daily driver options

[gestalt1]

So my 2004 toyota tacoma is nearly paid off and i'm thinking i don't need a truck to much anymore. I'm trying to decide what to get for a daily driver. My rsr clone will be a track/nice weather car only. I commute 50mi a day and live in chicago so an all-weather car with good gas mileage is a must. I'm thinking a 2000 boxster or possibly a 964. Does the 964 get ok mileage? Otherwise its a mini, gti or some other new car. Basically something from $15k - under $30k that is fun and reliable. Any ideas? What are your daily drivers?
thanks, matt

[EarlyPorsche]

I think any porsche is probably going to be less efficient in your application than a nice new car. I think a GTI or Mini are two good ones to consider. I personally want a Prius because they are so fun to use.

[Dantilla]

I bought an early Miata. Both hard top and soft top, leather, A/C that will make a 911 driver weep, speakers and subwoofers mounted in the seats, all for $4500. Gets great mileage, is a hoot to drive. I can drive the car hard, without causing problems, because it's underpowered. The hooliganized 911 has to be driven with caution on public roads. The Miata is loads of cheap, practical fun.

[2002M3Drew]

I also have a Miata...very inexpensive to buy and own, rediculously reliable, and tons of fun to drive. Pretty close to a perfect little car.

[JanneSC]

With that budget you can get a good 996 with ok mileage.

[01sport]

I miss my 79 Toyota pickup. Had 320k on it and it still ran strong. I got tired of registration fees and insurance so I got rid of it. Once you've had a pickup it's hard not having one. I'd stick with the Tacoma.

[Jascha]

Our ‘other’ p-car is a 2005 Prius which I use for commuting ~ 70 miles. It is testament that those of us who can drive / track 911s’ find the Prius such a technological delight. Each p-car is remarkable in its own element of performance…

Other fun choices for commuting would be a Civic Si, VW GTi, Mini S

[gestalt1]

i'm 6'2" and do not fit in a miata unfourtunatly. the only problems i have with the tacoma is that it gets 19mpg and it's a little long (crew cab prerunner). parrallel parking in the city is a little difficult. the 4 doors on pickup are great however. at 19mpg and 20k/year miles i'm spending around $3k/yr on gas. trading it for something that gets around 30mpg saves close to $1k/yr.

[Jgordon]

If the tacoma's almost paid off and you have the budget, why not keep that as your daily and get something really cool for fun? Early car, carrera, 2wd 964, etc.

[gestalt1]

i do have something really fun in the works...

[JohnKo]

Originally posted by gestalt1
i'm 6'2" and do not fit in a miata ...

I'm also about 6'2" and a 1st-generation Miata is a tight fit; I hear rumors that the 2nd-gen. version is a little roomier, and the latest one has been widely written up as being longer, wider, etc.
John

[teenerted1]

you WAnt a fun "all weather car" get a Subaru. they ALL come with all wheel drive and even the base ones are a hoot. most get close to or over 22/30mpg .

only time i got stuck was braking too late at the ski area parking lot and sliding into a snowbank.

other than that i have had 7500+ uneventful, snow miles between Seattle, WA and Santa Fe, NM on 5 different winter trips since 2002.
turned over 60k miles on mine this winter and have had no issues with it. only factory recall, was on one of the seat mounting bolts, the dealer replaced in 5 minutes. didn't even need an appointment.

loved the old 1981 sr5 Toyota 4x4 long-bed i used to have. sold it to my dad a few years ago. they get snow at 7000ft every winter. might be able to buy it back soon. they are thinking about buying my sisters Toyota 4x4 truck when she gets something new this year. so i would say use your truck for a commuter, it will last forever if it doesn't rust away out there. if parking is an issue just use the curb

