Another what car! Automatic, city-dweller edition

Base RSX?

5-speed auto, Bigger 2.0 engine, hatchback for cargo, shorter for squeezing into parking spaces, and honda civic running costs.

Or: a 2003 Altima... The other white meat.

pres589 wrote: What's so awful about the Corolla again? I'm not defending the car, I'm just asking what you dislike about it. I know the 2005 model I rented for a week back when it was new wasn't awful save for the weird relationship between pedal and steering wheel reach / angle / etc. The month before I had been renting a V6 Dodge Magnum and I liked to drive the Corolla more.

It is a FWD car, and feels like a FWD car. For the most part, I just don't like FWD. Not justified, but I don't need to--that is my opinion. I also don't like sitting on a couch; put me in a recliner or a kitchen chair or on the floor. Silly? Yes. But that is the way I am.

Anyways, aside from that, with an automatic and 375 pounds of people (plus maybe 200 bounds of stuff) it is anemic. I can't get the seats to a comfortable position for more than 10 minutes. The interior is horrible--fake wood that looks worse than the plastic, drab grey, lots of road noise...

If you told me that I could only have this car for the rest of my life, I'd say, OK, and immediately lower it, put on some koni's, maybe some sound deadening, a rear sway, and probably some other seats, and frankly I'd be ok with it. I'd then look into exhaust, and maybe some engine mods--I bet it would be a pretty phenominal car at that point and I'd be very happy. But you're not going to do that to an automatic Corolla.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and the transmission isn't very good. It is strong enough and reliable, but I hate when it decides and doesn't decide to shift.

AaronBalto wrote: I'm driving a Merc W126 as a daily right now. It's cushy, safe, and pretty indestructible. But there is no way it's not going to bite me for $500 at some point. I'm already pretty sure I am going to have to replace the ACC Heater Control Monovalve and a rebuilt part is $250 best case. An old MB or Volvo is a great car, but they are not Corollas. Not by a longshot.

At least for the W123, they imported something like 1/2 a million of them to the US. and at least 50,000 are still running around, so if/when it dies, you toss it on craigslist for $500 and buy another one.

The last thing you want is a big car. They're a pain in the ass to park around here, especially in the winter when there are fewer spots and the spots are impossible to get in and out of. My Urban Assault Vehicle of choice is a Mazda2, but if you're looking for something cheaper you might also want to look at:

Toyota Yaris, Scion xA, Honda Fit

I would recommend the Nissan Versa but the CVT it comes with is just such crap. It feels like you're driving a golf cart.

I absolutely wouldn't get anything bigger than a corolla/civic/focus/3 and try to park it on the street.

Interesting option: Infiniti G20

what about any of the midsized Volvos.. 850 or S/V70?. When I had my 850, I took it to NYC, and I was amazed at how well it worked in that city.. even with a 5 speed. It soaked up the bumps beautifully, took a bump to the rear bumper without complaint, and was even stylish and comfortable to drive

In reply to mtn:

Maybe target $1000 on some upgrades? Koni Sport shocks are available, I'd leave the springs alone, Whiteline offers a rear sway bar. And check this out! http://www.transgo.com/products.php?homeinclude=catalog&category_id=150&parent_id=150

Then a seat swap and you're set. Very easy, in theory, and this is the internet so grain of salt required.

You know that trudging through Chicago is about as soulless as it gets from a driving prospective. It's to the point that I prefer public transport over driving when I return there.

Corolla is a perfect beater and then save the money for a storage unit in the burbs to hold the track car.

So something more upscale. You could snag a nice Saab in your price range easily. The one I drove with an auto wasn't bad. One of the only automatics I didn't despise instantly. It would probably be pretty close to your reliability requirements.

And cross altima/Maxima off your list. Worst. Turning Radius. Ever. I'm sure I could get used to it and compensate but my friend's 03 altima was a bitch to park due to terrible turning radius. And steer clear of Hondas due to theft.

