Whats a good daily / fun car for cheap?

[jdgregory84]

Mustang SVO if you can find one ....

Not real familiar with the SVO's, huh? He said good and fun. Not fun and prone to catching on fire.

I'll second the WRX mentioned above. E36 could be fun, too. Didn't realize that they were that cheap though.

[Kenny_Stang]

Miata would be my pick, but I'm a roadster kinda guy.

[Wicked SVO]

My SVT focus is a great daily. I'll avg 28-30mpg depending on driving style and it handles great. Could use more low end but pulls well to 7200.

Bish is for sale too.

4 door?

Looking at SVTF's very seriously but need the 5 door version for the family.

-keith

[Blackout]

look for a SVTF zx5 thats the 5 door. great little cars. not much for drag racing but auto cross or twisty roads then hands down one of the best cars to go with. i miss mine.

[VaderTT]

E36 could be fun, too. Didn't realize that they were that cheap though.

I got my 97 m3 for around 5500$ with a fair amount of mods (will be receiving an lsx) and my 98 328i five speed with 100k on trade for my stunt bike (valued @ around 1800$) and its in great condition.

With general maintenance, they run forever. The major issues are almost all suspension bushings and suspension related, rsm's, rtab's and so on.

[dville_gt]

I got my 97 m3 for around 5500$ with a fair amount of mods (will be receiving an lsx) and my 98 328i five speed with 100k on trade for my stunt bike (valued @ around 1800$) and its in great condition.

With general maintenance, they run forever. The major issues are almost all suspension bushings and suspension related, rsm's, rtab's and so on.

you got great deals. dont expect to find clean e36 m3's in this price range (nor clean non-m's in that price range)

[Blame Canada]

That just makes me think of that shit from southpark.

This?

[BP]

DSMs get crap for fuel economy and need 93 octane, I never got more than 24 out of mine and it was usually 20-21. LT1 F-bodies do better than that.

Forget about the 944 or anything Porsche for that matter if you are looking to save money. Maintenance and repair costs will eat your lunch. Same goes for pretty much anything else German for that matter.

Personally I'd stay away from TDI VWs, they are usually fairly reliable but when they aren't it gets expensive quick. That and they don't meet the fun to drive criteria in my opinion.

SVT Focus, yep a great car, good luck finidng an engine though if it ever has problems. Even Ford can't get you one. That's the only fault they have though, great car just no parts support.

I don't know where you'd find a WRX for $5000, if you did though they still get crap for fuel economy in my opinion. You can squeeze out 30 if you nanny it but usually 22-23 is realistic. Engines though have problems, just a little detonation and you'll be out $3000+ for a used one.

I'd consider a classic Beetle, Miata, MR2, Celica, the various Civics (CRX's were awesome), RSX, Integra, etc... All of these can get 35+mpg, have loads of aftermarket parts available and other than the MR2 or Miata you won't look like a homo driving them.

[Z06killinsbf]

SVT Contours. 4 door, run pretty good and people underestimate them. 3L swaps make them really fun. Mine would get 32 on the highway

http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?65906-1999-Ford-Contour-SVT-Silver-Frost-2-700

[Kyle]

I bought my g/f a 00 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. Parts are cheap and plentiful. The aftermarket is huge for them if you want to mod it too. Plus she is getting 20 mpg with mixed city and highway driving.

They are so fun, that I think I'm going to pick one up to mod. I took hers to the cruise and ran a couple of 9.5-9.6s. That isn't to bad for a car under $3k!

[VaderTT]

you got great deals. dont expect to find clean e36 m3's in this price range (nor clean non-m's in that price range)

There was a pretty clean 97 m3, fresh engine and tranny, with receipts for 4000$ in Irving. I wanted to pick it up so bad, but didn't have the cash at the time.

I also just picked up some stanceworks coilovers and some style 5's for my 328.

[JC316]

My vote also goes to the SVT focus. We have a 5 door one at the lot for $4500. It has a rebuilt title, but runs and drives great.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ctd/2226299383.html

[SEB]

I bought my g/f a 00 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. Parts are cheap and plentiful. The aftermarket is huge for them if you want to mod it too. Plus she is getting 20 mpg with mixed city and highway driving.

They are so fun, that I think I'm going to pick one up to mod. I took hers to the cruise and ran a couple of 9.5-9.6s. That isn't to bad for a car under $3k!

I have a 2000 GTP & stock with free mods it ran 9.60s @ 72 mph! This is a 4 door with full leather & Sunroof! I get right at 25 mpg Hwy/City combined! I am actually selling it, I am relpacing my struts & Shocks with Monroe Sensa tracs & mine is Dropped on 17 Cobra SVT Rims! Selling it on the rims for $5000! This is a pic of it! Car gets looks everywhere & will hang for a family car

[Steve]

LOL $5k? No way.

[SEB]

LOL $5k? No way.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2259658763.html

Mine has 130,000 & that is on Polished Cobra Rims with new tires & also includes stock Polished Stock Twisties with new tires as well, I have new rebuilt Transmisson from previous owner & mine is flawless! Not a dent or ding anywhere & mine has some tasteful bolt ons & LS1 Brake setup along with Eibach Pro Kit drop

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2243965822.html

Here is another one that needs work!

Yes you can pay $2800 for a car that has problems & SES lights! But my GTP is clean & runs very well for a family getter with flawless interior

My car is right in range to be competitve. Get off my nuts man. You got issues