Need a New Daily Driver
 

I was going all of 25 mph, she pulled out of a grade school and drove right into me, had my headlights on and everything. Happened about 0820. Front bumper cover and energy absorbers are done, RF fender and the little piece of trim on wheel well is trashed, as is the inner fender liner. RF wheel is all scraped up too, seems to be okay mechanically, but it is making some funny noises.

Took it in, initial estimate was like $2000, then they figured out the suspension was all bent. They got a bid for $1900 from the salvage yard, which is pretty high to me. Glad I did not do the timing belt and water pump yet, sort of pissed I bought a new set of tires a few weeks ago, and fixed the ignition to the tune of $400.

So what say you, oh brain trust of Pelicanaan? What should Toby's next daily driver be?

Must be standard transmission, preferably small and sporty. No VW/Audi products, nothing from Government Motors or Chrysler. I have been in the Honda for 13 years, got the integra because it was the sportiest 4 cylinder sedan out there. Would like to spend under $30,000. Primarily used on surface streets, short commute, so an electric car like the Leaf would work.

How sporty? Honda Fit is pretty functional. Mazda 2 or 3. New Ford Fiesta and Focus seem cool as well.

2007 Nissan 350, just bought one for my son, it's a great car for around $25k

How about a used Acura TSX?

Mini? Madzaspeed 3? Civic Si?

Used BMW M3?

+1

+2 for Mazda Speed 3.

if you are trying smaller cars like the Leaf, make sure to test a Suzuki SX4. I was really impressed by what a fun car it was, thanks to it's 2 liter engine.

Also, Fiat 500? I am getting one for a few days

Mini Cooper S

Fiat 500 Abarth

Ford Focus RS

any of these would be a great daily driver.

Subaru Impreza, that car is a rocket.

Mustsng:d

944. Yes, really. Or a 968. Both surprisingly good on gas and plenty sporty/fun.

but only one of those is available in the US

maybe a 944...

WRX and STI, yes. Base Impreza, not so much.

WRX is a freakin' hoot though...

Mazda3 S 6 speed. MazdaSpeed if you need the extra oomph.

Do they sell those in the US?

Seriously I spotted a 21,000 mile 944, very clean, buddy is going to go check it out tomorrow, Do I need any special tools to do the timing belt?

I gotta go talk to my banker.

Only need the thin 27mm and the pin wrench... You can get the tension right by feel...


check out www.clarks-garage.com.

Oh, and both of those tools someone on the forum will loan you if you don't need them too often...


I wouldn't rule out a Boxster either....

+1 They just go and go. Think, reliable VW ;)

Don't get a 944 unless you like driving a Buick.

Get the Ford, it's now called an ST

2012 Ford Focus ST will be exactly the same everywhere in the world - egmCarTech

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1306409137.jpg

944's or 924S models make nice drivers if they have been properly maintained and of course I am partial to BMW 3 series as I have put 318,000 miles on my old E36 325i (which I am thinking of retiring soon due to rust and a few other wear issues that I do not feel like fixing again on such a high mileage car).

Of course the best choice for cheap reliable daily transportion would be a modern used Honda Civic etc, but I personally like old BMW's and Porsches.

This is so true. There's no getting around it. The most reliable cars are Japanese.

I am just getting out of a Honda, rock solid reliable.

A Buick, really? I was not aware they sold a lot of 5 speed vehicles that have a race series devoted to them.

Will have to go check out the Ford Focus though, would like to buy American if I can, well, Mexican made anyway

Oh yeah, it looks like this, I was afraid they would total it out, but it does not look bad, and drives pretty well still, was a great car, maybe the best car I have owned, though the Super Beetle was great too, but it is still going. Wheels turned hard left at time of impact. If I had turned into her instead of trying to avoid her, it would have spared the suspension and likely the car. Should have centerpunched her driver's door.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1306417218.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1306417238.jpg

My $0.42:

- 944 - At 20 years, it is too old. The maintenance & upkeep will kill you. Ask me how I know.

- Boxster: not a bad idea, can be had for cheap, but maintenance costs are significantly higher than most cars in that price range.

- Acura RSX Type S A-Spec: I think you would feel at home in that car. It is the evolution of the Integra GS.

- Subaru Legacy -- if you are buying used, then you may be better off with a Legacy vs. a WRX. Too many WRX's have been driven hard and put away wet. They do have a 4cyl turbo version or a 6 cyl if you need a little more pep.

- Mercedes C-class - W202 chassis cars are rock solid, and have the classic look, feel and quality of Mercedes. But like the Boxster, the maintenance costs will be a bit higher than a Ford, Toyota, or Mazda.

