Bonneville SSEi or older SHO?

[LaserSVT]

I need a cheap daily beater. As long as it gets better then 20 MPG is one concern. Trying to find something under $3000 that isn't a total turd or bores me to death.

Can find 97-99 SSEis pretty cheap and a couple 2000 SSEi for right at $3000. Very comfortable, lots of features and a blown V-6.

The 91-95 SHOs are great too and closer to $2000. I know the automatics had issues but I would get a stick.

95-99 Maxima is also a consideration but they usually have very high miles.

At any rate I want a larger car to be comfortable. No Accents, Cavaliers, Escorts or Civics. Something mid to full size.

Yes P71s are nice but only the pre 99s are in that range and I really don't want a rubber floor, holes in the trunk, no arm rest and the other little things that cop cars lose.

Any other decent cars come to mind? Over 20 mpg and decent power with comfort?

[jdgregory84]

It might cost a little more than $3000 but the focus SVT's seem to be pretty reliable. 170hp....unfortunately though, I think they require premium fuel. I'm not sure what the older Mazda 5's cost now, but they're pretty sporty and fun to drive. Too bad with gas being at $3.40+ those little eco-cars value have shot up again like they did a few years back.

[YALE]

Comfertable?

[JC316]

I would take a GTP over a Bonneville any day. I also like the Grand Am GT's. I had a 97 Buick Lesabre not too long ago. Got 28MPG highway and was pretty fun to drive.

[LaserSVT]

Comfertable?

eye caanught speel wel



And out of the 10 other misspellings that was the only one you caught? Fail dawg.

[LaserSVT]

I would take a GTP over a Bonneville any day. I also like the Grand Am GT's. I had a 97 Buick Lesabre not too long ago. Got 28MPG highway and was pretty fun to drive.

Problem with the GTPs I have seen is they are raged out. They seem to want more for them then their big brother and the Bonneville is WAY more comfortable. Usually they are in better shape too.

A friend just found a clean one in Houston for $2700 but needs new headlights and tail lights plus has scrapes all over the nose and tail. Like someone parked by braille.

[JC316]

Problem with the GTPs I have seen is they are raged out. They seem to want more for them then their big brother and the Bonneville is WAY more comfortable. Usually they are in better shape too.

A friend just found a clean one in Houston for $2700 but needs new headlights and tail lights plus has scrapes all over the nose and tail. Like someone parked by braille.

I have seen a few go through auction for cheap that weren't ragged that badly. Again though, the grand am GT's are nice, the 3.4L makes good power and doesn't require premium gas like the SC 3.8L does.

[LaserSVT]

Only way I will get a GM FWD car is if its blown.

I like the Regal GS too.

[JC316]

Only way I will get a GM FWD car is if its blown.

I like the Regal GS too.

I really like the GM stuff, less crap to have to worry about. No timing belts, rarely a transmission issue, good gas mileage, good ride etc. Only thing that I make sure to do is flush the god damned dexcool out and switch to the green shit.

[LaserSVT]

I really like the GM stuff, less crap to have to worry about. No timing belts, rarely a transmission issue, good gas mileage, good ride etc. Only thing that I make sure to do is flush the god damned dexcool out and switch to the green shit.

They have their issues. The transmissions do not last, the Dexcool (as pointed out) that eats the intake gaskets, power steering rack and other small gremlins.
I hate changing the damn steering rack in those cars, what a major PITA.

I see plenty that have slipping transmissions too. Wish they made a 5 speed.

[Denny]

Look at the Buick Regal GS 97-03. Same 3.8L supercharged set-up as the Bonnie, but a lot less weight. I'd roll one that was solid black or that black over gray combo.

[SSMAN]

I is a crap shoot with the Pontiacs. They can have a shit load of electrical problems.

[YALE]

My vote goes for a used first gen Avalon. You get all the comforts of a Park Avenue, with none of the Generous Motors problems.

[A_A_G]

Id go with the Maxima. The vq30 is a strong reliable engine. For only 190 hp my mother in laws 96 maxima impressed me quite a bit. Im guessing the 2800 lb curb weight + 200 lb/tq helps.

They are high 14 second cars with the manual trans and sticky tires.

[LaserSVT]

I have also run across a couple 2000 Maxima SEs in my price range. The 3.5 is pretty nice too. I just feel like I am sitting too high in the 2000 Maximas.