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Posted by: Eric Taylor Nov 18 2004, 09:32 PM

Alright, so I trust the advice of this board a lot, and your all a bunch of car nuts, so here is my deliemna. I've right now got a 93 audi 90. Which is to be honest a fairly nice car, when it runs right. My biggest problem is it's about to click 100K and I've already had a shit load of problems with it, and i'm sure 3 digit's will only secure my trip to something like a new clutch. The other problem is that i'm in the car almost every weekend putting on like 250 miles, and i'm a poor college kid, and premium being $2.30 a gallon, and 20 miles to the gallon just dosn't really cut it. So i'm looking to trade to something differnet that is fun to drive and economical (if that is Possiable). The car that immediatly comes to mind is a 1998-1999 Jetta wolfsburg or GT. Sorta sporty for a sedan and 30 mpg, however i'm not set on that so I thought I would ask, what do you think? Something sporty that get's good milage in this range?
Eric

P.S.
I won't drive a CIVIC.

Posted by: redshift Nov 18 2004, 09:42 PM

Have you considered a rikshaw? Sporty, room for two, and you can easily find people dumb enough to pull you, if you know how to run the ad..

"Lose 100lbs... ASK ME HOW!"

As far as an economy car goes.. 914? They actually turn new every 100k..




M

Posted by: Stutgart46 Nov 18 2004, 09:45 PM

I'm not sure if you need a backseat or not, but Miatas are getting cheap.
If you need a backseat or a hardtop, I'd go for a GTI in that price range.
Good luck.

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Nov 18 2004, 09:47 PM

I'd go with the Jetta, but I'm biased. Had a 84 Jetta GLI when I was in college, it was abot a 5 year old car when I got it and it was an awesome college car. Lots of room, big trunk, and could climb the road to Mt. Baker in the nastiest conditions. Sorry I can't recomend anything else. Plus it's in the family.

Posted by: nebreitling Nov 18 2004, 09:52 PM

honestly, i'd buy an old $1200 maxima or accord or something. if you want something sporty, get a CRX.

put the other 4k into the 914 to make it semi-reliable.


that represents a personal philosophy, however, and a lifestyle full of trauma, and some heartache.

Posted by: redshift Nov 18 2004, 09:54 PM

On a serious note, and only anecdotal, but I have heard a couple nightmare stories about recentish VW products, mostly service side.. I do believe.


M

Posted by: anthony Nov 18 2004, 10:02 PM

I have a '94 Jetta Limited Edition. It's been a great, reliable car (135K miles) and it's easy to work on. I bought it new and fully expect to get another 5 years out of it. According to the online pricing guides, it's essentially worthless but to me it's worth a lot more as a perfectly functioning car that still has 100% reliability. Keeping a cheap daily driver also allows me to own 3 Porsches so it serves it's purpose.

If I were you I'd consider '94-99 Golf/GTI/Jettas. My highest priority would be someone who babied their car (kept it garaged, serviced it on schedule, etc). Unfortunately, lots of these cars have gotten thrashed by people that didn't keep them up so you may have to look for a while.

Posted by: tod914 Nov 18 2004, 10:02 PM

Honda should be reliable cheap transportation. Just bought one from my friends neighbor for $50.00 1991 with 160K on it and surprisingly, it runs well, and interior is nice. Body is ok, showing wear and alittle rust. But a good beater for the winter. So, for your price range, I imagine you can find a nice one.

Posted by: BMartin914 Nov 18 2004, 11:41 PM

I would recommend the newest Maxima you can afford. SE with a 5 speed. Quick, fun to drive, fairly roomy and gets pretty good gas mileage. Regular maintenance and it'll go almost forever. Just my $.02.

Posted by: skline Nov 18 2004, 11:48 PM

I would suggest a Camry 94-97 could be had cheap and they run forever. Good gas mileage and known to exceed 180k to 200k easy. I have 98 that I picked up from my ex mother in law with only 60k on then. It's fully loaded, I think the only option missing on it is the Lexus emblem. Great car.

Posted by: mattillac Nov 19 2004, 12:17 AM

i work at a toyota dealer as a service writer. if i were you, i'd look at a late '90's corolla or any year 4banger 2WD pickup. those cars never really come in for repairs and you can easily put over 200K miles on either one without any problems.

Posted by: mattillac Nov 19 2004, 12:20 AM

oh, and you can haul that new flat 6 in the back of the pickup...

Posted by: Eric Taylor Nov 19 2004, 12:52 AM

Hey guys thaks for the suggestions! They all sound good. I really wish the Miata was an option, but where I live weather sucks, and I hear the tops leak like a mother, and it will be parked outside, so that's out. We'll see. Anyone with 1995 Jetta and newer experience: what do you think of the 2.0 as a daily driver? Is it just a dog? I drove one and it seamed really ok, but I could see getting used to it, and feeling very slow. Who know's. Love the GTI Idea, but people want to much stinking dough for the GTI! Argh.Keep um coming guys!
Eric

Posted by: anthony Nov 19 2004, 01:01 AM

Why '95? '94 and above is the same. It would probably be hard to find a late 93. The 2L engine is fine for a daily driver. It goes fine if you run it through the rpm range. That engine actually has good low end torque so 0-30 is above average for the size the car and engine. It's not fast but it would beat most stock 914s in a drag race!

