We can already hear the fireworks: 2023 is on its last legs. Time to look back at the weekly episodes of Opzoek Naar. This shows that we have portrayed the most diverse used cars this year: from home, garden and kitchen models to classics and from EVs to sports cars. All car-producing countries were pretty much represented, but here and there the wish was expressed to pay attention to American models again. Well, here they come!
When you think of American cars, you think big: big in terms of space, big in terms of engine volume and big in terms of comfort and equipment. That’s why this time three different used cars, a spacious American, a large motorized American and a fully loaded American, to end 2023 exuberantly. See you next year!
Chrysler Town & Country 3.8 V6 Signature Series – 2008 – 143,808 kilometers – €12,750
If we start with a spacious American, you will soon end up at Chrysler. With its Voyager (called in Europe) (elsewhere the nameplate stated Town & Country) it was one of the MPV pioneers. They are still for sale new in our country through gray imports, nowadays called Pacifica and with price tags that don’t lie: you can easily pay 80 to 90 grand for such a handy Harry. They are also not available for use. For example, this beautiful red Chrysler Town & Country is already fifteen years old, but still has a takeaway price of €12,750. You do get something for that money, though. First of all, plenty of space for seven people plus their luggage. Those people are sitting up captain’s chairs (rows one and two) or on a bench (row three) that can be reached via the passage between seats three and four. Rear passengers enter via electrically operated sliding doors. One of the many features that this used car has, because the tailgate is also electrically operated and, if desired, the N-878-BP can even be started remotely!
DVD screens pop out from the roof, so children don’t get bored while on the road. And if you have a move coming up, know that the chairs and bench can be lowered into the floor, creating plenty of space. The drive is a naturally aspirated 3.8 V6, which is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. Count on an extremely relaxing ride, but also on a thirst for fuel that doesn’t lie. It will still be possible on the main road – that is where this travel giant comes into its own – but in built-up areas you will soon be less than 1 in 7. Size, equipment, comfort … it is all up to and top American and that requires a corresponding consumption, you just have to think.
Signaling
Brand Chrysler
Type Town & Country 3.8 V6 Signature Series
Construction year June 2008
Mileage 143,808
Asking price €12,750
Where to buy? Felicity Cars, Bergen op Zoom
Technical data
Engine V6, 3,778 cc
Max. assets 147 kW/197 hp at 5,200 rpm
Max. couple 312 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 638 l
Max. trailer braked 1,600 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 8.3
0-100 km/h 10.4 sec
Top speed 204 km/h
Ford F-150 SuperCrew – 2002 – 198,131 kilometers – €11,945
It was Ford that made the eight-cylinder available to the general public in 1932 with the development of the so-called Flathead V8. Since then, the V8 has essentially become the standard for an American car, culminating in the 8.2-liter (the equivalent of 500 cubic inches) that were installed in various Cadillacs in the early 1970s. Compared to that, the 5.4 installed in this Ford F-150 is relatively modest, but given its eight-cylinder history, we wanted to portray a Ford and what better way to do that than with the popular F-150? This best-selling car in the US for many years also has a large fan base in our country. It is not without reason that such a pick-up retains its value. Take a look: this used car is already 21 years old! The relatively low mileage (no miles!) and of course the sturdy appearance speak for him. If you don’t see this black guy coming from afar, you will hear him, thanks to his huge exhausts on the left and right. You can bet that everyone will move aside for you! Matching with this is the who-does-me-what feeling when you take a seat high on the throne and behind the imposing nose in a comfortable cabin.
Automatic transmission, leather upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows all around… It’s all present, as is the use of materials that looks less impressive than the outside. The 70-BK-SL is a commercial vehicle (the stated price includes VAT), yet it offers space for five: a rear seat is provided, without sacrificing cargo space. What does limit its loading options is the tonneau cover. This is useful to protect the load against the (unsavory) elements, but a bicycle, for example, can only be transported lying down. A traditional van is much more convenient in that respect, also in terms of dimensions and consumption. The F-150 strikes back with comfort, towing capacity, all-wheel drive and … an ultimate feeling of freedom!
Signaling
Brand Ford
Type F-150 SuperCrew
Construction year October 2002
Mileage 198,131
Asking price €11,945
Where to buy? Vakgarage Van der Veen, Heerenveen
Technical data
Engine V8, 5,400 cc
Max. assets 216 kW/294 hp at 4,750 rpm
Max. couple 420 Nm at 3,250 rpm
Luggage compartment nb
Max. trailer braked 3,500 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 5.1
0-100 km/h nb
Top speed nb
Cadillac Eldorado ESC – 2002 – 219,046 kilometers – €8,450
Finally, we are looking for a luxuriously equipped American. That is no easy feat, because often the most modest American cars are more generously endowed than many expensive Germans! On the other hand, even the top American brands – Cadillac, Lincoln – often cannot match compact European models in terms of quality, drivability and overall refinement. However it may be; We have mentioned the American top above, so we focus on these brands. From our offer: this Cadillac Eldorado. Well under our budget, so the money you have left over can be spent on warranty (because at an additional cost) and fuel, because this 4.6 V8 can hit it well, especially in city traffic. That is not strange, because if you had enough money in the US at the beginning of this decade to buy an Eldorado, you did not mind a liter more or less. At constant speeds, consumption is not too bad. The appearance of the 39-TPD-1 is classic: a long and low silhouette with the eye-catcher being the roof part, which differs in color and material with so-called opera windows. This makes this Caddy look like a convertible, but it is not.
An electric sliding roof is present, as well as many other electrical features (seat adjustment and heating, cruise control and climate control and so on). Naturally, leather upholstery and an automatic transmission are also present, as are chrome wheels with the Cadillac logo in gold. Edge kitsch! Yet this is no old man’s sloop: after just 7 seconds the 100 km/h is reached, before continuing to 240 km/h. Up-to-date performance, and that also applies to the beautifully designed and built, four-seater interior. Plus point: this used car recently underwent major maintenance. Downside: since his arrival in our country in 2012, he has already had eight owners. Oops. In any case, you rarely drive one. Who dares?
Signaling
Brand Cadillac
Type Eldorado ESC
Construction year February 2002
Mileage 219,046
Asking price €8,450
Where to buy? Waardenburg Auto’s, Amersfoort
Technical data
Engine V8, 4,565 cc
Max. assets 205 kW/279 hp at 5,600 rpm
Max. couple 300 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 435 l
Max. trailer braked nb
Avg. consumption 1 in 9.6
0-100 km/h 7.0 sec
Top speed 240 km/h
Which American appeals to you most?
In summary: this time no comparable material, but three different occasions that all radiate The American Way of Life. Whether you regularly travel with your family and visit the big M along the way (Chrysler), you pull a horse trailer out of a swampy pasture with your sturdy pick-up (Ford) or you display your wealth in peace and comfort (Cadillac), also for us down-to-earth Dutch people can find an American used car. What’s your favorite American?
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl