Help me brainstorm (stealth What Car thread)

Gotta sell my lady's SVT Focus before October, and I'm trying to get a jump on shopping for its replacement. My first instinct is to replace it with a < '04 Duratec ZX5 or ZX3, swap on the SVT suspension and call it a day. The Focus hatch checks all the boxes for us, but there's one thing she'd probably like, even though she might not know it: since she commutes about 120 miles on the highway, I'm thinking she'd like something a little more plush than a smallish hatchback.

So, help me brainstorm. I've never had to shop for a highway car before. Main criteria are:

• budget $7k, give or take (take is better)
• bulletproof reliable
• 28+ mpg highway
• cheap to run
• manual is preferable, but a good auto's not a dealbreaker
• something on the fun-to-drive side rather than the bland-luxo-barge side
• nothing that would scream to your typical lower-middle-class redneck 'I'm a rich liberal!' She works in a...less than progressive part of the state, and a good portion of her job involves garnering favor with the locals

All that said, the Focus is a known quantity to us. I've had one since '00, and I know their ins and outs pretty well. It suits our needs, I'm just trying to think a bit outside the box.

How much C4 'Vette does $7k buy...?

alex wrote: Gotta sell my lady's SVT Focus before October... My first instinct is to replace it with a < '04 Duratec ZX5 or ZX3, swap on the SVT suspension and call it a day.

Why sell the existing Focus to buy a different used Focus?

jrw1621 wrote:

alex wrote: Gotta sell my lady's SVT Focus before October... My first instinct is to replace it with a < '04 Duratec ZX5 or ZX3, swap on the SVT suspension and call it a day.

Why sell the existing Focus to buy a different used Focus?

Long story. Short version: I don't trust the timing belt/pulleys after the first one grenaded at 55k - which is not unheard-of - and the SVT Zetec is an interference motor. Can't afford to fix that again. And, this one's throwing a code that may require computer replacement. Done throwing good money after bad on this one.

But, I've had a trouble-free (and almost maintenance-free) ZX3 since '00, and I know they're generally solid cars that work for our needs.

Miata, p71, volvo?

Okay then I recommend a used '06 or '07 Ford Fusion or Milan w/ manual trans.
Same 2.3L engine that you like with 30 mpg hyw but more car surrounding it and an upscale feeling.
So many Fusions went into rental fleets and then dumped on the used market that the price/value has dropped very quickly. If you choose a manual trans you will be assured that it was not a rental since rental companies do not buy manuals.
'06 Fusion with less than 40k miles can be had for near $11k all day long. You can even get leather and climate contol with the manual 4 cyl version (that might cost more.)
Edit: re-reading I see your budget is $7k. The Fusion costs more but would be newer and therefore cheaper/easier to finance with more favorable terms than an older car.

P71 checks the boxes except mileage. I get a realistic 24-25 on the highway with mods, 22-23 when it was stock. It is a giant boat though.

I'd look at the Focus stablemate, the Protege. The Protege 5 was a sharp looking and handling car. No one will think you're rich either.

alex wrote: How much C4 'Vette does $7k buy...?

A lot, especially if you can live with an earlier one (ie, before they got the six speed). Mine's a convertible, pretty clean (yes, I need to update the photos) with tons of history and that only set me back 7.4k.

Depending on where you are you should be able to find a 'user' coupe for a couple of grand less than that. They're pretty good on fuel if don't constantly go up and down mountains, too.

Alex said: nothing that would scream to your typical lower-middle-class redneck 'I'm a rich liberal!' She works in a...less than progressive part of the state, and a good portion of her job involves garnering favor with the locals

Hmmm... sounds like a P71 with ATF painted on the side would be perfect...

P71 wrote: P71 checks the boxes except mileage. I get a realistic 24-25 on the highway with mods, 22-23 when it was stock. It is a giant boat though.

really?? I might get 22mpg out of mine on the highway, thats with no mods, and not driving like a shinny person

P71 wrote: P71 checks the boxes except mileage. I get a realistic 24-25 on the highway with mods, 22-23 when it was stock. It is a giant boat though. I'd look at the Focus stablemate, the Protege. The Protege 5 was a sharp looking and handling car. No one will think you're rich either.

So basically it checks the boxes except mileage and not a giant luxobarge.

Before I bought my SVT I was cross shopping it against an LS1 camaro (25mpg mixed) and a last generation Celica GT-S. The celica is lighter than the focus but its shape probably won't swallow up as much stuff under the hatch. A base RSX may even fit the bill, I was worried about getting a Type S because I heard of transmission issues with the six speed (and who probably owned it before you beat the hell out of it).

maxima?

LS1 Camaro is intriguing - at least to me. Could I re-gear the rear end for better mileage? Not quite luxo, but maybe she'd live with the interior in order to be the cute girl in the Camaro. And I imagine $7k buys a lot of F-body Camaro these days.

