Need a (fun) Commuter
Raven is moving to Detroit, which means I will be driving back and forth to Detroit a good deal. This is a bit of a problem, as my truck is rockin the 17 mpg at best on the highway. I would like to get a nice car to commute in, but not spend a great deal of money (less than $15k, prefer to be less than $12k). Also, I would like to get a car that is FR, or AWD and would be fun to autocross, so not another Mustang GT. I would really like to get a BMW, Ideally a 2000+ model, but doubt that I can find one for my price range.
HAH! Just got a call, I am intern accepted to the Masters of Engineering in Engine Sciences degree program at University of Wisconsin! Sweeeeeeeeeeeet. They said that I still have to be accepted by the schools admission department, but they haven't lost anyone in that process yet.
Anyway, what was I saying? Ah yeah, car. Well now I have to occasionally drive to Madison, so throw that in there too. I would like a 3 series, 2 door, with a stick. They have a 2000 328CI with 65k miles in Indy for 16,9K, seen here.
I would also consider an Audi. I have seen some 2000 S4's go for about my price range.
Dan if you could provide me input on this matter, I would greatly appreciate it.
posted by Justin Short at 9:53 AM
17 Comments:
Avoid the S4--it isn't at all what you're looking for. It's piggish and when you put your foot in it (which you'll do), you'll be lucky to mileage in the teens...especially if you're in the boost while you're cruising. My Talon had an, ahem, "sweet spot" between 60 and 65 where the mileage went from 25+mpg to around 15mpg, because the boost ramped up right around there. Driving that car at 60 was absolutely painful.
The E46 is a great car, but remember that the 3 is geared fairly short and doesn't have a lot of room to stretch on the highway. I'm not sure what the speed limits are out there in the exciting midwest, but I feel like 80 is really rapping out my 3.
That said, I still manage 30mpg at those speeds.
Do also remember that depreciation will be a total bitch on the E46s now that the E92s are out. You'll probably lose more on the residual value than you'll save on gas.
Lemme think more about this and I'll come up with some actual recommendations.
4/27/2007 01:25:00 PM
The speed limits out here are ~65 mupahuches. I normally do 80 in my F-250, and still get passed quite a bit. I used to cruise around 90 in my GTI.
The problem I had with the S4 is that it is 4 door, and I really dont want a 4 door car.
I know depreciation is going to hurt on any car, and that is why I am not buying something to just counter the cost of gas. I figured at one time that if I bought a $1500 moped, I would have to put around 10,000 miles on it before it would pay for itself. Thus, I am not buying a moped, but something I can enjoy.
Things that I am intereted in: 3 Series, early M3, Z3, C230 Coupe, or a Boxter, which I wouldnt mind spending more for.
4/27/2007 01:43:00 PM
That S4 you had me test drive wasnt very much fun. It could be bad ass with a turbo upgrade but then you're looking at 6-15 mpg under boost. It might have been better had it not been an automatic. If you go Audi, pick up an '01 A4 1.8t quattro - it's your old GTI with AWD.
Remember the Boxter is the poor mans Porsche. I'd go for an older 911 before a Boxter (even if it were an S).
Maybe a Miata?
Might as well just by the Z3 like you've been wanting to do now for some years.
4/29/2007 07:54:00 PM
I am fine with a poor man's version with something. If there was a poor man's Ferrari (other than Fiat) I would be in one.
Still waiting for Dan's reccomendation, but as of now I am still looking at the cars I mentioned earlier. I saw this at a dealership when I went to see Hot Fuzz. Wish I had more money.
4/29/2007 08:34:00 PM
Recommendations forthcoming. It's been a busy weekend (and will be a busy day today).
4/30/2007 11:04:00 AM
Understandable. I got your voicemail. I will email you my contact info.
4/30/2007 11:42:00 AM
Emailed.. You still have your NMT email, right?
4/30/2007 11:52:00 AM
Nope, the NMT email is dead. Blame a longstanding argument with the TCC.
Try dan.driscoll@hotmail.com
4/30/2007 04:02:00 PM
OK, let's address what you listed:
* 3 Series: Look into the E30 325es. It's got an amazingly drivable little engine and are fantastic autocrossers because they grunt so seriously. It will, however, be difficult to find one. Otherwise, the E36 323is or 325is are both fantastic values. Do avoid the 328is unless you like spendier engine fixes. E46s are solid but you'll eat depreciation.
