The ultimate Starter

Hi,

I am new here, and I hope you guys can help me with my question.

Now, I am looking for a first car to buy. I only have $5,000 to spend, so I'll go for a second hand. I don't mind if it's old, as long as it's reliable. Also, it should have more than 20 MPG. I don't care too much for body type, as long as it's not a hatchback or a minivan. And eventually, I would rather buy american, for lower insurance costs.

I would like to keep this car untill I finish my studies-5 years that is-, and maybe more. Actually, reliability is my top priority.

I already have some clues as to which car would suit me. I know the GM 3800 engines are very good. I know the 4th gen Camaro has this engine, and also the Buick LeSabre. I also read that the '04 Sebrings are very reliable, but I an dubious about this one.

So what do you think? Do you know some other good reliable american cars?

Sebrings arn't reliable at all, I don't suggest buying one under pretty much any circumstance.

Camaro's are nice and reliable, the LaSabre is to, those are probaly 2 of your nicer options,

Try going to Autotrader.com or cars.com and just set your price range and all that good stuff. this should give you plenty of cars to look at

Thanks for the reply.

I have already been to autotrader, but somehow prices are kind of expensive right now. I still have my parents' Volvo for now, so I'm not in a hurry to buy.

By the way, what are the Cadillac Northstar engines worth?

The Sebring is a good car with the 2.5 v6 and the 4 cylinder.Avoid one with a 2.7 and some have the 2.7 engine.Sebrings do have problems with the factory rear strut plates,made out of Aluminum and break.The replacement is made out of steel,Dorman and the dealer dealer sell them made out of steel.You do not want anything with a Northstar,a huge piece of junk and expensive to repair.Northstars with the aluminum blocks are known for headgasket problems and strip out the headbolt threads in the process requiring thread inserts being put in due to the block being aluminum.

MSN Autos gave the '04 Sebring 5/5 for reliability:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/reliability.aspx?year=2004&make=Chrysler&model=Sebring

and the Northstar DOHC has been in the top 10 of Ward's Best Engines in 1997.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward%27s_10_Best_Engines#20th_century

I know a yard in my area that sells the Northstars real easily.My father bought a Cadillac with bad headgaskets a year ago and it had the Northstar in it.The Northstar is not very reliable due to the headgasket problems and Cadillac has it their way.There is GM and there is Cadillac,Cadillac does it their way.

I'd never buy a Sebring. everyone I've talked to with one hates it

I'll second that - I had an 01 and an 05 Sebring. Both were very unreliable. They're the reason I no longer do business with Chrysler after owning 14 of them. You might consider Buick Century or some of the last Oldsmobiles with the 3.8 engine as well. I've also heard good things about Saturn Ions, but, have no personal experience with them. I own an 08 Aura, and, its been an excellent car.

Regards:
Oldengineer

Problem with Saturn is that there is no aftermarket parts out there for them,dealer only.Saturn is no longer owned by GM,Roger Penske bought Saturn out from GM and GM will make parts for them for 5 years.After 5 year,Roger Penske is on his own for parts recources.

Not a big concern on the Aura - It shares most mechanical stuff with Chevy. Body parts might be a problem if I decide to keep it for a long period of time. Don't know how much parts-bin sharing went on with the old Ion though.

Regards:
Oldengineer

OK so if reliability is a main concern, are you open to looking at a Toyota? My wife picked up a 1996 Camry for $3000 - we've been driving it for 2 years without any mechanical problems and it is more reliable (by far) than my 2003 Mazda Protege5. I've owned a Camry in the past as well, nothing but good things to say. Personally, that's where I would look, or at it's little brother the Corolla.

There is one problem with buying a foriegn car,the profits go overseas and we do not see the profits.Some parts you can buy aftermarket for a Saturn.Try getting an oxygen sensor for a Saturn at your local parts store,dealer part only.Saturn needs to switch back to lug studs and do away with the lug bolts,a pain to line up when reinstalling the tires.

It doesn't sound like he's looking for an ecobox (confirm or deny?) so a Toyota really isn't what I'd suggest. and. haven't had personal experiance with this one, I hear toyota's and Honda's are the easyest cars in the world to dent.

So,

No, I do not want an ecobox - whatever this means. I just want a car that is not too much of a gas guzzler (+20MPG), has enough space, and is decently powered. I would buy an SUV, but I can't afford the gas for now, especially gas prices are expected to rise. I would also buy a German car, but insurance prices are crazy for those.

I will not, under any circumtstances, buy a Japanese car because I don't like their banal design and also for political views. I am strongly against asian cars in the US - but I will not discuss this in this topic.

By the way, I was wondering, are Chrysler engines from the late 90's any good? Ex. Chrysler DHS 3.5V6.

If you go German,avoid a Volkswagon with an automatic transmission.The Automatic transmissions in the Volkswagons are junk.Yes the the late 90s Chrysler engines in the late 90s and you want to void anything with a 2.7 for a Chrysler product.The 2.7 is put in 1998 to 2004 Dodge Intrepids and Chrysler Concordes,Sebrings and some Chrysler 300s starting in 2005 I believe.SOme were put in the Magnums for the base level models too.

If you go German,avoid a Volkswagon with an automatic transmission.The Automatic transmissions in the Volkswagons are junk.Yes the the late 90s Chrysler engines in the late 90s and you want to void anything with a 2.7 for a Chrysler product.The 2.7 is put in 1998 to 2004 Dodge Intrepids and Chrysler Concordes,Sebrings and some Chrysler 300s starting in 2005 I believe.SOme were put in the Magnums for the base level models too.

Is the 3.5 any better?

