Just was thinking the other day that sooner or later I'm going to have to replace my Olds. Not a pressure item right now, although it may be for some of you out there.

So, being kind of brand loyal and then having the brand kicked out from underneath me in 2004 has some long lasting effects + and -. My wife's car is 14 years old, mine is 15. I kind of expect them to last till 20 years, that's the plan anyway. I suppose i could just keep rebuilding engines, trannies and body panels, but I still have an old car that's been left behind by technology and performance. (in some cases)

If I have to replace my Olds I'm leaning more toward Buick than anything else. What I'd like to find out by poll is:

What brand would you, or did you replace your Olds with? (not looking for a truck, but an SUV would be acceptable)
The choices I consider affordable and in the domestic category (I'm just not a big fan of imports): Chev, Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Chryler, Lincoln

K, now when I post this, I can't remember if it gives me options to set up the poll, so bear with me. Hope it works. YES!! It worked.

 

For what it's worth, I voted Buick.
My wife's had two in the last 10 years or so, first was a 1998 LeSabre Limited, 3.8, all options. Very nice car and it lasted us a very long time considering it had about 275000 Km on it when we got it. Now she has a 2001 Regal with the 3.8, so far so good with it. But we have only had it for about 6 months now...

Duane

 

As a co-worker commented to me the other day, Ford is the only one of the big three still alive. If I were to buy a new car I'd buy a Ford just to support them!!! John

 

Actually, one of the reasons I've included Ford in my selection was that just like you say, they didn't need a bailout. Also a controller buddy of mine at work has a Fusion and let me check it out. It's not like the stuff they used to make and I was quite impressed. Whoever gets my money on this one is definitely going to have to beat all the competitors. We have a hybrid Escape at work - it's neat to drive but looks like a lego factory inside - yuch too much cheezy plastic.

When I was younger and had the occasional truck, I always bought a Ford. Y'll can curse me for this, but those old F250s were built tougher than you can believe, and mine would always start. Didn't like the seats, but damn, they were reliable.

 

Ford - new Taurus SHO, not any faster than the old one but AWD instead of FWD. Also I hear Ford is coming out with a new Crown Vic not sure if it will be sold to civilians but that would be cool too - one thing you have to admit about these new cars (Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger included) is that they are safe, fast comfortable and pretty darn reliable - how about a year old CTS-V that would be awesome

 

My current daily driver is a 2003 cad STS, its my second STS the other was s 96. I always buy used cars usually about 1-2 years old with warranty still on them. Just can't justify the price of a new car. I like the cad .I have had no problems with either of them. I'll buy another but this one only has 87,000 on the clock so its good for another 5 years or so.

 

I will be honest I think when it comes to fwd cars Ford is the way to go. I own a 06 Ford Fivehundred great car. Good mpg, simple to work on. The newer GM's don't impress me. If GM went back to 3800 and the way they built them in the middle 90's I would stay with GM, but I don't see that happening. My vote is for the Ford.

 

I believe Fiat is making decisions about Chrysler that I think they shouldn't. One is their marketing strategy to have fewer dealerships in the states. I know of a dealer in the Portland Oregon/Vancouver Washington area that was a profitable going concern for decades with something like 70 family wage jobs. On what looked like a whim they were told by Fiat they could no longer sell Chrysler products.

Then just the other day I was reading an article saying that Pontiac was going the way of Oldsmobile and being discontinued. The question was why not Buick instead and the answer was that a line of Buick models were selling well in China.

And yes, I've owned a couple Ford trucks in the past and thought they were well built. So... I'm attached to my Oldsmobiles but as far as new cars go I'm cheering for Ford! We the consumers can speak with our wallet!!!

 

How do you replace an Olds??
Only one way -
Complete frame-off resto...

Of course, the new ones cannot be done like that...

From the list above, the closest to Olds would be a Buick. Five months ago, I had a LaCrosse as a rental. It reminded me a lot of Oldsmobile. Much nicer than an Impala that I could have chose to rent, but of course less than a Caddy (naturally).
Only gripe I had was that the door weatherstrips leaked under normal conditions.

Ford would be my second choice. My old Ford EARNED it's nickname of "Old Faithful"...

 

I like the looks of the Buick Lucerne. It seems like GM really improved the interiors compared to older models. I also kinda like the new Fords they are coming out with. They don't look so boring like they used to.

