Car shopping, any ideas?

[jkust]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

Firstly, cars in MN are expensive. More than other states that aren't doing as well. I bought my last car in Michigan because it was like going to Mexico there was such a price difference. Ohio was inexpensive as well. I still can't believe what I paid for my daily driver that was $48,000 new only three years old. Someone mentioned the Prius and while it will obviously smash the Grand Cherokee mileage, in MN in the winter the MPG's drop substantially. My good friend bought the previous gen Prius new to replace his 98 Grand Cherokee with the v8 and the MN mileage in the winter aint close to 50. Of course there are tons of websites on this. He has had absolutely nothing go wrong on the Prius in about 80,000 miles in 4 years.

I think the big issue for me would be safety. While I had all 1970s' Cutlass Supremes with zero safety equipment as a kid, I would stuggle to put them in a small car with limited safety equipment. Where MPG's are concerned, I think you are stuck with a 4 cylinder. I had a loaner Chevy HHR last year and while it was not my speed, it had all the modern safety equipment, I couldn't get the MPG's to below 39 no matter now hard I drove it and they are dirt cheap in the used market.

 

[ToemanDoug]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

The early Honda CRV's should fall into your category......97-99. I have one with over 220 K, gets almost 32 on highway, has AWD, is really pretty simple to maintain, plenty in salvage yards (due to age), bodies seem to hold up well......

 

[bassman284]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

Well, you're talking about spending $2500 for improved gas mileage. In my mind, the first thing to do is calculate how long it will take for you(her) to save $2500 in gas. I had a spreadsheet for this which apparently has disappeared (?) but it looks like she's spending $400 a month now, so if that can be cut in half, it will take a little over 12 months to break even on a $2500 vehicle. If there are no repair costs on the $2500 car.

I go back to the Car Talk guys when asked what is the cheapest car to own. Their answer - the one you own now. Assume the Jeep is paid for and has been maintained such that no big repairs are in the immediate future, the only cost is the gas it uses, which of course is not insignificant.

I have a 97 Jeep GC with V8 and 196k on the clock which is basically the same rig you have. I'm 66 years old and retired so I could conceivably drive this til I die. It runs fine and I've kept up with the maintenance AND I really like it. However, I'm considering dumping it in favor of a newer Jeep, maybe a 2007 or 2008. Just for fun. Not because I need it. Obviously I'm not switching for gas mileage.

What I'm trying to get at is that I think it will be very difficult to get double the gas mileage with a high degree of reliability for $2500. I certainly wouldn't want to try it myself. If you are really committed to this, I would advertise the Jeep on Craigs, ebay etc. but also on jeepsunlimited.com. Price it at about $2500 (or more if condition warrants) and you may find a ZJ fanatic who really wants it. That's what I'm going to do with mine if I decide to make the jump.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/3266440826.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/ctd/3273194417.html
Ford Taurus is a decent car, relatively easy to work on, tons of them out there for parts, safe, comfortable to sit in and drive, decent looking, and my old 96 got up to 33 mpg on the highway. Some problems with the AC in those years so watch for that.

 

[captmello]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

Thanks for the continued input guys! I went and looked at a 99 escort last night. the guy is asking 1400 for it. it has 183k on it. My thinking was I could buy something that needed a little "TLC" and spruce is up a bit, but this car needed a lot. It needs tires, maybe brakes, radio is broken, front bumper cover broken and missing one entire corner, and it has a bad exhaust leak making it very loud inside while cruising at speed.

While the car needs work, it isn't anything I can't handle, however, I don't want to buy a project...

I've expanded my search to the slightly larger cars, like the Taurus mentioned, I didn't realize they could get 30mpg.

Wish me luck!

 

[captmello]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

Well, you're talking about spending $2500 for improved gas mileage. In my mind, the first thing to do is calculate how long it will take for you(her) to save $2500 in gas. I had a spreadsheet for this which apparently has disappeared (?) but it looks like she's spending $400 a month now, so if that can be cut in half, it will take a little over 12 months to break even on a $2500 vehicle. If there are no repair costs on the $2500 car.

I go back to the Car Talk guys when asked what is the cheapest car to own. Their answer - the one you own now. Assume the Jeep is paid for and has been maintained such that no big repairs are in the immediate future, the only cost is the gas it uses, which of course is not insignificant.

