Narrowed my used car search down to 4 cars. Seeking opinions
#16
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The floor boards in the Nissan Altima from those years rust through, even in states like Texas. I would choose the Subaru. Here is one of many news stories on the Altima floors. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rust-n333291
Last edited by Coleroad; 01-08-17 at 11:56 AM.
#17
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Given those options I would choose the Subaru.
#18
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
We had an 02 Maxima for 10 yrs in the family, never any issues. Good vehicle if you don't need AWD- and if something does go wrong, enough of them out there should something go wrong and you're mechanically inclined.And I do agree with the others, Nissan seemed to 'go downhill' in the mid 2000's, but the earlier Maxima's were tanks.
#19
Lexus Champion
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My sister had an Altima, around a 2000 or so. Great car. Survived over 240k miles in Minnesota.
Subaru is a great car as well.
Subaru is a great car as well.
#21
Lexus Champion
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by armstrong1
Hey all, I am currently in the market for a used car and I'm having trouble deciding which one to get. I have narrowed my search down to the 02-06 Nissan Altima (preferably the v6), 02-03 Nissan Maxima, 02-08 Mazda6 (preferably the v6), and the 03-09 Subaru Legacy. Which is the overall better car in your opinion and why?
Those early model Maximas aren't too bad. Quite quick for their time, but I would not consider them the best winter vehicle with that much power going up front only. Altimas, same thing. The V6 Mazda 6 had its issues and at this point you're facing some repair bills. With a $5K budget you're in the "buying some other guy's problem car" zone.
The Subarus have some issues you might inherit because of the head gasket issue, even on the NA, or non-turbo cars from the early years (late 90's into the early 2000's). The basic design of a boxer engine just begs for oil/coolant leaks and gaskets getting corroded. The turbo cars didn't necessarily cook their gaskets, they chewed up their turbos because of a faulty oil feed line.
The Legacy/Outback is a heck of a nice wagon. Practical and nice handling too boot, even sporty. But I would be really, really careful on history/maintenance etc on one of those. They can ramp up your repair budget to German car levels pretty quickly if you buy some other guy's money pit. Personally I would just go and get an AWD Toyota Matrix and be done with it.
But if you go the Subie route, allwheeldriveauto.com has some interesting reading on the 2.5i engines and the history on how Subaru had to redesign that engine over the years to deal with the head gasket issue.
#22
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
We had an 02 Maxima for 10 yrs in the family, never any issues. Good vehicle if you don't need AWD- and if something does go wrong, enough of them out there should something go wrong and you're mechanically inclined.And I do agree with the others, Nissan seemed to 'go downhill' in the mid 2000's, but the earlier Maxima's were tanks.
Also I'd highly recommend you look at Toyotas. Avalons, Camrys(or even a Lexus ES300), Corollas, Yaris, Matrix, find which one you like for your budget, if you change the oil every 5000 miles these cars tend to run forever without much trouble. Just make sure the oil was changed regularly. Maybe open the oil cap, look in there with a flashlight for any signs of oil sludge.
I'd also look at any Buick with the 3.8 V6, this includes late 90's to early 2000's LeSabre, Regal and Park Avenue. These vehicles, while boring, are extremely reliable(and very comfy as well) Look for a senior owned vehicle that is low miles and maintained to a T. Old people tend to take good care of their stuff, hold onto it forever, and don't rack up a ton of miles. Same sort of logic applies to Camrys, Lexus ES300, and Avalons, senior citizens love those models as well. Now that these cars are at least 10, 15, approaching 20 years old in some cases, the old codger might have died or can't drive anymore, great time for you to scoop up grandma's last set of wheels that's in great shape with less than 100k miles on it.
#23
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'd also look at any Buick with the 3.8 V6, this includes late 90's to early 2000's LeSabre, Regal and Park Avenue. These vehicles, while boring, are extremely reliable(and very comfy as well) Look for a senior owned vehicle that is low miles and maintained to a T. Old people tend to take good care of their stuff, hold onto it forever, and don't rack up a ton of miles. Same sort of logic applies to Camrys, Lexus ES300, and Avalons, senior citizens love those models as well. Now that these cars are at least 10, 15, approaching 20 years old in some cases, the old codger might have died or can't drive anymore, great time for you to scoop up grandma's last set of wheels that's in great shape with less than 100k miles on it.
#25
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Probably the best choice as a year-around daily driver in his location and climate. But, on non-turbo 4-cylinder models, one must be ready for the possibility of head-gasket and/or rear wheel bearing repairs....in general, older ones more so than newer ones.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-10-17 at 06:56 AM.
#26
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
subie it is then.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
#27
Lexus Fanatic
#30
Lexus Fanatic
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Stop rocking the boat!
![Wink](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif)