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Small, Fuel-Efficient Daily Driver Needed, Suggestions?

Discussion in 'General Automotive' started by Swimmerboy2112, Aug 29, 2012.

  1. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:10 PM
    #1
    Swimmerboy2112

    Swimmerboy2112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Brian
    Walnutport, PA
    Vehicle:
    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    Hey guys,

    I recently sold my 1986 Toyota 4Runner :( AND I got a new job :D which is about ~30mi or so away from where I live.

    So...

    I need to find a good, fun(ish), reliable, fuel-efficient daily driver. What are your suggestions?

    It needs to be the following;

    -Small
    -Fuel-efficient (high 20's+)
    -Manual transmission
    -Reliable
    -Fun
    -Max of $4,000

    Here's what i'm thinking so far,

    *Honda Del Sol
    *Mazda Miata
    *Honda Civic

    What do you guys think? What have you, your family, significant other had in the past that would fit my bill?

    Another thing I need to think about is if i'm going to fit (6'7" 250lbs).

    Thanks,
    -Brian
     
  2. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:13 PM
    #2
    TexasPreRunner

    TexasPreRunner Well-Known Member

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    Anthony
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    one of my buddys bought a hyundai elantra, for his daily driver and he loves the thing but im 6'2 and and was fine in the front but the back was another story
     
  3. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:14 PM
    #3
    650H1

    650H1 Well-Known Member

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    the new sonata's with the turbo look nice.
     
  4. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:14 PM
    #4
    Swimmerboy2112

    Swimmerboy2112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Brian
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    Vehicle:
    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    I thought about a Hyundai, i'm just worried about the reliability.
     
  5. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:15 PM
    #5
    skeeet

    skeeet Well-Known Member

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    get an E30!
     
  6. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:15 PM
    #6
    Swimmerboy2112

    Swimmerboy2112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Brian
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    Vehicle:
    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    Edited the first post with a price hahah
     
  7. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:15 PM
    #7
    Swimmerboy2112

    Swimmerboy2112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Brian
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    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    Thought about that as well, how's the reliability though? and when it breaks parts are gonna cost a ton!
     
  8. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:15 PM
    #8
    TexasPreRunner

    TexasPreRunner Well-Known Member

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    we have doged the hell out of that car and it is still running fine, no problems
     
  9. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:17 PM
    #9
    eborgie

    eborgie No Yotas Here

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    Erik
    Bellingham, MA
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    Mazda3 hatchback. You may be able to find an older one right around that price range. It fits all other categories. I am 6 foot 5 and have no problem fitting in and driving. Mine is a 5 speed and is a blast to drive.
     
  10. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:20 PM
    #10
    Large

    Large Red

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    Get a civic, drove a rental for a while. I'm 6' 2" 200 lbs and fit fine,
     
  11. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:24 PM
    #11
    skeeet

    skeeet Well-Known Member

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    Pete
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    Mine is just over 300k and still running strong. Whenever I need parts I check out pick n pulls to find relatively cheap parts. and also because drift!
     
  12. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:25 PM
    #12
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Joe
    Central Coast, CA
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    06 4x4 Off Road Access Cab v6 6spd
    LEER Shell with dome lights operated with 3 way switches, aux backup lights with relay and 3 position switch, modified wiring to compass/temp display and clock to include switch that disables dimming function (poor man's DRL solution), Scan Gauge 2
    The new ones are supposed to be pretty good. And they have that long warranty on the powertrain.

    Might want to run the numbers and see if a new one might make sense. Use the $4K for a down payment and have nothing but a payment and normal maintenance for the next 100K. If it saves enough gas, and you are going to have this commute for awhile, the payment might make sense.
     
  13. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:27 PM
    #13
    dtf2000

    dtf2000 New Member

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    DANIEL
    SAN DIEGO
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    6" PROCOMP SUSPENSION LIFTED WITH COILOVERS + BF MUD TERRAIN 35"
    Honda del sol are really good cars and reliable, my dad have one and is going over 250k miles and still in very nice shape the engine.....very gas saver......
     
  14. Aug 29, 2012 at 8:38 PM
    #14
    Swimmerboy2112

    Swimmerboy2112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Brian
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    Vehicle:
    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    Hmm interesting, but is there any "fun" factor?

    Never thought about the Mazda 3, it's worth a look for sure!

    I plan to check out the Civic for sure

    Good to hear, if I can find a clean enough one i'd check it out.

    Eh i'd rather not have a car payment

    Yes they are, just hard to find. Most of the ones here are all riced out :(
     
  15. Aug 30, 2012 at 5:11 AM
    #15
    Swimmerboy2112

    Swimmerboy2112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Brian
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    Vehicle:
    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    Bump for more suggestions.
     
  16. Aug 30, 2012 at 4:22 PM
    #16
    PreRunnerSeth

    PreRunnerSeth Well-Known Member

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    Civic... Forget about the miata. The new ones are cramped for me at 6'1". The older ones that are in your budget are insanely cramped.
     
  17. Aug 30, 2012 at 5:07 PM
    #17
    eborgie

    eborgie No Yotas Here

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    Here's my mazda3.
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1346371654.525786.jpg
     
  18. Aug 30, 2012 at 8:26 PM
    #18
    Swimmerboy2112

    Swimmerboy2112 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Brian
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    02 TRD V6 5 Speed X-Cab
    Borla exhaust, K&N intake, ARB bumper, 16x8 Konig Countersteer Offroad wheels, 20% Tint
    The only Miata I was ever in was a newer one and it was a tight fit that's for sure.

    Good looking cars, always liked the looks. What do you get for mileage?
     
  19. Aug 31, 2012 at 1:41 AM
    #19
    WizzyTRDTXPRO

    WizzyTRDTXPRO Well-Known Member

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    If you can find one a TDI VW. They are great cars I have 3 friends that all have TDI Vw's and they swear by them.
     
  20. Aug 31, 2012 at 1:58 AM
    #20
    n0ms

    n0ms Well-Known Member

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    Angel
    San Diego
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    1st gen i4 single cab 4x4
    Celica seats, Icon in rear and front with icon ucas, omd leaf springs, deckplate mod, lce header, Tundra brake swap.
    Integras are nice so are Celicas. Lexus ES300 is always a good choice.
    This is a nice daily but boring in since it is auto,low miles.
    http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/3239909102.html
    If you dig old cars
    http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/3237796343.html

    http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/3237085248.html

    M5
    http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/3183875943.html

    You have lots of choices ,check out out a couple of cars and what ever you buy try to get it cheap.knock off $ on everything you can.
    I do not like buying nonstock cars.
    Stay away from bad title cars unless you think you know what your doing.
    Google the vin if you think someone is lying about the car ie. I changed this and that, or if they don't know anything about the car. Caught couple of people that didn't know car was hot but mostly people who just picked it up at an auction and are trying to flip it.

    Hope the cl links are towns near yours.
     

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