My FINAL first car thread

[CALL_911]

I'm going to be putting on the miles, I can tell you that now.  Part of the deal is doing errands and picking up relatives for family events. 

Doing errands? How far is the grocery store, 2 minutes? Picking up relatives? Do they not own cars? Honestly.

[Cookie Monster]

What about a Town and Country?

And I'd get even the most uncomfortable car as a DD... it's more comfortable than a bicycle!

[Cookie Monster]

Doing errands? How far is the grocery store, 2 minutes? Picking up relatives? Do they not own cars? Honestly.

And how often do you have to pick up relatives?

[CALL_911]

And how often do you have to pick up relatives?

My parents? Like once every 6 months or so from the airport...

[Cookie Monster]

My parents? Like once every 6 months or so from the airport...

Me too. Seriously, you're not going to be "racking up the miles"...

[CALL_911]

Me too. Seriously, you're not going to be "racking up the miles"...

He just wants an excuse to buy a snoozemobile.

That said, I'm out for the night.

[CJ]

He just wants an excuse to buy a snoozemobile.

That said, I'm out for the night.

Is there anything wrong with s snoozemobile?  No, there isn't.  I really just want something comfortable, reliable, pretty good on gas, and with good power.  The Lincoln and the Buick do just that.

[Cookie Monster]

Is there anything wrong with s snoozemobile?  No, there isn't.  I really just want something comfortable, reliable, pretty good on gas, and with good power.  The Lincoln and the Buick do just that.

There's nothing wrong with having some fun you know.
This is your first car, make it something fun!

[Laconian]

Although I know the Regal is good on gas, I think "good power" is probably not such a great criteria to have. Who will be paying for gas?

Also, the Volvo, Merc, and BMW make me cringe a bit. Who will be paying for repairs and maintenance?

Ditto CALL911 about the mileage.

Of the cars you posted, the Buick and the Focus wagon get my vote. I think you should look at the Mazda Millenia (NOT the S, even though it's Miller cycle awesomeness, I hear they have long term reliability issues..)

[Maxxum]

Since you are looking at Lincolns and Buicks....If you can find a Buick Riviera, that would be awesome, unique, different, likely to be reliable and decently powerful yet safe. There aren't many of them around though. BMWs and MBs...well if you don't have spare cash for the likely maintenance costs...think about it.

[Cookie Monster]

Hey what about a Lincoln LS? RWD and somewhat sporty as well as being automatic and a nice cruiser... They look great too!

[The Pirate]

Hey what about a Lincoln LS? RWD and somewhat sporty as well as being automatic and a nice cruiser... They look great too!

+1

A girl in my apartment complex (she's hot too) drives one.  It's a really sharp looking car, and seems to be a pretty nice package overall.  Might be above your price cap though.

[Cookie Monster]

+1

A girl in my apartment complex (she's hot too) drives one.  It's a really sharp looking car, and seems to be a pretty nice package overall.  Might be above your price cap though.

Yeah, they are too expensive... In the Dallas area even the older V6's are going for over $6k. Might be worth it to try and get one of the earlier V6's to $5k... might be able to get it that low.
I just had a ride in one today. Nice car.

[Laconian]

Infiniti J30?

[Tave]

My parents had a Regal with the 3800. Towards the end of it's life (can't remember how many miles) it started crapping out, but other than that it was solid, reliable, comfortable transportation. It's the car I used to pass my driver's test , and for that I am always grateful, but to be honest, I don't remember much of anything about it; it was that unremarkable, and it blends in with the flock of LeSabres and Park Avenues my grandfather has owned.


I only have one really vivid memory of the 92 (I think) blue Buick Regal. I was 16, my truck was in the shop, and I wanted to go to a friend's house. My parents surprised me by saying, "Oh, just take the Buick."

So simple. Of course, take the car sitting in the driveway. (for some reason I had convinced myself they didn't want me driving it on my own.)


What do you do when you're 16 and get the "nice" car to yourself.











You gas it like a bean burrito.

It was the first time I felt WOT in the Regal! Such ferocity, such power: why the hell hadn't someone thought of this before!?

I skipped my friend's and drove the Buick for a couple hours.

[nickdrinkwater]

These cars are boring.  Get something you can at least a little fun with.

[cawimmer430]

Most of those cars cost over $4,500 meaning that once you're done with the purchase you'll only have $500 left. Then you probably need to buy insurance, a few other things that American law requires and the car needs to be filled up with gasoline and oil too!

I think you might want to look at something a bit cheaper. Perhaps something in the $3,500 range(?). 

By the way, putting together the package for you. I've already used one small bottle of Montreal Chicken - it just tastes so good! 

[MX793]

Hey what about a Lincoln LS? RWD and somewhat sporty as well as being automatic and a nice cruiser... They look great too!

Ever sit in the back seat of one?  In all honesty, I think the back seat in my compact Mazda is slightly roomier.  If you're going to be carrying more than one adult passenger with any regularity, not a great choice.

[J86]

You know what I don't understand? How you and 2o6 keep thinking that you're going to be reeling in the miles like no tomorrow. You're in high school! How far would you guys possibly need to go? I know for a fact that I'm hardly going to be putting on any miles when I start driving (at least in HS).

In hs I put on more miles than I do in college!

If you don't count winter break (where I put 4-5k on every year) I'm on track for about 8k anually

[ifcar]

I'd go with the Regal over the Continental. Better gas mileage and fewer things to break.

