Car Advice

Hey guys, I need some car advice.  Ok a guy blew through a red light and hit my car...it's totalled.   Even though the other insurance company took 100 percent liablity, that means almost diddly because I had an old car (even thought it ran great...i paid almost nothing for it, and it never broke down)....anyway the end result is I have no car and only a little money to buy a new car.   I went to a car dealer one of my friends deals with all the time.  This dealer is honest, gives a 3 months bumper to bumper on every car out of his lot, and because my friend has bought so many cars from him he gives him/me a good deal. he had 2 cars in my price range, one was a 1995 Olds with 120K on it for 2000 dollars, the car is in mint condition, and the engine is really clean.  The dealer told us he got it from another dealer that he deals with allt he time as a trade in, and that he didn't even have to clean the engine, it was just really well taken care of (it is obvious by the look of the car he is right).  Anyway the other car he had was a 2002 ford taurus with 70,000 miles, he'd give it to me for 3K, it looks mint as well, it's 7 years newer, and has 40K less miles, but here is the thing...it was at one time a salvage, meaning someone rebuilt it.   What would you do?  Right now either one is doable.....I need a car right away, and these are decent options. My first preference is for the ford, but I'm leary about the salvage part.   The dealer told me that either is a good choice, and that he didn't think I'd have problems with either....what do you think? would you buy a car that has salvage on the title? Scott

STAY AWAY  from the salvaged title. FAR FAR Away. Its Piece of crap car. I fancy myself as a"car guy" I would look at a new car if you don't drive much. The lease rates are crazy low right now and you can pick up a NEW car for about 225.00 a  month. If thats not possible look at a decent used foreign car( a bit of a misnomer nowadays) Look for a Toyota, Mazda or Honda. I am not a fan of old American cars, unless you can gte an extended warranty on them and in that price range you cannot. They're not horrible cars B UT when they go they go deep and it will cost m,ore to fix than replace. one more thing DO NOT buy a used car without a CARFAX report

I don't know...I had a 94 berretta...it was awesome...i beat the crap out of that car..and it still kep running great.   I kind of thought the salvage thing was too good to be true...lol.    As for getting another new car..we have 1...my wife drives it...for my purposes a good station car is all i need, I don't want another monthly reoccurring bill.....(trying to pay down all my debts now so I can be debt free by the end of 2008). Scott

I'd be pimpin' the Olds.... It's a real "*****getter" 

And stay away from the ford taurus .I had one and I put two trans in it .

 I got rid of it because it need another trans . I gave the POS away , come get type of thing . I gave it to the battered childern's home and in return they gave me a $$2500 tax break . **** that was more then the car was worth anyway .   Goodluck   Nick 

Wow.   I'd, for the most part, agree - stay away from salvage.  The single sole exception to that is if you take it to a mechanic and have them go over it with a fine toothed comb - which can cost you a bit ($100-200 depending on where you take it). Personally .. I'm leery of mid-90's anything.  I had a 1995 minivan that went through three transmissions.  Engine ran great, never missed a lick.  But the transimssion went out about every 25-30K.  And that sucker already has 120K on it. My brother has had two Taurases.. Taursii .. however want to say it.  The first one was great - it was a 1998 and he drove it until it croaked at 250K  My sister is still driving the other one, a 2002 with almost 200K on it.   The salvage thing creeps me out a bit, though. Have both cars checked out by a good mechanic, AND get the Carfax report - it's worth the investment. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for the advice....I have to say this insurance company has been awesome.  They took 100 percent liability right away, and even searched the dealerships in my area to find a comprable car..and gave me that amount of money.  So honestly they are being fair. I'm going to keep looking and see what else I can find out there......the olds is a good choice in a fix.....if need be....but I'llkeep my eyes open for a toyota or honda. Scott

Ford Taurus is a piece of ****  Stay away at all cost.  Once our Tauru**** 75,000 mile mark, every dam thing you can think of started breaking down.  I would swear that a friggin gremlin was living inside of the engine and he would just tear **** up at random.  Dam Fords, had nothing but trouble.  will never buy another dam Ford, even if my life depended on it.  Love my Chevy truck though.  Was a Ford person till all of the car troubles on two different vehicles.  Taz

I'd have to agree with that, though I'm a Dodge guy. I *love* our 2006 Durango Limited with a Hemi.   Nothing like having a 345 HP engine under the hood to put the ricers to shame.