Fun eco commuter for $4000

Just took a promotion that requires me to commute 45 minutes in nasty Austin Traffic instead of 15 minutes in no traffic. Good thing its a healthy promotion

• 25-30 or more mpg
• lots 'o' fun
• diesel would be neat, but only cuz I like diesel
• dead nuts reliable, or easy/cheap to fix
• manual trans preferred
• some sort of utility - may need to haul transmissions or parts from time to time.

All of that screams Holden Ute, but unfortunately I do live in the states I'm also thinking 4-pot S-10 truck or blazer, but that lacks some of the "fun" part. Small wagons maybe?

The $4000 number is a max. I don't mind a $2000 car as long as its not a money pit. As long as it can be described as "enjoyable to drive" and not "sporty"; Miatas and E30s are enjoyable. Focuses and Scions are sporty, which is a euphemism for boring econobox.

P.S. why is it so much fun to post "what car" threads on this forum?

Mazda 323 GLS or GLX or whatever the turbo AWD version is. LOL Not many around and it'd be fun as hell. I'm from Austin, but I live in Brownwood now. I still visit the momz in Pflugerville. Where are you at?

Live in Jollyville near McNeil and 183. Currently work in Round Rock so I have an easy 12 mile commute across the toll road. Took the promotion 25 miles down south at William Cannon and Congress. Should be a huge raise based on that shop's numbers... maybe even double if I can keep it up.

Ooh, good one! Mazda3 immediately comes to mind, but it blows the budget out of the water. I'd say go for something with a hatch, even if it is only a 2-door. Did they make E30's like that? Nissan 240SX with the original truck motor may be the answer here if you can find one without the drift tax.

Me? I'd buy an Escort GT and love every minute of it. HUGE hatch area (I know for a fact that a SBF will fit in there, hatch closed), great MPG's, stupid easy to fix, and parts are cheaper than dirt.

REPU?

I did have my eyes on an early S10 with an LS1/T56 in it but it sold for nearly $7000. It was nice but too much for my budget.

Option 1: Mazda 323, the 90's version, with all the fun junkyard swap options like sways and wheels and brakes and seats and all that jazz.

Option 2: G-body El Camino, '79 to '86 or when ever they stopped making it, with an LS & trans swap. Like a 4.8 out of a truck with the four speed auto behind it.

Better econ with the 323, better utility with the Camino. Both would be fun and should be doable for $4k in parts + car.

Javelin wrote: I'd say go for something with a hatch, even if it is only a 2-door. Did they make E30's like that? .

it's called an E36 318ti.. and good ones can be had for less than 4 grand

Javelin wrote: I'd say go for something with a hatch, even if it is only a 2-door. Did they make E30's like that? Nissan 240SX with the original truck motor may be the answer here if you can find one without the drift tax.

Good idea on the 240. E30s only came in coupe/sedan. Europe had a wagon but I've only seen 2 in North America, both in Canada. Getting them registered here is a bit of a nightmare. E36s came in a 318 hatch.

Me? I'd buy an Escort GT and love every minute of it. HUGE hatch area (I know for a fact that a SBF will fit in there, hatch closed), great MPG's, stupid easy to fix, and parts are cheaper than dirt.

I can dig that, but its a little on the "sporty" (read: boring econobox) side of things. It might help you all to know that I'm a hotrodder at heart, so my idea of fun to drive might be a bit different than "Mazda" but its still a great idea.

pres589 wrote: Option 1: Mazda 323, the 90's version, with all the fun junkyard swap options like sways and wheels and brakes and seats and all that jazz. Option 2: G-body El Camino, '79 to '86 or when ever they stopped making it, with an LS & trans swap. Like a 4.8 out of a truck with the four speed auto behind it. Better econ with the 323, better utility with the Camino. Both would be fun and should be doable for $4k in parts + car.

Option 2 is sexy. I had an 85 Elky and loved it.

LS1 in an FC RX-7?

if you are looking for a less gas intensive elky..... perhaps a subaru brat?

Elky could indeed be fun and there's a ton of swap stuff and aftermarket bits to sweeten up as needed.

However, I have this odd soft spot in my obviously soft head for a 323 done up like a Peugeot 106 Rallye, all bright bloody red with white steel wheels and such. The issue with the 323 is the stock motor is pretty weak and there's that stupid Mazda transaxle to worry about if I look at it wrong.

Elky with a tuned 6.5 turbodiesel?

Fun, Utility, Economy, $4k

My first thoughts are the best Celica your money can buy or Mazda MX3

BoxheadTim wrote: Elky with a tuned 6.5 turbodiesel?

we need a :drool: smilie

E30 ute? Some assembly required

Crazy old Dodge Colt. Basic as basic gets but really fun in a minimalist sort of way. This one could have the twin stick:
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2201513348.html

Bring a Chevy Luv back to life!
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2201550824.html

More freaky stuff. Toyota Van w/ 5 speed manual
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2199252187.html

Datsun 810 w/ manual trans
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2198639825.html
Datsun Z
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2189060061.html

TDI:
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2199404349.html

Celica GTS
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2157782512.html

Saab 900 or 9k? In 45 minutes of nasty traffic you won't get to do anything fun and the clutch leg will get tired. Comfortable should be a priority. A Saab 9000 is comfortable, huge hatch, fairly reliable and a CSE turbo 5 speed can be entertaining while still pulling down your required MPG. Similarly a 900 has the big hatch and can be had with a fun turbo motor.

curtis73 wrote: Live in Jollyville near McNeil and 183. Currently work in Round Rock so I have an easy 12 mile commute across the toll road. Took the promotion 25 miles down south at William Cannon and Congress. Should be a huge raise based on that shop's numbers... maybe even double if I can keep it up.

That used to be my old stompin' grounds. Had some good friends who lived off Spicewood and we used to cruise around there all the time. Did you go to Westwood?

Anyway, on the car subject... I still want a 323 GLS or whatever. I'm sure you could swap in the newer 2.3T from the Mazdaspeed 3. LOL

Ah crap. Just found this.

S10 with a 5.3/T56. Last thing I need is another project to complete.

$4k buys a whole lotta 1st gen. CRX.

Conquest351 wrote: Did you go to Westwood?

Actually grew up in PA, then lived in IN, CA, MT, LA, and finally settled in Austin 2 years ago.

Ah ok. LOL

Yes, LS powered anything is WIN

Edit: That's not LS powered and that looks like FAIL. LOL

I think of a 4-Cyl Toyota Pickup with the X-Tra Cab and performance suspension, not a MiniTruck or Lowrider, but a DIY X-Runner.

Or how about an S10 with the ZQ8?

Or a Nissan Hardbody?