Yet another advice-seeking article

"roflcopter" (roflroflroflcopter) 02/08/2014 at 23:49 • Filed to: None

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So I just had an offer presented to me, it involves getting rid of my Project Hooptie Volvo 244, refinancing the main whip, and picking up something new. Now I won't go into too much detail on what all is happening but I am currently in college, driving close to 400 miles a week between class and work, rolled over 100k miles in my RX8 last week. That made me start thinking about just how much crap I was putting that car through and what my long term maintenance costs are going to be(not to mention the fuel cost I've been incurring). While I'd love to get the Volvo done daily drive it, I know that it will never be as reliable, fuel efficient, or worry free as a new car.

So... my first real question would be if you guys think it's a good financial decision for me to consolidate my debt(which is really quite minimal) and pick up something to abuse for daily duty? I can't bring myself to part with the 8 as well, unless I were to pick up something new and truly fun, which would defeat the purpose of a good mileage, warrantied, stock, daily. My payments would be more than manageable with keeping the 8 as long as I picked up something base-model and on the lower end of the model spectrum.

Now, if it does seem financially responsible to do this, what cars should I be considering? The price range would be anything under $20k really, preferably closer to $16k. I haven't been considering this option for very long, but so far the cars that I seem to like are the Ford Feista S, Dodge Dart SE with the turbo multi-air I4, base-model VW Jetta, and although I don't particularly like the styling the Hyundai Veloster. All of them are available with a stick, have a decent amount of space in them(I'd really prefer a hatch), get good mileage, and should be bearable to drive. What are peoples experience with these? Anything that should make one or the other stand out? Any cars I'm missing from looking into?

I know there are a lot of these posts on oppo it would seem, but I guess every case is a little different. Thanks for the input!

Photo: Motortrend.com

Brian Silvestro > roflcopter 02/08/2014 at 23:56

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FIESTA 1.0L!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Engine that's more powerful than the base 4cyl and gets better gas milage, Manual Transmission, tons of fun to throw around, $17k!!

I'm begging someone to buy this so I won't have to

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > roflcopter 02/08/2014 at 23:56

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So you like Mazda sports cars but need something cheaper, and more reliable? Miata

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > roflcopter 02/08/2014 at 23:58

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The Responsible Answer: in strictly financial terms, it rarely makes sense to add another car into the mix. You're generally better off keeping what you're driving and just dealing with the maintenance, worse fuel economy, etc. Take it from someone who's rationalized all kinds of automotive purchases and done the spreadsheets later.

The Gearhead Answer: Life is short. If buying something else to DD will be more fun (even if just to get something new) and you can swing it, hey go for it. On the other hand, following the Life is Short principle, what would you rather be driving 400 miles a week? That's a lot of time in a car, you may as well enjoy it!

Wait, both of those answers seem to point to "do whatever is the most fun."

Clown Shoe Pilot > roflcopter 02/08/2014 at 23:59

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I have a Veloster for daily duty. It's a totally decent place to sit while you go to work. It's been rock solid reliable so far (just under 40k miles in just over 2 years) and it's got plenty of warranty left on it.

It'll carry 3 other people if you need it to, or if you put the seats down, it holds a good bit of stuff.

roflcopter > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/08/2014 at 23:59

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I had briefly thought about this, but if I'm going to get a miata it's going to be an older one and it will be a project. Not to mention something more 'useful' would be great if I'm going to spend money on a car and be stuck with it for the next 5-6 years. Since I'm keeping the 8, the sports car box is still checked.

roflcopter > Brian Silvestro 02/09/2014 at 00:01

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1.0L? I didn't see that available as an option... I actually do like the idea of a Fiesta hatch for some reason, seems utilitarian enough and gets great mpg.

Brian Silvestro > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:02

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Dude, I'm telling you, it's the ultimate DD. Please consider it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:04

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ah thats what i get for not reading everything.

roflcopter > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 02/09/2014 at 00:06

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Very true, on all points. I'm just afraid of the issues I know are coming with daily'ing the 8 that hard, I can almost guarantee major issue within the next year at this rate, and spending $3-4K for a proper rebuild as well as expensive tires and getting nearly 1/3 the mileage of a new daily makes it come way closer than you'd expect.

With the whole "which would you rather sit in" argument, doing 140 miles of interstate driving two days a week in the 8 makes me hate the car, sitting there with cruise control on is sooo boring while listing to the exhaust drone and knowing that I could downshift and make it REALLY scream. I'd probably make up the difference in speeding tickets if I keep it up.

roflcopter > Clown Shoe Pilot 02/09/2014 at 00:06

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You're so convincing...

roflcopter > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/09/2014 at 00:07

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I didn't expressly express that above, so your suggestion is still quite valid, I just don't think it would be the most responsible thing to do.

roflcopter > Brian Silvestro 02/09/2014 at 00:09

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I'm still not seeing it on the Ford site... what trim is it offered in?

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:10

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Well, that sounds like a compelling case for getting something else. The last thing you want to do is end up hating the 8. Besides, it's possible to have all kinds of DD fun in something more pedestrian. Just make sure you take the 8 out for fun (from a guy with an NSX that spends way too much time parked in the garage.)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:10

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the 1.o is a 3 cylinder turbo w more torque than the 1.6l. and is supposed to get like 40+ hwy mileage. if not fiesta I'd say Fit Sport in Midnight plum Pearl.

