Looking at used cars...

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

MysticGold04

Joined
Jan 12, 2005
Messages
1,211
Location
CA
While my Suzuki was in having warranty work done, they gave us a Ford Fusion to drive. We liked it very much. So I've started looking around to see what used cars are out there that I would consider... definately the Fusion, and possibly the Dodge Stratus.. for Suvs, The Toyota Rav4, 4 Runner and Suzuki XL7. We are expecting another child soon and we are doubting the size of the Forenza's trunk that we have now. I'm not expecting to get very much out of a trade in for it.. maybe 7-7.5k if I'm lucky. Anyone have any opinions on reliability of the above? Also any other good suggestions for used but reliable midsize cars? Lowest cost of maintenance involved.

I'm tossing up the idea of trading the Tacoma to get the car for my wife, and then take the Suzuki and trade it in for a used Corolla for me to drive to work. I think I've used the bed of my truck about 5 times since I bought it new in 2004.

Thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
GM 3800 Series III is an engine that will last about three times as long as the rest of the car, 4T65-E transmission is a similar concept.

GM midsize cars like the Regal, Impala, Grand Prix, etc. have basically been on the same structure since about 1988, with a similar motor and transmission package, and updates done every five or so years. Now they are a much different animal, but as far as finding a two or three year old one on the lot that is in good shape and cheap you should not have a problem.

Lots of dealers (so if you find a good one you can keep going), every part is available aftermarket, every mechanic knows how to work on them (cheap to fix when they do break compared to say, a VW) and if you put maitenence into one you find used and in good shape on time all the time there's no reason you won't get your money's worth out of it.

I don't know if this has improved a lot with GM vehicles lately, but between 60,000 and 100,000 miles things like alternators and water pumps tend to go. If you have it in for work like that, might as well get them to do a transmission fluid change, spark plugs, belts, coolant, all those wonderful things and get them out of the way in one shot.

The Series III 3800 has an improved intake manifold that fixed an issue they had with coolant leaks that was a big repair that caught a lot of people out so if possible, look for ones with that motor.

Not to mention they are fairly cheap to insure and get good mileage for their size.

My parents have a Fusion that they love and got a deal on a year old lease return of but dollar for dollar the W-body GM products are pretty much unbeatable for value. They're not a Honda or a Toyota so they just don't hold value on the second hand market and there are so many of them out there that it keeps the prices almost below their worth.
 
I had an 06 fusion sel v6 and traded it in under two years later for my corolla.

I loved the fusion and everything about it except for the gas mileage. Sticker says I should be getting 30mpg on the highway, but the onboard mpg indicator never went above 24 it seemed like for me. My daily commute used to be 62 miles round trip and i was filling up twice a week with the fusion, with the corolla it was only once per week.

When I drove from MA to NJ for work, I had the cruise set at 65 or 70mph and the best mpg I saw was 23.9mpg. Yes I know it was a v6 and I did not rag on it or anything, just didnt like the gas mileage. Bought it brand new and traded it in September with just over 48K on it.

My corolla i have just over 8300 miles on it and the mileage is certainly better and I feel it will be a more reliable and economical car in the long run. If I had known I would be moving back to Newport 3 months after I got the corolla I probably would have kept the fusion, as I did like the car overall and my commute to work is only 4 miles round trip now so the gas would have lasted longer. Mpg with the corolla when I lived in New bedford was around 35mpg, but I would expect that to go up even more as the motor finishes breaking in. The high 30's if not low 40's mpg would be doable.

Corolla is a great commuter car

Just my .02
 
Last edited:
Dodge Stratus?

Please, no.

I've been in more Stratus rentals than I ever care to recall, and that is one car that I'd NEVER own. Just as I'd NEVER own a Pontiac Grand Am. I have a name for those two models, and the name would be [censored] if I posted it. Here's a hint: S_!tbox.

I have to agree with MGregoir's logic above. The Series III 3800 is a bulletproof engine. I've seen several LeSabres with over 250,000 miles on the odometer, and the engines have never been opened up.

Not unusual to get 28-30mpg with an Impala on the interstate. That's quite remarkable for the size of car. I've rented much smaller cars and gotten worse gas mileage.
 
Why are you guys pushing an engine that's know for intake manifold gasket leaks? (3.8) Nothing wrong with the Fusion! I would much rather have a Fusion over a Forenza! I like GM cars if they come with Ecotec but I wouldn't be recommending GM V6 engines until it has been proven that the intake manifould gasket issues have been fixed!
 
I know one guy who traded in his '03 Accord EX I4 Automatic after 238,000 miles. The only repair was a $100 wiper motor after 220k. Original transmission, yes the 5-speed automatic, serviced only four times.
 
Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Why are you guys pushing an engine that's know for intake manifold gasket leaks? (3.8) Nothing wrong with the Fusion! I would much rather have a Fusion over a Forenza! I like GM cars if they come with Ecotec but I wouldn't be recommending GM V6 engines until it has been proven that the intake manifould gasket issues have been fixed!


Because the series 3 doesn't have the problem.
 
Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Why are you guys pushing an engine that's know for intake manifold gasket leaks? (3.8) Nothing wrong with the Fusion! I would much rather have a Fusion over a Forenza! I like GM cars if they come with Ecotec but I wouldn't be recommending GM V6 engines until it has been proven that the intake manifould gasket issues have been fixed!


In the 2005 model year, GM phased out the 3800 Series II engine, which was a great motor except for the intake gasket leaks and replaced it with the 3800 Series III engine, which had many updates to it including an aluminum intake manifold and a new intake manifold gasket design to completely eliminate the intake manifold gasket leak problem. As well, I believe on the production line they made updates to that gasket design towards the end of the Series II's life to help rectify the problem.

