vB Easy Archive - Well it looks like we're getting an Olds...

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Well it looks like we're getting an Olds...
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Posted by: [Corporal Dan]

My parents want/need a new car. They dont want to pay 30K-plus for a decently sized sedan... so we're gettin used.

Understand the following: Except for a 78 Skyhawk and a 91 Dodge Shadow, my family has always ALWAYS owned imports. My dad is as import-biased as they come.

However, it looks like we're getting a GM (surprise surprise).

The reasons are myriad...

Imports:
-They've owned too many Mazdas over the years. None have been bad at all... 2/3 have been fantastic (an early 80s 323 (I wasn't around for that one) and an 87 626), the most recent has been pretty good and handles great... but goddammit, not another mazda.

-No *******ed Korean cars. We had a Hyundai Pony back in the day, until it got smashed. Was a pretty OK car, its crashworthiness saved my life.... but I've been less than impressed with the latest offerings.

-No Toyotas. Toyota, while it makes reliable cars is the quintessential yawnmobile. If they're gonna get an exciting car, now is the time to do it. They're in their early 50s.

-No Honda. Weak engines, weak styling, overpriced, sure! But also crap transmissions.

-No Nissan. Because they're overpriced, and even used nissans are pretty expensive for what you get. Styling doesn't do it for us. V6 is too high-strung.

-For all brands, parts are ludicrously expensive. Labor costs are extensive. This is not a good thing with used vehicles.

Eurocars:

-VW = Chick cars. Also, except for the TDI package (the only diesel game in town), all the powertrain options are crap.

-BMW, Benz, etc: Too much snob appeal, to *******ed expensive, etc etc.

Domestics:

-Ford. I consider myself an expert on domestics, and my expertise tells me that ford sucks. Hideous styling, crappy powertrains.

-Daimler: Ever since the krauts took over, it's been one hideous design after another. Anemic powertrains. Still crap reliability.

-GM: Attractive designs, BULLETPROOF powertrains and mechanicals. Crap interiors, but my parents don't care about interiors.

So now for the options:

Posted by: [Corporal Dan]

GM Options.

Criteria:
-4 doors
-v6 power or better (That's my contribution)
-sedan
-Good looks

Matches:

Chevy Malibu (old model)
Pontiac Grand Am
Oldsmobile Alero

Buick Century
Buick Regal
Chevy Impala
Pontiac Grand Prix
Oldsmobile Intrigue
Oldsmobile Aurora

A few of those are removed from the list immediately:
Pontiac Grand Am - Hideously ugly.
Chevy Malibu (old model) - No real merits, not very plentiful
Buick Century - Same platform as all the others in its class... Good styling but some weak mechanicals
Buick Regal - Too rare and expensive even used.
Oldsmobile Aurora - Too many bells and whistles, rare, expensive

This leaves us with three:
Oldsmobile Alero

Chevy Impala
Pontiac Grand Prix
Oldsmobile Intrigue
=-=-=

Went to the off-lease liquidator today, and I found a few of each car.

Alero - This was #1 on out hitlist.
$16K, 36000KM. 3.4L V6,
fully loaded (power moonroof & everything, premium sound, chrome rims, nice dark blue, leather)

I got into the driver's seat and immediately noticed how cramped the damned thing was, even compared to the already cramped protege we own. Not much leg room on either side. Smallish trunk. Probably due to the moonroof, my head kept bumpting the roof. I couldn't lower the seat too much, because that was not the best driving position.

Engine sounded healthy though, and sound system was fantastic.

But due to size, pass.

Posted by: [Corporal Dan]

Pontiac Grand Prix GT
$14K, 3.8L V6
57K kilometers
Cloth Interior
Alloy Wheels
Knockout styling
No driver info center

I REALLY liked this car. It was super-comfortable, and the driver's seat felt like a cockpit. Red instrumentation is really nice and comfortable to look at. Car feels like it fits like a glove.

Passenger and rear seats nice and roomy, and very comfortable. Sound system is good, but lacks radio controls on steering wheel.

Cavernous trunk.

Amazing looks!

I am very familiar with the 3.8 and I know it's a fantastic motor. Exhaust rumble was exhilarating.

We liked this one a lot.

Oldsmobile Intrigue GL
$16k, 3.5L Northstar V6 (Same motor as cadillacs)
~60K km
VERY NICE, black/grey leather Interior
Alloy Wheels

Driver's seat felt super-roomy. Cabin felt airy. All panels and surfaces felt pretty nice.

Motor sounded healthy.

I didn't like the look of the instrumentation, especially compared to the GP, but it was still nice and easy to read.

All controls on steering wheel - a good thing.

Sound system was pretty crappy though. Head unit worse than the grand prix one, which in turn was worse than alero's.

