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Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 28 2016, 01:34 PM

Well, some P content - after the semi-fiasco of his 944 experience, he has been carless, but could walk to work and pay his roommate to use his car as needed.

But now he has taken a sales job with a micro-brewery and while it is local and he won't be a road warrior, he really needs something bulletproof, but hopefully still offers some fun.

He will only drive a stick (taught him well), hates FWD (me too, but he may have to suck it up).

We started looking at E46 BMW's but the more I read, the more I think it will be another mistake like his 944 (maintenance and reliability wise).

So what is out there that is cheap, reliable and fun? What do you or your poor car enthusiast 20 something kids drive daily?

Posted by: ThePaintedMan Jun 28 2016, 01:38 PM

They are big, not anywhere near as balanced as a 914 or 944, and clunky, but late-90s Mustangs are cheap and reliable, given proper upkeep. I had one all through college and loved that car. Never left me stranded and it was fun "enough" to drive. Worst comes to worst, slapping another engine and/or transmission in it is fairly straightforward, can be accomplished in a weekend and parts are CHEAP.

Posted by: billh1963 Jun 28 2016, 01:54 PM

Miata

Posted by: Chris914n6 Jun 28 2016, 02:01 PM

The only thing reliable with a BMW is that at least 1 part will fail every year.

Go Japanese, and to a lesser extent newer Korean. Some Fords and GM are ok.

Posted by: r_towle Jun 28 2016, 02:11 PM

Gotta agree here, but I would press him toward FWD.
A mustang in the winter is just a sucky car, so is a BMW...

Yes, I grew up with both of them....they suck in the snow.

Posted by: r_towle Jun 28 2016, 02:12 PM

This, 3300 and it's yours




Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: Ferg Jun 28 2016, 02:13 PM

Second the Miata, for less than 5k I don't think you can find a better Fun/Reliability/sport combo.

Posted by: 2mAn Jun 28 2016, 02:14 PM

I disagree, my E30 has been rock solid reliable. I put 36k miles on it in ~18 months of daily driving duties and weekend shenanigans with no major issues for a 32 year old car. Motor was rebuilt with a E36/7 aluminum block M52 so its fast, reliable, fun, analog and still gets 25-28mpg with a lot of smiles in between. Its out of his budget, but there are E30s out there and they are reliable. The M20 motor needs a timing belt job every 40k, but otherwise a well maintained version will fit the ticket for him. They are getting more expensive though...

Help him buy mine so I can finally get my 914

ps WTF is a E49? do you mean E46?

Posted by: Andyrew Jun 28 2016, 02:14 PM

5k reliable car non FWD?

Top of my head.

Mr2 spyder
Audi A4 Quattro 2.8L (Buy the absolute best you can afford, the 2.8L engine is bulletproof your money will be spent on regular maintenance)
Subaru Impreza
Infinity G35/Nissan 350Z (Assuming it hasnt been beat up) will be over the mark, but maybe worth splurging. An automatic 4 door would be dirt cheap.
Lexus IS300
Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
MK3 Supra

Posted by: billh1963 Jun 28 2016, 02:20 PM

I already gave the most on target answer. All those other cars listed can be money pits.

Once you get over the "chick car" bullcrap, the Miata is the only logical choice for:
1. Fun
2. Reliability
3. Easy to work on
4. Parts availability
5. Strong forum support
6. Good fuel economy
7. Fun
8. Good looks
9. Chick magnet
10. Lots of performance mods available
11. Fun

Posted by: jrblackbox Jun 28 2016, 02:21 PM

I agree, the mini cooper is fun to drive and great on gas. nice looking mini by the way and cheap!

Posted by: Perry Kiehl Clone Jun 28 2016, 02:24 PM

4 years ago I needed a decent reliable car for not much money. I personally wanted to get a Protege5 wagon (to haul my music gear), but couldn't find one and got a one owner '02 Protege sedan. While not exciting (look for a Mazdaspeed) it's turned out to be a great car. I've done the timing belt, shocks, and brakes; all which were not too difficult. 104k miles when I got it for $4000

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 28 2016, 02:41 PM

typo fixed it.

Miata is a possibility and he likes them, but he may need more room to carry samples.

