3x00-based 4-door Car Recomendation

[Canyonero]

As my '90 Isuzu Trooper w/ 3.4L SFI gets more daily-drivable, I'm planning on selling my sporty-but-too-small '98 Isuzu Amigo. For the Trooper, I'm considering a reasonable lift (2-3") and general truckish modifications in the future.

That said, I'd like to keep an eye out for a 3x00 based car. Four-door, passenger friendly and reasonably fuel efficient. Ideally with a 5-speed. Any recommendations? What cars can I find the DOHC in?

It's a good idea for me to have two cars. I take things apart sometimes. But I'd rather not have a car payment.

[bszopi]

Any 3x00 based car will only be automatic, as the engine has never been offered with a manual. The DOHC is available as a manual, though. And it is found in 91-97 Luminas, Montes, Grand Prixs and Cutlasses.

[sprucegagt]

Any 3x00 based car will only be automatic, as the engine has never been offered with a manual. The DOHC is available as a manual, though. And it is found in 91-97 Luminas, Montes, Grand Prixs and Cutlasses.

?

G6 has a 3x00 w/ manual combo. But I think the manual only comes with the coupe version and even then it's limited to just the 06 and 07 model years. I believe in 08 they dropped the manual option.

[bszopi]

Ok, well.. 3900s got a manual option. But, if you read his last sentence, he would rather not have a car payment, therefore a G6 would most likely be out of the question. I'm pretty sure he is looking for something in the 90s range, or possibly early 2000s. Hence my listing...

[SappySE107]

If you want gas milage, 4 doors, and a 5 speed, you want a 1990 grand prix STE. Turbo STE ftw:P not turbo 5 speeds though, but the turbo is rare anyway.

[sprucegagt]

Ok, well.. 3900s got a manual option. But, if you read his last sentence, he would rather not have a car payment, therefore a G6 would most likely be out of the question. I'm pretty sure he is looking for something in the 90s range, or possibly early 2000s. Hence my listing...

DOH!

[El_Diablo]

go with an n-body, lot of pontential and plenty of options... if it were me, malibu with 5spd swap and your good to go... ultimate sleeper when paired with a turbo

[ikessky]

N-Bodies are nice if you don't need the extra room. I was glad when I got rid of mine and went to the '01 Buick Century though. I like the ride better and it's easier to get kids and car seats in and out of.

[El_Diablo]

meh, the malibu is REALLY easy to get a car seat in and a lot bigger than most cars in the segment.... ive had plenty practice getting kids in and out, you would to if you had 1 neice and 4 nephews, haha

my malibu always rode nice but was a bit bouncy due to the weight i took out of it... that'll be fixed when i change spring rates and struts though

[ikessky]

I had a '95 Skylark. The front seats had to be moved ahead if you put a rear facing car seat in. The Malibus are probably a little more roomy, but I've never really looked at them.

[El_Diablo]

yeah, the later n-bodies (97+ cutlass and malibu aswell as the 99+ ga and alero) are a lot more roomy, never had a problem as far as seating, im my bu we squeezed 4 people in the back and 2 in the passenger seat, haha... needless to say it wasn't to comfortable or safe but you gotta love the stupid things you do when your young

[Canyonero]

Yeah, the Malibus don't look too bad.

I'm feeling better and better about my Trooper. It still has some quirks that I want to get ironed out, but it feels great when it's running good. I just need to get it to run good ALL the time. Then I can sell my Amigo and maybe pick up a car.

I have a couple more things I want to try on the Trooper, if they don't work then I'll start another thread begging for help. I don't want to be a burdensome. :P

[Canyonero]

I'm pretty comfortable selling the Amigo at this point. I've been eying the semi-local Craiglist and I think I could pick up a Malibu pretty much immediately after selling the Amigo (Amigo is worth same or more). I'd probably be looking for a 2000+ Malibu, I like the grill a better.

Any advice on what to look for in a V6 Malibu, or are they all pretty much the same? I figure the LE model has the spoiler and leather, anything else notable?

Edit: Wikipedia just informed me that 1999.5-2003 models have the LG8 with twenty more horsies. I'll mark that down as a requirement.

[Rhedalert]

Look at those, or '00-02 Luminas (they were sold as fleet only cars) can be had cheeeap!

[Canyonero]

I'm more keen on the looks of the Malibu.

I'm going to clean up my Amigo this weekend, get it polished up for sale. It's very sporty and fun with the 205hp DOHC V6, but it is neither the truck nor the car I need. The Trooper w/ the 3.4L SFI is a better fit (love my Trooper), but it'd me nice to have an actual car around too.