BayAreaZT Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I’m looking to pick up a commuter car so I don’t have to drive the Z 40 miles each way in the summer. The car has to be fuel efficient, fairly reliable, and fun to drive. I may occasionally auto cross it just for kicks. Back seats are a plus but not absolutely necessary. Budget is < $3000. Some cars I have in mind Early miata - I’d like a ’94-’97 but those seem to be pushing the $3000 mark. I would also want a hard top for it since it rains a lot here in the summer. Mk2 GTI - I’ve never driven one but I’ve always read they’re a blast to drive and they get 30+ mpg. EG civic hatch - Good gas mileage and reliable if not hacked up. CRX - Same as civic. E36 BMW 318ti - Kinda like a upscale, RWD GTI. E30 325is - Another fun car I’ve always admired. Anyone care to share opinions or experiences with these cars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Can rarely go wrong w/ a Honda for a daily driver. BMW's cost to much to fix even if you do it yourself (parts). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators BRAAP Posted March 17, 2009 Administrators Share Posted March 17, 2009 How about one of those old Datsuns? I hear the 240, 260 and 280-Z cars fit that role pretty well as a 2 seater. Not only competitive in Autocross on a national level, but a HOOT to drive on the back roads carving corners, decent fuel mileage with properly tuned EFI, fun, sporty, etc. There is even this incredibly in-depth first rate forum dedicated to extreme performance versions. You might want to ask those guys... 4 seats.. hmmm... Maybe an SR20DET powered 510, though that may exceed the allotted budget... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckolander Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 There is even this incredibly in-depth first rate forum dedicated to extreme performance versions. You might want to ask those guys... You mean to tell me that there's a forum where I can get information on how to turn my old datsun into a performance monster??? Whodathunkit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators BRAAP Posted March 17, 2009 Administrators Share Posted March 17, 2009 The Miata is a cool choice, though there is a stigma attached to them when guys wearing comfortable shoes are driving the proverbial bitch-basket, (the original VW Rabbit convertibles coined that phrase that rolled over to the Miata). The Miata is a very capable corner carver for sure... CRX, would be a wonderful FWD toy with some mild torque enhancements, those little 2 seat hatches are a hoot! BMW 3 series. I don’t care if it is E30, E36, E46, etc, one of those with an LS1 and you have an incredible 4 seat performer! If I had to commute in a four seater, an LSx powered 3 series would be on the top of my list!!!! I would even consider the 4 door versions! http://www.vorshlag.com/index.php?cPath=1_4_63 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckolander Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 A straight buddy of mine has an MX5 Miata and that little thing is quick. He even got rid of some of the stigma by puttin a body kit on it and painting it HEMI orange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi303 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 do you get the MGF in the states? after the head gasket has been replaced with a steel one then they're fairy reliable, cheap to run (1.8 or 1.8VVC) and pretty good handling and power (mid engine RWD) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nismopick Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 E36 BMW 318ti - Kinda like a upscale, RWD GTI. Anyone care to share opinions or experiences with these cars? I loved my 318ti! It had the California rag top & ///M Sport package. Negative rear camber out the wazoo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Of those, E30 325i(s). If I were in the market with that budget, that's what I'd go for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beau M Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 CRX. Love em, so fun yet economical, they are the closet to driving a go-cart on the street as I have come. If you want comfort though, be weary of the German cars. I had a 98 Mercedes that I loved dearly and it drove like a dream. But the rumors are true, parts are a nightmare, and some require "special tools", so off to the dealer you go. I paid 1200 bucks for new front control arm bushings. Traded it in a week later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavy85 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 http://www.vorshlag.com/index.php?cPath=1_4_63 Little proud of their work eh Cameron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob_racing Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I bought a '93 Miata last fall for a daily driver and love it. It came with Konis, Eibach springs, Racing Beat Chassis braces, a Thermal cat back exhaust, 16" Kosei wheels and a roll bar for only $4000. Just turned 129K last week and runs like a top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperPickle Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 From my own experience: 1986-87 Honda Accord LX-i Hatchback. I got one a couple years ago for $300. It was surprisingly fun to drive, in addition to back seats and plenty of room. It also got great mileage. Try to get the 5-spd manual with fuel injection. I could only take one car with me when I left CA, and I almost took it with me instead of the Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators BRAAP Posted March 18, 2009 Administrators Share Posted March 18, 2009 I bought a '93 Miata last fall for a daily driver and love it. It came with Konis, Eibach springs, Racing Beat Chassis braces, a Thermal cat back exhaust, 16" Kosei wheels and a roll bar for only $4000. Just turned 129K last week and runs like a top. Very clean inside and out. Looks nice. Ride height looks aggressive... :2thumbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megatherion Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 to me a crx is the best option, here's a pic of my ex-baby before I lost my job... definitely a reliable and fun car to drive... I sold the car for $3300 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo2001 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 My daily now is a vw golf 8v 2.0l. Mark iv. Under powered but it handles good and fun to drive plus gets 30mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-Z Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 suzuki swift Honda fit (but I would wait to see if an awd version will be available in the states) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jknc90 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Given the budget and parameters, what about an A32 Maxima ('95-'99)? I've got one as my DD. They're pretty fun to drive and have pretty decent power (VQ30DE). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaZT Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Thanks for all the feedback. Braap - Thanks for putting evil thoughts in my head. Now I have visions of a cheap E36 for now with a LSx swap in the future Nismo - gotta love that semi-trailing arm suspension . Any maintenacne nightmares with the 318? That California ragtop is pretty rare isn't it? Jimbob - that is a clean miata. Pretty much exactly how I would want mine to look. AK-Z - I would go for a swift but I hardly ever see them for sale around here. I recently sold our '08 Odyssey and bought a '09 Fit sport. It's a little under powered but still a blast to drive. The wife loves it. It's been getting 36 mpg too. Right now we share the Fit which is why I need my own commuter. jknc90 - I've considered a maxima but it's kinda at the bottom of the list. I know they are decent cars but they just seem a little boring to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nismopick Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Any maintenance nightmares with the 318? That California ragtop is pretty rare isn't it? Only changing the oil filter (which is located on the top front of BMW motors). The 325i M50 motor has an enclosed aluminum unit for the oil filter. For some reason BMW used a plastic cap for the 318 M44 motor which allows oil to run down the block upon removal. That was my only complaint w/ the car. And the ragtop w/ the ///M package was pretty rare. I think only 1500 were made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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