mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

No worries, I don't offend easily and I am curious about your point, because it really isn't super persuasive to me.

I mean, one the one hand I understand your larger argument -- the transactional cost of making just an incremental upgrade may not be worth it. I don't disagree with that in principle.

On the other hand, I have owned cars that were 8-10 years old, with 120-160k miles, that were in considerably nicer condition and had led much easier lives than the 17-year old, 235k mile Sentra I'm currently driving. That GTI, for example. While I recognize now that it's not a wise choice, due to the general VW issues, and the TSI engine's penchant for grenading if/when the timing chain tensioner fails, it is an example of a car that is a several years newer, with 80k fewer miles, and would be a safer and much more fun/interesting daily driver than my car. Say I find something like that for $5k, and sell my Sentra for $1600-1800. Is a bit more than $3k a reasonable cost to make a switch like that? I'm not saying it's a slam-dunk, but I don't think it's a decision worthy of ridicule either.

Also keep in mind, I've considered this same decision many times over the last few years, and so far I just keep driving the Sentra, which is fine. Previously, it was my wife's car since she rarely drove, and I had a nicer/newer Mazda 3 hatchback that died one night on the interstate when someone pulled into my lane in a driving rain. We took the insurance check and bought a RAV4 family wagon for my wife, and I took the Sentra. If I keep topping off the oil and the R134a, then it generally gets me to work and back home in not too much of a sweaty mess. But I don't see why I wouldn't keep looking, and at least consider when something better at the right price might come along.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Eh, I don't know, maybe my initial post was misleading. I have a daily beater, and I'm fine to drive it for another year or two if it makes it that far. But the age-related issues are piling up a bit, and if a good deal on something interesting comes along, I would consider replacing it. I saw the GTI ad and wanted feedback, as I am not super-familar with VW's and initial research on the VW forum was not very fruitful. Nothing more than that.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

I thought of maybe a better way to explain my position:

In practice, I have actually agreed with exactly your point, many times over. Over the last 2 or 3 years, I have looked at hundreds if not thousands of cars on craigslist or wherever and thought, "Hmm, I wonder if that would be a worthwhile upgrade from the Sentra?" And so far, every single time I've decided that it just made more sense to keep driving the Sentra, and save the money (or put it to better uses). I'm much, much more likely to just keep driving the Sentra until it finally dies than anything else. But occasionally a car will pop up like the GTI, that is (superficially) enticing enough and about which my knowledge level is low enough that I'll post something to get feedback from those who know better. And again, it's much more likely that the advice I receive will result in me deciding to just keep driving the Sentra.

Does that make any more sense?

DNMakinson

iTrader: (3)

Totally

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Totally out of left field but just stumbled on a 2006 MX-5 Base model, 5 speed manual with 118k miles for just a bit over $4k. Clean title, no rust, no accident history. Did have a parking lot dent in the driver's side rear quarter panel, but was repaired professionally.

curly

iTrader: (25)

That's much, MUCH better. Sad times when a NC is better than a 150k VW, but it's the sad truth.

I personally hate the NC, it's 80% RX8 (last 20% being the rotary engine), which by default makes it a terrible car. They're not terrible to work on, just more time consuming and difficult access than NA/NB by a large margin. We seem to get nothing but coolant issues or blown engines in our shop. But we've done a few suspension swaps to MCS to make the heavy pig handle well. Coolant issues are usually a radiator (PITA to replace), or a thermostat (also a PITA). Goodwin says the expansion tanks like to fail, I therefore watch them like a hawk but haven't seen a bad one yet. Engine issue was due to owner neglect, we did a 2.5 swap and it was pretty spectacular, and anyone who's driven a 2.5 swap will agree.

Don't get me wrong, they're fun to drive. If I had $4k to spend on a Miata, it'd be a difficult decision. If I knew I was working on my own car, 100% late model NB. If I was ok spending some money at a shop, 80% NC. Might still want an NB if I found a good one.

