Insert BS here A place to discuss anything you want

Help me pick a daily driver!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-10-2007, 11:09 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
ApexOnYou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Eastern Wisconsin
Posts: 1,274
Total Cats: 0
Default Help me pick a daily driver!

So i've decided its time to sell my seven, and buy a different daily driver. Im looking to spend no more than 10k, its going to be left stock mechanically. Ideally I should get a four door, but im not limiting myself to only four doors. I've been seriously considering a 2002-2003 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ , but have also been toying with the idea of a FD, but temptation to modify might bite me in the *** if I buy something that I would want to play with, and although I dont think it would be worse than the winter I spent driving the Miata, im sure a FD would suck in the snow. Im considering the galant since I would get a good deal through work, and would have money left over for whatever. The FD however would run me dry. Anyone have any other ideas? No domestics
ApexOnYou is offline  
Old 11-10-2007, 11:25 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
SamS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,269
Total Cats: 7
Default

I did a month-long search for a daily a couple months ago. My criteria was: import, fwd or awd for snow, moderately fun to drive, and hatchback since I move every year in college.

I didn't want a civic since they're overpriced and way too common around here. I ended up with a GTI since my dad found a one-owner 2000 in very good condition for $6k. The smooth, quiet ride spoils me on those 300 mile trips to and from school, and I get about 28mpg on the freeway averaging 80mph. I just hope it stays decently reliable for the next few years.

Name:  1013071425.jpg
Views: 72
Size:  60.5 KB

Name:  1013071426.jpg
Views: 75
Size:  55.1 KB

Name:  1013071426a.jpg
Views: 64
Size:  56.4 KB
SamS is offline  
Old 11-10-2007, 11:25 PM
  #3  
Elite Member
iTrader: (13)
 
cjernigan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8,091
Total Cats: 7
Default

Mazda protege. Over 30 mpg, 4 door, slow, cheap on tires, cheap on gas, cheap on insurance. Plus you already know the motor if something goes wrong.
I only say that because my g/f has one, we take it on trips to save money on gas.
I personally want a small diesel car that i can convert to vegetable oil. Like a diesel rabbit. My schools cafeteria will provide me with all the oil i want.
cjernigan is offline  
Old 11-10-2007, 11:26 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
mikeflys1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: N/A
Posts: 359
Total Cats: 0
Default

I was gonna make a joke about the reliability of the mitsu but then i saw you've owned a few rx7's
mikeflys1 is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 12:05 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
ApexOnYou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Eastern Wisconsin
Posts: 1,274
Total Cats: 0
Default

Hey Mitsus are reliable.. DSMs aren't because of their chrystler blood, but everything else is for the most part. DSMs just give mitsubishi a bad rep.

Sam - This is random but out of curiosity, is that grille stock?
ApexOnYou is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 12:09 AM
  #6  
Elite Member
iTrader: (24)
 
kotomile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 7,537
Total Cats: 42
Default

I use an SRT4 as my backup beater when the Miata's down, it's a 4 door but you said no domestics..

Agree the FD would be too much temptation to mod, I'd get an EG Civic for a daily if I were you. Good on gas, reliable, inexpensive to maintain, hell even if you blew the engine a used D series is like $50 lol.
kotomile is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 12:12 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
SamS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,269
Total Cats: 7
Default

Originally Posted by ApexOnYou
Sam - This is random but out of curiosity, is that grille stock?
No, it's made by Kamei or something like that. The grill and window tint were the only mods done by the previous owner.
SamS is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 12:33 AM
  #8  
Elite Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Trent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 1,651
Total Cats: 39
Default

Originally Posted by ApexOnYou
Hey Mitsus are reliable.. DSMs aren't because of their chrystler blood, but everything else is for the most part. DSMs just give mitsubishi a bad rep.
I have to disagree. The Galant has been one of the worst cars ever made, in my experience. My brother had a '91. It went through two transmissions in only 75,000 miles of light use.

My cousin had a '96. It decided one day that the overdrive gear was superfluous and stopped offering it as available. It also popped a headgasket at only 15,000 miles. The paint gave up the ghost within three years of ownership. The brake rotors would warp if you looked at them wrong.

My ex-girlfriend had an '01. Two motors within 60,000 miles.

None of those people were enthusiasts, just average folks driving to and from work/school/what have you.

With that track record, when I heard mitsubishi was offering a 100,000 mile warranty on drivetrains, i figured they would have been out of business by now. lol.

