New Daily driver?
 

Well my Oldsmobile (my college daily driver) left me stranded again (at least the second time in a year) and I just had a bunch of work done to it($1k worth of brakes, tires and motor mounts). I'm thinking it might just be time for a new daily driver, but not quite sure what to get at this point. I would need something that is very reliable and either in the 10-15K range if it's used or 21-25K if it's new. At 6' even size isn't that big of a deal, and I don't need lots of room since I am unmarried without any kids, just need room for me, my girlfriend and the biggest thing I would be hauling would be an engine case from a 911. While a low mileage 944 would fit the ticket, I'm worried that it will leave me stranded since it's 15+ years old. Thoughts on what would fit the bill?

Check out the Mazda3 S. One with no extra options (it already comes with everything you need) can be had for $18K. Add ABS/side airbags/6 disc changer and you'll be around $20k.

Dodge Neon SRT4 turbo, 21k new on the showroom floor. I hate Dodge, but they have a low cost winner here. My brother-in-law has one and it's a pretty neat little car and yes it really scoots.

I had a Chevy Celebrity my first few years in college but as far as reliable in the used range, get a BMW (something from the late 90s) with a certified pre owned deal and you won't have to worry about the repairs or get a used VW, it won't really hold its value but for reliability, the Jetta and GTI have had good long term reviews.

I'm having a blast with my Civic Si (no, I don't have stickers all over it, coffee can exhaust or bling bling rims). 160 hp, 2780 lbs, 30+ mpg, hatchback storage for that engine case, etc. It's a hoot to drive and is the most fun to drive car I've ever had other than my 911's. It does everything right for what it is.

I picked up a new left over '03 10 months ago for $15,800...

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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jay H
[B]I'm having a blast with my Civic Si[QUOTE]
Do you know why they still call that model a Civic? It looks so different from the other stuff, I think it deserves it's own name plate.

Si...................not as potent as the old CRX name, it's spritual ancestor.

The first mod you do on these Si's is remove the "Civic" emblem from the back hatch...!

Yes, it is different in many respects from the coupe and 4 door Civics, but the Si is still an economy car. Though I thoroughly enjoy this little hatch (while keeping in mind it's not a Porsche or BMW or ...). Plenty of torque for in town use and it's fun to toss around on back roads. Brakes are the weak point when you are really working the car hard on back roads, but for 95% of the normal driving you do on a daily driver, they are plenty (but it makes you appreciate Porsche brakes all the more).

The dash mounted shifter should be mandatory on all manual drive cars. Man, it's handy when you are working hard...

i can attest to the used BMW or VW. I got me an 87 GTI for $750 and all i had to do is get brakes done and get new injectors. for about 1k i got me a cool daily car.

I know most people here hate suv's, but I'd get a Toyota Land Cruiser, actually, I have. 91 or newer, would be my suggestion. They never quit, no matter how hard you beat them. No timing chain, or belt to worry about, it's a worm gear driven ohc. Mine has 196,500 miles, and runs like it did from the factory. It's my hunting machine, and a sometimes daily driver as well. I beat it down unmercifully, and it wants more, every time.

I am reccomending a brand new Subaru Baja Turbo. It's a new version of the Subaru Brat, except it look a lot nicer, and has a lot more HP (about 200 HP I think). Either you like it or you don't. We have a 2002 Baja non turbo model, so it doesn't have as much power (140 HP). Both base models are about the same price range though. We test drove a new Baja Turbo, and it was pretty fast. They are unique cars also. In 3 years, I've only seen about 5 or 6 on the road. Great off road vehicles also.
Some photos off of Google:

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Fine vehicle I'm sure, but that was a placement job by the marketer. That spolier would be toast in seconds if it did any duty such as I did this past weekend, and the rocks are very similar.

Get a Jeep Cherokee Tim. They can be had for cheap, and it's a good tow vehicle :) They don't have the best quality, but they are useful. I had a Honda Prelude before I got the Jeep. Although the Honda was nice, I couldn't tow with it, nor haul 4X8 sheets of what ever from Home Depot, haul fenders and hoods, etc,..

Toyota Tacoma pick-up - the darn thing will last forever and cost nothing to maintain.

New Mini.

Tim, m5 or m6 bimmer.....

Like this ....

m6 on ebay

Tim, what's the latest on the P-car? Did I miss anything?