Opinions about these used cars please (vehicle, SUV, fuel, best)

[Sgoldie]

I currently have a 95 Land Rover Discovery with 91,000 miles on it in great shape and no problems other than it gets rotten gas mileage. I don't put a lot of miles on it and otherwise love everything about it.

I've been looking at a couple of different used cars to possibly replace it within a budget of approx $6,000. and am considering cost of repair, gas mileage, reliabilty, length of life, comfort, and utility.

This is what I'm finding in my price range that interests me-
2000-2004 with 60-80,000 miles
Volvo Sdn or Wgn
Focus Sdn or Wgn
Saab 9-3 or 9-5 Sdn or Wgn
VW Jetta, Lincoln Continental

This would be my retirement car and I probably wouldn't be able to afford another one. The price paramater is based on me selling the LR and an old sports car I own, or I could just keep the Rover?

Opinions, suggestions?

[Grandpa Pipes]

Originally Posted by Sgoldie

I currently have a 95 Land Rover Discovery with 91,000 miles on it in great shape and no problems other than it gets rotten gas mileage. I don't put a lot of miles on it and otherwise love everything about it.

I've been looking at a couple of different used cars to possibly replace it within a budget of approx $6,000. and am considering cost of repair, gas mileage, reliabilty, length of life, comfort, and utility.

This is what I'm finding in my price range that interests me-
2000-2004 with 60-80,000 miles
Volvo Sdn or Wgn
Focus Sdn or Wgn
Saab 9-3 or 9-5 Sdn or Wgn
VW Jetta, Lincoln Continental

This would be my retirement car and I probably wouldn't be able to afford another one. The price paramater is based on me selling the LR and an old sports car I own, or I could just keep the Rover?

Opinions, suggestions?

You will find that the cost of a bit more fuel spent on a car you know and like is cheaper than the replacment cost to replace it just for gas mpg. You are ahead since you don't use the rover much which means you don't buy much fuel for it each year either.

I think if you take the long view you will see what I mean.

[Sgoldie]

Thanks for the input. What about when the Rover needs repairs? Would it be worth swtiching to any of the others because of that?

[knoxgarden]

I love Saabs, but they need a lot of maintenance. There are good used ones out there but only if they've been scrupulously maintained. The years you're looking at were the post-GM-Subaru merger. They aren't really Saabs.
The Volvo would be a better buy, from what I've seen and driven.
Instead of a Ford Focus, look at older Mazda 3's or Mazda 6. I'd be more inclined to go with those for cheaper repairs and reliability.
Stay away from Lincoln Continentals. They haven't produced those in awhile because they were awful. Lincolns are good cars, I'd buy another one, but they only run on premium and only get good mileage on Interstates.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Sgoldie

Thanks for the input. What about when the Rover needs repairs? Would it be worth swtiching to any of the others because of that?

My advice, Sgoldie, stick with the "comfortable" Land Rover.

As they age, all vehicles require maintenance, especially the ones you've mentioned, and you are familiar with what you have now. Also, considering the amount of your driving, the gas mileage is no biggee.

Good Luck

[Sgoldie]

Other than the cost of repairs for the Rover and the fact that dealer repairs can't be found right around the corner (2 or 6 hrs away for me presently at summer residence), I'm wondering if it won't get old in my senior years climbing into the thing as an older woman?

I'm not afraid of Subaru as one of their older sdns handles as well as my old Porsche but I get your point about the necessity of Saab's scrupulous maintenance. Can't afford a Fusion but I was thinking a Focus can be repaired anywhere. I forgot about the Amanti which would have depreciated in cost in this age group (any thoughts)? The other thing is all of these other vehicles would be Fla cars as opposed to the Rover (body is rust proof) which has lived it's life in snow. Is this a factor?

Most probably I won't be driving in snow from here on out.

[Sgoldie]

Okey, doke - the Land Rover it is unless I hear further or until my kids pass down the Volvo SUV or Beemer. Thanks for the input!

[jc76]

Rover or Volvo. The others I would stay away from. But that's just my opinion.

[sunsprit]

As you've mentioned that a Subie would also be acceptable to you, I think you'll find it to be the best of your mentioned choices. The 2001 and newer 2.5 liter Subie's have been reliable and are relatively low cost for repairs. You can expect very high 20's for fuel mileage on regular gas and well into the mid-200+K range on the odo for longevity with modest care. These cars simply aren't maintenance hogs, although ... like many other vehicles with timing belts ... you must get this changed (along with the water pump and tensioner pulley set) at the manufacturer's interval.

The LR Disco isn't famous for long term reliability, quite the opposite ... and if repairs aren't readily available from a knowledgeable independent in your retirement location, this will be an expensive proposition to keep on the road in the coming years. Poor fuel economy won't be the big issue when this vehicle breaks down ....

[whiteboyslo]

the advice to stick with the Rover (provided you don't have any issues with it) is a good one. their resale is generally poor anyway.

however, if you do start looking at replacement vehicles, i would give a general 'thumbs up' to the Focus. 00-01 models had numerous issues, but anything newer is a very solid vehicle. i have a number of friends and family that own them with no significant issues. my brother has over 120K on his 02 ZX3, and the only issue he's had is a bad alternator (when you have a big stereo and don't do anything about the power, that'll happen. but what does Big Brother know, right?).

i don't have any personal experience with any of the other vehicles on there, so i can't comment.

Mike