Just in case I can actually sell my E36 soon, what RWD coupe or sedan gets good gas mileage, around 25 city mpg, and cheap to fix? It has to be a manual transmission. I can think of the 4th gen Camaro/Firebird V6s and 90s Mustang V6 may be close. I'm looking at around $2500, Challenge budget would be even better. It needs to fit my 7 year old daughter, so a Miata is not the answer right now.
old_
Reader
10/3/14 10:40 p.m.
sounds like an E36 fits the bill
Is there any reason you want to sell the E36? That car pretty much fits your requirements like old said.
My job has me driving too much to try to keep it. It could be my fun car, however.
Storz
Dork
10/4/14 7:57 a.m.
Woody wrote:
E46.
Came here to say this, specifically a ZHP
Like the others have said. E36 or E46 really are the only options in this group for that price range. Hell doing a power search on fueleconomy.gov come up with 0 results for a RWD Manual tranmsission vehicle that gets 25 or more MPG in the city, it just doesn't exist over here. Even the new 2015 BMW 320's and 2015 ECOboost Mustang get 22mpg city.
You could get a '93 Suzuki Samurai though, it's RWD, MT, and gets 24mpg City but only 26mpg Hwy...
Mr_Clutch42 wrote:
My job has me driving too much to try to keep it. It could be my fun car, however.
I'd rather be in an E36 than any V6 domestic when lots of driving for work is needed. Much nicer place to spend time. A 240SX would be my second choice. Under $2500 you could get a rwd Volvo. Comfy place to be.
$2500? For an e46 you are gonna get some really high mileage example. Kinda tough to find something in that price range. I tend to agree that the e36 is the best bet.
Vigo
PowerDork
10/4/14 1:04 p.m.
My job has me driving too much to try to keep it
Because... why? You feel that e36s cant be reliable or something like that? Or you just dont like spending time in it?
Also, i like the engine in a 3.8 camaro but dont consider them a great place to spend time, and the 3.8 Mustangs are turds. The 94-99 ones are just horrendous and i beat the 00-04 one 0-115mph in a stock Dodge Dynasty when i was a teenager. They havent gotten any faster since then, but everything else has. You just dont get much payoff from having a 'big' v6 in a mustang up until 05. And none of them will get 25 city, not even a new 3.7.
If you want 25 city i would stop looking at 3400+ lb cars with biggish engines.
I may check out a 240sx since there are a few close to me that aren't overpriced.
Storz
Dork
10/4/14 3:23 p.m.
I would just keep your e36 or trade it for an e36 318is. Same awesome chassis, and great fuel mileage. Mid 90s V6 pony cars are complete fuel hog turds. I'd almost rather walk...
Storz
Dork
10/4/14 3:24 p.m.
The only non bmw car I can think of that might work is a first gen Cadillac Catera. Still the e36 is lightyears ahead if it.