Hi all,
I own a 240D, which I'm using and enjoying a lot more this summer and it runs well. It's a 3-season car and always sits in my garage over-winter.

My 96 Camry wagon daily/winter driver is giving up the ghost (head gasket went, and now it's suffered a total loss of brake fluid). Will be looking for a replacement, something 5-7 years old, comfortable and roomy (I'm 6ft 230lbs), reliable, owner-repairable, some cargo space, good fuel economy (obviously!). Budget $6-8K cdn. I've been hearing bad things about quality/reliability of more recent japanese cars (Toyota, Honda), and have not delved into N-A cars in many many years.

Any ideas/suggestions about what kind of car I should be looking for? I had thought of a Crown Vic or Marquis, but not sure the fuel economy or cargo criteria would be met. Thanks!

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

You are not the only one wondering about what is good value and reasonable quality. It seems to be a bit of a crapshoot these days.. A used toyota a few years old with low milage should still be good value. Thats if you can locate one that is not overpriced.

Stay away from the Crown Vic/Marquis. Ford cheaped them out over the years and they don't hold together... though parts are not $$$$.

My other car is a Dodge Magnum. RWD, handles great, lots of room, seats marginal. Reliable except for troublesome front end (from a w210) with 210-range parts prices. Have dropped in value a lot since gas prices went up. In some areas can be had cheap, esp. ex-rental SE spec cars (smaller engine, no ESP or TC).

The best deals are on NA minivans but you are about my size, so legroom will be an issue. I have driven my buddy's Freestar and it's not bad but not as comfortable as it ought to be, for its size. Chev Venture/Outlander may be comfortable but they are crappy vehicles.

You can get Chev Impalas very , very cheap especially the ex-rentals. Lots of room, tolerable car, handling is decent but everything reeks old-GM low-bid supplier assembly.

Older generation Toyota Corollas had lots of head and leg room but pretty small car overall.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I have seen more Crown Victorias over 300,000 miles than any other car. They last forever if even moderately well cared for. The Grand Marquis is essentially the same car with a few cosmetic differences. Fuel economy is not the best, but is also highly dependent on driving style. Up to 30 mpg highway is possible, but there are guys with a heavy right foot who are consistently in the teens. Expect low 20s. Cargo and passenger space are considerably greater than a W123. And bonus for the OP, they were made in Canada.

If the Ford Panther platform isn't for you, I can tell you that Hondas and Toyotas typically get good mileage and last a long time (220-240k miles generally). The four cylinder models are pretty easy to work on, the transverse mounted sixes not so much. Parts for these tend to be a bit spendy. Most Subarus also tend to be reliable and long lasting, though they did have one engine that was notorious for blowing head gaskets.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

My DD is a 01 Olds Silhoutte which is the same as a Chevy Venture/Outlander and I have been very happy with it. I have 230,000 miles and it's still going strong. I'm pretty sure I have gotten very lucky however since I have only seen a handful in the junkyards over 150,000 miles. Personally if I was looking for a car with your criteria I would get a P71 Crown Vic. My dad has one and he does not take care of his vehicles and it's been very reliable.

Honestly, in that price range my only criterion would be condition and miles. You are talking about buying a disposable car, just look for whatever has the most life left in it.

Honda

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Drive the 240D - or find a nice 300TD - it will have good mileage and durability - plus with the turbo it will get out of its own way if it needs too.

Thanks for the thoughts folks!
Driving the 240D year-round is not in my plans (it's rust-free so I'd like to preserve it as a good specimen), Since I'm now retired, I don't need to commute to work so could probably live with a less fuel-efficient car (ie. Crown Vic instead of econo-box). I'll keep monitoring the local sale ads and wait for the "right" car (1 owner, maintained, low miles). We'll see what I end up with...

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

post 1988-Volvo 240.

The motor is like a tractor engine. Lots of room to play.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

I'm kind of partial to Ford Contours. They do have some issues. Still, mine have been fairly good after having the trans fixed. I got 214K out of my '96. That was last spring and I think it is still on the road. It was a 4 cyl and got 32-34 mpg highway. It was an auto. One guy at work had a manual. I think more miles. It was hit, and totaled or more work than he wanted. The V-6 I'd say about 28 to 30 mpg highway. They are a bit cramped in the rear seats.
I might also look at Ford Focus. The same basic engine and trans. I think fairly good after the first year.
My knock againt Hondas is the used car prices are way higher than others. They might be better, but not by that much. One friend has a Mazda hatch back. It looks like a crossover or such. Looks handy. I haven't heard her whine about any problems. She has probably had it 3 to 5 years.
Tom

I always thought the Contour was underrated in NA. But the OP is 6ft/230 and based on my memory that will be a squeeze into one. I find them very tight inside.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

My sister has one of those... it was her first car in high school and she is still driving it 8 years and 3 kids later... i think it has almost 300k on it and it still looks new... my brother in law is just about as anal as i am about keeping cars maintained and clean

I am roughly 6 ft and down to 200 lbs. I have been up to 225-230. I wouldn't say spacious room though. I also think it depends on how the OP is built. They also sit lower, but not to much lower than a 240D.
I would say its not much of a change between the 240D and the SVT, except power. I sit up a bit more in the 240D, and drive slower.
I would also say that my Contours did OK in the snow. FWD helps. Still, it depends on how the car is balanced and tires. My Jeep Comanche did OK in the snow. I was surprised how well for a truck and 2wd.
Tom

The Duratec (V6) and the Zetec (I4) are underated motors. Good power for their time. Good fuel economy too. Mine had 214K and still didn't use any oil. The V6 has been going through oil, but I think its the CCV system. On both of mine, the trans had problems. I don't think they are bad trans, auto or manual. The early autos had a warped plate. Long story, and bad service. After being replaced at 85K, it was still good at 214K. It was easier to change oil in the trans, than the engine oil. Just had to watch the timing belt in them. I had one break, but no real damage.
On the SVT, the trans was a bit weak for the HP. I had the diff go out. I don't think its a problem on the regular V-6 cars. There are some upgraded parts from the Focus. So not quite an orphan model.
Tom