In the last month my poor RX-8 has gotten a few new rock chips, and now has a cracked windshield! Time to leave her in the garage during the week and make her a weekend car.

Now comes the fun part of picking out a daily driver. I'm thinking something a little more practical then a sports car is in order so the first few things that popped into my head were a Nissan Maxima, a Mitsubishi Galant, maybe something around those lines? I drive between 60 - 100 miles per day so I need something that is going to be somewhat gas efficient.

Oh, and I don't want to spend more then $5,000 - $6,000 on it since I already have 2 cars at home. (SUV and RX-8)

Thoughts?

 

How about an S13 240SX. The hatchback is actually pretty practical for hauling stuff, but the back seats are very small. They look good, are fun to drive and are reliable if you can find one that hasn't been owned by a wannabe drifter. I have one but honestly don't drive it that much, I just can't tear myself out of the 8. I'll probably start driving it more as the rainy season starts.

 

errrr.... why not a civic, mazda 3, scion, prius, corolla, rabbit?

oops didn't see the price range.

i guess that knocks off the mazda 3 scion, prius, and rabbit.

used miata?

 

I got 180,000 pretty much repair free miles out of my '93 Maxima. You won't get that out of a Mitsi. Oh and the car is still going in my friend's hands with 230,000 miles, but it has a new exhaust, CV joints and front brake calipers now.

 

I thought about the miata but I'm not sure I'd fit very well: 6'5, 225 lbs.

240's are really really nice but out in CA, it is SO hard to find one that hasn't been gotten the full "Fast & Furious" makeover...

A friend of mine had a Maxima when we were going through school. I loved that thing until the engine completely died on him. I think it was his fault for lack of maintenance though.

 

i think the mid 90s maxima's are nice... they have a good engine and the styling is still good... other than that, for the price range, you can go with a civic, or maybe an accord... how about a 4 dr mid 90s integra gsr?

 

Or you could make everyday a weekend day, like me

 

The rock chips are a major PITA, especially with a dark colored RX-8. But heck, I bought it to enjoy my commute more, so it will remain my daily driver until Winter.

But if you're set on it, a Corolla is probably a good call. Great gas mileage, great reliability, good resale.

One day Raptor2k, one day....

 

Yep, my RX8 has a pitted windshield, numerous rock chips etc...But I love it as my daily driver.

 

How about getting a clear bra? That could help. If you break a windshield you're going to have to pay either way, so who cares if it's on the 8 or a beater?

 

Miata or 91-93 SE-R. Both are cheap on gas, decent fun, reliable and cheap parts and cheap insurance.

 

get a used 2003 honda element...perfect daily driver

 

right now im thinking of rebuying me a first gen miata. but this time no FI, just keeping to stock . so how about a miata

 

Ok for $5000-6000 you can easily get a latemodel 240sx manual. That's the first car I would go to in this price range because its RWD. Most of the late models (1995+) are kept stock my most people.

Also you could look at a well-kept 944 but.....it's gotta be well kept.

Here's a short list of cars to look at that I think would fit the bill:

240SX
944
Mazda Millenia (excellent car with a great engine)
Integra
Maxima
Prelude (def. look into one of these. fantastic cars)

 

im thinking of the crx! hahahaha like mines..you can scoot the seat all the way back pretty much sitting behind the driver seet, plenty of room, 40 mpg...bomb *** ac..hahahah

 

Old teggy ftw!

 

sorry SNTP but DO NOT GET A TEGGY!!! I HATE OURS! seriously, u hate life when u drive the thing. i could write an entire research paper on how horrible the damn thing is and what's sad is it works like brand new! its just that bad of quality! i hope that helps eliminate what Not to get.

my suggestions:
-ANYTHING toyota even a small rav4 or tacoma will still get 30 mpg. i grew up in toyotas so i am biased but 4 good reason. corolla, camry, celica: all good!
-to agree w/ bluesky 97+ prelude. looks awesome and exactly what ur lookin 4

 

+1 for the 240 SX and the Integra GSR

 

I suggest a high mileage Honda CRV or Toyota RAV4.

9 months after I got my 8 (and discovered it can't be driven in any kind of snow with stock tires) I picked up a 1998 CRV with 97,000 miles on it for $9,000. Best car I have ever bought for the money. Reliable - no time in the shop in 2.5 years except oil changes. Also, I can certainly run it to 150K mile and most owners talk about them lasting to 200K-250K. Maintainable - parts are cheap and everything is easy to fix. Practical - good interior room and full time AWD.

 

Awhh cmon. its just a daily driver. you cant beat a teggy thats cheap, bulletproof, and gets over 35mpg!!!

 

yup those reasons r y i havent taken a bat to the thing lol
we have a '95 LS:
-only cost 3k (bought it last yr)
-engine will last far longer than i would like it to so we can get rid of it (140k and i suspect something like that much more to go)
-on a good day the damn thing gets 40 mpg (triple of my 8 and not premium Y.Y)

BUT again i could write a book on y its a horrible car but id rather not. just acknowledging the counter arguement here. so, in a manner of speaking, if u feel those points outweigh drinking debilitating poison from a cauldron that was just hurled at ur head everytime u got in the car then feel free to get an integra

 

Bullshit, a B18B Integra will not get 40 mpg. Not even on the highway with the windows up and the a/c off going 65 mph with cruise control. I hate how people love to exagerate everything here. RX8's do not get 11 mpg and Civics/Integras do not get 40 mpg. My RX8 gets a consistent 19/20 mpg and my first car a 2000 Civic EX 5spd only got about 28 city 32-33 highway, I drove both the cars the same way.

 

I had a 1994 Integra GSR hatchback and I got the best mileage after it was new and broken in. I would travel long distances on I5 at 85MPH and get 32-34MPG. It decresed to the high 20's at the end of its tenure with me.

I would not buy any used car that has been heavily modified in any way. To me it says the car has been heavily abused. Some Acura and Hondas will be extremely hard to find unmodified.

Cars that I would consider in that budget and have at least average reliability:

Acura Integra
Acura TL
Chevrolet Prizm (Corolla clone)
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Honda Prelude
Infiniti G20
Infiniti J30
Mazda Millenia
Mazda Protege
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Sentra SE-R
Nissan 240SX
Toyota Camry SE (mid-90s)
Toyota Celica

 

Lighten up man.
You forget that every car, albeit the same model, is different. The 40 mpg on our integra is the very best mileage it gets, certainly not the norm but it can get those kind of numbers. As for it getting triple the mileage of my 8, sadly to say in this lovely L.A. bumer to bumper traffic I usually get 12-14 mpg. Best I've gotten was 18mpg on I-5, and a worst of 9mpg. Now, the joke is on me cause i get shitty mileage, but it's the truth. Take it for what you wish.

 

hmm, some good suggestions in here.

Time to hit up all the online car shops; carmax, autotrader, cars.com, etc. Did I miss any?
I'm hoping to purchase a car this month so I'll keep you guys posted...