Which car(s) should I sell?

[AJRK]

Hi everyone, I need a little help deciding which one(s) of my cars to sell... Long story short, I've ended up with 4 cars (inheritance etc) they have all been in the family since new, and I need to pair down to 2 or 3.. I need at least 2 because my mom drives one of them when she is here for the winter. Here are the choices:

1996 Toyota Camry-- 4cyl, 70,000miles. Had it repainted a couple years ago, looks like new, runs great. I have tasteful 16" rims on it. Gets good gas mileage (20-26). Blue book value is $4910...

1997 Cadillac DeVille Concours -- 4.6V8, 73,000miles. All original, in great shape. Was my grandfather's car. Extremely well maintained, and runs great. Gets surprisingly good MPG (18-23), but runs on 91... It's fully loaded with all features available. Blue book value is $6020...

2001 Infiniti QX4 -- 4x4, 3.5L V6, 85,000miles. Excellent condition, looks like it just rolled off the lot. Convenient when I need to move things around, but obviously doesn't get great MPG (15-20). Also, been having some trouble with it lately, intermittent problems starting that no one can seem to figure out. But other than that, I love this car and really enjoy driving it. Blue book value is $10190...

2003 Jaguar XJR -- 4.0L Supercharged V8, 75,000miles. Also in excellent condition, belonged to my late father. This thing is amazing, it's fast, handles great and is ultra luxurious. It has been relatively problem free, and a wonderful car to own. Gets decent MPG for a sporty car (16-21). If I sell it, I don't know when I'd be able to own a car like this again. Blue book value is $14880...

The things I am considering are: value, future maintenance and of course sentimental value. What do you guys think? I was almost considering listing them all for sale at a high price and see which one gets the most action and fetches the best buck.

[King Ranzo]

My personal opinion would be to get rid of the worst on gas mileage, which is the QX4, but that seems to be helpful to you, so my next choice would be the XJR. Although the XJR seems like awesomeness. Gas mileage wise, the Camry, Caddy, and XJR would be the best to keep. Sentimental and usefulness wise, the Caddy, QX4, and XJR would be your best decision and my honest opinion on what you should keep. I'm sure others will have different insight, but that's my input.

[Bubba1]

Hi everyone, I need a little help deciding which one(s) of my cars to sell... Long story short, I've ended up with 4 cars (inheritance etc) they have all been in the family since new, and I need to pair down to 2 or 3.. I need at least 2 because my mom drives one of them when she is here for the winter. Here are the choices:

1996 Toyota Camry-- 4cyl, 70,000miles. Had it repainted a couple years ago, looks like new, runs great. I have tasteful 16" rims on it. Gets good gas mileage (20-26). Blue book value is $4910...

1997 Cadillac DeVille Concours -- 4.6V8, 73,000miles. All original, in great shape. Was my grandfather's car. Extremely well maintained, and runs great. Gets surprisingly good MPG (18-23), but runs on 91... It's fully loaded with all features available. Blue book value is $6020...

2001 Infiniti QX4 -- 4x4, 3.5L V6, 85,000miles. Excellent condition, looks like it just rolled off the lot. Convenient when I need to move things around, but obviously doesn't get great MPG (15-20). Also, been having some trouble with it lately, intermittent problems starting that no one can seem to figure out. But other than that, I love this car and really enjoy driving it. Blue book value is $10190...

2003 Jaguar XJR -- 4.0L Supercharged V8, 75,000miles. Also in excellent condition, belonged to my late father. This thing is amazing, it's fast, handles great and is ultra luxurious. It has been relatively problem free, and a wonderful car to own. Gets decent MPG for a sporty car (16-21). If I sell it, I don't know when I'd be able to own a car like this again. Blue book value is $14880...

The things I am considering are: value, future maintenance and of course sentimental value. What do you guys think? I was almost considering listing them all for sale at a high price and see which one gets the most action and fetches the best buck.

Fun dilemna. My preference is to have one of each type of vehicle. A commuter,
something to carry multiple passengers/cargo, and a fun car.

I would keep the Camry as it's an ideal commuter. old, simple, cheap to operate/repair/insure plus it;s reasonably comfortable and reliable.

