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Planning to buy solid DD, what do you recommend?

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kayosfrawg

Proven Member
47
1
Feb 8, 2013
Gainesville, Florida
So I'm going to retire my current DSM as my DD and move her to full project status...finally! But I need to get a reliable car for my DD. I haven't really looked around much yet and am looking for recommendations. These are the criteria so far:
1.) Reliable
2.) Four-door, or hatch something I can fit stuff in.
3.) Potential for fun, I like being able to put my foot down and take some corners when I can.
4.) AWD, not necessary but I really like it.

I'll consider both new and used, but I also have to get the okay from the fiance, so nothing to old or that is heavily modified. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
 
I have a 2001 BMW M3. Very fun, solid car that is daily driveable, mine is. If you are mechanically inclined, you can save yourself thousand on maintenance. It is not the fastest car out ther, but fast enough and it is incredibly fun to drive. The E46 body style is timeless and still looks new, when taken care of. I constantly get compliments of mine and often people think its a 2010 or newer.

So I'm going to retire my current DSM as my DD and move her to full project status...finally! But I need to get a reliable car for my DD. I haven't really looked around much yet and am looking for recommendations. These are the criteria so far:
1.) Reliable
2.) Four-door, or hatch something I can fit stuff in.
3.) Potential for fun, I like being able to put my foot down and take some corners when I can.
4.) AWD, not necessary but I really like it.

I'll consider both new and used, but I also have to get the okay from the fiance, so nothing to old or that is heavily modified. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
 
I think an E36 M3 is a good reliable car, after gettinga few suspension stuff and cooling system upgraded.
 
I think an E36 M3 is a good reliable car, after gettinga few suspension stuff and cooling system upgraded.
But it's very hard to find a solid one. Little things go wrong with them allll the time and german cars even of that era can be a bi*** to work on if you're not familiar with them LOL They aren't too bad though
 
Ideally I am looking for less than 10,000; I can spend more, but I'd like to spend less so that any extra can be put into my DSM build. Right now I am thinking a WRX because I don't think I can find an STI in my price range. Anyone have any suggestions on where to look for cars other than autotrader?
 
I drive a 2005 Subaru Baja Turbo as a DD. It's basically a WRX work horse, even coming equipped with a 2.5L turbo engine. I had a few bugs to work out when I first bought it, but it has been rock solid ever since. AWD, 4-doors, comfortable interior, extremely useful bed despite it's size, ground clearance, it's a little goofy looking but doesn't draw unwanted attention. As a DD, it is perfect and very resourceful. I doubt I'd of bought it as a non-turbo, but the N/A variants are a bit less problematic. I preferred to get an automatic over a manual so I could install a remote start and so my family could also drive it.

The only issue I have with the car is that it is pretty boring. It lacks a lot of enthusiasm while driving. It is extremely utilitarian, but sacrifices a lot of the fun factor to be so useful. It is more of a tool then it is a recreational or fun vehicle.
 
If it's just a daily driver find the lowest mile Honda fit (with manual trans) you can - great on gas - super reliabile - never had an issue in almost 8 yrs of ownership with mine! Not saying a turbo car can't be reliable but generally they are going to be more maintenance and less gas mileage - but so much fun!
I would get a Honda fit, scion xa-xb or something similar and call it good!
Go test drive a 2nd gen or even a 3rd gen Honda fit with a manual trans - 2500 lbs and 6 speed manual is a super fun daily !
Best of luck on your search!
 
