[Chuck C]

My girlfriend needs a used car within 2 weeks (price range $6-9k, miles < 90k) She has been looking at:

Accords
Camrys
Solaras
Corollas
Maximas

anything else out there?

Also, what are some important checks for used vehicles besides brakes and tires?

 

[Jesda]

Solara/Camry: Crummy engine and questionable tranny. My dad's 99 V6 just died at 99k. I warned him. Seriously overrated and overpriced POS.

Accord: Excellent engine. Questionable transmission depending on year. Check recalls. Good to drive. Good resale, which makes it a poor used bargain.

Maxima: Excellent engine. Good driving dynamics. Automatic trans will die around 150k on earlier models in harsh climates (made before 1997). Get the 5-speed if possible. I almost bought an automatic Maxima 3 years ago with 374k. Ran like a brand new car.

Mazda 626: -Excellent- manual transmission. Garbage Ford automatic. Good chassis and secure handling. I dig the motorized oscillating vents. Low resale makes it a heck of a good buy.

2000+ Buick Regal: Durable, quiet, lots of features, cheap to maintain, but she might think its boring. Check recalls.

If the engine is belt-driven, ask about when the timing belt and water pump were last done.

If it has over 75k, ask about when the transmission was last serviced (I dont care what this forum's now-departed expert says about maintaining automatics; he's wrong).

 

[Chuck C]

very good advice thank you!

 

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

I would go with the Maxima because it's sporty, quick (15's in the 1/4 mile) luxurious if you get the GLE. If you get the SE, its even more sporty due to a different suspension setup, and the SE is the only one you can get a 5 speed manual with. Plus, the Nissan 3.0 V6 is an extremely well engineered motor thats extremely reliable. It's been in Ward's top 10 engines for quite a while. (the 3.0 and 3.5 V6's, I think the 3800 is in there somewhere also) It's good on gas (21/30 mpg) and seeing as how it's the Maxima, it's Nissan's Flagship vehicle. But If it was me looking for another FWD vehicle, I would look at 91-96 Park Aves, Ninety Eights and Bonnevilles. Cheap, quick, extremely reliable, good on gas, cheap to insure, roomy, luxurious if you get Park Ave, Ninety Eight Regency Elite, or Bonneville SLE,SSE,or SSEi..just overall great vehicles

 

[mccombie_5]

I would say a used Buick Park Avenue, LeSabre, or a Honda Accord......Coupe....

 

[Chuck C]

Thanks again for the replies

Caveat: fuel economy and reliability trump speed.

 

[EcSTSatic]

So she is looking for a sippy, Asian, FWD car is that right? Just want to refine the search criteria. There are some cool AWD Subaru's out there.

Timing belts have a definite lifespan. You especially want to be sure on an interference engine.

 

[Chuck C]

So she is looking for a sippy, Asian, FWD car is that right? Just want to refine the search criteria. There are some cool AWD Subaru's out there.

Timing belts have a definite lifespan. You especially want to be sure on an interference engine.

Not even...she's looking for reliable, snow worthy transportation. We defaulted to Japanese cars, but that doesn't limit other country's brands.

 

[AznPrydeRegalRyde]

My girlfriend needs a used car within 2 weeks (price range $6-9k, miles < 90k) She has been looking at:
Accords
Camrys
Solaras
Corollas
Maximas
anything else out there?
Also, what are some important checks for used vehicles besides brakes and tires?

Jesda gave a pretty good review. I'd go with the Buick Regal, personnally, as looks won't come into play with fwd family sedans from the late 90's.
The buick may not have a 5spd, but the engine is bullet-proof, it's faster then the Maxima if you get the Regal GS. Some guys have pulled 14.4, completely stock. It's basicallly the same car as the Pontiac GTP, except without the widetrack, but WITH class, and a much lower price, and cost of insurance.

 

[JC316]

What is wrong with the Cadillac Seville or Eldorado? You can get one that is completely reliable for that price.

 

[mccombie_5]

What is wrong with the Cadillac Seville or Eldorado? You can get one that is completely reliable for that price.

Wuite Expensive to run and service though

 

[Elvis]

I'll always recommend Honda first.

Don't rule out Acuras.

 

[Jesda]

Avoid the late 90s CL and TL (trans). Avoid the Legend (trans, head gasket).

Consider any Integra or RSX.

 

[AznPrydeRegalRyde]

I'll always recommend Honda first.
Don't rule out Acuras.

I had a 2000 Acura TL-S until the tranny siezed on the highway at 80+ mph sending me into a slide/abrupt stop. And apparently, this was sorta common with last 90's and early 2's Acura TL/CL's...

 

[c5 rv]

Don't rule out the early 2000s Impala or Monte Carlo with the 3.8 engine. They are comfortable, larger, reliable cars that are pretty good on mileage and rather inexpensive to insure. Plus anyone can work on them.

 

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

3800's all the way!:worship:

 

[Night Wolf]

Jesda gave a pretty good review. I'd go with the Buick Regal, personnally, as looks won't come into play with fwd family sedans from the late 90's.
The buick may not have a 5spd, but the engine is bullet-proof, it's faster then the Maxima if you get the Regal GS. Some guys have pulled 14.4, completely stock. It's basicallly the same car as the Pontiac GTP, except without the widetrack, but WITH class, and a much lower price, and cost of insurance.

lol, the Grand Prix is no wider then a Regal at all... that is just Pontiac's marketing. They are the same exact chassis.

I'll really stay out... for me to reply to a couple threads, then give my answer, this could be an all nighter

Really though, I'll help narrow it down:

ANY 3800 powered GM car.

There ya have it, pick whatever make/model and you are good to go

 

[JC316]

Wuite Expensive to run and service though

It all depends on your driving and matinence habits, the previous owners driving and matinence habits and the type of milage. I have a 94 Lebaron that has 100K city driving miles and the owner didn't take very good care of it, it needed a engine and tranny. I have a 96 Blazer that has 160K highway miles on it and the owner took good care of it, it drives like brand new. Some of us here got cars that didn't have very good care taken of them and they are pretty expinsive to fix.

 

[addison_ii]

1991-1995 Deville or Seville with 4.9
1993(Seville and Eldo)-1999 Deville, Seville, Eldorado with the NorthStar
*make sure you get service records or warranty*
1995??-?? Maxima good cars, peppy engines.
1991-1999 Buick Riviera/Park Avenue/LeSabre, Oldsmobile 88(LSS) 98(Regency), Pontiac Bonneville/Grand Prix with the 3800 Series I or II.
1995-99 Chevrolet Blazer, GMC Jimmy, Olds Bravada. 4.3 ltr last long /good towing motor.
1995-1999 Buick Century, Regal, or Chevrolet Lumina (for 3.1 or 3.3 engines check the intake manifold)