Looking for a new daily

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:29 am

The truck as a daily driver is getting a bit old, between the price of diesel and such. I have plenty of ideas but I want to hear those who have real world experience with what they are suggesting. Maybe there is something that I forgot about too. This will be a daily driver driven 50+ miles a day, some in heavy traffic, and some semi-open fun roads.

Here are the requirements, other than some wiggle room on the price, the rest is pretty much a rule so if it doesn’t fit, then it won’t be considered. Even the price is based off cost saved over time.

• Price ~$7,000 or less
• MPG 25 or better in mixed driving
• Seating for four adults
• Reliable and relative low maintenance
• Prefer something a little fun to drive

Thoughts and suggestions?

Yeah, I shouldn’t have sold the Altima SE-R

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 11:47 am

Have a friend selling this. I think the asking price is $6k-ish.

Quote:

2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST (4 door sedan)
2.3L Duratec (150hp)
88k miles
5spd manual
Color is Liquid Grey Metallic
ST interior, cloth seats
ST 16" wheels with newish Falken Ziex ZE-912 tires

If interested in talking to the owner, let me know and I'll put you in touch.

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:06 pm

Stephen Westerfield wrote:

Have a friend selling this. I think the asking price is $6k-ish.

Quote:

2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST (4 door sedan)
2.3L Duratec (150hp)
88k miles
5spd manual
Color is Liquid Grey Metallic
ST interior, cloth seats
ST 16" wheels with newish Falken Ziex ZE-912 tires

If interested in talking to the owner, let me know and I'll put you in touch.

A true friend would never have let him buy those tires.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

2002-ish WRX wagon. Got one for $7500 a few years ago, daily drove it a few years (about 50k miles), only thing I had to replace was the radiator, because of a small leak at the bottom. And I wasn't exactly easy on it (it was off the ground several times at 60+ mph).

If you don't modify the hell out of it, and you make sure you have good struts on it (I used Tokico DSpecs), it's a good balance of fun and comfort.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:37 pm

subaru 2.2l wagon .. .spacious, my father likes them.. I drove a 2.2l sedan and it was not all that pokey.. awd, sturdy car.. spacious, fun.. rallycrossable.how to go wrong.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 4:05 pm

all the subbie love here.

I wonder if I can find a legacy Spec B in that price range.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Mazda Protege5
Mazda 3 (will have to be an early MY + a ton of miles)
Subaru Impreza/Legacy in wagon/outback trim
Ford Focus ZX3/4/5

Comedy option: two cheap Miatas :v

MarcusMcRae wrote:

A true friend would never have let him buy those tires.

I liked them as all-seasons on my Miata? Am I missing something?

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 4:57 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Mazda Protege5
Mazda 3 (will have to be an early MY + a ton of miles)
Subaru Impreza/Legacy in wagon/outback trim
Ford Focus ZX3/4/5

Comedy option: two cheap Miatas :v

MarcusMcRae wrote:

A true friend would never have let him buy those tires.

I liked them as all-seasons on my Miata? Am I missing something?

It might have been a different falken zx-?12 tire but they were pure garbage. I got a set for Kate's focus and they did not last 15k miles and she drives like an old person.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 6:11 pm

http://www.atlanticautoexchange.com/frames.htm

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 6:50 pm

steve remchak wrote:

http://www.atlanticautoexchange.com/frames.htm

lol,

great job posting a car that meets NONE of the requirements except maybe the fun part

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

I've never had a Legacy, but a Spec B would probably be great as a dd. I wouldn't recommend a 2.2L Impreza. Built like a tin can compared to the 2002+ Impreza, no side airbags, slow, and my 1998 wagon only averages about 20-22mpg (WRX was right at 25 consistently). But it was about $5000 cheaper, so I guess I got what I paid for.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:26 pm

This meets pretty much meets every requirement. Spoiler, I'm a Honda to Mazda convert for cheap, slower cars. :wink:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3091002161.html

Steven Spampinato · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:56 pm

1998 Audi A4 that has been religiously mantained.
$4,000.00 OBO

Let me know.

sspampi@yahoo.com

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:24 pm

Steven Spampinato wrote:

1998 Audi A4 that has been religiously mantained.
$4,000.00 OBO

Let me know.

sspampi@yahoo.com

No offense but after having 5 separate friends have major electrical issues with Audi/VW I won't touch them.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:05 pm

Marty Howard wrote:

Steven Spampinato wrote:

1998 Audi A4 that has been religiously mantained.
$4,000.00 OBO

Let me know.

sspampi@yahoo.com

No offense but after having 5 separate friends have major electrical issues with Audi/VW I won't touch them.

It's just too easy now.

THSCC Forums

Looking for a new daily

Who is online