Newbie buying a car, need help please.

I’m looking to purchase a new car, right now I’m using a 1995 Oldsmobile with close to 250 thousand miles on it. I’m also moving from Ohio to California in a few months and knew there is no way my car is going to make it. So it’s time for a new one.

I really like the looks of the minicooper and the fortwo smartcar, but many people have downed those cars to me, saying they would not be good for that much travel and that they die off pretty quick. So now I’m not sure what to get.

I want something with good gas mileage, and also looks nice(like I stated before, I really like the look of the minicooper and fortwo smart car). It does not have to be brand new, but something in the last 2 or three years would be nice for a suggestion from you guys. I want to keep it under 20 thousand dollars, maybe even around 15, but for right now, I’ll say under 20 thousand.

I’m open to all car suggestions too, and would love to hear why you think it would be a good car to get as well.

Thanks a ton you guys :)

Well the Fortwo is not what I would call nice looking but to each their own. Also, if you are moving how would you ever fit anything into a Fortwo. Of the two mentioned the Mini would be a better overall car in my opinion. You might also look into a Honda Fit since you seem to be into smaller cars. Also in terms of small cars, Hyundai has come a long way in reliability and quality of build over the last few years and are still amazingly cheap.

Mini Cooper's are an excellent car, just be aware that they are still built in Germany and replacement parts and maintenance will be more expensive than a normal domestically-built car. But, if you can pick one up for around $13-$16K, you still have some money left over for future repairs - this is what I would recommend. Find one that falls below your budget after all taxes and fees, and save the rest in a piggy bank for when you have pay out for repairs - nothing on the road handles like a Mini and gets 35 mpg, they are brilliant little vehicles. As for the car 'dying off' that is just speculation. If anything, the fact that it is a quality-built German compact using BMW technology speaks well for the future of the car, just keep the options low and you'll have fewer problems.

Aside from that there is a whole crop of small, sporty compact cars vying for your money. A few choice new(ish) cars are the Mazda3, VW Golf/Jetta, or the new Kia Forte. Hyundai doesn't have much for 'fun' in their lineup unless you spend $25K on a Genesis Coupe, so I'd stick with Kia - just be weary that the price may be attractive up front, but resale is also lower than Honda/Toyota.

The Civic Si is a fun car that offers both sporty driving and frugal economy, but it's pushing the budget unless you find one that's a year or two old. That car will be bulletproof reliable. If you're looking at VW, get one with a turbo - the GTI with 2.0T is brilliant.

lol the bugs were terrible.

I'd wait for the Fiat 500 to come out later this year/early next year. Might even be able to get the Abarth package, have some extra fun ;) Dunno about exact pricing but the base model should be under 15k

Hey guys

ive been looking for caddy for a while, my search has gone from deville dts to an eldorado to sevilles. I am finally settling on a seville SLS mainly because of the price.

Im getting an SLS model which hurts quite a bit considering the STS is way nicer but ill live.. here are my questions...

1) The car has high mileage... when should the timing belt be done? 60k? 120k? fill me in on the timing belt subject in these things.

2) the grey lowers on the sls... I have searched this entire site, does nobody paint them the same color as the car? Im sure someone has done it, or the idea has at least been kicked around. My 2 previous cars were audi's and everyone in that community paints the lower grey area the same color as the car.

3) Im assuming not all sevilles come with bose?? I didnt see any bose logos or anything of that sort on my headunit or speakers, so im assuming this one doesnt have bose... or do they all have bose?

4) Lowering springs... i want to lower my SLS right away, the ride height is too high for my likings.. Does everyone use the eibach kit? Any recommendations? Are new shocks needed or can the factory shocks handle the new springs?

5) The steering wheel... I LOVE the woodgrain wheel on the STS models, how should i go about achieving this on my SLS, do custom interior shops install custom wood grain on the wheel, or do i need to buy a whole new steering wheel??? Im sure it would be cheaper just to get a shop to somehow do a custom wood grain install on the wheel.. idk how they would go about it tho.. im curious to see what other SLS owners have done if ever done at all

oK im sure there are more questions but I dont wanna overload one post..

feel free to throw in any side notes on any issues the '00 models seem to have.

thanks guys i look forward to being here for a while considering on my previous forums ive been a post whore lol

Aren't the older Northstar engines prone to blown head gaskets or something like that? I know there was a serious engine problem with a lot of them, I'd search online very carefully to detail what exactly you're getting into and how to be prepared going into the sale...

Great just to add up, here's my tip A smaller car that gets excellent mileage may be what you need for that short daily commute. Most people don't need a super, ultra-fancy luxury car to go back and forth the 10 or 20 miles to their jobs. And if you do commute very long distances, mileage should be a prime consideration along with vehicle comfort and safety.

Aren't the older Northstar engines prone to blown head gaskets or something like that? I know there was a serious engine problem with a lot of them, I'd search online very carefully to detail what exactly you're getting into and how to be prepared going into the sale...

