mtn
MegaDork
11/6/13 11:46 a.m.
Might be moving in a couple of months, and I would have a 45-60 minute commute one way. Right now I’m in a Miata, and the combo of being 14 years old, sub 30mpg, race-carish (Flyin’ Miata suspension), and tiny size (cargo and interior), make it unattractive for a longer daily commute. Not to mention, November 26 marks the 3 year date for the car.
So, a Corolla getting 36mpg would be perfectly acceptable. A Z06 getting 26mpg would be perfectly acceptable. A Camry getting 28 is not, but an Avalon getting 27 is acceptable (more luxurious, more comfortable than a Camry).
So there is a big sliding scale here—we’ll say it has to get at least 25 highway (doing 75). The more boring the car, the better mpg it has to get. The more comfortable on the highway, we can let it slide some. Must be able to fit a hockey bag, but I was able to fit a hockey bag in the Miata.
15k price point, firm. Bonus points for under 10k, bonus points for something autocrossable, bonus points for the ability to tow a boat (sub 1500#). RWD>AWD>FWD, but I’m not hung up on any of those. Manual>>>>Automatic. Automatic is not out, but it had better be a really berking cool car to be an auto.
My thoughts so far have been CTS-V (what is their highway mileage?), Non-Z06 C5, SAAB 9-5 Aero, various Mustangs, various BMW’s, and Crown Vic’s. The only reason the Crown Vic is mentioned is that they are dirt cheap, can tow a boat, and they are extremely comfy on long trips—and I consistently got 25-27mpg with our old one. Otherwise it really doesn’t fit in this conversation.
What would you guys do?
Despite its poor reputation on GRM, I will be looking hard at a CRZ when I'm next in the market... Unless I can somehow justify a Frisbee.
A poster who is not very frequent here just traded up from a previous Fiesta 5 speed to a Fiesta ST.
Car is probably still available. And he has the B-spec set up to sell to the new owner.
There's +40mpg, and a very capable autocrosser.
(disclosure- I'm ordering a 2014 Fiesta later today)
mtn
MegaDork
11/6/13 11:54 a.m.
Mitchell wrote:
Despite its poor reputation on GRM, I will be looking hard at a CRZ when I'm next in the market... Unless I can somehow justify a Frisbee.
I would be too, but I highly doubt it will be cheap enough within a year.
mtn
MegaDork
11/6/13 11:56 a.m.
alfadriver wrote:
A poster who is not very frequent here just traded up from a previous Fiesta 5 speed to a Fiesta ST.
Car is probably still available. And he has the B-spec set up to sell to the new owner.
There's +40mpg, and a very capable autocrosser.
(disclosure- I'm ordering a 2014 Fiesta later today)
Added to the radar, but I'm not ready to buy just yet. Only harvesting ideas.
This infrequent poster wouldn't happen to also own a classic Mustang and an STR-prepped MX-5 would he?
mtn wrote:
Mitchell wrote:
Despite its poor reputation on GRM, I will be looking hard at a CRZ when I'm next in the market... Unless I can somehow justify a Frisbee.
I would be too, but I highly doubt it will be cheap enough within a year.
Agreed. Which is why my plan is to squeeze a few more years out of the Focus I have already driven for 8.
mtn wrote:
alfadriver wrote:
A poster who is not very frequent here just traded up from a previous Fiesta 5 speed to a Fiesta ST.
Car is probably still available. And he has the B-spec set up to sell to the new owner.
There's +40mpg, and a very capable autocrosser.
(disclosure- I'm ordering a 2014 Fiesta later today)
Added to the radar, but I'm not ready to buy just yet. Only harvesting ideas.
This infrequent poster wouldn't happen to also own a classic Mustang and an STR-prepped MX-5 would he?
No, he's a small car guy that I know also works here. Adores the Fiesta.
Pontiac GTO.
Same drivetrain as a Vette for great noise and reasonable freeway MPG, but with a lot more room, grand touring manners, and better appointed.
I would not put Corolla in the acceptable category. We have a 5spd S model and it just doesn't have the guts. Even when you wind it up, it just makes more noise and doesnt get faster. The Focus and some others have a little more oomph it felt like, but may have the same issue....
4th gen F-body, S197, C5, and BMW 3 can fit the bill.
We are looking for more room, so probably a 5 series is in our future.
I want a fiesta st for DD duty, but I still lust over the all around capabilities of the Regal GS.
pheller
UltimaDork
11/6/13 12:07 p.m.
I had a similar dilemma and commute and I decided to go with whatever was cheapest, newest, and something I knew how to fix quickly. I already had a ZX2 and Escort, knew how to fix them, had 4x100 wheels, and I got my ZX2 for $900.
I've put 17,000 miles on it since May, did a fuel pump and water pump, new belt, rear brake lining.
Miles adds a lot to depreciation, so get something at the bottom of its curve.
S197 Mustang fits all points, including towing, which will be the hardest of the bunch.
Now, the wisdom of putting a rear wheel drive V8 manual down a wet boat ramp on summer tires is a different story....
FWIW, a lot of cars are rated to tow 1000#, but the jump to 1500# usually means a step up to an SUV/CUV. (outside of big, full-sized cars with V8s)
I think a 540i Sport would fit the bill.
G6 GXP with 3.6 and 6 spd.
A lot of car for not a lot of money.
I would buy Josh's S2000 before he puts it away for winter.
1988 Mazda MX-6 GT.
With some choice comfort upgrades like an improved stereo & sat radio.
(someone had to do this)
Genesis Sedan R-Spec 5.0. 429hp, 8-spd automatic, RWD, comfort/luxury, all the amenities one could ask for and 26mpg on the highway. 13 second quarter mile. 0-60 in 4.8. Large brakes. Sticky tires.
Being a Hyundai I'm sure it'll be under $15k soon.
mtn
MegaDork
11/6/13 12:26 p.m.
Bobzilla wrote:
Genesis Sedan R-Spec 5.0. 429hp, 8-spd automatic, RWD, comfort/luxury, all the amenities one could ask for and 26mpg on the highway. 13 second quarter mile. 0-60 in 4.8. Large brakes. Sticky tires.
Being a Hyundai I'm sure it'll be under $15k soon.
Show me that car for 15k right now.
Thinkkker wrote:
I would not put Corolla in the acceptable category.
I wouldn't end up with one, merely using it as an example. Although, if my girlfriend gets a new car, I might buy hers for cheap and beat on it for a while.
wawazat
HalfDork
11/6/13 12:29 p.m.
alfadriver wrote:
mtn wrote:
alfadriver wrote:
A poster who is not very frequent here just traded up from a previous Fiesta 5 speed to a Fiesta ST.
Car is probably still available. And he has the B-spec set up to sell to the new owner.
There's +40mpg, and a very capable autocrosser.
(disclosure- I'm ordering a 2014 Fiesta later today)
Added to the radar, but I'm not ready to buy just yet. Only harvesting ideas.
This infrequent poster wouldn't happen to also own a classic Mustang and an STR-prepped MX-5 would he?
No, he's a small car guy that I know also works here. Adores the Fiesta.
Is this Eric P you're referring to?
Todd
nvm on mine, I didn't see the 15k limit.
tuna55
MegaDork
11/6/13 12:38 p.m.
Zomby Woof wrote:
G6 GXP with 3.6 and 6 spd.
A lot of car for not a lot of money.
this is a good idea - does it actually exist?
