What's your practical vehicle?

[Jesda]

After I move up to Michigan I'm going to need a car that I'm okay with slugging through poorly maintained roads and salty snow. The bookstore is closed so I no longer need the cargo capacity but something roomy, durable, and comfortable that I wouldn't mind slowly destroying would be nice.

Trucks have become expensive again so I'm probably going to pass on those.

Any opinions on the Park Avenue or Lesabre? I'm thinking other than LIM gaskets on the 3800 Series II V6 and the somewhat cheap interiors, they seem like winners.

[Bubba1]

After I move up to Michigan I'm going to need a car that I'm okay with slugging through poorly maintained roads and salty snow. The bookstore is closed so I no longer need the cargo capacity but something roomy, durable, and comfortable that I wouldn't mind slowly destroying would be nice.

Trucks have become expensive again so I'm probably going to pass on those.

Any opinions on the Park Avenue or Lesabre? I'm thinking other than LIM gaskets on the 3800 Series II V6 and the somewhat cheap interiors, they seem like winners.

You understand AARP membership is commonly a requirement for a Parts Ave or LePocketknife owners club. Since new Buick owners tend to be geriatri..I mean older than almost everyone else, that translates to GENERALLY better maintenance habits, less abuse. But I also think that artificially pumps up their reputation for reliability as compared to other GM brands, most of which tend to be mediocre at best. In other words, they might not be as good as they are portrayed, especially the older ones that you're thinking about buying, which have probably changed hands a few times. So if you find one from an original owner who kept it in their garage, and washed the undercarriage regularly, that improves your chances for a reliable example. Otherwise I'd suggest staying away from them and look for something Japanese.

My practical car for the last 17 yrs was 4 Runner, but it just succumbed to frame rot. My current "PC" my son's Corolla. Cost $20 to fill it up last week. and no issues with snow. Hard to beat.

[Jesda]

An Avalon is a contender but you have to go back too many years to get a decently priced one.

[numbnuts240]

ls400

[Bubba1]

An Avalon is a contender but you have to go back too many years to get a decently priced one.

I agree, used Avalons cost a tad more to acquire, but is that necessarily such a bad thing? Since you don't tend to keep cars very long, I suspect you could resell an Avalon for much closer to what you paid as Avalons tend to hold their value better than a Buick. So assuming repair/maintenance costs are equal (though in reality, the Avalon has a better track record for reliality), the Avalon could end up costing you less during your ownership than the Buick despite costing more to acquire.

[Bubba1]

ls400

I believe Heavy is ready to sell his.

[Kompresshun]

I would say there is nothing wrong with a Park Avenue or a LeSabre, but I despise them. I'd jump all over an LS400, or a Ford Taurus.

Why not a Maxima or an I30/I35?

[Bubba1]

You guys realize the last LS400 was made 15 yrs ago?

[Jesda]

LS400 is so-so in snow.

My '90 Maxima was impressive in the snow. It's a shame so few examples with reasonable miles are out there, a testament to a spectacular powertrain.

[Kompresshun]

My go to practical vehicles have always been Maxima's and Volvo's. Don't ask me why, but that's the two things I look at first when i'm looking for something practical.

I really can't get excited about anything with a GM 3800 V6 though unless it has the supercharger strapped on top. They just were very gutless motors and felt like they were working their a** of to get the car moving without boost.

[Ace2cool]

My old sugar legacy was awesome. Leaked oil like a sieve, but was still awesome.

Edit: I'm leaving it. Deal with it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I think you need a Northstar-powered Lucerne. Or an LS4 Impala SS, if they weren't so psychotically overpriced for a used XL-size toaster that just happens to have a V8.

Centuries are pretty much the standby "practical vehicle" these days. They're also, however, the new trademark of teenage girls. Got my driver's license and daddy's old Century, ready to hit the mall! I swear it's the most-handed-down car on earth right now.
My issue with the Century is the uber-sunk wheels on the fauxguar styling. You could mount dual wheels on the car and still not have flush wheel fitment, and at the same time you get a straight-on view of tread from the rear of the car. "Round" is an understatement.

I really can't get excited about anything with a GM 3800 V6 though unless it has the supercharger strapped on top. They just were very gutless motors and felt like they were working their a** of to get the car moving without boost.

Even WITH boost, they were gutless as s***.
VQ35 in 2003: 260hp, 250 ft-lb from 3.5 liters
3800 S/C in 2003: 240hp, 280 ft-lb from 3.8 liters plus boost

[Jesda]

Standard 3800 always felt fine to me, even without the SC. The power comes on instantly, more than enough to feel comfortable in modern traffic. It's linear, smooth, and quiet, if not exactly full of character.

LS4 Impalas had transmission issues and the implementation of DoD caused sludging.
Northstars were okay by the time the Lucerne came around but with resale being so close to the 06+ DTS, you may as well get a DTS.

A 3.8L or 3.9L (what was the point of THAT engine) Lucerne would probably be the "bargain bulk" deal of the decade. You could probably replace the tri-star logo with "Kirkland Signature" :P Too nice to slog through harsh northern winters though.

[frapjap]

Lucernes plummeted in value. Plus, who gives a damn if you ruin it with salt?

If it were me, I'd be buying the nicest, low mileage GM 3800 Series II or III equipped car (the LIM is super easy to change in about an hour start to finish) for around $6,000.
Series II
1996–2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra
1997.5–2004 Buick Regal
1996–1999 Buick Riviera
2004–2005 Chevrolet Impala SS
2004–2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Supercharged/Intimidator SS
1996–1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight
1996–2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi
1997–2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT and GTP
Series III
2004–2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
2005–2009 Buick LaCrosse
2006–2008 Buick Lucerne

A quick search on CL yields some low mileage examples of any of those. The Bonnie is a much nicer car inside, but they're all suitable and built to last. I'd probably start with the Lucerne and the latest model Grand Prix.

