Thinking of getting a cheap DD that would be fun to drive and good on gas. So, good on gas would be 30+ mpg hwy. Cheap would be 3k or under. I've been thinking of as wide variety as Civic Si, 318ti, manual tranny hybrids or diesels, etc. Thoughts.....?
Manual Geo Metro if you can even find one
Oh, and this would be a commuter for up to 100 miles per day. I'd mix it up with my 996 and wrangler.
It has been pointed out on here recently that the first years of current Ford Fiesta s are coming into the $3k to $5k range.
These are often sedan versions w/ manual trans (the less sporty sedan vs hatch combined with a manual which most people avoid.) Seems like a good, unexpected combination.
Try looking on your local CL.
I found 168k miles asking $3k and 85k miles asking $4.5k
I know this is the high end of your budget but may be much newer than you expected to get. The first year of the current Fiesta was 2011.
Ae101 corolla, preferably with the slightly larger 7afe. The 5a is decent but the 7a has just a bit more punch.
30mpg highway is an extremely low bar nowadays. Your choices will be numerous!
I had a blast with our W210 diesel. Get the 98 or 99 for the turbo. Easy to get the rear end loose but 34 mpg. Nice interior.
A $3k budget might be a wee bit tough but they're out there.
I've got a 99 Golf TDI with nice suspension under it. It moves and handles pretty good
This is why I ask here. Getting more options than U thought of. Keep bringing them!
Is ut possible to make the 1st gen insight fun?
Dunno where you are, but I have a cherry, low-miles 1990 Acura Integra f/s in open classifieds that ticks all your boxes.
Opposite side of the continent
Another one that is falling into that range is the Fit. Pretty fun to drove for a slow car fast. Another option is 1st gen mazda 3. I'd get low to mid 30's with mine if I wasn't an idiot.
Scion xa or Echo? There cheap as dirt around here. I'm in the same boat, need a cheap DD to drive 60+ miles a day.
I've driven a Echo before. The opposite of fun to me.
Any opinions on the 02 civic si. I know the chassis isnt the best and for some reason the prices ate climbing. Part of me wishes the Volvo C30 would get cheaper. I like mini coopers but the lack if reliability is a turn off
Kia Spectra5 ? I've had a 03 Mini s and loved it, but I don't know how a well used one would be. I also had a 00 Golf tdi. It was fun and low maintenance for a while, then everything started falling apart or failing or flaming!
My 318ti easily does 30+ on the highway. I've driven a large variety of cheap cars over the years and I don't think there is a better combination of fun/efficient/practical out there. But... then you have to deal with the care and feeding of an older BMW.
Mx5 or mr-spyder
Don't know why but I'm not interested in "the answer". I'd prefer seating for 4
You can find a Mazda 3 manual in that price range for sure, and they can be made to handle fairly well. Plus, slow car fast.
I liked my focus zx3
I just got a 2000 Focus autotragic Vtec and I am getting 29 MPG mixed on E10. I should be a bit higher once modded. It is fun for an auto. A stick should be more so.
I second the 318ti. While it is an older BMW, there is not a lot of gizmos to the car to go bad. The OBC is a simple clock like computer, no power seats, no vanos, not even a clutch fan to worry about punching through the radiator or hood if you "money shift". It is as bare bones as you can get with a BMW, but the good stuff is still there... and important parts like suspension, wheels, and brakes all bolt on from it's bigger sisters in the E36 line up.
The hard part of an 318ti might be finding one. Hell, when I sifted through 1200 manual trans cars on CL last night and was surprised at how few E36's I saw and there were no ti models.
I tend to second a Mk IV TDI. While yes, there can be typical VAG issues, those issues will rarely put the car out of action. Obviously, it'll do your mileage number no problem +10 or even 20.
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