowest. Plus they are very reliable.
Good luck
 
Of your 3 contestants, I’d go with the Buick. I like having my kids in big tanks.
Merc is too high priced and too many miles on the Camry.
Good luck and you kid will love the sunroof!
 
that 3800 v6 at 87k miles is barely even broken in. that's what i'd go for personally just for reliability and the overall comfort of a 20 year old buick
 
For 15-20+ year old vehicles, especially with high mileage go private party. In my experience these older cars are trade-ins at the big dealers that go straight to the auction block. Usually people trade old cars in for a reason, there is stuff wrong with them and they don't feel like dealing with a private party sale.

The used car dealer that buys it at an auction is going to do the bare minimum to try and sell it. You can probably expect issues with it.

I'd search for a late 90's to late 00's Toyota Camry/Corolla or a Honda Civic/Accord. You should be able to find something that doesn't need much more than general maintenance for less that $3k.
 
I'd suggest the Camry first and the Buick second. A hard "no" on the Grand Marquis due to it being too nice and costly for a teen-aged driver. Odds are high that a 16 y.o first time, male driver will experience a traffic accident during the first year of driving, whether it is their fault or not. Often, those accidents will result in totaling an older vehicle due to its low residual market value. You want something that is a balance of modest power, crashworthy-ness, reliable, decent handling, good brakes and inexpensive. Of the cars on your list, the Camry best fits that description.
 
I vote Camry but it was the only one on the list that I owned. Hard to get in trouble with one (but doable!), easy to work on, etc. RWD in snow? fun for me, but my kids have less desire than I have for them in snow driving (something did not pass down to them).
 
a hard no on a grand marquis being too nice. good lord. its not 1980 any longer and grand marquis no longer considered nice in any respect. they are tank that's last and that's about it. its like and old Toyota, yeah it last but that's about all it has going for it. in five minutes of searching i found a 2009 camry with 78k miles for 5500 dollars. a 2009 vehicle is still 16 years old and your talking about 1997 vehicle.
 
A kid's first car likely won't have the chance to prove it's ability to be durable or long lasting. No kid is going to drive his first car to 400k. miles.

I don't care how great they were considered to be in their time: all of those cars are OLD and therefore they will likely be needy. And since you mention that safety is a priority, all of these cars are way out-of-date and relatively terrible by today's standards.

Buy the newest you can for your budget, whatever that happens to be. And be sure it's something the kid likes and will take pride in, to give yourself the best chance of it being treated and cared for appropriately.
 
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emmett442 said:
A kid's first car likely won't have the chance to prove it's ability to be durable or long lasting. No kid is going to drive his first car to 400k. miles.
Click to expand...
my first car (3.8 grand caravan) has taken me 52k and i plan on going to the death it 🤷

The safety issue is also best solved with the so called "driver mod"
 
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