What vehicle under 2000? (Specifically the motors)

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I'd skip a Vulcan Taurus. They're cheap, but they're cheap for a reason. We used to have three 2005 Vulcan Taurii in our fleet at work, but are thankfully down to only one. All three leaked oil so bad you could smell it on the exhaust manifolds. They all pinged like crazy and are generally unrefined engines, at least in this platform.


Valve cover leaks? I'd be kind of surprised by that on a 2005, though it should be easily fixable.

Earlier Vulcans up to 2000 or 2001 were known for oil pan gasket leaks, but Ford revised the design and it shouldn't be much of an issue after that, but again I am more familiar with this engine in RWD vehicles and the Taurus probably has a different pan. My truck does have a film on its oil pan, but no drips and it has been that way for a long time. The valve cover area is still dry except for film around the PCV valve.

 

[Hokiefyd]

One of them has been fixed multiple times for the leaks, and I do think they were valve cover leaks. The engine would smoke after use because of the oil. One of them had an oil pan leak, and that one was fixed once and it's still holding. It's the one Taurus we have left. None of them had more than 20,000 miles on them. The one we still have has something like 16k or 18k I think. Used every day, but only in the same 5 square mile area. They get good MPG given the service; low to mid 20s.

 

[bourne]

Originally Posted By: salv
I picked up a 97 nissan altima 2 years ago for $1000. I have 194,000 on the clock. The 2.4 dohc ka24de is bullet proof. Last 700 mile round trip, I got almost 35 mpg highway. Have only spent about $300 on repairs in that timeframe. None were drivetrain related.



This! Nissan's are about as reliable if not more than Toyota/Honda in my exp. First car was 1997 maxima which lasted me till 227k on the odo when I traded it in. Mostly general maintainence. Developed an intake manifold leak around 220k or so, decided to upgrade instead of fixing it. Still brought 1500 USD trade in value.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The other issue on the Tauruses is the transmissions. If the previous owner(s) didn't maintain the transmission, then 150k and it's living on borrowed time.

Glad I wasn't the only one with a ping happy vulcan

 

[Smokescreen]

Buick with the 3800, would get my vote...another would be the Crown Vic.

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: Smokescreen
Buick with the 3800, would get my vote.
curious as to why a Buick and not a Pontiac or Chevy with a 3800?

 

[VicVinegar]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: Smokescreen
Buick with the 3800, would get my vote.
curious as to why a Buick and not a Pontiac or Chevy with a 3800?


Good question. I've always seen LeSabres, Park Avenues, and Regals recommended by people and magazines, but the Chevy/Olds/Pontiac equivalents aren't.

 

[daves87rs]

Saturns!

 

[Spazdog]

Saturn S-series.

The L-series were....ummm...interesting cars.

The Ecotec 4 cyls had timing chain problems. The 54° V6 had some problems as well. The problems were more prevalent in the Cadillac Catera.

Even if it is a good engine, the only cars in the US that used the 54°V6 that I can think of are the Catera, the Saab 9-5, and the L-series. They didn't make a bajillion of 'em like they did with the S-series. Parts could be a problem.

The early models looked like a Saturn. That's not necessarily a bad thing. The later models got this odd chrome grill that at a glance makes it look like an early Kia Optima.

You might be able to get an early 2000s Hyundai Sonata. The one that looks a little like a demented Jaguar S-Type. I think they were still using a variant of the Mitsubishi Sirius in the 4-bangers though. It may well be better built than an actual Mitsubishi Sirius.

The Delta 2.7 V6 has a pretty good reputation but I think that will push over the $2000 limit.

If you don't care about ride quality, don't mind that the top might be a bit deteriorated, and have all day to get to 60 mph, the Geo/Chevy Tracker G16 engine is tough.

Little pickups can be had fairly cheap in some markets. I personally don't like the S10's 2.2 but they can last a long time. The Ranger 2.3 and Mazda B2300 were better to me and have similar longevity. The Dakota with the Jeep 2.5 and a manual is slow and a little too thirsty for as slow as it is, but if you keep oil in it, it will keep going and going....very slowly, but going nonetheless. Might even be able to score a KA24 powered Nissan. Probably not a Tacoma worth owning for less than $2000 though.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: VicVinegar
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: Smokescreen
Buick with the 3800, would get my vote.
curious as to why a Buick and not a Pontiac or Chevy with a 3800?


Good question. I've always seen LeSabres, Park Avenues, and Regals recommended by people and magazines, but the Chevy/Olds/Pontiac equivalents aren't.

It is because they don't acutally know cars.

I suppose you could argue the Buick is quieter and MAY have a little bit better fit and finish. I won't.

I have had 3 3800 cars. 1 N/A Bonneville, 1 Grand Prix GTP and my Current Regal GS. I love the supercharged ones and they suffer no reliability issues due to the blower. My GTP had 270,000 on it when I gave it to a friend of mine. My Buick, like the GTP was, is modified and the Buick did suffer the intake manifold gasket leak. I replaced in my garage in 4 hours for 150 bucks. It now has larger injectors, small blower pulley, larger rocker arms and few other odds and ends. Runs 13.80s consistently.

Back on topic most of the stuff listed it good. I CAN get 26 to 27 mpg highway in the Buick and about 20 to 22 around town.
I average 24-25 mpg on this last tank of gas.

 

[dave1251]

If buying used I prefer a Buick because it is a "old persons" car. Not likely beat on and the interior is likely good condition.