The XJR is a nice choice for a weekend fun car. Jags are not known for being reliable, and are expensive to insure/repair but I'd still keep it for the fun factor and the fact you have other cars available when it does need fixing.

that leaves a full sized Caddy or QX4. I recognize the "loser" stigma attached to owning a QX4 as Nala was given a free one by his mom. But they are actually nice vehicles. Besides an AWD SUV is a handy vehicle to have. If you live in a snowy area or make frequent jaunts to Home Depot, the QX4 might be a better choice for it;'s versatility. But if you make frequent long trips with several passengers, you might want the Caddy instead which is more of a highway cruiser.

If it were me, I'd dump the Caddy and keep the other 3. But your situation may differ from mine.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

In my opinion, if you need to downsize to two, I would sell the Jaguar and Cadillac.

Drive the Camry daily. When someone needs a vehicle while they're visiting, give them the Camry and drive the QX4.

You'll still have a good commuter car, but whenever you need something bigger, you'll have a decent sized SUV.

[CanuckQx4]

In that situation Id probably sell the JAG / Cadillac

[Kompresshun]

I'd sell the QX4 and the Cadillac personally, then use the Camry as a good daily driver and have the XJR as a fun weekend ride. Unless you really need an SUV for something, I would keep the Jag for the extra vehicle, because even though it might cost more to maintain, it will be a lot more fun and unique. Plus it's an extra vehicle, so you don't have to make it top priority to repair when it breaks

[TroubleBound]

I'd sell the jag, caddy, and camry, then find something fun to drive daily, and keep the qx4 for winters and guests. Oh.....not an option......
Id keep camry and qx4 in that case.

[skydragoness]

Get rid of everything except the Camry. It's a highway cruiser, it's bullet-proof..so many reasons to have one as a daily driver. Especially if it was inherited, since I'd rather have an 5spd Accord or Protege as a more "interesting" daily.









So the next step is to get a Miata. JOIN US.

[Jesda]

My head says the Cadillac will encounter a Northstar head gasket failure somewhere between 90k and 150k. Its time to let it go unless you're committed to spending $2000+ and have a Northstar engine specialist nearby who can do the job and have the head studded for cheap.

But my heart says you should push the Camry into a lake.

[Bubba1]

But my heart says you should push the Camry into a lake.

[AJRK]

Thanks for all the input guys.. I appreciate the opinions. Just as an update, last week I poured another $400 into the QX4 to try to fix the intermittent start up problem (ignition coil and throttle body cleaning) and once again this weekend, it failed to start. Had to get it towed in... it's on my s*** list for now, depending what this repair will be.

[Amays U G37S]

If they're all paid for don't sell any!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jesda]

What the heck is up with you people (YEAH I SAID "YOU PEOPLE") and your "daily drivers"? Unless its rare or collectible with some level of monetary value, just drive your damn car.

Hell, there's guys with 1930s Duesenbergs and early 20th century Fords taking road trips around the country.

If you buy a car and you're the type of person who posts on enthusiast forums such as this, you should be driving as frequently as possible. I go out at night and drive for hours, no destination intended, for the joy of it, because I can, because I derive pleasure from motoring. I'd rather drive for my entertainment than watch reruns of Jersey Shore (I canceled cable and saved $70/mo). You might get a disease or get hit by a bus and find yourself on your deathbed tomorrow. You will then be forced to reflect on the countless hours of your life you wasted behind the wheel of a turd, because it was "practical" to do so.

Get a life before life gets you.

[Bubba1]

What the heck is up with you people (YEAH I SAID "YOU PEOPLE") and your "daily drivers"? Unless its rare or collectible with some level of monetary value, just drive your damn car.

Hell, there's guys with 1930s Duesenbergs and early 20th century Fords taking road trips around the country.

If you buy a car and you're the type of person who posts on enthusiast forums such as this, you should be driving as frequently as possible. I go out at night and drive for hours, no destination intended, for the joy of it, because I can, because I derive pleasure from motoring. I'd rather drive for my entertainment than watch reruns of Jersey Shore (I canceled cable and saved $70/mo). You might get a disease or get hit by a bus and find yourself on your deathbed tomorrow. You will then be forced to reflect on the countless hours of your life you wasted behind the wheel of a turd, because it was "practical" to do so.

Get a life before life gets you.

Jesda, as an enthusiast, it's not the car that matters as much as how you drive it...

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Sell that Jag and I'll gut you. Amazing cars.

