Thinking about a new car, looking for ideas
 

I like the Metro. The mileage is really great. But, I'm getting a bit sick of working on it all the time... fixing stuff, not fun stuff like modding. So, I'm thinking about replacing it with something else. Not necessarily something newer, but likely newer. Something more reliable. Something more fun. It doesn't need to be fast, but better handling would be great (removing the rear sway bar on the Metro due to rust definitely didn't help this haha). I am looking to find something that will last me a while so I can do some more extensive mods without wondering if its going to die on me in the next 6 months. I'd like it to get at least 30 mpg, but I'm a bit flexible. I really don't drive my car that much, about 5k miles a year. I'm in no hurry at all and will search for a deal. Spending limit is around $5k, lower is always better. :)

What I don't want: truck, SUV, or large car (rented a 2015 Impala for work last week, not interested, but the auto stop feature was cool).


Some current ideas:

iMiEV - Still a bit pricier than I'd like to spend. I've had my eye out for one for a while now. Its range would suit me perfectly. The battery pack gives this car a low center of gravity and makes it handle pretty well from what I hear. It certainly doesn't look like it would haha.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1449769193



Toyota Celica - Always loved the last gen body style. I even have a Corolla trans kicking around to lower cruising rpm which is horrible on this car.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1449769249



I saw a 08 Cobalt SS for sale locally for about $5k with some rear end damage. That looked like it would be fun car. I may look into that. EPA says 30 mpg hwy. Thats only 1 mpg less than the Celica.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1449770461


I know there are a ton of other options out there that meet my criteria, so I'm looking for ideas!

1988-2000 Civic!

Jalopnik says the Miata is the answer to everything. I may be here if you are not in need of a rear seat. You should be able to find an MR2 in that price range too.

If you need more seating...
5th or 6th gen Civic might be a good option. I'd avoid the 7th gen ('01-05).
Mazda3 is supposed to be fun to drive, but I've never had the chance. A first gen might be found in your price range.

You said reliable, so VW is out. :)

A Civic HX is on the list. Its hard to find them around here, and even harder to find unmolested ones with not crazy miles on them.

Get a Yaris 2dr stick stripper, or wait for the iMiEV price to drop some more.

regards
mech

edit something like this
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/5350154970.html

Look closer, it's an auto. BLAHHHHH! Cheaper than an 01 Echo and 6 years younger.

regards
mech

Saturn S-series. I'd stay away from 00-02 only becuase of the air injection system. I still love the 95 over all other years but I'm biased. Dual cam engines make a little more power and don't suffer the random cracked head issue that the single cam engines do. If you can find a sub 150k mile car it should last you a very long time. I've had convos on Focus Fanatics with other Saturn people that the S-series is way better handling and fun to drive than a Focus.

I did pick up my 07 wagon for $1,100 though so I can't complain too much about the car.

Electrons are fun. I vote for iMEV. If you can wait just a little longer, 2nd gen EVs should drive current model prices down much further. Low gas prices should also make 'em cheap.

The way CL does filtering these days is a dream.

I was looking at ~100k Civics for around $5k a couple of years ago. I never would have bought the Fit if this bad boy had been listed:

2003 Honda Civic - $1200

http://images.craigslist.org/01515_h...CP_600x450.jpg

Sure, the 160k on motor is a big red flag, but it sure would be worth dropping everything and running over to check it out. If the body's only halfway decent, it's a steal,

at least 30 MPG
 

If 30 MPG is enough, buy a 2005-2010 Ford Mustang with the 4.0 Liter V-6 and the 5-speed manual transmission and have some FUN while driving. :thumbup: :D According to "Car & Driver"'s tests: 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and 1/4 mile in 15.3 seconds @ 93 MPH. It's relatively easy for an ecomodder to get 30+ mpg from a 2007 Mustang V-6. You could probably do better than I have by using more advanced hypermiling techniques. My lifetime average is over 30.13 MPG. And this Mustang is a kick in the @$$ to drive! :thumbup:
Just sayin'. :)
YMMV

