Need help choosing a new(er) car...

[Stanley Rockafeller]

So after a great 3 year run wiht the 97 Escort, my GF and I have decided that it may be time to ditch the litte car for a more robust and reliable car.

After renting several admirable cars over the past 2-3 years ranging from Sonata's to Volvo V70's we've decided that getting a car that's a little less fuel efficient is OK with us considering that only one of us uses the car on a daily basis.

One of the main features the car MUST have is RWD. After owning several FWD cars as well as a few RWD ones, the RWD ones seem to need less strucural repairs than the FWD cars. From my auto education and experience, the FWD cars have more stress on front end components, than comporably equipped RWD cars.

Another feature we wouldn't mind is a standard trans car...jsut cause we prefer the 5 speed for the reliability over autos, tho some sutos have proven themselves as very reliabile.

NA cars are preferred, tho some turbos will be considered.

Of the cars we've thought seriously about include:
-Volvo 960/S90
-Crown Victoria (post 02)
-Mercedes 300e/E320 (maintenance repairs tend to be quite $$$ if you dont' have access to a garage/lots of time for DIY repairs, after 2 BMW's I've learned a few things)
-BMW 5 Series (same as above)
-Toyota Cressida
Any other cars I'm missing?
We would like to stay post 95, but we understand that we may have to make a few adjustments to find the "perfect" car

Obviously, ease of maintenance and reliability are just as important as comfort for long trips.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations/tips.

 

[aquariuscsm]

My girlfriend`s Probe went to the great car lot in the sky a few months back,and we found her a 1998 Olds 88 LS that had been a one owner car owned by an elderly couple. Car`s spotless and runs and drives like it`s brand new!

It`s a really good inexpensive,practical,and economical used car. That thing gets incredible gas mileage!

 

[The Critic]

Quote:

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One of the main features the car MUST have is RWD. After owning several FWD cars as well as a few RWD ones, the RWD ones seem to need less structural repairs than the FWD cars.

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This one is a first for me. I've never heard of structural repairs being an issue on FWD cars.

In order to make any recommendation, some of idea of your budget would be nice.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Another plus about her Olds,is I can do pretty much anything repair-wise to it as necessary. Those cars are extremely easy to work on yourself,and parts are cheap and easy to find.

 

[obbop]

Come winter the extra weight of the Crown Vic might be nice.

 

[The Critic]

How about a Dodge Charger 3.5 or a Chrysler 300 3.5 with a few 50lb bags of cement in the trunk during the winter?

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

Quote:

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Quote:

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One of the main features the car MUST have is RWD. After owning several FWD cars as well as a few RWD ones, the RWD ones seem to need less structural repairs than the FWD cars.

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This one is a first for me. I've never heard of structural repairs being an issue on FWD cars.

In order to make any recommendation, some of idea of your budget would be nice.

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I mentioned this on the basis that most of the car's weight is over the front wheels. As a result the steering, suspension, and drivetrain components all suffer from the excess weight, whereas the rear end doesn't suffer nearly the amount of stress that the front end does. As a result, the handling suffers, as well as the accelerated wear on front end components.

In terms of budget, we are open to anything up to about 10K USD...just cause we dont 'want to take out a loan to purchase a depreciating asset like a car. We will make some adjustments for the "right car"/

We're not in too much of a rush, just cause we dont' wanna be stranded with a POS car that nobody would want to buy.

Thanks in advance

 

[The Critic]

I know of many imports and domestics with 150k+ miles that have not required any suspension work. So maybe FWD suspension problems are exclusive to certain vehicles?

Up to 10k? Well, try a near new Mustang.

 

[bretfraz]

I too am baffled by the whole FWD structural integrity concerns.... but whateves. Seems to me that the engineers would have designed components and the vehicle structure to handle that "excess weight".

Anyway, for $10K USD you have a lot of choices, depends on how old and how much work you want to do yourself. An E-class or 5-er would be an expensive car to maintain, as you well know. Unless you hit the jackpot and find a super nice one in your price range, I'd take a pass. Replace these on your list with 94-96 Infiniti Q45, 95-97 Infiniti J30 or 92-95 Lexus LS400. All are RWD and all are more reliable than most eurocars of the same vintage.

Volvos to me are either big winners or big losers. If you can find a super nice one you've found yourself a winner. If not, see ya! Shop hard and buy on condition as soon as you find a perfect one. Otherwise forget it.

Also forget the Cressida. It was last produced in 1992. How many are still on the road, 15 yrs later, in Alberta? How many were even sold in Canada? You'll prolly have to go to Southern California to have any sort of selection and hope it'll never need more than basic maintenance (good luck with that). Take a pass.

