jtpaintballwdp

iTrader: (14)

So I'm looking to buy a DD so when I have the funds I can take the Miata down, do a 1.8 swap and turbo it again.

I'm looking for something reliable, practical, and fuel efficient. Driving the girlfriends Jeep back and fourth to work just isn't cutting it in the fuel department although its been solid as far as reliability goes.

Budget is $7k or less, in this range I was looking at 99-00 Civic EX, and Mk4 Jetta TDI wagons. I know the Civic will be bullet proof, and more in the 5-6k range you can get one that's clean with fairly low miles (and 6uls fit!).

As for the Jetta... its a VW so I'm sure it'll have its fair share of electrical issues (CEL lol), but apparently the TDI motors last forever. $7k seems to be the starting point for the Jetta TDI wagons.

Let me hear the opinions, and suggestions, I'm open to anything really.

lub

buy a dub, ignore CEL. NBD.

curly

iTrader: (25)

Does that budget have room for any 2.0 liter 5spd Mazda 3s? The girlfriend's 2.5 liter auto gets mid 20's, others I've talked to we're saying mid to low 30's for the above mentioned 2.0l standard.

jtpaintballwdp

iTrader: (14)

I would have to look, I haven't really consider them yet, I was looking at Mazdaspeed Proteges which seem near impossible to find in decent condition or possibly a Mazda Protege 5 with a MSP conversion.

The main thing that appeals to me about the Jetta is the space, and from what i have read from actual drivers is the 45ish mpg combined cycle.


Im going to look in to the 3 right now. Thanks for the suggestion!

curly

iTrader: (25)

That or '08+ lancers. Love mine. Don't think they're down in that range yet though. Only $12,000 new though, so I'd you find a 4 year old one....

They're more fun to drive but less gas mileage.

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

escort gt

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

You mention 6UL's... so is this DD going to be something you look at modifying? May I suggest that since the purpose is to save money to finish the Miata, that you buy something that is pure and simple Pt.A to Pt.B transportation that you feel zero urge to modify.

If your ego dictates that it absolutely has to be a manual tranny and get 30mpg, and be bulletproof... there is no other choice than a Toyota Corolla. If you want to buy American, then a Dodge Neon.

Don't fart around and buy a Civic that will temp you to grab some eBay coilovers and browse Craigslist for used BuddyClub chassis braces and set your Miata project back that much further. Get a true BEATER that you could give a less about. Yes, take good care of it, but leave it stock and be happy and treat yourself to a hooker once a week with the savings.

Here, already equipped with tint and dubs:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/m...786675740.html

Even better... pocket $5k or get your girlfriend/wife some ****... or weekly hooker:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...786048786.html

DAMN!!! This post was full of appropriate and tasteful cursing and the new rules edited out my awesomeness... damn you Google!!!

rmcelwee

iTrader: (1)

1. Buy a nice Geo Metro
2. Wait for gas prices to go up
3. ????
4. Profit

Seriously, I DD my $2,000 50 MPG Geo Metro. It pays for itself every year with fuel, insurance, taxes, repairs and APPRECIATES in value. The difference between a $2K Metro and a $7K Jetta will pay for your turbo project. OR, worry about what your friends think and pay too much for a car/fuel.

cpolly69

iTrader: (2)

02-06 focus zx3

or if you can swing it on the budget an 02-04 svt


i just went thru the same thing trying to get something before winter started with the same budget - i couldn't find good svt in my area in time so i wound up getting this


i had an svt years ago and i loved it - handling is fantastic and it's no king on power, but it's not bad....

jtpaintballwdp

iTrader: (14)

All really good points, maybe a corolla is the way to go.

curly

iTrader: (25)

OMG no. I'm sorry, but just because it's a DD doesn't mean you have to subject yourself to the slow and painful death from boredom that is a Dodge Neon or Toyota Corolla.

