My Dodge Neon that I've been driving for almost 10 years is officially dead. I am going to shop for another used car, and I don't know what model to get or what features I need. All I know is that I need a car that has low mileage, few repairs, and top notch engineering. Maybe one similar to my Neon, or a mid-sized, but no more Dodges, Ford Escorts, GEOs or SUVs. I may get a pick-up if I can reach the accelerator and brakes.

Definately do not go for an escort.  My mom had one and it is almost impossible to change the oil yourself.  Also they have those small liter engines which makes it hard to go over the mountains.

I would recommend a used Ford Crown Vic or Mercury Grand Marquis. These cars are often overlooked and can be found for a reasonable price. They are big, roomy and comfortable, and get decent gas mileage (I can get 20-25 mpg on the highway).  I have had my '94 Grand Marquis for about 5 years and have had a few minor problems (mainly with the power windows, which IMO is the one major design flaw in these cars, maybe in later years they've corrected it) but I've put about 50,000 miles on it (it's up to about 123,000 now) and the powertrain has been solid. Also, my car is over 10 years old and I've always parked it outside, yet the body doesn't have so much as a speck of rust on it.

If you're willing to spend a little more, I would also recommend a used Toyota Camry or Honda Accord.

You may want to go out and buy a Consumer Reports used car guide (available at Barnes & Noble, among other places). This may help you to better decide what type of vehicle best suits your needs and budget. It rates vehicles built over the last 10 years for their reliability (going into specific detail the strengths and flaws of each model), lists cars you should absolutely steer clear of, and also tells how much you should reasonably expect to pay depending on the model and its condition.

Another resource that you may find helpful is the Kelly Blue Book. This is the accepted industry standard for the pricing of used cars, again depending on the make and model, the options it has, and the condition which it's in.

I know that looking for a used car is a pain in the neck, especially when you have to deal with some of these high-pressure salesman. All I can tell you is take your time and do your homework, and you should find a decent vehicle for a good price that best suits you. Good luck! :)

Oh yeah, and one more thing--when you do find a vehicle that you're interested in, either ask the dealer for a Carfax vehicle history report or, if they don't have one (or if you're thinking about buying from a private owner), jot down the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and when you get home run it through Carfax.com. For a fee (20 to 40 dollars) you can get a report that will list the previous owners of the vehicle and show potential red flags, such as if the car had been wrecked and rebuilt (which is something you'd want to steer clear of).  This could potentially save you hundreds of dollars, not to mention potential headaches down the road.
Good luck! :)

Definately do not go for an escort.  My mom had one and it is almost impossible to change the oil yourself.  Also they have those small liter engines which makes it hard to go over the mountains.


Not alot of mountain ranges near Indianapolis.  :-X

I've got to consider replacing my Chrysler this spring myself.  I've been thinking of the Scion xB, cheap Toyota minivan/ Mini Cooper wannabe.  Very low cost of ownership, but not many in the used market yet (only came out last year).  The few used ones I've seen so far, haven't been very cheap at all.

What I really want, is a Dodge Magnum, with the v8 HEMI.... ooohhhh.... yeah.... practical and fast.  The cost however, coupled with Chrysler's maintance headaches, no thanks.

Me, I have the 1976 Plymouth Scamp, slant six, excellent condition, 50,000 original miles and hope I can take it
to 250,000.  You make a lot of friends in the parking lot. :)  I did have a Crown Vic wagon that was real good.  That went for about 300,000, you just have to take care of them.  For a smaller car the Ford Tempo turned out well
for me, recommeded by a guy I knew.  Same thing though, you just have to take keep up the fluids and drive
nice.

I am 17 and I don't own a vehicle, but, I am supposed to get my driver's license in another month or so. I graduate 3 months from now(May), and my uncle has promised to buy me a car as a graduation present. So I need to be thinking about what kind of car I want myself.

Ideally it would be:

4 door
good airconditioning
power windows/power locks
roomy
automatic
cd player
power steering
cruise control

I don't really care too much about the make as long as it isn't really ugly.  ;D

My Dodge Neon that I've been driving for almost 10 years is officially dead. I am going to shop for another used car, and I don't know what model to get or what features I need. All I know is that I need a car that has low mileage, few repairs, and top notch engineering. Maybe one similar to my Neon, or a mid-sized, but no more Dodges, Ford Escorts, GEOs or SUVs. I may get a pick-up if I can reach the accelerator and brakes.
IF you choose a Ford, be sure that it's properly equipped with the directions to your nearest junk yard :D I would highly recommend Honda...I've had a '79 Accord 194,000) and '92 Civic (257,000)...they ran great and got great milege ;)

IF you choose a Ford, be sure that it's properly equipped with the directions to your nearest junk yard :D I would highly recommend Honda...I've had a '79 Accord 194,000) and '92 Civic (257,000)...they ran great and got great milege ;)


Have we not been through this before?  Fords are great vehicles.  I drive a Ford Ranger and have done so for 10 years.  It has 135,000 miles on it...when I got it there were 11,000 so I have put 125,000 on it in 10 years.  It runs great...I have had to replace the fuel pump, but that is pretty much all except for brakes, shocks and plugs.  All those wear out over time.  All you have to do is take good care of your vehicles and they will last you a long time.

Now, Mark my dear, LAY OFF THE FORDS! ;)

IF you choose a Ford, be sure that it's properly equipped with the directions to your nearest junk yard :D I would highly recommend Honda...I've had a '79 Accord 194,000) and '92 Civic (257,000)...they ran great and got great milege ;)
I once had an '84 Accord and it was an absolute turd. I went through 2 or 3 exhausts on it, and it was by far the worst rustbucket I've ever owned. The fuel filler neck actually rusted out and all this rust and crap got into the engine. The engine was good but the rest of the car was a complete piece of sh*t. Having said that, I will add that Honda bodies have vastly improved in quality since then.
    I once swore that I'd never own a Ford product, but my Merc has by far been the best car I've ever owned.

That kind of described my Neon before the oil crack started leaking. The engine survived a high speed chase and a collision while stolen in Denver. The worst part was always the alternator. But as far as the manufacturing, it sucked. :(
The engine was good but the rest of the car was a complete piece of sh*t.

Have we not been through this before?  Fords are great vehicles.  I drive a Ford Ranger and have done so for 10 years.  It has 135,000 miles on it...when I got it there were 11,000 so I have put 125,000 on it in 10 years.  It runs great...I have had to replace the fuel pump, but that is pretty much all except for brakes, shocks and plugs.  All those wear out over time.  All you have to do is take good care of your vehicles and they will last you a long time.

Now, Mark my dear, LAY OFF THE FORDS! ;)

I've owned 6 Fords in my life and have had less problems all of them than I have with any of the GM vehicles I owned. My brother had a Ford Ranger with over 200000 miles on it and it was still going strong until it was stolen :( Every foreign car hubby's owned has had a host of minor problems....usually bad sensors ;)
Sorry...just my feeling on my personalm experiences with them....I absolutely respect your views though. BTW Dagny, I DO like your truck :)

How about a Nissan?  I've had 3 (2 Sentras and currently an Altima) and never had problems.  Both of my Sentra's had about 200,000 miles on them (the Altima is new) and I never had a problem with them - I just did the normal maintenance.  One suggestion - stay away from red unless you have a garage - Nissan red fades like crazy.

I've had a Nissan pickup for eight years and it runs like a top (albeit a little wobbly at times).

I have two British cars (American owned, but British nevertheless) and have not had any problems yet. . .


knock on wood.