help me find a 4 door car

[anti_flag_army]

My friend finally has cash to replace the car that he killed the engine in, and I have been trying to find him something he will like.

First off, He wants a q45, i told him about them, showed him some (making me want one in the process) and he really likes them. The problem is, there are NONE for sale in his price range at the moment, i mean a couple months ago there were tons of good deals on them.

So i have been looking at other cars that he might like, and was hoping that you guys might turn me on to something that i overlooked.

Has to be a 4-doorBigger car (he is tall, no 4 door civics)Gas Mileage not an issue2500 max budgetAutomatic

i had looked at some early 90's bmw's (3 and 5 series) and they seem like they might be good, but im unsure of their reliability.

So just throw out some cars that might fit the bill that arnt snore mobiles like a crown vic or something. Oh yeah i tried a j30, but him and i agree the rear end is so ugly that its not an option lol.

[Jesda]

A used old Q45 not cared for by a NICO member will cost more in maintenance/parts/repairs than he can handle.

Unless you settle for a beater that needs a lot of work, this leaves you with (since you are explicitly excluding boring):Early to late 90s 4-cyl AccordNissan MaximaInfiniti I30Mazda 626 with 4-cyl+manual onlyThe 97+ Civic has more head room than he'll know what to do with. The car is awkwardly tall. Not as much fun to drive as older ones though.Any E34 BMW 5-series with a manual and I-6 will last him forever.

Jeep Cherokee

[ScrapMetal]

Toyota Cressida



Has to be a 4-door: checkBigger car: checkGas Mileage not an issue: check2500 max budget: checkAutomatic: check

Not a snore mobile:



Check check

[zacmil]

90's model Impala SS

Those things had a Corvette motor and only came in automatic (I think). Perhaps an old sedan (80's or older) with a big block.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Older 5 series BMW's are nice.

[car nut]

Tell him to save a bit more and buy a DeVille/STS.

[Zydeco]

90's model Impala SS

Those things had a Corvette motor and only came in automatic (I think). Perhaps an old sedan (80's or older) with a big block.

there just fancy caprices classics. IE body kit and leather interior.

[Jesda]

Tell him to save a bit more and buy a DeVille/STS.

He likely wouldn't be able to cover the repairs and maintenance unless he got an early Eldorado or Seville with the 4.9 V8 like mine or an early 90s C-body Deville.

[Jesda]

sTm[-HeavyHips]

there just fancy caprices classics. IE body kit and leather interior.

LT1 V8 from the CorvetteVastly different, much better suspension

Its the same body, but a very different car. Finding one at $2500 is just not possible unless its in poor condition.

A Caprice 9C1 previously gently used as a detective's car is a possibility.

[jdansmith]

http://charlotte.craigslist.or....htmlI suggest this, parts are plentiful and easy to work on. Replace lower intake manifold and good to go for most of these. Head gaskets can be a issue if run hot so make sure it has the redesigned lower intake. Good for 250000 if serviced regularly.

[HashiriyaS14]

LS400 or E28.

Or MX73 if you can find one, but probably not.

[anti_flag_army]

thanks for the replies, the mention of caddies was just what i was looking for, since i have not looked into them yet.

Obviously he is not a car person, and i am pretty much picking out a car for him, but i have never been in the market for the kind of car he is looking for.

[King Ranzo]

This post was a complete accident.

[King Ranzo]

The 80s BMW 5 series are good. I'm driving an 86 528e and it's holding up like a tank. Aside from the chipped flywheel, it runs strong after 232k miles. The interior is quite roomy and quite comfortable. I would definitely recommend this to your friend.

[Jesda]

Only thing to watch out for on the LS400 is timing belt and water pump replacement interval. Make sure the last owner did it (50/50 chance as these cars age and get into the hands of kids who cant keep up with the expenses). If neglected, water will drip on to the alternator and bring the repair bill to well over a grand. Its not a fun DIY either.

Once thats done, the car is ridiculously dependable.