 

There is no frame though

 

Hey Pat,
I fully understand the idea of buying a year or 2 older. Depreciation is horrible. But one of the things I also see happening with car prices nowadays is they're dropping back quite a bit with either lower base costs or huge manufacturer rebates. I saw a base Buick Lucerne for around 31000 that could be had at a dealership for around 27000 and that was new 2010. There was also a Chevy Malibu Hybrid for around 28000 that you can get an instant gov't rebate for around 1200 on just cause its an "eco" car. It's sort of like they decide you only pay 1.5% sales tax . This puts the reality of new in box ownership much more in grasp than it used to be. When I looked at a 2004 Buick Park Avenue brand new (all whistles and bells), that's all I could do- look. The price was way too high at around 47000. I could have bought it lease returned 2 years later for around 30000 and 25k on the clock. But with the new car prices looking easier to grasp, I'm still thinking new might be good.

 

Rob,
A 1995 Olds Regency Elite would cost me about 50000 to do a full body and mechanical restoration. I already asked and that's the number. It would also take about 3 months. Not this time my friend. The car had too many cancers to play around with. Always start a resto with something that is in better shape than mine.

 

Allen,

I just hate car payments. I save money in an account the same a making a car paument then when I'm ready to buy I use that and the trade in and cash out. been doing that for 10 years or so. Bought my wife a 2009 Hyundai Sonata on e-bay for 12K less then 6k miles came with 5 year 100K warranty because it had less the 9K miles. Yes I no It's not american made but what can I say it's a great car and its doesn't break the bank. I looked at buicks and fords. Still in the late 20's just to much money. And to think I only paid $27,950.00 for the house I live in. Guess I could live in the car

 

I only paid 6000 for my 06 Fivehundred six months ago. So I will stay to living in my house only paid 45,000 for the house.

 

Dang, those house prices are crazy! I paid $128,000 for my house in 1997 but I don't think I could afford it today ($420,000). I replaced my last daily with a 1998 Intrigue. When this goes, I'll move up to a 1999 to 2003 or even an Alero to 2004. After that I don't know what I'll do. The new Fords look pretty good. With Olds and Pontiac gone, GM is not an automatic choice for me anymore.

 

I hear you. Actually I have a lot of respect for the Hyundai models. They've come a long way. If I was swayed to the dark side, the one I would choose is probably the Sonata. 27,950 for a house? When did you buy it, back in 1968?

Yep, we traded up in 1998. 181,000.00 with a 135,000 mortgage that seemed really scary at the time. I can't imagine what my house would list for today. According to the property tax roll its worth more than I think is reasonable. Gotta feel for the younger generation who are forced out of home buying because the "average" house goes for 387,000.00 here.

Anyway, good luck finding a 2003 or 2004 that doesn't need rebuilding by the time you need a replacement. Thats why I'm soliciting opinions and votes on "North American Car Choice Awards". oh well, it sounded good. How'd you driveway cleaning go?

 

I wouldn't buy anything from Government motors and my personal opinion is Chrysler is not going to make it. If you have to buy American I would look at Ford. If you are open to imports stay away from the European stuff unless to plan on shelling out big money for expensive repairs. On the Jap stuff its hard to go wrong with Toyota and Honda but I have been really impressed with what Mazda has been putting out in the last few years.

 

BOP guy here........Since theres no O and no P left I voted for B ....................Jerr

 

You may want to consider the '10 Regal, built on the Opel Epsilon platform, they will initially be imported from Germany for the first year, but GM is looking to build them in Michigan or Ohio. Keep in mind that GM has been at least a partial owner of Opel since 1936.

 

Driveway is clean!! I suppose if I wanted to buy a Canadian made car I could go with the Camaro or the Challenger. But these, I probably wouldn't drive daily. So a Ford Fusion or something similar. I suppose I should look at Buick too. Maybe a foreign car like a Toyota or Honda or even Kia. How can you not like a 10 year or 160,000 Km (100,000 Mi) warranty?

 

I voted Buick before I read your post Allen, as I thought you may be replacing a garage queen (not a daily driver). If it is a daily driver you are thinking about replacing with a newer car to get all the benefits of technology, I would change my vote to Ford. Especially if it is a Ford truck. I have had my F250 for 5 years now and it runs great with very little past maintenance.

I saw a 2005 Thunderbird the other day that would be a great daily driver. I also believe that this car is going to be really worth something in the near future. I think it will only go up in value, providing it is kept in mint or near mint condition.

 

this is why i just got an 04 ford truck. i am not sure how much i like it yet but it was a good price and ford did not take government (MY) money.

