Back-up car for the SC?

[RC76]

I love the 911, have a smile on every time I drive it. But, it is not the best car for the heat in Houston, plus, I don't like putting that many miles on it. Lately I have been thinking about getting a back up car. The 1994 Nissan Maxima seems good, I can get a good one for about $4000 - $5000. Just wondering what others cars are out there in that price range. I need good A/C, gas mileage, etc. What do ya think.

[masraum]

How about a 944??

[1fastredsc]

Not a bad substitute, but still requires maintenence of a sports car. Go with your maxima, accord, or some other sedan i can't think of right now. Toyota makes a solid sedan as well, like the camry.

[nostatic]

honda civic. Or better yet, a toyota truck so you can haul parts and stuff.

[s_wilwerding]

I have a 1993 Honda Civic for my everyday driver. It uses a lot less gas than the Porsche, and the only money I have ever spent in the 4 years I've owned it (other than regular maintenance) was $75 to replace a cracked CV boot. Honda knows how to build reliable cars. It's not nearly as much fun or engaging as the Porsche, but it gets along a lot better during the Nebraska winters. It's also to the stage that if it gets a door ding, or some scraped paint, I really don't care. It's nice to have a daily driver like that, as long as there's a Porsche at home in the garage!

[SilverPoly]

I've got a Camry and it is very reliable. The A/C is really cold.. even when it's 90+ outside. I use it to commute to work 20miles each way. Great gas mileage. The Porsche is in the garage for the weekends and days that I'm late for work.

[RallyJon]

or some other sedan i can't think of right now

How about a Subaru Legacy? Much lower resale than a Camry/Accord, excellent build quality, horizontally opposed engine and All Wheel Drive.

[masraum]

Here in Houston we have no worries of Snow or Ice. The only thing that really matters is AC, and in my '88 I do without, but not everyone can.

[Colby]

'95-'98 3-series BMW? German quality, still entertaining to drive (especially a 328 or M3, but the cost goes up then) and they have already depreciated about as much as they will (clean models can be found for $6-10k). Camry's and Accord's are the givens for good, affordable, reliable sedans. I just like, even for my daily driver, to have something a little more unique.

[s_wilwerding]

Originally posted by Colby
'95-'98 3-series BMW? German quality, still entertaining to drive (especially a 328 or M3, but the cost goes up then) and they have already depreciated about as much as they will (clean models can be found for $6-10k). Camry's and Accord's are the givens for good, affordable, reliable sedans. I just like, even for my daily driver, to have something a little more unique.

Someone over on Rennlist mentioned that the 3 series is one of the worst-quality BMWs ever built. He's had his in the shop numerous times, and it's still not completely fixed. Others chimed in that they had the same sorts of problems.

[Colby]

Really? Ack, that sucks. I was trying to talk my wife into trading her Bravada (definitely one of the worst SUV's ever built..whatcha expect, its American) in for a 3-Series BMW.

[s_wilwerding]

Here's the original quote that a great many people agreed with:

Naw, sorry KJ I just came through two recently purchased 3 series BMW's and both were and still are simply crap cars. You can't sell me another one of those nor my wife who is stuck for another nine months with our current 330i lease. We simply cannot get rid of it fast enough and it seems that each month something else is broke on the thing...sorry but crap, crAP, CRAP the 3 series BMW is positively pitiful for the money.

[david914]

Whatever you do, stay away from Land Rover. Our Discovery has been nothing but trouble. To add insult to injury, it's expensive as hell. You thought German parts were pricey? They've got nothin' on Land Rover parts!

[96conv]

I dunno about other '96 328s, mine has been super reliable. But it does have only 55K miles. You might really want to consider a Honda Accord. I just sold my '97 Special Edition for $6400. It had 115K miles and absolutely has been a gas-up-and-drive car. I just followed the maintenance schedule and still drove and looked like it was brand new. You might ask why I sold it. Too make room for my SC of course!!!

[masraum]

How about a Dodge Omni GLH

[Axeman]

I agree with a Toyota truck. Reliable, great for getting parts and good gas mileage!

[Keith Perry]

I've got 260,000 miles on my 1996 Camry. Bought new, changed oil every 3,000 miles, new plugs at 150,000, just because, never been back to the dealer since I bought it, and am still getting close to 30 mpg on the highway. AC is still ice cold. Shocks need replacing, I'll get to it. But I haven't driven it more than twice in the last six months since I bought my '82 SC Targa. Get a low mileage beater Camry.

[jim72911t]

For $4-5000, I'd suggest an E30 ('87-91) BMW 3-series. My '89 325is has got 120K miles on it and the only thing that I've had to replace was the fuel pump. They are quick, fun to drive, and handle well. My A/C blows cold (Chico averages 90-110 in the summer) and everything else works as it should for a daily driver. Heck, I even track mine!

Jim

[yelcab1]

Originally posted by s_wilwerding
Someone over on Rennlist mentioned that the 3 series is one of the worst-quality BMWs ever built. He's had his in the shop numerous times, and it's still not completely fixed. Others chimed in that they had the same sorts of problems.

Really? my 1998 M3 has 83000 miles with not a single problem, no oil leaks, no valve adjustments, no broken transmissions, and always a cold AC. Regularly does 0-60 in low 5 seconds, cruises all day at 100 MPH, and will absolutely out run out handle any stock 3.2L Carrera.

A great every day car, I would say.

[Toga82sc]

I've got a Boxster (let the flaming begin) as a daily driver and the SC for the weekend.

"lifes to short to not drive a Porsche every day"

Toga82sc