William,

Lots of nice cars are out there- what is your time frame? The puke on the coolant container shows a care likely not cared for....

I do think the 3800 sedans get 25% more fuel mileage than the SUVs. My Blazers. Bravadas, and S10s are guzzeled fuels- I am always amazed at the efficiency of the 3800 sedans.

I am not in a huge rush, I have been looking for like 2 months so far, and for now my current PA still works, provided nothing else shorts out on it from water coming in around the firewall area somewhere.
I just lost interior lights, and I plan to take out the seats, and check the ground busses ASPA, so I have a running car for the time being.
I guess I have around 2 months max to find something, if I wait much longer than that I am cutting more and more into my savings, each moth without a 9-5I am losing 1,300.00 from savings.
Yeah the 3800'* seem decent on gas for a V6 and the size, my PA still does fairly well, and I really would not mind another, I had my eye on one, but I hesitated and it sold, it seemed like a good deal too, the car/motor were immaculate looking.
Now all I can find is that silver one, but that coolant res definitely screams my owner did not take care of me.
I bet it still needs a UIM/LIM job done on it, and there is no way I could buy it without seeing a compression test of each cylinder.

I think I just found something that may convince me to go with a 4 cylinder vehicle, the 2005 Pontiac Vibe.
It gets like 26mpg in the city, and 35 or so on the highway, it looks roomy for a hatchback hybrid, or whatever you'd call it.
It gets great reviews, people say it is good for dogs, easy to clean if they make a mess, and that it is a reliable car, comfy, fun to drive, and cheap to work on, one person said it did well in the snow..
Found a nice looking one nearby for 4k, I'm wondering if I can talk them down to like 3.5k I'd get it for sure.

2005 Pontiac Vibe

Any thoughts on this vehicle?

I see there was a recall on the Vibe, but from 2009-2010 models, and apparently the decision to stop making them was a part of Pontiac'* "wind down" whatever that means..
I see that NADA, and KBB lists thie car I am looking at as valued from 2,748.00 in only fair condition, good condition value is 3,082.00, and very good condition at 3,534.00, excellent condition is at 3,887.00
They want 4,000.00, and while this is less than a dealership would charge, I am not getting that dealership certification that they give when they sell their cars, meaning that they checked it over well...
Trade in value is like 3,500.00, which is close to the very good condition price, I would love to get the car for 3,000.00, but I am thinking if they come down, at most they will come down is 500.00
Do any of you think it is a good deal if I can get it for 3,500.00?
Or should I keep looking?

This is why it is so hard for me to chose a car, just found a nice looking Pontiac Gran Prix GT, they want 4,899.00 for it, but I bet I can get it for 4,300.00 to 4,500.00
It is probably worth 4,500.00 if he can show proof of the engine work he had done.
otherwise it is really not worth more than 4,000.00 to me at most.
I'm getting a bit older in age, and don't really care about rims and all, but it does have a nice looking pair of 20'* on it, I wonder how much that messes with the gas mileage...
How nice it would be to have a 3800 III, that Gen V Eaton M90 Supercharger, yeahhhhhhh!

06 Pontiac Grand Prix GT

Found a Gran Prix GT a little closer, it does not have the nice rims and rebuilt motor, but it does have nice tires, and it is closer to where I live, I like the color better, but I cannot help but think that one with the rebuilt motor would be better, it is cheaper...

2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT (Supercharged)

Ok I heard from the guy with the Black GP GT, lowest he can do is 5,000.00 because he has a loan to pay off, do any of you think I do overall do better for 5k, or close to 5k, I could go 6k or 6.5k if it is something really worth it..

Three more cars I am looking at, the Malibu is at the tip top of my price range, but it has under 23k miles.
The 200 has good miles at a good price.
The 300 has higher miles, but looks really good to me.
So right now my choices mainly are the 2006 Grand Prix GT, the 2011 Malibu, and the Chrysler 200.
I'd include the 300 in my choices, because I love the look of its front end, and wheel wells, but looks alone cannot influence my decision.

Used Chevrolet Malibu For Sale Moneta, VA - CarGurus

Used Chrysler 200 For Sale Moneta, VA - CarGurus

Used Chrysler 300 For Sale Moneta, VA - CarGurus

After talking to a friend/Art, I think I'll forget about the Malibu, it is nice, but till I am sure I will have a job fall in place soon, I am better off spending a little less.
Which leaves me with the Grand Prix GT, or the 200...

I need to decide if I go as high as 8k for a 2012 car with 80k miles.
Or go for the 2006 Grand Prix GT that has 143k miles, the GT will guzzle gas, but it is like 3 grand cheaper.

I am getting sick of looking at sued car ads, lol
I decided to consider going a little higher in price for something with really low miles, but I am not finding much that I like.
So far for the money the car I like most is that Black 2012 Chrysler 200 Touring.
Used 2012 Chrysler 200 Touring for Sale in Roanoke VA 24019 Magic Star Auto Sales Inc.


I found a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic LS for 1,995.00 more than the 200, and it has 26,654 miles on it, compared to the Chrysler 200'* 63k
The Sonic have very basic options though, and I guess that is fine I just want a car that will last.
Used 2013 Chevrolet Sonic For Sale | Bedford VA

I found a 2014 Chevrolet Cruz LS for 10k, it has almost 40k miles though..
Used 2014 Chevrolet Cruze LS Auto for Sale in Roanoke VA 24012 Blue Ridge Auto Sales

So what I am trying to decide on now, is getting a much newer model year, and a lot less mileage worth going over the 5,000.00 I can get the 2006 Grand Prix GT for.
I know it won't be great on gas having that SC, but I really like the looks of the car.
I am wondering if I should pay 50.00 so I can get up to 5 reports in 60 days, then check the Grand Prix, and that Chrysler 200 out.
Or just pay 40.00 to look up one car, and get the Grand Prix as long as it has a clean title, if it had a fender bender and was totally repaired that is ok, but Salvaged and Flood damaged cars are a no go!
I do really like that 200, and it is a good deal with decent mileage.