That sounds like a fun suggestion! However, the newest Mustang I can find on craigslist is an 03 for $4500. I think cars are a bit more pricey around here than most areas. In comparison, the Cobalt SS I may be looking at tonight is 0-60 in 5.7s. That is before the boost increase tune the owner did. It is also rated higher by the EPA. I'd imagine I could get high 30s, low 40s with it. Though the Mustang adds rwd which obviously has its benefits and draw backs.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1449841472

Here is the Cobalt I may look at tonight if the seller gets back to me...

2008 Chevy cobalt ss turbo

They put the 2.0 supercharged in Saturns as well.

https://waterloo.craigslist.org/cto/5348521729.html

The rear door would be a bonus.

Get the imiev.
When the front wheels fell off my parents geo metro they got a Leaf, once they owned it for a year they compared the out of pocket cost including cost of electricity and found they were saving $1,000 per year even after going from minimal insurance to full coverage, driving about 9,000 miles per year.
If you have $5,000 then start making offers on one's that are for sale.

I did manage to find a Cobalt XFE. It has 150k miles which is eh a little higher than I'd like. Its also a bit banged up. The price is pretty attractive though at $3200.

Sadly, looking at the specs these cars are really not impressive. Nearly 3,000 lbs and .34 cd (7.47 cda wow). Still, a respectable 37 mpg highway EPA rating.

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS XFE Coupe 5 Speed - Rare Fuel Efficient Model

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1449858685

The cheapest iMiEV in the area is $8200. Its been up for sale for a while now. I contacted the seller a while ago and its missing the charge/hvac remote (~$800 to replace it). Otherwise it looks quite nice. I suppose I could low ball the seller and see what happens.

"the only issue is that the car was rear ended"

Says it's an easy fix, but has no pics of the rear end where it was hit? A little sketchy...

But, that should be a fun car. For the Cobalt SS, the late turbo cars are definitely the ones to get.

Haha, I know right? The first thing I asked was for pictures of the damage. He texted me back something that looks like a video, but it doesn't load. I figured I'd just go look at it. Hes in the same town as I am, so its minutes away. But, I've gotten no reply to my request to see it tonight, so I may not even get a chance to.

Well, from what I've read, it would certainly fulfill the "fun" requirement. I'm curious what you think of it, I wouldn't mind having one myself, even if the wrong wheels are driving.

My local craigslist has a Cobalt SS sedan. Virtually no miles on it and one of only a few hundred made so the price is ridiculous:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5331747598.html

There is a $2,000 civic vx that looks ok on Milwaukee Craigslist near Elgin Illinois.

Think of a Cobalt XFE as a challenge, I thought the weight was closer to 2600, you can fix the drag problem. Freakzoid? put up some pretty big numbers for you to try and beat.

And 155 hp of the 09-10 isn't to bad either. I'd like to try a SS suspension though. Lots of Ion Redlines up there for under $4000, benefit of the better suspension/brakes and 50 extra HP and more torque probably at a way lower RPM so easier to enjoy daily.

They also get better seats which is getting more important to me than HP. Cobalt LS seats are just OK, LT's good step better, SS look and sound pretty great from the reviews.

Im with you on the celica. I fell in love with that look back in grade school, too bad most of the gt-s's are riced out and torn up. Other than that you might consider an older mini cooper s, might stretch the budget a little though.

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/5353394745.html

I love my HX, but I think the rims are worth more than the lean burn, and they are more for looks than anything else. Lean burn seems great, but since I drive 55 MPH, it probably never engages, and when I do drive 65-70, my fuel economy definitely decreases, and then you need an MPGuino.

I only made $9,000 so far this year. That can only go up next year!

What is the ROI on an HX O2 sensor? I paid $175 and still get a CEL about once a week. Brucepick said that he stayed in lean burn as much as possible and burned out the same exhaust valve twice, but he thought that it had 200k the first time and 300,000 the second.