 

I would probably go with a Buick as they are similiar to Olds!

 

I voted for Lincoln LS cause my mom ownes a 2003 and I drive it a lot. It has a 3.9 V8 with 5 speed auto , traction control that you can turn off with a button if you feel like burning off the back tires. It is comfortable to drive but goes like heck and is very nimble. It has not had any problems and my only gripe about it is that it does not go through deep snow. The underside is all enclosed and because the car is low to the ground snow packs under the car. other than that it's a great car and fun to drive. I have a 2007 Colorado and don't like it that well. fuel mileage sucks and paint peeling off one wheel and it only has 18,000 kms on it. It has also had 2 burnt out lights brake and signal covered by warrenty. I would look at a Ford truck or car if I traded in.
Housing prices have gone up here as well but I was the contracter when I built my house and just hired all the guys I needed to build it. I had the piece of land so that was my downpayment and my mortgage ended up being 58,000. The house is valued at 200,000 today. Cutting out the middle man can save you lots of dough.

 

I voted for Buick as well. My wife's Chrysler 300 came off lease and we replaced it with a 2007 Buick Rainier 4 months ago. Nice driving SUV. I have a Silverado which I really like as long as gas does not go back up to $4 a gallon. Reminds me of what I always liked about older cars.... V-8, full frame, chrome bumpers and built like a tank!

 

Al the reason I said that "Of course, the new ones cannot be done like that..."

I have been wondering what to do with my Caddy also. I heard about impending doom on the northstar after 100K miles from head gasket failure. I have about made up my mind that I will get rid of it when it gives the first costly problem and get a Vista Cruiser to make for a good daily driver.
I do not drive much and could care less about the electronic crap. I can read a map and look at the gauges. Heck, i can even turn the lights on by myself. I want a car that looks good and is not made of plastic and not from asia. I need to be able to service it by myself without expensive parts. I also cannot see paying so much for a depreciating asset either. Looks like this about rules out anything made in the past 25 years...

2000 posts, here I come!!

 

If you took all of my Olds away [at gun point] and forced me to buy another car [again at gun point]

I'd opt for

 

I wouldn't mind driving that either Jamesbro! Of course if someone left me a new Camaro or Challenger instead, well I guess I would have to keep it.

 

 

I wonder if any of our Dutch friends have seen one of these babies

http://www.spykercars.nl/?pag=1

 

"Along came a spyder, picked up a rider... took him down the road to eternity... James Dean.."

 

Replace it? WHY?

I figure if the Air Force can keep the B-52s flying, I can certainly keep my Oldsmobiles on the road. This is why I've been stockpiling 455 blocks.

If, however, you held a gun to my head and forced me to buy a new car, there's only one choice. The Cadillac CTS-V coupe (when they come out next year).

 

x2

 

While at the airport the other day I was looking at the new 2010 crossover vehicle they have out , looked like a nice ride. I think it's a SRX

 

Crossover... just don't call it a STATION WAGON!

 

Nope, not replacing the "queen". It stays forever. But I'll note your change to Ford. Not really looking for a truck, but if I did it would be a Ford for the same reason you stated. One of my buddies is a consultant who is really choosy and leans more toward Euro imports all the time EXCEPT when it comes to trucks. According to him he'd pick Ford everytime too, just based on looks! Thanks for the comment Dan.

 

Hmmm..... This almost happen to you last year or so.

Knock, knock...

 

Rob, I understand and agree.
C'mon just go and post something like: Hi everyone, this is my 2000 th post. You know you waaaaannnnnntt it!! Go man go! Everyone....cheer him on

Cmon Rob, you can do it. You da man! Cmon Rob, you can do it. You da man! Cmon Rob, you can do it. You da man! Cmon Rob, you can do it. You da man! Cmon Rob, you can do it. You da man! Cmon Rob, you can do it. You da man! Cmon Rob, you can do it. You da man! Cmon Rob, you can do it. You da man! ... Cheers and clapping in the background....Yea!!!!

 

Joe, that's not even fair by comparison, (not the idea of keeping B52's air worthy - which are mostly in storage anyway) it's not fair to compare the amount of the military budget to what us schmucks have for disposal. If I had their budget, heck it would be a drop in the bucket to rebuild anything I want.

More power to you (pun intended). Wish I had room to stockpile all that hardware, but I don't. At least we'll know where to turn when we need parts. You're the best!

Atsa whatta I wanted ta know. What kinda car you wooda like iffa u canta havva Oldsamobile...Tanku verymuch.