Suggestions for a daily driver

[Brando]

So this past Thursday my daily driver got totaled: 1986 Yamaha Virago 700. Basically I got t-boned on the bike by someone who "didn't see" me.

Anyways, in about 6-12 weeks I'll be mobile again and I more than likely won't be able to drive the Carrera (manual). I'm hoping I can get some relatively safe, fuel-efficient and inexpensive suggestions for a daily driver. After all gets settled with the lawyers I should come out relatively ahead enough to afford a new daily driver.

So, ideas?

[Tim Walsh]

DSG A3/GTI? someone else here might bought one when they had a 'cycle accident.

[stomachmonkey]

Mazda 3, Speed3 if it's in the budget. Great bang for the buck.

[onlycafe]

sorry to hear about your misfortune at the hands of an inattentive driver. my beck 550 suffered the same fate last september.
i am still limping from that. i hope you get back to feeling better soon.

i have had a mini cooper s for the last two years and really like it a lot.
best of good luck to you.

[morganb]

Hopre the injuries are not to seriuos, whats your budget like and do you intend to keep if for some length of time?

[vash]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Mazda 3, Speed3 if it's in the budget. Great bang for the buck.

speed3 in an automatic, if it exist...would be a Sin.

after i got smacked by a car, on my bike, i over compensated and bought something big. i got a CJ7. full cage.

glad you are relatively ok. best of luck. sue big, buy that coupe caddy.

[HHI944]

An early diesel defender with a cage and brush guards. Let em hit you in that....................

[KaptKaos]

Brando - sorry to hear that. You ok? I hope the manual avoidance is not long term.

The answer to me seems to depend on what you want to do with it.

I am partial to boxes like the original xB, Honda Element, Qube, Soul, etc... Pretty functional stuff, but might not be that fun to drive.

Thanks again for that engine stand, it has my motor on it as I type this.

Let me know if you need a hand with anything.

[Brando]

Hey Joe! You're extra welcome for the stand. You know those solid trans mounts are around here somewhere :lol:

I will need a reliable compact or sedan, auto. The gti suggestion sounds petty good imho. I'm not sure what i'll be getting yet. I have at least 6 more weeks before i return to work and I can't afford to take a cab to work, there are no bus stops in reasonable distance to "crutch" my way there and most all my coworkers drive up from south county.

Oh, I would trade vehicles with my roommate but I don't want tons of miles racked up on the carrera (he's got a 60-80 mile commute one way).

I'm hoping to aim for sub-16k. I don't yet know how much i'll be getting from the lawsuit but I know it will be at least that much. If there is some form of negligence involved (talking on phone, texting, under the influence) i hear its a different ballgame. In the end I would more than likely keep the other vehicle until it dies. Toyotas, Hondas, VWs and Mazdas are relatively inexpensive to maintain and I can do most anything short of an engine/trans rebuild on them.

[Heel n Toe]

Are you planning to stay with a car for your daily driver, or are you planning to eventually go back to another bike?

If you plan to go back to two wheels, you could just nab a used, mid-90's Corolla or something for cheap temporary duty, then just unload it when you're ready.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Coupe, sedan, hatchback, what's your preference? Sub $16k leaves you a lot of very good options.

On the GTi thread, you can get one with the DSG gearbox. That's probably about as close as you can get to a true manual, but without the clutch pedal. There's also a number of cars that offer good automanual gearboxes. My Subaru Legacy GT has buttons on the wheel and a manual gate on the shift lever, it works very well. Also for sale, by the way.

[Halm]

Sub $16k? Think about an '04 / '05 BMW E46. Love ours as a DD. Safe, comfortable and decent gas mileage. Go for the 3.0 over the smaller motor.

And get well!

[Brando]

What about a 2002 Boxster?

[scottmandue]

Sorry to hear about your accident, hope you have a full recovery soon.

Don't want to hijack thread... but I will.

Wife is driving a 1999 Nissan pickup that is falling apart... would like to get her something more functional... but $10K would be better than $16K

because of all the recommendation here I was thinking Mazda3 or Subaru.

But she is thinking new beetle 2000-2003 might be in our price range?

We like the mini... but I don't think we could get one for $10K? And I hear they start to rattle apart when they get into high millage.

[Dueller]

Absolute tons of New beatles sub $10K including convertibles if thats what you want. Even a lot with <50K miles. We found an '03 base model w/5sp with 60K 2 years ago for $7500 but it wasn't what dtr wanted. We driove it for a weekend and it was a fun little car. Should be easy to find a loaded model in good shape for $8K or less.

May be a reason or may be the Beetle fad has petered out.

I've seen non-S model mini's popping up for $10K and even a nice S at $11.5.


Subies and Mazda 3's seem to command a bit higher price.

[BeyGon]

In my wifes new car thread we got a brand new 2010 2 Door Automatic Golf for under 20k, 17" wheels, all the standard stuff, 170hp, she likes it, I like driving it. Very roomy.

[m21sniper]

My friend has a Mazda 3. I have ridden in it many times. I totally fail to see the allure whatsoever.

[JeremyD]

My 70 year old mother is selling her 2002 BMW 3 series coupe - Dark Blue - tan interior - I think around 50K-60K miles - I think she wants to get like $11K for it. Garaged, etc.

She just asked me to help her sell it

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

But she is thinking new beetle 2000-2003 might be in our price range?

My wife had a 2003 New Beetle Turbo until last year when someone punted her car into a sloping curb and it rolled over! She was ok, but the car was totalled. I tell you - that was one solid roof on the car. Yeah, it caved in a little, but Kim got out of that car without a scartch on her:

And that little 1.8 turbo motor is a gem!

To the OP: My wife's current car is a VW Eos with the DSG. It is a hardtop convertible that rides on the same platform as the Golf/Jetta. That car is probably out of your price range, but a decent 2-3 year old Golf GTI with the DSG would be a pretty fun car to have.

I'd recommend a Subaru as well, but I doubt you really need AWD outside of LA...

You may want to check out a W202 Mercedes Class - especially an AMG. Those cars are smoking fast, solid, and relatively inexpensive.

Glad to hear you are ok - sound like you have a broken leg. Hope you heal up quick!

-Z-man.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Dueller

Absolute tons of New beatles sub $10K including convertibles if thats what you want. Even a lot with <50K miles. We found an '03 base model w/5sp with 60K 2 years ago for $7500 but it wasn't what dtr wanted. We driove it for a weekend and it was a fun little car. Should be easy to find a loaded model in good shape for $8K or less.

May be a reason or may be the Beetle fad has petered out.

How reliable are the new beetles? last thing I want is her to be spending money on it.

I drove one a few years back... it was OK but not my cup O tea... ladies seem to dig the body-style.

Originally Posted by Z-man

My wife had a 2003 New Beetle Turbo until last year when someone punted her car into a sloping curb and it rolled over! She was ok, but the car was totaled. I tell you - that was one solid roof on the car. Yeah, it caved in a little, but Kim got out of that car without a scratch on her:

-Z-man.

So how reliable was the beetle up to the accident? I would not bother getting her the turbo though.