I rarely have more than one passenger, but four doors would be handy, and it is far easier to find a good LX or DX.

It might be a nice base for a project-car, even though some extreme mods would ruin its looks.

I tried to get with the Cobalt SS owner this weekend. I ended up spending 30 minutes with my father in law waiting in a parking lot shooting the breeze while he never showed up. Oh well, its off craigslist now.

This HX popped up over the weekend, but I'm thinking its way overpriced considering its nearly 20 years old. At that age, rust is a major concern (thus questioning the reliability issue). I'm not a fan of the gigantic wheels, but I could probably sell those off and get some smaller alloys or steelies and maybe even some LRRs for it.

97 honda civic hx 1800 OBO

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1450104664

To each their own, but... if you're only driving 5000 miles per year, why even bother with f/e? 20mpg to 40mpg is only $20/mo, 20 to 80 is only $40/mo. Do you really enjoy it that much?

Thats why I am willing to go down to 30 mpg. I do enjoy it quite a bit though. :) At 30 mpg there are a plethora of choices of very fun vehicles IMO. No need to go down to 20.

Should he get a Lincoln Navigator instead? :p

Not sure why but I think a Suzuki SX4 AWD would be kind of fun. 2010 has 150 hp and 6 sp manual.

Here's a maybe for you:
**2003 Ford Focus SVT**

That's the closest one I could find to you that wasn't too molested.

That does look fun. Its a bit farther than I'd like to go.

This one has dropped its price to $2500. Much more tempting at this price. I may go look at it this weekend.

The Cobalt XFE seller dropped the price again over the weekend to $2300. I called to setup a time to see it on Sunday, my only available day. He had sold it about 10 minutes prior to the call... oh well. Still searching. :)

I assume money is an issue? :)

First rule of thumb is to buy a good car that no one wants. This kinda rules out the Celica/Mustang sort - too popular. While malaise era cars like the Grand Am or Cavalier aren't wanted, it's tough to argue that they are good.

Second rule of thumb - a good deal is one that nets you a $0.10/mile capitol cost. Example, assume a car costs $5,000. Can you expect to go 50,000 more miles without significant repairs?

Practical example: I bought a 2006 Scion TC for my college-graduating son a year ago. 54,000 miles for $5,700. It's a small "sporty" coupe but with about zero fan base in the tuner crowd and even less in the married-with-kids crowd. The drivetrain is pure Camry. A 2006 Camry with low miles like this one would be 50% more expensive, cause everyone wants a cheap low-mile used Camry. Airbags and ABS included. Will it go another 57,000 miles without problems? Yup. Sold.

No, money isn't an issue. Changing cars really isn't an issue. Its just a want at this point. The Metro still runs and drives (even with its issues). I could afford to spend a lot more, I just don't want to.

But if you're going to spend at all, spend effectively.

And when it comes to buying a car, you have your best shot at spending effectively when you don't need to buy right now.

Correct. I usually spend I think on average about 6 months looking for my next car, haha. I find it quite fun.

If you knew any trustworthy people outside the rust belt, consider buying a rust free example.

regards
mech

Someone, somewhere has a car they dearly love, and have cared for with some degree of success. But life is coming down on them for whatever reason like ton of bricks ...of poo.

They don't want to let go, but they gotta. Your job is to find that person. Be nice to them when you do. Take a picture of them holding the check or something.

Tesla! :D

Or a Fisker Karma.
When it breaks down or misbehaves in any way you can yell "Bad Karma!" at it :)

Haha, while money isn't an issue, 5k miles a year doesn't warrant much over paying $5k IMO.

While IMO its overpriced and farther out than I'd like to go, this one is tempting as I've wanted one for forever and it sounds like its in great shape... and has MIMA.

00 Honda Insight Hybrid Manual Silver

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1450879044