Have a Problem here......
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, MN
Have a Problem here......
I own an 86' F-150 4x4. (Lariat XLT). It is currently for sale, and i'm hoping to buy a mid 90's Grand Am or Grand Prix after it's sold. But I don't want to sell it. It's the first truck my family has had(I'm only 18) so i don't want to sell it. But on the other hand i start college next year and need a V6 with good gas milage. I also want somethin newer that is less likely to have something go out on it. What does everyone think i should do?? I've gotten good advice here in the past, and hoping for more now...and NO, i can't hold onto the truck. I have to sell it and pay off my loan so i can take out another to buy the Grand Prix/Am.....laterz!
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Have a Problem here......
Quote: "I also want somethin newer that is less likely to have something go out on it".
The above statement I read, is NOT necessarily true.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
[i][font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font][i]
[font color=blue]Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [font/]
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Have a Problem here......
acually as far a grand ams go my dad's 95 is decent. don't like it tho much. the gas mialge is good, it's got power and can seat 4. 2 or 4 doors doesn't amtter. still id rather have my truck
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Have a Problem here......
Cheaper insurance with the '86, cheaper taxes and you will be more popular with a truck. I don't think you will save money if you are doing this just for gas mileage unless you plan on driving a lot around the college. If the truck is OK, you really don't have a reason to sell it. You know the condition of the truck but you don't know the condition of the used car you are getting.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 0
From: Benton County, MN
Have a Problem here......
Never doubt the reliability of an old Ford truck. We have an 82 Bronco with over 174,000 miles on it and we drive it over 130 miles a day back and forth to work. We have put over 10,000 miles on it since november 2001 and it keeps on going. This truck has been put to the test and aged to perfection. I know this vehicle inside and out and do all of the repairs and maintanance myself. It may be rusty but its trusty! Oh yeah, from my experience working in an auto repair shop for 2 1/2 years, watch out for the brake problems with the grand prix's. They tend to get air in the ABS system some how. I have seen this on GM trucks as well.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, MN
Have a Problem here......
Ya...i'm familiar with the Quad4 engine and how crappy it is(head gaskets and water pumps). So i'm not getting the Quad4. I've also heard of the Prix's brakes rusting out and Caliper problems. But i can do brakes pretty well. Actually, in my sleep! HAHA...but thats about all i can do. I have a friend that owns an 89' Turbo grand prix, and i can get advise from him on them. I also ahve a friend with a 94' grand Am GT that i can get tips from him. I meant by the less likely to break is that the parts are newer, and they will eb less likely to break...although anything can happen. I also want something i can put my stereo system in. Trucks are awesome though. But i kinda want a car. easier to drive and better gas milage and cruising speeds and comfort. But i'll have to think about it.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 3
From: Lincoln USA
Have a Problem here......
If you really want a car, why not get a Taurus? I have heard of some transmission issues on the early ones, but those built from 95 on are pretty reliable. I LOVE mine. It's my new daily driver since I put about 40 miles per day on it and my truck has a big block engine, so I know what you mean about mileage. Get one with the 3.8L V6 or an SHO and you will have all the pep you want.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
Have a Problem here......
Try looking at the Ford Contour also,
but not one with the automatic, get the
5 speed, and the 2.5L V6 also, you will
be suprised at how well they scoot...
Steve & the Rockette
'63 F100
'68 F100
'72 Capri 2L
'73 Capri 2.6L V6
'73 MG B GT 2.6L V6(Ford)
'98 Contour SVT 2.5L V6 (Mods)
'01 ZX2 (No Mods yet)
but not one with the automatic, get the
5 speed, and the 2.5L V6 also, you will
be suprised at how well they scoot...
Steve & the Rockette
'63 F100
'68 F100
'72 Capri 2L
'73 Capri 2.6L V6
'73 MG B GT 2.6L V6(Ford)
'98 Contour SVT 2.5L V6 (Mods)
'01 ZX2 (No Mods yet)
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,359
Likes: 1
From: Hampstead, NC
Have a Problem here......
>a Pontiac? Are you crazy? Buy a Ford, or you will have to
>fix the vehicle constantly anyway.
