Thread: Looking for another car

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 21
  1. #1 Looking for another car 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lehigh Valley
    Posts
    94
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    As the title states I am at the beginning process of looking for another car to replace the high mileage car my kid drives to work everyday. Just broke 202k. I know a lot of you will say that is just getting broke in, but for me that is starting to live on the edge of reliability. Inspection is due in June and I'm preparing now in case there is a hefty repair bill coming. I already know it's gonna need tie rod ends and an alignment. (I'll install tie rods).

    Being a GM guy, I am not all that familiar with the cars my kid wants to buy. I was hoping some of you car enthusiasts could help me narrow down the search. Key feedback I'm looking for are reliability and known issues. I already know repairs aren't going to be cheap, which is why I'm asking about reliability. He drives about 10k miles a year, just to and from work.

    Here's a short list of candidates.

    Audi A4
    BMW 328I xdrive (I believe all those numbers they use are just there to confuse people)
    Subaru
    Cadillac ATS (I know, right? Why is a 2015 Cadillac with 28k miles under $14K)

    If anyone has other suggestions the criteria we are using is the car is used, under $14k, AWD, no SUV/Truck.
    '97 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Sport Red Metalic SOLD
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Silver
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: Looking for another car 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    repair costs for the audi and bmw i bet are rather pricey. part could even cost more.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: Looking for another car 
    GT Level Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    commerce twp,mi
    Posts
    299
    Thanks (Received)
    3
    Likes (Received)
    21
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    subarus are notorious for head gasket problems and a PITA to replace.
    beemers are good rides.
    08 grand prix NA3800
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. Likes GYSOT1 liked this post
  5. #4 Re: Looking for another car 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Rogers, MN
    Posts
    21,030
    Thanks (Received)
    21
    Likes (Received)
    45
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    83662
    The newer Audi A4's are not bad cars at all. The Volkswagen group really dialed in that 2.0T engine and the DSG transmission. A manual would be even better. Parts are not that expensive for most things but some things are kinda labor heavy. Parts are shared across many different models from VW and Audi so the parts price isn't huge compared to others. I think some still suffer from oil consumption and you'd want to read up on forums for some on the main common issues or watch some youtube video's.

    I don't know much about BMW's.

    The Cadillac's are kinda cool cars if you ask me. 2.0T engines that make some decent horsepower and are RWD. Front suspension bushings and control arms should for sure get a once over to make sure they are tight. Check the brakes over too. I remember when I worked at a higher end shop a few years back we were getting this cars in from auctions off lease returns and at 20-30k miles the brakes were half or more gone by then on some. Again I'd read the forums and watch some video's are I'm sure the common issues are out there. At the time when I worked on them they were 1-2 year old cars and nothing really was wrong at this point in time.

    SMGPFC Member #1
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. Likes GYSOT1 liked this post
  7. #5 Re: Looking for another car 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lehigh Valley
    Posts
    94
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch View Post
    The newer Audi A4's are not bad cars at all.
    What year would you say starts the "newer" Audi's?

    Thanks for all your info on the Caddy. Maybe that's why its price is unexpectedly low.
    '97 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Sport Red Metalic SOLD
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Silver
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #6 Re: Looking for another car 
    GrandPrix Junkie SgtMarshal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Kemmerer, Wyoming
    Posts
    4,690
    Thanks (Received)
    10
    Likes (Received)
    25
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    60223
    why does it have to be awd?

    I bought a 2017 Chevy Cruze last year, and it does great in the snow, it does have snow tires that the car sales place put on. I've driven in some pretty sketchy snow storms and never had an issue. also it does great on gas mileage.

    Another thing to consider is the 2017 ish Chevy Trax, it has the previous generation 1.4 turbo engine, doesn't require premium fuel and can be found awd. it's basically a first generation Cruze with a different body. You should be able to find either one of those for less than 14,000 used.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. Thanks GYSOT1 thanked for this post
  10. #7 Re: Looking for another car 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lehigh Valley
    Posts
    94
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by SgtMarshal View Post
    why does it have to be awd?
    Because his mother says so. lol. Seriously tho, his commute to work involves back roads to the back roads and they are not on the priority list of getting attention in the winter. I know, awd cars are not the real solution and will have trouble once the snow piles up enough to drag the bottom of the car. You could get stuck driving anything. AWD/4WD can give you a sense of false security. My dad once told me not all vehicles have 4 wheel go, but they all have 4 wheel stop.

    Thanks for the Trax suggestion. I'll look into that one.
    '97 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Sport Red Metalic SOLD
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Silver
    Reply With Quote  
     

  11. #8 Re: Looking for another car 
    Donating Users GT2000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Central PA
    Posts
    143
    Thanks (Received)
    3
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    12144
    If that caddy has the 3.6 V6 in it RUN AWAY!! Otherwise, it might be an ok car like five finger said with the 2.0T, I don't know much about the car itself, but that 3.6 is turd in other cars, their are you tube videos, and one of the mechanics that comes in to advance where I work was rebuilding one in a Acadia and what a disaster. They have timing issues.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  12. Likes GYSOT1 liked this post
  13. #9 Re: Looking for another car 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lehigh Valley
    Posts
    94
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Caddy has the 2.0T which is one of the reasons it is under consideration.
    '97 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Sport Red Metalic SOLD
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Silver
    Reply With Quote  
     

  14. #10 Re: Looking for another car 
    Donating Users GT2000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Central PA
    Posts
    143
    Thanks (Received)
    3
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    12144
    Ok, i read on wiki that the 3.6 was an optional engine for that car. I don't know too much about VW and audi, but my friend had a early 2000's golf 2.0 Non turbo golf 5 speed, and that thing took such a beating and kept going, it was jumped, taken off road, over revved, you name it. It got rolled, and it still started up and ran after that, with little over 200k on it. Idk if the new turbo ones are as good, but that old one sure took a beating.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  15. #11 Re: Looking for another car 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Rogers, MN
    Posts
    21,030
    Thanks (Received)
    21
    Likes (Received)
    45
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    83662
    2011+ on the Audi A4's.

