Going off your figures you listed in the plan for a daily driver, I think you will have a hard time finding either a WRX, A4, or a Mazda6 for the amount listed as category B. I love all those cars, they just run a touch higher used(being that all new run around 20K+,) I know you can by a base model 6 for cheaper, and maybe find a used one for arond 10K, but what is the fun of a base model?

I would lean towards category C. I have heard good things about the Elantra. Hyuandi is now rated right in line with Toyota and Honda on quality...plus with the warranty it helps. There is also the Mazda3...with this car you can stay within your guidelines, even pretty fully loaded.

If you are going towards category B, I would look at a few of the other imports like Altima, Galant. Those both are good looking cars, although a touch bigger. Maybe even a Subaru Legacy. Those are my suggestions based on figures provided.

Toyota Corolla Lease! If mileage is not an issue. $100 down and $199 a month. No wrenching, good gas mileage.

"Get a Special Lease, Cash Back or Reduced"
"APR on a new 2005 Corolla! "

"Special Lease for 36 months, "
"$199 a month, $1,000 total drive off"

Get an older Honda. I got a 89 CRX five speed and did brakes and a tune-up and drove it till I got a company truck. I only paid 1800 for it and sold it for 2000 when I got rid of it. It had 132,000 on the clock when I sold it. All I did was change the oil in it. Got great gas milage (40+) and was a ball to drive. I got two tickets within a month of each other.

With the amount of miles you drive in a week I'd never buy anything other than a beater because you are going to beat it to death with that kind of milage.

I agree with the last poster wholeheartedly, AWD, turbos, and superchargers are going to end up costing more than they are worth in the long run on a DD.

Joe

How about a 140HP DD, It's an Isuzu too boot! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Turbo impulse:

Buy It now~ $2750.00

I've got a great 97 Ford Escort with 44k (sorry automatic) but the price can't be missed, 1500

my two pennies:

2wd pickup. I had a 98 ranger 4cyl 5spd for a while and it was great on gas--around 25 city/30 highway, never had any problems. I got a camper shell for it for 10 bucks off ebay so I could throw the mutt back there instead of having him all over me in the cab (like he is in my Zu). It cost <$4k. Plus you can fill the bed up with goodies for your Zu like axles, tires, etc <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> vehicle make is a preference thing, I know a lot of guys who swear by toyota pickups, but my little ford was pretty good.

if you have to get a car, get a car, just throwin it out there <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

my money would be on a used kia, prolly a spectra gsx hatchback. They have decent power to weight ratio, and are cheap. the second owner would have a 5 year 60000 mile bumper to bumper warrenty on the thing. I picked up my 02 spectra with 29k miles on it for 5 grand last spring, so you would be saving your self a bunch of money.

Skip anything that requires a loan! Buy something cheap that you pay cash for. I avoid car payments like the beubonic plague. My recommendation would eb a 3-4 year old japanese or korean make that has a history of good relaibility and high depreciation (isuzu, mazda, hyundai, mitsubishi, etc).

Hey Keith,

FWIW, I got to drive a Mazda6 (girlfriend's rental) for a couple of days and thought it was great...good fuel economy and some pep to the engine (it's no WRX, mind you...).

Honestly, the coolest thing I thought about it was it was pretty roomy - and I'm 6'2".

Bad thing - Radio and HVAC look like one big consolidated unit. If you want to put your own system in there, you might be outta luck.

Then again, I'm a Mazda fan. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

HTH

My thoughts are:

Don't replace these items unless they are really trashed....save your $$$

By a beater straight out-no loan


Combine money saved on IFS maintenance + $$$ saved on full cover insurance and car payment.......and go solid up front
you can still cruise it and step up to the next level as a
play toy.

Just my thoughts since most everyone else said to get an expensive DD.......granted a tweaked WRX is way sweet.....

wow that was an 80's sentence <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Goodluck on your adventures.

Bansil