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car question

Quite different then what we have experienced. My wife has a '97 SW1 with 130K on it. Never had an engine problem although we did replace the alternator. Uses about a quart of oil every 2 months now but I can live with that. We have the 4 cylinder in it and still get 37mpg on the highway.

domlee said:
I owned a Saturn in the past. I would like to point something out, as a specific model to avoid.
I owned a 1997 SL2. This was actually my now ex-wife's car.
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Gipper76 said:
We have yet to have anyone mention Mazda! Great reliability, cheap, and extremely safe.
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I've had a 92 626 (with 260,000 miles) and a 99 626 (with 140,000 miles). Both were pretty good cars. I will back them up. Most people don't ever think about them though.
 
Oh, I just remembered. My dad use to have an early 80's (at least I think it was early 80's) Mercedes turbo diesel. This thing was a tank, had no airbags but it didn't matter it was built real solid and could take a beating if needed. That was going to be my first car but the timing belt went on it and destroyed the engine. My great uncle had one that lasted 500,000 miles then it just died on him.

They can be found for about $2,000 if you look for them.
 
Ludivigo said:
Mid-90's Pontiac Grand Prix with the 3.8L engine. Mileage will be decent for a big car, safer than a smaller car and easier (and cheaper) to repair than an import. Actually any of the GM's with the 3.8 (Impala/Monte Carlo, Buick Regal) should fit the bill.
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These cars are pretty good as far as ease. parts, safety, etc. The 3800 3.8l engine is virtually bullet proof (reliable). The mid 90's models still have the early stages of OBDII computer diagnostics. So computer problems are not too difficult to track down. Still not for the harry homeowners though.

I'd suggest trying to find a Chevy Suburban from this era Frank. The 5.0 or 5.7l engines were easy to work on, with a wide open engine compartment and not a lot of junk on them. About the only thing they were known for was the intake gaskets leaking. Once replaced, no problem.

This would give you the big/safe you are looking for, and give them plenty of room for social/school events.

audilicious said:
Honda Civic, Accord, Acura Integra

Those 3 cars are great first cars, extremely reliable, unlimited parts availability, and almost as easy to work on as a dirtbike.
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Too small, not safe enough for a teenager.
 
Yeah, looking for safety 1st and foremost. I didn't to spend too much for a couple reasons, i don't want them spoiled like alot of the kids they go to school with whose parents buy their kids Range Rovers, GT Mustangs, etc.... Other reason is insurance will be sky high, so i was thinking about something i didn't have to pay collision (or whatever the term is) on, but haven't checked to see how much difference that would be.

Turks post about all the air bags got me thinking though...

Thanks for all the info guys!
 
Frank, I gotta agree with Turk. Your girls wrapped your truck around a tree. Their fault or not, a 90's series compact just isn't going to stand up to that.
 
mmburtch said:
Frank, I gotta agree with Turk. Your girls wrapped your truck around a tree. Their fault or not, a 90's series compact just isn't going to stand up to that.
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This is where i'm struggling. I've been told by many people, how much they actually know i have no idea, that the older Volvos and Mercedes are built like tanks, big and heavy. My understanding of older Mercedes are they are terribly expensive to work on, but for their safety, so what. I was looking at these 2 specifically for safety, the gas mileage and ease of repair would be nice, but safety is my #1 concern. Now, can those 2 cars take impact better than my 2006 Titan did? Is a car with air bags all the way around it safer than an old Mercedes or Volvo Tank?
 
The "tank" would probably fair just as well in a front-end crash, but offer little protection from the side or a rollover. Airbags all around would be safer for the variety of crashes that could happen. Just my opinion, though... no facts to back that up.

You're factoring in the cost of driving lessons for the kids, again, right?? ;)

---John Holmes...
 
Gator said:
My understanding of older Mercedes are they are terribly expensive to work on, but for their safety, so what.
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Your right. I don't actually know anything about their safety. My limited experience with the Mercedes is very little work was done on it other than basic maintenance. Although if a somewhat important part needed to be replaced I could see that being a problem. Between it being an older car and that it's an import that would add up for some expensive parts.

For safety reasons another truck or SUV is probably your best bet.

Gator said:
Now, can those 2 cars take impact better than my 2006 Titan did?
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I highly doubt it. If you can find a car or truck that can take that kind of impact better please let me know. If I remember correctly your daughter walked away from that crash unharmed. That is very impressive as far as keeping her safe.

Good luck in your searches. Remember you should probably only buy from reputable dealers and using Carfax to check vehicle history is a good idea (especially after hurricane Katrina, There are a lot of cars that were in the hurricane that have worked themselves over here for sale)
 
If safety is now your #1 concern

VW has a nice lease special right now, under $200/month for jetta's and golf's I believe. That's $200/month knowing they're safe and in a reliable car, VW's also come with 4yr/50,000 warranty, as well as full service and roadside assistance. All you do is pay for gas, and tires (which shouldn't be a problem on a short lease), VW does everything else, and if they need the car longer than a day for repair you get a free rental/loaner.

just another idea.
 
Well, they got A's & B's, so today i got them a 1993 Volvo 850 GLT, 135k miles, tricked out, runs great, everything works, and it has air bags. Dang thing is heavy and solid, and not fast, ideal.
 
Gator said:
Well, they got A's & B's, so today i got them a 1993 Volvo 850 GLT, 135k miles, tricked out, runs great, everything works, and it has air bags. Dang thing is heavy and solid, and not fast, ideal.
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Great choice. Heavy, safe, and if you really wanted it to it might go 80 (it will take awhile to get there though) and you should be able to find parts very easy.

And congrats on them getting good grades.
 
I started with a 1998 Ford Taurus, and I had totaled it within three months. Next I moved on to a 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham edition. No matter what I tried I just couldn't kill that car! Good durable steel body, and a nice V8 305 engine to move that heavy piece around. Of course that V8 would move it around VERY quickly when the foot gets a little heavy, so if they like fast this car could be trouble.
B
 
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