Best of the Worst

"mcseanerson" (mcseanerson) 10/02/2014 at 22:40 • Filed to: None

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So I went down to the local dealership to try and get a car and I have like the shittiest of shit credit and that's one of the things I'm hoping to improve. Finally found a dealer that will finance me with no cosigner and a not insane down payment. They want $1500 down to get us into any car we choose - of these three.

Option 1 - 2011 Mercury Milan

81k miles 3.0 Duratec six speed automatic FWD, $13k

Option 2 - 2009 Hyundai Sonata

102k miles 3.3 V6 5 speed Automatic FWD $9k

Option 3 - 2005 Ford Five Hundred

Not actual car pictured, it's not on their site yet.

87k miles, Cleanest of all three, Gold exterior with tan leather interior.

We were looking for a small hatch or crossover useful for a small family and good on gas. The bank didn't like any of those. So what say you Oppo? Which is the best? Which is the worst? What should we look out for?

bob and john > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:44

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isnt the milan basicly a 55 in a frock?

also, between the 3, id honestly go witht eh hyundai. no, id not a greaat car. frankly none of them are. Sonatas are reasonable comfy and spacious, and relatively reliable from what I understand

Vimto > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:44

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Five Hundreds have CVTs that aren't exactly known for their durability. I would go for the Sonata because you'll pay it off quicker and thus have credit to get something nicer if you want to. However, I trust Korean cars a lot more than most because we have a lot in the family.

For Sweden > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:45

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Milan is this even a question?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:47

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Sonata, decentish looking and has a decent track record. But then again, with the Milan you get half an Aston Martin V12...

mcseanerson > Vimto 10/02/2014 at 22:49

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Some Five Hundreds have six speed autos and the auto actually gets better fuel economy than the CVT. If it is a CVT it's definitely out. I'm leaning towards the Milan because it's in the nicer condition between it and the Sonata and get better fuel economy. Wife is leaning towards the Five Hundred because it's in the nicest condition overall and the least miles for it's age (it's an obvious old dude car) and it has a sunroof.

Axial > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:50

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TIL that Mercury was still a thing in 2011.

Vicente Esteve > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:51

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I oddly like the Milan a lot, because of the rare models that came with a stick:

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/…

mcseanerson > For Sweden 10/02/2014 at 22:53

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I'm definitely leaning towards the Milan but this will be the wife's car and is ultimately her call barring anything terribly unreliable.

mcseanerson > Axial 10/02/2014 at 22:54

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Yeah, me too.

mcseanerson > Vicente Esteve 10/02/2014 at 22:55

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This is a V6 so it's auto only. Also wife won't drive stick otherwise I'd be trying to force her into a 2005 Mazda 3 with 170k miles.

Karrbon Fiber > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:55

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As an ex Ford tech I say steer clear of the Five Hundred. I had to diagnose NVH issues all the time on those, plus the CVT isn't that great. I was never impressed with the Five Hundred's built quality. The plastics were too hard and the touch points wore down too quickly. I'd pick the Milan all day. They aren't that common to see either.

Vimto > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:56

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According to fueleconomy.gov, the Sonata is rated at 19/29 and the Milan is rated 19/27. However, if the Five Hundred is a 6-speed then that would be my choice also.

mcseanerson > Karrbon Fiber 10/02/2014 at 22:58

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That's how I'm swaying so far. I'm pretty confident in Korean cars of the last 5 years but this Sonata is based on the one that debuted in '04 and personally I consider that to be before they really got their act together. Plus I've heard a lot of people say that Hyundai/Kia cars are perfect for the first 100k and have experienced plenty of major failures not too much later.

Axial > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:58

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I'm tempted to suggest that one because it's only 3 years old. However, I have to wonder how it ended up on a subprime lot.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:59

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Milan. 500 is okay but if its the AWD version avoid like the plague

Boxer_4 > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 22:59

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I believe the AWD versions had the CVT, while the FWD versions had the six speed automatic.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:03

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Milan all the way!

mcseanerson > Vimto 10/02/2014 at 23:04

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Actually for these specific models the Mercury gets better city mileage which is where the majority of my wife's driving is done.

lone_liberal > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:04

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As the (not-so) proud owner of a Mercury Mariner I'd go Milan. When it comes to adequate transportation the Duratec is capable. It's not fast, but it's not slow either and never really pisses you off.

Vimto > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:05

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That's weird, I was looking at 2010 Milan because I couldn't find an '11 V6 listing.

mcseanerson > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier 10/02/2014 at 23:06

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I don't know what it is but I'm basically wanting to avoid it overall from the various things that could be a problem on top of having the least power, most weight, and worst fuel economy.

mcseanerson > lone_liberal 10/02/2014 at 23:07

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They actually offered an 07 Mariner the wife would probably prefer but we are trying to get better fuel economy. How do you like yours?

mcseanerson > Vimto 10/02/2014 at 23:08

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You have to choose FFV. It's not listed under the regular Milan.

lone_liberal > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:12

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It's a good commuter. Like I said the engine isn't inspiring but it does its job and the turning radius is surprisingly tight which makes it good in tight parking lots. It's also the right size for what I need to carry and the optional sound system with subwoofer and discreet tweeters is not bad. On the down side the driving position doesn't suit me all that well as I prefer to have my feet in front of me instead of like I'm sitting in a chair. I also wish the steering column telescoped.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:14

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That milan is the best choice out of the three though.....

Brickman > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:17

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Never knew Mercury made vehicles in 2011. I thought they went away when Pontiac, Saturn, went etc.