Brian Silvestro > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:10

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SE, it's a option box you check in the configurator

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Clown Shoe Pilot 02/09/2014 at 00:12

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My problem w the Veloster is that the rear hatch is so teeny tiny.

roflcopter > Brian Silvestro 02/09/2014 at 00:14

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I really am not seeing it, only the 1.6L.

Nibby > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:14

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BUY A NEW ROLLS ROYCE

ALL YOUR PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED

roflcopter > Brian Silvestro 02/09/2014 at 00:15

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I found it! So you think that would be better than the 1.6L?

Brian Silvestro > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:16

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Here I took a screenshot of the build

Brian Silvestro > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:17

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I can literally guarantee it.

roflcopter > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 02/09/2014 at 00:18

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Oh trust me, getting something else to daily would leave me to actually have fun with the 8. One of my main reasons for not starting to really upgrade it as well as the reasoning behind not autoX'ing it yet is because if I break something, I'm boned. Once it's not my only reliable transportation I can start using it for what I bought it for.

Milky > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:19

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Just my opinion …. is a couple year old Civic with 40k on it going to give you anymore problems then a new one? I'd let someone else take the depreciation hit.

roflcopter > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/09/2014 at 00:19

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Any other pro-cons for it?

Brian Silvestro > Nibby 02/09/2014 at 00:20

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THIS

roflcopter > Milky 02/09/2014 at 00:21

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While I do like that idea, part of the deal that would facilitate all of this is pivotal on the fact that I get something new. Maybe I can change minds and end up going down that road, but it isn't the first option on the table.

roflcopter > Brian Silvestro 02/09/2014 at 00:22

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Something about a 3 cylinder makes me raise an eyebrow. Maybe it's because my ex had one of those Metros with the 3cyl in it and that thing was plain scary to drive.

revrseat70 > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:26

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You wouldn't even need to be bored out of your mind in a car worth 16-20 like you described. That's not very used GTI or Genesis coupe money. Those are just the tip of the iceberg in that pricerange. Trust me, I was on the crust of it. In hindsight, I should have just pulled the trigger and went with that pricepoint rather than around 10 as a "for the time being" car. Take it from me, get the nicest thing you can in the price range you want, and enjoy it rather than always looking for something better you could have or what you could do to make what you have better. By the time you have enjoyed that car for longer, you have recouped the money you would have spent jumping from cheaper car to cheaper car, while insuring and maintaining all of them.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:27

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yeah having one sports car is hard enough to justify if you keeping you wankel, then you're other car obliviously needs to be something more useful, not just something that gets better MPGs b/c owning extra car just for better MPG will never make since economically even when one of your cars needs premium like your RX-8.

roflcopter > revrseat70 02/09/2014 at 00:32

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The kicker is that the deal proposed to me is only good for new cars. And I already have a 'fun' car that I will be keeping around. I'm really looking for the best mileage, most useful, second car to have. All while being not too boring, but the beige-ness takes a back seat to the others.

Milky > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:34

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I just hate reading stuff like this …. that 1 minute depreciation doe.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/how…

Just something to think about.

roflcopter > Milky 02/09/2014 at 00:36

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I know I know I know. But I don't want to piss off the person offering for this to all happen by trying to stray away from the terms they want.

Brian Silvestro > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:37

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This is literally the exact opposite (as far as reviews I've read go)

Milky > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:39

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Well if that means your going to get a deal then I can't hate …. because thats really I'm advocating.

I own dead car brands only > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 00:47

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Just buy a Saab 9-3 with the 2.0T and get a tune for it. I had one and it was the most reliable and fun car I've had until I got my Saab with the 2.8T and tuned.

With the 2.0T tuned, you will get 260-270 hp and 35 mpg or more highway. And they can be had for 10k with about 30-40k miles or even less. Tune is 500 or less if you mail your ecu in.

AM3R > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 01:04

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Honda S2000. You'll have fun and get 25 mpg (average) while doing it and being reliable.

Twojayzed > AM3R 02/09/2014 at 01:07

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This. I've never owned one, but it seems like miata but better.
(Gonna get shit for that)

Twojayzed > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 01:09

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Used wrx wagon?
Hoonable, sexy, and practical.

Twojayzed > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 01:10

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Used wrx wagon?
Hoonable, sexy, and practical.

AM3R > Twojayzed 02/09/2014 at 01:18

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I haven't owned one either, and I'll completely agree with you. It's better than a miata. Hell, if they made a coupe version it would be better than the BRZ/FRS.

Arben72 > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 02:21

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Lightly used subaru wrx. Fun, gets good gas mileage, awd, practical especially with a hatch.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 13:49

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My mom has a 2.5 equipped '12 jetta, and it's a great car. The base model is very underpowered. I'd suggest looking at the 1.8T that replaces the 2.5. It gets 36 MPG's hwy, and it has good low end torque.
Alternatively, the Impreza is always a good choice. I have a friend who has a 2.0i premium sedan (CVT on her car though) and it's really nice to be in.
A base model impreza wagon with a stick is about 18.4K, and I'd recommend that the most for a situation like this

revrseat70 > roflcopter 02/09/2014 at 18:05

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Oh well then I agree with a previous poster. If you do it, go with the 1L Fiesta (assuming you like it). Great chassis though.