I have a 97 Jeep GC with V8 and 196k on the clock which is basically the same rig you have. I'm 66 years old and retired so I could conceivably drive this til I die. It runs fine and I've kept up with the maintenance AND I really like it. However, I'm considering dumping it in favor of a newer Jeep, maybe a 2007 or 2008. Just for fun. Not because I need it. Obviously I'm not switching for gas mileage.

What I'm trying to get at is that I think it will be very difficult to get double the gas mileage with a high degree of reliability for $2500. I certainly wouldn't want to try it myself. If you are really committed to this, I would advertise the Jeep on Craigs, ebay etc. but also on jeepsunlimited.com. Price it at about $2500 (or more if condition warrants) and you may find a ZJ fanatic who really wants it. That's what I'm going to do with mine if I decide to make the jump.

I agree with you completely, and this has been part of my trouble. The Jeep is not worth more than 1500...maybe less. High mileage Jeep GC's are a dime a dozen around here.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

...

I've expanded my search to the slightly larger cars, like the Taurus mentioned, I didn't realize they could get 30mpg.

Wish me luck!

2000-2005 Chevy Impalas with the base 3.4 do this guaranteed. I always got 33mpg highway with all 5 of mine. Also I got 22 in city driving. Mix in a little of both, and it was 26mpg, pretty steady. Let it idle from 7am til 5pm (I did this for work) , and it still got 20.

 

[jkust]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

2000-2005 Chevy Impalas with the base 3.4 do this guaranteed. I always got 33mpg highway with all 5 of mine. Also I got 22 in city driving. Mix in a little of both, and it was 26mpg, pretty steady. Let it idle from 7am til 5pm (I did this for work) , and it still got 20.

I've had a 3.4 in my 2000 Silhouette minivan for 13 years and it's heavy but manages 26 mixed. They are underpowered for the minivan application compared to todays much more powerful engines so 26 is respectable.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

I tell you what to get. Try to find her a 90's era Honda Civic DX four door. I bought one from my sister for $500.00 and all I did was repalce the water pump, timing belt, timing belt tensioner and put new belts on her and she runs GREAT!!!! I just did that so I had piece of mind on that old of a car. I do have to get the Air Conditioner fixed but will wait to I have better funds. All in all I love this car and it runs GREAT!!! Can she drive a manual shift car. That is what I would get her and there very reliable.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

BOught my son a 1998 ESCORT ZX2 Cool two door. 4 cylinder with 104k on it. An old lady had it and traded it off. We gave $3,000 for it. It had 4 new tires, battery, wipers, emergency brake cable, and oil and filter change when we bought it off of a dealer. He gets an average of 30+ mpg. We put some custom wheels and tires on it (he now has a winter set of tires extra), he had the windows tinted. It really looks good. I was hesitant about it to start with because of the 4 cyl. engine. BUT, we were told that if you keep the water pump changed, every 75,000 miles they run forever. NOT sorry we got it !!!!! FYI

 

[mscher]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

I too, am looking for a first car for our niece, also and had a question for the pros.

I have seen a 2005 Ford Taurus SE and a Chevy Prism, with low miles and a a relatively low price at dealer web sites. Look like nice cars.

In the description the ford was to be sold quick before it goes to the auction and the prism, was "discounted to bring it in to the marketplace". (it's a 2000)

these vehicles were specifically described (from different dealers) selling "as is". Since there are no warranties on used cars anyway (normally), is this a "Freudian slip" way of saying that there is something wrong with the vehicle? I don't see "sold as is" on most vehicle descriptions.

Great info about the Prism being a Toyota.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

I tell you what to get. Try to find her a 90's era Honda Civic DX four door.

Great cars but not what I would drive in MN. They sit too low to the ground for driving around in the snow and if you get hit by an SUV or pickup you are going to be squashed.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

I too, am looking for a first car for our niece, also and had a question for the pros.

I have seen a 2005 Ford Taurus SE and a Chevy Prism, with low miles and a a relatively low price at dealer web sites. Look like nice cars.

