Any car experts? Got $4k

[NyleRN]

I'll second the guy who said Buick. I know several folks who currently have or have had and they are good reliable cars

 

[Moparracer89]

If you do go for an impala, monte carlo, or any other GM based car with the 3.1 or 3.4 v6 engine, make sure it has had the intake manifold gasket repaired. This gasket fails on every one of those engines and its a pain to replace, costly if you have a shop do it. Just food for thought.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

If I had $4k and I MUST buy reliable transportation...

I'd also look at a used Buick.

Think through "who you know" and who you know may also have elderly parents and/or grandparents. Then, as gently as you can, inquire if they may have a vehicle that they don't use any more or simply can't due to age/eyesight/other malady.

-J-

 

[cyprant]

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-ford-escort-5spd-4-door-super-low-miles.html

 

[HeadlessRoland]

1968 Buick Skylark. (Am I doing it right?)

 

[jkaetz]

I would look at a 2000-2005 Buick Park Ave. I have a 2004 and love it. Tons of room, comfortable ride, and the GM 3.8L engine will run forever. Seriously, 250-300k miles is not uncommon for these engines. Plus about 26-30 mpg on the highway. You can find them for under 4k all day long.

Anything with the GM 3.8L engine. They can be found in:
Pontiac Grand Prix
Pontiac Bonneville
Chevy Monte Carlo
Chevy Impala
Buick Regal
Buick Park Ave

The 3.8L engine has been evolving since the 70's and as such is relatively simple and very strong. Common repair issues with the above cars over 100k miles will be wheel bearings but they aren't incredibly expensive to replace. To check, raise the car and grab the wheel at 12 and 6. See if you can push to top and pull the bottom and the the opposite. If there is much play it will likely need a replacement soon. Additionally you might want to pull the door panels and make sure the plastic that is supposed to keep water out of the inside of the car is still stuck well. It has a tendency to come loose after many years of heat cycles which will let some water in when it rains. Some standard maintenance I'd check the belts and radiator hoses. Both easy to change. I have a supercharged 3.8L Grand Prix from 2002 with 107k and counting. No engine issues at all. I don't do much but oil changes and spark plug changes. I will say that all of the above are a bit like driving a land barge, but they'll get you there with little trouble.

If you do go for an impala, monte carlo, or any other GM based car with the 3.1 or 3.4 v6 engine, make sure it has had the intake manifold gasket repaired. This gasket fails on every one of those engines and its a pain to replace, costly if you have a shop do it. Just food for thought.

This is why I'd only look for one with the 3.8 liter engine.

 

[Tnichols00]

2001-2003 Volvo XC 60. AWD, 2.5l that gets 30mpg its a got a large back so also works like an suv.

We have had a fair share of volvos and always run them well past 200k.

 

[thumperdogg]

1968 Buick Skylark. (Am I doing it right?)

If we are going 60's, I am getting a Nova

 

[Indyhd]

I have a 99 Olds Delta 88 we had to take away from my FIL due to Altzhiemer's. I just spent $667 on brake lines and would like to get it out of my driveway. Only 85k plus or minus. We just couldn't let him drive it anymore. 3.8 liter and in exceptional condition.

 

[thumperdogg]

I have a 99 Olds Delta 88 we had to take away from my FIL due to Altzhiemer's. I just spent $667 on brake lines and would like to get it out of my driveway. Only 85k plus or minus. We just couldn't let him drive it anymore. 3.8 liter and in exceptional condition.

I am willing to bet you will have no problem selling that!! I just want something a little newer.

 

[MemphisR32]

I'm not at all affiliated or even know who it is but on 31 between Tipton and Kokomo a guy is selling a 2500 Suburban for 3700. Can't beat that for reliability.

 

[HeadlessRoland]

If we are going 60's, I am getting a Nova

No va. No go.

 

[saleen4971]

Jeep Grand Cherokee. hands down.

 

[saleen4971]

Anything with the GM 3.8L engine. They can be found in:
Pontiac Grand Prix
Pontiac Bonneville
Chevy Monte Carlo
Chevy Impala
Buick Regal
Buick Park Ave

The 3.8L engine has been evolving since the 70's and as such is relatively simple and very strong. Common repair issues with the above cars over 100k miles will be wheel bearings but they aren't incredibly expensive to replace. To check, raise the car and grab the wheel at 12 and 6. See if you can push to top and pull the bottom and the the opposite. If there is much play it will likely need a replacement soon. Additionally you might want to pull the door panels and make sure the plastic that is supposed to keep water out of the inside of the car is still stuck well. It has a tendency to come loose after many years of heat cycles which will let some water in when it rains. Some standard maintenance I'd check the belts and radiator hoses. Both easy to change. I have a supercharged 3.8L Grand Prix from 2002 with 107k and counting. No engine issues at all. I don't do much but oil changes and spark plug changes. I will say that all of the above are a bit like driving a land barge, but they'll get you there with little trouble.

This is why I'd only look for one with the 3.8 liter engine.

every single GM V6 will need the intake gasket replaced. if the PO let it go too long, say hello to a ticking time-bomb.

 

[thumperdogg]

Guy in Kokomo on CL had a nice impala at a great price. I inquired about it, he said he bought it from an insurance company. He told me he didn't know the history on it. I asked if he was willing to pull a carfax on it and he gave me the VIN and told me he didn't need the carfax, but if I wanted to pay for it I could run it. Ran it and turns out the car was totaled by the insurance company! You don't think that they told him that??? JERK! He could have just told me that before wasting my money!

 

[Tomc1947]

I don't like car payments either. Just got a '97 Honda Civic, 160K, runs like new.
IMHO, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and Saturn----all good values.

 

[thumperdogg]

I don't like car payments either. Just got a '97 Honda Civic, 160K, runs like new.
IMHO, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and Saturn----all good values.

Hondas are sweet, but still worried about the rice burner damage lol!

 

[thumperdogg]

Got it today...1999 Ford Taurus SE. 110k miles, mint inside and out. Clean car fax and runs like a brand new car. $2200.

 

[Mosinguy]

Get an '08 Crown Vic. I see them all the time under $4k. Probably going to be my next vehicle purchase if I don't buy a truck.

Well, I'm 4 days late. Disregard.

 

[Dead Duck]

The P-71.

Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.
Parts are plentiful and the 4.6 is a user friendly motor.