Hey there - I need to find a cheap car (around $2500 or cheaper) for a family member . He needs something to get him through a couple months of paychecks so he can show income and finance something better- I have gotten together a short list of vehicles that I've been looking at for him and was wondering if anyone can point me toward a vehicle that I might not be looking at, or give me a reason to stay away from them.
1. Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Towncar, Ford Crown Vic - in that order of preference, because they're what I drive, know and trust to keep going up to 250K miles+ without major breakdowns. Ideally, If I could find an 05+ all the bugs are pretty much worked out, but I don't see that happening in his price range
2 4.0L I6 jeeps - late 90's/early 00's cherokees/grand cherokees. The thing that worries me is rust and 4WD system issues. It's hard to find something that hasn't been lifted and abused or is rotting away underneath. Replacement tire cost is also a consideration - then again, CL is flooded with like new takeoffs with rims for around $600-800 a set off of newer jeeps.
3. Toyota Camry - I know very little about which ones are good - I know the 02+ 4 cylinder engines switched to a timing chain, but they are also known for stripping head bolts - otherwise pretty bulletproof. Hows maintenance/part costs on toyotas?
4. Ford taurus/mercury sable - early 00's models are what I see the most. I remember them being somewhat reliable (except for the climate control/radio module) but don't know what to look for or just how many miles their V6 engine can go.
5. Ford escape - early 00's models. It seems like the V6 is pretty trouble-free for 200k miles + as long as it is taken care of, but I don't know about the longevity of the AWD/4WD system in some that I have seen. generally I try to stay away from vehicles equipped with AWD just because of the added complexity and cost to maintain or repair.
6. Ford 500/Mercury Milan/Lincoln Zephyr - are these cars turds or do they last? I haven't heard much about them but always liked the body style of the milan and zephyr.
any input is appreciated - again if there's anything you think I should stay away from or be looking for please shout it out! His only requirements are safe, cheap enough and easy to fix, 4 doors and a backseat for his kid, and halfway decent on gas.
While I hated it at first, his current vehicle (a 2007 Kia Rondo) actually kinda grew on me - but he hit a deer and his insurance company wants to total it (bumper cover, bumper, headlight assembly and mount, fender, and strut, plus other miscellaneous parts and repaint), . The 2.4L engine and accompanying trans are strong but I don't know if it's worth putting the money and time into fixing it (he could keep it for $600), getting it inspected, retitled, and reinsured. He doesn't have the time or knowledge to get it all done himself and I don't have the time to do it all myself. If the interior was in better shape, I might be inclined to give him the $600 for it, but at 170k miles, its gonna need some more work shortly. Not to mention, it's over $300 just to get all the parts for a new strut assembly - I hate how expensive and hard to find Kia parts can be.
1. Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Towncar, Ford Crown Vic - in that order of preference, because they're what I drive, know and trust to keep going up to 250K miles+ without major breakdowns. Ideally, If I could find an 05+ all the bugs are pretty much worked out, but I don't see that happening in his price range
2 4.0L I6 jeeps - late 90's/early 00's cherokees/grand cherokees. The thing that worries me is rust and 4WD system issues. It's hard to find something that hasn't been lifted and abused or is rotting away underneath. Replacement tire cost is also a consideration - then again, CL is flooded with like new takeoffs with rims for around $600-800 a set off of newer jeeps.
3. Toyota Camry - I know very little about which ones are good - I know the 02+ 4 cylinder engines switched to a timing chain, but they are also known for stripping head bolts - otherwise pretty bulletproof. Hows maintenance/part costs on toyotas?
4. Ford taurus/mercury sable - early 00's models are what I see the most. I remember them being somewhat reliable (except for the climate control/radio module) but don't know what to look for or just how many miles their V6 engine can go.
5. Ford escape - early 00's models. It seems like the V6 is pretty trouble-free for 200k miles + as long as it is taken care of, but I don't know about the longevity of the AWD/4WD system in some that I have seen. generally I try to stay away from vehicles equipped with AWD just because of the added complexity and cost to maintain or repair.
6. Ford 500/Mercury Milan/Lincoln Zephyr - are these cars turds or do they last? I haven't heard much about them but always liked the body style of the milan and zephyr.
any input is appreciated - again if there's anything you think I should stay away from or be looking for please shout it out! His only requirements are safe, cheap enough and easy to fix, 4 doors and a backseat for his kid, and halfway decent on gas.
While I hated it at first, his current vehicle (a 2007 Kia Rondo) actually kinda grew on me - but he hit a deer and his insurance company wants to total it (bumper cover, bumper, headlight assembly and mount, fender, and strut, plus other miscellaneous parts and repaint), . The 2.4L engine and accompanying trans are strong but I don't know if it's worth putting the money and time into fixing it (he could keep it for $600), getting it inspected, retitled, and reinsured. He doesn't have the time or knowledge to get it all done himself and I don't have the time to do it all myself. If the interior was in better shape, I might be inclined to give him the $600 for it, but at 170k miles, its gonna need some more work shortly. Not to mention, it's over $300 just to get all the parts for a new strut assembly - I hate how expensive and hard to find Kia parts can be.
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