wife needs a newer car

[jwxr7]

We want to replace her aging taurus which has been good except it seems to drink a bit too much fuel. So I wanted to see what others thought would be a good choice. I haven't kept up on newer family style vehicle choices much lately.

Here are some parameters; it should be less than a few years old, it can't be a manual trans (she refuses to drive them ), have 4 doors (for grocery get'n and kid haul'n), cost less than $15k, and be good on gas under normal driving conditions.

[skewbe]

used prius

[jwxr7]

Originally Posted by skewbe

used prius

that's kinda what I've been thinking too. Most I remember seeing were around 20k though I think.

[omgwtfbyobbq]

New Yaris.

[psyshack]

I have a nightmare that goes along the lines of me buying a Tarus. Its kind of like a falling dream.

Dump the Tarus if its getting long on the tooth. Once they start complaining. They need to be put down. My buddy next door has been rehabing his Tarus. Was waisted money. Thought it was good to go for another two years. Then it had a engine conpartment fire.

He bought a new Yaris to replace it last week.

There are tons of used Camry, Accord everywhere. You could also score a heck of a year end deal on a Accord right now with the 08's due out in a week or so.

[jwxr7]

Tune up the Taurus, that thing'll go forever and it should get close to 30 mpg.

My wife gets 22-23 mpg with the taurus when she checks it. It should be capable of 30 mpg but she won't drive it that way. The 24v engine is cram packed in there so tight that it is a pain to work on, plus michigan winters have taken a toll on everything underneath. The cooling system plumbing is something else too, I've never seen so many pipes and tees and hoses before. One of the large lower pipes is corroded real bad and it looks like a dealer part that will be crazy hard to change. It needs the VSS changed but I have put it off because I have to remove the whole front half of the exhaust to get to it (most of the bolts no longer resemble fastners because of rust and I can barely see some of them let alone remove them). I cringe at the thought of changing the spark plugs because you have to remove the intake manifold to get at 1/2 of them. In other words, it's not home mechanic friendly.
Plus the trannies aren't known for long life.

[jwxr7]

This is a reply to theclencher's post that is now missing from above.

I'm not saying it hasn't been a good car, the duratech motor (which will probably run forever) is just a big problem for me to work around. The 94' has a pushrod engine (unless it's a SHO) so there is more room to work. The 24v motor is naturally more thirsty than your mom's 12v engine too.

[VetteOwner]

a focus? 4 door, saw one brand new in the dealer lot for 16K sure u could find a used one for 10K even.

[cfg83]

jwxr7 -

I'll just be a homer (not the Simpson kind) and suggest a Saturn Ion. I just priced a base Ion sedan automatic with these options (AC and safety) :

NOTE : Go to the saturnfans.com website for complaints on this car, .

2007 ION 2 sedan automatic / Polar White, Tan Cloth

PACKAGES AND OPTIONS

Air conditioning with dust and pollen filter, Air conditioning that filters both dust and pollen is designed to help keep the ION's air clean. - $960.00

Anti-lock brakes with Traction Control, Anti-lock brakes help prevent wheel lock-up and allow the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. Traction Control reduces wheel spin to maximize traction in slippery conditions. - $400.00

Head Curtain Side Air Bags (1), (1)Head Curtain Side Air Bags are designed to help reduce the risk of head and neck injuries to front and rear seat occupants on the near side of certain side impact collisions., Always use safety belts and proper child restraints, even with air bags. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. See the Owner's Handbook for more safety information. - $395.00

EXTERIOR ACCESSORIES
Engine block heater and cord (GasSavers perk!!!!!!!)
$129.00 (Retailer Installed)

INTERIOR ACCESSORIES
No interior accessories were selected.

TOTAL
Total MSRP
$15,545.00

CarloSW2

[skewbe]

Originally Posted by jwxr7

that's kinda what I've been thinking too. Most I remember seeing were around 20k though I think.

Some priui are going for less than 15k, though they certainly are going for more than the last time I looked:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-...QQcmdZViewItem