[S13sil40]

I'd sell everything but the camry and buy somethin to build. You got all summer and fall to do whatever work you want to do to whatever car you decide. Just drive the yoto till your mom visits. Whatever you decide good luck.

[Oatmealman]

dump that caddy.Just recently did a oil pan,trans pan,rear main seal,valve cover gaskets,head gaskets,torque converter and flywheel and jesus christ it has to be the most retarded car ive ever worked on.Even my audi was simple.They have to be the absolute biggest piece of crap cars to work on ever.Id rather stab myself 99 times than work on another caddilac.If you've got money to keep dumping into the cadillac they are extremely nice cars when they run but the second something goes wrong you better head to the atm and empty the account.


oh and the caddy i worked on was a 94 seville sts.

[Jesda]

What the heck is up with you people (YEAH I SAID "YOU PEOPLE") and your "daily drivers"? Unless its rare or collectible with some level of monetary value, just drive your damn car.

Hell, there's guys with 1930s Duesenbergs and early 20th century Fords taking road trips around the country.

If you buy a car and you're the type of person who posts on enthusiast forums such as this, you should be driving as frequently as possible. I go out at night and drive for hours, no destination intended, for the joy of it, because I can, because I derive pleasure from motoring. I'd rather drive for my entertainment than watch reruns of Jersey Shore (I canceled cable and saved $70/mo). You might get a disease or get hit by a bus and find yourself on your deathbed tomorrow. You will then be forced to reflect on the countless hours of your life you wasted behind the wheel of a turd, because it was "practical" to do so.

Get a life before life gets you.

Jesda, as an enthusiast, it's not the car that matters as much as how you drive it...

I was tired and drunk last night and don't really remember writing all that (I do remember being on NICO and FB). I'm going to agree with myself now that I've read it again. I'm impressed with my coherence.

[Jesda]

dump that caddy.Just recently did a oil pan,trans pan,rear main seal,valve cover gaskets,head gaskets,torque converter and flywheel and jesus christ it has to be the most retarded car ive ever worked on.Even my audi was simple.They have to be the absolute biggest piece of crap cars to work on ever.Id rather stab myself 99 times than work on another caddilac.If you've got money to keep dumping into the cadillac they are extremely nice cars when they run but the second something goes wrong you better head to the atm and empty the account.


oh and the caddy i worked on was a 94 seville sts.

We Cadillac owners pay little people with little hands to do our mechanical work.






I just sold my '01 Seville (I hate gray interiors, could never get used to it) and I'm looking for another (which then would be my fourth Seville, can you tell I'm addicted to them?) -- but I'm also Miata shopping.

[dasoupdude]

Jesda secretly wants to buy your Cadillac.

[Jesda]

Northstar Cadillacs are like hookers. You can the enjoy hell out of them, but you wouldn't recommend them to your family.

[AJRK]

I haven't really had any problems with it... knock on wood. Burns a little oil, but nothing serious. The thermostat sometimes creeps up a little at idle but I've been told both of those things are normal.

[Razi]

Northstar Cadillacs are like hookers. You can the enjoy hell out of them, but you wouldn't recommend them to your family.

I haven't really had any problems with it... knock on wood. Burns a little oil, but nothing serious. The thermostat sometimes creeps up a little at idle but I've been told both of those things are normal.

That can't be normal for a vehicle that has less than 120k miles...
By the way, the thermostat is the thing inside the engine, you're probably referring to the coolant temperature gauge.
I'd check out the coolant level and replace the coolant and thermostat if you haven't change those in a while.
Overheating isn't something you want an engine to do if you want to use it for long.

[Jesda]

I haven't really had any problems with it... knock on wood. Burns a little oil, but nothing serious. The thermostat sometimes creeps up a little at idle but I've been told both of those things are normal.

Creeps up how far? A half tick from the center is nothing to fret over. A full tick means you probably have a head gasket that's going bad. They usually don't blow one day and all of a sudden. They show small symptoms over time that get worse and worse.

Do a block test (less than a hundred bucks) to see if there are exhaust gases in the coolant. When the HGs go on a FWD Northstar, it does not mix with the oil. You start losing coolant.

97-99 were the worst years for this issue (98 and 99 in particular) due to problems with the aluminum and the quality of the head bolts. The gasket itself isn't at fault -- its the head separating from the block due to failed bolt threads.

In 2000 and 2003 changes were made to the bolts, the pitch, and the thread depth to prevent it from happening.