I own a Pontiac Grand Am. It's a 92 4cyl auto. It has 159,000mi on it now and since I've owned it(50,000mi) the only things that have been replaced are the brakes and 1 front wheel bearing/hub and tires(all things that wear out on any vehicle) It gets 28-32mpg and gets me from pointA to pointB and back again. I got it because it was cheap and got better mileage than my 79 4x4(8-12mpg). Maybe when it pukes I'll buy a Ford, but until then, I'm happy driving my Pontiac.
Of course, now that I've said all this about my car, it'll probably die on me
>fix the vehicle constantly anyway.
I own a Pontiac Grand Am. It's a 92 4cyl auto. It has 159,000mi on it now and since I've owned it(50,000mi) the only things that have been replaced are the brakes and 1 front wheel bearing/hub and tires(all things that wear out on any vehicle) It gets 28-32mpg and gets me from pointA to pointB and back again. I got it because it was cheap and got better mileage than my 79 4x4(8-12mpg). Maybe when it pukes I'll buy a Ford, but until then, I'm happy driving my Pontiac.
Of course, now that I've said all this about my car, it'll probably die on me
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo USA
Have a Problem here......
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Mar-02 AT 10:33 AM (EST)]The only pontiac worth owning is a GTO and since they ain't made em since 74 I would stay away from the older GP'S and GA'S.
I had a 2000 FOCUS with a stick for a year, I tell ya that thing took everything I threw at it, I mean I beat the living sh^%T out of it and had NO problems what so ever.
The guy at the dealership laughed when I told him that was the trade for my new SD but thats besides the point.
*****
I had a 2000 FOCUS with a stick for a year, I tell ya that thing took everything I threw at it, I mean I beat the living sh^%T out of it and had NO problems what so ever.
The guy at the dealership laughed when I told him that was the trade for my new SD but thats besides the point.
*****
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Have a Problem here......
Anyone can own a GTO but it takes a special breed to keep a Bonneville from when they were real land yachts. I used to have 2 '64 Bonnies (one was a dialy driver taken out by a telephone pole, the other was wrecked from the rear before I bought it) and Currently own and drive a '63 Bonny. THese cares are huge and the gas milage is still bearable.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Troy USA
Have a Problem here......
Yet another thread where nothing but negative posts are made because a vehicle is NOT a Ford.
People... Ford is not the only company that makes decent vehicles out there. Deal with it.
It really amuses me how someone will bring up the idea of buying a GM or whatever product (non-Ford). Then, everyone tells them how crappy it is because it is not a Ford... and that Ford rules. And that same day, you can go to another thread where people are complaining about how Ford's quality is dropping and how upset everyone is with Ford.
I guess that is what you get on a biased website...
People... Ford is not the only company that makes decent vehicles out there. Deal with it.
It really amuses me how someone will bring up the idea of buying a GM or whatever product (non-Ford). Then, everyone tells them how crappy it is because it is not a Ford... and that Ford rules. And that same day, you can go to another thread where people are complaining about how Ford's quality is dropping and how upset everyone is with Ford.
I guess that is what you get on a biased website...
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, MN
Have a Problem here......
Thank you! I do hate that! If Pontiacs are so bad, why is everyone buying them!! Besides i hate the new body styles on the new f-150 trucks. I prefer the older pre mid 90's models! IT makes them look to sporty! its a truck for god sake!!!! Not a sports car!! I do like ford's though, but i ALSO like the Chevy Silverado!! or the Dodge Ram 1500 or 2500!! And don't tell me they suck! Eery car made in the US is made fast and cheap. U have no idea how many times i've heard that Volvo's or other japanese or foreign cars are better than ours...in my opinion, they ARE!! But they look like sh*&t. They have no sport appeal to them. besides...i like how pontiacs have the ground effects fiber glass molding, which makes them less prone to rust if cared for. Unlike my trusty ford. Now don't take this the wrong way..i DO like fords...but i also like other cars! I'm going to buy my Grand Prix......Even if everyone has them!! (Unless i find a 89 or 90 Turbo edition...then almost noone has one!!!!! ) laterz!
) laterz!