Looking for a decent ride

[wn1998]

I am currently in the market for a used auto for my finace. We are in the "just looking" phase now and probably will buy sometime in Feburary or march. Just wanted to see what you guys thought of the current used car market.

We are looking to spend 10-15k
We would like an SUV if possible
If not SUV we would like a 4 door sedan
reliability is a must!
An engine that is easy to work on would be best
I will get it checked out throughly before I buy so I am just looking for some general info

Thanks in advance

 

[55Test]

Hm, reliability and an easy to work on engine, kinda mutually exclusive nowadays. Why do you want an SUV? Do you really need one? If you're venturing off into the woods, or you tow big trailers, then an SUV would be a good choice, but for any other needs, you'd be much better off with a decent 4 door car, or a minivan if you need the seating capacity. As for which brand, a Honda, Toyota or Nissan would be a wise choice. IMHO, there's nothing produced by GM, Ford, or Chrysler that's even worth a look. Bad reliability plagues a large handful of new cars produced by the american manufacturers (excluding domestically made Toyota's, Honda's, etc).

 

[Ugly3]

Get a 4 door sedan coming off a 2 year lease. Buy the extended warranty covering to 100,000 or 150,000 miles and drive well.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I agree to some degree about buying a Toyota or Honda, but things are not like they used to be. If you go for a Toyota, I would avoid the sludge monsters. This link tells what engines were affected:

http://www.corolland.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=16441&hl=sludge

Also, the Honda CRV is having problems with fires caused by the old gasket from the oil filter being left on during an oil change. Honda has had some transmission recalls. Not sure what models. I have a 93 Nissan Sentra. Good car, but not the as reliable as I would like. In my opinion, Nissan has gone downhill in quality in past years. The new Sentra had so many problems, Consumer Reports no longer recommends it. I would be more cautious if interested in a Nissan. I know someone who has a 2001 Lexus RX-300. Highly rated and living up to its reputation. I know it is too pricey, but the Highlander based on the Camry platform also had high ratings in Consumer Reports. Not sure that would even be in your price range. I have found going to forums invaluable when researching the ins and outs of a vehicle. If you can narrow your choices, you may want to join or visit specific forms for that make and model. I bought a 99 Saturn SL2 last year. It is a much better car than I expected, and one of the few I know that IS easy to work on. It was one of two used American cars recommended by Consumer Reports. The other was a Ford Crown Vic.

 

[benjamming]

quote:

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Originally posted by MONKEYMAN:
Also, the Honda CRV is having problems with fires caused by the old gasket from the oil filter being left on during an oil change. Honda has had some transmission recalls. Not sure what models. I have a 93 Nissan Sentra. Good car, but not the as reliable as I would like. In my opinion, Nissan has gone downhill in quality in past years. The new Sentra had so many problems, Consumer Reports no longer recommends it. I would be more cautious if interested in a Nissan. I know someone who has a 2001 Lexus RX-300. Highly rated and living up to its reputation. I know it is too pricey, but the Highlander based on the Camry platform also had high ratings in Consumer Reports. Not sure that would even be in your price range. I have found going to forums invaluable when researching the ins and outs of a vehicle. If you can narrow your choices, you may want to join or visit specific forms for that make and model. I bought a 99 Saturn SL2 last year. It is a much better car than I expected, and one of the few I know that IS easy to work on. It was one of two used American cars recommended by Consumer Reports. The other was a Ford Crown Vic.

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The Honda Accord 98-02 has transmission problems affecting about 5% of the cars.

I also agree about the Sentra or any other car made in Mexico.

You can also go to a local bookstore & sift through the latest Consumer Reports Used Car book.

 

[drm7]

My vote is for the Jeep Cherokee. Should be easy to work on the I-6 as far as plugs/wires/cap/rotor/etc. These engines & trans go a long, long time. 10-15k will get you a nice '01 (last year made) with reasonable miles. The back seat is a little small so try it out but overall this is one vehicle that is built to last. A guy I know commutes to work in Atlanta in one with 425k miles on the clock. I've seen dozens with over 200k.

Good luck!

 

[T-Keith]

Buick Lesabre

2000 with low miles should be 10-15k easy.
Not an SUV
Great Reliability!
Easier engine to work on then almost every car made.
30+mpg highway, big interior, lots of options.

Can't get much better then that.