Basically, I'm about to buy a daily driver then put a 5.0 in the truck. I drive 40 miles daily, sometimes a little more, mostly highway. So city mileage really doesn't matter, it's the highway mileage. The only other thing I care about is front wheel drive so I can have something to get to work in during snow. Also, not a deal breaker but a 4 door.

I don't know too much about cars and most of you do so you'll know if there's any red flags with any of these models. This is the list I've narrowed it down to.

08 Malibu (don't like the new rounded edges)

08/09 Mazda 3 or 6

03ish Volvo S60

08 Impreza 4 door (heard the new ones got shotty trannys)

Late 90s Northstar caddy (reliable but heard they need a lot of stuff replaced)

03ish Buick Park Ave or Century

Any experience with any of these cars? Good bad? Suggestions based on these? As you can see I'm not trying to break the bank I'd like to keep it under like 12 grand.

Thanks guys

 

I might be a little biased... but Mazda 3's are great little cars!

 

Why not a civic or corolla standard?

 

Late 90s Northstar caddy (reliable but heard they need a lot of stuff replaced)

What? if you need to replace alot of stuff i wouldnt call it reliable

i like focuses alot.

 

mazda 3 for sure man

 

I'd go Volvo. Awd, safe car, station wagon.... Says it all.

 

Safety wise the Mazda 3 was tested by my ex boss and his wife, they had it about 3 weeks when she swerved to avoid a head on collision and ended up rolling it and stopping it on the roof, she had a scratch on her arm from crawling out, he had nothing... They were so impressed with it they bought another to replace that one..

I've driven it and its not hte most powerful car but the mpg's were great.

 

If you do a lot of highway driving,
Get a Park ave. Or anything with a GM series 2 3800 motor in it.
My dad bought a new one in 1995, and drove the hell out of that car on the expressway everyday, He got damn near 30mpg in that car.

the 90's Northstars weren't as bad as the newer ones. in the new ones, if something goes bad, its a PITA to replace, the older ones weren't as bad, but still a PITA to replace basic crap.

Mazda 3's aren't bad cars, i'm sure Adam can vouch that they get great gas milage. they look pretty decent too.

I'd stay away from the Malibu. Its a Chevy throw away car.

 

Whats about mini jeep ? really a great suggestion!! I like my suggestion here :))

 

no toyotas or hondas, just something i dont like about them. im really leaning towards a mazda. truth be told i wish i could go out and get like a 02 mustang but that would be hell in the snow. if i got a volvo no way it'd be awd, too expensive. good suggestions though keep em comin thanks guys

 

double post woops.

 

owning a volvo (05 s40) i say go with it... the t5 engine is fantastic. 220ish hp, and i get 35mp on the highway easy. you get the added safety of the volvo of course, but the trim and finish is far above the rest. plus they are damn reliable and simperingly not the worst thing to work on, standard tune up is a snap. i would actually rather get down and dirty with that than my 4.0 ranger. if you want to research volvo, pop in at swedespeed.com

also for all the mazda 3 fans, just to let you in on a secret... that car and the newer focus's are based off the volvo P1 chassis, ie the s40, v50, c30 and c70. again fanstastic cars all around. anything on this chassis really.

just to stir the pot.... my car.

 

I've found the 3 is a perfect combination for a DD. Fuel mileage is good... I wouldn't consider it great but I see it as a decent trade off for how fun it is to drive. The hatch has all kinds of room, they're comfortable and they look good too!

 

x2 to me they are the poor mans BMW

 

08 Malibu (don't like the new rounded edges)

Great cars but they are so so on fuel, the seats suck

08/09 Mazda 3 or 6

Great little cars but the make sure the mazda 3 has the 2.3 not the 2.Slow and manual trans

03ish Volvo S60

SAFE car but expensive maintenance

08 Impreza 4 door (heard the new ones got shotty trannys)

amazing cars..owned one loved it. absolute beast in the snow and in bad weather conditions. They are low on mpg due to the awd expect 25mpg max. The auto 4 speed is great and so is the manual 5 just don't launch them hard they WILL shatter. Head gaskets like to go around 120k but my 08 went at 55k *replaced under warranty.

Late 90s Northstar caddy (reliable but heard they need a lot of stuff replaced)

Cooling system sucks ***. Water pump failures are common. The consume a quart of oil every 3,000 miles they were designed to do this. My grandmother has a 03 DTS and shes had minor issues. She gets around 18/22 mpg

03ish Buick Park Ave or Century

wiper motors like to get stuck half way on the windshield

 

The s60 maintnents is not that bad. Not really any different than Anythig else. Go through any deals and you will get bent over and handcuffed around a toilet.

Go drive all of those cars and see what fits you the best. That's what I did with my car and was not even a Volvo fan then. Never before at that.

 

good advice, thanks guys. also clean *** volvo dan

 

i have to say so far for me owning a 86 vw rabbit truck 1.6l deisel fwd is amazing, 63mpg but being completely nutless with 53hp

 

Another +1 for the Mazda 3. Our second car (wifes car) is a 2007 Mazda 3 GT and we love it. Great balance between ride, handling, comfort, speed, economy ect...

 

All this pick needs is meatballs in a mushroom sauce.