XJ? Bad fuel economy, but you'll save a fair amount in tires and suspension/steering repairs with how bad the roads are.

I also really like driving my Volvo 122 in the city. They made automatic versions. Durable as nails. Smaller than the W123, and not as much in the way of creature comforts, but highly utilitarian.

Needs to be small and economical so all the usual suspects apply. Honda Civic/Fit, Toyota Corolla/Tercel, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Impreza or their SUV/CUV equivalents CRV, Rav4, Tribute, Outback etc. Maybe Sidekick/Tracker?

mtn wrote:

pres589 wrote: What's so awful about the Corolla again? I'm not defending the car, I'm just asking what you dislike about it. I know the 2005 model I rented for a week back when it was new wasn't awful save for the weird relationship between pedal and steering wheel reach / angle / etc. The month before I had been renting a V6 Dodge Magnum and I liked to drive the Corolla more.

It is a FWD car, and feels like a FWD car. For the most part, I just don't like FWD. Not justified, but I don't need to--that is my opinion. I also don't like sitting on a couch; put me in a recliner or a kitchen chair or on the floor. Silly? Yes. But that is the way I am. Anyways, aside from that, with an automatic and 375 pounds of people (plus maybe 200 bounds of stuff) it is anemic. I can't get the seats to a comfortable position for more than 10 minutes. The interior is horrible--fake wood that looks worse than the plastic, drab grey, lots of road noise... If you told me that I could only have this car for the rest of my life, I'd say, OK, and immediately lower it, put on some koni's, maybe some sound deadening, a rear sway, and probably some other seats, and frankly I'd be ok with it. I'd then look into exhaust, and maybe some engine mods--I bet it would be a pretty phenominal car at that point and I'd be very happy. But you're not going to do that to an automatic Corolla. EDIT: Oh yeah, and the transmission isn't very good. It is strong enough and reliable, but I hate when it decides and doesn't decide to shift.

Yep. They are a seriously soul sucking car. Even with mods, it still sucks IMO. Just not as much.

I'd definitely look into a Mazda3 or Mazda6. Much better driving dynamics, suspension tuning and steering feel.

clutchsmoke wrote: Worst. Turning Radius. Ever.

that is another plus for Volvos.. those cars came with super small turning radius. Even the Front Drive 850 turned in something approaching 30 feet

Kenny_McCormic wrote: XJ? Bad fuel economy, but you'll save a fair amount in tires and suspension/steering repairs with how bad the roads are.

Assuming you mean Jeep and not Jaguar, I agree. They're so dang cheap. They're solid and simple. They're square with good sight lines, so they're easy to park. 4x4 will help you get into things. Lots of room inside.

I also remember seeing a shocking number of very well kept Astro conversion vans last time I was there. I'm not sure I get that one.

pres589 wrote: In reply to mtn: Maybe target $1000 on some upgrades? Koni Sport shocks are available, I'd leave the springs alone, Whiteline offers a rear sway bar. And check this out! http://www.transgo.com/products.php?homeinclude=catalog&category_id=150&parent_id=150 Then a seat swap and you're set. Very easy, in theory, and this is the internet so grain of salt required.

As much as it may suck and as boring as it may be, if I were in your shoes, I would either upgrade the beige (Corolla) or snag a P71, if you can get the girlfriend on board.

The most likely outcome being stuck in a slightly less soul sucking Corolla. A slight lift with softer sways and/or springs to give more pitch and roll so at least it feels like you're hitting a Group 2 Rally at Maximum Attack even if you're only commuting at slightly above suggested speeds, for me makes an otherwise painfully beige vehicle a bit more tolerable. :)

That's why I dig big, old American cars.

There's a company in Chicago that sells police vehicles and had an '04 P71 with snows on it and less than 100,000 miles (iirc) for $4,000.

I think this is one of those devil you know situations so I would say stick with the Rolla. Buy a set of good snows/wheels and put the rest in reserve.