The northstars were actually one of the most reliable V8 engines made. Not to mention they performed well and ran really smooth

The northstars were actually one of the most reliable V8 engines made. Not to mention they performed well and ran really smooth

Hmm, that's odd because I've found many internet references to the corrosive and expensive DexCool coolant, blown headgaskets due to faulty block engineering, and massive oil burning tendencies. To sum it up, here's a quote from Canadian Driver's used car review:

"Of course, you only need to worry about crash safety as long as the car stays running, which the Seville didn’t like to do. Consumer Reports gives the Seville a deplorable reliability score, saddling it with its “Not Recommended” rating. Notable trouble spots include the complicated Northstar engine, electrical and power equipment, suspension and brakes. (At that point, what’s left?) And check out the long list of recalls: make sure all those that apply have been addressed before buying. Don’t buy one of these cars expecting parts to be low-priced like those for any other GM product as the Seville shares few of its bits with other GM products."

Yet again Puker, you're going from gut feeling not real facts...do some reading before you lure others into a potentially expensive trap.

The northstars were actually one of the most reliable V8 engines made. Not to mention they performed well and ran really smooth

Sorry akboss1, puker got my vote, it's easy to surf and find some negatives, but overall yes I agree the northstar was a winner.

Hmm, that's odd because I've found many internet references to the corrosive and expensive DexCool coolant, blown headgaskets due to faulty block engineering, and massive oil burning tendencies. To sum it up, here's a quote from Canadian Driver's used car review:

"Of course, you only need to worry about crash safety as long as the car stays running, which the Seville didn’t like to do. Consumer Reports gives the Seville a deplorable reliability score, saddling it with its “Not Recommended” rating. Notable trouble spots include the complicated Northstar engine, electrical and power equipment, suspension and brakes. (At that point, what’s left?) And check out the long list of recalls: make sure all those that apply have been addressed before buying. Don’t buy one of these cars expecting parts to be low-priced like those for any other GM product as the Seville shares few of its bits with other GM products."

Yet again Puker, you're going from gut feeling not real facts...do some reading before you lure others into a potentially expensive trap.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1998-to-2004-cadillac-seville-2.htm
Only engine issue was "probably due to carbon buildup"

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2001/cadillac/eldorado/100000570/reliability.html
No significant engine problems

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1996/cadillac/eldorado/723/reliability.html
No major engine issues.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1992-to-2002-cadillac-eldorado-2.htm
Sound from suspected carbon buildup again, no head-gasket problems from a faulty block anywhere to be found....

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?year=1997&make=Cadillac&model=Eldorado&trimid=85
Moderate problem from a crankshaft sensor....... nothing big once again

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/cadillac/deville/13801/reliability.html
crankshaft sensor....... Need I go on?

:bananasmi
Suck it! lol

Sorry akboss1, puker got my vote, it's easy to surf and find some negatives, but overall yes I agree the northstar was a winner.

:ylsuper:

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1998-to-2004-cadillac-seville-2.htm
Only engine issue was "probably due to carbon buildup"

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2001/cadillac/eldorado/100000570/reliability.html
No significant engine problems

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1996/cadillac/eldorado/723/reliability.html
No major engine issues.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1992-to-2002-cadillac-eldorado-2.htm
Sound from suspected carbon buildup again, no head-gasket problems from a faulty block anywhere to be found....

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?year=1997&make=Cadillac&model=Eldorado&trimid=85
Moderate problem from a crankshaft sensor....... nothing big once again

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/cadillac/deville/13801/reliability.html
crankshaft sensor....... Need I go on?

:bananasmi
Suck it! lol



:ylsuper:

So you brought up 6 sites that issue warnings and problems and say 'it's not an issue'? WTF? ConsumerGuide gave this car a 56/100 rating, and if I remember high school (you should be familiar, Puker) that is almost a fail. Also, from one of your self-righteous links:

"Occasional problems on this vehicle are failures of the Lower Valve Body and the Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Solenoid. The cost to repair the Lower Valve Body is $273.68 for parts and $162.50 for labor. The cost to repair the TCC Solenoid is estimated at $40.35 for parts and $630.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax."

*based on $65/hour, most mechanics work at $80-90/hr now.

Actually, here's a company that has found enough blown head gaskets (apparently a non-issue according to some people) that they have created a business around it:

http://www.northstarperformance.com/

and another

http://www.heal-a-seal.com/NorthStar.html

And here's one close to home for the 'non issue':

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t439949.html

To add, there are no fewer than 14 recalls administered for this car within Canada, I would imagine there are just as many in the good ol' US of A. So if any one of these have not been addressed, you could be facing more serious problems.

It's not my money, go for it. Just don't bitch and moan like the other guys trying to get rid of their worthless Cadillacs after the engine is blown. There are lots of other cars that drive similar for a good price that don't have these issues, but who am I to say - apparently myself (as well as the general automotive press and several well-attended forums) are in the minority.

i'ma say honda civic!
cheap, reliable, gas efficient, spacious, what else could you want/need? :D


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Not sure if this is tongue-in-cheek or serious, but honestly if someone wants to keep their costs low and drive a fun, comfortable, cheap car in the process then a Honda Civic makes a lot of sense. Problem is they are everywhere and that makes them seem 'boring', but when you get behind the driver's wheel they really aren't.