Everday Driver

Topic: Everday Driver (Read 4862 times) previous topic - next topic

Everday Driver

March 11, 2011, 04:37:53 PM

Looking for ideas on what I should get to replace the bird for an everyday car. I've been saving everything I can for a while, and for almost 2 years, I've had my heart set on a new camaro, but being in new england and with winters and such, I'm starting to re-think it. What do you all drive as an everyday car, do you like it, recommend it, etc.

A friend of mine just bought a 2001 Audi with 116k on the clock. That's more miles than my bird, and for $5000, I wonder if that's a good move. I always tend to shy away from the european cars. I want something that resembles sporty, something similiar to the A4 I guess, but something thats comfortable and going to be relaible.

Every car with a v6 I see, I think "nope, it's going to need a headgasket". Are newer 4cyl and 6cyl motors better? Am I sorta living in the past here?

Thoughts, suggestions?

Everday Driver

Reply #1 – March 11, 2011, 04:54:47 PM

What you want for a daily driver would depend on your own personal needs. How far do you commute? How big of an issue is fuel economy? How much room do you need (wife? kids?) And of course, how much are you looking to spend, both on the vehicle and in keeping it on the road? If you don't want big repair bills stay away from Audi (or anything European). The A4 is a Passat in a fancy dress. It's not that they're any more unreliable than any other car, it's that when they break, even normal maintenance things, they're expensive to fix, hard to find parts for, and hard to find anyone willing to work on them.

My own fleet includes a VW diesel for my daily 120 mile slog, a Chrysler 300 for when I want to cruise in style, and a 4WD Chevy S10 for when I need to do truck stuff. When I get another Bird it will be a Sunday Driver.

Everday Driver

Reply #2 – March 11, 2011, 05:11:51 PM

I wouldn't buy an Audi (or similar) without a warranty unless you have the stomach and the funds for the repairs. I had a 2003 A4, it was nice, the repairs were expensive, but I knew that going in. I sold it because I wanted something with more sport.

I am currently driving a 2009 WRX as a DD, but I am thinking about selling it since we are moving out of the snow belt.

Just about anything made within the last... well decade really should be pretty reliable.

If your heart is set on the Camaro then get a set of snows and maybe a couple sand bags in the trunk and drive smart. I've only gotten stuck with cars with open diffs.

EDIT: What he said!

Everday Driver

Reply #3 – March 12, 2011, 01:07:33 AM

Meh, right now I am driving the crown vic till the bird is back on the road. After saving the $400 a month I would pay extra in insurance and car payments, I could buy a new cougar/bird every month, if I could afford a new car.

Everday Driver

Reply #4 – March 12, 2011, 06:34:07 AM

I like my daughter's '11 Nissan Versa hatchback. Pretty cheap to buy, roomy interior for a compact, good mileage, good warranty, fun to drive. I say get something economical and reliable as a daily driver so you can have time and money for a 'play' car. We got an SL with CV trans for 15k +tax.

I agree with the above on the Audi's. I've had some, and they are pricey to maintain.

Everday Driver

Reply #5 – March 12, 2011, 06:58:50 AM

I currently drive a 2010 VW Jetta sportwagon TDI, it has a manual 6 speed transmission. I'm getting around 30-35 mpg around town and around 45mpg on highway. Diesel does cost more. I do like the car so far. Had a 2001 jetta wagon before that, my son drives that now.

Everday Driver

Reply #6 – March 12, 2011, 12:16:35 PM

Quote from: flylear45;355201

I like my daughter's '11 Nissan Versa hatchback. Pretty cheap to buy, roomy interior for a compact, good mileage, good warranty, fun to drive. I say get something economical and reliable as a daily driver so you can have time and money for a 'play' car. We got an SL with CV trans for 15k +tax.

I agree with the above on the Audi's. I've had some, and they are pricey to maintain.

What is "pricey"? What kind did you have? Can you give me an example of what you had to fix and how much it was? It'd probably do the work myself, just sorta playing with numbers here.

Quote from: Haystack;355192

Meh, right now I am driving the crown vic till the bird is back on the road. After saving the $400 a month I would pay extra in insurance and car payments, I could buy a new cougar/bird every month, if I could afford a new car.

Buying a new cougar/bird doesn't seem feasible. There is a nice one up here, an 87 currently with a 3.8l in it. The women wants $4200 and won't come down. The car has like 40,000 miles on it. But it's not worth that kind of money. It's realistically worth less than half that. I've got some money saved, so all I'm looking at is the increase in insurance. Everyother one is either beat to death, or rusted out below the new maaco paint job someone had put on to cover it.

Everday Driver

Reply #7 – March 12, 2011, 02:43:29 PM

The big problem is that you need a special tool for everything you try to do on them it seems. Not friendly to the do-it-yourself-er. Hard to troubleshoot without good manuals. Manuals can cost a pretty penny. I spent $400.00 for a set on my last one.

Everday Driver

Reply #8 – March 12, 2011, 03:43:59 PM

everyone has a diff preference....we've tended to stick to the Towncars, and Sedan Devilles for DDs

Everday Driver

Reply #9 – March 12, 2011, 04:21:00 PM

Most of the mid 90's and up imports are reliable and have plenty of pep and don't guzzle gas, i'm currently split between a 97 Lexus SC300 and a 91-93 'Stang as a DD both have a huge fan base and plenty of aftermarket parts that are fairly cheap.

p.s. No matter what anyone says hondas are horrible you'll always be working on them no matter what, I've had 4 of'em and they all wound up in the junk yard.

Everday Driver

Reply #10 – March 12, 2011, 04:56:20 PM

Quote from: daminc;355227

everyone has a diff preference....we've tended to stick to the Towncars, and Sedan Devilles for DDs

I was looking at a DTS, couple years old, reasonable priced. Had the northstar v8; good motor. Not a sports car, but definitely something thats going to be comfortable.

Everday Driver

Reply #11 – March 12, 2011, 04:57:40 PM

Quote from: flylear45;355224

The big problem is that you need a special tool for everything you try to do on them it seems. Not friendly to the do-it-yourself-er. Hard to troubleshoot without good manuals. Manuals can cost a pretty penny. I spent $400.00 for a set on my last one.

Interesting. Not surprised with the tools I guess. Hmm, I don't know what I should do.

Everday Driver

Reply #12 – March 12, 2011, 05:18:13 PM

Well I make less than 25K so I daily drive 200,000 mile V6 thunderbirds.

(and I haven't needed a head gasket yet):p

Everday Driver

Reply #13 – March 13, 2011, 11:48:59 AM

Quote from: sarjxxx;355236

Well I make less than 25K so I daily drive 200,000 mile V6 thunderbirds.

(and I haven't needed a head gasket yet):p

I don't make a lot either, but i'm still in school too. I'd still be driving my v6 thunderbird, if it hadn't started to blow white smoke... It had a head gasket done by my grandmother about 15k before I got it, so there was clearly another problem. Now it's a v8, and there are a ton of problems too. I've managed to save enough for a decent down payment, and all I want is something that looks somewhat sporty and economical. I want something that has some balls, when necessary. Found an 06 monte carlo with low low miles, but the "displacement on demand" system sorta scares me. I haven't heard much about them, but they were only made for a couple of years.

Everday Driver

Reply #14 – March 13, 2011, 06:20:28 PM

Quote from: jpc647;355292

It had a head gasket done by my grandmother

That's awesome. I wish my grandma could change a head gasket. I have her do a youtube tutorial.