Fun daily driver under $5k...what would you choose?

[Ranger]

So I may soon be faced with having to sell both my RX-7 and my S2000 I'm trying to get out of a car payment and that's the only way to do it. At the same time though, I'm not willing to sacrifice having a fun daily driver. When it comes down to it, I'll end up having around $5000 cash to buy a new DD, after selling the S and another project I need to part with. So while I'm shopping around, I figure this would be a fun topic.

Personally, my requirements are that it be RWD, reliable, (relatively) cheap to work on, and get decent gas mileage. Here's my short list...

- Miata. This one is pretty obvious. Don't care about the stereotypes, I'm plenty comfortable with my masculinity to drive one daily, especially an NB. With a Miata, I wouldn't have to give up the roadster feel, plus they have amazing handling and great gas mileage. It'd be cool to stay in the Mazda family too.

- BMW 3-series, E30 or E36. I owned a 328 sedan before, it wasn't bad...decent stock handling and power. Parts cost sucked though, not to mention German cars are just awful to work on. Felt cheap too, lots of hard plastic. If I could score an E36 M3 or a clean 325is I might consider it.

- Nissan 240SX. I've owned a couple of these and know quite a bit about them, so that's a plus. They handle decent enough once you get a good set of coilovers on them...nothing like an S or a Miata, but good enough for a daily. Pretty easy to work on too, and there's a large aftermarket.

- Mustang. No, seriously. Cheap V8 power, parts are everywhere, and yes, you can make them corner, though it does take quite a bit of money and work. The 94-04 chassis was actually designed as a convertible, too...wouldn't mind having one.

Purposefully left FC RX-7 off the list because, even though I'd like one, I'm not convinced you can find a clean, reliable, turbo FC for that price. Plus they get terrible gas mileage. I wouldn't mind an FB, but I think it'd have to be really nice and well taken care of in order for me to daily drive one.

So how about you, what would your shopping list look like if you were in my situation?

[Learjet45]

SC300? http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2532882509.html

MR2? http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2544340266.html

[geo2maz]

M3 goodness

[tsx_guy]

i noticed a honda was missing from your list. i assume this was an oversight? (glaring look)

BOT: my vote would be the 240, but what do i know.

[RX-7 Chris]

I would stay away from the BMW and go with the Miata, 240sx, or Mustang. The BMW is going to cost quite a bit more to maintain.

The only problem with the mustang is the gas mileage will be much less than the other two.

[RedRoadster]

The answer is ALWAYS Miata. lol.

If you go with an NA, you might even be able to snag one with a hard top for 5k.

[Ranger]

Thanks for the input, BTW, this thread wasn't necessarily meant to be limited to that list, wondering what other people would choose aside from those? One car I forgot to mention is the AE86 Corolla, always wondered what it'd be like driving one of those. Too bad they're practically impossible to find out here, unless they're beat to hell.

SC300? http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2532882509.html

MR2? http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2544340266.html

MR2s are a pain, I had one before and working in that engine compartment (even though it was N/A) isn't something I'd want to do again, haha. I thought about an SC, but I'd want one with a 5-speed and that's incredibly hard to find. Plus they're heavy and get terrible MPG, worse than a V8 Mustang even (average around 20 from what I'm told). Cool cars though, I know a couple people who drift them and have them all done up nice with turbo engines and such.

i noticed a honda was missing from your list. i assume this was an oversight? (glaring look)

BOT: my vote would be the 240, but what do i know.

You missed the "must be RWD" part A 240 would be cool, I actually still have some parts for my old one hah. But like the AE86 it's so hard to find one that hasn't been molested. Damn drifter wannabes destroying them.

I would stay away from the BMW and go with the Miata, 240sx, or Mustang. The BMW is going to cost quite a bit more to maintain.

The only problem with the mustang is the gas mileage will be much less than the other two.

I've heard it's not too bad actually, average low to mid 20s. If I can get 18MPG average out of my AWD Explorer, I'm sure I could do much better in a car with a 5-speed. Of course that's nowhere near the other cars like you said, but I'd take that compromise knowing I have a V8 under the hood

The answer is ALWAYS Miata. lol.

If you go with an NA, you might even be able to snag one with a hard top for 5k.

Miata really is looking like the best bang for the buck in terms of price to fun ratio. Lower it, get some nice wheels, drive it. And there's lots of them, so I wouldn't have to worry about beating on it too much. You can definitely find an NA with a hardtop for less than $5k, but I much prefer the NBs for a number of reasons...mostly the more aggressive look, and a nicer interior. Hardtop sure would be sweet for winter driving, though.

[iani1.1]

e30! do it!

theyre not hard to maintain at all. being a euro tech for a little bit, you just learn something new/different. its all really actually all the same as any other car

[bellalyssa]

E36 3 series!!!

[tsx_guy]

honda fwd > any rwd j/k

[SecondGenPAt]

E30 BMW

1. built like a tank (last chassis to be built before the idea of a pre-set lifespan vehicle)
2. will rust away before the engine quits
3. don't get an automatic (even though it's reliable, just not fun)
4. Massive aftermarket
5. much easier on the wallet to maintain
6. It's a BMW
7. the 318 4-banger can achieve mid 30's mpg highway
8. $5000 can get you one with cold a/c and clean body

[iani1.1]

you can achieve such greatness and can still be a dd

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxZbVyD7SNA"]E30 drift.. - YouTube[/ame]

[jamiel]

+1 Miata or E30/36

I like everything on your original list better, but here's a few brainstorms:
C4 vette
F-body (Camaro/Firebird)
G3 Supra

[Ranger]

Thought about the C4 vette or an F Body but I'm pretty sure my family would disown me if I bought a GM product, they're all big Ford fans (kidding but really, I'd still rather have a 'Stang)

BMWs are hit or miss for me. Hit because they're fun and relatively luxurious; miss because they're not built as well as some of the other cars I'm interested in. Having owned an E36, I know they're expensive to maintain, and have a few common problems at high mileage that are also expensive to fix. And it's hard to find one that's clean---those cars were literally built NOT to last, they were built to be recycled. Mine had developed holes in the clearcoat, that went from being dime-sized to baseball-sized, in a span of six months. I still liked it though...it was relatively roomy, had plenty of power, and got decent MPG. E30s are far better built but you still have to deal with owning a 20-year-old car. I'm considering both, but still leaning towards an NB Miata. I've test-driven plenty and always wanted one, but ended up getting the S2K...roadster FTW

[erod550]

If you're just looking for something cheap and fun, a Miata is a great choice. They are very easy to maintain, extremely reliable, easy to work on, and a blast to drive. I do wish I had an NB because I like the looks better and would like to have a nicer interior, but I'm still very happy with my 22 yr old NA.