What car to drive to the train station daily

ren · 08-18-2009, 12:51 PM

I'm moving to an area where I will have to drive to the train station every day, less than 2 miles one way. I really don't want to drive my BMW and leave it there all day long, plus driving it only for 2 miles and stop before it even gets warm, twice a day...

So can anyone recommend a somewhat reliable, easy to maintain car that I won't care parking on the street and drive short distances daily? I was thinking of an old Japanese car, and I don't want to spend over $4,000.

NewSong · 08-18-2009, 01:12 PM

2005 Ford Focus, my DD/Grocery getter of choice. I don't care if people bump their doors into my car, rub their bodies on it, key it, etc.

Plus I have headers, and an after market exhaust. I've smoked 335i's.

Year's_End · 08-18-2009, 01:14 PM

hold on. there's an edmund's article specifically for cars priced at $4k.

Year's_End · 08-18-2009, 01:15 PM

badda boom.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=141346

jaiman · 08-18-2009, 01:42 PM

older civic. won't die. ever. even when you hope that it won't start so you can replace its rusted out 15 year old ass, it'll start right up.

vividracing · 08-18-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewSong

2005 Ford Focus, my DD/Grocery getter of choice. I don't care if people bump their doors into my car, rub their bodies on it, key it, etc.

+1
Had an '03 ZX3 that I put 75k miles on it - never had a problem, fit/finish was acceptable for what the car was, and with the 5spd it was more fun to drive then the Civic that replaced it.

Inspired · 08-18-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewSong

2005 Ford Focus, my DD/Grocery getter of choice. I don't care if people bump their doors into my car, rub their bodies on it, key it, etc.

Plus I have headers, and an after market exhaust. I've smoked 335i's.

did u buy it used or new? how much did it cost OTD.. looking for a daily driver also..

NewSong · 08-18-2009, 03:39 PM

$5,000 OTD, used. No problems so far, and I've been driving it spiritedly.

ragingclue · 08-18-2009, 03:51 PM

Good Edmunds article, but if you take the spirited requirement out of the equation, there are many other "sensible" options for $4k or less. A 2 mile drive each way to the train station and back wouldn't require anything more than basic for me unless you have an uphill merge onto the freeway with no merging lane.

The focus is a great car, new or used. You just have to watch out for ones that have been owned by kids who wish Mommy and Daddy bought them something faster.

mtla4 · 08-18-2009, 04:02 PM

Go with a sentra..nobody wants those so they're cheap. Sentra's are tanks

NewSong · 08-18-2009, 04:16 PM

It's always good to have a DD. It helps with those situations where you might have an SUV packed with kids park 2 feet away from your M3's passenger side door. That really sucks.

TK-421 · 08-18-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtla4

Go with a sentra..nobody wants those so they're cheap. Sentra's are tanks

For sure. We got a used 1991 Sentra just for commuting and it lasted until 2005 and had 310,000 miles before the odometer broke in 2001. No problems, except for the whole cassette thing.

I'd say you get a car with a balance of cheap price, reliability, and fuel economy. A Corolla, Sentra, and Civic are the first to pop into my head.

jibaholic101 · 08-18-2009, 08:08 PM

get a honda

305e92 · 08-18-2009, 11:41 PM

Veyron Pur Sang

ZJP · 08-18-2009, 11:43 PM

BMW E30

anthony @ eas · 08-19-2009, 01:15 PM

Miata.

Inspired · 08-21-2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewSong

$5,000 OTD, used. No problems so far, and I've been driving it spiritedly.

Lol. That is cheap.. how much HP? I was driving my friends corolla and it wouldnt move even when I floor it. It takes so long to get to redline..

NewSong · 08-21-2009, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

Lol. That is cheap.. how much HP? I was driving my friends corolla and it wouldnt move even when I floor it. It takes so long to get to redline..

About 150hp, and the car only weighs 2500lbs. It's got some jump.

mmm def · 08-21-2009, 05:37 PM

honda/toyota/subaru. done.

MTV · 09-03-2009, 03:17 PM

Mk3 Vr6 Gti

ren · 09-14-2009, 05:46 PM

I bought a 98 RAV4 at 72k miles from its first owner at a reasonable price. Thanks for the suggestions.