- Mercedes SLK - same comments as the C-class.

- Ford Focus / Fiesta - seem to be the best pair of compact cars coming out of Michigan these days...

- Mazda 3 - pretty solid wagon. MazdaSpeed 3 is a pocket rocket.

Questions:
- How much is your budget?
- What are your other requirements? (2 door, 4 door, wagon???)
- If used, how old are you willing to go?

-Z-man.

We just picked up one of these used. 2010 model. Has the DSG trans, very sporty. I don't miss the manual shift because of the DSG. Lightning fast shifts, plenty of torque, averaging about 25 MPG when we're not horsing around in it.

2010 VW GTI with 2.0L Turbo and DSG. Autobahn edition has the upgraded interior. Adaptive HID headlights, you name it. Firm ride without being obnoxious. Probably more sporty ride than my 993.... I actually think the 4 door looks better than the 2 door as the rear end without the doors looks like a slab.

http://assets.clickmotive.com/ail/st...st0640_046.jpg

Why?
 

Noticed the " no VW AUDI products please". Why? VW makes great sporty economical and reliable cars that feel like cars!!! (cant stand driving Honda's and Mazda must have cornered the market on crappy handling!!). My Audi TT has been wonderful! and I drive it all winter and man....we get winter up here!!

Subie - no question

I have a newer STI and an older Outback Legacy Wagon - the Wagon has 225,000 + is a beater + is ignored (except for oil changes) + is forced to go on roads it was never intended to go on + is used way too often as a truck and it is still going strong. I expect the same from the STI - although it is not ignored.

Tobra,
I've had my Mazda 3S Hatch with six speed since October. I really like this car. Effecient enough (32 on hwy, about 21 on my 3.5 mile "commute") and super practical in terms of cargo.

The looks have grown on me, the handling is super, the brakes are great, and the engine has great torque down low and good power up high. I like it and would consider another Mazda product very seriously next time.
Troy

The ST is not as cool as the RS. The RS was cool car, the ST, not so much.

The 944 I am looking at is a one owner 21,000 mile car and is only 28 years old

I will not buy a new VW/Audi because I know way too many people who have had nightmares in them.

Standard transmission and fairly sporty, only req, RSX type S is on the list, maybe a Miata, don't need a sedan anymore

Would like to spend as little as possible, less than 30K if new

Take some insurance money and fix your old car.

That is less than ideal, I would end up out of pocket too much. Say they give me $5000 for the car, buy it back for $2000, and have to spend 3500 to fix it, then need to do the timing belt and water pump, numbers don't work on that, it is worth way too much for salvage. Maybe if they let me buy it back for a buck, that ain't happening though.

What do you pay for tbelts out there? It's a straight forward job if you dont mind getting a little dirty.

I would have to buy a tool too, would end up being about $500 and a day of working on it , and I just have other stuff to do

First of all it appears that you were not injured in the accident which is the most important thing.

I've had some great daily drivers which were mentioned in this thread.

My 1984 944 was great on gas and fun to drive. Maintenance became an expensive problem. Of course I drive 20,000 miles a year, so that may have been the reason . If I were to get into another 944 it would be a 1987 or later so I would have the airbags and ABS.

After the 944 I had a Boxster for five years, put 120,000 miles on it before I traded it in. You could easily get a five year older or less Certified Pre Owned Boxster for $25,000 out the door from a dealer. I did, car was five years old with 40k

I say get a fun safe car. I'm currently in a Mercedes CLK 350 certified pre owned loaded heated seats satellite GPS etc. Got it for $28,000 Certified at dealer with 32,000 miles

Whatever you get. . . Get a safe one. Good luck

Tobster,

Get the mazdaspeed3. + elventy billion

Went out on a strool with one, and the boost is addicting. Seriously, go test drive one.

I wasn't aware Buick made one of the best handling cars in the world?

Unfortunately coming off a Honda a 944 would need a lot more up keep... like you I just don't have time (a day) to devote to keeping mine running.

Have you considered a used Ferrari?

Mah-fkn FORD MUSTANG

Sorry to the BMW guys, but after owning two E36 BMWs I would not recommend one as a reliable DD. Fun to drive but cheaply made, I'd buy an E30 long before another E36.

There's about one million options that fit your criteria. I'm selling a 1999 Boxster in excellent condition with 65k for $13k, that would work.:D. Mine or not used Boxsters and 996s are smoking deals, in my opinion the best deal going on a used sports car. Each is a blast to drive, but comfortable and reliable enough to be a great DD.