In this video I give you my pick for a reliable used American car. It's 2022 and you should be able to find one of these for under 6500$ I'll tell you which engine and transmission package to get for this model and which ones to avoid.
Those 1st gen Ford Fusions are bulletproof. People call it a granny car, but the granny car going to save you money in your wallet going point a to point b. You buy a used German car and the repairs cost as much as 2 used 1st gen Fusions.
I'm on my second fusion. The first one was 2007 v6 and second one 2012 v6 AWD. You are correct about the reliability. I class them as camry and accord. I wouldn't say that the v6 are more beatup than the 4 cyl though because most owners for these cars are seniors and middle aged people. These cars do not attract youths unless their parents pasaed it down to them. Do drain and fills often and look out for body rust. Also the 2011-13 has a steering rack issue so look out for that also.
Thank you for your insight on the Ford Fusion. Good to know. Let me ask, are there any other American cars that you would give an honorable mention to? Ford Escape? Ford Explorer? Any GM cars? This info is good to know you are in a jam and can't find and/or afford a decent Toyota or Honda. Thanks again.
Buick Lesabre 2004-2005. If you can find on that has been taken care of. They have a couple common problems that are easy to fix though. The 3800 engine is a good engine. The trans is ok- worse case you’d put a trans in it but they are cheap to get a rebuilt trans put in. - make sure to have a mechanic check it out. There’s a common problem with the trans leaking so make sure it’s not leaking. There’s a common issue with plastic coolant elbows (Google it) but they make metal ones you can replace them with. Also Intake manifold is plastic and may leak coolant near the egr port but there may be an updated part for that. Other than those three things they are pretty solid and easy to work on. If you’re handy you can probably do them yourself. If I bought one I’d replace those elbows with metal ones - change the oil, coolant and brake fluid… drain and fill the trans fluid if it’s not burned… give it a tuneup and then drive it nice and easy.. It should be fine. Also I like old cop cars Ford Crown Vic’s.. 2004-2011. Some old cop cars have been driven fast and idle a lot… but … they are fleet vehicles so generally they are well maintenced by the city mechanics. Also some cop cars are take home cars for city officials so they don’t get driven hard. They are rear wheel drive so get a good set of tires that can handle snow and rain well. Put some weight in the trunk if it snows alot where you are- and drive careful and you’ll be fine. Hope that helps 👍
@@MJ100k Thanks for weighing in. I had two 3.8 motors die on me with low mileage. I just had a 2001 Bonniville that was garaged for years before I got it. I only drove on the weekends. But I the mechanics I had at the time fixed the upper intake and not the lower. And I drove it too much without knowing it with the antifreeze leaking in and it did the engine in it was too much to repair - major engine work -- sad to say I had to get rid of it -- it was also getting too old
