Oppo, Help Me Find A Car!

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars) 01/03/2014 at 21:17 • Filed to: None

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But not this one. And yes, it's real.

I'm looking for the most fun and the best MPG. I'm selling the E46 because it's just too finnicky, to expensive to maintain, and just isn't any fun.

So, I ask for your help.

The strongest contender so far has been the NA Miata.

But, it seems like 30MPG is about a high as it goes, and it's not exactly smooth on the highway. But being small, fast, and open-topped, I can almost forvie that.

Next up is any Mini Cooper S

These are an unbelievable blast to drive, and it'll achieve mid to upper 30s on the highway. But, it's also FWD and somehow slightly more feminine than the Miata. Also, it's another BMW product, which is expensive to maintain, and it's also not as easy to work on as the Miata.

Lastly, because I'm already out of ideas, any MR2.

I really don't know what MPG these get, but I've always kind of wanted one. Pros: It's 90s Toyota, as reliable as dirt, looks best (in my opinion) and surprisingly, has the biggest trunk.

So, I'm open to any of your suggestions.

I like RWD.

I like MPG. (30+ Highway)

Budget: $6k, maybe $7k

Most of all, I like excitement. I like my cars with a side of bonkers.

GO!

Brian Silvestro > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:23

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944

merkyg > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:24

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MR2. Looks way better than the Miata/MX5. Minis are way too big to even have that word on them now...

Jay Lauer > merkyg 01/03/2014 at 21:28

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Well, they're bigger than the original, but the R53 (02-06) is still a small car. And I don't particularly need a small car, I just don't particularly need a big one either. The MR2 does look great, but it's more expensive than a Miata. Do you know anything of their mileage?

Jay Lauer > Brian Silvestro 01/03/2014 at 21:31

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Cheap to buy, very expensive to keep.

I drove one a couple weeks ago and it was fantastic, but parts will be uber expensive and the engine doesn't allow for many real power adders. Turbo-ing a Miata would be much simpler.

It's also slower than a Miata, from my impressions. I may be wrong.

Singhjr96 > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:32

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I didn't really read it that much but I hope this meets your standards.

http://www.autobase.com/cgi/info.exe?b…

or any other acura integera that you can find. you should be able to find for cheap enough that you have money left over for upgrades or repairs.

Brian Silvestro > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:33

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I haven't driven either so I can't say much. I say get the Miata. The Mini will be too expensive, and I like it better than the MR2.

dogisbadob > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:34

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What's wrong with that Camaro? It's awesome.

If you can't choose that car, consider a Matrix XRS/Vibe GT. 6-speed 2ZZ from the Lotus Elise, and very practical.

I'm surprised you'd have another BMW as a choice, especially given the reasons you're giving up your current BMW. Unless the Mini is that much easier.

The Toyota Echo is actually a lot more fun than people give it credit for. Remember, as a cheap car, there's no all-electronic nanny shit to dull any of the experience. DEFINITELY not finicky in any way whatsoever, and there is plenty of aftermarket support for these cars. Plus, it's actually lighter than even an NA Miata and has MUCH more room inside. In fact, it's within a cubic foot of the huge Camry. I think it's like 38 mpg highway too. The only real con is no sunroof.

You might also be able to get a Scion xA or xB for your price range. Same mechanical shit as the Echo, but in a more practical, and possibly more attractive depending on your taste, body. The xA is still good with gas, but the xB is less so due to aerodynamics, but should still get you the required mpg though. An unfortunate thing it shares with the Echo though, is no sunroof, except on the VERY rare release series xA's, which are most likely way outside your price range. The only way you'd spend that on an almost 10-yo Scion/Echo is if you want a sunroof as bad as I do.

And don't worry about mileage on a Toyota. Even 200k on one of the above cars is like 50-60k on a BMW.

Aaron James > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:34

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Search: Used

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Kelley Blue Book Retail $4,475–$6,150

MPG City: 20 – 22 Highway: 27 – 29

merkyg > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:35

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Yeah, they're not big cars in the grand scheme, but don't really justify the name. Really nice cars inside but I don't like the outer styling and they're certainly not too cheap to run from the owners I know. I don't know too much about MR2's to be honest, a friend had a W20 he loved and was always getting people trying to buy it. I imagine the mpg would be down on the Mazda but not by too much. Its definitely the nicest looking and like you say, 90s Toyota bulletproof.

Aaron James > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:35

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Kelley Blue Book Retail $5,100

MPG City: 25 Highway: 30

Jay Lauer > merkyg 01/03/2014 at 21:38

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Exactly. If I could ever find a Cheap MR2 Turbo that needed a bit of work, I'd jump on it immediately.

I'd like to drive a normal W20 MR2 to see what it's like. Another pro being that it's probably more comfortable and practical.

And also, Mini's are definitely headed towards becoming too big. The Paceman could be a damn Jeep Wrangler.

Jay Lauer > dogisbadob 01/03/2014 at 21:43

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Well I've already had a Mazda3 Hatch, which is somewhat a better version of the Matrix or scion, in my opinion. It was great, but there were a number of niggles about it. I got about 32MPG out of it regularly. And strangely I got 32MPG once out of the WRX I had after that. Who knew.

I think I'm probably more looking for RWD options, unless the FWD is really really good.

Although, I would almost but an Echo solely based on this.

Jay Lauer > Aaron James 01/03/2014 at 21:44

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It's very tempting. I know there's about zero trunk space, which is sad, but I do want to drive one.

lucky's pepper > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:54

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I must be part white-trash because I think a beat-up, rusty '77-'78 Trans Am body on an equally junkie 4x4 chassis is pretty damn awesome.

