Nope...on this board, even looking at a car by the only USA company to not become a willing ward of the state is verboten. Some cars I would consider pieces of krap mentioned here...but forget about this:

2008 FORD MUSTANG | Used MUSTANG | Salem, OR

Of the big three, Ford is the least distasteful due to the bailout crap, but I promised myself many years ago that I will NEVER buy a "UAW" built car again..... and I won't!!!!!!!!! ;)

Well, Toyota and Nissan make reliable cars...:rolleyes:

No need to apologize Matt, but my 318,000 mile '92 E36 and a coworker's 200,000+ 94 E36 have been the best long term bang for the buck car purchases we have ever made. I know several independant German car mechanics who will also echo my sentiments about E36 quality/reliability.

Either you made some poor selections or were incredibly unlucky when buying your "two E36 BMWs". I am guessing they had been previously worked on by hacks or there previous owners beat them hard and then put them away wet.

We had a Scion TC. The little two door coupe. Traded it in with almost 200,000 miles on odo. Never did anything but oil changes and tires. Super reliable.

Paul, I actually would consider a Focus RS, but they don't sell them here. New version, apparently the ST, is the replacement.
for the RS
Buddy just drove the 944 and says it is cherry, just did TB and water pump, all fluids. He spoke to the tech who went through it and he said you would be changing the oil for 4 years or 40,000 miles and that would be it. Have to get the TB tension checked after 1500 miles or something, but that sounds a bit fishy to me. It is at a stealership, and they are asking for WAY too much money, but it is very nice. I think I can get them to come off their price, because they are asking twice high book value on it. They were under $20K new for crying out loud.

I only drive 6-7 thousand miles a year, don't care about airbags or ABS, I always wear my seatbelt and have an understanding of threshold braking.

Trip to Kansas for a Boxter sounds cool though.

Unless you're going to DIY I think the 944 is a mistake. I just don't believe the "oil and gas and nothing else" line. They are aging cars.

It really comes down to size - do you need room to carry stuff or just yourself and a passenger? If you want cheap and fun frankly a Miata seems to be the most inexpensive/reliable choice. Boxster could be good unless you get unlucky. These days I want a vehicle that works and I like having a warranty, but that isn't for everyone.

You're right... Those 50,000 miles I have on my corrola have been so rough, no wait... All I have done is oil changes, its due for tires now too...
As much as I love my 944, Todd is right, they are aging cars, expect some small issues.

Tim, I know we've had the E36 debate before. For me it was simply what I saw as low quality, both material and mechanical. Both of my previous cars were enthusiast owned and well maintained, they weren't neglected hack jobs. Maybe I just have higher expectations than most, but I've been far more impressed in the quality of the Mercedes and Porsches that I've owned.

Shameless plug, here's my Boxster for sale.:D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/610133-1999-boxster-fantastic-condition.html

Just get an E36 M. They seem to be built to a higher standard. The only problem with my moms is the bearle wood around the shifter is cracking... But it is a 14yr old car...


Besides, the M is more fun to drive. :D

Man, I knew they were bad cars, but this one is so junky even the link is broken! SmileWavy

Time for my gratuitous Hyundai plug

New Hyundai Genesis coupe, under $30K, 300HP V6, RWD, 10 year 100K mile warranty

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Performance

No affiliation

Fixed it for you! :D

-Z-man, 944S2 owner. (NOT my daily driver)

Sid, please go do that somewhere else

don't need to haul anything but my fat ass

I DIY for most stuff, don't mount tires or anything, I ain't afeared, but a miata sounds better and better, the wife will just hate that.

ooh, that Boxter in Kansas is yellow, and yellow is faster.

man alive they want a lot of dough for used cars

Where the heck is used car guy Kaisen? 3 pages and nothing, dude you are slipping.

inside and out, ugly ass 924 interior, but oh so minty fresh, major issues? Zoltan you are harshin' my mellow man
Banker was plenty happy to see me, guess folks are not borrowing like they used to, 4.5% on a used car, yowza

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1306442799.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1306442837.jpg

Came right up for me? What's the matter? Did you miss a payment on that new laptop?

If considering a Boxster, go for 2000 and newer. these cars have a lot of updates and are CHEAP.

you could probably get this Boxster S for $11K, $12,500 delivered to your door. Guessing they are even cheaper in CA.

2000 Porsche Boxster S Convertible Low Miles

Nice,but......... No idea what they're asking, but I suspect you could get a far better car if you don't want a garage queen. Mileage notwithstanding, it's still a 1st gen 944. Why buy a time capsule to commute in? With a few miles on it you're looking at a $4k car.

