What would be a reliable, yet fun DD for around 3k?

[Cardriverx]

So say you needed a car to drive 30 miles to work every day. Say also, that it may encounter some snow. Furthermore, you need it to have enough room to haul your crap to college and back (not too much crap, but clothes, a large desktop computer, a laptop, some speakers, and a few other things).

Finally, it needs to be at least somewhat fun to drive. By that I mean good steering with decent feedback, good handling on twisty roads, and good balance. Preferably stick. Basically something that wont make you fall asleep and hate your life every time you drive it.

And your budget is 3k, any more than that is pushing it.

Thoughts?

[i_ride_fieroGT]

2G eclipse.

[renn]

you can get a decent civic for that much, probably better than anything else you'd be able to find.

[JERRYM1997]

Talon TSI 1 or 2g
V6 Firebird or Camaro cause the 3.8 V6 is one of GM's most reliable engines and are really fun DD.

[Xclusive_Russ]

OBS or L wagon. Cheap, affordable, hatch, AWD. I'm not trying to push mine in any way but they really do make great daily's considering they are based on the 4d/2d platform just more space inside to transport stuff. And cheap.

[i_ride_fieroGT]

Originally Posted by JERRYM1997

V6 Firebird or Camaro cause the 3.8 V6 is one of GM's most reliable engines and are really fun DD.

Lol dont be to sure on that. I managed to blow one up.



But in all seriousness anything with the 3.8 you cant go wrong.

[tcturbo91]

E30. comfortable (cool interior), not too slow, big trunk/decent size back seat, rwd and handles well. can find a nice one for around 3 aswell

[Cardriverx]

Well I cant really do a firebird/camaro or e30 because I will need to get through some snow.. I have been looking for some civics (I like the hatch), seems hard to find a good deal tho. I like the idea of the subie wagon (except gas mileage seems so so and handling is not that great), I have also been looking for integras. I dunno haha.

I am pissed at the US because Europe got all these cool 90's hatchbacks that can be found now a days for around 3k$ that we didn't get, and would be perfect for me haha.

[g0dzuki]

You can do a b13 nissan sentra as well or eg 4-door civic is nice.

maybe look into subaru legacy's or impreza's, of course the older ones, you can find some good deals

[Cardriverx]

Originally Posted by g0dzuki

You can do a b13 nissan sentra as well or eg 4-door civic is nice.

maybe look into subaru legacy's or impreza's, of course the older ones, you can find some good deals

I want your car. lol. But really.

[Cardriverx]

And why the hell are 9/10 cars automatic? This pisses me off.

[g0dzuki]

Originally Posted by Cardriverx

I want your car. lol. But really.

lol

its a practical yet not practical car if you know what i'm sayin lol


i have a friend in newark who works/owns a car dealership, he usually has really good cars for sale for good pricing and mostly manual

http://www.localcarsdealers.com/new-...uto-sales.html


his name is emilio and tell him the dude with the red pulsar sent ya and he'll hook ya up

[Chris B.]

2003-2004 Ford Focus.

The complete SVT suspension can be installed in a day with basic hand tools and sells for aboout $290.
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=6782

If you plan to keep it for a while, there is also a kit ot upgrade it to the SVT brakes which makes it a fun track day/autoX car along with the SVT suspension.

[jpalamar]

V6 Camaro 93+... good solid motor and t-tops option

Focus is more fun to drive then people realize. I had an SVT so it was a whole different beast but you can direct swap SVT suspension and brakes for mad cheap. The ZETEC blocks are solid too.

[Cardriverx]

Originally Posted by Chris B.

2003-2004 Ford Focus.

The complete SVT suspension can be installed in a day with basic hand tools and sells for aboout $290.
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=6782

If you plan to keep it for a while, there is also a kit ot upgrade it to the SVT brakes which makes it a fun track day/autoX car along with the SVT suspension.

Thanks, Ill have to keep an eye out for them. Any reason you said 2003-2004?

[JERRYM1997]

Originally Posted by Cardriverx

Well I cant really do a firebird/camaro or e30 because I will need to get through some snow..

I just put weights in the back of mine and it holds the road pretty good. And you can get T-Tops a 5M and they handle great.

Dont worry about the 3 or 4 times a year it will snow.

[240vert]

volvo 850/v70/s70 Turbo or T5M. They are a blast to drive, quicker than some v8 mustangs, even with 4 friends in the car. Some even come factory with a child seat. You can everything but the bed and dresser from your girlfriends room in one too.

all the 850 turbos were auto, but a swap isn't too hard if youre up to it.

you get get the v70 and s70 in a stick though, but those both may be stretching a bit on your budget.

The autos don't like to be beat on for long though, but the motors are bomb proof.

[Cardriverx]

Originally Posted by 240vert

volvo 850/v70/s70 Turbo or T5M. They are a blast to drive, quicker than some v8 mustangs, even with 4 friends in the car. Some even come factory with a child seat. You can everything but the bed and dresser from your girlfriends room in one too.

all the 850 turbos were auto, but a swap isn't too hard if youre up to it.

you get get the v70 and s70 in a stick though, but those both may be stretching a bit on your budget.

The autos don't like to be beat on for long though, but the motors are bomb proof.

I would like a volvo,i have been looking for one.thing is they are few and far between. I would love a stick volvo

[HQuakers]

XJ Cherokee. It's gonna handle like complete ****, but they're definitely fun to drive...over just about anything.

[RedBowTies88]

izuzu amigo :D....call me an asshole if you want but beating on one of those is just scary enough to be fun. plus they run amazing (the 2.2 and the v6) and get sweet mileage..also somewhat good offroad.

found this the other day looking for a car for the GF

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CLEAN...#ht_500wt_1182