Need help deciding what used car to buy

[nmikmik]

I really hate doing this, but it looks like I have to buy another car. I currently have 05 Camry that my wife is driving, 96 Volvo 850 GLT with 5 speed that I drive myself and 95 Camry with 181+k that is driven by my son (used to be my wife’s car). I prefer servicing my cars by myself to save some money and for that piece of mind, or it’s just because I am “anal” according to my wife. I know too much information, just trying to sort of explain what kind of dood I am…
I always used to have an extra vehicle when we had two drivers, but when my son started driving about 6 month ago, that extra part disappeared (insurance went up enough the way it was so it did not even cross my mind to get another car) and now when I have to do anything to any of my cars it’s like pooling teeth. I also have issue with my Volvo, don’t get me wrong I love the car (it’s a wagon) and enjoy driving it, but on the long trips, over an hour, by back started to let me know. I lowered tire pressure to bare minimum and got a softer riding tires, still it’s too harsh of the ride for me on the long trips. I always used to have Hondas and love them very much, still keep some oil filters in my garage, but I had to get rid of my last Civic because of that ride issue.
So now looking for the fourth car I am looking to spend no more then 4 grand, I started looking at Acura Legend and drove a couple of them (most of them are beat up for that price) then I remembered I drove a Lincoln Town Car once and it had a very wavy but soft and comfortable ride. I believe they also use a regular gas compare to a premium on my Volvo and the Legend. My problem is reliability, I know I will never get the same from Lincoln as I will from Acura, but where would I find an Acura for a decent price and there is gas price issue again. Sorry for a long winded question, I just don’t know what to do.

[alphalanos]

Youll probably find better ride quality in a larger/heavier car. Im surprised the Volvo is giving you issues. How old are the shocks?

[sickcallawayc12]

That's tough, dunno any reliable large, heavy cars under 4 grand. I can speak for Oldsmobile's ride quality (uncle owns one) but the son of bitch broke down on the highway. Cadillac is good, grandpa and another uncle owned sevilles, but broken almost half the time.

[nmikmik]

I know it's tough call, because of price. I replaced the struts as soon as I bought it 3 years ago and they were shot. Got Monroes just for that reason, smoother ride. I wanted Koni or Bilstine that would give me more of the Honda like handling, but ride would of been even harsher. I heard Crown Vics had a trany problems, do the Grand Marquise and Town Car share the same issues? I also looked into getting very old Mercedes like 560 or 420 series from the 80s, but a lot of them are beat up and I think they require a premium gas too. I like Infinity Q45, but they are not that reliable unless you get into 97/98 range and that gets me out of my price range and again the premium gas issue. That leaves me pretty much only with the Town Car I guess.