Need Help Choosing a Daily Driver/Beater
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Here's one that most people won't suggest...
2003-2005 Dodge Neon
I'm about your height and wider and I fit fine. Could it be more comfortable, sure, however, on a smooth highway it's fine.
My drive is very similar to yours. 107 miles round, 87.1% highway.
It's EPA rated at 34MPG with the 5 speed, was 36 when I bought it before the recalculation. I have a 15 month MPG average of 33.3mpg on 28756 miles.
Stock they aren't bad to drive, couple suspension upgrades and they can go around some corners nicely.
Bonus: They are cheap.
Annex: No, 2003-2005 Neons do not blow head gaskets, that has not been an issue since 96/97ish time frame.
2003-2005 Dodge Neon
I'm about your height and wider and I fit fine. Could it be more comfortable, sure, however, on a smooth highway it's fine.
My drive is very similar to yours. 107 miles round, 87.1% highway.
It's EPA rated at 34MPG with the 5 speed, was 36 when I bought it before the recalculation. I have a 15 month MPG average of 33.3mpg on 28756 miles.
Stock they aren't bad to drive, couple suspension upgrades and they can go around some corners nicely.
Bonus: They are cheap.
Annex: No, 2003-2005 Neons do not blow head gaskets, that has not been an issue since 96/97ish time frame.
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Doesn't the Lexus in your signature meet all of your requirements?
Why not drive that on the long commute, instead of getting into a THIRD car?
Ding, ding, ding! Winner!!!
The $ spend on buying/maintaining/insuring another vehicle would go very far in gas and maintenance on that Lexus.
Doesn't the Lexus in your signature meet all of your requirements?
Why not drive that on the long commute, instead of getting into a THIRD car?
Ding, ding, ding! Winner!!!
The $ spend on buying/maintaining/insuring another vehicle would go very far in gas and maintenance on that Lexus.
Originally Posted By: Lolvoguy
pfft, nobody asked for your logical solutions!
Oh and driving 65 would save a good bit of gas, too
pfft, nobody asked for your logical solutions!
Oh and driving 65 would save a good bit of gas, too
If $5k is the budget, then about $1k should be allocated for the possible repairs, making either the car $4k or bumping the budget to $6k.
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Doesn't the Lexus in your signature meet all of your requirements?
Why not drive that on the long commute, instead of getting into a THIRD car?
Because it's my project/toy. It's a swapped motor similar to the Toyota Supra) with a single turbo making 400+whp. I'd like to keep miles off of it plus it gets worse gas mileage than the taco. If I could find another IS300 I'd get it but they are very hard to come by.
Doesn't the Lexus in your signature meet all of your requirements?
Why not drive that on the long commute, instead of getting into a THIRD car?
Because it's my project/toy. It's a swapped motor similar to the Toyota Supra) with a single turbo making 400+whp. I'd like to keep miles off of it plus it gets worse gas mileage than the taco. If I could find another IS300 I'd get it but they are very hard to come by.
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This involves the OP's closing challenge regarding a modest payment: what about a CPO Accord Sport? By any measure it's a great package that meets most of your requirements (runs on regular, relatively fun to drive, very easy to maintain at home, etc.). You could go in with with less than your 5k budget out-of-pocket, apply the balance to payments, and come out with a healthy powertrain warranty and a really safe car that won't depreciate much quicker than you rack up the miles.
I think the given budget and other requirements (dependability for a long commute) are somewhat at odds with also wanting something RWD and "fun". I have a home office, but I do commute to my customer's location somewhat frequently, and it's about an hour and a half each way. Having owned most vehicle types before, the absolute smallest vehicle I would choose for this would be a mid-sized sedan. Corollas and such aren't very pleasant on road trips. Doing a short road trip every day in something small like that will likely get old pretty quick.
Given your budget, I'd be of the mind to find a sedan or SUV of your liking for $4,000 or so, take KrisZ's suggestion to bank a grand for repairs, and then just drive it. In that price range, you won't be able to be picky. I don't know your area, so I'll share some interesting ads from mine:
2008 Nissan Maxima for $3800
2006 Mercedes C230 for $4500
2002 Lexus RX300 for $3500
2006 Acura TL for $5000
2005 Honda Pilot for $5000
The common thread here is high miles. You won't be able to be picky on brand or type at this budget. Just buy something that looks interesting to you and just drive it.
