Notices
Insert BS here A place to discuss anything you want

Not just another "Daily Driver Quest" thread (HAHA YES IT IS) [Volvo Experts Needed]

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 22, 2014 | 01:36 PM
  #101  
concealer404's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,206
Default

Runs fine above 2800rpms. Will be fine @ 70mph on the highway.

Does not stall, just runs like crap. Apparently only pulling 16 inches of vacuum at idle. Unsure if that's due to a leak, or low RPM. For reference, mine was still pulling 18-19" with a big cam.

Owner says he drove it 1 hour one way to and from the shop that told him the timing and compression were good without major incident.


If you're still seriously interested, send me an email at celicahalftrac at geemale dawt *** and i can put you in contact with him.
Old Mar 13, 2014 | 06:14 PM
  #102  
Slider's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 244
Total Cats: 10
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Anyone have any experience with the 2000-2004 Ford Focus, seen a few wagons popup even one with a 5spd. How's the reliability on them?
Old Mar 13, 2014 | 07:02 PM
  #103  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Had an 04 or 05 Focus ZX4 ST for a while. It wasn't terrible. Decent power. Good ride and handling. Steering was okay. Shifter sucked. Interior was cheap looking and feeling. Driving position was odd -- seats were upright, like a van or SUV.
Old Mar 13, 2014 | 07:03 PM
  #104  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

The MX6 GT guy disappeared. Won't respond to emails.

I'm still looking. Going to check out a 1987 325es this weekend. Definitely doesn't hit all the requirements on my list, but the ac works, it's cheap, and I've never owned an E30.
Old Mar 13, 2014 | 08:04 PM
  #105  
turbofan's Avatar
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,146
Total Cats: 1,087
From: Lake Forest, CA
Default

Those Focus wagons are reliable little cars. Cheap feeling but drive well and last a long time. You'll get rattles and stuff but they go a long time.

E30 win.
__________________
Ed@949Racing/Supermiata
www.949racing.com
Old Mar 13, 2014 | 08:29 PM
  #106  
soviet's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,493
Total Cats: 269
From: VA
Default

For reference, I drive a $500 1992 Nissan Sentra, 4 door, auto.

Two points:
- They are taxis in Mexico and the B13 sentra was produced and sold new until 2011(?) Tsuru - Autos | Nissan Mexicana
- I raced one in LeMons and they are bulletproof - 250k miles on motor and it did 6 races (14hr each) within a season.

They are all pieces of **** but run great and parts are dirt cheap. I put over 10k miles on mine and its a champ. I regularly drive back and forth between Norfolk and DC - 200 mile one way. I did a little bit of maintenance - for $150 I replaced front brakes, plug wires, plugs, all filters, oil, light bulbs and wipers. I think one of the CV axles is going - they are only $100 for pair, shipped!

The only major fail was the exhaust falling off but should have seen it coming. Replaced with a junkard part for $40.

Last weekend drove with me + 3 passengers, loaded with crap. I was doing 85mph most of the time and still got 30mpg. Aw yeah.
Old Mar 14, 2014 | 12:01 AM
  #107  
Slider's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 244
Total Cats: 10
From: Chicago, IL
Default

As far as the e30 make sure to check the fuel tank, it usually leaks at the crossover tube, check the rear brake lines to those tend to rust. Shifter will probably feel like garbage, there's a bunch of bushings that go out on those, check rear battery tray for rust. Bunch of stuff I'm forgetting but if you google common problems something should pop up.

Originally Posted by turbofan
Those Focus wagons are reliable little cars. Cheap feeling but drive well and last a long time. You'll get rattles and stuff but they go a long time.

E30 win.
Oh I have a 1990 Celica that I put polyurethane motor mounts in high school 8 years ago, so I know all about rattles. I'm sure it would be an improvement, I wouldn't mind the cheap interior.

Originally Posted by soviet
For reference, I drive a $500 1992 Nissan Sentra, 4 door, auto.

Two points:
- They are taxis in Mexico and the B13 sentra was produced and sold new until 2011(?) Tsuru - Autos | Nissan Mexicana
- I raced one in LeMons and they are bulletproof - 250k miles on motor and it did 6 races (14hr each) within a season.

They are all pieces of **** but run great and parts are dirt cheap. I put over 10k miles on mine and its a champ. I regularly drive back and forth between Norfolk and DC - 200 mile one way. I did a little bit of maintenance - for $150 I replaced front brakes, plug wires, plugs, all filters, oil, light bulbs and wipers. I think one of the CV axles is going - they are only $100 for pair, shipped!

The only major fail was the exhaust falling off but should have seen it coming. Replaced with a junkard part for $40.