DaWaN

This.
I was in the same kind of situation three years ago when I wrecked my mini-me swapped 1996 Civic.
Now that car was fun to drive, economical and very reliable.
So I thought: lets spend around 3000 euro to buy something reliable and fun to drive. That was the kind of money I spent on building the Civic, so I should be able to buy something better for that, right?
I bought a 1999 Lexus IS200 with the 6MT and 155.000 miles (250.000 km) on the clock.
Rear wheel drive with a limited slip, 6MT and Toyota / Lexus reliability: what can go wrong?
Turns out a lot can go wrong on these.
Maintenance I have done in the last three years:
-6 new tires
-Sticking brake calipers on all four corners: had to rebuild all 4 calipers (8 new pistons, etc.)
-Brake discs and calipers (upgraded brake pads for track use)
-Dead ignition coil (replaced all 6 coils and plugs to prevent that from happening again)
-Blown up pre-cats clogging the main cat (expensive as hell 3x cats, exhaust was also too rusty to re-use)
-Major suspension overhaul (steering joints, ball joints (front and back), bushings all around, springs, dampers)
-Burned up the clutch and killed the dual mass flywheel (needed to replace both clutch and flywheel)
-Interior stuff going wrong: air mix servo and fan motor
Now the prop shaft is also dead and needs replacement.
After that is done it is probably all right for the next 75.000 miles. It can do track days now and it is a nice cruiser on the autobahn though (sits very comfortably at 110 mph / 180 kmh), but I am not sure it was worth all the trouble.
This car has kept me from working on the MX-5 and buying this pile was a big mistake. Wish I had just bought a mid-00's Toyota / Honda boring shitbox, because if I had done so the MX-5 would have been on the road by now.

BBro

z31maniac

I thought the N/S63 was fairly problematic as well?

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Sure. Nothing wrong with "looking" at all. That's how killer deals are found.
As long as when you're looking for a step up it's a true step up, and not another hooptie. I did a brief search on CL just outa curiosity, there really aint much (or basically at all) under 10k that I'd consider a proper "upgrade" even over a crusty old sentra. Either you get a much cooler car that will keep you in the garage fixing/replacing/maintaining, or you get a reliable car that's so boring you fall asleep looking at it, or you gotta spend some monayyzz

I dunno about you, but I get no enjoyment (anymore) from constantly replacing/fixing/maintaining. Used to be fun before life, kids, eleventy billion responsibilities, etc.

Now, I could care less. I want a car that's cool that I never have to touch aside from enjoying daily. I thought that's what you were looking for too

TheBandit

iTrader: (8)

I drive an e90 335i sedan (MT) most days and I've been quite surprised at how much car you can get for the money. Try to buy one that the injectors and coils have already been updated on. I also daily a bugeye WRX wagon, which works well without the luxury aspect. Good luck!

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

I daily a 1990 Turbo Miata coming up on 250K miles.

Man up, cupcake!

18psi

iTrader: (76)

This guy
I like this guy.
No AC either right?

I officially change my suggestion to: exocet

x_25

I have been dailying my $1k 99 NB. Would be nice if the AC worked and driver window wasn't full manual... But otherwise great little daily. (I technically have a Honda Fit as a daily, but it mostly just fets used on stupidly humid days or when I need to lug stuff).

That said, an NC is high on my list if I were daily shopping.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Drove over to Monroe, LA last night and looked at the NC. Not in great shape, the kind of car that looks pretty good in less-than-HD craigslist pics but is a good bit rougher in person.

Body and paint were good. Engine/drivetrain was iffy. Some kind of rough/buzzy noise when the throttle was tipped-in off idle. Lots of oil seeping from the valve cover gasket (and soaking the alternator). Oil level was dangerously low (the guy wasn't sure how to read the dipstick, but assured me that always "stays on top of the fluid levels"). On the test drive, there was a whining coming from the rear end that matched the road speed, not engine speed...maybe rear diff?

Decided to pass on that car. I was tempted to super-lowball and see if I could pick it up for $3k, drive it until the engine goes and then swap in a 2.5 liter. But a new project car is not part of the plan right now.

It was good to test drive an NC though. I liked it well enough, but man it's totally different from an NA/NB. All the controls are very muted feeling in comparison. The hood is noticeably higher, can't really see the front corners like you can in an NA/NB. And definitely feels a good bit more claustrophobic with the top up. But overall, still a fun little car, and probably a more livable daily driver.

Goingnowherefast

iTrader: (1)

Correct. 2008.5+ have the TSI which is a better, strong motor in most cases.

FSI issues: Cam Follower, Carbon Buildup
TSI issues: Timing chain tensioner, Water pump

OP, I had a MK5, MK7, and a family MK6. I wrote most of the DIY's and sticky's on our forums so feel free to shoot me any MK5-MK7 questions. As for the original question... I miss my MK5 so so much. It was a great car.

ridethecliche

iTrader: (2)

Probably a bit more than your initial budget depending on condition, but a mid 2000's TL is a pretty solid get as well. I have an 06 with ~120k on it and it's a pretty awesome daily. Not the best on gas though, if you care about it. If you could live with it year round, though, I 100% second the late NB rec from curly. A friend recently got a 04 NB2 and the car just feels super nice.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Well, I may have done a dumb thing, but at least I won't be driving around a Sentra anymore.

z31maniac

TTOOOOORRRRQQQQQUUUUUEEEEEEE SSSSTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRR!

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

mazda > nissan.