Ideally I am looking for less than 10,000; I can spend more, but I'd like to spend less so that any extra can be put into my DSM build. Right now I am thinking a WRX because I don't think I can find an STI in my price range. Anyone have any suggestions on where to look for cars other than autotrader?
Ok good to know. Any STi in that range will be junk. A good WRX form 2006 (the one you want anyways) can be had for around there. Look on forums, dealers, or ask around at meets. If you see one you like, approach the guy/girl with CASH in hand and that may motivate them enough to give it up. I can speak first hand and say stock used Corvettes are reliable because they are mostly owned by old dudes that drive them like Camrys. They have a surprisingly large trunk; don't get me wrong, its not huge, but its not hopeless either. They return very good MPGs a well. C5 is 30 highway and C6 is closer to 35 even when lightly modified. Maybe a Syclone or Typhoon? Most are collector cars with low miles. Check the SyTy forum for listings( http://www.syty.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=40 ) or autotrader. I'd more stay away from german cars. They like to break and are very expensive. See if you like any of these options:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g115/10-sports-cars-under-10000/?slide=10
http://jalopnik.com/5934962/the-ten-fastest-cars-for-10000/
http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/ten-of-the-best-rear-wheel-drive-cars-on-ebay-for-less-1684606996
http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/the-ten-best-sleepers-you-can-buy-on-ebay-for-less-than-1607255609
 
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I think an E36 M3 is a good reliable car, after gettinga few suspension stuff and cooling system upgraded.


ew, e36 worst generation out theyre, imo

definitely not reliable either... most bmws are not

now an e30 m3 I would kill for.... I have an e30 but far from nice or an m3, quick though, gets sideways anytime you want it and corners better on cut blown suspension than most new cars...
 
Typhoons and syclones are super cool I had no idea they even existed, they remind me of the Isuzu Impulse RS, or that weird super fiesta from the early 90's. Seems like that was a really experimental time for cars.
 
Saying bmw's are not reliable is bad mis-information. My e46m3 has been dead nuts reliable and i use it every single day. Alot of people i know who have them enjoy them. Some people sell them to move on to another platform and 90% either buy anoylther e46m3 or regret selling theirs. I also have numerous non-m bmws in my family and they are dead nuts reliable as well. Any car is only as good(reliable) as you maintain them. Expensive to fix/maintain? If u take it to a dealer. If you know how to work on cars, you can do everything yourself. The ony thing the dealer touches my car for is the alignment, cuz nobody has the special tool to adjust the rear. Hope this clears it up for people.
 
Saying bmw's are not reliable is bad mis-information. My e46m3 has been dead nuts reliable and i use it every single day. Alot of people i know who have them enjoy them. Some people sell them to move on to another platform and 90% either buy anoylther e46m3 or regret selling theirs. I also have numerous non-m bmws in my family and they are dead nuts reliable as well. Any car is only as good(reliable) as you maintain them. Expensive to fix/maintain? If u take it to a dealer. If you know how to work on cars, you can do everything yourself. The ony thing the dealer touches my car for is the alignment, cuz nobody has the special tool to adjust the rear. Hope this clears it up for people.
So you take care of it, good. A lot of people don't have the same respect for them and trash them. They are a lot like DSMs in that way but when parts break that's what's expensive, not the labor. Take for instance the tail lights. $100-$150 average on eBay vs $40-$60 for the DSM part and $70-$110 for 2007 STi lights. Parts in general just cost more on "premium" German cars. I say "premium" because now days the same tech and quality if not better can be found in a focus, yet parts are much more expensive.
 
I never said parts are not cheap. I did say that IF you were mechanically inclined, you could save alot of money by doing repairs yourself. For instance, the valvecover. It is a 45 min job to remove/replace. The dealer quoted $395 including parts. The gasket set is $100ish. The dealers are who make these "premium" cars unaffordable. But you are referring to costs vs reliability. There is nothing special that you have to do to german cars but be on top the maintenance. Follow the scheduled maintenance and the car should last you quite some time. I am not here to argue, just pointing out that not all german cars are unreliable, hell a honda can be unreliable if you don't maintain it correctly. Doesn't matter the make or model. Cost of parts, yes are a little more expensive, but it will last.

