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My daily driver dilemma
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Posted by: MadScientistMatt

So, I'm planning to buy a different daily driver this year. The Isuzu is difficult to get parts for, I don't especially like the handling, and more gas mileage would be very good with gas prices headed the way they are. So, I'd have to say I have these priorities in a daily driver:

1. Decent gas mileage - no V8's, unfortunately.
2. Not a beater. It needs to run smoothly, and look good inside and out.
3. Not a hardcore project car. It may have a few little tweaks, but something on the level of the Dart just needs too much downtime to install mods.
4. And I have to be able to fit behind the wheel comfortably.

Trouble is, I can think of several different approaches that seem like they'd accomplish what I want.

1. Get a "pocket rocket" sort of car a few years old. A Focus ZX3 or SVT, Nissan Sentra SE-R, Protege MP3, Neon ACR, that sort of thing.
2. Get the sort of car best described as "Boring, everyday transportation." Something like a Taurus.
3. Look at older turbo or performance cars until I find an amazingly clean and well maintained example. Something like a late '80s Supra Turbo, Mustang SVO, or virtually anything with a Chrysler 2.2 Turbo under the hood.
4. The crazy engine swap route. Do something like buy an old Toyota Cressida, get a Supra Turbo motor for it, and either swap it in myself or have a shop do the work. A little work at the outset, but I'd have a low mileage engine and factory reliability.

Which approach would you think is best?

Posted by: No Rice Allowed

Sporty Econobox.....If your going to get something new, at least get something you think looks good as well....And with low mileage...then later you can do a crazy engine swap on it....

Posted by: Slow Nova

How about an early 90's Nissan Sentra SE-R? Good gas milage, and a very reliable engine. They can be had pretty cheap.

My daily driver's the Tacoma. It's actually a fun little truck, and it gets about 26-28 mpg.

Oh, wait...you said you wanted something that looks good...

I'll sell you my Impala....CHEAP!

Posted by: skeezix

Go with a mid 80's mercedes sedan.

Posted by: MadScientistMatt

I did think about a Mercedes, Skeezix, but decided they're likely to have the same sorts of difficulties finding parts around here than my Isuzu has.

Posted by: cswrench

3. Look at older turbo or performance cars until I find an amazingly clean and well maintained example. Something like a late '80s Supra Turbo, Mustang SVO, or virtually anything with a Chrysler 2.2 Turbo under the hood.
4. The crazy engine swap route. Do something like buy an old Toyota Cressida, get a Supra Turbo motor for it, and either swap it in myself or have a shop do the work. A little work at the outset, but I'd have a low mileage engine and factory reliability.

I would stay away from these. To me it would be to easy to fall into mod bug mode and all the suden you are driving a race car back and forth to work.

I would go with a midsize sedan(maybe a coupe) nice engoyable ride. most taraus and gm w-bodies have many aftermarket parts (performance and replacement) ready for them.

When I look into "sensible" transportation I try to keep this in mind.
Would I drive this to pick up a girl for a date in.

Posted by: MikeT

Quote:

Originally Posted by cswrench


	Would I drive this to pick up a girl for a date in.

Are you implying that women don't like cars with no interior and a full cage?

Posted by: MadScientistMatt

Good point, CSWrench. One of the good points about the Isuzu is that I absolutely have not been bitten by the urge to mod it, at all.

Posted by: Grape Ape

How much are you looking to spend? There are brand new choices with full warranty. This would help bite the mod bug in its butt, and provide reliable transportation. I was looking for a newer truck to replace mine. Prices are so high, I think I'll keep it for awhile longer. I just can't see paying what dealers want for a nice F-250. I considered 2 cars instead, but I've made no choice yet. I'm looking over either a new MustangGT or a Dodge SRT-4 as a daily driver. If I get either, I'll keep my truck. Problem is, insurance ends up too high. That's one more thing to cinsider.

Posted by: DeckSetter

how about a Ranger with a 2.3 Turbo swap? heheheheh.......

Posted by: Grape Ape

Eh... I'd go with a 302HO mildly built long before doing the turbo swap. I know from 1st hand experience with both engines that a Ranger will likely get better fuel mileage with a 302 in the 300rwhp range(properly set up) and making that power with a 2.3T takes more effort and limits tow capacity of the pickup. That's just me.

Posted by: MadScientistMatt

Grape Ape, I'm looking to spend as little as I can get away with.

My plan is to pay cash for it. If I can get what I want for $5,000, I'll do it, but if I wait a while I may go as high as $10,000. I don't plan on taking the time to save up for anything over $10,000. So that rules out pretty much anything new.

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