Posted by: chunger Nov 19 2004, 02:17 AM

My wife has a Nissan 240SX, and it's great fun. We've spun the thing 200,000 miles now, and it's still pulling, but starting to have other issues so we went to a 914

Haa haa. . . we're going to pick up a used golf or GTI w/ 40-80K miles @ $2500-$4000 Not nearly as fun, but we need something that can carry stuff and have A/C. My sister had a 91 GTI 8v that she sold at 250K miles for $500. .. . that car was super reliable. She bought a 20K miles VR6 GTI to replace it and has been happy.

good luck,
'Chung

Posted by: Spoke Nov 19 2004, 08:19 AM

I bought a 96 Subaru Legacy for my daughter mainly for the AWD. I drove it a few times including in the snow and with the 2.5L engine, it goes pretty good with decent pick up and good handling. Relatively inexpensive to drive. Ours has 125K miles. Seen others with 180K and 200K miles. These things go forever. Unlike the A4 (I have an A6), won't cost an arm and a leg to keep on the road. In the snow the car is a blast. Driving it in the snow reminds me of watching the world championship rally races. Don't know what the weather is like where you're at, but if snow is a reality, consider the RU. If you want a really hot car, look for a WRX although you might need some more $$.

Spoke

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Nov 19 2004, 11:28 AM

If it snows where he goes to school comes to a stand still. The subby would be a great car especially if there are any trips into the Cascades. Just not as fun to drive a a VW, IMHO.

Posted by: Root_Werks Nov 19 2004, 11:33 AM

I have had a few Jetta's and one GTI, all nice cars. I would vote to get one of those. The GTI's are fun and have a back seat.

I also had a Miata once, nice little cars. Handle really good for a front engine car too. Mine had a hard top. With that up, it was just like driving a coupe. Plus, it got like 33mpg.

My 2 cents.

Posted by: aircooledboy Nov 19 2004, 11:47 AM

I have owned 5 various Subbies over the last 20 years, and all but the 83 wagon were a blast to drive, and even the worst of the bunch was bulletproof dependable. We just got rid of an Impreza wagon because it was too tough to get all three kids in it. That car was so strong, everytime I got on it, I would have thoughts of how well that engine would fit in a 914.

Posted by: Series9 Nov 19 2004, 11:53 AM

My daily driver: (I don't usually keep it loaded )


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Posted by: Randal Nov 19 2004, 12:38 PM

I agree!

I leased a 1997 and it was a great car. Nothing ever when wrong.

Also if you find one I have the K&N intake and muffler that I bought from Stillen. Really makes a huge difference in performance.

Posted by: MattR Nov 19 2004, 12:45 PM

Im kinda in the same position as you. I have a 914 thats still a project, and I could really use a daily driver, but Im broke (see above) and a student. I just use public transportation. Honestly, I really thought about how I would use a car, and while it would be nice to go to the market and stuff, I really dont use it that often. There's a shuttle to get me to class, or you can take a bike. I think its important to really think about how you're going to use a car at school and if its even necessary.

Posted by: Headrage Nov 19 2004, 01:00 PM

Had a '95 Jetta GL 2.0 for over 7 years and the only problem I ever had was the timing belt. Other than that, it ran really well and got 30-32 mpg and had good power.

Posted by: Eric Taylor Nov 19 2004, 01:17 PM

Hey thanks guys they all sound good. looks like the Jetta idea wins over most, The subby is some what appealing, but I'm going to the University of Oregon, and while the weather might be shitty it's not going to snow so much that I would need the AWD.

MattR: To be honest your right about the need for a car at school, except in my case, I have a girlfriend who lives an hr and a half away , so If I could get someting with good milage it would be much cheaper than the bus.
Thanks!
Eric

Posted by: type11969 Nov 19 2004, 01:30 PM

if youc an find one, get a diesel. boy howdy, talk about mileage. And if it is a tdi, performace isn't too shabby either. Might be pushing you budget though.


-Chris

Posted by: cha914 Nov 19 2004, 02:06 PM

Sounds like you are ready to get the VW, which sound like good cars...I went with the other german maker BMW...got me a 90 325is...two door, sport seats, limited slip, 2.5 6L, 5speed...bought it with 119K, slapped a timing belt/water pump in it, did a little bit of suspension upkeep, and have just been putting oil and gas in it...good power, handles well, best cruze control I have ever driven, decent stero, gets 25mpg on the highway going 80-90, so not the best gas milage, but not terrible.

I paid 4k for mine but I got the is which everyone wants, you can get a good 325i for 2-3 easy, or if you want better milage you can get a 325e (not as peppy but gets 30mpg and has more torque) and those can be had for 2k all day...

if you look at them defin get a manual, the auto boxes tend to die around 150k or sooner and will cost more than the car is worth to fix...the manuals will last forever, and the engines have been known to go to 300K without issue if you keep good oil in them.

The main thing it to buy a car that has maintance records...good luck...

Tony