Agreed I wouldn't go with a Magnum ever personaly.

and there are a lot of suvs that get better than 20mpg, theres some website with almost every car,suv and trucks gas mileage on it, I'll go look that up real quick

here you go
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

The 3.5 is a good engine and pretty much lasts a long time.The 2.7 is known for eating crankshafts due to a very weak bottom end,timing chains,waterpumps and very expensive to repair.The magnums with the 5.7 hemi get great fuel mileage,has a fuel saving system which shuts off 4 cylinders.

The 3.5 is a good engine and pretty much lasts a long time.The 2.7 is known for eating crankshafts due to a very weak bottom end,timing chains,waterpumps and very expensive to repair.The magnums with the 5.7 hemi get great fuel mileage,has a fuel saving system which shuts off 4 cylinders.


:rofl: to bad it only gets an average of 18mpg

You should know what your saying before you say it.

Not true,My mother has a 2006 Chrysler 300C with the 5.7 Hemi with the MDS and it gets 24 MPG.The hemis in the Magnums,300Cs and Chargers,use 5w20 oil only and there is a reason why.Use the wrong grade oil,the MDS system will not work right and the acuators for the MDS get gummed up.

Not true,My mother has a 2006 Chrysler 300C with the 5.7 Hemi with the MDS and it gets 24 MPG.The hemis in the Magnums,300Cs and Chargers,use 5w20 oil only and there is a reason why.Use the wrong grade oil,the MDS system will not work right and the acuators for the MDS get gummed up.

your mother drives one? lol funny sounding.

any way, how bout this?

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
how bout them apples? I believe that says the average for actual drivers that posted on there was 15.6MPG

EDIT: and its good that you know what type of oil your moms car takes. but you can find that posted ON THE OIL CAP

My mother's Chrysler 300C with the Hemi gets 24 MPG and this is not a lie.

Perhaps your mom only drives on the highway? City mileage is what drops mileage like a stone, especially if you're talking a big V8. The cylinder deactivation only comes into effect when you're cruising, which pretty much never happens around town, so you're using all 8 cylinders in constant gas-and-brake. The 3.5 has lots of power, not to mention it's lighter.

3.5 Chrysler sounds good to me. On FuelEconomy.gov, it mentions a 19 MPG, which is ok. The Chrysler LHS / Concorde goes on my list.

So far I have: '00 Buick LeSabre, '97 Buick Park Avenue, '99 Chrysler Concorde, '99 Chrysler LHS,.

One more question: is the Ford 4.6 V8 modular a good engine?

3.5 Chrysler sounds good to me. On FuelEconomy.gov, it mentions a 19 MPG, which is ok. The Chrysler LHS / Concorde goes on my list.

So far I have: '00 Buick LeSabre, '97 Buick Park Avenue, '99 Chrysler Concorde, '99 Chrysler LHS,.

One more question: is the Ford 4.6 V8 modular a good engine?

My folks had a '97 Concorde they drove to almost 350,000 Kms, then they got knocked at an intersection and it wasn't worth fixing the car (rust) - the car never had major engine trouble, tranny was perfect, and neither of them are sticklers for maintenance. Compared to the Buicks, you'll get a more modern, 'driver oriented' interior in the Chryslers. Also look up the 300M, that was a little sportier and tidier in size compared to the big-butt LHS/Concorde.

the LeSabre is a good car, never had an encounter with a Park. Most Ford engines are good quality, only thing to be aware of in Fords is really electrical issues. Can't disagree with the Chrysler advice.

the LeSabre is a good car, never had an encounter with a Park. Most Ford engines are good quality, only thing to be aware of in Fords is really electrical issues. Can't disagree with the Chrysler advice.

The Park Avenue shares the same engine with LeSabre. It is basically larger and more loaded.

I would say the main difference between the Buicks and Chrysler mentioned above is styling. Buicks look more conservative, while the LHS and Concorde display a more aerodynamic design.

I have already been to autotrader, but somehow prices are kind of expensive right now. I still have my parents' Volvo for now, so I'm not in a hurry to buy.


:confused:
I typed in Ford, Chevy, and Chrysler coupe and sedan, $5000 limit, 100 mi radius of your area and got over 1200 cars. Surely there are a few out of that many that would fit what you are looking for.

I am in the market for a large sedan because our Chrysler is getting several minor annoying problems (still runs and drives good). After much research on reliability I am looking for a Ford Crown Victoria. I am not saying it is more reliable than other brands/models, but it fits what I am looking for and rates pretty high. Mid 90's Chevy Impala is a very close second for me. Average mpg is supposed to be about 20. I am only intending to spend $2,000-$4,000. I'm in no hurry either. Watching and waiting for a deal.

any way, how bout this?

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
how bout them apples? I believe that says the average for actual drivers that posted on there was 15.6MPG

:confused:
I went to that link and the average actual reported mileage was over 20 with a high of 23.

Actually, I will wait untill summer 2010 to buy a car, since my parents are kind enough to lend me their Volvo for now.

I still have time to think, but right now I had in mind a V8 manual Camaro or Mustang. MPG might be lower than 18, but I think these cars are worth it.

the LeSabre is a good car, never had an encounter with a Park. Most Ford engines are good quality, only thing to be aware of in Fords is really electrical issues. Can't disagree with the Chrysler advice.


Never heard of electrical issues with Ford personally.

Actually, I will wait untill summer 2010 to buy a car, since my parents are kind enough to lend me their Volvo for now.

I still have time to think, but right now I had in mind a V8 manual Camaro or Mustang. MPG might be lower than 18, but I think these cars are worth it.


I think either one would be a good choice and a lot of fun.

Never heard of electrical issues with Ford personally.

I know a bunch of people that have had fuses blown in brand new Fords. most of the time its nothing that would afffect a car but their safety system just turns the car/truck off

usualy starts right up after that though, weird stuff