Given your budget, I'd be of the mind to find a sedan or SUV of your liking for $4,000 or so, take KrisZ's suggestion to bank a grand for repairs, and then just drive it. In that price range, you won't be able to be picky. I don't know your area, so I'll share some interesting ads from mine:
2008 Nissan Maxima for $3800
2006 Mercedes C230 for $4500
2002 Lexus RX300 for $3500
2006 Acura TL for $5000
2005 Honda Pilot for $5000
The common thread here is high miles. You won't be able to be picky on brand or type at this budget. Just buy something that looks interesting to you and just drive it.
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Annex: No, 2003-2005 Neons do not blow head gaskets, that has not been an issue since 96/97ish time frame.
They do blow head gaskets. Just like ALL of the 2.4L related engine. There's always a few Neons, PT Cruisers on CL with a blown head gasket. Very common on that entire family of engine. Chrysler fixed the issue with the block not being tapped and drilled far enough, but it's still a sub par design on their part for using an aluminum head on iron block.
Annex: No, 2003-2005 Neons do not blow head gaskets, that has not been an issue since 96/97ish time frame.
They do blow head gaskets. Just like ALL of the 2.4L related engine. There's always a few Neons, PT Cruisers on CL with a blown head gasket. Very common on that entire family of engine. Chrysler fixed the issue with the block not being tapped and drilled far enough, but it's still a sub par design on their part for using an aluminum head on iron block.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Annex: No, 2003-2005 Neons do not blow head gaskets, that has not been an issue since 96/97ish time frame.
They do blow head gaskets. Just like ALL of the 2.4L related engine. There's always a few Neons, PT Cruisers on CL with a blown head gasket. Very common on that entire family of engine. Chrysler fixed the issue with the block not being tapped and drilled far enough, but it's still a sub par design on their part for using an aluminum head on iron block.
Guess mine and my moms former Neon are flukes. Along with my dads former Strati (2, both with 2.4 Chrysler engines).
I changed mine at 100k like I'm supposed to, so I expect 100k out of the current one.
Originally Posted By: racer12306
Annex: No, 2003-2005 Neons do not blow head gaskets, that has not been an issue since 96/97ish time frame.
They do blow head gaskets. Just like ALL of the 2.4L related engine. There's always a few Neons, PT Cruisers on CL with a blown head gasket. Very common on that entire family of engine. Chrysler fixed the issue with the block not being tapped and drilled far enough, but it's still a sub par design on their part for using an aluminum head on iron block.
Guess mine and my moms former Neon are flukes. Along with my dads former Strati (2, both with 2.4 Chrysler engines).
I changed mine at 100k like I'm supposed to, so I expect 100k out of the current one.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Lexus ES300. Mechanically, it's a V6 Camry but much more comfortable. My brother had a 96' and he followed me in it going 80 mph from Montana to Phoenix, got 28-28.5 mpg in it.
Here's one:
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5974273578.html
Here's one:
http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5974273578.html
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I think the given budget and other requirements (dependability for a long commute) are somewhat at odds with also wanting something RWD and "fun". I have a home office, but I do commute to my customer's location somewhat frequently, and it's about an hour and a half each way. Having owned most vehicle types before, the absolute smallest vehicle I would choose for this would be a mid-sized sedan. Corollas and such aren't very pleasant on road trips. Doing a short road trip every day in something small like that will likely get old pretty quick.
Given your budget, I'd be of the mind to find a sedan or SUV of your liking for $4,000 or so, take KrisZ's suggestion to bank a grand for repairs, and then just drive it. In that price range, you won't be able to be picky. I don't know your area, so I'll share some interesting ads from mine:
2008 Nissan Maxima for $3800
2006 Mercedes C230 for $4500
2002 Lexus RX300 for $3500
2006 Acura TL for $5000
2005 Honda Pilot for $5000
The common thread here is high miles. You won't be able to be picky on brand or type at this budget. Just buy something that looks interesting to you and just drive it.
C'mon, you know you want one too: more Camry fun! Join us 20 year old Camry drivers!
Actually, dang... those are cheaper, better looking and in better shape than what I can get up here...
I think the given budget and other requirements (dependability for a long commute) are somewhat at odds with also wanting something RWD and "fun". I have a home office, but I do commute to my customer's location somewhat frequently, and it's about an hour and a half each way. Having owned most vehicle types before, the absolute smallest vehicle I would choose for this would be a mid-sized sedan. Corollas and such aren't very pleasant on road trips. Doing a short road trip every day in something small like that will likely get old pretty quick.
