 Good handling used import for a daily driver? |
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  Sep 15 2004, 08:30 PM
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#1
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Member  Group: Advanced Members Posts: 223 Joined: 16-January 04 From: Chicago suburbs Member No.: 131  |
I'm looking to get a nice little daily driver... something in the $5,000 or less range that can handle a little Chicago snow. I had my dad's old Corolla in high school which was a great car as far as dependability and gas mileage.
It would be nice to get something quasi-sporty this time around... I don't usually have more than one other person in the car with me at a time so it doesn't need to be a four-door. I was thinking of a Celica, 240SX, N/A DSM, or maybe a Prelude? Any suggestions? Thanks. |
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Sep 15 2004, 11:47 PM
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#2
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Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,015 Joined: 28-December 03 From: Texas Member No.: 55 |
I have owned a couple Nissan NX2000's. They are great little cars, and meet all of your requirements. There are not a lot of nice ones left however.
PS: My rust free NX is for sale (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
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Sep 16 2004, 02:02 AM
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#3
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Insert catch phrase here Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,098 Joined: 23-December 03 From: Michigan Member No.: 20 |
I agree about the NX. My Mom still has a '91 Sentra SE-R that is running great with about 200K on the odo now. It's still fun to drive.
You might also consider an Impreza (pre WRX). With the AWD and a pretty good engine they'd be fun. |
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Sep 16 2004, 02:24 AM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 5,226 Joined: 24-December 03 From: Danville, CA, USA Member No.: 27 |
Mazda Miata.... :leaving:
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Sep 16 2004, 02:31 AM
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#5
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Insert catch phrase here Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,098 Joined: 23-December 03 From: Michigan Member No.: 20 |
Sometimes you scare me Randy. A Miata would get stuck in a snow berm in the Chicago area. Just when you got stuck some guy in a 4WD truck would then just run you over for the fun of it.
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Sep 16 2004, 02:44 AM
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#6
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Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 195 Joined: 16-February 04 From: SF Bay area Member No.: 214 |
Alot of the fwd econoboxes make pretty good daily drivers. My 92 integra when I still had it got pretty decent miles per gallon and was cheap to maintain. The neon we have now is pretty cheap to buy and to own as well. Save your money and pump it into the camaro (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)
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Sep 16 2004, 02:51 AM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 5,226 Joined: 24-December 03 From: Danville, CA, USA Member No.: 27 |
QUOTE (94bird @ Sep 15 2004, 08:31 PM) Sometimes you scare me Randy. A Miata would get stuck in a snow berm in the Chicago area. Just when you got stuck some guy in a 4WD truck would then just run you over for the fun of it. you SHOULD KNOW BY NOW...I HATE MIATAS...it was a joke... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) |
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Sep 16 2004, 03:34 AM
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#8
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Chapter 11 Racing Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,166 Joined: 15-February 04 From: Houston, Republic of Texas Member No.: 207 |
I highly recommend a Geo Metro...3 cyl, 5 spd. 45 mpg ave; tires can be bought in sets of four, mounted, balanced for less than $180 (60,000 mile tire). I bought my metro for $1000 last year. I figure with the 12,000 miles I put on it I saved myself $600 in gasoline alone, not to mention the insurance. Plus I also got hit, and the other insurance company gave me $1150 =)
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Sep 16 2004, 05:30 AM
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#9
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Insert catch phrase here Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,098 Joined: 23-December 03 From: Michigan Member No.: 20 |
QUOTE (rmackintosh @ Sep 15 2004, 10:51 PM) you SHOULD KNOW BY NOW...I HATE MIATAS...it was a joke... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Yes, I know. I just figured I'd complete the picture with a Miata crunched into a little ball. |
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Sep 16 2004, 11:30 AM
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#10
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FRRAX Owner/Admin Group: Admin Posts: 15,432 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Ohio Member No.: 196 |
QUOTE (94bird @ Sep 16 2004, 12:30 AM) QUOTE (rmackintosh @ Sep 15 2004, 10:51 PM) you SHOULD KNOW BY NOW...I HATE MIATAS...it was a joke... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Yes, I know. I just figured I'd complete the picture with a Miata crunched into a little ball. Miata soccer? You take one Miata, 8 guys in lifted 4wd pickups, get a big parking lot and then you...... |
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Sep 16 2004, 01:14 PM
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#11
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Apex? What apex? Group: Advanced Members Posts: 245 Joined: 7-January 04 From: Portland, OR Member No.: 106 |
Depending on exactly what you are looking for, and Audi like mine might fit your needs. I love driving it everyday, its got ALL the extra's, heated seats, etc. The only hitch will be if something goes wrong with it, then you are dealing with a german car, which means its engineered bass ackwards, and parts can be expensive. I have gotten lucky and found a great local parts guy, who usualy cross refrences the Audi parts, with VW parts, and can get stuff for cheap. I also haven't had any major issues. but it is a blast to drive. 170hp, 2800lbs, and AWD. I usualy get about 26-30mpg per tank (according to the trip computer).