My sister had a Sonata of the same model year. After 2 years the transmission would clunk hard when putting it in drive, cheap interior, etc. I'd go with the Mercury. Looks like a fancy Ford Fusion, plus more reliable.

mcseanerson > lone_liberal 10/02/2014 at 23:25

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How's the city mileage?

mcseanerson > ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier 10/02/2014 at 23:26

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I'm definitely leaning towards the Milan myself.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:27

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Good.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:29

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I'd go with the Merc'.

lone_liberal > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:33

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I get right at 19 in mostly city driving.

Vicente Esteve > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:33

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Get it, same here with girlfriend, who drives her moms 2011 4 cil. Fusion. It drives a lot better than I thought.

FromCanadaWithLove > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:38

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I have never seen this in my life.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:52

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Honestly I would go with the 500. The others have gone through some serious mileage. Were these rental cars? It kinda depends on the powertrain, also what's the price?

I like the Milan...but over 20,000 miles driven a year? That's nuts.

mcseanerson > Enginerrrrrrrrr 10/02/2014 at 23:53

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Yeah, that is the biggest thing deterring me from the Milan.

mcseanerson > Enginerrrrrrrrr 10/02/2014 at 23:53

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Also the 500 is pretty obviously an old dudes car, it looks immaculate.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 23:56

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Well honestly I would go for the 500 then. It will serve your wife well and help build up your credit for when you eventually want to get a toy.

I have a 2000 accord that was an old lady's before me. It's been amazing for the last 120,000 miles I've put on it. If it looks immaculate, the guy probably took very good care of it.

mcseanerson > Enginerrrrrrrrr 10/02/2014 at 23:58

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My biggest concern with the 500 is it gets the worst fuel economy and if it's the CVT or the AWD version it's definitely out because they are both known for problems.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 00:07

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I think those things are bad. The Mariner/Escape of that gen had problems with power steering failure and some tranny issues.

Birddog > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 00:09

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Out of the 4 it's Mariner all the way.

lone_liberal > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 00:11

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Yep, that looks like my 2006 except mine is red with a tan interior. Right now it has about 95k on it and has been pretty solid. And stolid.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 00:12

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My 2014 Elantra is failing at started failing at 4,000 miles, and is only worse after 5 repair attempts at 6,000 miles. If I were you, I would steer clear of the sonata.

mcseanerson > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 10/03/2014 at 00:14

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They have a newer Elantra they offered but it looks like a total shitbox.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 00:15

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I know this is a website for car enthusiasts, but have you considered a camry? You could build your credit with a reliable car, and then when the loan is up, you can get something newer and more fun.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 00:15

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what year is the elantra?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 00:22

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As a Milan driver, I will vote Milan. Second vote is for Mariner if you want marginally better cargo space and thats about it. I think the Mariner actually feels more cramped in the front seats than the Milan.

And if winter is a concern for you, I took my 07 FWD Milan through the worst winter in Metro Detroit history without snow tires. It did great.

And that 3.0 V6 is a rock. I assume both of these Merc's have it.

Also, seeing your family line. The 07 Milan has done great with transporting my son around, he's a little over a year and a half.

mcseanerson > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 10/03/2014 at 00:34

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It wasn't made available as an option and I have such shit credit I don't get a ton of choices.

mcseanerson > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO 10/03/2014 at 00:35

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I don't know but it was newer and completely disgusting. They said they had already detailed it and it was as good as it could get and the salesman refused to sit in it.

mcseanerson > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 10/03/2014 at 00:38

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Yeah they both are 3.0 V6. I have never felt a strong need for AWD or 4WD. In the winter stopping is the real challenge and no drivetrain will improve that. Plus when things get really dicey they shut the roads down anyways.

Conan > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 01:32

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Milan > the others.

OPPOsaurus WRX > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 08:04

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We have an Escape. Besides the bade I'm not really sure what the difference is. Its worked well for us. You can pile a bunch of crap in the back and it has been trouble free. Even with the V6 AWD it still does decent on gas and the thing has some serious acceleration.

wantafuncar > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 09:51

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My .02: save up, buy a car in cash... credit won't matter & you can buy whatever you want and can actually afford.

There is most likely a reason you have terrible credit. Not a shot, but just the truth (I would assume).

Get out of debt and you'll have money instead of obligations. No debt = freedom.

Source: Experience... my wife and I got out of a buttload of debt. I followed Dave Ramsey's plan, but there are other options.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 12:02

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Yeah those are legitimate concerns. Well good luck with the choice! If the 500 ends up with AWD or a CVT then it would probably be best to go with the sonata, just in terms of reliability.

Honestly a person has the ability to get reasonable gas mileage if they try, but the repairs...that will put a serious strain on your wallet. Those sonatas are the first ones to be quite reputable in terms of repair costs.

mcseanerson > Enginerrrrrrrrr 10/03/2014 at 12:21

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I consider that period of Hyundai to be a transition period to the good period and I trust it a tad less. Doesn't matter though since my life just went to shit this morning and now I can't afford payments on any of them. Oh well. Time to fix up the old cars.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > mcseanerson 10/03/2014 at 12:26

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Damn. Sorry to hear that man. On the plus side it always feels good to be driving around in your not-so-nice car that you personally fixed up. At least I do :)

mcseanerson > Enginerrrrrrrrr 10/03/2014 at 12:46

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I'm fine with it. This wasn't for me though, this was for the wife and kids. Wanted something a little safer, better on gas, and more reliable. I was going to drive the wife's Jeep through the winter and fix up my Miata. Now I have to fix both.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > mcseanerson 10/06/2014 at 09:15

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well like I said, the FWD Milan made it through 97 inches of snow last winter in Metro Detroit, so you should be set!

It's a great car. I've enjoyed my 45k miles I've put on it.