I Need Your Help!

**TaHoE** · 11-06-2009, 11:21 AM

Well this is my 10,000th post and I need your help. My beloved Aurora (which has been back in New York for 3 months) was being driven by my mother, and she was rear-ended. Thankfully, she is fine, she didn't even walk away with a single scratch or headache (thank you active head restraints). However, I am pretty sure the Aurora will be totaled. The driver that rear ended her was 79 years old and did not see her stop at the intersection, hit her on the rear passenger corner. Apparently the trunk lid is bent at the bottom and warped at the top. The trunk floor is warped. The exhaust system has been removed from it's brackets. The passenger side door does not close properly. Lots of chassis damage, so it doesn't sound good. I am really going to miss our beloved Velma. The body shop guy said that the car would be appraised for roughly $7,000. She needs a car to go to and from work with (work is only 3 miles away). She is looking at getting a used car to replace the Aurora. I need your help to choose a good one. Here is what she is looking for:

Priorities:
> Reliability
> Fuel Economy
> Safety

She is really scared of small cars. But these are her biggest priorities. Your help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much!

Buick61 · 11-06-2009, 11:27 AM

....and why not get another Aurora?

**TaHoE** · 11-06-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buick61

....and why not get another Aurora?

The Aurora was far from reliable. In fact one week before the accident, we had to replace the engine mounts.

Buick61 · 11-06-2009, 11:41 AM

If she doesn't mind fugly x10, then a 2006 Chevy Malibu.

Olds88 · 11-06-2009, 12:29 PM

3800 powered Buicks (LeSabre, Park Avenue, Lucerne) should be at the top of the list. They get good fuel economy, excellent reliability, probably weren't abused and they're big. Next should be their mechanical twins like the Pontiac Bonneville or any non 3.4L w-body. Also consider a Mercury Grand Marquis, they're pretty reliable and depreciate quickly so you can find a good example for a reasonable price. I managed to average over 20mpg with my 1992, its no fuel miser, but its probably no worse than the Aurora. If you can bend on the fuel economy you can pick up a 3 year old Dodge Charger/Magnum with a 2.7L or 3.5L for ~$8k with < 30k on it.

Uzzy · 11-06-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olds88

3800 powered Buicks (LeSabre, Park Avenue, Lucerne) should be at the top of the list. They get good fuel economy, excellent reliability, probably weren't abused and they're big. Next should be their mechanical twins like the Pontiac Bonneville or any non 3.4L w-body.

Can't go wrong with a 3.8L powered W-Body or H-body. The Bonneville was not W-Body, however. It was an H-body, like the Aurora and LeSabre. I want one in the worst way. Prefereably a supercharged LeSabre or Bonneville.

Glad Mamma TaHoE is alright.

Uzzy · 11-06-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaHoE

The Aurora was far from reliable. In fact one week before the accident, we had to replace the engine mounts.

I wouldn't call requiring new engine mounts unreliable.

**TaHoE** · 11-06-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uzzy

I wouldn't call requiring new engine mounts unreliable.

Well, the mounts weren't too bad. But it was the numerous other things that needed to be replaced on a car that only had 40000K miles at the time.

cdp326 · 11-06-2009, 02:57 PM

Glad she is OK.
A compact crossover sounds like it would be a good choice for her, and a Saturn VUE might fit the bill.

With a short commute the 3.5L Honda V6 would likely be more power than she needs and the fuel economy would be better with the I4. So I'd say stick to the 2005+ VUEs with the 2.2L Ecotec and 4-speed Hydramatic. 2006-07 models were facelifted with nice improvements in interior quality, and 2007 models have the 5 year/100k mile GM powertrain warranty.

A number of VUEs by this time were put in rental fleets, so be wary of those. Though Saturn is going away parts availability shouldn't be of great concern - for the most part a lot of parts are interchangeable either with other Saturns (like radios) or other GM vehicles (other Thetas in particular - Equinox).

As you're looking for safety, ABS/traction control (grouped together) and head curtain airbags were optional. If it has ABS you'll see a traction control button on the center stack; curtain airbags have an airbag designation on either side of the roof above the B-pillar.

FenwickHockey65 · 11-06-2009, 05:08 PM

Definitely Lucerne. You can get a used '06-'07 Lucerne CXL with 40-50k miles for a little under $20k.

Buick61 · 11-06-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Definitely Lucerne. You can get a used '06-'07 Lucerne CXL with 40-50k miles for a little under $20k.

You could get a brand new G8 V6 for that kind of scratch. Well, you could when they were still on lots.

FenwickHockey65 · 11-06-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buick61

You could get a brand new G8 V6 for that kind of scratch. Well, you could when they were still on lots.

I never found any for that cheap. Then again, the dealers in my area marked everything up.

2002 Caddy · 11-06-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaHoE

The Aurora was far from reliable. In fact one week before the accident, we had to replace the engine mounts.

On the NorthStar cars, usually only the front one fails... Rips in two... they are hollow and filled with oil... Stupidest design I have ever seen... My car is on its third.

I know how she felt about her car... I love my STS.. but it eats at least $1000 per year in unexpected parts and maintenance every year... and thats over and above an "over kill" level of regular maintenance.

