Indecision. Again

I need some help with some car decisions. You are usually a god crowd for advice....i think Currently I own, drive, maintain, and insure a 1994 Miata and a 2002 Crown Vic. Both are a freakin blast and i love em both.

I drive kinda a fair amount every week between school, work, visiting gf/friends, and all that. I figure 250 miles a week. My DD is the VIc. I get 15 MPG BUT ITS FUN. Ill drive the Miata only in the summer. Im selling the Vic. I think. Ill still need a winter car.

I dont know what to do now and i have some ideas to bounce off you.

OPTION 1) Sell the Crown Vic AND the Miata. Use that money to buy a dual sport DD. Something that i can use all year, auto cross all summer, and have a bit of practicality. This would have t be a car that i keep for a good number of years. Here is splits into two sub categories. 1A) Buy a really new and nice car with the money from selling the two cars and keep it for a long time (few years) Since im using money already spend on the cars, i would not be out any money. 1B) Buy something kinda cheap and pocket the left over cash or use to mod car a bit and save the rest. Keep car for as long as it makes sense.

OPTION 2) Keep the Miata for the summer and sell the Crown Vic. Use the Vic money to buy another car and use that as a DD. Decide on what to do with the Miata.

In either case I'll be buying a new (to me) car. This is another source of internal debate. I DONT WANT AN APPLIANCE. I want something fun, sporty, and interesting. I want a S10 or a Ranger 4X4, but the mileage isnt that hot (15-19MPG with the 3L) unless real world is better. I dunno. Same thing with Jeeps i suppose. But both I WANT but i dunno about NEED. I have been looking and i can get my hands on some good hot compact cars. Think: Honda Si (02+ hatch), Sentra SE-R, Focus (even the SVT) Mazda 3 (maybe). ANYHOW, i want a fun compact car.

Im just torn on what to do with my current situation. Then im torn on what to buy to replace/ fill my DD requirement. (must be fun and get good MPG)

Any advice? words of wisdom?

This is why car hobbies suck, everything looks so good.

Thanks as always.

-CarKid-

Do Option C: Keep both, buy an E30. Then you will have the complete collection and they will combine into VOLTRON!!!!

Trifecta? Hahaha the epitome of the GRM lifestyle. dunno if i can pull that off.

Sell the Crown Vic, Keep the Miata, buy a mini van!

Before you think that I am smoking something... let me plead my case! In the 60's kids adopted the VW bus and made them cool. In the 70's kids took full sized vans and turned them into "shaggin wagons". Today's crop of minivans are far better vehicles than either of those generations. Consider making a "tuner" minivan. Lower it, add a huge stereo, video screens, x box etc... It will get decent mileage, haul all the stuff that suits an active life style... mountain bikes, camping stuff, snow boards.... and you'll have a back seat your friends will drool over!

You have the ultimate fun toy in the Miata, why compromise, Build and ultimate "cool" hauler to go with it.

P71 wrote: Do Option C: Keep both, buy an E30. Then you will have the complete collection and they will combine into VOLTRON!!!!

I want a Voltron. The cool Lion one, of course.

Be realistic. Whatever car you buy next, you're not going to end up keeping all that long. You might think you will, but you won't. With that in mind, stick to older, less expensive cars that have already bottomed in terms of depreciation. Buying newer cars ('02+) usually means you'll take a hit on depreciation.

I'd keep the Miata -- and I'd keep the Crown Vic another month or two until Winter is over. Then sell it if that's what you want to do.

John's right. Whatever it is, you won't keep it.

If it were me, I'd sell the Vic and get a Neon. You can buy 'em for pocket change, they're fun, you can drive it year round, and you'll get mileage in the mid-high-30s.

The Neon is a good choice for year-round DD. I've been looking into them since turning the Rx-7 into too much of a race car. I'd also take a serious look at Escort GT's, Mazda MX6's, and Protege's. Sell the Vic when summer hits (or tune it and learn how to drive not at full-throttle everywhere :P ), keep the Miata.

Or the Voltron thing, you know it's your call...

Escort GT FTW! Or Protege. Or Tracer LTS.

All the same thing. BP motor + light car = fun revvy goodness.

To put this in perspective....

I now have $1037 i believe in my Escort. It needs nothing but shifter bushings. They're CHEAP because most people don't know what they are. They're ridiculously nimble, parts are cheaper than anything i've ever had before, and they're reliable.

I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure.

Option 3: sell Vic in the spring, oil the Miata in the fall, buy snow tires.

voltron is the way to go. when 5 of my vehicles combine to make the giant space robot i still have 3 left. i suck at the game of don't have too many cars

Hard top and snow for the miata, leave it at that?

Sell the Crown Vic. Get snow tires for the Miata. You don't need a hardtop. I DD a Miata in the winter in Mass. so I can tell you it isn't particularly difficult.

chaparral wrote: Sell the Crown Vic. Get snow tires for the Miata. You don't need a hardtop. I DD a Miata in the winter in Mass. so I can tell you it isn't particularly difficult.

true, my cousin drives her miata year round and just swaps back and forth between summer tires and snow tires.

I'm confused, you own a Miata but are looking to buy a fun DD that gets good mileage? Um, just drive the Miata?!?

David

Tifosi2k2 wrote: Sell the Vic, buy a mk2 VW GTI. Fun, decent mileage,good aftermarket, cheap, and with the hatchback/fold down rear seat, surprisingly useful.

I just bought one for $300 as a Challenge Car/Dog Hauler/Rallycrosser. Are they really that great?

CK1,

I will trade you even up the P71 for a 2001.5 VW Passat 1.8T auto.

Great commuter car, quick and good on gas.

Mofeaux

CarKid1989 wrote: I get 15 MPG

OUCH........

I recommend Hatchbacks for daily drivers. Whatever flavor you like, but hatchbacks are quite practical.

John Brown wrote: CK1, I will trade you even up the P71 for a 2001.5 VW Passat 1.8T auto. Great commuter car, quick and good on gas. Mofeaux

Listen to the MegaDork. Offers like this do not come along all that oftern

ignorant wrote:

CarKid1989 wrote: I get 15 MPG

OUCH........

Last two tanks were barely 12...barely.

CarKid1989 wrote:

ignorant wrote:

CarKid1989 wrote: I get 15 MPG

OUCH........

Last two tanks were barely 12...barely.

holy crap..................................

Your Crown Vic is broken. My parent's got 23 mostly city driving.

Also, I really thought the GRM holy trinity was Miata, e30, Astro.

Fight the unclean infidels!

P71 wrote: Do Option C: Keep both, buy an E30. Then you will have the complete collection

Dude!
318i
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/ctd/1034500971.html

John Brown wrote: CK1, I will trade you even up the P71 for a 2001.5 VW Passat 1.8T auto. Great commuter car, quick and good on gas. Mofeaux

Quasi is a straight talker with car deals. Do eet! All you really want is something new anyway, so why the hay not?