$5000 for Chevy Lumina or $4200 for Dodge Stratus?

Question

both have same miles---115,000km and same year---1999.This will be my first car.I want it reliable for 3 years.Anyone has anything to say?

Answer 1

disregard people and their knee-jerk buy import responses.
They are just regurgiating what they have heard from other
people. I've had the same Ford since 1993 and it runs perfect
and always has.

Here is JD Powers reliability rating for the 99 Lumina:

http://research.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp;jsessionid=JVRLRVVCEHBIFLAZGJKJXLA;jsessionid=JVRLRVVCEHBIFLAZGJKJXLA?makeid=9&year=1999&call=crp&logtype=6&modelid=91§ion=summary&mode=&aff=national

Here is the reliability rating for the 99 Stratus:

http://research.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp;jsessionid=JVRLRVVCEHBIFLAZGJKJXLA?makeid=12&year=1999&call=crp&logtype=6&modelid=155§ion=summary&mode=&aff=national

The Lumina received a better reliability rating than the Stratus.
4 out of 5, compared with 3 out of 5.

As far as pricing, I can tell by the prices you gave that you are considering buying a used car from a dealer. It's almost impossible to get a good deal from a dealer, especially on a used car. But here is the best advice I can give you if you are hellbent
on buying a used car from a dealer. Insist on "private party" value
from the Kelly Blue Book. KKB gives retail value, private party value,
and wholesale value. You can get private party value from a dealer. You just have to stick to your guns. Particularly when considering that neither of these cars are especially hot commodities.

Lumina LS sedan with 115,000 miles according to KKB (private party value) is $4130 in excellent condition and $3695 in good condition. The Stratus 4 door sedan is $3375 and $2995. (excellent condition and good condition). Good luck. If you need any more help feel free to ask. Personally I would consider a different car, something smaller, for sure.

Answer 2

Ugh! What a decision. The Stratus has much better build quality than the Lumina (which is just below that of a Soviet Bloc washing maching built during the cold war) but the electrics and timing belts tend to have problems. The Lumina, egad, begins falling apart on the showroom floor and stays that way until it just desolves in to dust. I think you could do WAY better for five large. Keep looking a little longer.

Answer 3

Both are good cars, specially in areas of rough weather. The only problem is there are asking too much, try to get at least 500 hundred buck less and take them to a good mechanic.
By the way, the worst car I have driven was a Civic, and the best a Pontiac Sunbird.
It depends on the use of the former owner. You don't want to buy the trash that some street racers are selling just a paint job in their cheap imports and burn out.

Answer 4

Way too much for either car, especially the Lumina. It would go around $3000 US. I would stay away from the Stratus. It has a few issues that seem to come up and are costly to repair.

Answer 5

I know for a fact that a Chevy Lumina is a great car, I've been driving a 1995 for six years and it has over a hundred thousand miles on it. Go for it!!

Answer 6

A Stratus is sportier looking, but the Lumina is going to be more reliable. Stratus is not the best car mechanically.

Answer 7

Do not buy any of them, you'll end up in the shop in about 1 month.
Go import for your first car, specially when getting used one. If looking for mid-size go for Honda Accord around 1995-1997 with 100K+ that should run you same (or less) money, however much greater reliability (and fun).

Answer 8

I would go with the lumina I had a 91 and it was awsome. Only problem with them is head gaskets only problem with the stratus is they are made by dodge.

Answer 9

definitely go for the lumina

Answer 10

both are crappy cars...both willbreak down and have lots of problems by about 120-130k miles

go imports..honda/toyota