Time for a car

I'll agree with the idea of a Focus but would suggest a 2003-2005 with the 2.3L Duratec engine rather than the SVT.

mndsm wrote: Ms3- but then again, what else would I suggest? I'd be wary of a MINI, not sure a dog+ luggage is too feasible in that, if you ever want the back seat for anything.

One of our MINI friends has a Clubman version and takes his dog (don't know the breed, but it's well over 100 lbs) with him everywhere, even on multi-night trips. With the rear seats folded down there's plenty of room for the dog and luggage.

He jokes the back seats are like new since they haven't seen the light of day since he took delivery of the car in '08. He did have a custom cushion made to fit the cargo area (with the seats down) so the dog is more comfortable.

Did the same thing as you, debated between cheap and more expensive. My higher price leading candidate was Mazda 3 hatch, or MS3. So if you're going for more money, that's where I'd go. The MS3 is awesome, but I was just as tempted to get a 3 hatch in Grand Touring trim.

I ultimately went cheap. Just bought an '01 Saab 9-5 wagon for $2900. One owner, all maintenance records, etc...I'm sure it'll need routine upkeep but it's definitely not a project. So if you want to go cheap, you'll find something decent if you search long and hard. Unmolested Integra (if you can find one), Protege5 (ditto the unmolested thing)

In reply to Hal:

After suggesting the SVT, I would agree that a 2.3L ZX3/ZX5 with the SVT suspension from Ford for less than $300 would be better, reliability wise anyway. After researching more, they had a Ford Lemon Buyback or something with those SVT's due to the engine I believe?

Your short list sounds good. I have a 2004 Mazda 3 hatch with 195k trouble free miles. It has been a good balance between an appliance and a fun car. The MS3 would be more fun. The CRZ is interesting and would be fun from the hypermiling angle. What's the reliability like on the MS3? If mpg and premium gas are the only cost differences between the 3 and MS3 I'd take the MS3. My bean counter math estimates about $.05/mile difference between a skyactiv 3 on regular and the MS3 on premium.

twolittlebroncos wrote: Your short list sounds good. I have a 2004 Mazda 3 hatch with 195k trouble free miles. It has been a good balance between an appliance and a fun car. The MS3 would be more fun. The CRZ is interesting and would be fun from the hypermiling angle. What's the reliability like on the MS3? If mpg and premium gas are the only cost differences between the 3 and MS3 I'd take the MS3. My bean counter math estimates about $.05/mile difference between a skyactiv 3 on regular and the MS3 on premium.

My ms3 has been largely trouble free, as have everyone elses I know of. There's TSB's out there on the Gen1 cars for a timing tensioner, the rear motor mount, and I think the PCV system. Most cars will have had the rear shocks replaced under warranty at this point, those like to go bad early.... symptoms being anyone that drives that car like it's supposed to, the rear shocks aren't strong enough to handle the squat from launching one hard. I saw a used one on a dealer lot not long ago for 13k, same miles as mine (I've got about 67k, drove it off the lot with 13 miles on it). Premium gas, 2 sets of tires(winter and summer), and synthetic oil is the only major expense differences to the mz3. In all honesty, I get nearly the same mileage in my ms3 as i did in my n/a 2005 3, and my ms3 isn't what you'd call stock. I've seen 30+ on the highway on it... average is 27ish? I love the thing, and would likely immediately replace it with another one if I balled this one up. On the plus side, I know the clutch can handle 700+ HP...stock. it's scary.

not a hatch but I'll also throw in a vote for the Cobalt SS Sedan Turbo.

They were super sleepers, performed brilliantly, come strapped with Brembos and available LSD factory. Lots of performance and potential for your money.

example: http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/3582600549.html

I like the performance of the Cobalt, but I'm unwilling to live with mid-2000's GM interior plastics.

mndsm wrote:

twolittlebroncos wrote: Your short list sounds good. I have a 2004 Mazda 3 hatch with 195k trouble free miles. It has been a good balance between an appliance and a fun car. The MS3 would be more fun. The CRZ is interesting and would be fun from the hypermiling angle. What's the reliability like on the MS3? If mpg and premium gas are the only cost differences between the 3 and MS3 I'd take the MS3. My bean counter math estimates about $.05/mile difference between a skyactiv 3 on regular and the MS3 on premium.

My ms3 has been largely trouble free, as have everyone elses I know of. There's TSB's out there on the Gen1 cars for a timing tensioner, the rear motor mount, and I *think* the PCV system. Most cars will have had the rear shocks replaced under warranty at this point, those like to go bad early.... symptoms being anyone that drives that car like it's supposed to, the rear shocks aren't strong enough to handle the squat from launching one hard. I saw a used one on a dealer lot not long ago for 13k, same miles as mine (I've got about 67k, drove it off the lot with 13 miles on it). Premium gas, 2 sets of tires(winter and summer), and synthetic oil is the only major expense differences to the mz3. In all honesty, I get nearly the same mileage in my ms3 as i did in my n/a 2005 3, and my ms3 isn't what you'd call stock. I've seen 30+ on the highway on it... average is 27ish? I love the thing, and would likely immediately replace it with another one if I balled this one up. On the plus side, I know the clutch can handle 700+ HP...stock. it's scary.

If only they were RWD, I would have kept mine! It was a great car (I had a 2010), so the PCV had been mostly ironed out.

I got mine with 70 miles on the clock, kept it until almost 20k miles. Only thing I could possibly complain about were the stock not-so-sticky Dunlops and the soft engine mounts that sometimes made shifting vague.

Other than that, I miss the car.

Yeah, the stock engine mounts are garbage. Lemme tell ya tho, one of these on some *specs... hodamn. I managed to stuff 245/40/17's under mine, and it's amazing.