I've certainly thought about P71s, and tried to sell her on 'em. I love the damn things, but I don't know if she digs the vibe the way I do. Wasn't there an equivalent police/gubmint package for the last-gen Town Car? (Actually, couldn't I go higher on the P71's rear end for better mpg?)

And I know nothing of Maximas. I'm a blank slate. Learn me.

BoxheadTim wrote:

alex wrote: How much C4 'Vette does $7k buy...?

A lot, especially if you can live with an earlier one (ie, before they got the six speed).

Is the stupid high mileage (for a V8 sportscar) dependent upon the 6 spd?

Volksroddin wrote:

P71 wrote: P71 checks the boxes except mileage. I get a realistic 24-25 on the highway with mods, 22-23 when it was stock. It is a giant boat though.

really?? I might get 22mpg out of mine on the highway, thats with no mods, and not driving like a shinny person

Yup. I've said a bazillion times, Ford's programing is pig-rich to prevent detonation on the swill fleets like to run. Grab any aftermarket tuner and watch your mileage improve by 10% immediately. A good cat-back is also worth a little as the stock exhaust is very restrictive so it won't get ripped off going over curbs.

alex wrote:

BoxheadTim wrote:

alex wrote: How much C4 'Vette does $7k buy...?

A lot, especially if you can live with an earlier one (ie, before they got the six speed).

Is the stupid high mileage (for a V8 sportscar) dependent upon the 6 spd?

Yes. Same story on all LSx's and LT1's. Auto=4 gears=crap mileage

You know, I really hate to say it, but what about a last-gen GT Mustang? The 99-04's look pretty good to me (I can't stand the 05+'s), the 4.6 gets great mileage (cause it's small and anemic), and you can swap in highway gears (though they should come with like a 3.27 already). Lower the thing so it doesn't ride a foot in the air, add on a Mach 1 chin spoiler for aero/looks, and enjoy 30MPG on the highway (with the 5-speed and a tune it's very easily done).

ignorant wrote: maxima?

You beat me to it.

alex wrote:

BoxheadTim wrote:

alex wrote: How much C4 'Vette does $7k buy...?

A lot, especially if you can live with an earlier one (ie, before they got the six speed).

Is the stupid high mileage (for a V8 sportscar) dependent upon the 6 spd?

Not IME - we did Vegas to Carson City on 3/4 of a tank in mine, albeit with Ann following me (I was driving her Cherokee that was pulling a humongous U-Haul trailer). Out of town doing 55-65 regularly shows between 28-35mpg on the built-in mpg gauge. The gauge seems to be reasonably accurate, too. And yes, mine's an autotragic as Ann doesn't do manual transmissions. And I don't think you'd want an early 4+3 manual...

Mind you, out here where I'm regularly going from around 5000' to 7500' and back down, the average fuel consumption hovers around 20-21mpg.

alex wrote: LS1 Camaro is intriguing - at least to me. Could I re-gear the rear end for better mileage? Not quite luxo, but maybe she'd live with the interior in order to be the cute girl in the Camaro. And I imagine $7k buys a lot of F-body Camaro these days.

I went from a 2003 SVT Euro to the 1998 camaro and the interior quality really isn't that bad. In fact I like the design and illumination of the gauge cluster much better in the chevy. My Biggest complaint is that the car is bigger but the interior space is designed very poorly. I was only willing to buy a 6spd car to eek out some extra mpgs and have a little fun driving. With 3.42 gears I average 25mpg in mixed driving, whereas the SVT was about 28mpg. Not a bad trade off in terms of power and fuel costs.

02-03 maxima se 6spd is a hoot too, if you can find one.

Maybe a 03+ wrx?

Mazda Protege hatchback or maybe a Mazda 3 wagon. Regular Mazda 3 not S3 cause I think those would be above your $7K cap. But the Mazda has the 2.3 like the Focus but more interior room. Available in manual. (I've never been in a Focus so I cannot speak on the interior) but the basic version of the Mazda 3 is still nice. Mazda gets about 30+ on the interstate depending on driving style and traffic. And its fun to drive.

Here is what I'm talking about: http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/1827939427.html

octavious wrote: Here is what I'm talking about: http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/1827939427.html

A Quasimodo Limited Edition, to boot.

Actually, I've always liked the looks of those P5 wagons. And, actually, MS Proteges seem to be in the price range.

Without time to corroborate, I'm thinking $7k would also buy a nice, sorted RWD Volvo, right?

Speaking of turbobricks (or LS1 bricks...) where does one go to find those for sale? Swedespeed and Turbobricks.com have just about nothing in the way of cars for sale.

I'm going to jump on the Maxima bandwagon here.

All I can say about those newer boxy volvos is they are damned fast. I'd say 50% the cars I see being driven 90+mph are those boxy volvos. Most of the time with a women on a cell phone oblivious to traffic.

I had one of those roll on me last week driving to the beach, and it kept up with the mercedes until I pulled back at 90mph. I don't like the looks of them but you can't argue with success.