Good used car for daily driver?

[turbosam6]

Looking for recommendations on what kind of car or truck would be good for a daily driver. Needs have a backseat, so no single cab trucks. Looking for something along the lines of a Blazer, kinda compact so she won't hit stuff with it. We are looking to spend about 7k, give or take. Thanks!

 

[matt87]

the blazer or gmc jimmy are a dime a dozen. you should be able to pick up a 96-97 in that price range. i think they mostly have the 4.3 litre which is a good little engine.

 

[Little6pack]

A BUMPER CAR


Actually you can pick up an Olds Alero pretty reasonable.
or 97 to 99 GM's Buick century,regal, Olds 88's can be had in the 4k range that are decent cars & I am not biased..

Talking with a GM tech friend I asked him what is the worst GM product he sees come into the dealership.

Trailblazer are the worst he said.

 

[Black Box]

Pontiac Grand Prix. I got my '00 for $9500, with 65K on it with brand new Yokohama tires. It's got 75K on it now, the only thing that I've had to replace is the blower motor and resistor, and a foglamp bulb. Just try to get a GT model with the 3800 Series II, as the 3400 was the standard engine in the SE, and would probably be underpowered. The 3800 has good everyday power and is relatively easy on the wallet, and its an anvil when it comes to reliability.

If you don't wanna wash it a lot get one in Light Bronzemist Metallic, it makes dirt almost invisible. I just couldn't resist the Redfire Metallic, but I hate seeing it dirty so I was it almost as much as I wash the GN.

Aleros are nice too. My Dad bought a loaded '03 model brand new and I am really impressed with it, especially with the 3400 V6.

Steve

 

[rhunt]

Used Cars

I hate to say this on a GM board but a used Ford Crown Vic can't be beat or if you can find one a mid 80's Chevy Caprice with the 4.3 engine big cars with decent gas milage and won't fold up in an accident. Just my .02 worth.


Roger

 

[Buicksx3]

I'll kick in my two bits for a '94-'96 Buick Roadmaster sedan which were equipped with the LT1 motor & dual exhaust. A nice option is the the 5000# Tow Package which has beefier springs and a slightly shorter rear gear (2.93) vs the stock 2.56s (by contrast, Impala SSs came with 3.08s). My daily driver '96 Roadmaster Limited sedan came with the Tow Pkg, G80 posi, HD cooling, dual airbags, all manner of luxo toys including CD player, electric trunk pull down, little opera lights that light up at night, etc. Cost was about $6K and that was almost three years ago. I have since upgraded the exhaust and added a CAI (two of the usual Imp SS mods) and swapped out the 2.93 gears in favor of 3.42s which actually helped my MPG a little bit. My plan is to go to 3.73s, which is what I think I should have done in the first place but didn't realize it until after I'd driven a fellow TB.com boardmember's '94 RM Wagon which has 3.73s.

The sedan doesn't have the more pleasing front end styling of the wagon. And, yes it's big (over 4300#). But, it's safe, comfy, and a lot of fun to shock people with when you get on it from a stoplight. Shorter gears also come in handy when you want to pass those pesky imports on the freeway!

At any rate, I hope this helped!

Morgan
'87 GN, '96 RM

 

[dhauser]

I have a minty 86 Mercedes 420 SEL available in your price range. Gorgeous car inside and out. Light blue metallic with navy blue interior. TONS of rear seat room, driver's airbag, sunroof, and one-family owned. 120k miles and runs perfect.

 

[Red Regal T]

If you don't buy a truck, buy a GM with a Buick 3800 motor on board. Many models to choose from. They run FOREVER!!!

 

[jmidolo]

I've got a 95' Maxima as a daily driver. 155k miles, runs excellent and still gets 27mpg. For your price range you could pick up a newer one with a lot less miles and have it for years with no trouble.