Last weekend drove with me + 3 passengers, loaded with crap. I was doing 85mph most of the time and still got 30mpg. Aw yeah.
Awesome cars, was looking for an Infnity G20 too. Unfortunately in Chicago most Sentras aren't garage kept cars so most of them are in junkyards by now due to rust. How are the B14s? seen a few of those pop up. I've been looking for 4 cylinder Camry's (98-01), Corollas, late 90's Impreza Wagons, Accords.
Old Mar 23, 2014 | 11:34 PM
  #108  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Got the bug for a 2002-2005 Civic SI hatchback. I know the EP3 is kind of the bastard child of the SI lineage but it seems ideal for my purposes, which is simply as a reasonably entertaining, practical daily driver. Unfortunately it's just one more car that's rather difficult to find a clean, reasonably priced example of.
Old Mar 24, 2014 | 10:43 AM
  #109  
Efini~FC3S's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,317
Total Cats: 99
From: Charlotte, NC
Default

k24 swap

/thread
Old Mar 24, 2014 | 12:45 PM
  #110  
thenuge26's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,267
Total Cats: 239
From: Indianapolis
Default

I heard that MX6 GT guy got his car running well again, so I'm not too surprised he disappeared on you. I think it was just a bad MAF like Concealer suspected.
Old Mar 24, 2014 | 12:58 PM
  #111  
concealer404's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,206
Default

Well... the issue came back, from what i hear. But he's not responding to my emails either, so that kindof sucks.

I'm still keeping my eye out for another one. There was a rash of nice ones recently, but i think the closest one i saw to him was in PA.
Old Mar 24, 2014 | 01:04 PM
  #112  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Yeah, I don't mind if he decides to keep the car one way or another...that's his right. But flaking out and not responding to emails kind of sucks. Just tell me you don't want to sell right now.
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 01:03 AM
  #113  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Daily driver secured. 2004, 113k miles, 2 owners, spent its entire life in Pelham, AL.



Stopped for dinner on the way back (not at Taco Bell). Found a twin!

Attached Thumbnails Not just another "Daily Driver Quest" thread (HAHA YES IT IS) [Volvo Experts Needed]-photo-1.jpg   Not just another "Daily Driver Quest" thread (HAHA YES IT IS) [Volvo Experts Needed]-photo-2.jpg  
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 01:53 AM
  #114  
turbofan's Avatar
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,146
Total Cats: 1,087
From: Lake Forest, CA
Default

So what'd you pay for it?
__________________
Ed@949Racing/Supermiata
www.949racing.com
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 02:14 AM
  #115  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Just over $6K. Well over my original budget but since I couldn't find anything I had some extra time to save up.
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 09:00 AM
  #116  
curly's Avatar
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 15,197
Total Cats: 1,398
From: Oregon City, OR
Default

Nice work! 5 speed I'm hoping? 2L or 2.3? Plans for turbo?
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 09:24 AM
  #117  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Yup, 5 speed manual. 2.3l engine (pretty sure all the hatchbacks were 2.3l's). Honestly it's got more than enough power for a daily driver (for me).

Probably the only mods I'll be looking into are braces to see if any of them help stiffen up the body. Suspension is a touch softer than I'd like, but I don't want to spend money on a crappy aftermarket setup that will ruin the ride. Might just replace the shocks with OEM units at some point. Anyone know if the MS3 suspension swaps in easily (and is a worthy upgrade)?
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 09:39 AM
  #118  
curly's Avatar
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 15,197
Total Cats: 1,398
From: Oregon City, OR
Default

I'm with ya there. My Lancer is way too soft. But I do enjoy those large smooth speed bumps. I've always wanted GTS suspension, but I've never truly looked. Maybe when the stock stuff wears out.

GTS:


ES:


Supposedly the GTS is lower?

I'm sure the mazdaspeed stuff bolts in.



Attached Thumbnails Not just another "Daily Driver Quest" thread (HAHA YES IT IS) [Volvo Experts Needed]-2008-mitsubishi-lancer-4-door-sedan-cvt-gts-side-exterior-view_100286088_l.jpg   Not just another "Daily Driver Quest" thread (HAHA YES IT IS) [Volvo Experts Needed]-mitsubishi-lancer-es-09.jpg   Not just another "Daily Driver Quest" thread (HAHA YES IT IS) [Volvo Experts Needed]-2009-mazda-mazda3-4-door-sedan-auto-i-touring-value-side-exterior-view_100246180_l.jpg   Not just another "Daily Driver Quest" thread (HAHA YES IT IS) [Volvo Experts Needed]-2007-mazdaspeed3-side.jpg  
Old Mar 31, 2014 | 12:59 PM
  #119  
turbofan's Avatar
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,146
Total Cats: 1,087
From: Lake Forest, CA
Default

Those 3 hatches are sure great looking cars. Glad Mazda has decided to make good-looking cars again after the failure which was the 2010-2013 model...
__________________
Ed@949Racing/Supermiata
www.949racing.com
Old Apr 8, 2014 | 07:47 PM
  #120  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Really loving this 3 as a daily driver. So nice to have a modern car that's quiet and rides nice over these terrible roads.

Apparently the passenger side engine mounts on these fail regularly. They are gel/fluid filled units and often tear and leak within 50-60k miles. I figured with 114k miles it was time to do it and ordered an OEM replacement. Started the job on Saturday morning.

Oh look! Someone rounded off one of the nuts on the engine mount. So now I'm waiting on replacement nuts and studs to arrive (nut will definitely have to be replaced, stud just in case I mess it up in the removal process), and hoping that the nut remover socket will work. Been spraying the mount nuts and bolts with Aero Kroil every day. We shall see.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:06 PM.