Mostly #1, with a little #2. That is, I won't want something that requires frequent maintenance, but I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't consider some mild bolt-ons that don't affect reliability. And since it'd be the 3rd vehicle, if I needed to work on it, my wife could drive the truck (assuming the Miata is running).

Not that fast. But...sporty? Lively? I don't need 5 seconds 0-60, but I don't want an Oldsmobile either, if you know what I mean. A G20 isn't really that fast, but it's fun to drive for a little 4-door.

Anything my wife can think of. Seriously, we have a truck for the huge stuff, but it'd be nice to have a little cargo room for smaller errands (groceries, etc).
Under 5 times? Infrequently, anyway. But with the Miata and the truck, I want a vehicle that can at least pretend to carry 4 adults for 30 minutes in relative comfort.
Yes. No kids right now, but that's all I'll say.
Tools, basic but growing. Experience, shade tree. Facilities, my 2 car carport.
Hmm...never really added up my typical maintenance costs. $500-1000? Figuring on a set of tires/mounting/alignment every other year, and one or two minor to semi-major repairs (brakes, clutch, etc)?
Yes, though if it happened while I was in the middle of a big project on the Miata it'd be an annoyance.

I've looked for some Maximas, but I can never find one with a manual transmission that's in decent shape.

The SVT I was looking at had the 3.0l block swap from a Taurus, with the SVT heads. According to the SVT boards, the swap usually pushes it to about 210-220 whp...so it'd probably torque steer like a bitch, but more than enough power to be fun.

Mazda Protege. Boosted.

Also, I'm not sure about prices and/or availability in your area, but everyone I've ever known to own a Saturn has absolutely loved them. There's a guy I met thru a local Miata forum that even tracks his, with nothing more than a custom intake and decent tires.

^You should go stab yourself in the eye with an RPG. Saturns are for gays.

And Miatas aren't? Turning this into a domestic gays vs. import gays thing?

The point has already been made that you should not be looking at a domestic car at all, so yes, gay.

You want reliable 4-dr transportation with a bit of sport, cheap basic mods, 5-spd, and under $5k. Nothing meets that like a late 90's V6 FWD jap sedan... Maxima FTW.

Did someone on this board just recommend a Saturn? Well golly, Margaret, we should check out the Oldsmobile Aleros and the Buick Regals the next time we ride in to town to get your hair done at the boutique.

+1. I had a '96 GSR sedan. It was a great daily. It's no race car, but it'll make you crack enough of a smile and they're dead reliable.

Everyone I know that's ever let another guy penetrate their anus has absolutely loved it too...but that doesn't mean it's for everybody, and certainly not for our hetero friend Mr. Geoffrahr.

Seriously though, the early Saturns are dead nuts reliable, and make a perfect "cash car" if you're a Dave Ramsey follower since they are so undervalued in the market.

Unfortunately they are ZERO fun to drive, and the later models are shit. It's nearly impossible now to find decently low mileage on the older good ones, and even when you find one, guess what?...you're driving a Saturn...

My daily is a 98 Honda CR-V 5spd.


Could ask for anything better... they can be had fairly cheap and are insanely reliable and comfortable, also 4wd is nice (in the winter), if you have subarus in your list you may as well ad this.

I found mine for about $1500

Why am I constantly tempted by cars I don't need? I just came across a 1996 Infiniti Q45 w/ the 4.1l engine from a '97 Q for $3800 OBO. Looks pretty clean other than some typical interior wear.

Gas mileage and maintenance would probably suck, but damn if it wouldn't be a badass luxo-cruiser.

I've always wanted one too, but a buddy had one for years and was happy the day he got rid of it. It's not nearly as stout as the LS400s, and the mass of the Nissan takes a toll on expensive parts...suspension, brakes, bearings, tranny etc.

Not enough. Keep talking me out of it. I don't need it, can't afford it the parts and maintenance, don't want to pay for premium gas and 18 mpg.

http://www.bayoushooter.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=34652

His name is Carlos. Don't do it.

SVT Focus
Sentra SER Spec V
Mazdaspeed Protege
GTi
Audi A4
Cobalt SS
Altima
Mazda 3
Mazda 6
Accord
Jetta

You'll be surprised how affordable allot of cars are these days.

integra 4 door or get a b13 sentra 4 door and swap a sr20 into it. The b14 and b15 sentra's have rear beams which are not as fun unless you bend the rear beams. Integra's have shit ton's of parts. Throw a k20 in that bitch with some suspension and you have a sweet dd.

I'm pretty sure our 01 Buick Regal will walk your Miata ;)

They are decent DD, comfy, decently quick out of the box, cheap to mod, and the only real things that they have problems with are ball joints and tie rod ends (One typically goes out a year at 30-40 dollars each)

A regal gs is a pretty quick car...but that's about the only buick I would consider. That or a grand national. I don't know how much fun they can be through the twisties or how good/bad they can be on gas.

Good on MPG at 20/32 in ours when you stay out of the go pedal, but the twisties.... You quickly realize your driving a boat.