So you take care of it, good. A lot of people don't have the same respect for them and trash them. They are a lot like DSMs in that way but when parts break that's what's expensive, not the labor. Take for instance the tail lights. $100-$150 average on eBay vs $40-$60 for the DSM part and $70-$110 for 2007 STi lights. Parts in general just cost more on "premium" German cars. I say "premium" because now days the same tech and quality if not better can be found in a focus, yet parts are much more expensive.
 
I never said parts are not cheap. I did say that IF you were mechanically inclined, you could save alot of money by doing repairs yourself. For instance, the valvecover. It is a 45 min job to remove/replace. The dealer quoted $395 including parts. The gasket set is $100ish. The dealers are who make these "premium" cars unaffordable. But you are referring to costs vs reliability. There is nothing special that you have to do to german cars but be on top the maintenance. Follow the scheduled maintenance and the car should last you quite some time. I am not here to argue, just pointing out that not all german cars are unreliable, hell a honda can be unreliable if you don't maintain it correctly. Doesn't matter the make or model. Cost of parts, yes are a little more expensive, but it will last.
No I wasn't arguing with you, just putting something else out there to take into consideration. And they're not bad once you become familiar with how to work on them. And as another comparison, I just got the DSM VC gasket set for $70, all OEM. Also with the maintenance, they seem to like nothing but the best fluids and such, just as any performance car. They are quite fun but if you don't have time or make a schedule, get a stock Subaru. If you want to put in the extra effort, get an old German car. They're quite enjoyable. It's just if you miss or neglect something, they like to break. You need to give them a lot of attention.
 
Yea I agree with the poor care, usually its cause the cooling system wasn't taken care of, something failed, head gasket goes. But its true the radiators and plastic parts they use one the mid 90's thru 2000's are pretty junk and it should just be all replaced every 100k

My e30 on the other hand has like 300k miles on it, not that anythings original anymore but still. I beat on it every time I drive it for about 2 years now and it has had ZERO problems. Our e34 530i though has been broken down much more in the 10 years I've owned it than running...
 
Yea I agree with the poor care, usually its cause the cooling system wasn't taken care of, something failed, head gasket goes. But its true the radiators and plastic parts they use one the mid 90's thru 2000's are pretty junk and it should just be all replaced every 100k

My e30 on the other hand has like 300k miles on it, not that anythings original anymore but still. I beat on it every time I drive it for about 2 years now and it has had ZERO problems. Our e34 530i though has been broken down much more in the 10 years I've owned it than running...
It seems like it's hit and miss with them because they're older and you don't know how the PO cared for it.
 
I would actually agree with getting a e36 m3, sure they aren't say as reliable as a Toyota but if your looking for a car that you'll make money on as it ages its one of the best choices. E36 m3s are going to start jumping in price very very soon. You could make thousands on it just keeping it for a few years.
 
Acura TL Type S 04-08. Can be had in great condition for around 10-15k in my area. Solid amount of power for a DD, 290hp. Roomy and to me is a very great affordable entry level "luxury" (that that lightly) car. Great sound setup, and the 2007 Type-S has an even more updated sporty interior. Paddle shifters for auto and options like Torsen diff and brembos. Seriously the only thing I don't like is that you're roasting the front tires instead of the rear.
 
You could get a pre-GM SAAB. I owned an old manual trans one and after tuning the ecu (with free software) it was able to roast the tires off in 2nd gear. I beat on it everyday (had over 200k miles mind you) and never let me down.
 
If you want a car thats totally bullet proof get a Lexus sc400, modd potential is limitless and you get the torque of a v8.
Uz is the only automotive engine in the world certified to be used in avation. Which is testament to toyotas engineering prowess.
 
Well it won't be modded at all, I'll be spending all my money on the DSM, and I've promised i won't touch the new DD...unless it needs a repair }:) But I've been thinking about the Mazdaspeed 6 from 06-07, Turbo, AWD, four doors, supposed to be safe and reliable. Anyone have any experience with one?
 
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