Mom is looking for a new car - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

06-15-2009, 06:44 PM

So my mom is going through a bit of a midlife crisis and wants a new car. the first car she mentioned was a V6 stang, i dont know if they have any common issues other then being a ford but im not a fan. she looked around alot and didnt have anything jump out at her until were were driving home and she saw a charger. Does anyone know about any common issues with either car or reasons to stay away either one? or hell even other suggestions. has to be manual and i have a 155lbs rotty that rides with her alot so a little leg room is good.

NastyEllEssWon · 06-15-2009, 06:56 PM

get the 05+ v6 mustang. it has the tried and true 4.0 sohc from the explorers. the 5 speeds feel really good and have a nice bit of pep to them. i used to drive them all over the ford dealer i used to work for. they get good gas mileage too.

stang > charger especially if its a v6

Anti_Rice_Guy · 06-15-2009, 06:58 PM

V6 mustang won't have much legroom obviously in the rear. My 4.0 has been awesome, not a single problem, if a little bit lacking in low end torque. However, the extra 1,000 lbs the Explorer has over a Mustang is the most likely culprit. It's near silent at idle, I get about 17-18 mpg on average. Any other specific questions feel free to fire away.

sweetbmxrider · 06-15-2009, 07:00 PM

the chryslers have large wheels stock that eat tie rod ends and fugg up the p/s for sure. tires will be expensive along with brakes. not too familiar with the new stangs, or either v6

NastyEllEssWon · 06-15-2009, 07:03 PM

arent the chargers and challengers rotors non machinable and cost like 500 for a brake job?

sweetbmxrider · 06-15-2009, 07:03 PM

brembos.....

06-15-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

get the 05+ v6 mustang. it has the tried and true 4.0 sohc from the explorers. the 5 speeds feel really good and have a nice bit of pep to them. i used to drive them all over the ford dealer i used to work for. they get good gas mileage too.

stang > charger especially if its a v6

she wouldnt want a manual, im trying to talk her into a V8 charger but i think shes more worried about the look then the speed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti_Rice_Guy

V6 mustang won't have much legroom obviously in the rear. My 4.0 has been awesome, not a single problem, if a little bit lacking in low end torque. However, the extra 1,000 lbs the Explorer has over a Mustang is the most likely culprit. It's near silent at idle, I get about 17-18 mpg on average. Any other specific questions feel free to fire away.

17-18mpg isnt gonna cut it, she would need atleast like 22-23

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

the chryslers have large wheels stock that eat tie rod ends and fugg up the p/s for sure. tires will be expensive along with brakes. not too familiar with the new stangs, or either v6

large as in diameter or width? i think theyre only 17s on the chargers right? and do you have personal experience with that or are you making a generalization?

sweetbmxrider · 06-15-2009, 07:18 PM

these were on chryslers with 18" or greater wheels. they are too much weight for the steering system. i have dealt with several first hand. adult owned, definitely not beat on. the large wheels also increase the rotating mass obviously so they eat brakes up. tire selection is limited too so it tends to be rather pricey. any high mileage chrysler i have dealt with has turned to **** cosmetically too, they just don't seem to hold up. just my experience. don't see many fords so i don't have much to say there.

Jersey Mike · 06-15-2009, 07:39 PM

What exactly is she looking for?
Muscle car roots?
A good looking car?
luxury?
Foreign/Domestic?

06-15-2009, 07:42 PM

a good looking car with a little luxury thats reliable. i tried getting her into a camaro (4th or 5th gen) but she wasnt having it. She says the doors are too heavy and didnt like the idea of taking the door bars out and putting a cage in...

Jersey Mike · 06-15-2009, 07:44 PM

is she looking to lease or buy?
If buy, what's the price range?

06-15-2009, 07:50 PM

buy and shes looking at used, 04ish or newer and 10-15k range

Jersey Mike · 06-15-2009, 08:22 PM

17 in the city and 27 on the highway.
You can find them in the mid-teens.
peppy, american, rwd, love/hate styling, affordability, reliable, and GM made

Anti_Rice_Guy · 06-15-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Formula

17-18mpg isnt gonna cut it, she would need atleast like 22-23

You need 22-23 and you want her to look at a v8 Charger?

And that's in my truck, with no highway. Mustang should be a lot better. I would say CTS is your best bet.

btownws6 · 06-15-2009, 08:29 PM

yea the mustangs have no room really at all in the back seats my friend has an 05 gt and its ok but the leg room in the back is crap. my mother in law has the chrysler 300 from 07 and the brakes are expensive as hell to do and wear down rather quickly personally i think she would want maybe a 4 door car for the dog and gas mileage. i don't know much about the charger a guy i work with has one and he hasn't had any problems and only has good things to say about it and it gets good gas mileage

BigAls87Z28 · 06-15-2009, 08:44 PM

5th gen's doors arent that big nor heavy. Body is pretty stiff, doesnt need the doors to keep the car solid.
5th gen V6
300hp, 29mpg, 6spd auto trans, starting at 23k.

06-15-2009, 09:20 PM

windows are too narrow, i tried that route already

Iroc-z86 · 06-16-2009, 08:42 AM

08+ malibu or a pontiac g8 maybe? My mom has a malibu ltz and it consistantly gets 28 mpg highway and 24-25 city. heck it got 28mpg when i drove it down to cape may and i wasnt exactly 'cruising'.

Untamed · 06-16-2009, 03:15 PM

G8 GT. Four doors for the dog, with plenty of window space. Soprty looks, rear wheel drive, and can have a sunroof if desired. Great gas milage for a V8.

Mark B · 06-16-2009, 03:23 PM

Another vote for the G8. Awesome car.

Side note about the charger-- They are notorious for eating through brakes/rotors. Its very common to need new rotors in the first 15-20k miles. My buddys SRT8 just needed the steering box and tie rods replaced last week. So there is definitly truth to this.

06-16-2009, 05:37 PM

i actually saw a G8 on the way home that i think she will like, im gonna run it by her

NastyEllEssWon · 06-16-2009, 07:28 PM

saab 9-3

69RSZ · 06-17-2009, 09:13 PM

Does it have to be a new car? My friend is selling his wifes 2001 monte carlo SS, 73k non smoker black ext.black cloth int with all options.Just put new michilens on all for corners and new struts,2k worth of work.pm me if your interested,he is asking 7500.00

Jersey Mike · 06-17-2009, 10:42 PM

^^ I think they are looking at pre-owned cars as well

B4C · 06-17-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti_Rice_Guy

You need 22-23 and you want her to look at a v8 Charger?

And that's in my truck, with no highway. Mustang should be a lot better. I would say CTS is your best bet.

nope higher rear gears in the stang to give it alittle more pep. Its only rated at like 17-18 mpg city. The 05-09 mustangs are known for water leaks in teh cowl which will ruine the carpet, and if not cought in time a piece of insulation which is beind the dash/pedal/heater box, it will stink until its replaced. Door handle springs break so the handles on the outside dont stay tight to the side of the car and flop around. No rear seat room at all. I cant think of anything else right now