There are plenty of Crown Vics and Gr. Marquis on the road in your price range. Parts are plentiful and cheap. This is your most sensible choice. If the cops are satisfied with the car's structual integrity, I'm sure you will be as well. Place this at the top of your list.

No FWD takes a lot of good cars off your list - Nissan Maxima, various GM models, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Avalon... heck, $10K will get you a nice 2-3 yr old Ford Taurus.

Hope all this helps. Have fun car shopping!

 

[smokey1]

I agree w/ the front drive reliability issue , had a 86' Chevy Nova (Corolla) w/ 3 speed auto , 4 door hatchback that had 274,000 miles on it w/o an serious issue ( besides replacing the boots , normal wear ). That transmission shifted and ran like a charm , the tranny outlasted the engine due to the harsh driving conditons of stop asnd go driving over the 5 years . Currently know of someone who has a '98 automatic Corolla w/ over 300,000 miles w/o a serious problem .

 

[03cvpi]

I'm kind of biased. I'd go with a Crown Vic or Gran Marquis. The Local Ford dealer had 5 2007 GM's that had almost every option in the book for 24795.00 - 10k off sticker 3k dealer,7k factory and flex fuel to boot. In the last 20 years, I have had eight including the 3 currently in the garage. My old 87 CV went 255k before i sold it becuase of rust three years ago, and the lady I sold it to is still driving it. Currently has 288k on it and is rusted out up to the freaking door handles. The 94 I sold 2 years ago with 271k and it still ran. No idea where it is today. The 99 was scrapped. A semi decided to kiss the side of the car in the winter of 2002 and sent me into the ditch. Hit the ditch so hard both bags deployed and I was the only one in the car. Bent the frame just behine the motor and blew out both front side windows. All I got where bruises on my chest from the airbag and a realy sore shoulder from the strap and ringing in my ears for about a week. Walked away from it. The 2000 was hit near head on with my GF driving when another lady lost control of her 88 Caprice in a curve, the lady in the caprice was hauled away in neck brace and my GF just called me to pick her up. She had some heavy bruises from the air bag, but walked away. I got tired of the 2002 and sold it at 205k, ash tray was full.( Just Kidding) Currently have a 03 cvpi as a DD, o4 LX as a cruiser and an 05 cvpi for GF. When I was young I hated Fords, The 87 changed my mind, and the 99 and 2000 reinforced it. I like'em an d would not hesitate to recommend them. Have had several FWD cars, Dynasty, Taurus and even a Mitsubishi. Bought for mileage, sold them all becuase they cost to much to maintain, namely timing belts, struts and head gaskets. Only been stranded three times, rotted pickup in distributor (87), idler pulley left the vehilce (94), Lost two tires at once on the highway, rebar from road repair (2000). Maybe I'm lucky. Besides if you don't mind higher mileage newer vehicles, you can gert cvpi's that are three to four years old for under 6k.

 

[Jaymus]

^I'm with 03cvpi.

Get a Crown Victoria. The 4.6 OHC V8 Ford engines are EXCEPTIONAL engines. Not only will you have the perfomance increased engines (260+ horsepower), but they don't even get broke in until 200,000 miles. Why do you think cops and taxi drivers use those Fords?

I am not a Ford man... nor a Chevrolet man. I do like my Chevy's, though. But, I have had a 1994 Thunderbird LX with the 4.6 in it, and, man, what an amazing engine. It sounds so smooth, runs perfect, and I have no fear to take it anywhere. And, I'll say it again, that's in a 1994 engine. It's almost turned me into a Ford man.

 

[surfstar]

In snow country, I'd say go for a Subaru - a Legacy, Outback, or even Impreza would be great for winter time, get decent MPG, and they are quite reliable.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

If you can't find an Impreza don't hesitate to try a Forester.

 

[HardbodyLoyalist]

Of the cars you've listed, if the BMW 5 series is financially viable, then I would consider it a no-brainer.

 

[bond007]

i thought you were looking for a standard RWD car? otherwise i would recommend a grand prix, GT, or GTP models, incredible engines gm3800, has class, and a sporty look to in and fun to drive, espically the GTP, i love mine! this cars are reliable, and durable, and cheap

 

[ThirdeYe]

I really like the Volvo S60, although it's AWD.

 

[Jeremiah]

Of the ones you listed - go with the Volvo. It's structural and mechanical reliability is the best of that group, will get you good gas mileage, and save you $$$ on insurance.

Of you're INSISTING on RWD, I think you may push yourself to the domestic car market. This will KILL you in the long run with either a vehicle that gets horrible gas mileage (crown vics) or unreliable (ford mustang, grand prix etc)... or both.

Toyotas / Subaru's / Honda are all known for living well into the 200,000 mile life span (my Celica has 24x,xxx and still runs GREAT)with no need for structural repairs due to them being a FWD vehicle. Their reliability is EXACTLY what they're known for.