Which do you think is best? Buick vs Cadillac vs Mercury

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
02/08/2016 at 15:31 • Filed to: battle, sub2K, next car

So the hunt for my grandpa’s next car is still going. The budget is around $1500. The less the better. As of right now, I’ve found three contenders and wonder what you think is the best: 1993 Buick Lesabre, 1996 Cadillac SLS, and a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. Let’s meet them!

First is the oldest but cheapest: a 1993 Buick Lesabre with 102K miles for $950. Supposedly it runs great, the AC works, and the tires are like new. Paint and bodywork look decent as well. There are some cons though, mainly that its a 1993. We really didn’t want to go pre 1996 because of the lack of OBDII. It also was a northern car so rust is a concern. But being under $1k makes it tempting.

Next up is the 1996 Cadillac SLS. 102K miles and an asking price of $1500. Again it runs and drives, has working AC, and a really clean looking leather interior! Also, a landau top! One taillight is cracked, so I will need to fix that, and its an early 90s Northstar V8 which I’ve heard isn’t the best engine. But this is probably the most luxurious and closest to his last car (‘97 Continental)

Last is the car from my dealership: a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. This has the highest price: $1900 out the door, and the most mileage at 168,000. Also needs new headlights. The pluses though include a clean Carfax showing it was a 1 owner Florida car. Also, being a Panther, parts are pretty easy to find. It is over his budget though.

What would be your pick, Oppo. I’m leaning towards the Cadillac.

DISCUSSION (28)

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:35

Panther, as the caddy has the batteries directly under the rear seat and a bad spillnof liquid cannot be good

dogisbadob > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:38

I’d pick the panther. I HATE transverse V-engines!

You should also consider the LH cars and Acura RL. Nice comfortable luxury-ish cars and longitudinal engines.

The Avalon is the LeSabre done right, but it does still have an evil transverse V6 :(

EL_ULY > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:38

Which bear is best?

False, Black bear

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:39

MOAR MERCURY

In all seriousness though, it’s the best car on the list.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:39

What are the parameters of the search? For sub-$2k, I think you can do better.

Sweet Trav > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:39

1960-1988 Buick was Best.

1988-2003 Mercury was Best

2003-Present Cadillac is best.

Given the budget and options, go with the Panther.

Needmoargarage > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:41

None of the above?

Of the three I would definitely choose the Gran Marquis.

A slushbox can be fun, too! > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:44

I’d choose the Grand Marquis for lots of reasons but primarily, because of that shade of green.

Captain of the Enterprise > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:45

Grand marquis should be rust free if it's from Florida and its newer so I think it would probably last longer

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
02/08/2016 at 15:45

It’s really damn near impossible.

$1500 or less is preferred. Needs AC. 4 doors. Sedan or wagon. Running and driving. Around 150K miles. Larger cars are better. American or Japanese because his mechanic will work on it

Quadradeuce > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:46

I would stay away from the Northstar v8. My dad ran them in a couple of his caddys, and they always burned oil. What motor is in the Buick?

Urambo Tauro > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:47

I can’t speak for the other two, but I did have a 1992 LeSabre a few years back. Really good car; I liked it a lot.

However, it did need some work once in a while (starter, alternator, brakes, IGN coil, etc.). I got rid of it because it was going to need suspension work soon, and the amount of rust under it was going to be a problem.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Quadradeuce
02/08/2016 at 15:47

Ad said V6. That’s all though. No picture of it or anything

Quadradeuce > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:48

I believe it has the bulletproof 3.8 V6. If so it should be a solid engine that will run for 300k miles.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:50

Florida? A quick search on CL found me a few late 90s Avalons that meet the criteria.

RallyWrench > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:56

Have you looked for Lexus ls400s? Some of those are getting cheap now. I'd avoid the Cadillac simply for the potential maintenance headaches compared to the other two. The 3.8 in the Buick will be hard to kill, not sure about the trans though. Of the 3, I'd take the Panther for durability and ease of maintenance.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 15:59

The Mercury, if it is too much, I’m sure you can find one for your budget. The parts availability for that will be better than the 20+ year old GM models with very few left on the roads.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > RallyWrench
02/08/2016 at 16:02

Ive been looking for those and the Avalons but they are all super high mileage.

His current Continental has over 200K miles. We want to keep it under 150K

A big issue here is that he doesn’t understand inflation. he wants something newer with low mileage and everything working for $1000.

tythegeek > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 16:08

I have seen those 90's Buicks with the 3.8 V6 last forever and get pretty decent mileage while doing it. For under a thousand bucks why not try out the old Buick?

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
02/08/2016 at 16:08

Weren’t those the ones with sludging issues?

tythegeek > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 16:09

Yeah I think the 3.8 is the only one they put in those full size Buicks, or at very least it was the one they made the most of.

Takuro Spirit > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 16:16

Panther. Because power-slides.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!)
02/08/2016 at 16:22

Both the Toyota 4 and 6 cylinders from around that time had engine sludge issues, though technically the 6 cylinder was more prone. It's still a small percentage of the vehicles, and a good oil change history is key to preventing sludge. I drove a 97 Avalon to nearly 300k with no issues, but changed the oil every 3000 miles.

Nibbles > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 16:24

Hate to say it but the LeSabre, with its 4T60E trans and 3800 Series I (the I is for Indestructible) is probably your best bet for longevity.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 16:29

Panther, although those miles are crazy high for that price. You can get ones with under 50k for $2-3k any day of the week if you look around a bit.

Number two would be the Buick. Properly maintained, they run forever. The only problem I’ve ever seen with them is the injectors. Those 3800 motors are essentially bulletproof and it’s probably the best car GM made in the 90s through 00s.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 16:41

Avoid the Cadillac.

Other than that, go for the Buick for two reasons, simplicity and price.

Your boy, BJR > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/08/2016 at 17:28

Cadillac.

pip bip - choose Corrour > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/09/2016 at 05:14

Mercury.