Regal with 46k. Texas car.
http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/4909656133.html

116k regal
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/4898849748.html

Sweet spot bargain price eighty eight
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4927877468.html

56k SSEi with new engine
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4891453409.html

That 88 is a screaming deal.

[RicerX]

Buy a CVT Altima. Destroy it as outlined. Send to Nissan - "the only thing worth doing with a CVT-driven Nissan is to give it car cancer." Rinse and repeat.

[MinisterofDOOM]

2004–2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Supercharged/Intimidator SS

SO



MUCH



FUGLY.



The late-model* Monte is an exceptionally strong contender for ugliest car in history. It looks like 3 different committees designed it, then tossed the design and took a s*** on the carpet, then someone stepped in that s*** and tracked it through the carpet, and then stepped on the committe design sketch and left a big sharting footprint and someone mistook it for a car design and put it into production.

It's a safe bet that anyone who disagrees has a different #3 hat for every day of the week and a couple more for special occasions.

*Older Montes weren't exactly works of art, either, but they're not in the same league as the late-model.

[Heavy]

i put a decent set of winter tires on the LS and it goes pretty damn good, JUST STEER WITH THE a**

[themadscientist]

I finally have a practical vehicle, my new BRZ.

[MinisterofDOOM]

i put a decent set of winter tires on the LS and it goes pretty damn good, JUST STEER WITH THE a**

This quote also applies to me.

[asoomal]

DO NOT BUY A VEHICLE IN MICHIGAN.

Until this state decides to implement mandatory vehicle inspections, such as Ontario, I wouldn't touch anything here with a 10 feet pole.

No body seems to give a f*** about maintenance here....I have never ever seen so many vehicles on highway shoulders with broken ball joints and control arms.

It really is disgusting.

I thought all of the cars in the rust belt were this way. Then one day I took a trip to Ontario, which has similar, if not worse climate. The cars there are in muchhh better shape and are usually the same price (cheaper now due to the exchange rate.)

I highly suggest to purchase a vehicle from Ontario, it's WELL worth the drive.

[Bubba1]

Interesting that one's definition of "practical" car can vary even more than their definition of "sports"car.

[OriginalWheelman]

Front wheel drives are only better in the winter if you don't know how to drive. If you lose traction when putting on power, you lose steering. F that. Get a RWD. My favorite winter vehicle ever was 1st gen Pathfinder. A set of Cooper Discoverys on it and I went through Buffalo on unplowed roads all winter. Behind that was my Dodge Ramcharger, then my K5 Blazer, then the Hardbody. Truck based SUVs are the best thing for winter, behind that, AWD wagons. They have the weight over the rear axle to keep traction that pick up trucks lack. You also have steering wheels and power wheels separate, and the option to put power to all wheels when you really need it. 99% of the time, even in snow, you will have a 4wd truck in 2wd. That is why I liked the Pathfinder. Put the 4wd on, get out and rolling, shift to 2wd and go about my business.

[themadscientist]

Interesting that one's definition of "practical" car can vary even more than their definition of "sports"car.

It's a personal definition, surely. To me, "practical is a car with really comfortable interior, nice AV system, chilly AC and full factory waranty. That last part keeps me from screwing with it for a couple of years which would impact its practicality and turn it into another project. Forget that some would consider it a sports car, it's infinately more practical than my other cars. I'm already seeing dividends in time, energy, money and enthusiasm coming back up by eliminating some projects I was never going to finish.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I was going to say 00/01 Altima. Not sure why anyone buys one of those GM 3800s with aluminum devouring coolant. One of my more recent girlfriends had/has one. They should come with a fuggin special section of the trunk just to carry an extra jug of coolant.

[nissangirl74]

Define practical? I love my Speed3. Power on demand with good seats, lots of room, ice cold A/C (never have turned on the heat so I can't testify to that). Why is a Cadillac not already in this discussion?

[AZhitman]

Jesda, shoot me over your list and I'll find you one here in SunCity with NO rust, low miles, garage-kept, a beaded seat cushion, a AAA sticker on the bumper, and a Shriner's emblem on the decklid.

Aaaaaaand, GO.

[Bubba1]

Jesda, shoot me over your list and I'll find you one here in SunCity with NO rust, low miles, garage-kept, a beaded seat cushion, a AAA sticker on the bumper, and a Shriner's emblem on the decklid.

Aaaaaaand, GO.

I think you also could add curb feelers, cocoa mats, whip antenna, and a steering wheel knob without shrinking that list.

[Ace2cool]

Jesda, I just drove Brooke's mom's Camry. It's a car. That's literally all that can be said about it.

I spent 4 hours driving it to, and back from, Jackson TN yesterday. It is the biggest slice of bland I think I've ever driven. And Brooke owns a 2009 Altima. With the 2.5 and CVT. I would literally rather drive the 2.5 Altima CVT than that V6 Camry. You would be doing the world a service by subjecting one to severe abuse as a winter beater up north.

[Jesda]

A retiree's Cadillac from AZ wouldn't just be a practical car. It would be a keeper.

I'm thinking about the potholes and salt up that arrive in October. A Grand Prix definitely sounds like something I could destroy with no remorse. I despise the way they look (saves the trouble of washing it) and they tend to have strong heaters.

Jeep Grand Cherokees are always appealing. They bottomed out in value a couple years ago. I hope they aren't on the way up again.

[Jesda]

I was going to say 00/01 Altima.

Indeed, and one with a 5-speed would be pretty impossible to kill.