Fun daily driver (good mpgs)

I've been happy enough with the BG chassis cars ('90-94 Protege, '91-04 Escort) that I've had two of them. My current one is a '94 Protegé DX that just crossed over 200k miles last week. I paid $550 for it as a stock SOHC 5-speed car. The interior was rough and the paint isn't the best. I stripped the interior and cleaned everything. I then splurged the $75 to have the headliner recovered and swapped on some Miata wheels and tires that I had laying around. I've since installed some MX-3 GS seats, front control arms and steering rack, as well as replacing the ball joints, strut mounts, springs (with Ground Control coilovers - woot), speakers, headlights, Mazda 626 front lip, etc etc etc. All-in-all, I'll have around $1500 in it when I'm 'finished'. My girlfriend and I have already put 5k miles on it. Tons of fun and 32MPG average. It was a bit more of a project than you may be seeking, but don't discount a nicer version of the '90-'94 Protege or the Escort/ZX-2s based on the same chassis. I've had friends and family members with the Escorts and they've had no complaints.

Here's mine:

The front bumper/hood SNAFU occurred before I bought it. I'll be installing the replacement front bumper (matching paint, even) in the Spring. I paid $30 for the replacement.

In reply to mw:

I'm with you. Just before the last gas spike I bought a 91 Si. It's been just as fun as my miata, with more storage room and better MPG. When the 02 sensor was working nicely I was in the 40mpg range. I'm now down to 35ish. Too lazy/cheap to buy a new exahust manifold since the sensor is royally stuck.

V8 Miata. Some fun, 75 mph cruise and I can't keep my foot out of it = 29mpg.

No, really!

Buckhead wrote: My new job requires me to drive 62 miles per day round trip. My 4runner is getting about 15mpgs and just doesn't make sense any more. Thinking about selling the runner for maybe miata, e30, etc. Any thoughts on fun, but good mpgs?

E30s have the aerodynamics of a brick.

Saturns handle very well, but certainly don't feel terribly fun. Then again the Miatas I've driven haven't felt very fun either, maybe they were just bad examples. I've been told my E36 325i drives like a big Miata. I certainly agree about the big part. It gets decent highway gas mileage though. I'd say it is a pretty nice sporty compromise with four doors and a decent trunk.

Somebody else said hyundai accent. As unconventional and not enthusiast oriented as that sounds, it actually isn't too bad! lol. I recently inherited one and, short the brakes, have been pleasantly surprised. It's actually kind of a fun little car. Ive even heard of people getting 300k miles out of one and still going. I know for a fact my grandfather accidentally stuck the auto trans into 2nd instead of drive on his way grocery shopping. He then proceeded to travel a good 5 miles surely banging off the rev-limiter(he couldn't hear very well). It still runs fine lol Edit: Here's the link http://www.hyundai-forums.com/183-lc-2000-2005-accent/130980-300-000-miles.html

For newer cars, the new Fiesta is hard to beat.

Could a late Geo/Chevy Metro be forced into becoming fun to drive? I've never driven one so what do I know, but if there's swaybars and some kind of damper upgrade, along with a +1 wheel & tire swap... right? Wrong?

I drove my 1986 AE86 GTS 68 miles each way when I was living in Pa, and working in NJ. I did this for 2 years....

Pluses - 30+ mpg... rwd... roof... good heat... good seats... drinks regular gas... low cost to maintain... smaller size (makes narrow squeezes easier)

Minus - finding one in decent shape that has been moderately well maintained

I use my LS6 powered Cobra replica as my main driver except during the winter. I have hit a high of 38 mpg while following my truck and trailer at 60 mph on the freeway. Normally I am over 30 mpg. It's a sweet ride.

Cobalt SS turbo

Missing information:

What's "good" gas mileage?

What's "fun?" The ability to get the ass end loose on the way to the highway? Racing kids in fart-canned hondas light to light?

What's your budget? I'm sure you could get 20mpg out of a 996 if you stay out of the boost.

Mazda 6i

Seriously.

Powar wrote:

I want your saab.

corytate wrote: I want your saab.

Thanks! I drove it to work today for the first time in months. It feels so... right. (and I never get tired of looking at it)

Wait, your reader's rides say you have a Wrangler and an M3 besides your 4runner, or is this data outdated?

Saab 9000 CSE turbo

I'm averaging 27mpg out of it. If Im hard on the tank read Im running late to work or REALLY want to go home I can get 24.5. Of course, its on lower suspension and such, but comfy and been reliable so far.

Geo Metro. You can get it down into the 1400 lb range and put decent springs on it.