Want A Good Cheap Car? Try a Taurus.

I recently had a conversation with a family friend, a middle aged woman, who was in the market for a car. She wanted to know what I thought about buying a new Kia Spectra (~$12,000), for the low cost and warranty.

I told her to check out a late model used Taurus or Chevy Malibu instead.

For the money, a 1 or 2 year old off-lease Taurus is probably the best deal going in the midsize car market. They depreciate so badly that you can get a nicely equipped, low mileage car for a veary reasonable price, $11,000-ish. Especially in the Metro Detroit area, where Tauruses are commonly used by rental fleets and Ford employee leases.

Probably the best source for a used car are the rental car companies, because they maintain their cars regularly, which is not always the case with private owners.

A quick comparison chart:

Model	2005 Kia Spectra EX, new	2003 Chevy Malibu, 30,000 miles	2003 Ford Taurus, 30,000 miles
Powertrain	2.0L DOHC I-4, 138HP 4spd Auto	3.1L OHV V6, 170HP 4spd Auto	3.0L DOHC V6, 200HP 4spd Auto
Safety	4 star front (NHTSA) 4,3 star side (NHTSA) Front Offset Acceptible (IIHS) ABS	4 star front (NHTSA) 3,4 star side (NHTSA) Front Offset Acceptible (IIHS) ABS	5 star front (NHTSA) 3 star side (NHTSA) Front Offset Good (IIHS) ABS
Comfort	Single Cd Cloth seats Moonroof	Single CD Leather Seats Moonroof	CD changer Leather seats Moonroof
Warranty	5 year (60,000mi) 10 year powertrain	1 year (12000mi)	1 year (12000mi)
Price (Invoice or Private Party KBB)	$15,800	$10,000	$11,200

The Taurus is safer than the Spectra, is larger,can be had with a more powerful engine (though the Taurus is heavier), and is availible with more "high end" options such as leather seats and in-dash CD changer. The Spectra definitely has a better warranty, but for about $1,500 you can buy an extended warranty for the Taurus. (These are not usually worth it). The Malibu does not have safety specs that are as good, but is also a very good deal. Another good option in this same vein is the Buick Century.

The lady who asked me for my advice wound up buying a used Mercury Sable, with leather, fake wood, shiny wheels, the works, and is quite happy with it.