My only vehicle right now is an RX-8. I just started my career, and my daily commute for work is 75 miles. Thats over 1500 miles a month just for work.
I don't want to rack up too much mileage on my RX-8, so it is just wise to get a beater car just for work.

Two criteria:
-Decent gas mileage(30 mpg highway would be nice)
-less than $5000

So far, I'm looking at Honda Civic, Toyota Camry/Corolla. What do you suggest for a daily driver?

Thanks

 

acura integra

 

civic. honestly i can fill it up for like 18 bucks...and it's tank will take me further than the 8 will. and also the thing costs next to nothing to maintain if you've got a screwdriver and a socket wrench.

 

NA Miatas are dirt cheap and as reliable as sunshine in your face and wind in your hair and when they're not they're real easy to fix. Only problem is they are not great in terms of noise for Interstate commutes ... but they are lots of fun on back roads.

 

 

The Corolla is probably your best choice. High MPG and bullet-proof reliability. Civic is of course right up there in this category as well.

If you want to stay 'in the family' the 4-cycl pre-2009 Mazda6 is also a great bang-for-the-buck choice and allot better looking than either the Corolla or Civic imho. Not great acceleration of course but it cruises effortlessly/quietly on the highway and almost makes gas.

 

I have a new Yaris I am selling....'08

Lease Transfer for $200 a month


I get 40 MPG on the highway

 

+1 97 integra if you got 5k to spend this cas is the best on gas and its fun to drive.

 

I'd vote for the Miata, tbh. Great lookin' cars and great on gas too! You don't really trade any fun factor, either!

 

Subaru Impreza.

 

nissan sentra or 200sx se-r, just as quick as the 8 maybe faster, easy to drive, easy to work on and locate parts, good mpg

 

fwd car for me - sentra , mazda protege.
RWD- NA miata (94-97)

 

You can buy very cheap miatas... but they also are falling apart typically... more so than most older cars, so you might have to search harder for a good one. I say +1 on integra if you can find one. really any honda or toyota made car will be reliable.

But if you don't want to be bored to tears.... get the acura or mazda.

 

buy something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-...3A1|240%3A1318

No, it isn't mine. I just have been watching it for a few hours... wanting it. Only thing holding me back is driveway space.

 

I had a Mazda6, it was an 04 I believe...it's been a while since I had it. Anyway, that was about the nicest car I had, before I got the 8. It got me over 300 miles per tank, handeled decent, roomy...it was a nice car. I hated those Michelins on it though...OMG...they would loose traction on freaking sandpaper!!!! But as the man said...looking for a beater...some suggestions..other than the ones above: Eclipse, Cobolt/Cavilier, Mitsu. Mirage or Diamante....

 

But it's yellow... well I guess just not my taste.

 

DAMN 500 bucks!!! That sounds like a pretty good deal on the Miata...w/hardtop....wonder if it leaks??

 

hmm really? i owned my 97 m edtion miata for 8 years with 130k miles. only ting i had to change out was the timing belt, water pump.



it was my DD car before my mazda 3. only reason why i dont have it any more, because some one ran the stop sign and took me out.

<edit>
never mind, i read your post harder. i do agree with the search for a really good one.

 

At $500, I hardly care. I just wish I had somewhere to put it. 1.8 car driveway w/ 2 cars currently.

1, if it's a beater, it isn't a problem, 2, with 2 cars, one with issues is a project or a hobby, not a problem

 

Thats a good point. Plus, You could put some fresh paint for a grand or so. Which costs more than the car... but ya. That would be a great beater car.

out of curiosity, what were the performance specs like when it came out?

 

Just get a Mazda 3 Sedan.

 

When gas was over $4.00/gal I picked up a 2000 Saturn SL 5-speed. That gets over 35 MPG hwy.

 

+1

$5k should get you a pretty clean NA. And if noise/security is a problem, these can be easily solved by putting a hardtop on.

 

I doubt that. My '93 was my DD until last year and still has near perfect compression and is still a blast to drive with 6.5-lb wheels and upgraded suspension. The guy in the office next to me replaced the engine on his '97 Saturn but finally gave up on it this year after spending $2k more in additional repairs. I only know one other person who still maintains and drives a car as old as my Miata--an old Porsche that is even more beloved.

 

I bought a commuter car as well. My budget wasn't as generous as yours. I ended up picking a 1997 Nissan Sentra. I had a couple requirements: dual airbags and manual transmission.

I would recommend:
Acura Integra (if you can find one not riced out and in good condition)
Chevrolet Prizm/Geo Prizm (Corolla clone w/lower resale value)
Honda Civic (if you can find one not riced out and in good condition)
Hyundai Elantra
Infiniti G20
Mazda Miata
Mazda Protege
Nissan Sentra/200SX
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla