Family Size Cars?

[Supergas990]

We've had a 2003 LeSabre for 9 years and 160,000 miles and it got smacked in the rear last week. Since then I've been scouring the internet looking for a viable car candidate to replace it.

Unfortunately, it appears there are few companies that make a full size family sedan (will seat 5 comfortably). On a road trip (2-4 hour drive), I'd like to get more than 20mpg and have trunk space, etc...

My kids are 11, 9 and 5, and will continue growing. So what are my options? I loath Mini-vans and thus far have been able to avoid getting one. Am I out of options? I'm looking for something used.

I really love our Buick and the GM 3.8 engine, as I've been doing all the maintenance on it and know it inside and out.

Help is appreciated.

Blair

[m22mike]

Good luck ! I miss my last ride, a Buick Lucern. Last time I leased I ended up with a Buick LaCrosse because the Lucern was going away. I really like most everything about it, but it's to damn small, I want my Geezer Buick back.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif I am not sure where I am going after this lease is up next year.

Mike

[RPOLS3]

Buy a used Impala. They are pretty inexpensive and readily available on the used market and have what you are looking for. $10-$15k depending on how far back you go and mileage.

[markinnaples]

Maybe a used Cadillac DTS?

[Big Block Bill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe a used Cadillac DTS? </div></div>

My opinion having worked on all 3: Any used Northstar equipt Cadillac is a Timebomb long term (160,000 miles), especially in Wisconsin (rusty brake &amp; fuel lines,parts are expen$ive,ect) go find another Buick w/low mileage or get the Impala. I just sayin....

Bill

[Donnie]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Big Block Bill</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markinnaples</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe a used Cadillac DTS? </div></div>

My opinion having worked on all 3: Any used Northstar equipt Cadillac is a Timebomb long term (160,000 miles), especially in Wisconsin (rusty brake &amp; fuel lines,parts are expen$ive,ect) go find another Buick w/low mileage or get the Impala. I just sayin....

Bill </div></div>

I guess that depends on how its taken care of.
I have an 04 Deville I get 26 mpg on the highway goes thru the snow like a tank. and no rust, but I spend $130 every Nov. and have it rust checked before the snow flys.

[njsteve]

We have a hemi Chrysler 300 AWD. Its been a great car (125,000) miles now. We've had it 6 years now. No major problems, (knock on wood), even after the extended warranty expired. Lots of interior room, rides nicely, handles well, and is quiet inside (depending on tire brand). Used ones can be purchased really cheap now, gong by what the dealer offered us as trade in value (only $7,000). The rear wheel drive versions are less expensive and they handle and ride even better, and get better gas mileage by around 3 mpg. We get 22mph highway and 17 around town with the AWD and hemi. The hemis have the variable displacement engine which switches from 8 to 4 cylinders when your lead-footed wife isn't at the helm. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif

[markjohnson]

Ford Crown Victoria Ex-Police Cars are great cars built to last a long time. Lots of heavy duty parts and they look so bitchin' with the large tires on black steel rims. A huge plus is that punk neighbor kids will leave your stuff alone when they see your unit in the driveway.

[John]

Check these out...

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/search/c...k=&amp;hasPic=1 (http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/search/cto?zoomToPosting=&amp;altView=imggrid&amp;query=miles+bui ck&amp;srchType=A&amp;minAsk=&amp;maxAsk=&amp;hasPic=1)

I like the tahoes or yukon suv's

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/3621956070.html

http://sheboygan.craigslist.org/cto/3589386530.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/search/c...k=&amp;hasPic=1 (http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/search/cto?zoomToPosting=&amp;altView=imggrid&amp;query=miles+tah oe&amp;srchType=A&amp;minAsk=&amp;maxAsk=&amp;hasPic=1)

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/search/c...k=&amp;hasPic=1 (http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/search/cto?zoomToPosting=&amp;altView=imggrid&amp;query=miles+yuk on&amp;srchType=A&amp;minAsk=&amp;maxAsk=&amp;hasPic=1)

.... good luck <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Lynn]

Find another LeSabre. Also, not much difference if you go Regal or even the Century (if you can take the downsized powerplant). There are lots of older folks who put almost no miles on them.
Unbelievably cheap and as reliable as you are going to get.

Probablly less expensive than a comparable Impala.

No offense to you Cad guys, but they aren't nearly as reliable as the Buick or the Chevy. Too many doo dads. Heaven forbid some odd ball Cadillac only electronic part goes south....Bill is right on the money on that deal.

[C1SS396]

Police packaged tahoes are bitchin also Cadillac wagon.
But you have 3 growing kids I will make the case for the mini-vans.

I hated them till I rented one to take to a Swapmeet 7hr away.My wife was almost in tears when I told her what I rented . But by the time we got home from the rental place (3 miles from home)
We were in love with it. The dodge had fold flat seating a dvd/ xm radio a sound system like a movie theater. Front and rear ac/heat tons of power ports ,cup holder etc .
It got great gas mileage easy to park (rear camera) dual sliding door . She could open the doors and fold the seats away and nap or hang out and watch movies why I was out looking for parts . Since we don't have kids we only need one twice a years. But man their cool . Try renting one for a weekend see if you don't agree.
Our was the hooker van for the week .
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii128/c1ss396/100MEDIA_IMAG0971_zps1e05ebfe.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii128/c1ss396/100MEDIA_IMAG0945_zps79154671.jpg

[PxTx]

GM doesn't want you to know it, but the &quot;crossover&quot; suv they sell are minivans in disguise. They are fwd but do come in awd. Quite roomy and all, but I don't like minivans.

http://image.trucktrend.com/f/crossovers/2013-gmc-acadia-vs-2013-chevy-traverse-what-would-you-buy/36032441/2013-gmc-acadia-front-three-quarter.jpg

[Supergas990]

Thanks for all the feedback. Right now it looks like we'll try to scratch up another LeSabre Sedan with &quot;lower&quot; mielage and make a go of it. Hoping by the time oldest kid is 15 we'll be doing a Chevelle for him anyways.

Blair

[John]

...Here you go....

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/3564484705.html



<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif