Opinions needed beater commuter car
- Thread starter OGRE81
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a 97 buick with the 3800 just turned up (for sale) locally with 301,000 miles. a little care goes a long way especially with highway miles. mike
Keep it! You'll knock down about 30 mpg. Drive it at 65, and it'll do better. My old Buick was a fantastic highway car. It was comfy, rode nicely, and got great fuel economy for its size.
I've done about 90 miles a day in the DC area for about 3.5 years now in my 2000 Civic. Mix of highway and gridlock depending on the day. No problems at all. In fact, every six months or so I consider buying something new and always decide not to because the Civic really gives me no reason to get rid of it.
The Buick sounds like it would get the job done though.
The Buick sounds like it would get the job done though.
I would just drive the Buick if it were me.
But if I were looking for 2K car I would look for 03-06 P71 Ford Police Interceptor..It will have over 100K miles and few dings but for the most they are serviced reguarly..Most better then a private owner car..You can easily put over 300K miles on those cars doing 140 miles per day..You can get 25 or more MPG on the highway with it..I would be perfect for your 140 mile per day trip..Plus everything in it will be in work working order..For 2K bucks every private owner car will have a million issues..I know a few guys who bought P71'S for beater cars and all were happy with them.
The Buick or the P71 is a lot better then all those little cars that were mentioned.
Over the Christmas holiday I had a lot of company and was in a lot of their rental cars..Some were Corolla,Cruze,Civic,Sonata, Rio,Sorento..All were good short tripper cars but for long trips everyday no way.
Just IMHO.
But if I were looking for 2K car I would look for 03-06 P71 Ford Police Interceptor..It will have over 100K miles and few dings but for the most they are serviced reguarly..Most better then a private owner car..You can easily put over 300K miles on those cars doing 140 miles per day..You can get 25 or more MPG on the highway with it..I would be perfect for your 140 mile per day trip..Plus everything in it will be in work working order..For 2K bucks every private owner car will have a million issues..I know a few guys who bought P71'S for beater cars and all were happy with them.
The Buick or the P71 is a lot better then all those little cars that were mentioned.
Over the Christmas holiday I had a lot of company and was in a lot of their rental cars..Some were Corolla,Cruze,Civic,Sonata, Rio,Sorento..All were good short tripper cars but for long trips everyday no way.
Just IMHO.
As long as the intake manifold gaskets are taken care of, the 3800 is a great engine.
I would use that Buick as a DD if I needed to.
I would use that Buick as a DD if I needed to.
Unless you want to buy a brand new Prius, stick with your Buick. I know you are looking for an excuse to buy another vehicle but by suggesting a Prius, I am hoping that you will forget about buying another vehicle altogether. I am intentionally killing your "mood" here 
- Vikas
- Vikas
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Unless you want to buy a brand new Prius, stick with your Buick. I know you are looking for an excuse to buy another vehicle but by suggesting a Prius, I am hoping that you will forget about buying another vehicle altogether. I am intentionally killing your "mood" here
- Vikas
Haha yeah thanks for that but it's what I needed to hear. I can be a hoarder sometimes when it comes to things with motors. I did not need the Buick but I wanted it and it was too good a deal to pass up. I agree with all of you that it will be the best option for the commute I have.
Unless you want to buy a brand new Prius, stick with your Buick. I know you are looking for an excuse to buy another vehicle but by suggesting a Prius, I am hoping that you will forget about buying another vehicle altogether. I am intentionally killing your "mood" here
- Vikas
Haha yeah thanks for that but it's what I needed to hear. I can be a hoarder sometimes when it comes to things with motors. I did not need the Buick but I wanted it and it was too good a deal to pass up. I agree with all of you that it will be the best option for the commute I have.
If the Lesabre gets 30mpg highway, just drive it.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2026
Drive the Buick, I have had 3 3800 powered cars. A Boneville that I drove to 250,000, a Grand Prix GTP that I drove to 270,000 and my Current Buick which has 86,000 miles on it.
By 04 the gasket issue should have been fixed. They were updated that year in the 3800. You should see anywhere from 26 to 30 mpg on the Highway. With the smaller pulley(my Buick is supercharged) and some spirited driving on the last 300 mile highway trip I took in the Buick I averaged just over 27 mpg.
By 04 the gasket issue should have been fixed. They were updated that year in the 3800. You should see anywhere from 26 to 30 mpg on the Highway. With the smaller pulley(my Buick is supercharged) and some spirited driving on the last 300 mile highway trip I took in the Buick I averaged just over 27 mpg.
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