OT: Considering a beater / daily driver - suggestions.

Lovin my 996. Lovin it to the point that as much as I like to drive it to work, I don't want to anymore. So I am looking for a beater. However, there are some factors: 1. I am 6'7" I need to fit to drive - right? 2. I have a baby on the way. Need back seat 3. Good gas mileage would be nice. 4. Best car for around - $5000-9000?? I have been looking at Volvo's, VW's, Audi's, Nissan, etc. Suggestions? Chad

You know Chad I went through this dilemma. I came so close to buying a mini cooper S, and then I just felt the money I was spending on a daily driver could use for repairs/maintenance of my 996 if I needed to, while enjoying driving my car everyday. Do you have another car? Like an SUV for the fam? Rob

Hey Chad, is your commute a long one?

Riad makes a good point but if you really want a beater I'd look at a Saab 93. You can definitly pick up a good one in your price range. For twice that you could probably get an 00 - 01 convertible. Good gas mileage, reasonably fun to drive, safe as a volvo.

Honda - Great gas mileage, cheap to repair, dependable and they run forever. Mine has 155K miles and runs perfectly.

If you want reliability, I'd go for either Lexus or Toyota.

I was just about to say you should try and get a 2000 or 2001 Lexus RX300. Very good cars and plenty of room for a baby and stroller.

Answers for all: Riad - My wife has a Nissan Altima 3.5 SE Very cool and lotsa room. Mundman - My commute is about 15-20 minutes. Roughly 15 miles. Ekename - I looked into those, but I had no leg room. Sorry...just a tall dood. Thanks for the input all... Chad

When I though about how tall you were I wondered if you'd fit in a Saab. I'm only 5'9" so every car fits me just fine. How do fit in your Porsche? That has to be a really tight fit.

I did some mods to the interior. (GT3 console delete, smaller Dia steering wheel, and seats on the way.). I fit wonderfully well. Chad

Chad, here's my beater.....blow up a motor, plug another one in! Good headroom, and cheaper than your budget. Only problem is they get almost as fun to mod as the P-Cars. Good ones are getting harder to find, though.

Ya know, I was considering one of those...how much may I ask? Which model to consider? Chad

1989 325is.....1989 was the best year....small bumpers/no airbag (lightest)...but 1990 and 1991 (325i) are good. I picked this one up for $4,800 which I considered top dollar at the time, but those Alpinas on it are worth nearly the value of the average 325i!. I put about $1200 into basic mechanical freshening, so for $6k I got a tip-top car that I can drive the crap of, is fun, and actually surprises a lot of folks on track days and the occasional autocross...great little cars.

I just went through the same thought process. I bought my C4S in June last year and have added 10k to it since then so I thought I have better slow down the use of it a bit. I thought about another car but my I don't have enough room in the garage and my driveway is only 1 car wide for the most part so there would have been the whole swapping thing to worry about so I opted to drop that one. One partial answer now that the warmer weather has finally arrived is to start using my motorcycle instead (better performance but lacks the coffee and music option). And I have also just bought - gulp! - some bus tickets. Figure I will take the bus on the crappy days and pick my toy on the nice ones. Barry

Not sure if this is your cup-o-tea, but just last night, I bought a white, 2004 Scion xB for $10,300. 30-35mpg, huge inside, great utility and should be reliable. Yes, it looks like someone tipped over a refrigerator, but its really fun to drive and has a purpose. More legroom (front and back) than a Audi S6. Also, pretty good sound system that is satellite ready, plays MP3's and has an input for Ipod.. Great fun!!

I like the Scions

you can buy a very nice superbike for 9grand practical too ah one can but dream

Ah...but I'd look like a frog on one. Take one Rice rocket + 6'6" tall lanky dood = one hell of a joke. Chad

But what do you care what anyone else thinks so long as you are happy, right?

What about comfort. hahahaha... Chad