Basically, the Alero's head unit was thoroughly modern. The GP's was 4-5 years dated, but very nice, as everything was fully digital.

The Intrigue's head unit was primitive, with analog/potentiometer knobs to adjust bass/treble and fader. Sound was tinny and lacked any real definition.

Cavernous trunk. There was not enough times to sit in rear seats.

The car was, overall a knockout, though.

=-=

So now we're split between a nice Grand Prix and a nice Intrigue.

My dad likes the more refined look and feel of the Intrigue, and I LOVE the sporty and aggressive look of the GP.

Both are great cars. We are split.

We will go on test drives on Wednesday. Will report findings later.

Any opinions?

Posted by: kubus_stroinski

i really like the bonneville. have u taken a look at that?

Posted by: [Corporal Dan]

Actually we haven't because we haven't come across it.

It's also way too big a car.

Posted by: kubus_stroinski

i drove it and it didnt seem THAT big. it seemed reasonably sized and was extremely comfortable, and it was very easy to park

Posted by: crazeazn

im partial to the pontiac. especially the supercharged ones =P series II + blower = ownich

since ur parents are older theyll probably spring for the olds, olds are VERY good cars anyway...

for that value have you considered a cadillac? or is it too large?

Posted by: The Rex

cadillac catera? parts may be a little expensive, but a good used-car buy (maybe?)

i like the grand prix, but avoid the gtp... my buddy had one... really nice, but worse fuel economy than my other buddy's 98 911 turbo (we took both on a trip and made the calculations based on the gas receipts), and the really gawdy halloween theme in the inside (all grand prixs (sp?) plagued by the orange lights?)... btw, that 3800 is freakin bulletproof

Posted by: badass bunny

Quote:

Originally posted by rex-star
cadillac catera? parts may be a little expensive, but a good used-car buy (maybe?)

i like the grand prix, but avoid the gtp... my buddy had one... really nice, but worse fuel economy than my other buddy's 98 911 turbo (we took both on a trip and made the calculations based on the gas receipts), and the really gawdy halloween theme in the inside (all grand prixs (sp?) plagued by the orange lights?)... btw, that 3800 is freakin bulletproof

one of my managers drove a catera and the resale value was horrible on it. i drove it a few times here and there and it wasn't too bad though. rwd too but only think i didnt like was it felt so heavy. that's all i know about it.

Posted by: B0000rt

Intrigue is pretty good.. GF's parents bought one for about 22k new a few years ago.. (with GM card and their old Regal tradein)

The steering wheel is too Caddy though, from what I remember when I was driving to the cottage, it was loose as a (insert city) whore, heh..

Though I was amazed with the tranny, like 1500rpm at ~110km/h (well it was something low!)

Posted by: Smeech

The reason why the Catera has horrible resale is because it's a piece. Poor reliability, the worse Caddy ever--get any Caddy, just not the Catera.

I was going to get the GTP a couple years back... I didn't find the driving position very pleasing, but then that depends on your size (tall and skinny here) I know you mentioned that mechanicals are bulletproof, but WATCH the Grand Prix. I've heard many problems on the electrical system.

The Buick counterpart, for some reason, seems much more reliable in that part.

Posted by: buhdussy

Man Dont knock Ford, they make great cars. Go look at a 2004 Taurus. You can pick one up for about 17,000USD. And they're a great car. My family has had a few and they are great. Get the 3.0l 24v duratec, that motor is bulletproof, and has plenty of go. If you live Somewhere where it snows a lot, they are like driving a snow cat. Ive never driven anything better in the snow than a Taurus. They ride nice, a lot better than a grand am or alero. However if they must get a GM than Go with a newer generation Aurora. Those cars are good, great engines and nice interiors, plus you can get a used one dirt cheap.

Posted by: spike78

Vote for Pontiac Grand Prix...

Posted by: aryx

Dan, let me tell you from one long time pontiac fan to another, GET THE GRAND PRIX!
From the list you have it's the only logical choice. I've owned a 91 Grand Prix SE (3.1L V6), father's owned an '82 Grand Prix (4.8L V8 I think) and now owns a 2004 Grand Prix GT. I have never had any reliability issues with either of them. I had to rebuild the tranny on my '91 but other than that it's been bulletproof.
Rex-star is right, if you're a little concerned about economy don't get the super charged version. My dad, as mentioned before, bought the non-supercharged GT and let me tell you that it's more than adaquate for me in any situation I've put it through. Also, someone here said that the instrumentation was orange? Well that's kinda true, it still is somewhat orangey (not as orangey as the lights on my '91, just a little redder). Also, the ride is great! The only downside to the GP is that it's not offered with a manual tranny which is what keeps me from buying one (how can u not have 1 with a beautiful engine like that? Shame on you GM)
Convince the family to get one, they won't be dissapointed