Hey guys I am having the hardest time finding a new vehicle. Budget is about 6000. Miles need to be under 100K. I want some advice on which cars of these to skip, and which you guys have good experience with. Also some recommendations. The problem is I am very picky, and all over the place. Not one specific vehicle or category. and my dad and I (who I still need his approval even though it'* my money) don't always see eye to eye.

1997+ Grand Prix GTP - This seems like a number one choice. Have found a couple that meet the requirements but they've sold faster than I can get to them. Love the body style, 3800 is a tank, and I've always wanted a supercharger. The GTs don't really do it for me, but if I can't get anything else, that'* my next plan of attack.

1996+ SSEi- Self explanitory. Kind of want a change though, and haven't found any locally.

S10/Sonoma 4x4-Always liked small pickup trucks, not bad on gas, potential to have some fun. Downfall is being a teenager and not being able to haul friends around.

Ranger 4x4- See above. Most have high miles or are overpriced.

1997+ Blazer/Jimmy- Reliable SUVs, 4x4, lots of room and potential. Again, high miles or beaters.

2000+ Impala- Low mileage ones are stripped of options, and are always ugly as sin (gold, bronze, brown etc)

2000+ Monte Carlo- Almost impossible to find in my price range.

1996+ Maximas- Great cars, hold their value too well. Anything in my price range is pushing 120K. Can't drive a stick either, which seems fairly common in 96-97.

Toyota Tacomas- Extended cab, 4x4, same problem as the Maximas.

That'* really all I like for cars that I can think of. GTP and Maxima are the top choices. Unfortunately, I don't have the patience to keep looking for one to suit my specifications. I've been checking autotrader and craigslists daily for a couple months. THere is a public auto auction that I am going to this week but their cars in the past haven't been anything special. I've checked every local dealership for trade ins. I've crawled all the private lots I can think of. Every car with a forsale sign I stop at. I just can't find anything I like. Jeeps are a dime a dozen but I just don't like the way the ride at all, same with Explorers. Toyota/Honda sedans are too boring for me. Sports cars (Camaros, Firebirds) just aren't practical in new england. And the other option is buy a motorcycle and be screwed 8 months of the year and whenever it rains. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Maybe a Malibu. I was looking at an 01 with 50,00 miles or so and they were asking under $6,000, which was right around book value. there are very nice cars, not quite as nice as a GTP or Maxima, but a good car for the money and you can probably find one with low miles.

I looked at one, talked the guy into a pretty good deal too (about 2K below book) but the car itself just didn't do it for me. Thanks for the advice though.

I'll tell you right now that I LOVE my new Impala. It'* a 00+. It'* not lacking in the power department and not only that, but I got 34 MPG on a trip to Columbus today. The interior build quality is just OK, but the features are AWESOME. For example, when you unlock it at night, it detects the light out, and puts the lights on for you to see where the car is. It'* also one of the most comfortable rides ever. It might not have AL7s, but the seats are DAMN plushy. It handles just as good, if not better than the Bonne. Of course, it has the L36 (unless you opt for the 3400, which I would avoid, if I were you), so you know it'* reliable, so I think it would be an awesome car for you. I'd go test drive one, if I were you.


BTW, it looks SINISTER in dark blue

Thanks for the info Pete. Waiting to get some pictures back from a guy I sent an e-mail to on an Impala. Going to look at a 2001 GP GTP Special Edition Tomorrow. 88K on it, loaded. Asking 7200, hopefully I can talk him down quite a bit though.

U could try a 99-01 Grand Am. I drived one for a while between my bonnevilles. U can find them around the 6-8k region.