I would look for a V6 AWD 2005 or 2006 STS You should be able to score on of those for less then $14,000, how much does she want to spend?

CadiEldo67 · 11-06-2009, 09:40 PM

'97-03 Grand Prix GTP

or perhaps you could locate a '05ish G6?

**TaHoE** · 11-06-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2002 Caddy

On the NorthStar cars, usually only the front one fails... Rips in two... they are hollow and filled with oil... Stupidest design I have ever seen... My car is on its third.

I know how she felt about her car... I love my STS.. but it eats at least $1000 per year in unexpected parts and maintenance every year... and thats over and above an "over kill" level of regular maintenance.

I would look for a V6 AWD 2005 or 2006 STS You should be able to score on of those for less then $14,000, how much does she want to spend?

I would love that for her, but she only wants to spend about $6-7,000.

11-06-2009, 11:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
TaHoE GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Central NC Drives: 2009 Pontiac G6 Convertible 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Posts: 10,006	I Need Your Help! Well this is my 10,000th post and I need your help. My beloved Aurora (which has been back in New York for 3 months) was being driven by my mother, and she was rear-ended. Thankfully, she is fine, she didn't even walk away with a single scratch or headache (thank you active head restraints). However, I am pretty sure the Aurora will be totaled. The driver that rear ended her was 79 years old and did not see her stop at the intersection, hit her on the rear passenger corner. Apparently the trunk lid is bent at the bottom and warped at the top. The trunk floor is warped. The exhaust system has been removed from it's brackets. The passenger side door does not close properly. Lots of chassis damage, so it doesn't sound good. I am really going to miss our beloved Velma. The body shop guy said that the car would be appraised for roughly $7,000. She needs a car to go to and from work with (work is only 3 miles away). She is looking at getting a used car to replace the Aurora. I need your help to choose a good one. Here is what she is looking for: Priorities: > Reliability > Fuel Economy > Safety She is really scared of small cars. But these are her biggest priorities. Your help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much! __________________

11-06-2009, 11:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
Buick61 Chevrolet VOLT Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 10,942	Re: I Need Your Help! ....and why not get another Aurora?

11-06-2009, 11:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Buick61 Chevrolet VOLT Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 10,942	Re: I Need Your Help! If she doesn't mind fugly x10, then a 2006 Chevy Malibu.

11-06-2009, 12:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Olds88 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,433	Re: I Need Your Help! 3800 powered Buicks (LeSabre, Park Avenue, Lucerne) should be at the top of the list. They get good fuel economy, excellent reliability, probably weren't abused and they're big. Next should be their mechanical twins like the Pontiac Bonneville or any non 3.4L w-body. Also consider a Mercury Grand Marquis, they're pretty reliable and depreciate quickly so you can find a good example for a reasonable price. I managed to average over 20mpg with my 1992, its no fuel miser, but its probably no worse than the Aurora. If you can bend on the fuel economy you can pick up a 3 year old Dodge Charger/Magnum with a 2.7L or 3.5L for ~$8k with < 30k on it. __________________ 2007 Chevy Avalanche - 70k 1991 Chevy Caprice Wagon - 185k Be American, Buy American!

11-06-2009, 02:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
cdp326 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NC Drives: '97 Maxima SE Posts: 2,227	Re: I Need Your Help! Glad she is OK. A compact crossover sounds like it would be a good choice for her, and a Saturn VUE might fit the bill. With a short commute the 3.5L Honda V6 would likely be more power than she needs and the fuel economy would be better with the I4. So I'd say stick to the 2005+ VUEs with the 2.2L Ecotec and 4-speed Hydramatic. 2006-07 models were facelifted with nice improvements in interior quality, and 2007 models have the 5 year/100k mile GM powertrain warranty. A number of VUEs by this time were put in rental fleets, so be wary of those. Though Saturn is going away parts availability shouldn't be of great concern - for the most part a lot of parts are interchangeable either with other Saturns (like radios) or other GM vehicles (other Thetas in particular - Equinox). As you're looking for safety, ABS/traction control (grouped together) and head curtain airbags were optional. If it has ABS you'll see a traction control button on the center stack; curtain airbags have an airbag designation on either side of the roof above the B-pillar. __________________ Current - - Previous 97 Maxima - '94 SC2 08 Aura XE - '05 VUE - '98 SL1 08 Rondo - 07 Entourage - 03 Montana

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
GM Inside News Forum Advertisement

11-06-2009, 05:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
FenwickHockey65 News Contributor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Drives: Chevrolet Malibu LS, GMC Envoy SLE, GMC Sonoma SLS Posts: 9,296	Re: I Need Your Help! Definitely Lucerne. You can get a used '06-'07 Lucerne CXL with 40-50k miles for a little under $20k. __________________ Proud to drive American. Proud to drive GM. Current Cars: 2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS: 2.2L ECOTEC I-4 2003 GMC Envoy SLE: 4.2L Vortec 4200 I-6 1998 GMC Sonoma SLS Ext. Cab: 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 Former Cars: 1993 Saturn SW2 (1993-2006, 243,000 miles) 1989 GMC Safari SLT (1989-2003, 293,000 miles) Future Car: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS: 3.6L SIDI High-Feature V6

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode