Good cars?

[booker81]

I'm looking to get rid of my Expedition and get a smaller car - but it's been a LONG time since I've had a car. Wondering if folks could weigh in on cars they've had or cars to avoid?

Looking to get something that's 4 doors, automatic trans, and does well past 100,000 miles. Something that's not "known" to have bad ball joints, or go through brakes, yada yada. Something that if it breaks down, the parts aren't crazy expensive.

Only thing is that I'm 5'10" and hubby is 6'5", so interior space is a biggie. We have the kiddo as well, in a booster, but she's also tall.

The dealership we need to go through has a lot of cars and goes through a lot of cars (we are in Chapter 13 bankruptcy, so are dealing with a trustee, have to go where they say). I'm not sure yet what price range we'll have.

So far, I'm leaning toward a Taurus, but that's only because I had one 14 years ago, and it was a good car (and the dealership has a lot of them).

What fairly inexpensive cars make good used family cars, that have decent gas mileage?

 

[Just reebok]

I have had NOTHING but problems with my Ford Freestar. I wish I had never bought it. Ever.
Are you set on buying American made? If not, I can say that the Hyundais are a great value and have outstanding warranties. I also like Nissan and Toyota. Had all those and Zero problems. I will be putting my Ford in the shop for the 4th time in 2 weeks tomorrow. I am also on my 5th alternator on the horrid thing.

 

[booker81]

I'm not set on anything other than good longevity, good mileage, and decent interior. I checked the dealership, and they don't have much on Hyundai, but have a few Nissan Altima's

I live driving my Expedition, but I'm not liking the repairs. Blew a tierod last week, paid $00 for the repair plus $100 for the tow, and mechanic says my other tierod and the ball joints are going to go, for the tune of about $1000. I don't really want to put that into a 1997 vehicle...

 

[fuzziebutt]

Ya just can't beat a Buick. They last forever, and are great riding, great running cars.

 

[Fur & Feathers]

booker,
am not sure if these are used in america but woud completely recommend the citroen nemo multispace.
havent got any pics on computer,but this is a old blog thread with photos had done about mine- http://theresidentialautist.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/its-miracle-have-washed-car.html
am not able to drive it so cannot comment on driving-get it through the motability scheme- http://www.motability.co.uk/main.cfm

due to disability issues am not allowed to sit in front passenger seats,but the back space in this car is amazing and its one of the reasons had gone for it.
there is huge roof space so its very good for us tall people,the citroen nemo is actualy a van and the citroen nemo mutispace is a conversion of it so it has the pros and cons of such-the high roof space of course being the best point.
the rear seats have sliding doors which are a lot easier to open than the traditional pull open doors,and the front seats are pull open.
the doors can be child locked as they did that with mine,there is a key hole around the rear side entrance for that.
there is a huge amount of boot space and all but one of the rear seats can be pulled down if anything big needed to go in.
its a lovely car,very smooth drive,the engine isnt a huge size but that means it doesnt drink petrol like an alcoholic with alcohol either.
there is a trip computer on it which gives out lots of information like temperature and warns if there will be ice on the road,mine is knackered though and it says there will be ice when we are overheating from the weather.

if it is sold in america,woud say to make sure any prices were looking at included air conditioning because it doesnt come with it as standard, had no idea of this till after the POA had signed the contract.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Anything with a diesel. VW, BMW, Volvo, whatever. I still get 19 MPG out of my 1984 8 passenger diesel suburban.

Generally though anything rear wheel drive will last longer an cost less to fix.

 

[booker81]

Our neighbor has a Jetta TDI for sale - gets about 50mpg on it - 300k and asking $2500 for it. Too bad it's a manual though - I'm already down a foot (right foot is broken and has been, I was lax on getting to the doc, now looking at surgery), and I haven't driven a stick since I was 16 and drove one around the block a couple times

I have a dumb question though. When I think diesel, I think of our tractors growing up, and the dually trucks - which here in MI meant plugging in each night in winter. Are diesel cars like that? I mean, I can easily plug in, I just would need to remember to (if it's needed).

 

[booker81]

Those Citroens are nifty looking, but I can't find one stateside

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

This far south we dont usually have to plug them in... Mine has a plug though.... If that Jetta TDI was down here my brother would be all over that. 300K is high for a gas car but not for a diesel. Remember Kenworth covers there trucks till 1 million miles. My GMC is over half that an still going. An the 6.2 in it is thought of as one of the bad diesels....

 

[chickened]

What is your budget? I still see a lot of minivans on the road. They have tons of room. My wife has a 05 Chevy duramax diesel gets 20 mpg and is a very safe vehicle. KIA are good rigs and surprisingly they have room and are inexpensive. Avoid Chrysler products and the new Chevy stuff.