I would be driving it until someone in a minivan hit it or the wheels fall off, so depreciation would be a non-issue. They are asking 13,800, if I could not get it for well under 10,000 it would be no deal

I have searched around and have yet to find a boxter s that looks like the one. Biggest problem I have with buying a newish Porsche is that the local dealership is owned by someone I don't really care to do business with, sadly, that is where this car is sitting right now.

Whooaaaaa! they're asking $13,800 for that? Perhaps you didn't realize I am selling my 86 coupe. This could be yours for only $8000, and you'd have a 911! Some assembly required, but won't take much to get it on the road. :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1306446371.jpg

I did find a Mazdaspeed Miata for about the same dough, but about 20 years newer, hmm, curiouser and curiouser

Fixed it to adjust for reality.

You lost me at $10K+ pre-update 944, LOL

McHatin' doesn't appreciate me giving advice.
The rest rarely take my advice.
I don't think like most Pelicans

I prefer the old dash... looks more sports car like.

Still, note the 944 owners are all telling you not to buy one... fun weekend car but a DD? I don't think so.

Is the Arbarth 500 out yet? And what is the cost on one?

kinda considering the next daly driver myself.

neither do I


They are out of their minds if they think they get over $10K for that car,
the guys over on the 924/944/968 side giving mixed signals on the DD idea, but I am leaning more and more toward the mazdaspeed miata.

That price is insane. Get 5 for that $$, you'll need the parts cars.

If I fit in one I'd have a S2000.

Saw one on the road here this morning. It is tiny - makes a Mini look big.

Hard to go wrong with the Mazdaspeed Miata.

^ This. Even the V6 is 300hp and an honest to God 30mpg on the highway. A buddy's got one and it's fantastic, except for squishy suspension.

Basically it boils down to if you desire a particular car. (I do not question whether the car will work as a daily... I personally question only the price and the early model type vs a later type)

I have daily driven everything from a $50 rotted out 1972 Beetle to a 911SC. I can and have fixed/maintained every car I have owned/daily driven since 1982. At my "present stage" in life my only set requirement for daily driving a vehicle 80 miles round trip is that it has working air conditioning if driving in summer months..... I could daily drive just about any car of my choosing provided I have a backup car for occassions when my daily needs repairs.

I am thinking about a commuter car to save lots of fuel $$ over my current SUV.
Has anyone driven the '12 Focus?

If I could fit in one, I'd own one, especially if it has the hardtop convertible. My Dad's wife owned a regular MX-5 and it was great.

The early 944s came with a rubber center clutch which can deteriorate with time. I know the car has very little miles on it, but I would plan to change that in the future. If you get it, dont do the timing belt "by feel", just get the $500 tool and do it right. I would also look into new fuel lines if you get that 944 as well. Other then that, it's probably a great car. If I were to personally buy an early 944, it would be a 1983, due to it having manual steering, manual sunroof and no cruise.

How about you get a newer, more reliable 944 look alike?

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/cro...upe_460x0w.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/...493203efa3.jpg

A 1998-2000 BMW M Coupe would be my choice. E36 BMW M3 engine in an attractive and practical hatchback form.

Well played!

I'm out.... miata...miata.... Put your balls in the wifes purse dude.
(please don't be offended...having fun man!)

I'm not trying to get any college kids diaper in a bind, but anyone who has written off a v6 Mustang because they have driven the 4.0L v6 model needs to test drive the new 3.7L model. I have both of these, while I like the 4.0 it doesn't come close to the 2011 version. They are totally different cars, not just the engine, but suspension, steering noise ride ect. Every time I drive one, then the other I am amazed at the improvement of the 2011. The day we bought the 2011 in Tigard (Land Mark Ford for you locals, very happy with them) I reset the MPG computer when we left the dealer. Got on I5 went through Portland then Vancouver, WA, when the speed limit jumped to 70mph I did 75 to 80 up to Longview. Got 30.6 MPG,. The engine is smooth and the higher you rev it the harder it pulls to 7k rpm. I can only imagine what the 5.0 feels like so I won't comment on something I haven't driven, unlike some people here.

If a Mustang is not your cup of tea, then no comment is required. I'm just saying if you thought about it or drove an older one, it is time for another test drive.

I drove a convertible Super Beetle for 25 years, that is more a chick car than a miata if you ask me.

Good to know about the rubber center on the clutch, more ammo to lowball with

Have not found a decent S2000, that would be a top choice too, thought about a used NSX, but they want too much for them

Tobra, I recommend a low mileage 5-cylinder Volvo, probably non-turbo.