I drove a car with the old 3800 Series I for a long time, it only had 170 horsepower but the amount of torque it had, how wide the powerband was, and that the transmission was fairly good at grabbing and holding onto the right gear (first year of the electronic controlled 4T65) made it a great car to drive.

This was a 1994 model Regal. I drove a 2001 LeSabre with the Series II, and a 2006 Lucerne with the Series III and each had improved variations of the same transmission. Both were heavier cars by a lot, but the uprated engine still made them quite good to drive.

Honestly, in a sedan that weighs 3500 pounds or less I don't know why anyone needs more than 200 horsepower and torque to match. The LaCrosse with 203 is never out of breath, and although the transmission has fewer gears than the Fusion the "driveable horsepower" of it seems to be better. When you are in cruise control climbing hills at 70 mph it doesn't even lug, nevermind downshift.

As far as a car with enough room for a family, good mileage, reliable, and inexpensive to purchase, a 2005 or 2006 LaCrosse can be had for $15,000 and it has all your standard power features and warranty. I challenge anyone to find more car than that for the money.
 
Last edited:
Well maybe they finally fixed the problem after how many years of ignoring it? And what if they convince you the 3.4 got the same fix and it still somehow leaks! Still, I'd rather drive a 4-clyinder Mazda3 or Ford Fusion from the same era. In fact I would rather drive a Ford Taurus with the Vulcan V6. Nothing at all against the 3.8(I owned an 88 LeSabre with said engine and got 25mpg hwy) but I feel a $19k Malibu 4-cylinder would be worth the extra cash! The Ecotec is stout and has never been known for trouble why would you even need the V6?
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I know one guy who traded in his '03 Accord EX I4 Automatic after 238,000 miles. The only repair was a $100 wiper motor after 220k. Original transmission, yes the 5-speed automatic, serviced only four times.


how much did he get for trade in value?
 
Last edited:
I'll vouch for the Ciera, Regal, Century vehicles from the 90's. Mine had the 3.3 V6, about the same as the 3.8, and after the new manifold gasket, replaced under warranty, it was by far, the best car I've ever owned. Sold it at 206K miles and really kicked myself later for letting her go. I should have kept her until the wheels fell off. I just saw it the other day on the road, still running. That engine never drank oil and the transmission was never touched except for the filter and fluid every 50K or so miles. Everything else was going out, headliner, radio, power windows, interior dash lights, etc, etc. but for a 15 year old car, you have to expect that. I probably could have dumped about 1K in it and been back up to par, but for some dang reason, I opted to sell it for 800 dollars. Only problems were wear items...spark plugs, alternator, battery, plug wires, etc.etc. I did replace the water pump once but that car was reliable, roomy, good power range, got absolutely GREAT gas mileage on the highway, about 31 mpg. I had the 3 speed OD transmission. At about 70 mph, OD would kick in and the tach would set about 1800 rpms. Made plenty of Oklahoma to Tennessee trips with it on a tank and a half of gas. Wish my other cars were that good.
 
I've also thought about a newer Malibu... I'll have to take a look at the LaCrosse as well. We don't need the power of a V6 either. A 4-Cyl will suit us well. As a matter of fact, I was quite suprised by the 4Cyl that was in the Fusion we drove. Seemed very quick. I don't believe the Fuel economy indicator went over 26mpg though. The in town mileage on the Fusion seemed to be better than our Forenza which is supposed to be 26 city/31hwy.
 
yeah the 3.8 don't do to well in the city at 18 to 19 mpg but on the eway it is easy to get 28 to 30 out of them.
 
Last edited:
My mom's 1999 Olds 88 will get 32 mpg easy loughing across Kansas on I-70, with 170K on the odo. It did have the stupid upper manifold and gasket leak though.

If I was gonna get a newer Malibu or Impala, I'd get the VVT 3500 V-6. Almost the same fuel mileage as the 2200 Ecotec and you'll appreciate the power.
 
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Dodge Stratus?

Please, no.

I've been in more Stratus rentals than I ever care to recall, and that is one car that I'd NEVER own. Just as I'd NEVER own a Pontiac Grand Am. I have a name for those two models, and the name would be [censored] if I posted it. Here's a hint: S_!tbox.



Why? What is so bad about the Stratus? We have a small fleet of them for work, and they seem to do just fine. They seem comfortable to me, smooth riding, etc. Gas mileage seems to be pretty good. The single thing I don't like about the Stratus is the back seats. Good luck getting back there if you are between 5-10" or over.

Now I've been in a few Grand Am rentals and I agree with you there... those are piles of ....
 
Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Why are you guys pushing an engine that's know for intake manifold gasket leaks? (3.8) Nothing wrong with the Fusion! I would much rather have a Fusion over a Forenza! I like GM cars if they come with Ecotec but I wouldn't be recommending GM V6 engines until it has been proven that the intake manifould gasket issues have been fixed!


Also, why are they pusing a gas guzzler motor on a new family? I would stay clear from any and all GM products, especially the gas guzzling Impalas and that ilk...they have reliability issues too. I would go with a Matrix, or Corolla, or Civic...a young family needs the room, the reliability, and migher MPG that only a Japanese car can provide...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
10 Worst Used Vehicles !
2
Replies
28
Views
6K
Whimsey
A
  • Locked
LEAST Safe Cars...
2 3 4
Replies
74
Views
25K
97tbird
B
  • Locked
A Hard Habit to Break
Replies
4
Views
630
ekpolk
KrisZ
  • Locked
Interesting car reliability data from Germany
2
Replies
39
Views
16K
engineerscott
T
  • Locked
How long the corolla 4AFE will last?
2
Replies
24
Views
36K
jc1990
Back
Top Bottom