Given your budget, I'd be of the mind to find a sedan or SUV of your liking for $4,000 or so, take KrisZ's suggestion to bank a grand for repairs, and then just drive it. In that price range, you won't be able to be picky. I don't know your area, so I'll share some interesting ads from mine:
2008 Nissan Maxima for $3800
2006 Mercedes C230 for $4500
2002 Lexus RX300 for $3500
2006 Acura TL for $5000
2005 Honda Pilot for $5000
The common thread here is high miles. You won't be able to be picky on brand or type at this budget. Just buy something that looks interesting to you and just drive it.
C'mon, you know you want one too: more Camry fun! Join us 20 year old Camry drivers!
Actually, dang... those are cheaper, better looking and in better shape than what I can get up here...
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: racer12306
I changed mine at 100k like I'm supposed to
100k head gasket replacement is considered routine maintenance?
You know what, I think I had a brain [censored] when I posted that. I'll have to go back and look at my records, but it was the 100k timing belt.
It should still have the OEM head gasket at 134k miles. The other vehicles never had a head gasket problem.
Time will tell.
Really??? The term for the expulsion of gas from your rear is censored?
Originally Posted By: racer12306
I changed mine at 100k like I'm supposed to
100k head gasket replacement is considered routine maintenance?
You know what, I think I had a brain [censored] when I posted that. I'll have to go back and look at my records, but it was the 100k timing belt.
It should still have the OEM head gasket at 134k miles. The other vehicles never had a head gasket problem.
Time will tell.
Really??? The term for the expulsion of gas from your rear is censored?
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Originally Posted By: supton
C'mon, you know you want one too: more Camry fun! Join us 20 year old Camry drivers!
If something happened to my Ridgeline and I had to buy another vehicle, I would very seriously think about this generation Camry and put $10k in the bank from the settlement or sale, or whatever happened to the truck. With my home office, I truly drive very little during the week. I've planted little seeds in my wife's ear about looking around at a much less expensive vehicle. I didn't pay this much for it, but I have a $15k truck that mostly just sits in the garage.
My mother in law had a '99 Camry...very basic with the 2.2L and the 4A transmission. I was into Cadillacs at the time, and was strongly against anything that "burned rice". Secretly, I liked driving it, though. I loved the smooth hum of the 4-pot engine, and the Cadillac-like ride of the suspension.
Originally Posted By: supton
Actually, dang... those are cheaper, better looking and in better shape than what I can get up here...
The used vehicle market around here is very much a buyer's one. You can get a lot of vehicle for your money. The Blue Ridge that separates the Shenandoah Valley from the Washington-Baltimore megalopolis is a very real divide (and we love it, those of us on the peaceful side of the hill). Stuff here seems to cost a third less than what it does in Loudoun or Fairfax county. It's strange, too, as many out here are commuters to the DC area, so it's not like we're THAT cut off from modern society...
C'mon, you know you want one too: more Camry fun! Join us 20 year old Camry drivers!
If something happened to my Ridgeline and I had to buy another vehicle, I would very seriously think about this generation Camry and put $10k in the bank from the settlement or sale, or whatever happened to the truck. With my home office, I truly drive very little during the week. I've planted little seeds in my wife's ear about looking around at a much less expensive vehicle. I didn't pay this much for it, but I have a $15k truck that mostly just sits in the garage.
My mother in law had a '99 Camry...very basic with the 2.2L and the 4A transmission. I was into Cadillacs at the time, and was strongly against anything that "burned rice". Secretly, I liked driving it, though. I loved the smooth hum of the 4-pot engine, and the Cadillac-like ride of the suspension.
Originally Posted By: supton
Actually, dang... those are cheaper, better looking and in better shape than what I can get up here...
The used vehicle market around here is very much a buyer's one. You can get a lot of vehicle for your money. The Blue Ridge that separates the Shenandoah Valley from the Washington-Baltimore megalopolis is a very real divide (and we love it, those of us on the peaceful side of the hill). Stuff here seems to cost a third less than what it does in Loudoun or Fairfax county. It's strange, too, as many out here are commuters to the DC area, so it's not like we're THAT cut off from modern society...
Indeed, my truck mostly sits--but I haven't figured out what I'd replace it with that had similar abilities (4 doors, covered storage, 4WD/AWD, 3,500lb towing). If I could ditch the AWD a minivan would probably work--but I still like having more than 2WD in snow.
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