The woman is in need of a newer car and she likes the later model Buicks. I like how they seem to have a decent amount of luxury features for a good price. New is out of the question, but something in the 2013 to 2016 range would do. Just wondering what your take was on reliability, issues or all around value. Found a few 2015 2016s with less than 20k miles and warranty for under $17k Discuss? Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk
They're lousy and the quality just isn't there anymore like the 1990-2004 LeSabres had. Highly complex pieces of built-in obsolescence junk. General Motors never learned from their crash and bankruptcy in 2008 and still doesn't get it; they still build expensive failure prone crap. I used to think they deserved a chance, and after buying my latest one I will never buy a modern Buick again. That said, if I come across a low mileage 2004 LeSabre I'd buy it; even though they aren't quite as good as the earlier generation (reliability-wise) but they are better than any of the Chinese engineered and built crap they make now.
Thats what I was afraid of. Just have zero experience with newer cars. Funny you mention the early 2000s buicks. I love a park ave ultra. Or a lesabre as you said. No way I could convince the lady to buy one for herself though. She wants modern. So im on the hunt and open to any and all advice or input on a decent reliable car around 6yrs old max. Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk
Yeah, It's a real dilemma now to figure out just what is good. Sure, they're all great brand-new and out of the box, but used it's becoming a crap-shoot. That's reflected in resale values. Buy a new car and instantly lose between 30 and 40% of the hard earned money you just agreed to shell out for it. But, with all the electronic gizmos they load in, buying used could be just as bad if you get stuck with someone else's lemon. And it sure seems that the car is designed to fall apart right after the main warranty expires. Look at the dealerships; see how huge the service areas have become, that shows you what the manufacturer sees as a priority with their product and how much they stand behind it. If the service department is the largest thing there, then the car is probably failure prone crap. They sell it as the fact that it's large to accommodate your needs; but if the car was well built you wouldn't need to be there in the first place. And the foreign cars are just about as bad as the domestics when it comes to the electronics; look under the hood and you'll find most of the components all come from the same major 3 or 4 jobbers anyway. Now I know to some this comes across as pessimistic and unfair; it's based on my experiences with newer vehicles, and I unfortunately can't say they've been pleasant. I've never had a good new car since 2002;- and I've bought 4 brand-new cars, (not used), and each of them spent more time in their respective repair shops and cost me more to run than my 50 year old gas-guzzling supposedly horribly unreliable domestics ever did. Just sayin'...
Good points for sure. Since I bought my first car in 93 all Ive ever owned was older cars. From my first being a 76 deville, 95 caprice LT1, to my now 68 Buick, 64 cadillac and my daily driver 90 cadillac brougham 5.7. Not one of my vehicles have given me any grief that I wasnt able to fix the very next day with a few dollars at Napa and some basic tools. All solid built cars. I cringe at the thought of spending tens of thousands of $s on a newer car that will spend many a days in a shop being repaired/diagnosed. I keep telling her "just think of how nice of a classic you could get for that same $16k and be more reliable repairable and way cooler. She says thats my job to have those and she wants new. Im not gonna argue with that lol Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk
The good news is there a lot of good deals to be had on late model sedans according to the car journalists I have read, because of the upward trend towards suv/crossovers. A lot of sedans are coming off leases, which seems to be also an upward trend way get new car. (Not in my book though). So shop around and get tired of the process and buy the next one you see like do! The reliability thing is going to get worse because of the horse **** options they are marketing these days, like self parking, self driving, self stopping, etc. Each company seems to be trying to out do the other with these marketing driven ads. I guess they know how stupid their buyers are!
dealerships have adopted a new style of service. they no longer want to take appointments. you can call for anything and the the service writers will push you to just bring the car down and wait for it. they do this for a few reasons. first they never turn business away. secondly, if you do wait for your car you'll invariably get bored and wander around the dealership. sooner or later you'll get a pitch on trading your car in and leaving sooner than having waiting for your old clunker to be fixed. third it keeps the techs busy enough so they won't leave, but most won't make the money they used to. the dealers would rather have 10 guys do the work of 2 and be ready for the storm that rarely comes. it's kinda sad really.
