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Author Topic: Used car suggestions  (Read 1470 times)

Online Blender345

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Used car suggestions
« on: August 18, 2011, 04:17:27 PM »
Hey guys, I've owned my 1999 olds alero since 06 when I bought it for $3k with 115k miles on it. This was my first car and bought it based on looks mainly. As of this week it has 189k miles on it, and with the way it runs, makes me think I may be in need of a new car soon.

I am looking for suggestions on cars that I can buy for $5k, since I am still in college unfortunately, and I only work part time (and hoping I still have this job this time next year). My preferences are 4 door, strandard transmission, 4 or 6 cylinder (prefer 6 but hear the 4's can have close to the same power) and around 200 horse power. I also prefer non-turbo since my cousins legacy has gone through 3 since hes had it (kinda scares me). I'm hoping for something with an average of 20+ mpg.

Any suggestions are welcome, even if they don't meet my preferences. Just trying to get ideas on what to look for/at. I am also hoping to find one with under 100k miles. Like I said if suggestions don't meet my preferences it doesn't matter, just trying to get ideas on what to look for. Thanks for your time guys.
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Online RafMan

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2011, 09:54:54 PM »
Good luck finding a decent used car with under 100k miles for under $5k. The "wonderous" cash for clunkers stimulus  program really whacked inventory by forcing the cars to be crushed.  :( As a result used car prices have shot up .
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Online richief

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2011, 10:24:21 PM »
a reliable vehicle for 5k gets 20 mpg.
Take a look at Toyota 4runners, between 97 and 01, and raise it to  under 150k they will go well into the 200k range, with nothing more than regular maintenance.
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Online Kerismo

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2011, 11:00:04 PM »
If you can lower your MPG criteria, you can get Smokin deals on great condition used jeep cherokees. but you'll only get low teens for mileage.

My 02cnts....
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Offline Zach112688

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2011, 10:23:39 PM »
get an older honda or toyota if you are looking to save some gas $ and you got an olds aurora for looks? :o lol
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Online Blender345

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2011, 12:48:20 AM »
Quote from: Zach112688 on August 19, 2011, 10:23:39 PM
get an older honda or toyota if you are looking to save some gas $ and you got an olds aurora for looks? :o lol

99 2 door alero.
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Offline MadSmith

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2011, 04:28:26 PM »
How about something out of the ordinary?

Ideal 4 door sedan for North Eastern Winter country!  :)






4x4 with low range rock crawler gearbox, 36in military run-flat Hummer tires with aggressive threads on heavy duty 8-bolt pattern rims, 14 bolt full floater rear axle.

Yours for the bargain price of $3.5k!  :)
« Last Edit: August 22, 2011, 04:31:37 PM by MadSmith »
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Online GreggAndrews

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2011, 04:05:09 PM »
Look for a '94 & up Mercury Grand Marquis or civvie Crown Vic.

On the highway, you're probably averaging 22mpg. That, and they're EXTREMELY safe, do well in snow, very quick (although not nimble by any stretch of the imagination, & virtually indestructible.


... And you can find mint ones all day long for less than $3000.

(I'm in the same boat you're in. I'm 19, going to school, & on a shoe-string budget)

It's too bad you need 20mpg minimum. CVPI's are in even BETTER shape, & run less than $3000 usually. Severe duty axles, suspension components, transmisson, and internals are AWESOME. (I have a '98, and it is a great car. I love it.)
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Online banshee89

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2011, 05:41:59 PM »
Foreign cars have a higher resale value and aren't necessarily better. With that in mind I would look for a GM car with the tried and true 3.8 liter in it.  the newer ones... 2005 and up are around 200hp and I think some trims like the Pontiac grand prix had even more. I know the Pontiac GP had a super charged model that had around 300HP and was built between 2004- 2009?.  They where 4 doors and you could probably find one for around $5000 if you look hard enough. Would be a lot more fun to drive than a 4runner.

I agree that prices on used cars are really high right now so you may or may not find one for $5000.

I do like the crown Vic idea. ;D


my 2 cents.
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Online GreggAndrews

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2011, 06:24:00 PM »
If you find a 1990-ish Oldsmobile 98 with the 3.8... JUMP ON IT. We had one, and it was an excellent car. No Honda or Toyota can touch you either (PLENTY of low-end torque). Excellent little engine, with a very, VERY low price tag. Tough too.

The reason I mention the Crown Victorias, is just for the fact that I bought a 1998 P71 (white) at the Wethersfield auction for all of $1800... mint condition, 114k.

Before I did what I've done to it, I've SMOKED tuned out VW VR6's. They'll have you up to about 35mph, and anyone short of a Corvette or Mustang (who you're up against) after that is going to get their butt kicked. The 4.6 is an EXCELLENT engine for top-end. Plenty of low-end grunt to play with too (who here likes to chirp the rear wheels once in awhile?)  8)

On top of that, the State (I would NEVER recommend buying a municipal cruiser) maintains the cars VERY well.

So where else can you get a WELL maintained, V-8 powered, full sized, five-star-crash-test-rated car for as much as you could buy a ragged out Honda or Toyota owned by a kid?

If I were you, I'd strongly consider buying one. You can't go wrong.  :)

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Offline kostas

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2012, 01:27:03 AM »
you can get alot of decent vws around that price check out vwvortex.com
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Online mberoose

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Re: Used car suggestions
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2012, 08:09:56 PM »
You may have to compromise on a few things.

A boring-ass Corolla will be bombproof if you don't mind driving an automotive appliance.

Otherwise, Cherokee XJ 4.0L, Subie Impreza 2.2L (don't have the head gasket issues of the 2.5 Subies), GM W-Body w/ 3.8L V6, Ford Crown Vic/Gran Marquis, Ford Ranger/Mazda B-Series w/ 5 speed (autos have more issues)

I've owned 4 VWs...never again.  But if you had to, go with the 2.slow 4-banger, they're actually reliable. 
« Last Edit: January 04, 2012, 08:13:43 PM by mberoose »
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