RWD in winter, he had zero problems getting around in the 944 with winter tires - I assumed any reasonably balanced RWD car with winter tires would be similar (that may still rule out the Mustang lol)

Mini - he like them at one time, but his sister just bought a late model S - may rule it out (I wanted a Ducati until my brother bought one first.... so I get it)

Posted by: 2mAn Jun 28 2016, 02:54 PM

E30s are fine in the snow. most have LSD and with a set of snow tires they cant be stopped.

Im a fan of the Miata but not in that climate

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 28 2016, 03:00 PM

Heading out to meet him for dinner and look at some cars on the interweb, thanks and keep them coming!

Posted by: Tom_T Jun 28 2016, 03:56 PM

Scott,

For $5K -

1. How about an 80's BMW E30 325e/es/i/is with their very reliable I-6, sway bars F&R, great handling & very reliable - I've got almost 200k on mine & it's still the original engine, tranny was rebuilt around 150K=ish .... & still one of our DDs!

The 84-86 325e/es in 3dr Coupe has that great old-school lotsa glass greenhouse cockpit for great visibility, & will get better 17-35 mpg on Regular (I can get 42 on the flat in mine) with 121 HP +/- & about the same HP-to-Wt ratio as our 914s (one of my requirements when I got it new after my 914 got whacked & the wife said we needed a back seat) - vs. the 87-92 325i/is coupes at 161 HP at 15-22 mpg (IIRC they may take the more expensive Mid-grade or Premium due to higher compression ratio, so check that out too).

Forget the M3's of that era, due to their much higher price in his case. The 325s will give him plenty of pep for far less money - even in the 4 dr version, but the 2 Dr Coupes generally have the Recaro Sport Seats & 3 spoke leather steering wheel, etc. in them. The 318's are also out there with less HP, but the mpg isn't that much better than on the 325 6's.

They should eventually appreciate in value now, as the E30's are now gaining popularity. Plus the big BMW parts house Bav Auto is near you guys too!

Mine....

... not sure why the site's upload isn't keeping these rotated to horizontal that I did with the jpg files on my laptop, so I give up!

.

2. Although FWD - the 1980's to `91/92-ish Honda Civic Hatchback or fastback Coupe are also an amazingly spritely & good handling car with it's 1.5-1.8L I-4, all with the Honda reliability. There are several run by PCA members in our SoCal AXs, & our son has an `88 Civic HB DX that has been in the family since new with 2 of his uncles, & is now near 200K miles & still a reliable DD for him - he just drove to/from Ft. Carson/Colorado Springs CO to OC/SoCal for leave a couple of weeks ago!

They look really nice & sporty - especially in certain colors & when properly cleaned up & waxed up!

Son's, after we finished the 2008-09 Refurb/Resto....


.

3. Early Miata's may also be around at $5K, as are some early Boxsters with hi miles (but with IMS bearing concerns).

Happy Hunting!
Tom
///////

Posted by: somd914 Jun 28 2016, 04:01 PM

Miata - both my sons bought NA Miata's ('94 and '95), set them up for street and track, DD's year round with winter tires (sometimes), 30 MPG driving hard, reliable, and if they do break, generally cheap and easy to repair. My wife also has also owned two Miatas. Can't say enough good about them. But spend the grand and find a hardtop to go on it for the winter.

Posted by: Cairo94507 Jun 28 2016, 04:07 PM

Depends upon if a 2 seater, like the Miata will be enough room for him. They are small. I would say a Honda Civic coupe. No issues with these cars they just keep on running with minor maintenance. You can buy therm for under $5K all day long. Reliable, bullet proof and good mileage. Cheap insurance too.

Posted by: jor Jun 28 2016, 04:24 PM

But don't forget that early '90s, second generation Honda CRX. It's a FWD Miata with hatchback interior room.

It wasn't so long ago I'd be suggesting a 914 in this situation ....

Posted by: Chris914n6 Jun 28 2016, 04:54 PM

You missed the part about him being in the North East... snow... salt... rust.... sleet... rain. I can't recommend a car from the 80s when you can get ABS and other pluses.

FYI- 08 335i E90 at only 90k miles has had replaced just this year.
1. 3 injectors
2. both oil cooler gaskets
3. Fuel filter/level/regulator because the plastic housing cracked
4. both HID ballasts
5. driver door latch/remote control box
6. leaking p/s hose
and a special spark plug socket.