I mean have some self restraint, you know? Buy something that's both fun and gets good mileage, but don't spend any money on it. Since buying my '08 Lancer I've put $50 in to mud flaps to keep rocks from chipping the paint, and put nice tires on it after the OEM ones were dead at 22,000 miles. I splurged this Christmas and asked for a $200 short shifter than includes aluminum bushings to tighten up the FailWD shifter, but that's it.

If you're going to mod your DD, you're going to mod it. Don't buy something boring and convince yourself you won't mod it because it's boring. You'll just have a taller mountain to climb to make it reasonably fun.

paNX2K&SE-R

iTrader: (8)

Infiniti G20: SR20 power, dead reliable, cheap parts, good sized trunk, very comfortable, handles well for a ff sedan, good mileage, 600 mile highway range, easily available at your price point.

I owned 2 P10s and 2 P11s with mileage ranging from 152-252k and none of them let me down.

Opti

Except that when a bushing or ball joint goes bad you have to buy a whole control arm, and they go bad all the time.

Also finding axles for those can be a pain in the *** especially if, you have the LSD.
I like them but I hate finding parts for them. You can find anything online but I dont like having to wait on an order for parts on a DD.

I want to be able to go down to the parts house buy my parts, be done in an hour and carry on, with my life not giving a damn about the DD.

Opti

Lately Ive been wanting to find an MX6 but they arent common around here and I have no idea if they are reliable and if parts are readily available.

I pretty much like all of mazdas cars, Love the 3 and the 6, also the MX6. I know the 3s are pretty reliable, but I dont ever see the 6s, except for a few speeds.

LS1 6speed camaro.
Can find them for 7K, if you get LS1 and dont put a wicked clutch in it, they are dead nuts reliable. Ive seen them get almost 30mpg. My LT1 got 28mpg, with 3.73s, Intake and headers.

Always liked the protege wagons and kia has some wagon that looks similar, spectra5 or something like that.

These questions always get me cause I can think about thinks I hate about every car.

TorqueZombie

iTrader: (6)

Any 91-98 Nissan SE-R. Loved mine and if I find one in good shape again it'll be a dd for me. We sold our 97 Neon last year and have regretted it. But, moving across country with 3 cars and a bike is a pain so it had to go. Rocked 38mpg highway

samnavy

iTrader: (7)

There are lots of choices about what to buy, but how much you spend hinges on just one thing...

Say to yourself this...
"Self, I've got around $7k to spend on a car to get me around. It's just a car to get me from here to there and save me money on gas/insurance/maintenance so I can fnish my Miata."

Evil Self Replies...
"Dude, start checking CL for a bitchin SR20 swapped Datsun 510... super reliable and they don't weigh anything, so you'll get like 40mpg no sweat."

Good Self Replies...
"Sorry for interrupting, but I couldn't help by noticing that we haven't been laid in a long freaking time... may I suggest that we sell the Miata for parts, add that to the $7k we've got, and head to Vegas."

Good self is always looking out for your best interests.

gearhead_318

iTrader: (1)

Get a camaro with a t-top. B!ches love t-tops.

TorqueZombie

iTrader: (6)

Or get another N/A Miata on the cheap, use it for a daily, also a handmedown parts car from the boosted car, good mileage, and you know how to work on it already. It works out well for me, except I went the other way around and bought the turbo one second. More Miata's makes more awesome

matthewdesigns

iTrader: (8)

I'm currently DDing a '93 Protege DX, with the 1.8L SOHC B8. Even with 238K on the clock it runs like a top, gets 35+mpg on the highway, and costs nothing to maintain. Same Mazda chassis (BG) as the Ecsort GT, so a number of things are interchangeable (like suspension bits). You cold pick one of these up for less than $2K in great shape.

jtpaintballwdp

iTrader: (14)

I have looked at these a bit, and have always liked them, I had a 240sx SR swap, I know its not the DET, but I have a decent knowledge about it.

Luckily I'm good in this department.


I'd love to pick up another NA, or a clean NB and use the NA as a DD, but I really need something bigger (for the dogs), and preferably FWD/AWD just for winter convenience.


Been some excellent suggestions, going to start looking at some of them! Im tired of driving my slow Miata