Which boring-mobile to purchase?

Kinja'd!!! "KurtAKX" (kurtakx)
10/14/2014 at 16:39 • Filed to: None

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Trying to decide between basic 4-door modes of transportation.
Requirements are as follows:
4 doors (non-negotiable)
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury (non-negotiable)
Price under $10k (non-negotiable)
Enough room for a child seat and diaper bag
Reasonable MPG since my commute is ~60 miles/day
Strongly prefer a manual transmission
Prefer a vehicle with short overall length due to garage- barely fits two cars deep.

I know the answer is Miata; I already have a NB.

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I'm looking at 2010-2012 Fusion S or 2009-2012 Escape XLS.
Either one would be the 2.5/manual.
Neither would be forced to endure autocross duty.

Escape

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Pros
Shorter overall length
More cargo space
Wife already has a 2012 Escape
Cons
Prone to rot out over the rear wheel arches
Kinda doofy
Harder to find good used manual trans examples

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Fusion
Pros
More fun to drive
Trivial MPG advantage
Looks better
Cons
Longer (tight squeeze into the garage)
Less cargo space


DISCUSSION (21)


Kinja'd!!! MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 16:58

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Milan

I enjoy my 07 Milan V6 FWD quite a bit.

OK I know you want the Ford, get the Fusion, the Escapes are tiny inside


Kinja'd!!! mcseanerson > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 16:58

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If not for the Ford/Lincoln/Mercury requirement I'd suggest a Mazda 3. I loved my 2.0 with a stick, even took it autocrossing.


Kinja'd!!! Textured Soy Protein > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 16:59

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Ford/Lincoln/Mercury (non-negotiable)

Why?


Kinja'd!!! MIATAAAA > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 17:00

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Ford/Lincoln/Mercury (non-negotiable)

You can't just say this and not tell us why !

Is this an inside job? Do you work for them? Are you a Ford nut? Does your apartment building require ownership of a Ford product? Are you possessed by Henry, himself?

I wanna knowwww!


Kinja'd!!! Milky > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 17:02

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A smart choice.

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A better choice.

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Boring is lame.


Kinja'd!!! KurtAKX > MIATAAAA
10/14/2014 at 17:02

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without getting too specific, my employment is in Dearborn, MI.


Kinja'd!!! KurtAKX > Textured Soy Protein
10/14/2014 at 17:02

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without getting too specific, my employment is in Dearborn, MI.


Kinja'd!!! NaturallyAspirated > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 17:03

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I thought the perennial Ford boring-mobile was the Gen 2 Escort?

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Kinja'd!!! KirkyV > NaturallyAspirated
10/14/2014 at 17:06

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The later European Escorts may have been slightly boring, but they have absolutely nothing on the American version.


Kinja'd!!! KurtAKX > NaturallyAspirated
10/14/2014 at 17:08

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I will be punting my beloved Gen3 Escort down the road to make room for this new purchase

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Kinja'd!!! KurtAKX > Milky
10/14/2014 at 17:10

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I considered the LS stick briefly. My recollection of that car is soiled because my previous boss was douche and had one. Also, they seem to be good at breaking down.

Love the chassis dynamics, hate the stupid European clutch where the effort increases and then tapers off as your foot nears the floor.

I did have a 2005 Crown Vic P71 for about 3 years, which was indestructible, but it had a drinking problem.

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Kinja'd!!! KirkyV > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 17:12

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If someone from around here were to ask me that question, I'd recommend a pre-facelift Mark 2 Focus ST, for shits and giggles, but I know next to nothing about American Fords.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…


Kinja'd!!! Cé hé sin > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 17:21

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All you need is a Focus.


Kinja'd!!! thebigbossyboss > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 17:45

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What about......derp?

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Or...alternative.....derp. I didn't find specific ones, but 1gen focus sedans and wagons gotta be under $10K by now. They're 10 years old for christ sake!

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Kinja'd!!! JGrabowMSt > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 17:55

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Get the D.


Kinja'd!!! Captain of the Enterprise > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 18:10

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Carhartt?


Kinja'd!!! Milky > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 18:14

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Well I guess its off to beige town for you then.


Kinja'd!!! Makoyouidiot > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 18:17

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Was gonna suggest a Taurus until I saw it had to be short...hmm...I don't suppose Mazdas from the Ford era will work? Because this is far from boring:

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http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Or alternatively there is always a Focus wagon, that'd be sweet.

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Kinja'd!!! That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 19:40

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I'm a big fan of the previous generation (2009ish) Focus SES. Sharp handling, decent room, good mileage, not a terrible ride, and a good looking little car.


Kinja'd!!! Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 20:59

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Mercury Sable LS? 3.0 DOHC. My wife drives one and the motor is as good as day 1 (now 210k miles). Don't think you can get a stick though...


Kinja'd!!! If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > KurtAKX
10/14/2014 at 23:13

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I believe in this case the answer is LS. It meets all your criteria and it's RWD.