Fun daily driver (good mpgs)

My new job requires me to drive 62 miles per day round trip. My 4runner is getting about 15mpgs and just doesn't make sense any more. Thinking about selling the runner for maybe miata, e30, etc. Any thoughts on fun, but good mpgs?

Miata.

Or a miata.

If those two don't tickle your fancy, try an MX-5.

when i had this same talk with myself recently, i decided on a 98-99 neon 2 door. with DOHC, 5 speed. non RT. mid 30's in mixed driving, cheap parts, and FUN on the street. needs more swaybar and tire, though. as well as better seats. the seats SUCK. also looked at focus ZX3.

decided to keep and rehab my 99 camry though, my 60 mile commute avereages me 28-30 per tank, depending on weather and traffic.

Escort ZX2. My dad regularly gets 36 mpgs with his. You can buy 'em dirt cheap, and they're pretty robust. There's a few cheap and easy tricks to improve their fuel economy, too. I usually got 33 with mine because I abused it more. My Zetec-swapped '91 Escort gets about 8 mpg on the track.

So where does someone look for better seats "with a good value equation" that would fit in a Neon?

If mpg is really important, I can't vote for a miata. It will be way better than a 4runner, but I'd look for a crx if it was me.

I have three of the five cars below in my driveway. The Focus SVT is more car than the others. The MP3 is probably the lightest and most nimble (handles great but the Tokico blues are pretty harsh; feels too light - a bit like a tin can).

1) Focus SVT 2) Mazdaspeed Protege 3) Protege MP3 . . . . 14) SE-R Nissan of some variety 15) ZX2 - our's is okay, but even with enhanced suspension it is not nearly as refined or fun as the others above.

lincoln mark 8. i put those seats in my duster, and im currently looking for a cheap set for my camry.

theyll fit in almost anything.

Classic Mini.

keep in mind you have to spend 60+ miles per day sitting in this car... if you end up too "race car" the fun factor can quickly wear on you riding like a buckboard and buzzing down the road.

I drive 75 miles each way to work and back... so mpg's were a bit higher of a priority for me. I picked up a manual trans mk4 VW TDI Golf and made it into a psuedo TDI GTI. Koni coilovers, rear swaybar, 17" GTI wheels, chipped. Drive it like I stole it and still get 45+MPG's. It also has a rockin' stereo to keep myself entertained on the drive. It should cross 200K next week. :)

If you're in the market for a low budget TDI, the '99-'03 VW TDI's were the "ALH" motor which was still a pre-emissions modded mechanical injection pump. More reliable/better mpg's than the '04+, though a bit smokier. Torquey and easy/fun to drive, but not fast.

That said, it's not an ideal track toy. So if you'd want something to double duty on auto-x/trackdays, a little sacrifice on mpg's for something more fun but still in the 30ish mpg highway range may fit the bill better.

Depending on the ricer tax in your area, and what your budget is, you might also consider a Civic, Integra/RSX, MR-S, or 7th-gen Celica.

Or, don't worry quite so bit about the mileage and get more of a GT car. Lincoln Mark VIII, SC300/400, Mk III Supra, or MN12 ThunderCougarBird all have SLA front and rear and should get at least 20mpg on the highway, and all will be much more comfortable to be in for longer periods of time. Ex-cop cars may work as well, Caprice/Roadmaster/B-body, P71, etc, will all get at least 20mpg and eat miles and all sorts of stuff (so you don't lose all of the functionality of the 4Runner).

Honestly, I would have to say get a honda del sol, they are getting like 36-38 mpg on the hwy and can be made fun for cheap, that's the route i would go,,,,

You're leaving the realm of possibility incredibly wide open. Try to narrow it down some. Budget? Wants (2 door, 4 door, RWD, etc...)?

Has anyone suggested Miata yet?

SVTF wrote: ZX2 - our's is okay, but even with enhanced suspension it is not nearly as refined or fun as the others above.

I disagree. Added Eibach springs and an upper to the front and she really holds corners now. Rear remains stock.

Both the Hyundai's are fun for what they are. The Elantra is a bit more comfortable and has better amenities. The Accent gets better mileage and is extremely raw. Accent is one hell of a momentum car....meaning NEVER lift. If you do, you're screwed!

Klayfish wrote: You're leaving the realm of possibility incredibly wide open. Try to narrow it down some. Budget? Wants (2 door, 4 door, RWD, etc...)? Has anyone suggested Miata yet?

In terms of budget; i figure i can get around 6 to 7k for my 02 4runner. Willing to add more funds if needed or buy two cars, the daily and some beater truck or suv to haul stuff. Since our garage will be down to only two door cars.

The original plan was to spend 3-4k but its all based on the excitement level.

saturn coupe's also get close to 40mpg if you can find a good one

I'd be really tempted by a Focus 3-door for this requirement. Either a real SVT or a 2.3 with the SVT suspension swapped on.

Or get a honda prius and put a small gt2554 on it lol

my buddy has a 95 del sol with all ebay turbo kit under 1000 bucks and he did it his self and is makin 200fwhp. fun lil car.

Then again srt4 neons you can pick up for under 10 grand now.

In reply to miata monster:

Another Ti MSM!

Make another thread, introduce yourself, tell us about the car!

From my experience my old Miata and 200SX SE-R were fun as long as it wasn't freeway crawling and there were lots of turns.