Luckily most of the parts can be had aftermarket or online for less crazy money. The E46 isn't any better from what I've seen on BMW forums.

The 98 325i E36 jut needed minor things. Both front window motors because the plastic gear stripped. The climate control because of the bad cap. The blower resistor pack. The drivers door handle that's a bitch on the coupe. And the A/C comp. Though the interior has fallen apart so it looks and feels ghetto.

A clutch gets old fast in rush hour traffic. Maybe not today but definitely at 30 when your left knee hurts. Plus with the 944 does he really need a sports car for commuting? There are cheaper cars to insure, like Subarus, just saying.

Posted by: ssuperflyoldguy Jun 28 2016, 05:07 PM

Hands down Miata. Got a 96 for $600, bought a wheel & fixed clutch slave cylinder. Pulled fender out n away from wheel by hand. Shoe horned cheapest WalMart battery in it. Nephew gave it the last of his can o R134 & AC worked fine. Mom stitched in a new plastic window and done. Drove it for a year commuting, loved it! Don't know why I sold it, kicking myself whenever driving on a twisty road. Kids don't let me forget it either.

Posted by: 2mAn Jun 28 2016, 05:17 PM

Anything from the E36 on the beancounters had a say in things so you saw plastic showing up everywhere giving things a shelf life. The E30 was the last of the overengineered cars.

They all had ABS with the exception of the early 318 models (like mine). None of those problems from the NE should scare him in an E30. If that scares him, he can get an iX but realistically its not a problem even with RWD.

Everyone mentioning a miata is also forgetting that this is a sales job for a microbrewery, Im sure at some point he will need a backseat and a trunk.

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5638152174.html totally stock, mint condition

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5645990243.html slightly modified

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5648988443.html AWD but has some rust though very well maintained

Posted by: carr914 Jun 28 2016, 05:40 PM

I still daily drive a 99 Civic Hatch. You can put a ton of stuff in it, it's quick, fun and gets 38 MPG everywhere I go

Posted by: Shadowfax Jun 28 2016, 05:50 PM

E30 ftw! Love my E39 (2003 530i, 5-speed) too but you do have to stay on top of maintenance

Agree with the others on the attributes of the Miata and Civic. What about an early 2000s Subaru wagon? They may lack in the fun factor and a manual transmission might be hard to find but AWD, good MPG, reliability and cargo space would be a good trade off to me.

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 28 2016, 06:12 PM

Well I bumped the needle a bit - he is going to look at a Miata tomorrow.

Tried to get him to consider a Honda, but I blame all the tuner boys, he just can't do it (yet).

I think he might need more room, but he cannot deliver beer, so he says all he needs to carry is a case of canned samples...

Posted by: Gearhead1432 Jun 28 2016, 06:22 PM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned a VW GTI. The Mk3 2.0 would be my top pick for daily utility, cheap, and reliable.

The Vr6 is fun, but just not as cheap or reliable as the 2.0. For the trade off it's faster than a non-turbo 944 and sounds better too.

Posted by: Steve Pratel Jun 28 2016, 06:49 PM

Agreed on the E46, very maintenance intensive, more so than the E36. Even the E36 have programmed in R&R (suspension bushings, cooling system every 9-10 years regardless of miles, and I mean the WHOLE system that has plastic. One minor overheat and you are looking at a head gasket job and possible warped head.

The rest of the E36 is pretty solid, particularly the M cars, but even a well cared for one like mine there is always something going wrong....... Very fussy of fuel, maintenance intensive, but worth it if you have the time & $$. E46 has far too many wiz bang gizmos to go haywire.

I'd look at:

1.Celica - My son just picked up a sweet 2000 GTS for 4500. **2000-2005 has timing chain, not belt.
2. Acura Integra -too often overlooked.
3. Mazda 3 - another great car that is underrated.
4. Imprezza Hatch with a Manual.

Not a big fan of Honda, but they get the job done. I'd stay farther away from any VW/Audi product. Just not worth the maintenance headache IMO.

Posted by: carr914 Jun 28 2016, 07:06 PM

I get it, as I have daily driven Hondas for the last 20 Years - I can guarantee that everyone except one ( low mileage S2000) has been riced out!

