Auto Trends

Continuing from our list of the best used cars from 1998 and up, we come to the letter S of the manufacturers alphabet:

Scion tC-

Scion xB-

Evey now and then a manufacturer takes a chance and comes out ahead. Unlike the failed Toyota Echo in 2005, the 2004 introduction of the Scion xB was a hit. While this car tends to either be loved or hated, if you don’t mind all the controversy and mixed facial expressions you’ll receive while driving one of these, the xB is actually a well made Toyota with a healthy after market following for those who like to “dub” their vehicles out.

The xB is Toyota’s 5-door wagon offering that is obviously curbed for today’s youth who like to be just a little bit different from everyone else. Starting at $8,000 for a 2004, on up to $14,000 for a new model, you can put yourself behind the drivers seat of one of these, but don’t think that you’re going to get off that easy if you plan on doing some upgrades.

The performance and appearance modifications is probably what is supplying the butter on top of the bread when it comes to Scion sales. This is a given in the performance department when you realize that an exotic 1.5 liter, 103 horsepower subcompact is not going anywhere too fast without a few goodies bolted on to its boxy, yet eccentric frame.

But even if you’re not into all that glam, bling, and guts, the Scion had plenty to offer right of the showroom floor. It comes with anti-lock brakes, traction control, air conditioning, power everything, tilt steering, rear wiper and privacy glass, with factory upgrade options singing to the tune of fog lights, spoiler, alloy rims, and of course a “boom” system satellite stereo system.

If you don’t like following the crowd… this car is a ready made black sheep of the flock!

Subaru Baja-

Subaru Forester-

Subaru Impreza-

Subaru Legacy-

So far we have focused a lot on performance, interest, and fun… but we need something for the practical side in us all, and Subaru takes care of that with its Subaru Legacy. In 2006, the Legacy earned “Best Pick” in both front and side-impact tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The wagon version of the Legacy could practically be the poster child for practicality as it is the epitome of safety, cargo space, convenience, appearance, usefulness, and all wrapped up with the reassurance and all-weather capability of an SUV crossover.

This car does its best to take on all the roles a vehicle should ever be asked to do and offers them in a convenient price range of $1,000 for a second generation on up to $30,000-plus for a new fourth generation model.

Whether you like the sedan or the wagon, the late 1990’s models (second generation) came with a stout 2.2 liter engine with a modest but reliable 137 horsepower. The Legacy GT and LSi received a slightly more peppy 165 horsepower 2.5 liter engine stacked with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.

The third generation models from 2000 to 2004 proved to be the best all around all-weather performers, but if you crave performance, then the 2005 and up (fourth generation) Legacy GT will be more to your liking. With the Legacy GT, the practicality is slightly overshadowed by its turbocharged 250 horsepower and 250 ft-lbs of torque.

We guess practicality is stomachable when you’ve got 250 ponies stampeding underneath your lead foot…

Subaru Outback-

(…to be continued)

Continuing from our list of the best used cars from 1998 and up, we come to the letters N through P of the manufacturers alphabet:

Nissan Altima-

Nissan Maxima-

Nissan Murano-

The Murano was released back in the not so distant 2003. While these are certainly not all that old, you can still get a great price for one at somewhere between $15,000 to $25,000. The Murano is basically a repackaged Nissan Altima which is another great Nissan that hit the Consumer Reports list for best used cars from 1998 and up.

There is nothing too fancy about this car-based Nissan crossover, but it is quite stylish for its class and a good solid reliable vehicle for the most part. It’s simplicity is probably what makes it have such great reliability to be quite honest.

It comes with 18 inch rims, a 3.5 liter V-6 worth 245 horsepower and 246 ft-lbs of torque, and a CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission), which not only makes the gear switching seamless, but saves you a few mpg’s with its stated 20 city/ 24 highway.

One of its only negatives for its crossover status would have to be its four passenger interior, which is a tad smaller than most of its competitors five to seven seating arrangement.

But if your family is fairly small, you can still enjoy a few of its useful standard amenities, like tilt steering and climate control, with room to upgrade to power adjustable pedals, leather interior, navigation system, xenon lighting, and traction control.

This is all the urban assault you should really ever need in your typical city battleground!

Pontiac Vibe-

Porsche 911 (except ‘03)-

High performance sports cars don’t often make it on these lists, so when one does you have to take notice. If you erase the 2003 model out of your mind, the rest of their offerings from 1999 on up were darn near bulletproof. At least as bullet proof as 300 some horsepower engine can be.

