Large cars
 

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

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

look into a used Mercedes diesel

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.

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

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.

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.

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 :o

RH77

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.

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