MisterSkiMask · 09-14-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erensf

I bought a 98 CRV at 72k miles from its first owner at a reasonable price. Thanks for the suggestions.

I notice you have CA plates, are you parking this at a BART station by chance?

08-18-2009, 12:51 PM	#1
ren Captain 62 Rep 840 Posts Drives: 2024 X7 M60i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: U.S. iTrader: (8)	What car to drive to the train station daily I'm moving to an area where I will have to drive to the train station every day, less than 2 miles one way. I really don't want to drive my BMW and leave it there all day long, plus driving it only for 2 miles and stop before it even gets warm, twice a day... So can anyone recommend a somewhat reliable, easy to maintain car that I won't care parking on the street and drive short distances daily? I was thinking of an old Japanese car, and I don't want to spend over $4,000.
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08-18-2009, 01:12 PM	#2
NewSong Just another jerk in a hat... 121 Rep 1,462 Posts Drives: 2005 Ford Focus Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	2005 Ford Focus, my DD/Grocery getter of choice. I don't care if people bump their doors into my car, rub their bodies on it, key it, etc. Plus I have headers, and an after market exhaust. I've smoked 335i's. __________________ He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth.
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08-18-2009, 01:14 PM	#3
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1245 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	hold on. there's an edmund's article specifically for cars priced at $4k. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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08-18-2009, 01:15 PM	#4
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1245 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	badda boom. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=141346 __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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08-18-2009, 01:42 PM	#5
jaiman Captain 22 Rep 658 Posts Drives: very fast Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	older civic. won't die. ever. even when you hope that it won't start so you can replace its rusted out 15 year old ass, it'll start right up.
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08-18-2009, 03:39 PM	#8
NewSong Just another jerk in a hat... 121 Rep 1,462 Posts Drives: 2005 Ford Focus Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	$5,000 OTD, used. No problems so far, and I've been driving it spiritedly. __________________ He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth.
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08-18-2009, 03:51 PM	#9
ragingclue One cam is enough 136 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	Good Edmunds article, but if you take the spirited requirement out of the equation, there are many other "sensible" options for $4k or less. A 2 mile drive each way to the train station and back wouldn't require anything more than basic for me unless you have an uphill merge onto the freeway with no merging lane. The focus is a great car, new or used. You just have to watch out for ones that have been owned by kids who wish Mommy and Daddy bought them something faster.
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08-18-2009, 04:16 PM	#11
NewSong Just another jerk in a hat... 121 Rep 1,462 Posts Drives: 2005 Ford Focus Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	It's always good to have a DD. It helps with those situations where you might have an SUV packed with kids park 2 feet away from your M3's passenger side door. That really sucks. __________________ He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-18-2009, 08:08 PM	#13
jibaholic101 Brigadier General 170 Rep 3,496 Posts Drives: women wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	get a honda __________________ some italian, german, and japanese ones; and on order more of the same
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08-18-2009, 11:41 PM	#14
305e92 Banned 24 Rep 70 Posts Drives: AW 335i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Miami/PR iTrader: (0)	Veyron Pur Sang
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08-18-2009, 11:43 PM	#15
ZJP Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,759 Posts Drives: F10 535xi / B6 S4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (7)	BMW E30
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08-19-2009, 01:15 PM	#16
anthony @ eas 320 Rep 3,635 Posts Drives: R56 Cooper S Join Date: May 2009 Location: 4015 E Leaverton Court, Anahiem, CA 92807 iTrader: (0)	Miata.
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08-21-2009, 05:37 PM	#19
mmm def Colonel 147 Rep 2,611 Posts Drives: 21 330, 19 ND2 RF, 11 RX350 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	honda/toyota/subaru. done.
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09-03-2009, 03:17 PM	#20
MTV Banned 264 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: E60 M5, Volvo S60R Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1)	Mk3 Vr6 Gti
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09-14-2009, 05:46 PM	#21
ren Captain 62 Rep 840 Posts Drives: 2024 X7 M60i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: U.S. iTrader: (8)	I bought a 98 RAV4 at 72k miles from its first owner at a reasonable price. Thanks for the suggestions. Attached Images Last edited by ren; 09-14-2009 at 08:13 PM.. Reason: It's not a CR-V, fixed that
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