Good choices for daily driver...

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Actually...323s are 170 hp I6s. Not picking a fight...I'd take the Bavarian any day. 318s are the 4 bangers...and were killed off in 97.

GM sedans aren't bad cars...for the money, they really can't be beat. 3.8s are strong and workhorses...if I had to just pick a DD to get me from point A to B...it'll be a Grand Prix GT.

Thanks for pointing that out... then there is absoutely no frickin way the 3800 is smoother than the inline 6. An inline 6 is just about as smooth of an engine configuration as you can possibly get - and the 3800 is the antithesis of smooth. Like I said... on a 10 year old car, there are lots of variables that don't make that a really fair comparison.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Exactly. I'm not touting the average GM sedan against a BMW. I was simply saying for the money, GM sedans are the best choice. I would put a like-priced GM sedan up against a BMW anyday.

See, there is no way I would. A new Grand Prix GTP approaches the cost of a new 3 series. Still a little more money for the 3 series, but not too much.

You mentioned the CTS earlier - pretty good car, but the interior defintiely still leaves quite a bit to be desired.

Once you start getting in to the V series, I agree with you... but then, GM doesn't have a problem with performance cars .

Where they lack, and lack terribly, is in the standard family point A to point B transportation. I agree that buying a used car, you'll get more car for your money with a GM... but that's because of how they've depreciated like lumps. When buying a new car, or semi-used car, you'd be makign a very poor financial decision not to buy an import. You won't lose anywhere near the amount of money on a brand new - or relatively new - Camry or Accord that you would on a Grand Prix, and that's a fact. Whether you agree with why they depreciate so fast - like what Jim was saying you may think the market may have an incorrect perception - you can't argue that they don't depreciate fast.

The interesting thing is once they get down to the level of price that Mark is looking at, this probably becomes a good thing. If he buys for $10K... he won't lose near the money he would through depreciation he would if he would have bought the car for $24K two years ago, with half the miles.

[Steel2686]

I guess it all comes down to whether or not Mark is buying this daily driver to run into the ground. If that's the case, the GM is a no brainer. I bought my '91 Bravada with that very reasoning in mind. I'm going to drive it until it begs me to put it out of it's misery... then I'm going to drive it a few thousand more miles.

I payed $800 for it with 113K on it. No rust, leather seating is perfect, and it has a nice aftermarket Blaupunkt. Of course, to be fair, I got this truck for a song. They were going for $2,000 to $2,500 everywhere else I looked... and those were just Blazers with a standard interior. The 4 wheel drive is what keeps the value up. At least here in New England... and I'm sure where you are in Michigan, Jay.

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

Well, since no one else has said it yet...how about a Pontiac Vibe GT? You can pick up a low mileage 03-05 for about $10K - $15K. I bought an 03 brand new for my daily driver...love it! It get's great gas mileage (average 30 mpg, get 35 on the highway) has good power, a 6-speed, 17" rims are standard, an awsome Toyota/Yamaha VVTiL 4-banger, a fully featured DVD based Navigation system (one of the lowest price cars on the market with this feature), and 4-doors with plenty of room in the back, being a hatch back.

For the money, you can't go wrong. The car is a blast to drive and is very dependable (being a Toyota). I'm going on 35,000 miles and have yet to have a problem. I would definitley take a look at one. The 04's and up have leather and XM-Ready radios. The GT model only comes with a 6-speed. The lesser model can be had with an automatic but the smaller engine.

[Mark B]

I know this is old... But I just wanted to update everyone. I bought a 2003 Buick Regal GS on Thursday. 27k miles, graphite exterior, gray leather interior. I will post pics as soon as I get them.

THANKS FOR ALL OF THE ADVICE!!