As for your car dilemma: cheap, fuel efficient, rwd and fun to drive. Not asking for much, are you? No idea how much they're going for but have you thought about a Solstice GXP? Because 260hp turbo.

Aaron James > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 21:56

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They're fun little cars, very enjoyable to drive. Personally I prefer the late 90's Turbo with T-tops to the later body style Spyders, but they're both really good fun cars.

Jay Lauer > lucky's pepper 01/03/2014 at 21:56

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I have no idea why, but they're holding their value. Who woulda thunk it?

I know it's asking for a lot, but this a big auto community, and I wanted to see if there was something I wasn't think of.

Jay Lauer > Aaron James 01/03/2014 at 21:59

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I'd love to find a Turbo, but they hold their value, and the people that have them know what they are. However, they're the heaviest MR2 by quite a bit.

The 3rd gen was always perceived as a "girl's car," but it was even lighter than the NA Miata. I haven't driven one, but my guess is that it's pretty quick. The issue with the 2000 MR2 is it's miniscule trunk space.

lucky's pepper > lucky's pepper 01/03/2014 at 22:03

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Disregard. Even the n/a models are going for stupid money. Apparently the turbo GXPs were made of gold.

Aaron James > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 22:22

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They don't feel overly heavy to drive though, it's still feels like a nimble sports car. You're right about 3rd gen trunks, if you need a trunk for more than a box of tissues, you'll be hurting. Miata's are widely seen as a "girls car" too though. I never really cared about that though.

dogisbadob > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 22:31

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Yeah, but the Matrix doesn't have those niggles because it's a Toyota :)

Well, there is one piece of silliness that affects every 03-08 Corolla, Matrix, and Vibe: the odometer stops at 299999. In the US, that's 300k which is a lot, even if not a lot for a Toyota. However, to our friends up north, that's 299999 km, or about 180k miles. WAY too soon to just stop counting! Jeez, it's not like a VW that can't make it past 70k. Yeah, Toyota really fucked up on that one!

But, the Echo/Yaris derivatives don't have that issue at all :)

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 22:31

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One sexy beast I've been eyeing.... Volvo 850 R

Jay Lauer > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 01/03/2014 at 22:35

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It even conquers Africa....

But isn't it FWD?

Jay Lauer > dogisbadob 01/03/2014 at 22:39

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Well the reliability on the Mazda3 was pretty much perfect. My only complaints were stuff like slightly uncomfortable seats, and a slightly thin plasticy sounding door thump.

If you just want A car, the Mazda3 is perfect.

All together, I think Miata > Echo/Yaris. Sorry man.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 22:45

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Sadly it is and it can't cover a speed bump without wincing, and has a very disproportional weight distribution. But it's pretty good. Practical. Can fit stuff.

lucky's pepper > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 22:49

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Ok, I got it!! Cheap, efficient, rwd and fun to drive. Just look at it, it's perfect for you!

Jay Lauer > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 01/03/2014 at 22:50

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It's hugely tempting for the cool factor that no one would get, but I'd probably be better off buying another WRX wagon. Not as practical, but a blast.

God knows if I can even find an 850R within 3 hours of me.

Jay Lauer > lucky's pepper 01/03/2014 at 22:51

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I think you got Kinja'd, cause I can't see it.

lucky's pepper > Jay Lauer 01/03/2014 at 22:57

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Damn it. Must try again.

Jay Lauer > lucky's pepper 01/03/2014 at 23:03

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Ahahahaha it's so perfect.

TinFoil Knight > Brian Silvestro 01/04/2014 at 06:32

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i gotta agree with Brian. My 88 944 had all the qualities most jalops &opponauts hold near and dear to our hearts. 5spd RWD power equipment, real handbrake(albeit on the left between the seat and the door), predictable limits 25mpg city 30+ highway. It cruised highway miles with ease,comfort, and speed, lots of speed. The 944 devoured miles of I-44 out of the city set at 75. Many times I found myself in Tulsa far earlier than my original planning. On the far side of T town the miles to Springfield, MO disappeared with astonishing rapidity. The car was just as much at ease set to 12omph as 75mph. I gave just over 3200 for mine. An additional 1800 worth of regular maintenance costs put my initial money came to a nice round $5000. The 944 not only talked the talk ,it walked the walk.

SpeedSix > Jay Lauer 01/04/2014 at 15:48

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Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon, though I'm not sure if it's fuel-efficient enough.

SpeedSix > Jay Lauer 01/04/2014 at 16:00

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Maybe a first-generation (1999-2006) Honda Insight? It's relatively cheap and extremely fuel-efficient (50+mpg always). There's also the 5-speed manual, extremely low drag coefficient (0.25 cd) and extremely low weight due to the aluminum body (1880lb - manual with A/C, or approximately the same or a bit lower than a Lotus Elise).

SpeedSix > Jay Lauer 01/04/2014 at 16:22

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Honda CR-X

Jay Lauer > SpeedSix 01/04/2014 at 20:32

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I heard the reliability on early Honda hybrid was really not that good, but I'll look into it.

I'm actually weirdly intrigued by this car. Even though it's probably less manly than the Miata.

Jay Lauer > SpeedSix 01/04/2014 at 20:34

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FWD, though.

I've driven one, and they're incredible fun. But somehow, the Miata will still that extra bit more fun.

911e46z06 > Jay Lauer 01/04/2014 at 22:51

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Get a better e46. Or an e30.