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Sep 16 2004, 01:31 PM
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#12
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FRRAX Owner/Admin Group: Admin Posts: 15,432 Joined: 13-February 04 From: Ohio Member No.: 196 |
QUOTE (Dewey316 @ Sep 16 2004, 08:14 AM) Depending on exactly what you are looking for, and Audi like mine might fit your needs. I love driving it everyday, its got ALL the extra's, heated seats, etc. The only hitch will be if something goes wrong with it, then you are dealing with a german car, which means its engineered bass ackwards, and parts can be expensive. I have gotten lucky and found a great local parts guy, who usualy cross refrences the Audi parts, with VW parts, and can get stuff for cheap. I also haven't had any major issues. but it is a blast to drive. 170hp, 2800lbs, and AWD. I usualy get about 26-30mpg per tank (according to the trip computer). I'm guessing you have an A4? I just helped pull the transmission out of an A4 Quattro with the 2.8 V6 in it. I can tell you, pulling Audi AWD transmissions sucks. I mean SUCKS. My friend got a "new" gearbox for his, with 21,000 miles on it, for $1700 plus frieght. Oof. |
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Sep 16 2004, 03:29 PM
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#13
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Apex? What apex? Group: Advanced Members Posts: 245 Joined: 7-January 04 From: Portland, OR Member No.: 106 |
no, mines older than that.
I have a 90quattro, with the 2.2l I5. (as listed in my sig (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ) |
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Sep 16 2004, 03:42 PM
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#14
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Senior Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 5,226 Joined: 24-December 03 From: Danville, CA, USA Member No.: 27 |
QUOTE (94bird @ Sep 15 2004, 11:30 PM) QUOTE (rmackintosh @ Sep 15 2004, 10:51 PM) you SHOULD KNOW BY NOW...I HATE MIATAS...it was a joke... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Yes, I know. I just figured I'd complete the picture with a Miata crunched into a little ball. Miata's all balled up.....bout the ONLY way I like 'em! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) |
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Sep 17 2004, 12:49 AM
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#15
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Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,887 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Pearland, Texas Member No.: 385 |
Trouble is, everyone is selling Miatas like they are going to be SM racecars. Everyone is selling 240 SXs like they are going to be made into Silvia clones. Screw that, get a nice 3rd Gen F Body. Cheap, with a 305, you can get 20s mileage, and there are billions of replacement parts available. :-)
I know where a 92 B4C 1LE ex-Texas DPS car is for sale for $5500, and it's not mine. :-) Gene Beaird 86 SVO, G Stock, unless the Firebird is broken, 92 B4C 1LE Camaro, CP Rain Car, 85 Firebird, CP Pearland, Texas |
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Sep 17 2004, 01:17 AM
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#16
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Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 620 Joined: 24-December 03 From: Chester, VA Member No.: 22 |
If the stigma of a Chrysler won't hurt your ego, consider a FWD from them. Most of the Daytona/Shadow/Omni/ Acclaim models share platforms. Parts are cheap and plentiful, and they're easy to work on. I've re-rung two 2.5 liter engines in the frame, and the heads can be pulled in less than an hour. My son had a Sundance that had over 290,000 miles when we gave it away.
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Sep 17 2004, 02:36 AM
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#17
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Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 67 Joined: 17-September 04 From: Houston, TEXAS Member No.: 460 |
Hello, first post here and my suggestion is of something different to look into... like the pre '90 Isuzu Impulse JR (RWD), the post '90 Isuzu Impulse (FWD), or the Geo Storm GSI (akin to the Isuzu Impulse like the firebird is to the camaro). Handling is supposed to be decent on the impulses (Lotus designed suspension) and they are pretty inexpensive vehicles...the only question would be one of reliability, but I've heard plenty of good things about them, with no major problems. If you want AWD there is a Turbo Impulse RS that is AWD also.
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Sep 18 2004, 12:53 AM
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#18
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Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 256 Joined: 13-January 04 From: Tucson, AZ Member No.: 123 |
Maybe a 90's VW Golf - my friend just got one ('91 I think) to race instead of his newer ('03) GTI, and he loves the way it turns (even on stock suspension)
-Jeff |
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Sep 18 2004, 09:13 AM
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#19
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newbie Group: Members Posts: 15 Joined: 7-September 04 Member No.: 452 |
we are on our second prelude (frist got hit by a f-350 with bald tires in the rain) here and we love them. it way out handles my z28 and its kinda quick with a 5 sp. all in all a really nice car its also real light so it stays on top of hard pack snow well and being a front driver its got a little weight placement advantage i would look for a 4th gen 92-96 those are the best since we had a 92 then got a 95si.
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Sep 18 2004, 03:33 PM
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#20
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Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 181 Joined: 28-December 03 From: Sacramento Member No.: 57 |
QUOTE (NecoOmnis @ Sep 18 2004, 01:13 AM) i would look for a 4th gen 92-96 those are the best since we had a 92 then got a 95si. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) |
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