What to Buy, What To Buy...

[vonVeezelsnider]

With me looking to turf my Dahlia Blue 1997 Cavalier, and am looking to buy something new this fall... I've short listed it to a few choices, most with the 3.1L V6 as it is relatively efficient, and I need some advice to prioritize my list before I talk to my used car guy. I'm currently considering:

1997-2001 Buick Century

1995-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (3.1L)

1995-1999 Chevrolet Lumina (3.1L)

1995-1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (3.1L)

1997-2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (3.1L)

1994-1995 Pontiac Trans Sport 3.8L/Chevrolet Lumina Minivan 3.8L (The Dustbusters)

Now, my gut is telling me that the best choice is the Century because of the JD Power Awards for quality and dependability, but I have some serious questions about the dustbusters... We had a '94 model and replaced the tranny at 120K KM, and it started slipping again ad 175K when we got rid of it... I'd really like to own one of these vans, but from the personal experience as well as the reviews on the 'net about the car eating alternators. going through trannys every 90000KM and having bad wiper motors and power window motors, we never had any of these problems, but it was a good looking vehicle and great on gas once it gets a better air filter and spark plugs (3.8L). Have any of you had these vans or known people who did, and could elaborate on some realistic reliability figures. Also need opinion on what you think of my other possibilities.

Thanks in advance

[Flybrian]

The Century would be one of the best buys out of the cars, IMO, simply because of the huge number of low-mileage, low-wear examples available.

[Intrepidation]

The GP or the Century

[Drew Dowdell]

What about an Intrigue with the 3.8?

[vonVeezelsnider]

What about an Intrigue with the 3.8?

To tell the truth, I considered the Intrigue above all of them, but the 3.8 Series II as a V6 just doesn't get the economy I'd like... I know that I can crank better economy out of the Series I in the dustbusters from personal experience. I also don't like the reliability of the Shortstar, which effectively eliminates Intrigue...

Also, to add to my previous statement, my mom and my aunt are trying to convince my to buy a Volvo 850- I don't think so.

[Delta Force79]

I like the Monte Carlo's of that vintage from a styling standpoint....I would suggest the Century considering it was probably never beat on.

[daves87rs]

I like my 3.1....

When its time to send the Cavalier to the "yard (when the rust finishes it off)..

One of the cars I've really considered was a 97-2003 Century...for Fly's reason, plus you can beat the piss out of them ( I see these cars being driven by high school kids now... )

I'd love one with a moon/sunroof, slap a set of nice rims on, add a cd player, and I'll be good to go...

Edited May 31, 2007 by daves87rs

[vonVeezelsnider]

I like my 3.1....

When its time to send the Cavalier to the "yard (when th rust finishes it off)..

One of the cars I've really considered was a 97-2003 Century...for Fly's reason, plus you can beat the piss out of them ( I see these cars being driven by high school kids now... )

I'd love one with a moon/sunroof, slap a set of nice rims on, add a cd player, and I'll be good to go...

Yeah... I think the reason alot of high schoolers are driving Centuries is because their grandparents "shouldn't be driving anymore", and want the car to stay in the family (My grandpa is fanatical about his Caravan)

[daves87rs]

Yeah... I think the reason alot of high schoolers are driving Centuries is because their grandparents "shouldn't be driving anymore", and want the car to stay in the family (My grandpa is fanatical about his Caravan)

Well, that in itself is a good reason to get one.

And believe it or not, pretty fun to drive...(maybe that's why high school kids run to piss out of them.. )

[the_yellow_dart]

With me looking to turf my Dahlia Blue 1997 Cavalier, and am looking to buy something new this fall... I've short listed it to a few choices, most with the 3.1L V6 as it is relatively efficient, and I need some advice to prioritize my list before I talk to my used car guy. I'm currently considering:

1997-2001 Buick Century

1995-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (3.1L)

1995-1999 Chevrolet Lumina (3.1L)

1995-1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (3.1L)

1997-2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (3.1L)

1994-1995 Pontiac Trans Sport 3.8L/Chevrolet Lumina Minivan 3.8L (The Dustbusters)

Now, my gut is telling me that the best choice is the Century because of the JD Power Awards for quality and dependability, but I have some serious questions about the dustbusters... We had a '94 model and replaced the tranny at 120K KM, and it started slipping again ad 175K when we got rid of it... I'd really like to own one of these vans, but from the personal experience as well as the reviews on the 'net about the car eating alternators. going through trannys every 90000KM and having bad wiper motors and power window motors, we never had any of these problems, but it was a good looking vehicle and great on gas once it gets a better air filter and spark plugs (3.8L). Have any of you had these vans or known people who did, and could elaborate on some realistic reliability figures. Also need opinion on what you think of my other possibilities.

Thanks in advance

I was looking at a very similar list on my second-last car purchase. I ended up going with the Lumina because of low insurance rates.

Make sure you check those.