Opinions? Best kept car secret?

Hi all,

I've just registered. I have been lurking for a while an reading all of the good info here. I am looking for a commuter car. I spend 4 hours a day in my car commuting to work. My poor old '87 Accord is getting tired (auto tranny is shifting funny, probably on the way out). I am looking for opinions on the overlooked cars (under appreciated) that get a bad rap but are actually really good cars.

I don't care what age but would like to stay under $3k. Criteria is that it is a good commuter, comfortable, handles good in winter, reasonable gas mileage (but not the highest priority), 4 door or wagon, reliable (but I can do my own repairs), fun to drive (would be nice), decent aftermarket support (if I want to improve it). I would drive it into the ground (don't care about resale value).

I would like an enthusiast type vehicle but want good value in the purchase price. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Over the years, I have owned a number of vehicles that have been panned by consumer's guides but have been great reliable cars. But I am not very knowledgeable in any cars past the late 80s. Thanks!

Welcome.

P71. Just in case you don't know, that's a retired cop car. Go for a 01-02 or an 03-09 (Crown Victoria). They have a punchy little 4.6L V8, bulletproof reliability, decent mileage, and are very comfy. Cheap to buy, cheap to insure, easy to work on. There's a ton of threads here detailing the specific good and bad points so spend some time searching around.

If a full-size slushbox isn't your cup of tea then we have about a zillion other vehicles to recommend.

Ford Focus. You should be able to get an early car for around $3k, either as a sedan or wagon. I'd pony up a little more coin to get an '01 or later, as the '00s had a bunch of issues, although if it's still around and has had the recalls addressed it'll be ok.

Two key points: you want the Zetec (i.e., not the SPI) engine, and the wagon suspension has limited aftermarket options.

If it wasn't for your 4-door requirement, I'd recommend the ZX2, which is quite likely the most underrated car of the last 10 years or so.

volvo wagon?

The previous suggestions are all good ones. Also a v6 Nissan Maxima can be had with a 5-speed manual. Seriously fast (for a sedan), reasonably fun, and decent reliability. It's no Honda but it's still pretty reliable. Cheap cheap cheap, for what you get. I've seen '97s for around $3k regularly, cheaper if you hunt. 0-60 in under 7 seconds!

A Crown Victoria P71 is also nice, and the 2004-2005s regularly sell for $3k at the state police auctions. Well maintained and usually right at 100k miles.

Mustang. Whatever flavor you like...

Just to be THAT GUY, that's why.

E28 (80's BMW 5 series). Cheap, great aftermarket, fun to drive, okay mileage.

Notice something? I didn't say E30 for once!

The first generation Proteges with the DOHC engine (identical to the Miata 1.8L for all intents and purposes) have proven to be quite fun to drive and hold their own in the handling department. The engine also responds well to the addition of forced induction if you ever decide to go down that road. The same driveline can be found in the re-skinned 91-96 Escort GT (2-door hatch) and Escort LX-E/ Mercury Tracer LTS (4-door).

30+ MPG isn't rare on these cars and a specimine with no rust and in good shape can certainly be had for less than $3k.

Focus is a great choice. SVT suspension kit can be had for dirt cheap! +1 to everything said about the Zx2. One of the funner cars i've ever driven and they can be made to handle for pennies on the dollar. 1st gen Proteges lx's are a blast to drive (I just sold my 91 in the last year). If you want to get 30 mpg, you have to keep your foot out of it. They are very fun to rev and will go all the way up to the 7.5k redline. Don't discount regular 91-96 Escorts lx's. I moved onto a 93 from my 91 Protege. The 1.9 single cam Ford doesn't have the same amount of grunt as Protege lx/Escort gt/lx-e/Tracer but does the job around town just fine. Between the two, I actually prefer the Escort lx's more usable powerband to the Protege lx's high winded nature. 91-96 Escorts can be had in 4 door sedan, wagon and 5 door hatch flavors also. All Zx2 suspension goodies bolt right on too (advantage of Ford parts bin).