I do get respect from the Ricers when they see how clean my car is. But you know what I don't really care - I can drive it anywhere with so little maintenance it's scary. Oil Changes, a Belt every 75,000. In the last year I have done 3 Synthetic Oil Changes, and I just replaced the O2 Sensors. The last Civic Hatch I had I drove close to 400,000 Miles and all I did was Oil Changes, Tires, 3 Timing Belts, Gas - then traded it in for what I paid for it!

Posted by: Steve Jun 28 2016, 07:22 PM

Are these cars you don't have to work on? My 2003 Acura RSX with 185k miles just died recently with a blown head gasket and cracked plastic radiator. Blue book on the car is $3000. We sold it to pick a part for $500.00. My daughter also needed a cheap car, but I don't want her stranded on the side of the road so we leased a new RAV 4.

Posted by: zipedadoo Jun 28 2016, 07:40 PM

I'd go for a 2000's era 1/2 ton chevy truck. 4x4 and a manual transmission can be alot more fun than any car, if you use it right..

Posted by: rwilner Jun 28 2016, 07:41 PM

Scott
Just throwing this out there. Cheap, safe, good in the snow, relatively local.

Bring a checkbook for gas...but it least it runs on 87.

I thought about buying this for my DD. Still am, I guess.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5816024

Posted by: billh1963 Jun 28 2016, 07:50 PM

Good grief.

He said early on that the car needed to be manual, RWD, and fun.

Reliability was a factor as well. He's young so he needs something that can be inexpensively fixed.

In what universe does 90% of the cars mentioned fit that criteria?

30 year old BMW's? Sheesh..give me a break. I've owned several. Great cars but not for a kid on a budget.

Japanese econoboxes may be reliable but are FWD and not all that exciting.

Old luxury cars? Really? One major issue and the kid is down for the count.

I would love to recommend an early Boxster. But, that's not realistic either.

Hell, if we want to talk sense get a used small truck and be done with it. Reliability, RWD, and practicality all rolled into one! Or, a Jeep. But, that's not what he wants.

I've never owned a Miata but have driven several. Awesome cars for the money. And, I can't think of any other inexpensive car that meets the original criteria.

Posted by: MMW Jun 28 2016, 08:17 PM

I agree with a Miata but if it is not enough room & you can talk him into fwd then look at a VW golf or Jetta with a 2.0, manual. Great reliability, sporty, forum support, cheap parts, etc. If he absolutely needs rwd then a Miata is all I can think of.

Posted by: r_towle Jun 28 2016, 09:06 PM

Scott,
Have you considered being the coolest dad ever and selling him the 914?

Posted by: Tom_T Jun 28 2016, 11:20 PM

Ummm .... Really!? .... no ABS & other goodies on the 914s either!

No ABS - then you go old school & learn to drive it yourself without nannies, & learn to pump the brakes & learn to counter-steer in snow/ice. Then his son will know what to do when the ABS goes out in wet/snow/ice!

My E30 has PS - the Honda Civic & 914 not - & all were great in rain, snow, ice - as well as sun.

You'd think the 70's & 80's were the dark ages!

BTW - our son's 88 Honda Civic has been in Watertown NY / Ft. Drum in Lake Effect ice, snow & salty roads 2011-14, & is now in Colorado Springs Co 2014-present also with snow, ice & salt, & had been in Little Rock & Fayettesville AR for it's 1st decade & a half - so it does just fine in the winter weather.

The E30 does fine in snow & ice for me in the CA Mountains, as well as for many folks I know in the Northeast still driving them.

And if you're driving anything in salty roads country, then you should be washing off the cars - running gear & undersides included - as often as possible!

For Bill & Shadowfax - my `85 325e is not a problem to keep up - usually <$1000/yr & probably $2,000 a year at most when something needs replacement after 30 years & 200K miles.

In fact, it has been 1/4 the costs over the past 28 years as our `88 VW Westy, & far less high-tech shennighans than any of the late-90's - 2000's BMWs, where you can't change a battery without a dealer to reset the OBCs! My neighbor across the street had a 2006 323 wagon, which he traded for a Kia, after it ate him up on the BS maintenance items.

A car budget of $5K is NOT going to buy what most of you are recommending here, in a reliable, relatively low mileage for the year, & well made cars!

Personally, I'd stay well away from any BMW made `95-98 on!

