JustinOlson Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Well I need ideas for a new daily driver as driving my 280z every day is driving me nuts. I fix one thing, and two new things break My budget is up to 6000, but I would be fine spending half that if I could find a decent deal. I'm a college student and work full time. I was thinking of the following: 240sx SC300 honda civic bmw z3 (not sure on maintenance cost) mazda miata bmw e36 (not sure on maintenance cost) acura legend coupe acura cl coupe subaru impreza subaru outback subaru legacy Anyway, just curious if people have recommendations for what to look at and what to not look at. Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nizm0Zed Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I drive a R31 skyline. 3L RB powahhh!!!!!! but no turbs. It cost me $400, and its mostly reliable. best part is i dont care if it gets damaged, so if something is in the way, like a shopping trolley, i just knock it over. I have had a lot of cheap daily's, usually i find them through friends Ect, and i generally drive them till the rego runs out, and strip and sell them. usually the proceeds go to a new shi!!er, but i often get quite a few parts out of them that can be adapted to other projects. Probably my criteria for a daily would be; Good on fuel generally mechanically sound (im a qualified mech, so i can fix a lot easliy) NOT cop bait. anything else is a bonus. one of my disposable cars didnt have a stereo for 8 months, needless to say, i got good at singing to myself (well, i thought so anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nizm0Zed Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 edit. Dunno why it posted double????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifegrddude Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Can't go wrong with a Civic especially if you want to keep costs low. As long as the timing belt has been replaced, you usually don't have much to worry about on them. Otherwise I'd say go for the 240sx or Miata. The euro cars will cost a little more for maintenance parts at your local parts store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 2001 Ford Ranger extended cab. Too many hobbies with big pieces, LOL Ya gotta have a truck even if its a pretend truck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_82_ZXT Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 93 Sentra B13 SE-R. Used to get 26-28mpg city. Now with that pulse driving technique I might break 30mpg! Depending on your size and the year, the Miata might be too small. The thing I don't like about it is the very limited trunk space... Especially if you keep a spare tire in it. On the other hand, I can fit an L engine in my sentra just by removing the manifolds... Legends are pricey to repair, and finding a manual one is really hard (if that even matters...). I'd go 240sx -> Miata -> Sc300. I'd love a e36 BMW but at this age they are starting to be neglected. Mario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janaka Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 i drive an '06 civic sedan 5spd for a daily. i'm in sales so fuel economy is a must. haven't had many issues with it and the oil changes are 6k miles apart. good times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun40146 Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I dive a Mark 4 VW Golf 2-door. It gets about 32-35 on the highway. Make sure you get the manual trans though. I picked up my car cheap under 5k with less that 60K miles I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john kosmatka Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I have a 97' saab 9000 aero. Ive been driving them for my last couple daily drivers. They are large, can fit alot in the hatch, get great gasmileage, best Ive done is around 36 hwy, and they are comfortable on road trips. They can be had pretty cheap too and the maitenance really isn't bad at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaZT Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 My DD Avants make great daily drivers but for 6k or less how about a CRX hf. 40+ MPG and decent trunk space. It's just hard to find one these days that hasn't been hacked up. If you want something different how about a E28 5-series. You can turbo it when you no longer need it as a daily driver. Just throwing options out there . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCchris Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 My dd is a 94 Acura Integra GSR. Small car, about Civic size but with the 1.8 litre dohc engine. It's fun to drive, cheap to operate at 28-30 mpg daily and it will do better on the interstate. As mentioned above about hondas, the timing belt is the one maint. item to stay on top of. It handles pretty well and can be made to handle excellent. I've got over 200k on mine and other than the faded paint, it's still in excellent condition. chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZR8ED Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I drive an 02 Civic 4dr loaded with an automatic. It is great for my 100km each way commute. I don't think I have ever measured less than 43mpg, and I routinely get 46+. ( I drive it easy ya know...at $1.06 per litre it adds up) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsommer Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 2003.5 Infiniti G35 Sedan with 50shot of NO2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I drive my 82 ZX everyday, 246,000 miles on it...no complaints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete84 Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 You have much snow in Portland? I live in that great bit of California that gets 115 summers and snow storms in the winter(at home the snow, 15 minutes, the summer heat). Might want to stick with FF or AWD if you have much, the tow companys love the weekend skiers going into the ditches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29PGC10 Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Subaru 22B - daily except fridays - get a WRX keep it stock and you will not complain. PGC10 2000 GT-R - fridays - to keep it lubricated 1971 240Z - would be my daily driver, but it is a project car... weekends: mamas taxi - a SUV to cart family around. South African 5c - make it less than 1c US m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinOlson Posted February 5, 2008 Author Share Posted February 5, 2008 For me, I want a NA car for daily driving. I dont want to have another turbo car. We don't get much snow in portland. Its really not an issue here. My roommate has a 2002 ranger 4X4 and the other a jeep so I'm set for camping/mountain vehicles. I really would like a 2.5RS impreza, but I think I like them too much. I really need a car that I won't be tempted to do anything to as I have too many of those already. I just want a car I will get in and it will take me to the destination of my choice. Kinda lame I can't control myself enough to have a cool car that I don't MOD. Another thought is a Audi A4 2.8L 30v quattro (99-01). Those cars aren't too bad for price. Parts would be higher tho. Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dig280z Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 I would say to go for one of the allwheel drive cars. It would be cool to have something different and subys sound great too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildmaN Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 My daily driver is my 1982 280zx n/a. Has been the last couple of years. I just rolled over 207k, the past couple of days. (oh now my Z is all flat black) Anyway I would take the Civic, or Miata, for your daily driver choice. But personally to me. My Z has been a great dependable daily driver for me. And I do keep up on his maintenance. And drive him hard here and there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukaniuk Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 My dd/winter car is a 1997 Grand Prix GTP coupe. Good looking, lots of power and fun to drive. Good mileage on the highway, decent in the city. Great on snow and ice (important up here in Canada). I've got 270 km on it and no major problems. Great cheap car. Would recommend it to anybody. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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