Cheap reliable commuter

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 10/24/2016 at 23:57 • Filed to: None

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Lets say you’ve got $2,000 $3,000 to spend on a reliable daily for a short commute. What do you look for? it has to:

1. have a roof (no convertibles)

2. be easy and cheap to maintain

3. not be a death trap

4. get better than 25 mpg city

Would be nice if:

a. it had a manual

II. it was somewhat fun to drive

Just trying to think of ways to save some money and put less miles on the cruiser as she nears 300k.

Obvious choices are corolla, civic, etc. Im most familiar with Toyota but willing to look elsewhere. Looked at metro’s and such but it didn’t jibe with #3.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:04

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I’d say Miata with a hard top, but this is obvious.

Honestly, for a really short commute where you will barely warm up an infernal combustion engine, you’d be better off with an electric car. If I could, I’d live a couple miles from work and drive something pure electric for almost everything that requires less than 50 miles round trip. The fuel savings will make up for a slightly higher cost and older Nissan Leafs are pretty cheap...

$2-3k is too much for truly cheap cars and not enough for pretty nice cars. At least where I live, most stuff in that price range will either be unreliable or a death trap.

HammerheadFistpunch > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 10/25/2016 at 00:05

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Would be nice, but this would be the car that gets left out in the winter and Im not likely to find something in my budget thats electric.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:07

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Vibe/Matrix of the first generation.

not for canada - australian in disguise > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:08

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Second gen Elantra GTs are getting pretty cheap, not really that interesting driving dynamics wise though.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:08

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I was going to say LS400 until you got to the mileage part. how are prices on first gen honda insights doing?

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:13

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What part of the country are you in?

Busslayer > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:14

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My go to for cheap, reliable, not too painfully boring are 2005+ Ford Focus. Nothing important really breaks on them, maintenance parts (filters, brake pads, etc) are cheap and easy to find and no timing belts to dick with. The 2.o is stronger than the comparable Civic/Corolla 1.6-1.8s and the Focus has always been known to be tossable. In your price range you should be able to find one w/ less than 100k miles.

Phatboyphil > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:17

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Maybe a 4 cyl ranger. I’m not sure about the mpg or saftey, but It’d be fairly easy to find for a few k and be cheap and easy to maintain.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Busslayer 10/25/2016 at 00:20

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I forgot how cheap they were getting, too. Solid option...

It’s too bad we didn’t get the 2nd gen Focus chassis in a Ford in the US. The Mazda 3 prices are astronomical and the Volvos are relatively expensive to maintain.

HammerheadFistpunch > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 10/25/2016 at 00:20

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Utah

someassemblyrequired > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:21

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3800 powered GM is obvious beater solution. Buick Regal would be my pick since they are cheap and generally well maintained by previous owners. Elderly Subie perhaps another good option if you wanted a manual.

HammerheadFistpunch > Busslayer 10/25/2016 at 00:21

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Not a Ford fan, but worth a look

HammerheadFistpunch > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 10/25/2016 at 00:22

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Looked at a few in my range

HammerheadFistpunch > Phatboyphil 10/25/2016 at 00:22

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Found an 88 toyota truck in my price range...many wants

RallyWrench > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:25

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Would CRXs, EF & EG Civics, or MR2s be considered deathtraps? How about a 22re pickup? I had a lot of fun in my old 2wd single cab. Doesn’t quite get the mileage you want, but they’re not bad.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:28

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Yeesh. I recall used car prices being high and the rolling stock being pretty awful when I lived there. Not as bad as here in the PNW on price (nosebleed), but their lives are also a lot easier.

If it wasn’t for the wish for good gas mileage, an old pickup was something I always wanted there...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:35

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Ticks every box

smobgirl > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:37

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V6 accord? Probably doesn’t quite hit your city mileage.

Blondude > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 00:51

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Show me on the doll where the Mustang hit you.

Boxer_4 > not for canada - australian in disguise 10/25/2016 at 02:24

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I’ve heard that the Elantra Touring in SE trim with the 5-speed is reasonably entertaining, all things considered. It also had one of the best interiors Hyundai had pre-2010.