    SMGPFC Member #1
    Reply With Quote  
     

  16. Thanks GYSOT1 thanked for this post
  17. #12 Re: Looking for another car 
    GT Level Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    173
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    3
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    I'd stay away from the German cars unless you don't mind expensive parts.

    IMO I would check out the Ford Fusion. I had a 2008 & currently a 2012. The only thing I would stay away from on those is the 1.5 engine on the newer ones. They have headgasket issues, other than that they are very solid cars
    Reply With Quote  
     

  18. #13 Re: Looking for another car 
    GrandPrix Junkie
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,724
    Thanks (Received)
    18
    Likes (Received)
    75
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Agree on the Fusion. My parents have a 2012 w/ the 3.0L Auto and it's a nice car and hasn't had any major issues. Dad threw some Steeda parts on it to tweak it a bit.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  19. #14 Re: Looking for another car 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lehigh Valley
    Posts
    94
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    After months of waiting we went and finally bought a new car. We went with a 2014 Beemer 328i with 60k miles. I took it to our mechanic so he could give it a once over and it got the thumbs up. They gave us $1300 for the GP with 210k miles!. It helped the salesman knew the value of the 3800 SC engine. It was still a good running car but it was getting old and we were going to have to put some money into it soon.

    I told my kid now he needs to save for the repair and tire bills. It has run flats and those aren't cheap from what I hear.
    '97 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Sport Red Metalic SOLD
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Silver
    Reply With Quote  
     

  20. Likes Scottydoggs liked this post
  21. #15 Re: Looking for another car 
    GT Level Member Hurricane87's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Brevard County, FL
    Posts
    404
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    7
    Dislikes (Received)
    11
    Chats
    2
    My son recently got a Jetta. $60 oil change. My wife has had a Mercedes C class forever. $800 for motor mounts, and it needs about $2000 in other repairs.

    All cars cost the same to maintain, it's just more frequent and cheaper with American cars. Sorry, but my vote is for more frequent and cheaper.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  22. #16 Re: Looking for another car 
    GrandPrix Junkie
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,724
    Thanks (Received)
    18
    Likes (Received)
    75
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    @GYSOT1- Look into some Michelin tires for the Beemer. Don't have to be runflats and won't cost an arm and a leg. Good tires cost and that's just what it is. I've run these for years and have not had an issue.

    Hurricane, I change the oil in all my cars myself. My '03 Crown Vic LX Sport has always received Motorcraft synthetic blend oil and filter. Usually around $58 with tax and I know it's done right so that price seems normal.

    $800 for motor mounts is nuts. It's not a Ferrari, just a Benz. I guess you're not doing this yourself at that price.

    Some cars just cost more to maintain due to the name attached to the trunklid.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  23. Likes GYSOT1 liked this post
  24. #17 Re: Looking for another car 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lehigh Valley
    Posts
    94
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Fordman77 - We did consider not getting run flats, but then what about if a flat tire occurs? There isn't a spare/jack, nothing. Do I keep a can of fix a flat in the trunk and does that stuff have a shelf life or ruin the wheel?

    For s&g's we looked up oil filters at wally world and the filter for this car is almost $18 and they only had one brand. I opened the box to see what was so special. It is just a paper filter and looks so cheap. BMW = Bavarian Money Waster
    '97 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Sport Red Metalic SOLD
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Silver
    Reply With Quote  
     

  25. #18 Re: Looking for another car 
    GrandPrix Junkie
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,724
    Thanks (Received)
    18
    Likes (Received)
    75
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    RockAuto time. Grab a Wix and call it a day.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  26. #19 Re: Looking for another car 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Pittsburgh
    Posts
    59
    Thanks (Received)
    6
    Likes (Received)
    8
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Keep an eye out for water pump failures on the N52, assuming they still used the inline 6 in 2014? If not the same concept applies to the newer 4cyl. They're electric and fail very quickly, with little warning. Typically you get a warning message, and within a minute it begins running hot.

    N20 also has common timing chain issues, but i believe they have extended warranty coverages on them. Hopefully they've worked them out in recent years, but it was very common when that engine first started being used.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  27. #20 Re: Looking for another car 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Lehigh Valley
    Posts
    94
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    5
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by onxy View Post
    Keep an eye out for water pump failures on the N52, assuming they still used the inline 6 in 2014? If not the same concept applies to the newer 4cyl. They're electric and fail very quickly, with little warning. Typically you get a warning message, and within a minute it begins running hot.

    N20 also has common timing chain issues, but i believe they have extended warranty coverages on them. Hopefully they've worked them out in recent years, but it was very common when that engine first started being used.
    This car is all uncharted territory for me. He has the twin turbo 4 in it. I've been seeing all those 'N' numbers being thrown around. What do they mean and how do I find out which one we have?
    '97 Grand Prix GT Coupe
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Sport Red Metalic SOLD
    '05 Grand Prix GTP Silver
    Reply With Quote  
     

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •