best car to use/start with

[TheDon]

Here is my situation. I drive 25 miles one way to school and 10 to work. Plus living in the middle of nowhere in FL means I have to drive quite some distance to go places. 80% of the time it is just myself in the car with the rare occasion I have someone else in it.

I want to get an good fuel efficient car and then turn it into something really fuel efficient, while keeping some form of creature comforts ( like a decent sound system.. audiophile here). I don't need A/C(the benz doesn't have it), no need for power steering. The seat(s) have to be somewhat comfortable since I do a lot of driving ( up to 500 miles a week). But also easy to work on and get good parts for. and it can't be a geo metro.. I draw the line at that car.... -shudder- ( no offense.. I know its really efficient, but.. not a geo)

[Lazarus]

How much do you want to spend and what is the driving like. What percentage Highway, city driving.

[Daox]

Since you gave no price limits, the Honda insight would be my first choice. After that I'd think Civic Hybrid, or Prius.

If you were looking at something cheaper I'd go with a CRX (HF if you can), Civic (VX/HX if you can), or a Yaris, Echo or Tercel/Paseo depending on price and how old you want to go.

[TheDon]

oh.. price limits.. I'm a college kid. The driving I want to say is 70% highway

I like the CRX idea. when I was 14 my neighbor was selling his, which was babied, he offered it to me for $300 and my mom told me no!..


I think I'm going to start hunting for a CRX with a 5 speed and near stock. My stimulus check should deposit sometime today, which will help out. I found one on auto trader that I like.. but I don't have enough for it yet. There is an HF on ebay for like 6k!!.. jeeze.. its just a CRX.. lol.

I think you guys will get a kick out of this as well.. This is my new FL tag that should be here next month.



I'm a big BTTF fan. Plus I know the guy that has MCFLY on his Delorean.

[Joseph Davis]

Originally Posted by TheDon

I think I'm going to start hunting for a CRX with a 5 speed and near stock. My stimulus check should deposit sometime today, which will help out. I found one on auto trader that I like.. but I don't have enough for it yet. There is an HF on ebay for like 6k!!.. jeeze.. its just a CRX.. lol.

No, you don't understand. It's not just anything... it is a CRX, and they don't make them anymore.

You are looking to buy the '57 Chevy of the import scene, and like most 57 Chevies the average CRX has been ruined, neglected, destroyed, and the few clean-ish examples left can and do sell for ludicrous amounts if the seller is patient. If you buy one make sure you take care of it and it will net you a profit. If you buy one and don't take care of it I will drive to your house and kick your dog.

[TheDon]

Originally Posted by Joseph Davis

No, you don't understand. It's not just anything... it is a CRX, and they don't make them anymore.

You are looking to buy the '57 Chevy of the import scene, and like most 57 Chevies the average CRX has been ruined, neglected, destroyed, and the few clean-ish examples left can and do sell for ludicrous amounts if the seller is patient. If you buy one make sure you take care of it and it will net you a profit. If you buy one and don't take care of it I will drive to your house and kick your dog.

tell me about it... I found one on autotrader that hasn't been molested yet. Now I just need some funds.

[DifferentPointofView]

I will drive to your house and kick your dog.

Your daughter kick my dog! (Someone know what I'm referring to?)

Alright! an audiophile. Good to know. If you do get a CRX, hatchbacks are excellent for subs because they create a "second" enclosure of its own.

When I am just browsing ebay for something, I usually search manual first, then filter on from there.

Welcome to EM!

[cfg83]

TheDon -

Originally Posted by TheDon

oh.. price limits.. I'm a college kid. The driving I want to say is 70% highway

I like the CRX idea. when I was 14 my neighbor was selling his, which was babied, he offered it to me for $300 and my mom told me no!..

I think I'm going to start hunting for a CRX with a 5 speed and near stock. My stimulus check should deposit sometime today, which will help out. I found one on auto trader that I like.. but I don't have enough for it yet. There is an HF on ebay for like 6k!!.. jeeze.. its just a CRX.. lol.

...

MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $300?!?!?!?!?! How could she?!?!?!? Did she say you'll shoot your eye out? You should have convinced her to mothball it until you were driving age.

A CRX is definitely a good way to go.

CarloSW2

[ihatejoefitz]

If you are wanting to do this to save money, buying a car is not the best approach. Unless, of course, you can find one for much cheaper than the value of your current car. Even if buying a crx for a couple grand more than the value of your current car, after tax and tagging it could take years to recoup your investment.

[TheDon]

true.. we'll see what I can do to the benz for the time being