(though I never drove one, it was high only the list of possible vehicles back in 2009 and again in 2012)

Tapas > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 03:56

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Mitsu Lancer. Add # 5 to your list if you pick this car

5. Will never get stolen

Or go American with previous cop cars or equivalent consumer versions.

Update: Just saw that you lived in Utah in your comments. Maybe look into old Outbacks or other Subies?

TFen > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 04:43

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If you can find a rust free 2002-2003 Mazda Protege 5 that’s your ticket.

They’re a hoot to drive, great on gas, 5 speeds are easy to find, very reliable. The only glaring issue is rust.

I went from a P5 to an E46 BMW and still missed the P5 from time to time.

Great cars.

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 04:44

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Please Hammer don’t fistpunch me in the face but:

Celica GTS?

I always consider Celica the chick car (and the Supra the dick car) but these, even the last gen, can’t be bad value. I’ve seen so many more as dd’s lately than I remember ever seeing before.

I’d even drive an ST202, maybe with beams redtop swap if the celica was mint enough.

Also, I was always driving Toyota stuff for a while and went a bit reliability blind, don’t forget about that. If you buy something like an R53 mini cooper S, You’ll know what I’m talking about within a week~ish. Lol.

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/25/2016 at 05:40

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Except for the death trap part. Where I live people are stupid bad aggressive drivers. I couldn’t handle an RA again where I live. Depends on Hammerhead’s commute threat level. Mine is more like Defcon 1 so I have a second gen GS to save me.

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 05:50

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To replace my wife’s old AT202 Celica, We bought a 2000 GS300 with less than (translated to american:) 100,000 miles for roughly $1600us.

My GS430 to me is just a big Corolla with double the engine, headlights and taillights. Gets about 23-24 average mpg commuting. If you can find a good (any Lexus car) with a vvt V8, do NOT shy away from the gas mileage, it’s better than the na 2jz vvt in the 300's.

mazda616 > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 07:49

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If you can find a not rusted early model year Mazda3, that would be good. The 2.3 wasn’t that great on fuel in the city but the 2.0 in the base models was good.

adamftw > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 07:58

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How short is short? If it is to purely keep commuting miles off the LC, cut your budget in half and grab a crap can. I’d need to be at lest $5-6k to find something “enjoyable” so might as well be as much as a cheap fuck as possible. Even with my commute doubling (to around 55 mi round trip) soon I’m going to keep doing it in the Disco since it still would take a while to break even cost-wise even if I get a $1500 Civic. And I’d hate driving it every day.

yamahog > RallyWrench 10/25/2016 at 08:43

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Was going to suggest this. Before we snatched up the C2500, there were a few enticing older Hondas under $3000 and even with manual.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 09:08

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Ford Focus with the 2.3L Duratec. Get the 3/5 door hatch and you can bolt on the SVT Focus suspension. Makes a seriously good commuter car. Fun to toss around, decent power so it won’t feel like you’re holding up traffic, and should get very good Emm Pee Gees.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 11:32

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Honda Prelude? Acura Integra?

vicali > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 11:36

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Responsible answer; Corolla, Camry, Tercel.

Best answer; 90-96 Toyota pickup, flat deck optional.

Favourite answer; 1987 Blizzard;

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/kamloops/1987-toyota-blizzard/1208109850?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

HammerheadFistpunch > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 10/25/2016 at 11:40

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Looked at a few, either raced or ratty.

HammerheadFistpunch > vicali 10/25/2016 at 11:40

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ha! I would be killed if I brought home another old land cruiser. I like the idea of an old 2wd truck though. Its not like I need4wd since I can just take the cruiser in to work anytime I need.

HammerheadFistpunch > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 10/25/2016 at 11:41

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2nd person to mention a focus. I don’t like them personally but I will certainly take a look. I have to run the numbers and convince my wife that it all makes sense.

HammerheadFistpunch > adamftw 10/25/2016 at 11:43

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Its short. And the fun thing is a bonus, but the main goals are:

1. reduce wear and tear (tires are spensive )

2. reduce fuel bill

So I would have a hard time selling a 6 grand purchase to the better half.