Scott - after he drives the Miata, try to also find some of the other Honda Civics, E30s, GTIs & other likely suspects mentioned here, & also try to find some old Consumer Reports yearly test results for their reliability & reccos for how well they've served.

Car test driving is always a fun sport!


Tom
///////

Posted by: colingreene Jun 28 2016, 11:27 PM

What happened with the 944?

Posted by: Shindog1961 Jun 28 2016, 11:46 PM

Subaru WRX. Might be hard to get the WRX for $5000, but super reliable and by far the best cars on the planet for snow.

Posted by: ripper911 Jun 28 2016, 11:52 PM

Super Beetle.

Posted by: billh1963 Jun 29 2016, 04:41 AM

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5657080117.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5640349975.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5621954634.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5644143265.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5624293037.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5640099547.html

With hardtop: http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5610997296.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/5651473161.html

Just a few......

Posted by: mgp4591 Jun 29 2016, 05:15 AM

You live in NH... your son needs to get to work etc.... why would you consider anything other than a Subie? The other AWD cars are spendy to fix and cost more to begin with while the Subaru is all around less expensive. Parts are everywhere - they seem to be the SBC of the Japanese car market too. Even if you get an underpowered one, you can swap suspension pieces with the more robust ones and have a lot of fun tossing it around while still dashing through the snow..
Just speaking from experience.

Posted by: billh1963 Jun 29 2016, 05:46 AM

Because the heart wants what the heart wants!

Posted by: mgp4591 Jun 29 2016, 06:05 AM

Most of our P cars seem to be toys- have your toy when you can afford it but meanwhiles ya gotta get around in the NE winters!

Posted by: dcheek Jun 29 2016, 06:28 AM

Before I get pounced on, this is my personal opinion and what I've done up until now.
I NEVER mixed business with pleasure. That is, I started my driving career with a reliable, cheap daily driver (used VW air cooled of that era) and concentrated on my professional career to save up enough money to buy my "pleasure" car. It took me almost 2 years of savings, plus a small loan to by my first sports car. From that point on I always had 2 (or more) cars. The result is you never have to stress out about someone dinging your sports car since it will only used on weekends, nice days or car events. It gives you something to look forward to in your spare time. Trust me, this is the way to go. Mixing business with pleasure will result in stress and aggravation.

My current daily driver is an '06 Jetta, 5 speed, with Sirius Satellite. Fast, handles great, 4 doors and a gigantic trunk. I've got 110,000 miles on it and it still runs great. You can't get much more practical than that. I'm a front wheel drive proponent in the northeast due to snow conditions in the winter. As long as it's not scraping on the bottom of the car, you will never get stuck.

Dave

Posted by: bandjoey Jun 29 2016, 06:34 AM

Before you pick. Don't forget the airbag recalls that can't be fixed (due to parts shortages). Check the recall list for safety.

Posted by: dcheek Jun 29 2016, 06:45 AM

Very good point.
Dave

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 29 2016, 06:48 AM

Haha, I have proven that it has a lot of room for beer - lol!

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 29 2016, 06:51 AM

Good points Dave that I have tried to convince him of - but then he brings up the list of sporty or interesting cars I used as daily drivers over the years.

Telling him he isn't me doesn't get much traction lol....

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 29 2016, 06:52 AM

Tuner boys have ruined these too and his mother had one that was nothing but trouble....

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 29 2016, 07:01 AM

Someone mentioned a Jeep, he'd do a boxy Cherokee with a stick (I had one back when, the kids loved it), but they are getting long in tooth due to age and abuse.

I'm not giving up on finding other choices, but as I mentioned he is going to look at a couple of Miatas today.

One is a 2000 with about 70k, the other is a 2007 with about 140K and the asking price is the same.

We both like the newer body style better and I tend to believe (everything else being equal) that age deteriorates a car more than miles - plastic hardens, hoses get brittle, gaskets leak, bushings crack, etc. due to age not miles.

Thoughts?

The 2007 looks so good in the pictures that I'd consider buying it from him if it didn't work out (and he didn't Fuch it up).

PS that white E30 in NH Craigslist is gorgeous (I had already seen it, I'm sure he has too), but is a really nice 30 yo car really a good choice for a year round DD?

PPS Good point qabout checking for air bag issues and other recalls.

