American car suggestions

P

Pyromancer

Joined
Oct 30, 2005
Messages
343
Looking for a used medium-large sedan for the old man. He's used to town cars, crown vics etc = Big V8s, RWD, lots of room. He likes american cars. We live in NE, and the driveway is a quarter mile dirt road, with turns, incline etc. The car will see long highway trips, business trips, as well as gravel/dirt roads on a regular basis. I'm looking at Cadillac CTS (RWD or AWD) , Ford 500 (FWD or AWD), and possibly used police CVs (cheap, revised suspension). Safety, comfort, automatic, little bodyroll, and less than $15K. Suggestions?

If american does not work out, might look at Subaru legacy 2.5i, 3.0, as I have experience with Subarus.

Thanks
 
You could get the Police suspension without the used police car look with the Mercury Marauder if you're willing to go used.

You could probably get some stellar deals on A Chrysler 300 right now as dealers are dying to move cars off the lots. Probably get a left over 2008 for a song.
 
CTS is the best car you've mentioned. really good with body roll, GM actually built their own racetrack to mimick the best parts of the best tracks worldwide.

That said, I'd recommend a GM out of all the big American cars. I would stay away from Ford and Crysler no matter what.

... but id pick a Subaru over that...
 
Rupestris said:
You could get the Police suspension without the used police car look with the Mercury Marauder if you're willing to go used.

You could probably get some stellar deals on A Chrysler 300 right now as dealers are dying to move cars off the lots. Probably get a left over 2008 for a song.
Click to expand...

I'll have to check the marauder out. Do they share parts with the Crown Vics. I like the parts availability/easy repairs of the CV.
The Chrysler 300C is often compared with the Dodge Charger. Do they differ mostly in trim/luxury? Luxury/technology is probably a drawback for the old man, as he's no good with the gadgets.
 
qqfob said:
CTS is the best car you've mentioned. really good with body roll, GM actually built their own racetrack to mimick the best parts of the best tracks worldwide.

That said, I'd recommend a GM out of all the big American cars. I would stay away from Ford and Crysler no matter what.

... but id pick a Subaru over that...
Click to expand...

The CTS is definitely a looker, and has won some awards. I like the stubby trunk it shares with the 300C, and Charger. Should make for easier visibility.
I've heard of the engine issues that Chrysler V6s have but thought the Fix Or Repair Daily acronym was a thing of the past?

The family has two Subies, but the old man is old-school. :rolleyes:
 
Pyromancer said:
I'll have to check the marauder out. Do they share parts with the Crown Vics. I like the parts availability/easy repairs of the CV.
Click to expand...

The Marauder is a dressed up sporty version of the Gran Marquis. The Mercury version of the Crown Vic. Same car with sport wheels and suspension, dual exhaust and a few extra ponies under the hood. Right now they are hot items like the old rear-wheel-drive SS Impala so resale value should be very good compared to a regular CV.

I think the 300 is on the same platform as the Magnum and Charger just stretched a bit. A lower end model will have few gadgets. The base model has a six-cylinder though :thumbdn:. A little under powered compared to the other choices.
 
The Chrysler 300C is often compared with the Dodge Charger
Click to expand...

My friend has a dodge charger SRT8 and he has had nothing but issues with it. Maybe he just has a lemon, but its gone through 3 power steerings,a broken axle, and 1 transmission (which I was in the car when it went out. Not very impressive for a 40k+ vehicle.
 
I would go with the CV, get some good aftermarket shocks (Bilstein or Edelbrock) put on it and call it a day.

The Cadillacs are great cars, but in that price range I think you'll get a hard used one, where you could almost get a new CV.

Spyder10- I don't car where you build a Honda it will not be an "American" car. I get your point, but I think the OP is talking more about characteristics than origin.
 
Not too many Ford fans posting here. :o I believe I've heard that newer Fords are among the most reliable domestic autos ever. Their reliability has improved tremendously in recent years. If I were you I would look at the JD Power ratings and do some research on independent quality tests. Sounds like a lot of the info you are getting here is a little biased. Mine included :D . BTW, My brother has a new Ford Taurus with a six cylinder. I guess they started making a Taurus again. It looks like the 500, bigger than a Fusion and he's been happy with it so far. Good luck and let us know. -DT
 
Ok Just my opinion, but this is from working on all of the cars I'm about to list.
Chrysler 300 (post 2006) - LEMON every one I worked on had a transmission leak before 15000 Km

Chevy malibu MAX- Proven powerplant and transition, trunk fit for 6-7 bodies at least
Chevy Impala -same

Dodge Charger, Ford 500, Chev Camero- from driver reports, driver cars. pain in the ass for everything else Also heard negative reports about the AWD system on dodge and ford in snow/ slick conditions

Catilac CTS Generally loved, no seen mechanical problems

Catilac northstar similar to above

As with any manufacturer, quality is based on plant of origin, I'd buy most any US or Canadian vehicle, but be sure that it isn't a mexican built. Nothing against the people, but it seems that all of the major problems (blown heads etc) came from there. But then again I feel that almost all domestic cars are poorly designed, and the focus is on having "the newest thing" over refining a design so it works.

Big subaru fan here, but if he is used to a big car, maybe look at a wagon instead of the powerhouse sportscar
 
at around 15K why not check out a used Cadillac DTS? The CTS may be the best of the cars mentioned but it is quite small inside, and if he is used to big American cars the DTS, Lincoln Town Car/Mercury Marquis, and Buick Lucerne are probably your best bets not to mention you couldn't go wrong with any of them, also the Buick Lacross is not as refined but not a bad car either. Don't know much about the Ford 500 mechanically but the interior and trunk are huge.
 
My neighboor just go a like new 2006 Crown Vic for $6000. I'd go that route.
 
beefangusbeef said:
My friend has a dodge charger SRT8 and he has had nothing but issues with it. Maybe he just has a lemon, but its gone through 3 power steerings,a broken axle, and 1 transmission (which I was in the car when it went out. Not very impressive for a 40k+ vehicle.
Click to expand...

A lot of reviews/complaints have mentioned the unreliability you mentioned. If only they could incorporate a little better QC to go with the Hemi :eek: and body styling :thumbup:
 
ohen cepel said:
I would go with the CV, get some good aftermarket shocks (Bilstein or Edelbrock) put on it and call it a day.
Click to expand...

If it was my car I'd have no problem with modifications, but its for the old man, and he would prefer to get the entire package at one time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top