I would like to find a good low mile 95-6 LT1 roadmaster/ or caprice again. They just dont come up around here like they use to Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk
Fortunately the majority of the people don't take the naysayers seriously or the auto manufacturing economy would collapse. So far our 2012 Lacrosse is doing very well with zero issues, we must have gotten the only good one built:laugh: My Granddaughter has a 2015 Ford sedan, I don't remember which model, but she has had good luck with it but it isn't as luxurious as our Lacrosse. I have a friend with a nice looking loaded Chrysler 300 but has been back to the dealer more times than he would like to remember. I would suggest having her drive a few and see what she feels the best in and check it's record with Carmax. Good Luck Bob H.
Funny you mention the Lacrosse she was really interested in a Lacrosse (2014) i believe and a 2015 verano with 15k miles on it. There is a Buicke dealer 2 miles from me, we may go test a few tomorrow, if the temp gets above 19* out. Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk
You can get a new Camry built in Georgetown Kentucky, with a made in U.S.A. 2.5L engine and transmission, that can last you a lifetime for close to 20k flat. Not sure how you can beat that. I'll drive right past my Buick dealer to get to the Toyota dealer. My oldest son just bought a new red Camry XSE last weekend. He is delighted!
No kidding!? Never looked at the camry. Have heard toyota holds good quality thought Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk
im on my third Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer as my wife's DD. They have been reliable vehicles, the 4.0 V6 is a great running engine. the 2006-2010 models are built well and can be had for well under 20k with good mileage. I actually bought one for my 16 year old daughter this year. full frame and all wheel drive I feel she is safe in these vehicles. They have there share of nuisance issues, look for a coolant leak at the thermostat housing, $40.00 at Napa. vacuum hose for the heater controls will crack and break, just shorten the hose up. axle seals will leak mainly on the front axle, about $30.00 each. I got a great deal on my daughters 2008 because the transmission was shifting hard between first and second. dropped the pan, replaced the solenoid valve, filter, and oil and she shifts like new! about a $300.00 repair but I got it for $3000.00 under book value.
The Camry and most, if not all, Toyotas, dull the senses. Reliability advantage over GM is no longer what once was - look at a new or used (1 or 2 year old) Impala. It's a great car with a great 6 cyl engine. You won't be disappointed.
Japanese quality has slipped, the domestics have caught up. I will never own a Toyota, just not a fan of Japanese cars. Good luck with your search.
Most of the people I work with drive foreign, either Toyota or Honda. They've given up on domestics due to their incredibly bad reliability, bad customer service and endless recalls. I get laughed at because I'm the last person on the plantsite that drives a domestic car, nobody else does. The only reason most choose domestics is with regard to pickup trucks, that's about the only thing the domestic manufacturers can still built well. The problem I have with the imports is driver position; it is pretty much impossible for me to be able to sit and drive one for any period of time. I absolutely detest SUVs and "cross-overs", (IMHO they're fugly and largely unnecessary) they're marginally better seating-wise, but not good enough to get me into one. (I'm 6'8" with long legs) That's largely why I'll probably own a last-gen LeSabre until they completely disappear or take my license away, it's the only truly comfortable modern car I've found, one I can actually sit in without lying down, and one where my knees aren't up around my ears as a result. Regardless; - the quality is nominally better than domestics; but far better than anything out of Europe.
Matt, if she likes he Buick's, get one and you won't need to justify it to anyone, it will be a decent car. Some others have higher recall rates when you actually look into it. We bought a new Challenger Scat Pack and the only complaint is that the rear tires only lasted 6,000 smiling miles. Good luck, and if you decide on a Buick be proud of it!
We were thinking Buick this fall when we decided we no longer needed our Acadia. But a 2014 Impala LT was available close by with low miles and about $20k. We test drove it and loved it. Very nice spacious comfortable leather interior, comfortable ride, not quite as soft as a Buick, but excellent handling/cornering. Nice power with the same 3.6 direct-injected V6 engine the Acadia had, and many Buicks use. 2014 was year 1 of the Impala redesign, and it sure looks better than its predecessor. First Chevy car I've owned since about 1984.
I'm about 6'4", long legs, and my 2014 Impala is the only car I've owned where I've not needed to have the front seat all the way back for leg room. If I have the seat all the way back, the pedals are just about out of reach. Even my old 98 Riviera was lacking in leg room.
Wrong .. Buick is one of the highest quality cars built currently . DL Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