Posted by: cuddyk Jun 29 2016, 07:04 AM

I'm in the Subaru camp. Inexpensive, great in snow, easy to maintain and fix. Also agree that mixing business and pleasure is difficult. At that budget, both sides will be compromised. There's one other factor to prioritize here...and forgive me if I sound like a guy in his 50s with kids of driving age....safety. With a DD, I'd encourage him to get the safest car possible. A tank, preferably. He can always borrow your teener to get his fun fix on weekends...in good weather when at least that variable is removed from the safety equation.

And remember...the hunt is half the fun:)

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 29 2016, 07:33 AM

Just sent him some links to some Legacy(s) like this one:

https://nh.craigslist.org/cto/5611714589.html

I know he wouldn't even look at a WRX or Impreza.

They all do seem to need head gaskets by ~100k, I know his mom's also suffered from CEL for O2/converter issues that seemed hard/impossible to resolve (BMW's seem to suffer this fate too)

Posted by: billh1963 Jun 29 2016, 07:43 AM

Salvage title on the one you listed

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 29 2016, 07:59 AM

Was looking fast and didn't see that - good catch - thanks

how about this one:

https://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/5637749716.html

Posted by: preach Jun 29 2016, 08:17 AM

never saw the price range, but a boxter IMO is th bang for the buck now, Miata sure, if you are in snow country get a TT,

Posted by: preach Jun 29 2016, 08:20 AM

Ha, you are 20 miles from me, I am happy to help. In NH a subaru drives you. They are exceptional in the snow and cheap.

Posted by: rhodyguy Jun 29 2016, 08:23 AM

Who is laying out the cash for this purchase? In my experience, what's acceptable can vary dependent on who's paying. IMHO, let HIM do all of the leg work and buy his own vehicle. If there's a oops due a high risk car (repair or insurance wise) when he buys an expensive turd? it's on him. One of those lessons learned the hard way.

I missed the 944 story. What went wrong?

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 29 2016, 09:01 AM

If it is a car I approve of, I will assist with about $1200 cash as I did for his sister.

He will either get a car loan or make $100/month payments to me if that is a better or only option. Payments to me would increase if he is succeeding at his new job.

The 944 saga:

He did not get the $1200 for the 944 as I did not approve.

It was a reasonable car for awhile and he had a short commute.

Short version - cam box oil leak, I helped him fix it.

Head gasket blew - he fixed it, but dropped something in the cam box that damaged it.

Replaced cam box, but he likely misadjusted the timing belt and it broke going through the Hampton tolls last New Years Eve.

Bought the car for $3k drove for about 1.5 years, sold it for $1k.

Posted by: Shadowfax Jun 29 2016, 09:08 AM

Was referring more to my E39 because of all the plastic bits. I'm at 90K and have already done the preventative cooling maintenance, among other things (belt tensioners, suspension, etc etc). Still one of the best cars I've ever owned.
The E30 is easy to maintain - valve adjustments every 10K, timing belt every 5 years or 50k, in addition to fluid changes etc. I use Mike Miller's "old-school maintenance" guidelines for it and my E39 (imho BMW's last great sedan).

Posted by: DirtyCossack Jun 29 2016, 10:33 AM

It's hard for the old and wise to give proper advice to the young; priorities definitely change. But to me there are 3 types of cars unless you are wealthy (that's another matter): 1. A truck/SUV that can tow (do you need to tow often enough for this?) 2. A fun car (can be anything from a classic to something new that is impractical). 3. A practical and affordable DD (In my world there is only Honda and Toyota). As money and circumstances permit, you have any combination of the 3. That's just my $.02.

Posted by: Drums66 Jun 29 2016, 12:18 PM

....Did anyone say Volvo...very reasonable for the ducat? also Ghia
(whatever you purchase be safe!)

Posted by: r_towle Jun 29 2016, 06:55 PM

Jeep.
There are some awesome jeep clubs that do events on private land.

http://nea4wd.org

Posted by: westtexass2k Jun 29 2016, 07:17 PM

Miata hands down best bang for the buck if you can find one with a hard top even better. Parts are cheap and plentiful get 250-300k no problem.
2007 Honda Civic Si dedan fun car. Chain driven cams no belt change needed and very reliable. My wife has one with 150k on it and done nothing but shocks and tires and oil changes and 200 hp vtec fun car.
Golf GTI are fun and well built more expensive to repair if the need arises.
BMW e28 find a few in the 3k -4k range. Another fun car but expensive to keep on the road.