[kepperly]

gestalt1

GO DOWN TO YOUR LOCAL VW DEALER AND BUY A NEW 2007
BEETLE. I HAVE OWNED A 2000, 2004 AND NOW A 2007, ITS
THE BEST ONE YET. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT A FANCIED UP ONE,
JUST THE BASE CAR. THE NEW ONE HAS A 5 CYL, 4 VALVE PER CYL
MOTOR THAT IS A BLAST. TELL'EM YOU'LL GIVE COST 16,00 APPROX.
AND TELL THEM TO BRING YOU THE INVOICE. DON'T GO FOR THE OIL CHANGES THEY WANT TO ADD ON AND DON'T BELIEVE THEIR CRAP ABOUT THEM BEING THE ONLY ONE TO BE ABLE TO GET THE RIGHT OIL TO KEEP YOUR WARRANTY IN EFFECT. AND TELL THEM IF THEY HAVE ANY OF THE FREE GUITARS LEFT YOU WANT ONE OF THEM TOO. 4-WHEEL ABS DISC'S, REMOTE ENTRY, AM/FM/CD/IPOD,
CRUISE, TILT, A/C POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS, REMOTE TRUNK AND GAS RELEASE, FOUR AIR BAGS.ALL ON THE BASE CAR. BUY YOUR CUSTOM WHEELS AFTERMARKET ON EBAY. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT "YA DON'T LIKE CHICKEN ON SUNDAY" I know I'm yelling but I REALLY DO like the little bastard ( get a stick no
triptronic)

KEITH EPPERLY
87 SLANT NOSE TURBO LOOK CARRERA CABRIOLET

[Ferrariguyma]

I bought a 1993 Miata for $1200. with 91,000 miles this past fall. BEST car I have ever owned. 100% reliable, great gas mileage, $19. fill ups, park anywear, no worries of dings. PERFECT CAR! My commute is 32 miles 1 way I am 6'1" and fit just fine. Remove the armrest and it is a good fit. The NA (flip up headlight model) is actually roomier then the new NB models. Can't say enough good things about the miata NA.

[crosby50]

Audi allroad. Buy a 6 speed with an extended warranty and you will smile every time you drive it. Best car I've ever owned. I bought mine at lease end because I couldn't find a car that equals it: Luxurious, fast, plenty of utility, and cool. I've driven mine since new so I know how its been treated. I now have 75k on it and plan on putting another 75k on it. Another plus: used ones are very cheap. Go to audiworld.com and start researching.

[Pat Crellin]

I'm getting sick.
Miatas, Minis, Subarus, pick ups?
This is a Porsche forum.
Buy a Porsche, you have time to find a great 964, maybe a 933 in your budget.

[kepperly]

Did, I mention the full coverage insurance on the Beetle is 58.00 per month, and since the Beetle is the primary car the 911 is less than $500.00 a year. Besides, do you know a closer cousin than
VW to Porsche?

Thanks
Keith Epperly
87 slant nose turbo look carrera cabriolet

[Dantilla]

Did I mention my Miata is a great little car?

And my pick-up comes in handy sometimes. Tomorrow it's towing a Porsche to the track (That was Porsche content for the Porsche forum).

[FastCarFan]

I absolutely love my 2004 VW R32. 240 hp VR6, 6-speed, AWD, IRS, 18" wheels, ABS, fantastic Koenig (sp?) seats, traction & stability control...& I am getting about 22 mpg with a heavy right foot.

The exhaust sound is incredible. I find myself running up & down the gears just to hear it.

0-60 in about 5.9 seconds. Throw some winter tires on it (see photos) & play rally driver in the winter.

Did I say that I love my R32?

Used ones ought to be pretty reasonable. I paid $27,XXX new.

Oh, I have put 40,000 virtually trouble free miles on it. The only problem I have had was a dash that had to be reprogrammed under warranty.

(The problem I had was kind of funny. There was a message on the dash that read "Brake Fault. Stop Immediately." Which is really funny, if you think about it. If I have a brake problem how do I stop?)

Here are a few photos of my (dirty) car with my 17" snow tires/wheels after a January drive with some 911 buddies.

[berettafan]

I really miss my taco. Had to swap for a Tundra when my little one came along.

If it were me and i didn't need hauling capacity for junk or family i'd look at an STi. For a commuter beater i'd think an Accord (used of course) would be a great choice. Best vehicle i ever owned was a Civic. 100k+ miles and it still drove like the day i bought it (and looked very much the same as well, both inside and out).

I don't quite understand dropping $30k on a commuter car and being concerned about mileage though. If you are really trying to save bucks for the 911 to eat up then go 5yr old Accord.

The VW's are neat cars but i'm guessing you'd be hard pressed to find a quicker depreciating vehicle and your cost of ownership will be far higher than the $$ you saved on mileage when that is added in to the equation.