Lookin for a DD under $2-3k ; Entertain me

[kcook]

I've been driving my parents other car for a week and I'm actually enjoying not driving the wrx everyday. I really have no desire to drive my car for a while(just want to get it ready before hyperfest and the following track events. I have a few things to finish).

I will have owned the car for 4 years next month. For about a year I've really wanted a DD and never went through with it. I loved driving my car everyday. That's why I bought it.

Now, Since last month its kind of a pita to go from point A to B meaning work, school and running errands. Ive installed 2 Sparco Evo seats and a Roll Bar (soon to have harnesses) which isn't practical in a street car. The car will have a new set of coilovers on the car in less than a few months as well. I had coilovers on my car for 2.5 years, I'm not trying to drive my car everyday with coilovers again. Its not just the seats and suspension that is making me want to get a DD, but I now want to keep the miles down and prevent anything from happening on the street ie: accidents, more door dings, driving with a roll bar, etc.

Onto the DD... I'm looking for an import.. obviously something that's good on gas. Ive always wanted a hatch or 240 coupe, but anything reliable will do.

[ScottyB]

i'd probably go for a "classic" sentra SE-R or DA integra. i haven't seen any 240's locally that aren't either overpriced or complete piles.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Second on the integra.. cheap and reliable..

[ViPER1313]

$2400

I purchased this car in Nov 2005 with the intent to resell.
It needed a clutch to be drivable.
It ran so well that I decided to keep it to drive occasionally.
I have never sold a SHO that I owned, until now.
I enjoy ÔÇÿrestoringÔÇÖ them as a side business.
I did no modifications to this car.
I bought this car with 86,965 miles, it now shows 88,149.
I am almost certain the odometer has turned, but it sure doesnÔÇÖt drive like it.
I added directional slicers with Michelin 225/55/16ÔÇÖs with about ┬¥ tread remaining.
I just had the headliner recovered last week.
I will be completing the interior as weather permits.
The car has classic tags and is not meant to be driven daily thou once per week is acceptable.
Please note that this will decrease your insurance premium.
The classic tag is transferable to another PA buyer.
As mentioned, it has a new clutch, throw out bearing and rear main seal.
The 9.75ÔÇØ fly wheel was turned as well.
The sub frame mounts are fine and I did the recall on both rear mounts.
It also has a new timing belt and CPS.
As most know the leather seats tend to wear fast.
This car currently has Gen 2 gray cloth seats front and rear.
This was a southern car with no rust though.
It does show slight surface rust at the hood, trunk and door seams.
The dreaded rust prone area at the fuel tank is clear except for several small under paint bubbles.
Price to follow.
I will be adding more photos and details soon.
Here is a previous link showing the cars progress:

[Evan]

miata.

perfect dd

[Jake]

miata.

perfect dd

+1

Though a 'Teg wouldn't be bad either. My friend has a 95 with 187,000 miles and it runs great - still returns 30ish MPG. He let me borrow it for a weekend and it was a nice mix of fun and practical.

Although you already have the sedan for practical (cram stuff around the roll cage) so get a Miata.

[Sijray21]

another vote for the integra. bullet proof and the only real threat is vandalism and theft..... (see my previous posts)

i miss mine, but i'm not willing to go through the ownership / theft paranoia again.

[Jeff]

I wish "looking for an import" was not the first thing out of peoples mouths around here. +1 to Adam. What about a Focus, Escort, or Neon?! All great choices and cheaper then most imports if you are compairing similar years and mileage. OF course as a Subaru person there is always the old Suby option. Only thing I have cheap right now is a $700 Buick... You could polish your spinnarz with windex!

[D_Eclipse9916]

I would vote miata, neon, or SHO. The focus too is a blast to drive, gets good gas mileage.

Integra will just get stolen. Escorts suck.

[ScottyB]

if you can stomach a domestic and the interior, +3 on an 02 or 03 focus zx3. great small car with excellent handling

[kcook]

those go for under 3k?

If I get an integra, I plan on keeping it stock so hopefully it wont get stolen.

Oh and the DD should be a 5 spd.

[Goodspeed]

Suzuki Swift GTi or Mirage/Colt Turbo? These guys built a 10 second car for $2006.

[Jeff]

Colt turbo is not reliable. I think a Neon or Focus would be good choices. Forget what anyone says about "domestic interiors" that doesn't apply when we are talking about econoboxs like it does with "nice" cars. 97 Corolla interior isn't any better then a 97 Neon IMHO.



What would be really cool would be a like 98 Neon R/T with the 2.0 DOHC and a 5-speed. They even made an ACR package but that will be hard to find. Friend of mine just sold his Neon R/T in need of a motor for like $150....$450 2.0L block and you have a sweet little car.

[Jake]

I think a Focus or Neon could be an okay car to drive. The Focus is pretty far advanced interior-wise from the Escort IMO. I don't know much about Neons (that's obviously Jeff's area to talk) but I would try and drive one to see how you like it. Same for the Focus.

[Ryan T]

2000 Saturn SL 5-speed with 82,000 miles. $2100. 4-doors, slightly less ugly than a neon.

[Jeff]

2000 Saturn SL 5-speed with 82,000 miles. $2100. 4-doors, slightly less ugly than a neon.

Hey Ryan, does it idle at 2000rpm?

[Ryan T]

2400rpm cold, 1700rpm warm...so a happy average of about 2k. Look at the birght side of the high idle though, it will pull itself up a hill in 1st gear without ever touching the gas! Impossible to stall! Oh, and the smell inside makes it a PERFECT mobile smokers lounge.

[Dave]

Hey Kyle, not sure if you're interested, but I intend to put the NX up for sale soon. PM if you're interested, I'll be happy to share details, or I'll put up the FS ad soon too.

Car is in great shape and is an awesome daily driver, but my ADD is flaring up and I'm getting the itch for something different.

[Goodspeed]

Hey Kyle, not sure if you're interested, but I intend to put the NX up for sale soon.

Win.

[WRXtranceformed]

No offense to the fanboys, but if I had my choice between a piece of shit Neon, Taurus or Miata, I would pick the Jap choice all day long.