[Pento240sx]

A 1990 Mazda 929.BTW: I have one for sale too, with only 76000 miles on it. Let me know and I send you some pictures and details. V6, Automatic, RWD with LSD, Leather, Moon Roof, and Cruise Control. Is a really fun car to drive and has decent power too.
Modified by Pento240sx at 9:14 PM 2/8/2010

[Jesda]

A 1990 Mazda 929.BTW: I have one for sale too, with only 76000 miles on it. Let me know and I send you some pictures and details. V6, Automatic, LSD, Leather, Moon Roof, and Cruise Control.

PLEASE SEND ME PHOTOS.

[I owned two of them.]

[Pento240sx]

I will send them to you tomorrow, I forgot my camera in my friends house.

[simmode1]

Pre-'98 Lexus GS. Between $2k to $4k.

[car nut]

Good point on the Caddies Jesda. And yeah, 90's Impala's are expensive, the SS models are even more.

Lexus GS/LS would also be real nice. Or a Toyota Avalon? Hardly a cool car but those things have so much interior room! I can fit 6 people in my dads pretty comfortably.

But what about a Crown Vic Police Interceptor model? Built like tanks, biggest trunks in the world, dirt cheap. Plus, they can look pretty badass.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Don't forget about the Mitsubishi Diamante. While it lost its way toward the end of its life, the first-gen was a good car. Very attractive BMW-copycat styling, decent room inside. Should fit easily into your friend's budget. They are pretty gutless by modern standards, though.

[anti_flag_army]

how about this guys?http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eb....html

I like the way these look, any input on them? I know the 929 was mentioned earlier, but it was an older model.

[flohtingPoint]

Merc 300D. Cheap, it'll last forever and plenty of head room.

[Jesda]

how about this guys?http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eb....html

I like the way these look, any input on them? I know the 929 was mentioned earlier, but it was an older model.

Parts are very hard to come by and expensive when available.

[anti_flag_army]

care to elaborate? are there any common problems with these?

[Jesda]

The only issue that may come up is the transmission at 150-200k. You wont have much luck finding a replacement except for mazdarecycling.com

The previous 929 shared more parts with the MPV, but the second generation was more exclusive to itself.

[Veriest1]

Merc 300D. Cheap, it'll last forever and plenty of head room.

Those are great but I'm a Bimmer fan at heart. I have to vote late 80's to early 90's BMW with a 6 or 4 cylinder in it. 5 series or 3 series because with his budget he'd be better off expanding his search criteria to find the best car he can afford. That said, for cost reasons, I'd lean towards a 318.

I'm not sure about the e30 but the e36 has plenty of room according to my 6'2" body... unless you NEED room for a few dead hookers in the trunk.

Modified by Veriest1 at 1:08 AM 2/10/2010
Modified by Veriest1 at 1:09 AM 2/10/2010

[Chaotic_Warlord]

Older Mitsubishi Galants, they have plenty of room, they share the same chassis as the Eclipse so suspension bits are plentiful, the 4G63 drops right in, they are plentiful so they are cheap, most were owned by chicks so they aren't beat to hell, and I speak from experience when I say they will make it through a major accident without killing you.

I had a 96 Galant S, mine was a rarity in that it had a 5 speed in it from the factory, I totaled it on the PA Turnpike, slammed into a wrecked vehicle dead in the B pillar doing 65 mph (it was dark and I didn't see the car until I hit it) and I walked away with minor bruising. I'm 6'1 so I likes my room.

The 6G Galants come with the 4G64 (basically the same engine as the chrysler 420A) and the 7G came with the 4G64 or 6G72 (same engine found in the 3000GT). If you get a 6G you can either drop in the 4G63 or you can make a hybrid by just swapping in the head which will give you more power and allow you to boost. As I said they share the same chassis with the Eclipse so whatever suspension and brake mods that are out there for the Eclipse will work on the Galant.

I bought mine for $1200 and it only had 68K on the clock.

[HashiriyaS14]

Jesda: You should get another 1G 929.

I'm really on about finding a decent LS400 now. Seems like I can get a nice one for $3500-4k.

[Koshin]

94-96 Impala SS are win, but far exceed the price limit for a decent one....always wanted a '96 floorshift model...triple black

first gen GS300 are nice....Many seem to be ragged

I paid 3,000 for a '97 Merc S600 Sedan with 100K miles on it...AMG wheels and all, there are deals to be had assuming the ecnomic status of our great country.