If you are buying used get a Buick. They were mostly owned by older people who TOOK CARE OF THEM.
Sure there are certain things to stay away from but for a reliable car an older Regal, Century, PA with a non-supercharged V6 engine can't be beat!
Last year my oldest son needed a car and bought a 2005-06 Regal. EVERYTHING on it except sunroof. Dual air, traction control, heated seats and mirrors...WOW!
It has higher miles but was maintained by the book and SHOWROOM condition.
My guess is the mileage - a little under 100k IIRC - came from it (probably) being owned by a salesman or someone who put on highway miles.
Yes it was kinda expensive for the mileage but had new brakes, rotors etcetera and came with a great warranty.
At first I was skeptical but after having it for over a year I am AMAZED! It is as quiet and comfortable as the day it was new. It goes GREAT in the Winter around here.
Bottom line...I have had several expensive "luxury" vehicles as well as hot rods and sports cars. In the luxury class it smoke my XJ's and Mercedes!
And while the handling is excellent for a family car, I wouldn't autocross it.
Yeah, I can say the same things about the PA I bought used. I absolutely loved it. It had been used to ferry dignitaries back and forth by the Catholic Church and we called it the “Pope Mobile”. I had no intention of buying a PA but the salesman said they had no Le Sabres on the lot and told me to take it home for the weekend. That did it.
If I were buying a car for a kid I would do what you did and never worry about it.
The PA was stolen and the scum were going to strip it but the cops arrived too soon. When it was returned a wheel came off with my son on the expressway fortunately he is an excellent driver and was able to control it and get off but it ripped the right front fender off. The scum were going to take the wheels and had loosened the bolts and we never realized it. Lesson learned.