Posted by: r_towle Jun 29 2016, 09:10 PM

...


Attached image(s)

Posted by: r_towle Jun 29 2016, 09:17 PM

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/5613371872.html

Posted by: boxstr Jun 29 2016, 10:15 PM

Miata, I have owned several, loved everyone of them. Great little car.
I also love the Ford Rangers, smaller truck, get the xlt, extended cab, more room behind the seats, or get one with a canopy or the glass tonneau cover.
Craig at CAMP

Posted by: boxstr Jun 29 2016, 10:15 PM

Miata, I have owned several, loved everyone of them. Great little car.
I also love the Ford Rangers, smaller truck, get the xlt, extended cab, more room behind the seats, or get one with a canopy or the glass tonneau cover.
Craig at CAMP

Posted by: Chris914n6 Jun 29 2016, 11:28 PM

What car would his boss like to see him drive? Newer family oriented (thought of as reliable) or older (could break down and miss work, low quality expectations).
I've always had 2 cars. The 914(s) for fun and in my 20s a Nissan Hardbody for the daily grind. Cheap to own, cheap insurance (multi-car discount) and useful.

Yes. It's because I am intimately familiar with newer cars.

I have an 88 Nissan Pathfinder with 225k as a daily beater. Paid $350 and put ~$250 into fixes and window tint. Could use a new muffler - $50 at Autozone. Cherry NW interior, good paint, no rust, just a few dents from off-roading. Current cost $100/yr or I can probably sell it for a grand. Your E30 sounds like a POS to me. My wallet loves POS owners

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 30 2016, 07:42 AM

Nice looking kit, this is more up my alley than his.
Probably don't want to know what is under the fiberglass!

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jun 30 2016, 07:50 AM

He drove a 2006 Miata last night and liked it a lot.

We both prefer the later body style with the fender bulges and it has more room/trunk room.

It might be sold, he will find out today.


Found another nice one in Mass but 2 hours away.

Assuming they can come down a grand or so, they are both a grand over the original budget.

I've owned a couple of Rangers, might be able to get h going that way if the Miatas fall through.

Posted by: Ferg Jun 30 2016, 12:01 PM

Google around for local miata club as well, they usually have a classifieds...

As well as Facebook ect, craigslist is becoming less and less the go to place to find a deal.

Posted by: r_towle Jun 30 2016, 12:31 PM

There is a club that auto crosses at devens and there was a Miata race shop in Ayer just outside the gates, for reference

Posted by: Chris914n6 Jun 30 2016, 04:32 PM

A Ranger with a 2" drop and bigger rims/sporty tires will handle quite well. No Miata but much less truck like.

Posted by: Steve Pratel Jul 1 2016, 08:18 PM

Found this in my local area, may interest you or your son. Is in Seattle WA.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/ctd/5652426493.html

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jul 10 2016, 06:52 PM

So while we both like the MX-5, common sense and a limited budget prevailed and we found a great deal on a 2010 Mazda 3s Grand Touring with a six speed manual transmission and 132k for only $4200





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Posted by: jd74914 Jul 10 2016, 06:56 PM

Nice! That seems like quite a good price. I have almost that exact car (only 105k though) and have been very happy with it overall.

Plan on getting snow tires for it. It's great until snow hits and then can be undriveable without a good set of snows. It's worse than a 2WD long bed pickup truck as strange as that sounds since it's FWD.

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jul 10 2016, 07:04 PM

One of the reasons the price is right is because it has studded snows on it now lol!

Posted by: wndsnd Jul 10 2016, 07:18 PM

Looks like a sensible decision.

Posted by: jd74914 Jul 10 2016, 08:23 PM

Those should work!

Posted by: Chris914n6 Jul 10 2016, 10:48 PM

Good choice.

The one thing I see a lot with cars at that mileage is that after 60k maintenance gets lax. Unless you have actual records I'd go thru it like nothing got done and verify condition.
132k in 6 years is not a lot of down time.

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jul 11 2016, 07:50 AM

Agreed, anything that isn't proven to have been done (such as a timing belt) will get done ASAP

Posted by: cali914 Jul 11 2016, 08:23 AM

Great car for the price. Mazda is very underated I think. But let your son pick the car otherwise you will never here the end of it no matter what happens. my 2 cents.

