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I know there is a school of thought here that thinks so. I have driven a RWD Dodge truck in snow for years but it needed planning. I knew the bends to avoid and where not to go. Snow tires would have helped.
I know there is a school of thought here that thinks so. I have driven a RWD Dodge truck in snow for years but it needed planning. I knew the bends to avoid and where not to go. Snow tires would have helped.
You're an internet commentator, you're not the real world.
I would think just about anything with a domestic badge made around 2000 could be found in that price range. Not sure any particular car is better than the next and to be honest, condition would trump the particular badge for my expectation of future reliability at that age anyway.
That said, I think used Buicks tend to be great values when you get that old. They seem to have prices significantly less than comparable Chevys or other brands and yet, mechanically, they are the same as those Chevy's.
If you shop GM (and I would) my only caveat would be to watch out for the 3.1L engines of the era. They are known for needing expensive gasket repairs.
Also, go over the cooling system well. GM DEX COOL is known to turn into sludge and create all kinds of problems. Make sure it looks like the system has had it's cooling system maintenance (flush/fill of radiator fluid, etc), so you won't run into clogged heater cores or other problems from the sludge.
I know a few people have suggested a truck or SUV (already have an AWD Escape) and a few RWD's but I am mainly looking for a FWD 4 Door with snow tires to get around town for the next few years and later on down the road I plan on buying a new AWD car or 4X4 F-150.
Ive done RWD in the past but my area averages well over 100 inches of snow a year and its really not a pleasant experience driving through a blizzard with RWD.
That being said, I'm kind of leaning toward either the Impala, Five Hundred, or Grand Prix, something of that nature. What other cars would fit in those categories? Maybe something from Dodge, Buick, Chrysler, Lincoln, Cadillac?
Thanks again for all the suggestions guys, very helpful.
I have drive the Chrysler/dodge minivans in the snows of WNY( " the Chautaqua Ridge area") and they are one of the best FWD snow machines I have ever driven ....get the shorter wheel based ones and they are even better and you can haul all sorts of stuff in them too.
Last-gen Buick LeSabre (2000-2005). You won't be going anywhere in style, but that 3800 V6 should be pretty solid (and easy to work on). You could probably snag one with less than 100K miles for your budget with a little looking.
2005-2007 Ford Five Hundred, 2004-2008 Pontiac Grad Prix with the 3800 Series III V-6
All 2004 and newer Pontiac Grand Prix's are not American. They were built right here in Oshawa, Ontario.
Besides buying a used car doesn't really help the US autoworker. Might as well get a used Accord or Camry (which ARE American made) and get a better car.
All 2004 and newer Pontiac Grand Prix's are not American. They were built right here in Oshawa, Ontario.
Besides buying a used car doesn't really help the US autoworker. Might as well get a used Accord or Camry (which ARE American made) and get a better car.
hard to find a decent low mileage 2000 and up Accord or Camry for less the $6K that can will not need any major service done in 3-4 years like the op asked.
Most Camry and Accord will need the timing belt done and be higher mileage version in need of work ASAP or the very near future with a less then $6K budget.
Also the age most of the models the op would be looking at from Toyota and Honda would be 12-14 years old and the V6 Accord had major transmission problems on the early-mid 2000's Automatics when hooked to their V-6 engines of the era. http://www.hondaproblems.com/trends/...ssion-failure/
All 2004 and newer Pontiac Grand Prix's are not American. They were built right here in Oshawa, Ontario.
Besides buying a used car doesn't really help the US autoworker. Might as well get a used Accord or Camry (which ARE American made) and get a better car.
I dont mind a car made in Canada as long as its an American company. I've just always prefered America over Japanese/Korean/Euro. Thanks for your input though
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