In the description the ford was to be sold quick before it goes to the auction and the prism, was "discounted to bring it in to the marketplace". (it's a 2000)

these vehicles were specifically described (from different dealers) selling "as is". Since there are no warranties on used cars anyway (normally), is this a "Freudian slip" way of saying that there is something wrong with the vehicle? I don't see "sold as is" on most vehicle descriptions.

Great info about the Prism being a Toyota.

Probably totaled by insurance, sold at a crash auction and put back together again. That may or may not be a big deal depending on what was damaged. Don't know much about the prism but can't say enough good about the Taurus. There are lots out there in the 200K mile range and that's a good sign.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

A $2500 car for a young driver is a very difficult bill to fill. First, you've got to get them to agree to drive it. Second is finding a car of that price that's roadworthy, especially in the far North where rust and salted roads are such factors.

I'm a car guy retired from a major auto manufacturer. I've seen'em all, and had over 100 company cars. The price is the problem, as the good used cars simply pull premium prices on the used market. Used car prices are up substantially in the last 2 years.

Great used cars are: Ford Taurus'--didn't have enough horsepower to tax the bodies.
Any Buick. Old people drive them slow, and they pull low prices after the owners are deceased.
Ford Ranger/Chevy S10 4 cylinder 5 speeds--for young men.
Honda Civics--but much more $ than $2500 for a good one. Pull ridiculous prices, but are easy to sell.
Toyota Corollas--same as Civic.
Ford Escorts/Focus'--give good service if they've been properly maintained, and the price is right.

Stay away from most Chrysler products and cars with no retail market representation (dealers) in your area. You need experienced mechanics and the availability of salvage parts in junkyards to keep a clunker going.

I've switched to Lexus' for my wife due to bulletproof mechanics and extremely low depreciation--and my brother in law is a dealer. I replaced a 09 Civic SI with a 2012 Civic SI last month, as they're virtually trouble free. I continue to drive a 10 year old SuperDuty Lariat diesel crewcab that has more life left in it than a new gasoline powered pickup truck--a great value if you can live through the payments.

 

[captmello]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

Thanks for the continued input. As I mentioned before, I've been checking into the taurus/impala sized cars and finding a much better selection and better prices. I can get a lower milage, less rusty car for less than those overpriced civics and corollas. Even though they don't get the same mpg, I'm thinking I may be able to get something with a few more miles left in it than the old Jeep. To me that justifies not doubling her gas mileage, but will still an big improvement.

Naturally, being a contractor type, I'm swamped with work right now and am having trouble finding car shopping time!

 

[mscher]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

Anyone have any input on 00' and up Mazdas?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

I sold a 1998 VW Jetta with only 111k on it for $2500 last year. so there are deals out there.

you just have to look. keep searching.

 

[jkust]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

Here's an article on top cars under $5000. http://editorial.autos.msn.com/10-great-cars-under-5-grand
I can hardly imagine what a 2500$ car would be like if these are 5k and under.

 

[captmello]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

Ya, I'm not liking what I'm finding in my price range. I looked at Mazdas and found them to be just about as expensive as the Hondas and toyotas.

Scott, I'm not even going to discuss the VW's...except to say I got a "Free" 98 Audi A6 a few years back that cost me 300+/month just to keep it on the road for the 6 months my wife drove it, until the tranny went out, mercifully... What do they say about free stuff... I do think VW's are nice when newer, but to expensive to fix.

I checked out that article about the "great cars" under 5 grand...I would beg to differ. If you looked at what repair parts cost for VW's, Range Rovers, and Volvo's, you'd have the "Most expensive to repair" list started! Also notice, no toyota or honda... I guess I'm kind of fixated on the repair and maintenance of the cars since I'm the one who will be working on it.

Which brings me to todays fun of putting a new water pump in the Jeep i'm trying to replace. At least the weather is nice today.

 

[stackz]

Re: Car shopping, any ideas?

check what cars there are a lot of out in the local u-pull yard and buy based off that is what I normally do.

If there's lots of escorts in the yard, I'd look for one of those. mainly because used parts are obviously plentiful and dirt cheap.

I'd look for a southern non-rusted car to get as much life out of it as possible.

Its not hard to tear an interior apart and pressure wash, restain the carpet, etc.

also, as long as its a base model sohc engine and not a dohc maintenance is stupid easy...its just as easy on the dohc ones just sometimes bolts are more of a pain to get to.