build the ultimate commuter car?

.....E-30 or a turbo, stick 240 Brick with aero aids and full synthetics.

Toyota Tercel. 97-98 were nicer; a little more sound proofing. Nothing sporty about them, but they can be made to handle, and the light weight makes the little 4-banger seem pretty stout.

I just totalled mine, but it was worth about $2000 with 136k on it. Nicer seats, a little more sound abatement, and some stiffer springs/stickier rubber would have made it a contender. I got consistent 35 mpg with a few lucky 38 mpg tanks. Tiny footprint makes parking a breeze, plenty of room for my 6'1", 250-lb frame. Interior panels are pretty flimsy, so don't expect wonders from an aftermarket stereo without some serious dynamat and padding.

curtis73 wrote: Toyota Tercel. 97-98 were nicer; a little more sound proofing. Nothing sporty about them, but they can be made to handle, and the light weight makes the little 4-banger seem pretty stout. I just totalled mine, but it was worth about $2000 with 136k on it. Nicer seats, a little more sound abatement, and some stiffer springs/stickier rubber would have made it a contender. I got consistent 35 mpg with a few lucky 38 mpg tanks. Tiny footprint makes parking a breeze, plenty of room for my 6'1", 250-lb frame. Interior panels are pretty flimsy, so don't expect wonders from an aftermarket stereo without some serious dynamat and padding.

^This!!!

Look at Paseos as well. They're extremely amusing cars on backroads due to light weight, and a 4efte swap is cake. 1.3 litre 4-cylinder turbo motor that's VERY stout. Cheap, too! Only 140hp stock in this motor, but boost controller ONLY can put you to 180whp, which is hilarious in a Tercel.

Best part? Oftentimes, people get BETTER gas mileage with a 4efte swap. It pays for itself!

E30 does all of this extremely well except falls a tad short in the mpg department if equipped with the 2.5L six... my wife (by choice) has been using E30 convertibles for a 2-3 hour daily commute for almost 6 years now (before that was a SAAB turbo convertble), averaging upper 20's mpg (30mph on the highway) and with a steller relaibility record.

Bill

Les said: Uhhhh, I have a 3 cylinder (now a turbo) Yanmar diesel. The weight is about 330 lbs., and it has a standard SAE bell pattern on it. I think it is a 38 hp, but with the turbo and the pump turned up and the bigger injectors??? You'd have to figure out the motor mounts, acc. brackets, and clutch. Transplant? -Les

Too many cars. Too many parts. Not enough garage space. I love you, though. If it's around 12 months from now, I might be interested. Kisses.

924guy wrote: im curious about the 318ti... i remember test driving one those when they first came out, and liked it.. reliable??? very informative ideas and suggestions... keep em coming!

I can tell you mine is for sale!

But it really doesn't quite meet all your requirements - 32mpg is doable, but towards the higher end of the spectrum, and it "requires" mid-grade (but runs okay on cheap). Mine got a new headgasket not too long ago, and water pump replacement interval is every other oil change (not really, but you get the idea). Replacement parts cost more than a Civic, but the car is cooler than a Civic.

My non-conformist offering:

E30 with either a 120d or 123d.

Here's my non conformist offering:

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/996814743.html

I bet he'd take $700 for it.

MikeSVO wrote: I'm surprised that people on here automatically think itty-bitty motors is where the gas mileage is at. That's like saying the only way to make power is with a really big engine - I think most of us know that's not true. My Dad's 01 Camaro SS 6-speed met almost all of those requirements in bone stock form. Close enough, anyway, that I'd far rather spend a few extra bucks on fillup to drive that than an 84 CRX. And even if the SS blows the budget, the non-SS Z-28 has the same guts for way less. I'd love to drop an LS1 and it's M6 into a Pinto with a 2.79 gear and let the low end tow the thing around. Same guts as the Camaro with almost 1000 fewer pounds.

I am already doing that in a pinto with a 302 and an SROD trans. Final ratio in the trans is .7 and the rear is a 2.79. I have only put it into 4th once on the freeway at around 70 and it was near an idle. Still working out the bugs to see what the mileage is.

Gimp wrote:

924guy wrote: im curious about the 318ti... i remember test driving one those when they first came out, and liked it.. reliable??? very informative ideas and suggestions... keep em coming!

I can tell you mine is for sale! But it really doesn't quite meet all your requirements - 32mpg is doable, but towards the higher end of the spectrum, and it "requires" mid-grade (but runs okay on cheap). Mine got a new headgasket not too long ago, and water pump replacement interval is every other oil change (not really, but you get the idea). Replacement parts cost more than a Civic, but the car is cooler than a Civic.

hmmmm.. sounds like yours was more work than mine is.. I rreplaced the waterpump at 100K (as a precaution) and have not had a problem with it in 30K miles..

I am jinxing myself.. but the only problems I have had were breaking window clips and a fuel pump

I've only done the water pump once, at the time the headgasket was done. That was more a comment to the typical e36 bmw, where upon taking possession of the car you should just change the water pump.

My car has been rock solid mechanically ever since the gasket.

poopshovel wrote: PS: My 91 Integra is soooooo close to hitting 300k (jinx.) I can haul stuff in it. It's comfy enough for me, and averages 33MPG (with CONSERVATIVE driving.) I'm guessing it's nowhere near as comfortable as a 98 civic though.

Don't say it to loud, I was braging about my escort closing in on 300,k and I totaled it at 290k. Hurt like hell.

well, so much for that idea...new information today again makes unemployment a real possibility in the not so distant future, though i hope to god that isnt the case...

making any new investment now in transportation would be a bad idea.. ill just have to improve the honda to make it a bit more comfortable. im not interested in cosmetics, if it looks like a heap theres less chance of it getting stolen, as i work in a high crime area. And since I often deal with badguys, I have had my cars keyed, tires slashed, ect in the past. with the sun faded paint, its not so much of a target and lends the appearance that bashing it in really wouldnt have the desired effect...

I do want to improve the interior though, Im thinking a decent set of seats might make a big difference though, maybe acura are direct bolt ins?

I believe the 94-01 Integra seats should bolt right in..

my answer:
Infiniti G20
SR20DE motor is good on the highway and OK around town. available in a stick. available with just about every option you can think of (depending on the year).
It will take some searching to find one in your price range, but they are out there.
You could also consider the integra, but then you will be subject to the ricer tax.
I haven't paid much attention to the newer cars, so can't advise on those.

Edit: Didn't notice your post on this page. yes the integra FRONT seats should bolt right in. they also make a nice upgrade for "cheap"

Back after the OPEC Oil embargo, congress passed CAFE (Clean Air / Fuel Economy) laws that led to dramatic increases in MPG.

There were dozes of cars with 40+ mpg being sold. MPG Facts.com lists many of them. Here's the list for 1985.

A quick search on Cars.com yielded this Chevrolet Spectrum that was rated at 39 MPG in 1985.

So, take the Spectrum at $1600 and I have $1400 to spend. First a set of nice, low rolling resistance radials. Some tint on the windows, a sun roof, and a new driver's side seat. Won't see too many others ones on the road.

Reagan canceled the CAFE laws (aiding the US automakers who felt stifled by emissions and fuel economy restrictions). Gas prices dropped, and consumers weren't interested in saving gas. . . and the SUV boom began shortly thereafter!

I also agree with keeping the current 1998 CIvork, but there are two things you need to add. Really expensive struts, and really expensive tires.

Tires (IMO) are on of the greatest ways to improve ride quality and road noise. The struts will give you a smoother ride. Maybe swap out the seats for more comfy ones.