Just wondering if anyone can comment or offer advise on a possible used car purchase. We need something that'd be good for long distance travel and be in the 30mpg ball park.

I thinking 2001-2 or 3, BMW 5 series, or early Cadillac CST. Looking for something in the 50k mile range that's not from a snow state. Money in the 10 to 14k range.

Don't want diesel. Also my net research shows some of the Cadillac's had oil consumption problems.

At the moment I'm really leaning toward the BMW.

Any and all comments welcome.

Thanks, RR

 

i'm sure you know but those german made cars get real expensive real fast!! just curious why dont you want a diesel?

 

10-4 on repair expense. One reason for a lower mileage purchase is to avoid (hopefully) expensive repairs right off the bat. I'm fairly comfortable working on most issues. Of course some electronic problems almost demand a shop with proper equiptment.

On the diesel question, diesel is and likely is gonna stay at a considerable premium to gasoline. Also the newer gas burners have some nice mpg numbers. I had considered a MB 300 series and may again.

RR

 

the early northstar's in the caddy's had the problem. the problem was that they put a very thin piston ring set in to reduce friction, a race style ring is what it came down to and acceptable oil consumption was 2 quarts in 3000 miles. the other problem with the northstar is the headgaskets. well not the gasket itself, GM made the aluminum block with NO steel inserts for the head bolts. we had to drill and insert a kingsert then no more problems. the engine would get hot and the head would lift just enough to toss the gasket. never have any problems driving around town even on hot summer days, but get it on the freeway at speeds and overheat they would. the Cadilac CTS is an alright car. get the CTSV. the corette motor, 6 speed manual tranny. hell on tires though and good mileage. (worked for GM for a few years. have buddies still there)

 

i gotcha! we had an Audi A6 (wifes car). very comfy! and great to drive! untill things started going wrong. i got sick of it, sold the car and split the repair cost with the guy that bought it by selling it for 4500. i bought it for 7500 about a year prior. once they get close to 100K issues started coming up and i couldnt stand not being able to work on the darn thing. we sold that and my wife got a 84 1/2 ton dodge pick-up. couldnt quite convince her to go with a diesel.

 

Subaru

 

Any Nissan or better still, the Infiniti with the 3 or 3.5 liter engine. Did you know that this engine is classified as one of the worlds best 10 engines?

 

CTS would be an OK choice, just stay away from the 3.2L version though, that is the opel designed engine that gave us headaches in the catera, (I hate that engine.) But the 3.6L or as mentioned above the CTS-V would be good choices, and they don't cost nearly as much to maintain as those euro cars.

 

Thanks guys, with more research the BMW has dropped off the list. I love the idea of 10.5 compression in a performance engine. However the need for premium fuel is a deal killer even with knock sensors.

I'm kinda liking the Mercedes E class in gas or diesel. But a couple of reoccuring issues are reason for concern; the wiring harness (due to recycled plastic content with the replacement harness in the $1,000 range) and headgasket issues.

Still researching, again thanks for any and all advise.

RR

 

try the vw tdis! they get good mileage and are nice.

 

Second Subaru.