About the Chrysler blood: I had a '90 Dodge Spirit go to 375,000 completely worry-free miles before I got rid of it when i bought my first mx6. The air even still blew cold. It's a freak among its type, i'll grant that, but what a car.
Trent is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 02:58 AM
  #9  
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
TeamPLUR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 209
Total Cats: -1
Default

+1 on the unreliability of mitsu's, The shop my dad works at gets mitsu after mitsu, mostly eclipses, lots of galants, and surprisingly a buttload of 3000Gt's
even a VR4 every once in a while, and they specialize in Merc's and Bimmers o.0
hell my aunts evo's tranny went completely kaput after 30k mi, and thats driving from san diego to LA, mostly highway miles, not to mention shes 40 and drives like she is, i drove her evo the other day and the clutch/general tranny feel has never been the same.
thats just my rant about mitsu's
aside from that
I have a 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20 valve that i freakin ADORE
I have the DOHC 5 cyl, and it kills me on gas mileage, (shouldnt have turbocharged it . . .wait . . .)
but his leaner younger brother, the Audi 80 1.8E i hear gets nearly 35 mpg,
and i think its available with Q, not a bad choice i think, considering u can get one for less than 2000 bucks if they person doesnt know what they got


BTW: who needs headlights anyways?
TeamPLUR is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 03:05 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
firedog25's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 917
Total Cats: -8
Default

'02-'03 Bugeye Impreza WRX fo life!
firedog25 is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 03:25 AM
  #11  
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
TeamPLUR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 209
Total Cats: -1
Default

yeah impreza's are pretty impressive :P
nah tho i like the 99 coupe body, in that sonic mica blue i think they call it,
bugeye is a close second for me.
TeamPLUR is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 11:44 AM
  #12  
I'm Miserable!
iTrader: (5)
 
bryantaylor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: jacksonville, fl
Posts: 1,711
Total Cats: -1
Default

a couple year old taurus, impala, or buick would be a cheap, reliable, comfortable daily. or a ranger, hardbody/fronter, tacoma pickup too
bryantaylor is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 11:50 AM
  #13  
Ben
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (33)
 
Ben's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: atlanta-ish
Posts: 12,659
Total Cats: 134
Default

W124 Benz 4Matic Wagon.




I had a gray one for a while, and with exception of the self-leveling suspension, it was bullet proof. When the self leveling fails, you replace it with standard shocks. I have an extra set of AMG Monoblocks I haven't used in a few years if you end up with one
__________________
Chief of Floor Sweeping, DIYAutoTune.com & AMP EFI
Crew Chief, Car Owner & Least Valuable Driver, HongNorrthRacing

91 Turbo | 10AE Turbo | 01 Track Rat | #323 Mazda Champcar

Originally Posted by concealer404
Buy an MSPNP Pro, you'll feel better.
Ben is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 12:34 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
ApexOnYou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Eastern Wisconsin
Posts: 1,274
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by firedog25
'02-'03 Bugeye Impreza WRX fo life!
That ran through my mind but I dont think I could pick one up for less than 10k, they all seem to be 12ish. I didnt really look that hard though.

I think I made a mistake by considering the FD.. Now I cant get it out of my headdd
ApexOnYou is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 12:41 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
SamS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,269
Total Cats: 7
Default

If you get an FD, I will find you and make you let me drive it. Now are you still considering it?
SamS is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 01:10 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
ApexOnYou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Eastern Wisconsin
Posts: 1,274
Total Cats: 0
Default

Yes haha. Theres this LS1 FD for sale on ebay right now, and its just gorgeous.. I didnt know that a FD could look that sexy.
ApexOnYou is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 01:11 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
ApexOnYou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Eastern Wisconsin
Posts: 1,274
Total Cats: 0
Default

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS1-T...em160176668148
ApexOnYou is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 10:13 PM
  #18  
Elite Member
iTrader: (39)
 
Zabac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: High Point NC
Posts: 4,850
Total Cats: 8
Default

sounds to me you already made up your mind
Zabac is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 10:20 PM
  #19  
Elite Member
 
Philip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,270
Total Cats: -4
Default

Originally Posted by Ben
W124 Benz 4Matic Wagon.




I had a gray one for a while, and with exception of the self-leveling suspension, it was bullet proof. When the self leveling fails, you replace it with standard shocks. I have an extra set of AMG Monoblocks I haven't used in a few years if you end up with one
do want
Philip is offline  
Old 11-11-2007, 10:21 PM
  #20  
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
hustler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
Default

any vw/audi in that price range is not going to be reliable. The 2005+ cars may be more reliable, but its still not a solid choice.

I vote for the protege because they're cheap, but I'm sold on subaru. I love my 2k outback wagon. I should have bought one a long time ago.
hustler is offline  


Quick Reply: Help me pick a daily driver!



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:50 PM.