I am driving myself insane looking for a daily driver to cut the mileage on the "White Diamond*"

I have visited these sites: Ford, Chevy, Honda, Dodge (insane prices), TOYota, Suzuki, Nissan, Mazda, SCION, Acura, BMW, Volkswagen, and I cant seem to find the car for me at the right price.

I wanna stay below 20K (in that ball park), I want a 2 door, and I am looking to get about 35 MPG.

Is this possible? I don't care how stupid the thing looks, as long as it runs and saves some gas.....I'll even take a Scion if it's comfortable. Thats why I am getting rid of the wifes KIA (she loves that damn car - POS). It feels like your riding on a 5 gallon bucket. Comfort, fuel, and cruise are the only things I really care about.










*see sig

 

Make sure you keep us updated. I'm trying to do the same thing for Mom. She's upgrading from a 95' Kia POS.

 

Will do.

 

Check out the Corollas--theyre dam good cars.

Dad has a decked out (all options) '00 with 140,000+, still runs, handles and drives like new. Other than an O2 sensor and a rear end alignment, its never broke stride, still gets 40-42mpg highway and low-mid 30's town. Still has original rotors/brake pads.

 

friend johnny has a 01 corolla so many squeeks and rattle less then 60K on this car and the tensioner pulleys are already worn out. the floor matts are seperating... not to mention i beleive toyota is still under recall for the variable cam timing issues in the 1.8L's bending valves and whatnot... friend had a 02 celica gt he abused the hell out of is and threw a rod and bent a valve doing doughnuts.... and they replaced his engine... we told em hes a lucky bastard they usually dont warranty abuse ... but he lucked out with the recall

 

Check out autotrader.com, serach for Mini Coopers in your area. You should be able to find one under 20 grand. 35mpg is insane, but the cooper should get you around 27 if your right foot is OK. Hot little car and not that normal crap everyone else drives. Sweet little cars...

 

Check out a Honda Civic two door. Brand new right around the 20k mark.

-Fatz

 

My sister has a 03 Pontiac Grand Am. Filled it up, drove right around 175 miles, then put 5 gallons in it. Figures out to be about 35 mpg. About 1/3 of it was interstate driving. It has the 4 banger with auto tranny. Still has some decent get up and go.
Had 14k miles on it when she got it, paid a little over $13K for it.
Comes in 2 door also

 

There are tons of options if you are willing to give up the crazy idea that a 'new' car is a requirement. Do you know how many people throw away a huge chunk of their income just so they can be seen in a 'new' car every year? I just bought my truck with 37K miles and 3 years old, paid half the cost of a new one and I get compliments daily from people who think it's brand new. If I had bought new, I'd be driving a stripped XL instead of a very sharp and comfortable Lariat.

As mentioned above, look for a 1-3 year old car with low mileage. Let some other schmuck take the depreciation hit. If you insist on new, you can find plenty of $14K cars priced new at $20K.

 

Mazda 3, si something or other. think its a full four door like a toyota camery S, but its alot nicer. Think you can get a pretty "loaded" one for right around 17k and its made by mazda (ford ) as well its like car and drivers number 1 small car this year.

~Q

 

My wife has a 99 Corolla and it has never given us one problem. It is completely reliable and I would have no problem driving to California. Now the seats kinda suck on long trips so that is something to consider. Great on gas mileage too.

For sheer cost I had a 2003 Kia Spectra, brand new for 6500. That comes with a 100k warranty. The gas milleage was amazing. Now it was as stripped as they come and I got rid of it once I got the truck but I should have kept it for the gas milleage alone.

Good luck on your search.

 

I'm hearing great things about the Scion TC. It actually is not that bad looking either. Kinda looks like a Acura RSK, or a Pontiac G6 You can get one fully loaded for around $18,000. Fully loaded means fully loaded, upgraded stereo, power everything etc......Scion also a few cool options that others don't. Neon lighting inside MP3 players etc......Also, it is a Toyota so you now the thing is going to be reliable.

I also checked out a Hyundai Tibron, before I bought the wife a certified pre-owned BMW. The Tiburon is a cool looking car, but w/ options your probably looking at over 20 G's. if you go w/ the 4 cyl and don't check off to many options I'm sure you can get one for around 17 though.

Also, you can go w/ a certified pre-owned vehilce as I did. I luv my Beemer. It's a 2000 328ci, (that is 2 door) w/ the sport package. It only had 20,000 miles on it when I bought it. i got a 3 year bumper to bumper for $22,000. I've had it for 2 years now. If you've ever driven a BMW you know, it is like nothing else on the road.

Good Luck

 

For those of you who know jamzwayne


how can i know so many...never really knowing anyone?...zap!

 

If you're just looking for something to commute in I'd find a decent used car. Save you bunches of cash and the wife could possibly even keep her beloved KIA. We've bought dozens of beaters for commuting, about 1 car for each duty station, we usually get rid of them when we move. I think our price range has been from free to $1500. Right now the hubby is driving a $500 '85 Ranger, looks like a rolling wreck but beats running up the mileage on his truck and bets better MPG. Of course if you want to look stylish while you're driving to work and back, I'd suggest spending just a shade more money!!

Good luck!