Which of these should I pick for my new DD?| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

Travis_K UltraDork
1/12/14 2:25 p.m.

I think I might finally want a DD that is less than 30 years old, so I was looking at newer cars to see what looked interesting. These are some of the more interesting ones I saw, but I don't know much about any of them.

Saab 9-3 or 9-5 I like how these look the best, but I don't really know anything about them. Example: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4278685494.html

Golf TDI These are cool, but rare and expensive for how old they are, and most need lots of expensive maintenance when you get them. Example: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/4279125122.html

Focus SVT Example: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4269566005.html

E46 BMW

These are hard to find with a manual, and I'm a little afraid to get an automatic one. I know someone who has one with about 110k on it and the last time I rode in it the transmission doesn't seem long for this world.

Example: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4283667993.html

Jaguar XJR

I like how these look, I think I am too tall to fit in one though

Example: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4282837923.html

Volvo S40 These look nice, but are actually still quite expensive here. Example: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4284078454.html

DrBoost PowerDork
1/12/14 4:18 p.m.

I currently have a 1999 Golf TDI. I get 50+ MPG average. The only real issue with them is the craptastic VW interior materials. As far as other issues that WILL crop up on any car of this vintage, there's tons of support on a few VW forums.
I've owned a non-SVT focus. That turd made me swear off Ford products built after 1969 and not having a horse on the grill.
I want a 9-3 or a 9-5. One day.....
A buddy just picked up an S40. I like it.
At some time somebody here is going to tell you to buy a miata, so I'll just get that outta the way. Buy a miata.

Brotus7 HalfDork
1/12/14 4:36 p.m.

How often do you need to drive this DD? If Daily is not one of those words, you should totally get the XJR.

Seriously, that's alot of car for the money.

amg_rx7 Dork
1/12/14 5:42 p.m.

Judging by your craigslist searches, I think we live near each other.

Out of those, I'd take the Focus. That is a fun to drive hot hatch that gets pretty good MPG, parts prices are reasonable and it can be fixed anywhere.

2nd place would be the Volvo but not sure about repair costs and parts prices.

I wouldn't touch any of the others if DD is the intended purpose.

DrBoost PowerDork
1/12/14 5:46 p.m.

amg_rx7 wrote: Judging by your craigslist searches, I think we live near each other. Out of those, I'd take the Focus. That is a fun to drive hot hatch that gets pretty good MPG, parts prices are reasonable and it can be fixed anywhere. 2nd place would be the Volvo but not sure about repair costs and parts prices. I wouldn't touch any of the others if DD is the intended purpose.

I can only imagine the Jag would be thrice the nightmare the TDI would be. The Jag is at the bottom of the list, yes, even lower than the Focus. I like them. Sexy, supreme ride, classic. But then there's the Jag factor...

Travis_K UltraDork
1/12/14 7:06 p.m.

I can't fit in a miata, at least an older one, and I can barely fit in an XJR.

One thing that I don't like about the Focus (at least on the normal ones, I haven't checked an SVT), is that the cat is part of the exhaust manifold, and would have to be bought from the dealer to be CA legal. So, if the cat ever fails it pretty much means the car is junk, and no longer registrable in CA. I am not sure if any of those other cars are like that though.