Trying to find a daily. Opinions please.

MyKmYk · 11-10-2009, 02:44 PM

I asked this on another board and can't seem to get any good feedback, so I thought I'd ask you guys...

So I've set aside roughly $5000-$7000 to use on purchasing a new (used) daily driver, and I don't know what to get. My priorities are:

1) something fun, but reliable
2) nothing is perfect, so something reasonable to maintain price wise
3) 4 door/suv is preferable from a usability standpoint, but would consider a coupe; no trucks.
4) rear or 4 wheel drive > FWD
5) I prefer manuals, but would take an auto if the car had a history of reliability

Top contenders:
-) E36's (must be manual if so)
-) Toyota 4Runner (96-02) [I've seen MANY examples with 200k+ miles]
-) Nissan Murano (1st gen)
-) Benz E class from late 70's/early 80's (built like tanks)

Thoughts? Suggestions? Any help would be much appreciated, and if you happen to have one of the cars listed above let me know how its been!

Thanks.

nmulax · 11-10-2009, 02:58 PM

Early 00's Subaru Impreza or Saab 9-5.

The bug-eye WRX is fun, reliable, the wagon gives the usability to match an SUV, AWD, and a manual transmission. The Saab is FWD and a bit quirky, but still an enjoyable car to drive. Both have bullet-proof turbo engines, and you can find ones with under 100k miles for your price range.

335e92tx · 11-10-2009, 03:03 PM

Well, I was not going to be the first to offer something off your preferred list but, I would go with something a little more pedestrian.

A honda accord or toyota camry. You wont give a crap about door dings and absolutely no maintenance.

MyKmYk · 11-10-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Well, I was not going to be the first to offer something off your preferred list but, I would go with something a little more pedestrian.

A honda accord or toyota camry. You wont give a crap about door dings and absolutely no maintenance.

I def. thought about going this route....I just don't think I can bring myself to do it. I'd give a little in terms of reliability for fun.

Tommiexboi · 11-10-2009, 03:18 PM

s2k = fun and reliable

sokdo · 11-10-2009, 04:42 PM

I don't think you can get a s2000 for 5k-7k...

edit: or atleast I wouldn't wanna buy an s2000 that costs 5k..

edit edit: wait are you saying your budget is 5-7k or that's just how much you've saved up and is going to add more?

MyKmYk · 11-10-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokdo

I don't think you can get a s2000 for 5k-7k...

edit: or atleast I wouldn't wanna buy an s2000 that costs 5k..

edit edit: wait are you saying your budget is 5-7k or that's just how much you've saved up and is going to add more?

I really don't want to spend any more than that, and that is what I have available at this time. I could save more, but for what I'm wanting to use the car for I really do not see the point in investing any more money than that.

jpsum · 11-10-2009, 05:50 PM

if you really want something reliable, you probably should take two of those cars off your list.

Pink Taco · 11-10-2009, 06:30 PM

Early subarus you can get at that price... they're definitely fun and reliable. And AWD =]

808six · 11-10-2009, 07:37 PM

yamaha r6 or honda 600 rr

evoi19 · 11-10-2009, 08:04 PM

get an e30...easy to maintain, good gas mileage and fun to drive. Must get the 325i over the 318 of course. Plus there's tons of parts for the model so it could be a nice project if you decide to go that route also.

11-10-2009, 02:44 PM	#1
MyKmYk BMW Individual Junkie. 101 Rep 478 Posts Drives: Mora E46, Tanzanite G20 M340i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (4)	Trying to find a daily. Opinions please. I asked this on another board and can't seem to get any good feedback, so I thought I'd ask you guys... So I've set aside roughly $5000-$7000 to use on purchasing a new (used) daily driver, and I don't know what to get. My priorities are: 1) something fun, but reliable 2) nothing is perfect, so something reasonable to maintain price wise 3) 4 door/suv is preferable from a usability standpoint, but would consider a coupe; no trucks. 4) rear or 4 wheel drive > FWD 5) I prefer manuals, but would take an auto if the car had a history of reliability Top contenders: -) E36's (must be manual if so) -) Toyota 4Runner (96-02) [I've seen MANY examples with 200k+ miles] -) Nissan Murano (1st gen) -) Benz E class from late 70's/early 80's (built like tanks) Thoughts? Suggestions? Any help would be much appreciated, and if you happen to have one of the cars listed above let me know how its been! Thanks. __________________ ///MYKE
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11-10-2009, 02:58 PM	#2
nmulax Brigadier General 394 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	Early 00's Subaru Impreza or Saab 9-5. The bug-eye WRX is fun, reliable, the wagon gives the usability to match an SUV, AWD, and a manual transmission. The Saab is FWD and a bit quirky, but still an enjoyable car to drive. Both have bullet-proof turbo engines, and you can find ones with under 100k miles for your price range. __________________
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11-10-2009, 03:03 PM	#3
335e92tx ahat 1076 Rep 2,592 Posts Drives: Was '07-335e92 - Now '13-335IS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (6)	Well, I was not going to be the first to offer something off your preferred list but, I would go with something a little more pedestrian. A honda accord or toyota camry. You wont give a crap about door dings and absolutely no maintenance. __________________ '13 335IS N54 (1 of 373 LeMans Blue out of 3597 total production e92)- Grey interior (1 of 24 in LMB with any trans- 1 of 14 with DCT)-MODS -MFactory LSD/MHD-BQ custom Tune/ATM-IC/AFE Momentum GT Intake/Konis/Mfront&HeimJoint Rear rods&arms/Brembos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lo6aHZRo7XqtPkhL8
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11-10-2009, 03:18 PM	#5
Tommiexboi Mod whore 42 Rep 454 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Sold :( Audi A4 now Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	s2k = fun and reliable __________________ E46 2000 328i - Sold ( what started my obsession ) E60 2000 M5 - Sold E90 2008 335i - Sold E93 2011 M3 - Sold B8 A4 - WTF?
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11-10-2009, 04:42 PM	#6
sokdo Lieutenant 54 Rep 582 Posts Drives: 335i E92 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fullerton, CA iTrader: (0)	I don't think you can get a s2000 for 5k-7k... edit: or atleast I wouldn't wanna buy an s2000 that costs 5k.. edit edit: wait are you saying your budget is 5-7k or that's just how much you've saved up and is going to add more?
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11-10-2009, 05:50 PM	#8
jpsum Major 288 Rep 1,088 Posts Drives: 2010 TSX Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Haven area iTrader: (4)	if you really want something reliable, you probably should take two of those cars off your list.
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11-10-2009, 06:30 PM	#9
Pink Taco Doesn't get Pinker than this... 10 Rep 129 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca iTrader: (0)	Early subarus you can get at that price... they're definitely fun and reliable. And AWD =] __________________
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11-10-2009, 07:37 PM	#10
808six Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 274 Posts Drives: AW 335 COUPE Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: HAWAII iTrader: (1)	yamaha r6 or honda 600 rr
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11-10-2009, 08:04 PM	#11
evoi19 Lieutenant General 1715 Rep 17,450 Posts Drives: 2022 G80C Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (18)	get an e30...easy to maintain, good gas mileage and fun to drive. Must get the 325i over the 318 of course. Plus there's tons of parts for the model so it could be a nice project if you decide to go that route also.
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