I need to get a daily driver in the next 3 days.

Criteria:
- $15k MAX (hopefully a lot less)
- Manual tranny
- Decent gas mileage
- Reliable
- Easy to maintain myself
- 4 seats (doesn't have to be 4 door)
- Dallas, Texas area
- I don't care if it's FF or FR or AWD

I want something I can hop in and drive across the US in and not think twice.

 

Honda civic.


/Thread

 

I'd say 92-00 Civic. D series. Leave it bone-effing-stock and enjoy the gas savings. Reliable, and if something does break, all of the know-how is out there and parts are dirt cheap. Easy to work on, to boot.

 

Answer:
1987 Chevy El Camino SS

Here is why:
Under $15K? Sure, here is one! EDIT: OOPS I MEAN HERE
Manual tranny? NOPE 4 speed auto for you son! It might even have overdrive, I really have no idea, maybe it even has a 3 speed!
Decent gas mileage? This is open to interpretation, how does 14 city 20 highway tickle your peepee?
Reliable? This is the 1st year the car came with fuel injection, so, maybe?
Easy to maintain yourself? Do you like working on early EFI cars? I HOPE SO BRO! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
4 (four) seats (no need for four (4) doors)? YOUR IN LUCK, IT DOES NOT HAVE FOUR (4) DOORS! It has two {TO} seats, but you could probably fit 4 (FOUR) peeps in there. Many more if you start throwing homies in the bed.
In Texas? IDK, get on craigslist and look you lazy hoe.
I give 0 (ZERO) shitz if it pulls/pushes/has weight! GOOD! B/C its the worst kind of RWD, the kind with ancient suspension and no weight over them there rear powered wheels. HAVE FUN IN SNOW/RAIN/JIZ/DIRT!
You could probably drive it across teh US of A. I wouldn't, that tiz a long *** way. Did I mention the primitive EFI?

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW (ish) EL QUEERMINO!

 

BMW 540... Srsly

 

I like these guys:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2934389440.html

Have one myself, very happy. Worse gas mileage than a civic, which is a great choice, but after test driving a 3, Tc, and the lancer, I found the lancer much more fun to drive. I never considered, therefore never drove, a civic, but I figured I'd plug my lovely DD.

28mpg capable*, lots of freeway gives me 30-32mpg.

*more 2.4s available after 2008, all my experience is with the 2.0.

 

In all seriousness though, I like the 03' style Civic Si hatch. Any honda will be reliable, and an Si would be more fun to drive. If you get the Mitsu, get a manual for sure. I knew a gun with an auto w/ paddle shifters, he hated the paddle shifters.

 

Lotta nice used cars out there for $15k....

 

01-02 T56 F-body.

Cheap, great mpg on the highway, 4 seats, and 2x more power then anything else here mentioned. Plus in Texas, everyone seems to have one.

 

I never understood paddles and CVTs. Wtf?

 

That's exactly why I'm seeking advise. lol

Right now this is what I'm thinking:

1) '06 Acura TL. I have one at the dealership with a 6 speed (only 1000 were sold in the US) fully loaded. I've always like the looks of them, I can get a great deal since I work their, and it is comfortable as *****. Con = 114k miles, but it's a honda so it should go forever.
2) 97-06 4.0L Jeep Wrangler. Complete opposite of a miata, but fun as hell to drive, bullet proof motor, easy as hell to get parts for, and easy to maintain. I can go run over shiz and go practically anywhere. Cons = bad gas mileage, not as luxurious, not very comfortable on the highway
3) E46 BMW 3 series. They look sexy, get decent MPG, very comfortable, fun to drive. Cons = expensive maintenance, high mileage, reliability??

I'm probably just being a douche, but I do want my daily to look good (should've added that in the OP lol). I just have a thing against civics.

 

Lexus IS?

 

Tough to find in that price range with decent mileage in a manual tranny. I definitely looked.

 

Best I found was this

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...&&aff=national

Too expensive for the mileage

 

99's are the best year for the TJ and the auto trans is bulletproof (sticks are not so much), but like the XJ, they LOVE fuel.

 

I'll definitely keep that in mind. I'm going to collins bros jeep in the morning to see what they have to offer.

 

Since its a Lexus, I wouldn't mind about the mileage as long as the interior is ok and the car drives fine. Hell I would DD that thing like a bauce.

 

Honestly, the more I look at it, the better it seems.

However, for 5k less I can get the TL which is just as luxurious, faster, same gas mileage, hondas are just as reliable as toyotas, but it is front wheel drive.

 

I would gladly pay 5K more to actually enjoy the car (ie RWD).

 

Do is250s come with a LSD?