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SyntheticBlinkerFluid
SyntheticBlinkerFluid PowerDork
9/1/13 4:25 p.m.

I have a friend in the Army that lives outside of Atlanta in Smyrna. He likes cars, but I don't consider him a car guy (like us here at GRM), but he can change his oil, brakes, spark plugs, etc.

He and his wife currently have a 2003 Trailblazer and a 2011 Fusion. He actually has a farther commute than his wife, but SWMBO needs to have the Fusion because its the newer car. He wants to keep the Trailblazer to haul crap, but wants something that gets better mileage.

He came to me and asked for my advice on a fun daily driver, so I gave him some suggestions, but I though I'd come to the collective and get your opinions.

Here are his criteria:

  • Import

  • Something from early 80's to early 90's

  • Preferably a Coupe or Hatch

  • No preference on drive, but AWD a plus (I already told him AWD isn't going to probably happen)

  • 4 or 6 Cylinder

  • Manual Transmission

  • Gets Good Fuel Mileage (mid to upper 20's is acceptable)

  • Reliable

  • Max Price is $3500

I already came up with:

  • 200sx

  • S13 and S14 240sx

  • MX6

  • Corolla Coupe (both RWD and FWD)

  • E30

  • CRX

Any other suggestions?

Also if you have a craigslist link, post it here and I will forward it to him.

Thanks.

mndsm
mndsm PowerDork
9/1/13 4:31 p.m.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4035970178.html

ATL CL isn't showing any good Mx6's, IMO.

Jaxmadine
Jaxmadine Reader
9/1/13 4:53 p.m.

Neon! Hecho in mexico is an import! Lol

Travis_K
Travis_K UltraDork
9/1/13 7:42 p.m.

Why not an early Impreza? A legacy with the same engine can get 25-28 mpg, so that should be ok, and there are both coupe and hatch versions with awd. They are pretty reliable and easy to work on, but some parts are a little expensive, and the quality of a lot of the autozone type stuff is terrible. A VW golf would work too, although in that age range none of the engines they come with are very good.

mazdeuce
mazdeuce SuperDork
9/1/13 7:56 p.m.

I know it says import as the very first thing, but the SVT Focus should be on that list.

bastomatic
bastomatic SuperDork
9/1/13 8:01 p.m.

Awd, import, fun hatch?

How bout DSM? Talon or Eclipse?

JFX001
JFX001 UltraDork
9/1/13 8:17 p.m.

In addition to the ones listed, maybe a :

2.2 Acura CL

Suzuki Swift GT

Celica

Saturn SC ( I know...but it's a good car)

SE-R

Jaxmadine
Jaxmadine Reader
9/1/13 8:24 p.m.

Reliable is also on the list? So no dsm. Lol

EvanB
EvanB PowerDork
9/1/13 8:26 p.m.

Corolla with a 4afe and manual trans. High 30s mpg wise.

Kenny_McCormic
Kenny_McCormic SuperDork
9/1/13 8:34 p.m.

Seriously guys?

Miata w/ hardtop.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid
SyntheticBlinkerFluid PowerDork
9/1/13 9:59 p.m.

In reply to Kenny_McCormic:

I already had the Miata talk with him. That's a no go.

Caraddict
Caraddict New Reader
9/1/13 10:02 p.m.

An Integra ls, Hyundai tiburon,

bmw88rider
bmw88rider Reader
9/1/13 10:13 p.m.

For commuting, Prelude or Integra. Next thread. For 3500, you can get a pretty decent example newer than the late 80s early 90s you have listed.

Canute
Canute Reader
9/1/13 10:27 p.m.

E36?

irish44j
irish44j UberDork
9/1/13 11:06 p.m.

I'd got with Acura Integra. It fits all of the criteria and can be found for pretty cheap. I put 320k on my '87 with almost no problems other than a CV joint and a fuel injector gone bad.

I would opt for a mid-90s model in that price range. They're reasonably fun to drive, economical, reliable, have nice features and interiors, and a nice 5-speed.

Vigo
Vigo UberDork
9/1/13 11:11 p.m.

I second the Prelude or Integra suggestion, and i think given the year range he should also include Accord coupes and HATCHBACKS as well. I really like 3g accords and would like a hatch for the uniqueness.

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH UltimaDork
9/2/13 8:27 a.m.
EvanB wrote: Corolla with a 4afe and manual trans. High 30s mpg wise.

Yeah I think an AE92 would be perfect for this...especially since all the problems with them are racing-related and he's not doing that (except the achey breaky engine mounts...get aftermarket or urethane-fill them).

4AGE models are just as reliable as 4AFE, only not quite as efficient.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid
SyntheticBlinkerFluid PowerDork
9/2/13 4:51 p.m.

In reply to GameboyRMH:

After browsing the Atlanta CL, there are no AE92 Coupes. That was one of the first suggestions I made to him and of course there are none.

I now got him looking at E30s, which I'm wondering if that was a good idea or not.

dj
dj Reader
9/2/13 8:45 p.m.

If he wants an AWD import getting over 20 mpg for under $3,500 in Atlanta why not any older subaru or DSM? That sounds more like what he wants rather the FWD imports or RWD E30s.

JtspellS
JtspellS Dork
9/2/13 8:51 p.m.

E36 would be a great choice here just have to put a bit of work in to anything for $3500 though...

B13 SE-R is a damn good choice too.

Probe/MX6 with a Kl-ZE is a solid fun bet too.

clownkiller
clownkiller HalfDork
9/2/13 10:19 p.m.

Forester.. Newer, AT $2500

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4020292590.html

clownkiller
clownkiller HalfDork
9/2/13 10:21 p.m.

CRV. Again newer AT $3700

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3976952718.html

aussiesmg
aussiesmg MegaDork
9/2/13 10:24 p.m.

E30 325xi

clownkiller
clownkiller HalfDork
9/2/13 10:26 p.m.

Volvo. Newer AT, $3450

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/4027874926.html

clownkiller
clownkiller HalfDork
9/2/13 10:28 p.m.

In reply to aussiesmg:

What Steve said!!! 2001 325xi $3800

http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/4027908191.html

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