Thanks for all of the opinions. I was not aware of the ZX2 recommendation. I could go with a 2 door. I would drive it the most (for my commute). But my wife uses it a little. I should filter the list a bit more and say that an automatic trans might be better and comfortable seats are important.

Looks like P71/Escort/Focus are popular choices. The Volvo and BMW suggestions interest me because I have never owned either brand.

Careful on the ZX2, that transmission (the manual one) is the weak link. I owned one that went from being a junkyard replacement to being a 1-3-5 to being a 3-5. Not too many options for replacement either. People who put down actual power carry a spare, really.

They are quick and do handle quite well though.

Would the auto trans in a ZX2 ruin the attraction to the car? There are a few in my area for sale with auto trans.

Peugeot 405 Mi16

/end of 'best kept secret' thread

The auto trans in a Zx2 is pretty weak too. I think the manual trans would be a better option. Zx2 seats are comfortable but Recaros from an Mx-3 are only a seat rail swap away!

Infiniti Q45. 150mph, 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, 20mpg, a lot more sporting than a comparable Lexus, and more reliable than any BMW I've ever owned.

I looked up some Q45 cars. What years are you recommending?

Jetta and Golf!!!

racerdave600 wrote: Infiniti Q45. 150mph, 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, 20mpg, a lot more sporting than a comparable Lexus, and more reliable than any BMW I've ever owned.

Only available in automatic. :(

KevinC wrote: I looked up some Q45 cars. What years are you recommending?

Mine was a '94 and it was really a great car. One owner, low mileage, perfect maintenance and it was bought right at your figure. The original window sticker was with it and listed for more than $50k, pretty much a deal in my book. I never had problem one in the two years I owned it except for the actuator on the blend door, a very cheap fix. It was darn near as sporty as my E36 325 that was purchased new, way way faster, and a ton more reliable, even at 150k miles. It lack that wonderful BMW steering feel though.

I owned it for a few years and loaned it to a friend to take to Florida with his family. On the way back his wife was driving and some kid in a new Acura lost control and T-boned it right in the b-pillar on the driver's side. His speed was estimated at more than 100mph, yet the Infiniti was still able to be driven home the remaining 400 miles. The doors wouldn't open and the pillar was moved a couple of inches, but neither he, his wife or two kids were injured. A very tough car. The Acura was all over the interstate and the kid was hauled away in an ambulance with serious injuries.

I would avoid the active suspension cars, but those are few and far between, and make sure it has been maintained. Like any cheap car, poor maintenance can take a toll. I would highly recommend one, and would buy another. It's hard to get so much luxury and speed in so cheap a package, and the fit and finish are far above most cars in it's price range.

If you are anywhere near PA, i'd take a serious look at this Escort GT (not mine): http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1037428142.html

92dxman wrote: If you are anywhere near PA, i'd take a serious look at this Escort GT (not mine): http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1037428142.html

^Seconded. Awesome cars.

Boring cheezy interior, but that's easily fixed for way less than the rest of your $3k budget.

I am from just north of Toronto. Some of the recommended cars are not easy to find here but I have been researching all of the opinions and am learning a lot about them.

The Escort GT is not common here nowadays. They have rusted away.

Check out: www.northtorontoauction.com There have been some great deals on 2004 P71's with about 60-80k miles. There are usually a bunch of "unwanted" economy cars there too, that sell for peanuts. (Neon's, Foci, older Protege's etc)

Nathan

I don't know if you can find any undiscovered secret gems in your price range and location that are currently available for sale. A quick check of Ebay in your area reveals not too much within a few hundred kilometers that I would consider "sporty" AND a daily driver. You may have to widen your search area.

How about the Infiniti G20. I think these are pretty cool cars. Alternately, you could consider a Volvo 850 Turbo. They seem to tick all your boxes for needs.