[Byteme]

My parents decided that a brand new car doesn't make financial sense right now, so they're going to wait a little while and buy me a car.  I was given a budget of $5,000 and have found quite a few vehicles that I like within that budget.  My budget was dropped to $5,000 because of my moron brother.  Why?  I don't know. 

1998 Buick Park Avenue Ultra 102,000 miles $4,900
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/635336689.html


1998 Lincoln Continental 64,000 miles $5,000
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/635265101.html


1998 Volvo S70 102,400 miles $4,500
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/640197860.html


1986 BMW 635CSi 104,000 miles $4,995    <------  WANT
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/642295344.html



1995 Mercedes C-Class 95,400 miles $4,750
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/639005970.html



2003 Ford Focus Wagon 136,000 miles $4,100
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/632871812.html



1999 Buick Regal LS 101,000 miles $4,250
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/614501232.html



I like every car on the list and would consider all but the BMW.  I think the first Buick and the first Lincoln would be the best for me from an insurance/gas mileage/comfort/reliability aspect. 


Please feel free to peruse the Dallas Craigslist and give me some suggestions.  Buying very very soon. 

If it were my choice I'd go the Focus wagon, for a few reasons.  One I like wagons.  Two, Gas mileage (Gas won't be getting cheaper for a while, it at all). Three, cost to repair and reliability record. 

If the Buicks on your list have the 3.1 engine plan on replacing the intake manifold gasket to the tune of $600 for a shop to do it, $150 in parts if you do it yoruself.  Also Buick power window regulators are crap, plan on replacing them regularly, Dealer's charge about $450 each for them.  I've replaced one on a 99 Century, my Neighbor's replaced three on an 02 Park Avenue.

The Lincoln is probably very reliable, the others I have no knowledge of. 

[Raza]

Someone brought up haggling; at this price level, nothing is set.

If you're not hell bent on getting a manual, I'd look at a Volvo 850 T5.  The S70 T5 had a stick, but they're generally twice your budget.  I'd also look at a Focus ZX3 with a stick.  Sean paid $6500 or so for his, and that was two years ago, I believe.

I'd stay away from cars like the Civic or Corolla because their prices are a little too strong, and at this level they'd be a little rough. 

Mazda Protege would be another car to look at; fun, but it can have problems, if Adam is to be believed (but since he's now a moderator, I'd say not to trust him ).

[Raza]

Ever sit in the back seat of one?  In all honesty, I think the back seat in my compact Mazda is slightly roomier.  If you're going to be carrying more than one adult passenger with any regularity, not a great choice.

I generally sit up front when I drive. 





And good idea on the Riviera.  I always had a bit of a soft spot for them.  But I'd really look into an 850 since manuals are off the table.

[Raza]

Doing errands? How far is the grocery store, 2 minutes? Picking up relatives? Do they not own cars? Honestly.

I put 45,000 miles on my car when I was in high school. 

[2o6]

You know what I don't understand? How you and 2o6 keep thinking that you're going to be reeling in the miles like no tomorrow. You're in high school! How far would you guys possibly need to go? I know for a fact that I'm hardly going to be putting on any miles when I start driving (at least in HS).

CJ and I are both in a similar predicimant. You live in NY state, and you likely have a nice public transport system, as well as a city where everything is pretty close and near you.


CJ has an older brother (as do I) who isn't always willing to take us places. We're both the youngest and relatively older parents that work. The last thing they want to do is shuffle some teen around. We both live in mid-size cities (200,000 to 300,000 people) where "the good stuff" is a bit of a drive. I also have many out-of-state friends, and the ones in the state are around a 25 minute drive.



That's why we need a car that can take the miles.

[The Pirate]

Mazda Protege would be another car to look at; fun, but it can have prlems, if Adam is to be believed (but since he's now a moderator, I'd say not to trust him ).

My car has had zero prlems.    Now, problems; there have been a few of those.  The main source has been the rear brake calipers, which seems to be an issue exclusive to the 2001 ES.  I had an oxygen sensor go last week, and something else (I can't remember) a few months ago, but that's it.  The car's never left me stranded, and and I can't really count the O2 sensor as a repair; they do wear out.

Parts for this car are horribly expensive though.  I do miss my Civic in that regard.

And yes, now that I'm a moderator, I lie profusely.  I can't help it, and I don't know why.  In fact, I just made this entire post up.  In truth, Proteg? is the best car ever.  Ever. 

[Vinsanity]

out of the cars in CJ's original post, I'd go for the Benz because of the low miles. Second choice would be the Volvo.

[NomisR]

Get a mini van!!  You'll be the guy that can drive all your friends EVERYWHERE.. and then you have the back seat for..

[Cookie Monster]

Ever sit in the back seat of one?  In all honesty, I think the back seat in my compact Mazda is slightly roomier.  If you're going to be carrying more than one adult passenger with any regularity, not a great choice.

I just sat in the front seat. It doesn't look too bad in the back though. I'd have to sit in it to be sure though.

[ifcar]

Get a mini van!!  You'll be the guy that can drive all your friends EVERYWHERE.. and then you have the back seat for..

See, now, that's what I thought I'd be able to do when I bought a minivan. But alas, like antilock brakes, friends were an extra-cost option that my vans hadn't come equipped with.