Large cars

[fud2468]

I got up the courage to post this after reading the threads about pickups and SUV's. I have looked on this site but have not seen the large car topic covered in any detail so far.
Elsewhere I mentioned I get 34 to 36 mpg on my Stratus (this is a 1998 2.4 with no mods). Of course this is highway driving, at 58-62 mph. So far, so good, however:
Road noise is terrible in the Stratus, it's not roomy enough for us and we want to take a trip to Texas in a couple of months in greater comfort and safety; besides, we are seniors who probably won't be able to drive much longer and time is an issue. Finally, though we're not poor, we've never owned a new car, will never own one, and will plan to look in the 1995 to 2002 range.
So we're thinking along the lines of a Mercury Marquis or Chrysler Concorde/ Dodge Intrepid. The Chrysler products are lighter and more economical, but are not as quiet and apparently are not as reliable. Depending on several factors, I would be thinking of aero mods also, but probably would not get to those before our trip. I'd be happy at this point to be able to get to 30 mpg in stock form, driving it as I drive the Stratus .
Your thoughts?
Ray Mac

[SuperTrooper]

Check out the Toyota Avalon. Very roomy. Very Quiet. Better mileage than the Merc or the Mopar. Truly more reliable. You'll love it!

[ConnClark]

look into a used Mercedes diesel

[Frank Lee]

The full-size GM sedans (one example: Buick Park Avenue) with the 3.8 are capable of 30 or so driven carefully, and they are very comfortable, quiet, reliable, and affordable.

[Red]

Say away from the Concorde/Intrepid clones, they are a nightmare waiting to happen. Have yet to know anyone who can say their Inprepits didn't blow up at some time or another.

As Frank said a GM with a 3.8 would be a good choice. What about an Accord or a Camry? Both are good sized cars, pick up a higher trim one for luxo options. Or an early Lexus

[Johnny Mullet]

Old people love Buicks! They also get decent fuel mileage. Evan the large Roadmaster could get decent highway numbers.

Ford Crown Vic and Mercury Grand Marquis are very solid, safe, reliable cars and are better on saving fuel than a truck or SUV.

[Will]

Best in my opinion would be the 97-05 Buick Century. 3.1L V6 Auto. My wife's gets close to 30 MPG with no mods, and no FE technique (she salutes my Metro efforts, but does not to worry with it). It is very comfortable and more roomy than any of the imports I have seen. It's well over the 3,000lb. mark and has stock 140HP.

I have recorded as high as 34 mpg before I ever heard of EcoModding, but I have not driven it recently.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by Will

Best in my opinion would be the 97-05 Buick Century. 3.1L V6 Auto.

I'm just guessing, but are they sold on "American" cars?

If so, I'll second that -- the 3.1L is an efficient engine option and the Century is comfy. Too bad Olds isn't in biz anymore. The Ninety-Eight was a reliable beast (I met a couple of mechanics that chose them as their daily drivers). The Park Avenue is the biggest (most amenities) -- avoid the supercharged version. The LeSabre is a good compromise.

If the Impala is big enough, that might be a decent pick -- stick with the 3.5L, non-E-85 models from the last few years. I really liked the last Lumina sedan.

I'm not a big fan of Chryslers over the last few years.

From Ford/Mercury, the "Grand Vic" series requires some TLC, but racks up hard miles under Police and Taxi service -- good testament to reliability. Otherwise, the 500/Montego or New Taurus/Sable might be pretty good. Avoid the AWD+CVT ones -- not a good combo.

Imports: Avalon, Maxima, Volvo S60, and S80 are good picks. I'll leave it to consumer reports for Audi, BMW, and Mercedes

RH77

[Formula413]

I will echo the vote for the Avalon if you can swing it and don't mind a rice burner. If not Buick isn't a bad choice.

[fud2468]

Thanks for the replies.
I just took a ride in a '96 Grand Marquis that was for sale. Quiet ride but too softly sprung and it didn't seem to track as well as my Stratus.
I'll keep looking.
Ray Mac

[return2pa]

Ditto the recommendation for the Toyota Avalon. A nice ride, but not too soft and squishy, very roomy with big trunk, quiet, and it has a good quality reputation. Much better mpg than a Mercury too.

