[pne]

First off, I know nothing about cars. Ok, maybe not nothing, but close to it. So I need some help. Next month a friend and I will be going on a road trip. We're going to be driving from Canada to California, I figure around 8000 miles. We have budgeted about 4-5 grand for our car.

It seems our options are either
a) get a japanese compact car from the early 90's
b) get a domestic midsized car from the late 90's

The more I look at it, the more sense it makes to get a domestic. It will be much easier to find parts/ repairs for it on the road, and it would be a much better car for the highway. My question is, what are some of the cars I should be looking at? Impalas, regals and such? What kind of milage do these cars typically get before requiring major work? Which engine is best for good highway milage/fuel economy?

 

[roastpuff]

I say pick up a Toyota or the like. They'll be bulletproof (or close to it) for the duration of the trip, and you won't have the hassle of repairs that domestic cars may need. Say, a used Camry or Corolla?

 

[Trippytiger]

I would generally lean towards a Japanese car for the superior build quality and reliability, but you are certainly correct about the advantages that an American car would have.

Now, as far as those U.S. machines go, I would suggest looking at something like a late 90s/early 00 Pontiac Grand Prix. My dad had an 02 Grand Prix SE that's now my sister's, and it held up very well. He did mostly highway driving, and got great gas mileage - upwards of 30mpg, which is better than my Accord can do - thanks to the very unstressed V6 engine. They can also be astoundingly cheap: last summer, the wholesale price for that car was $4016.

Decent stereo, too, at least in the '02.

 

[marvin]

2000 Ford Crown Victoria.

Reliable, easy to find a mechanic, high parts availability, and large and comfy to boot. Should be able to find one ~ your $4-5k mark.

Only downside is that the V8 isn't the most efficient thing (17/25 mpg).

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

How about a Buick Century. A lot of those were owned by the elderly who put 5000 miles on them

 

[pne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roastpuff /img/forum/go_quote.gif I say pick up a Toyota or the like. They'll be bulletproof (or close to it) for the duration of the trip, and you won't have the hassle of repairs that domestic cars may need. Say, a used Camry or Corolla?

it would be ideal if i could afford a 98-2000 camry but there is no way that is going to happen with my budget. Right now I would either be looking at a rusty old toyota camry from say 1991-92 with 150 000 miles on the clock, versus a newer 98-99 domestic with half that milage. I don't believe that the japanese car will be more reliable, because of the age difference and milage.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

My last used car was reduced twice because it didn't sell. The former owner died in it!

It sounds like a Mythbusters story... but thats how I got a 27,000 mile Mitsubishi Mirage for $2500.

PS: No ghosts in the 5 years I owned the car (bought a new '07 and gave the death-car to my mother-in-law. Its still running pretty good).

 

[luckybaer]

I've always been parital to Mercury Grand Marquis, and I'll second the Ford Crown Victoria notion.

If you could find a Lincoln Town Car, that would be the freakin' bomb, though! Any big-ass Caddy would be cool, too.

The Crown Victoria is neat, and if you got it dark and with small hubcaps (as opposed to wheel covers), you'd look like the Feds!