HammerheadFistpunch > VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. 10/25/2016 at 11:44

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But gas mileage is the meal ticket for this purchase. otherwise I would just get an sc400 or something.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 11:48

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Yeah, definitely a downside of that type of car. How about an older Mazda 3?

vicali > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 11:59

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If I didn’t have two little ones I’d have a xtra cab toyota pickup in a heartbeat.. all the stinking yard junk could spill all over the back of it instead of my ‘nice’ truck..

TheJMan92 > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 12:20

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Mazda3! Squarely in your price range, fun to drive, can be had in manual and hatchback for extra awesome, super easy to work on and will certainly do 25mpg city. I usually see 32mpg but that’s mostly highway at 75-80mph.

The only problems I’ve had with mine are a coil failure at 160k miles ($40 for a cheap set on Amazon that surprisingly work), passenger side motor mount needed to be replaced ($50ish), and the valve cover failed in the spark plug wells which was around $20 for a new set. If you can swing it, try to get an 06+ as they have better rust protection. I’ve got an 04 in Wisconsin and it’s got some rust action going on.

Otherwise, make sure you use locktite on the axle lock bolt if you ever replace the half shaft, I had it fall out twice because I’m an idiot. I’ve broken more things myself on my 3 than it’s broken and I’ve had no major problems over the past 2.25 years and ~70k miles.

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 12:25

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If they make a vvt sc400, otherwise the older ones don’t fall under that nice mpg average. I hear you though.

adamftw > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 13:21

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The way I figured it was my new commute will be another $100 in fuel every month. That’s $1200 more a year. Say I get a car that doubles my fuel mileage, from an average of 12 to say, 25. Now my fuel bill stays about the same as it does currently. So I save $1200 a year. But I have to buy the car. I guesstimate a new to me cheapo car + the typical used car fixes is going to be around $2500. So that’s two years before I see a return on better fuel mileage.

Just going to keep driving the Disco.

VCeXpedition > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 14:39

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If you wait a little while, the 500L, which is not terrible to drive, will be in your range!

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/cars-that-depreciate-fastest/

Some reference to other not-so-good value keepers that might be worth a look, but remember, buy cheap - get cheap, most of the time.

Even old Rear Drive corollas, which were never really that fun to drive are creeping back up in value due to some silly groups that are putting 1UZ-V8, or 2JZ-L6 engines in them. ( http://www.japaneseclassiccarshow.com/author/terry/ )

A nice older, well-kept Datsun 510 is on the top of that list for me.

HammerheadFistpunch > VCeXpedition 10/25/2016 at 14:48

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i want a 510, but my wife wont let me get anything like that. I found an 88 pickup with a rebuilt 22r that looks tempting.

vicali > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 16:24

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Yes, sort of like if I brought home this;

Even though it matches the most of the criteria..

VCeXpedition > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 17:14

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2WD would be crap in your version of winter, you’d go right back to the ‘80 in a heartbeat. ‘88 4wd, a definite. terrible ride quality though.

HammerheadFistpunch > VCeXpedition 10/25/2016 at 17:17

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I don’t mind 2wd, I’ve got the cruiser for snow days.

VCeXpedition > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 19:27

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Pickup trucks are nice to have on hand, but your friends call you when they need to move...

HammerheadFistpunch > VCeXpedition 10/25/2016 at 19:33

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All my friends have pickups, so that’s nice

torque > HammerheadFistpunch 10/25/2016 at 23:28

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Easy, Sion take your pick, they’re all basically Corollas under the sheet metal.

xA (damn reliable 5 door), xB (at least 1st gen quirky 5 door box on wheels), tC sporty pretensions (kinda like a modern Karmann Ghia - inexpensive sporty 2 door with economy car underpinnings (though not as pretty as the Ghia)), xD (uglier follow up attempt of the original xB)

All available with manual, all reliable, all should be relatively safe, get over 25 mpg and he’ll a real hoon can hoon anything :-)

Nothing > HammerheadFistpunch 10/26/2016 at 01:11

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Classic Saab 900T. Cheap to buy, durable, fun. Mine was easy to work on.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > HammerheadFistpunch 10/27/2016 at 20:34

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My SVT Focus was a joy to drive. Slightly less than that to own, but that is part of it being an SVT.

Having a regular Focus would be an easy ownership experience. And with only a few easy and cheap mods like adding the SVT suspension you would have a very fun car to drive even though your are commuting.