It isn’t hard to fathom why the Porsche 911 made it onto the list with 34 some years of refinements under their belts. 1999 marked a new generation that would offer an all new redesigned engine incorporating water cooling and dual-overhead cams and a wider stance by three inches, that would put the meaning of “wide body” back into the Porsche name.

Porsche tends to follow the old saying, “speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?” On the lower end of the price spectrum, $19,000 (in relatively poor shape mind you) could get you the 1999 standard 3.4 liter flat six with 300 horsepower and all the standard Porsche tuning that has made this car practically unbeatable on a curvy road.

If your willing to up the ante on the price by several thousand, you could opt for the turbocharged 3.6 liter, which saw no less than 415 horsepower. 2002 grew the liters of the standard Porsche to 3.6 liters, which boosted its 300 horsepower to an easy 320. 2002 was also the year that the infamous Porsche GT2 was released, which has a potent 456 horsepower at its disposal.

If you can find a 2004 model with the optional “horsepower kit” installed, the horsepower will run you 345 for the base 3.6 liter and 450 for the turbo. About the only way you are going to get much faster, is to take up a 2007 turbo 911 rated at an awesome 480 horsepower.

But as we said, you pay for what you get. If you want to really fly in style, $100,000-plus seems to be the going rate for a newer GT2, or you could go with the lesser GT3 (380 horsepower) in the upper 50’s.

So, how fast do you want to go?

Continuing from our list of the best used cars from 1998 and up, we come to the letters L through M of the manufacturers alphabet:

Lexus ES-

Lexus ES-

Lexus GS (RWD)-

Lexus GX-

Lexus IS-

Lexus LS-

We had interviewed James Bell, editor of Intellichoice last year, and one of his favorite vehicles for 2007 was the Lexus LS. He raved about its bells and whistles and most importantly, its ease of accessing them. You can go from the air conditioning to the radio without any problem or stretching at all.

These are some of the little things that make the Lexus LS 430 stand out for us in particular. Not to mention that to own one of these ultra-luxury edition sedans from the generation of 2001 to 2006, will only cost somewhere in the range of $15,000 to $45,000, which isn’t bad for a vehicle that rates a 10 on comfort, ride quality, interior space, and quietness by most consumer guide ratings.

About the only thing you could have against this car, besides its looks (which is a personal thing), is its gas mileage which ranges somewhere around 18 city/25 highway. But when you are running a 290 horsepower 4.3 liter V-8 with 320 lb-ft of torque, how much more mpg can you really expect.

This type of power and crisp throttle response does not come cheap, but when your talking the reliability of a Toyota Camry, the maintenance aspect will certainly not be much of a wallet drain. One of the finest things about a Lexus is you drop your wad of cash once, then you can enjoy your vehicle for years to come with very little added expenses besides basic maintenance.

Lexus RX-

Lexus SC-

Lincoln Continental-

Lincoln Town Car-

Mazda Millenia-

Mazda MX-5 Miata-

Mazda puts out a good product on several fronts of this list, but the Mazda MX-5 has been their tried and true success for a number of years, which makes it one of their best bets for a used sport compact. While this series of blogs is called Best Used Cars from 1998 and up, truth be told, there isn’t a bad year for the Miata MX-5.

There are certainly a few differences, we’ll give you that. But not as many as you would think over its 18 years of existence. But Mazda must be listening to their inner Grandfather telling them to leave good enough alone.

The Miata is basically an adult go-cart to be quite honest. It is super small, nimble, light on its feet, and fast enough to get you a few tickets if your not careful. The Miata has never really been for the true hardcore performance enthusiast, so if your thinking Porsche, you better just get a Porsche.

The 1990 Mazda MX-5 began its humble beginnings with a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder capable of 116 horsepower and 0-60 in just under 9 seconds. In 1994, Mazda upped the ante with a 1.8 liter engine with 128 horsepower. 1996 squeezed out another 5 horsepower from the 1.8, and then in 1999, the MX-5 was boosted with more compression, bringing its total output to 140 horsepower and 0-60 in 7.6 seconds.

In 2001, horsepower was bumped once again to 155, although due to emission restrictions, the Miata still only saw about 142. Finally in 2004, 14 years after its opening, Mazda decided to offer a turbo charged version capable of 178 horsepower. The turbo also received some other nice touches, such as an improved sport suspension and a slicker exterior that not necessarily screamed, but whispered, this is not my Mommy’s Miata.

With 18 years of Miata’s to choose from, you can find one whether your price limit is $1,200 on up to $22,000. Now that’s what we call options!

Mazda Protegé-

Mazda3-

Mitsubishi Endeavor-

Mitsubishi Outlander-

(…to be continued)