Posted by: NS914 Jul 11 2016, 08:53 AM

How about a Mk VI VW GTI....2010-2012...don't know what prices are like down your way but quick fun car, crazy comfortable interior...great mileage... and at least in my experience....I have owned a bunch of GTI's over the years...reliable as well.

Hope this helps! Grant

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jul 11 2016, 08:54 AM

Thanks, and I agree that HE had to pick it and he did pick it, but not before it (me) got heated.

To his credit a few weeks ago he had mentioned a Mazda 3 hatch as a possibility. He had a friend buy one and liked it.

I did not go with him to see the car, he had to make peace with not getting a RWD sports car and decide on his own if he could live with this choice.

While I was not 100% against a nice Miata we found, it would have required a real car loan which also means full insurance.

I was hoping he would do the research/math and realize with a new job now and needing a new apartment in the fall that now was not a good time to get financially extravagant on a car that isn't the best choice for what he is currently doing....

But he didn't and wasn't even looking at the other options I found/sent to him, including this car.

So when I finally had enough and lost my cool a bit with him, he changed his plans and went and looked at this car (which to our benefit was hard to find because it was under "Mazda3" rather than "Mazda 3" on Craigslist so I don't think they had much interest).

More good news - it has a timing chain, the current owners have the maintenance records which was all done on time, and it was mostly driven by the wife.

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jul 11 2016, 08:59 AM

I've heard good and bad about GTI's, but personally like them.

This time around I think Japanese was the way to go.

We don't have the Mazda yet as I have to transfer the funds - we committed to buy, but he did not have a cash deposit on him, hopefully they do not sell it out from under us!

Posted by: Andyrew Jul 11 2016, 09:52 AM

3's are great cars. That hatch is actually decently sporty from the factory. Underpowered yes, but sporty.

My cousin has one and I could almost keep up with him driving my Fiesta ST on an back canyon road.. Granted I am a significantly more aggressive driver.

It carries its weight well and has enough brakes to do the job.

Posted by: ThePaintedMan Jul 11 2016, 10:57 AM

great purchase. My wife has a Mazda 6 from a similar era, and it's been great. The 3 is still a lot of fun to drive and he could do quite well at local autocrosses if he wants to have some "fun.".

If the 3 has some of the same small quirks/issues as the 6, you may wish to immediately inspect the condition of the plastic water elbows and tees in the engine bay. They last a long time, but with that kind of mileage, they are likely getting very brittle. On my wife's, they have been literally the only real issue we've dealt with. Small, cheap repairs, but if one does crack on the highway you can be out of water REAL quick. When one broke, my wife noticed real quick and shut it off before any damage was done and I had it fixed in less than an hour.

The other thing I should mention - if you ever have something that needs to be replaced, don't bother going to the FLAPS. More than likely the Mazda dealership in town has what you need, is fantastic OEM quality and for the same price, if not LESS than an aftermarket part. I love my local dealer and the guy at the parts desk knows me by name now.

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jul 11 2016, 11:24 AM

Thanks for the feedback on Mazdas guys!

We will be checking the plastic fittings and using the dealership for parts (which is almost close enough for him to walk to).

We are aware that the 3 has a "sporty nature" that most people don't know about, and the "tuner boys" that he loathes don't go for it (but he is already thinking about black rims lol).

Posted by: flippa Jul 11 2016, 11:49 AM

I think he needs a small SUV, perhaps a nice one owner silver and black Honda CR-V EX, leather interior with a 5 speed.

I might know someone selling one

Posted by: scott_in_nh Jul 15 2016, 09:39 AM

So we got the car home last night.

It was the first time I had seen it, though I was the one to find it on Craigslist.

Owned by a 30ish professional couple and it was her first new car.

They sold it because she inherited a very low mileage Rav4 from her grandmother.

Other than needing tires this car is exceptionally clean for the year (2010), mileage (132k) and options (fully loaded S Grand Touring).

IMO we literally stole it at their asking price of $4200!

the boy is very happy as is his dad!

Sorry for the crappy cell phone picture, meant to bring my real camera.

Thanks for the support and advise!








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Posted by: Shadowfax Jul 15 2016, 10:18 AM

Awesome! Glad you found one that you both like.
Do I see an E30 vert in the background?