* E30 M3: You don't want another garage queen. Don't even bother looking for one of these.
* E36 M3: Great buy these days. You'll spend about a third on a 323/5is as you will on an M3, and it's nearly the same vehicle; but, the M3 will hold its value better and will move more seriously on the highway. Fuel economy will be solid.
* Z3: Ugh. It's an uncomfortable 3 Series. The M Coupe is the only one of these I would even consider, and similar to the E30 M3, I don't think it's worth the hassle.
* C230: The crowning jewel in Mercedes-Benzes halo of crappy quality over the last decade. Run (don't walk) away from this one. I guess the only real upside about this car is that it's got a rear window like a CRX. Wooo
* Boxster: Now that you can pick one of these up for $18k, they're amazing value and well worth the ridicule you'll get from 911 owners. For $35k+, it's a ripoff, but at half that price, it's a real winner. Maintenance is nevertheless a bitch. Truth be told, a Boxster may be my next newish vehicle.
Miatas are always fantastic little cars as long as you don't drive them at high speeds. So ... yeah.
So, for actual recommendations.
* MINI Cooper S: This is the car you need to buy. The early S models are just now coming into your price range. I've never heard as much praise for a FWD car uttered at an autocross. And hey, a handful of economy, to boot!
* Z32 Nissan 300ZX: This is a wonderfully underrated car that doesn't suck nearly as badly as the older Z cars. The VG30DE/TT are great engines and the chassis is composed enough to handle it. Turbos are only an option if you promise to keep your foot out of the boost when you're traveling.
* Toyota Supra MkIII: When do I not recommend this car? Great GT car with fantastic road feel and even autocrossability, as long as you get a set of Tokico struts to go on it.
* Diesel Golf/Jetta/Passat: Didn't you originally ask for a commuter? These are killer if you can stand the build quality.
* E36 318ti: I mention this here because you probably didn't consider it when you said "3 Series." The Compact 3 is a really neat little car and the only 4-cylinder 3 I'd really consider. Definite fun and great mileage.
* A Focus with a $10k spoiler: Sans the spoiler, I'm serious on this one. It's like the Mini, only way cheap.
4/30/2007 05:32:00 PM
good thinking on the Mini. Even the used john cooper works minis are comming down in price - but probably not worth it.
Mini S FTW!
4/30/2007 06:05:00 PM
Thanks Dan! That really narrows it down a lot. Based on your reccomendations, I can narrow that down to a 3 Series IS (less the 328IS), 318ti (I have been considering these), or a Boxter.
I really dont want a FWD car so that eliminates the VW offerings, Mini, and Focus. I wanted to avoid the Japanese offerings, and you narrowed down the rest. Guess its time to go shopping. Truth be told, it may be the end of the summer before I am ready to buy, but will keep my eyes open, and if a deal comes up I cant refuse, I am going to jump on it.
4/30/2007 06:27:00 PM
Do you hate Christians and babies too, or is it just fuel-efficient and safe automobiles like the all-American Toyota Camry?
You sicken me, good sir!
4/30/2007 08:16:00 PM
Found one close by. http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/factsheet.aspx?id=4084437
If I get bored this weekend I might go down to Louisville and test drive it
4/30/2007 08:28:00 PM
I realize that the Camry is the only vehicle that competes in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing that is actually made in America. But as far as all that goes, I am not even considering an American car. I had considered a 99+ Mustang Cobra, as they have IRS, but in the end, its another Mustang, with the same basic chassis as any other Mustang from 1979 on.
4/30/2007 08:32:00 PM
Wait, did you say mupahuches?
4/30/2007 09:15:00 PM
Yes I did. I think Abe used to say it. Raven, you remember this?
4/30/2007 09:47:00 PM
Abe as in Abe Dab used it the other day?
m-p-h-ches of course I remmeber that shit, i still hear it all the time: "Raven, sah, voorzichtigheid voor u mupahuches, eh." I think she even told me last weekend.
5/01/2007 08:51:00 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home