Suggestions - Fun, 4 seater, 5k?

The engine in my DD blew and I'm thinking of selling it and getting a new car.

I'm looking for it to have at least 4 seats and be under/around $5k. It would also need to be reliable because it would be my daily driver. My turbo Miata is too fragile to drive on a regular basis plus my family doesn't like my little girl riding in it (gutted interior, small, convertible, etc.). It should also at least be "sporty". Thanks, Travis

maxima

Early WRX, you could probably find one for that.

I'm not sure about the Richmond market, but there are a ton of old BMWs up the road in NOVA. My ratty E36 M3 has been exactly what you're looking for, but not very cheap to maintain. The more pedestrian E36s are not as fast but are cheaper to buy and keep running, and early E46s make nicer daily drivers.

P71.

Awwwwwwwwww yeeeeeeaaaahhhh!

Thanks! Please keep the suggestions coming.

Focus with 2.3 Duratec?

nderwater wrote: I'm not sure about the Richmond market, but there are a ton of old BMWs up the road in NOVA. My ratty E36 M3 has been exactly what you're looking for, but not very cheap to maintain. The more pedestrian E36s are not as fast but are cheaper to buy and keep running, and early E46s make nicer daily drivers.

I was thinking E36 325 or 328 myself. My 328 has held up great to a very long commute.

Other good choice would be a Protege or Focus.

E30, Integra

E36 was my first thought. Just get a good example.

Integra (if you can find one that's not Pep Boys'd to death)

Protege

For a sleeper...Prizm LSi if you can find one.

Focus SVT?

Porsche 928. I have great memories of riding in the back seats of my dad's.

I'm interested in more European cars. Any Benz, Saab, Volvo, etc. you'd recommend?

Alfa Milanos are fun, as long as you dont mind no ground clearance and horrible headlights (and probably no heater). They really arent any worse than an E30 or 944 as far as parts cost/availability and being easy to work on.

Some part of it has to be european.

I got my latest '95 E36 M3 for $5500. In great shape with 150k on it. Probably the best bang for the buck in this price range.

The Volvo 760 in the classifieds????

2002 Saab 9-5 Aero

olor: Steel Grey Metallic Trans: Manual Mileage: 105,685 Price: $5200 2002 Saab 9-5 Aero - this car is extra clean. Always garaged. Fully loaded with Harmon-Kardon 9-spkr audio, heated front/rear seats, 6-disc CD changer, 8-way power front seats (both), pwr tinted glass sunroof, sport leather seats. Tires are new, runs great w/no issues. Recent tune-up. Spare alloy wheel. Excellent road car with smooth, quiet ride. 29 mpg hiway. Original msrp $40645 in 2002. Contact: Robert Lloyd, Durham NC Email: Click Here Phone: 9192257992

The Saab posted above is a pretty good deal, and with Saab's recent troubles I guarantee you can get a better one for less with some hunting. They are excellent highway cruisers and get great gas mileage. Comfy, too.

$5k is also able to get you an E46 these days, which will likely be my next purchase.

and parts availibility for all but the newest models is not too horrible either. Might have some issues with body panels and lights.. but the older 9-3s and 9-5s have a BIG resellers market for things like that.. the newest ones.. good luck with that

Another vote for a P71. even a pedestrian, no P-series Crown Vic is an absolutely outstanding family/sports car. good highway mileage, dead nuts reliable, parts from anywhere, fast as E36 M3 with under $500 of fiddling, cheap maintenance, large American sedan trunk (easily a 10 body trunk).

i love em!

-J0N

4th gen Maxima...5 seats (sorta 4.5), super reliable, pretty quick, parts readily available, auto or manual trans, decent gas mileage, etc...

This

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-FORD-MUSTANG-GT-DRAG-CAR-RARE-BARN-FIND-NO-RESERVE-THOUSANDS-INVESTED-/170846282335?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item27c73b625f

'01 2.5RS 4-door (if you can find one)