[whokilledthejams]

Intrepids are fine if you can find one without the 2.7, and can afford to not work on the car yourself. My girlfriend has a 2.7 Intrepid, and frequent oil changes with Mobil 1 are a must (this engine is notorious for a sludge issue that Chrysler won't acknowledge), and even minor mechanical issues are a nightmare to work on due to the complete lack of underhood space.

The bigger engines offer a 1-2mpg hit, but are vastly less troublesome, allegedly.

Actually, no, don't get an Intrepid. The seats are absolute murder on my back, and I'm only 27. That's reason enough to not want one.

I second the recommendation of the Avalon. Not real cheap used, but it's basically a big Camry, so you're pretty much in the clear with that.

[mavinwy]

Actually, even the 2.7 is a good engine when maintained. My wife drives a 2000 intrepid with over 115k miles on it. We have owned it since 20K and have always used Mobil 1 in the car since it was known for the sludge issue. The only repair to the car (non maintenance) was a crankshaft position sensor that went out at 109,000. We routinely get 22 in town and 30 on the highway on cruise at 75mph out of this car. It has had a few mods done to it though. Smoother intake to a K&N filter, better tires etc.

Now, since you are looking used, I would likely shy away from a 2.7 unless either you know the car and how it was maintained, or the PO can show you the record of every maintenenace that has been done.

There were 2 larger engines available, both do not seem to have the sludge issue, but still need the maintenance done. Dodoge vehicles do seem to be picky about the oil changes, but it not like they don't post the intervals in the owners manual or anything....

If you are looking for long term reliabalilty, I would be tempted to look at any Buick (or gm) with the 3.8l...the 231 v6. It is an engine renown for it's reliability. In a park avenue, driven moderatley 27-28 is pretty normal, and they are quiet and comfortable. The regal is a little smaller, gets a little better MPG.

As far as the fords go, they are probably the quietest being full framed and rear wheel drive. They are also the heaviest. I have a friend who drives one 30K+ a year as a regional sales rep. At 65mph he gets 27 and at 75 he gets 24-25. He keeps it though because of the loads he carries in samples, and it is better than a SUV.

Ultimately, they can all be good cars depending on how they are cared for.

Jim

[SuperTrooper]

If you want to stay with am American car I'd second the Buick Century or LeSabre. Both will get at least 30 mpg with conservative driving. They are quiet but the ride is definitely on the floaty side. Probably the highest quality GM cars out there for the age. You may be able to get a pretty good deal since their initial depreciation is high but it levels off. You might find a nice 04-06 coming off a lease that would be very affordable.

[Brian03cav]

what about a ford 500 or ford fusion? if sticking with american. both decently sized and good economy

[mavinwy]

The ford 500 (Taurus) and fusion are midsized cars. I think he was asking about fullsized cars.

Jim

[Brian03cav]

whoops yea sorry i forgot the 500 is now the taurus. that is a pretty big car though, i would even call that full size, but i suppose you're right.

i remember a neighbor of mine had a grand marquis and my dad had an 02 vw passat. honestly the passat had much more passenger room and comfort. with better economy. i think some of the bigger american cars have alot of hood (and motor) and long trunks.

[mavinwy]

Agreed, they are pretty big, but a direct competitor for the Stratus he already has.

One thing I forgot earlier was the Lincoln Town Car. Basically a Crown Vic/Merc Marquis with more upscale comfort. Probably one of the quietest cars I have ever had the pleasure of riding in. They also came with a MPG (instant and per tank) built in to the dash. For those that want to hypermile the things

Jim

[1.5Ldave]

The camry and avalon both had an option for in dash mpg monitoring as well. My parents have an 04 camry xle with the 4 banger, very quiet and roomy and ive been able to get it up to 38 mpg on a highway trip before.

[RH77]

In a bit of irony, I'm currently renting a 2008 Avalon Touring for a work trip (a first time rental).

Truthfully, I'm pretty impressed. There's an LCD screen in the dash that displays tank FE, distance to empty, duration of trip, and outside temp (including radio info and climate control).

~200 miles of driving mostly 70 MPH resulted in a 33.2 MPG trip.

Handling is taught but not abusive. It's a nice compromise.

Power is abundant: 268 hp from a 3.5L, V-6. With the 6-speed transmission, the power delivery feels like a V-8. Cruising at 65-70 shows engine speeds of 1700-2000 RPM.

It's slow to downshift through the gears when power is needed, but that's under hard acceleration. So far it's a pretty nice large car.

We'll see how it does around town the next 3 days...

RH77