US cars with foreign engines

Hello! I’m looking to buy a used car. Basically I’m looking for cheap reliable transportation so I would like to include in my search-list American cars with foreign engines. So far the only ones I know of are the Chrysler Sebring which has a Mitsubishi engine and the Chevrolet Prizm which has a Toyota engine. Can anyone help by telling me about any other American models with foreign engines in existence that I don’t know about?

It's rare a question is not answered in this forum in the first 24 hrs, makes me think I am not the only one finding your question kind of odd.

Respond to following questions, and maybe we can get the ball rolling in your direction.

American cars with foreing engines, is that a trivia question ? or is it because you believe you will get more value for your bucks ?,,, you mention cheap reliable transportation,,, what price range are we looking at ?

^^Agreed.

I do not know what the OP means by "foreign". This question gets difficult to answer. Many Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans and Mazdas are made in the US using US-made parts. Are they foreign? (No)

Millions of GM Ford and Chrysler cars have been made in Canada, using Canadian-made engines, for sale in the US. Are they foreign? (Technically yes).

To simplify it, we can say how many domestic (GM, Ford Chrysler) products have engines sourced from other, non - US manufacturers.

There are a few. The Jeep diesels are Mercedes-sourced. Chevy used Isuzu engines in old diesel Chevettes; and have sourced a number of smaller cars from Japanese (Toyota, Suzuki) and Korean (Daewoo) manufacturers.

Coool, a Chrysler Sebring with a Mitsubishi engine. I think it's the best combination.

There's also the Geo Metro with a suzuki engine
The Escape and with a mazda engine
The Vibe with a Toyota engine
The Villager with a nissan engine

Buth the sebring should be the best choice.

Unfortunately, that cooool engine is connected to a not-so-reliable Chrysler Transmission. On the 2005 Sebring I once owned, the tranny died 3 times in 70K miles. The minute the car went out of factory warranty, I traded it off.

Regards:
Oldengineer

There's also the manual transmission available for the Sebring.

If you want automatic, then the best choice is the Escape. It's one of the most reliable small SUV.

True, from a point of view my question is vague but the examples I knew of lead some kind of way into understanding it. Also it might be because I don’t know much about cars but the idea is that I see many Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans etc., basically foreign cars, last 150 - 200 thousand miles very often and the American ones not that often. Since I’m looking to buy a used car with probably many miles in it (under 100k though) I was thinking to get one of the cars with these engines so there will be some miles left in there without the need for major repairs along the way (hopefully long). My budget doesn’t pass a few thousand $ but it is irrelevant because I don’t think u’ll start recommending me actual cars but just types I should search for.
Thx. to every one of u guys. I'm taking notes of the models mentioned in here.

p.s.
The only "long life" American car I have included in my search-list is the buick-century because it's the most economic of the buicks. If anyone knows of any other "tough" US models i should consider pls. let me know. Basically any type of car that lasts long and has a small engine.

A few points here. When looking for the best possible cheap car, don't get hung-up on any one brand. Buy the best possible, lowest-mileage car you can afford.

If you are looking at small cars, then look at all small cars, not just Hondas or toyotas.
You will probably find that Amercan brands cost a bit less than the Japanese brands on the used market (all other factors being equal).

Many GM and Ford cars last as long as the Japanese ones. But, the American cars sometimes get scrapped earlier because they are not worth as much when they get old, so people are less inclined to put money into them to keep them going.

Also, consider insurance costs. Some Japanese brands, like Honda get stolen a lot and are more expensive to insure.

You should be fine looking at GM and Ford cars as well as Honda and Toyota.

IMO stay away from Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki, Chrysler, Daewoo, older Hyundais and Volkswagen. They all cost more to buy and/or repair and/or are less reliable than the best brands. And stay well away from all the luxury brands. They are expensive to fix and are often worn-out when the price gets low.

IMO the best deal out there is to find a really nice, clean, low-mileage older Buick or Oldsmobile, especially one with the 3800 V6. The mid-sized ones are a nice size, not too big or too small. They have a low market appeal, because they are viewed as cars for older folks, so the used prices are nice and low.
But they are straightforward, reliable cars, and are cheap to fix and insure.
The fuel economy is quite good and, in a crash, will protect you better than a small car.

I thank you vey much.

You should be fine looking at GM and Ford cars as well as Honda and Toyota.

No, older Ford aren't reliable at all. All models I know, including Taurus, Windstar, Focus. Costly and complex to repair. You may exit from the garage with the problem still not repaired.

Yeah it's also a matter of luck. You can drive 2 years with any problem if you're very lucky or you may accumulate a lot of issues.

About the Buick and Oldsmobile, yes I agree. Except the Alero.

Magic Rat - good advice. The GM 3800 V6 is one of the most bulletproof engines there is.

Regards:
Oldengineer

No, older Ford aren't reliable at all. All models I know, including Taurus, Windstar, Focus. Costly and complex to repair. You may exit from the garage with the problem still not repaired.

Yeah it's also a matter of luck. You can drive 2 years with any problem if you're very lucky or you may accumulate a lot of issues.

I agree to a great extent. I would prefer a GM car with a 3800 engine over any Ford.

But I have seen a few late-model Fords rack-up lots of mileage (300,000+ miles) on the Focus and Taurus with little trouble. And they sure are cheap to buy.

But the Taurus has notorious heater core problems and the Ford 3.8 engine is not so great (3.0 is better).

I was also only addressing cars here. The minivans are a whole different issue. :)

Guys thank you very much! I appreciate all your help.