What car? - Mission Impossible Edition.

Here are the requirements:

30 mpg minimum
Seats more than two
Rear or all wheel drive
2 Doors
Comfortable for a middle aged man to use as a DD
Interesting and stylish
Modern Amenities
Manual Trans
Under 75000 miles
Under $10k

What say you?

What do you consider modern amenities? Because that to me means cruise control, A/C and a radio.

E36

LSx Camaro/firebird/GTO

There are a few more if you are willing to live with 25ish mpg but not alot. This is a tough one!

Fuel mileage would be the killer on that. But perhaps 4 cyl BMW 3 series coupe? The '04 GTO may fit, depending on how you drive. If it's all highway, you could get 30mpg.

93EXCivic wrote: What do you consider modern amenities? Because that to me means cruise control, A/C and a radio.

Those, plus power windows, power locks, CD player (preferrably with an aux jack for a MP3 player), cup holders, etc..

The nicest BMW 4 cyl you can find.
318is
318ti

Rare under 75k miles but always under $10k

'73 Ford Capri.

hesitant to say... VW mk4 R32? Are those under $10k?

If you are up for the challenge, a Mercedes C230 Kompressor can be had with manual 6 speed and 29mpg hyw rating and looks good too.

Proof:
Coupe: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2013&modelCode1=C230&showcaseOwnerId=53501008&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MB&transmissionCode=MAN&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=15000&listingId=316255546&Log=0

I would search harder and find a sedan.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2013&modelCode1=C230&showcaseOwnerId=53501008&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MB&transmissionCode=MAN&searchRadius=300&maxPrice=15000&listingId=317345853&Log=0

In reply to jrw1621:

Just say no!

In reply to jrw1621:

That's one I hadn't thought of. But I really don't like the coupe, nor do I like the 318ti that was suggested earlier. The sedan is pretty good looking though. I'd have to try one. In general, I find it much easier to get in and out of coupes (longer doors) than sedans with my bad leg.

The 30mpg + rwd just isn't that common unfortunately (not that it's for any good reason). Maybe a BMW 318Ti as someone mentioned, or you could probably find a nice low mileage '80s Toyota that could fit the bill, but are you willing to drop $8-10k on a 25+ year old Toyota?

Actually, thinking about it again, you could probably modify something like an Imprezza ('02-'06) with a tune and pull 30mpg. Just don't get a WRX... stay away from boosted cars.

In reply to darkbuddha:
Did you see this current listing?
Not 30mpg (more like 20) but also not $10k
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2013&modelCode1=SUPRA&showcaseOwnerId=277047&startYear=1981&makeCode1=TOYOTA&transmissionCode=MAN&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=15000&listingId=316941558&Log=0

Fox body mustang with a Duratec/MZR and corresponding 5 speed swapped in and a numerically low rear end ratio...

Have the 4cyl genesises gotten that cheap yet?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/2815248323.html

mndsm wrote: Have the 4cyl genesises gotten that cheap yet?

I dont think so, but the one I drove was very underwhelming...

If you are open to sedans and slow a volvo 240 would fit the bill, or if you can find a nice one, a 240sx would work.

Audi A4? Those things don't seem to hold their resale value at all, although they've developed a reputation for Triumph Spitfire like levels of electrical gremlins. I think a 4 cylinder BMW 3 series may be your best bet.

In reply to jrw1621: I was thinking he might be able to find a really mint '85-'86 Corolla GT-S (hachi roku) for $8-10k these days. They can pull 30mpg and are fun to drive.

Back seat of a 240SX is an insult to the idea of a back seat. JMHO.

Maybe 25 mpg.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2013&showcaseOwnerId=1389000&startYear=1981&bodyStyles=COUPE%2CHATCH%2CSEDAN&firstRecord=26&transmissionCode=MAN&maxMileage=100000&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=10000&showcaseListingId=316491906&listingId=311416542&Log=0

Lacking cup holder but 26 mpg rating.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2013&showcaseOwnerId=1389000&startYear=1981&bodyStyles=COUPE%2CHATCH%2CSEDAN&firstRecord=76&transmissionCode=MAN&maxMileage=100000&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=10000&showcaseListingId=316491906&listingId=285494110&Log=0
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2002&showcaseOwnerId=1389000&startYear=1981&bodyStyles=COUPE%2CHATCH%2CSEDAN&transmissionCode=MAN&maxMileage=100000&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=10000&listingId=302048969&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2002&showcaseOwnerId=1389000&startYear=1981&bodyStyles=COUPE%2CHATCH%2CSEDAN&firstRecord=51&transmissionCode=MAN&maxMileage=100000&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=10000&listingId=310373996&Log=0

If you forgo the rwd requirement then a Celica GTS would fit the bill.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2002&showcaseOwnerId=1389000&startYear=1981&bodyStyles=COUPE%2CHATCH%2CSEDAN&firstRecord=51&transmissionCode=MAN&maxMileage=100000&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=10000&listingId=317339624&Log=0

Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS?

So far the 4 cyl BMW is looking best. FYI - The 30mpg min is an absolute requirement. I may compromise on a couple things if I can't find the perfect car, but mileage isn't one of them.

darkbuddha wrote: Maybe a BMW 318Ti as someone mentioned

The 318ti has E36 sedan sized doors. I've seen several 318is (i.e., coupes) in junkyards recently. Definitely look for a 1996+ model for the slightly larger M44. An LSD option was still available in 1996 too. Maybe an E30 1991 318i/is (22/27 mpg)? The E36 variants definitely get better highway mileage (22/32).