What American car to buy?
09-01-08, 02:39 PM
#1
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What American car to buy?
I'm looking to help my parents replace the 1995 Toyota Avalon.
There looking for the best American made car with all the special deals being offered. 0% for 60/72 or rebate.
They have owned many japanese cars over the years but the Avalon was a disappointment. Lots of repairs and quality issues.
They want a mid size car like the camry but no smaller than that.
Any thoughts?
TIA
There looking for the best American made car with all the special deals being offered. 0% for 60/72 or rebate.
They have owned many japanese cars over the years but the Avalon was a disappointment. Lots of repairs and quality issues.
They want a mid size car like the camry but no smaller than that.
Any thoughts?
TIA
Last edited by LexFather; 09-01-08 at 03:41 PM.
09-01-08, 02:46 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
I'm looking to help my parents replace the 1995 Toyota Avalon.
There looking for the best American made car with all the special deals being offered. 0% for 60/72 or rebate.
They have owned many jap cars over the years but the Avalon was a disappointment. Lots of repairs and quality issues.
They want a mid size car like the camry but no smaller than that.
Any thoughts?
TIA
There looking for the best American made car with all the special deals being offered. 0% for 60/72 or rebate.
They have owned many jap cars over the years but the Avalon was a disappointment. Lots of repairs and quality issues.
They want a mid size car like the camry but no smaller than that.
Any thoughts?
TIA
Just curious, if your parents were disappointed with the '95 Avalon, why did they keep it for 13 years?
09-01-08, 03:01 PM
#3
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09-01-08, 04:19 PM
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Careful. A lot of American brands are made overseas, and ironically, some foreign brands are made here in the US. Might want to research this first.
I know that the Acura TL is made in Ohio and would consider that one. I recently saw some new buicks that looked pretty nice as well.
I know that the Acura TL is made in Ohio and would consider that one. I recently saw some new buicks that looked pretty nice as well.
09-01-08, 04:29 PM
#6
The Lincoln MKZ has gotten really great reliability ratings. It is mid-size with a large trunk. It comes as either FWD or AWD if they drive in snow. The 350 engine with six speed auto gives adequate performance and pretty good mileage. Sticker is about $35K really loaded which is about $10K cheaper than a loaded CTS. Street price for a 2008 this time of year should be about $30K or a little less.
Steve
Steve
09-01-08, 04:36 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
I'm looking to help my parents replace the 1995 Toyota Avalon.
There looking for the best American made car with all the special deals being offered. 0% for 60/72 or rebate.
They have owned many japanese cars over the years but the Avalon was a disappointment. Lots of repairs and quality issues.
They want a mid size car like the camry but no smaller than that.
Any thoughts?
TIA
There looking for the best American made car with all the special deals being offered. 0% for 60/72 or rebate.
They have owned many japanese cars over the years but the Avalon was a disappointment. Lots of repairs and quality issues.
They want a mid size car like the camry but no smaller than that.
Any thoughts?
TIA
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09-01-08, 04:41 PM
#8
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The Lincoln MKZ has gotten really great reliability ratings. It is mid-size with a large trunk. It comes as either FWD or AWD if they drive in snow. The 350 engine with six speed auto gives adequate performance and pretty good mileage. Sticker is about $35K really loaded which is about $10K cheaper than a loaded CTS. Street price for a 2008 this time of year should be about $30K or a little less.
Steve
Steve
09-01-08, 05:05 PM
#9
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Some great choices mentioned already. I would also recommend looking at the new Taurus. It's ROOMY, QUIET, 6 speed auto and new improved V6, and a very nice interior. The name may conjure up memories of old rentals (like Malibu) but it's worth checking out.
09-01-08, 05:15 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Remember......"American-made", today, covers a lot of non-"American" nameplates as well. A number of Japanese, European, and Korean automakers not only sell models here in the U.S. but build them here as well. So, you have a lot to choose from.
If it is a mid-sized or larger American nameplate sedan you want, the Saturn Aura, Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, Ford Taurus, Mercury Milan, Mercury Sable, Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKS, and Pontiac G8 are all worth looking at.
The Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products all offer an AWD option...a plus in bad weather...and are generally average or better in reliability except for the new Lincoln MKS, which is brand-new and unproven. The Aura and Malibu are well-finished inside and out, ride quietly, and are smooth to drive (and the Malibu offers a higher-mileage Hybrid model), but are also unproven in reliability. Ditto for the Pontiac G8 reliability......but it is fun to drive, and the V8 versions are like a 4-door Pontiac GTO. The G8 seems well-made except for some cheap interior parts....and it is a bargain in a high-performance sedan.
While some of the Chrysler/Dodge sedans may impress with their looks, especially the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, I generally don't recommend them because of questionable-to-poor build quality, flimsy interior and trim parts, and generally poor dealer/manufacturer service. The Charger and 300, however, offer solid, Mercedes-engineered chassis, transmissions and a brute of an SRT Hemi V8 (425 HP), but, IMO, little else.
If it is a mid-sized or larger American nameplate sedan you want, the Saturn Aura, Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, Ford Taurus, Mercury Milan, Mercury Sable, Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKS, and Pontiac G8 are all worth looking at.
The Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products all offer an AWD option...a plus in bad weather...and are generally average or better in reliability except for the new Lincoln MKS, which is brand-new and unproven. The Aura and Malibu are well-finished inside and out, ride quietly, and are smooth to drive (and the Malibu offers a higher-mileage Hybrid model), but are also unproven in reliability. Ditto for the Pontiac G8 reliability......but it is fun to drive, and the V8 versions are like a 4-door Pontiac GTO. The G8 seems well-made except for some cheap interior parts....and it is a bargain in a high-performance sedan.
While some of the Chrysler/Dodge sedans may impress with their looks, especially the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, I generally don't recommend them because of questionable-to-poor build quality, flimsy interior and trim parts, and generally poor dealer/manufacturer service. The Charger and 300, however, offer solid, Mercedes-engineered chassis, transmissions and a brute of an SRT Hemi V8 (425 HP), but, IMO, little else.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-01-08 at 07:22 PM.
09-01-08, 07:18 PM
#11
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Check out the Buick Lucerne. Nice ride and room and a couple different models/option packages depending on the price range they might be interested in. The Taurus is also a decent choice if looking for something a bit less than the Buick.
09-01-08, 08:51 PM
#12
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Lincoln MKS gets my vote. Assuming you mean American car company.
A lot? Name them (I came up with two - The Aveo and the Astra - I did not confirm they were made overseas however).
PS - Remember, Mexico and Canada don't count as overseas
A lot? Name them (I came up with two - The Aveo and the Astra - I did not confirm they were made overseas however).
PS - Remember, Mexico and Canada don't count as overseas
it will be here in a few years
