Would you buy a used 2000-2004 American car? (engines, Buick, Chevy)

[Miller88]

I would say a stout "NO" to any Chrysler product from that era.

GM - had crappy interiors and intake manifold gaskets that leaked, but othewise pretty good in the powertrane department.

Ford - Good interiors, but FWD transaxle problems.

[duster1979]

I've only had one from that era, a 2004 Grand Caravan. Still going strong at 208,000 miles with nothing more than routine maintenance.

[wawa1992]

Yes, but be sure to research the individual car you are getting.

Stick with Ford or GM. Chryslers are likely to be unreliable. (Of course, you could get lucky)

All the models you listed in the original post should be fine.

[ukrkoz]

Originally Posted by SAAN

I have always owned American cars(88 Corsica, 95 Taurus, 00 Taurus, 06 Impala, 09 G6), so I dont know really know if the whole foreign cars being more reliable is just biased opinion or truth. I get tired of always repairing things and wonder if Honda/Nissan/Toyota have the same problems.

I hear so many horror stories about GM 3.8 Intake manifolds failing, random transmissions issues from Chrylers, Ford, GM's and don't hear as much about japaneses cares with these issues, but I also seem to notice people with foreign cars dont bring up issues when they have them and will list 2-4 major things they replaced, but say their car is very reliable.

While looking for a backup car, its like the following cars im about to list have the best prices. Would you buy a 2001-2004 Taurus/Sable, Impala, Regal, Grand Prix, Malibu, Intrigue, Lincoln LS, etc. vs a Japanese midsized competitor??

Budget will be 3-4000.

You know, it's old beat up question, that will lead to nothing. I know at least one Taurus that ran into 156 000 miles with allegedly NO issues whatsoever. Then again, I owned many Japanese cars that ran into almost 300 000 with only minor issues.
I had 2 Fords and one was total pos, and one was half way there. Reliability wise, not to mention retarded design.
So far, every American make I had was a repair headache. Every Japanese one - basically none at all.
STATISTICALLY speaking, certain Japanese vehicles have higher reliability rating and hold it for years and years.
Unfortunately, in the above mentioned budget, you will not buy a good Japanese make. Truly, as you apparently are shopping for a large car (Why?) they don't even make them. I don't think, you will have any choice but to go domestic. Simply learn how to repair cars. You can't even buy a low mileage Civic for the money you plan.

[outafocus]

Absolutely not! I wouldn't buy a new Detroit car.

[AA702]

2000-2004 Ford Crown Vic, Mercury Grand Marquis or Lincoln Towncar is a great car. Just take a look around and you notice they are one of the most reliable cars around.

[ntwrkguy1]

Originally Posted by SAAN

I have always owned American cars(88 Corsica, 95 Taurus, 00 Taurus, 06 Impala, 09 G6), so I dont know really know if the whole foreign cars being more reliable is just biased opinion or truth. I get tired of always repairing things and wonder if Honda/Nissan/Toyota have the same problems.

I hear so many horror stories about GM 3.8 Intake manifolds failing, random transmissions issues from Chrylers, Ford, GM's and don't hear as much about japaneses cares with these issues, but I also seem to notice people with foreign cars dont bring up issues when they have them and will list 2-4 major things they replaced, but say their car is very reliable.

While looking for a backup car, its like the following cars im about to list have the best prices. Would you buy a 2001-2004 Taurus/Sable, Impala, Regal, Grand Prix, Malibu, Intrigue, Lincoln LS, etc. vs a Japanese midsized competitor??

Budget will be 3-4000.

All cars can have issues. 2000-04 Acura CLs (automatics) had transmission failures starting as early as 20k miles due to a poori internal design. And those transmissions were VERY expen$ive to have rebuilt.

Of the group you listed, I think I would try to find a Lincoln LS. They were the most expensive of that group, and generally wear well. The bonus would be if you found an older (55+) owner who had the car maintained at the dealership. I owned a 2004 LS V8 for a few years, and it was a very solid performer. It might be a stretch to get one for $4000, unless you are willing to buy one with higher mileage.

They had some quirks, though, so be sure to do your homework. And be sure to run a Carfax as well, along with a pre-purchase inspection at a Lincoln dealer. I think if you find the right one, you'll be very pleased with the vehicle.

[Magnum Mike]

Some of the "American" automobiles from that era were not actually made in Detroit, but Mexico. I'm not sure how many cars are still manufactured in Detroit, I think the Corvette and the Camaro are.

Also, some Japanese automobiles, like Toyota and Nissan, are actually made in Tennessee.

If I were to buy a used vehicle from 2000-2004, my first preference would be either Toyota or Nissan. I've known a number of people with such vehicles, not from the 2000-2004 model years, but older, with over 200,000 miles, and they've always sworn by them. I also own two Nissans (2001 Xterra SUV and 2004 Frontier truck) and I'm happy with both of them.

Maintenance is the key factor to making vehicles last, regardless of the brand, but I think Japanese brands tend to be more reliable than the Big 3 brands, not just in the engine and drivetrain, but in other components, like doors and window mechanism components, electrical systems, A/C, etc.

[Bama1787]

Originally Posted by SAAN

I have always owned American cars(88 Corsica, 95 Taurus, 00 Taurus, 06 Impala, 09 G6), so I dont know really know if the whole foreign cars being more reliable is just biased opinion or truth. I get tired of always repairing things and wonder if Honda/Nissan/Toyota have the same problems.

I hear so many horror stories about GM 3.8 Intake manifolds failing, random transmissions issues from Chrylers, Ford, GM's and don't hear as much about japaneses cares with these issues, but I also seem to notice people with foreign cars dont bring up issues when they have them and will list 2-4 major things they replaced, but say their car is very reliable.

While looking for a backup car, its like the following cars im about to list have the best prices. Would you buy a 2001-2004 Taurus/Sable, Impala, Regal, Grand Prix, Malibu, Intrigue, Lincoln LS, etc. vs a Japanese midsized competitor??

Budget will be 3-4000.

I have made the switch from "American" to Toyota and will never go back. It is not overrated, especially dealing with cars over 9 yrs old. My two toyotas ('00 230k & '03 130k) still drive like new. The '00 is still on the original clutch and water pump at 230k. I'm most impressed by the quality of the steering,brakes, and suspension components. The parts just don't wear like the parts on the Ford and Dodge I owned.

If you stick with the big 3 from this era, I'd really consider the crown vic. Tons of parts out there. It's proven. It's reliable. And you can find one in your price range.

I will say that NEW vehicles are on a much more level playing field. Especially Ford.

[GarageLogic]

Oddly enough, I'm a fan of the early Focus, with the DOHC engine. Not only are they very reliable, they're easy to work on.