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Ashyukun (Robert)
Ashyukun (Robert) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
2/18/20 4:40 p.m.
With our taxes finally done and knowing that we're getting at least a modest bit back (I overestimated how much we'd owe from some of what we did last year), I can finally try and make the case that I need another car as we've been down to 3 of the 4-car limit the Dancer imposed at the current house (and only 2 driveable, as the DMC is down until I fix the frame). I know she's going to fight it, but I both really want something more fun to drive than the good-sized automatic QX4 and said QX4 REALLY needs to spend a week or two in the garage with me working on it as there are a laundry list of things of varying degrees of urgency that have been piling up while I've needed it as my primary mode of transportation.
 
So, I'm looking for something with the following parameters:
  • Ideally under $2k, much above that and I know I'll have a harder time selling her on it. And, of course, the cheaper the better.
  • Stickshift. Pretty much the one non-negotiable point in all of this- I want something I can actually -drive- again.
  • Daily drivable from the moment it's bought. I don't want to buy something only to have to work on it for a week to -then- be able to work on the Infiniti. Would have to be a really insane deal on something really fun to buy a project- and it would have to be a quick fix, because selling her on a project car when I have the DMC sitting there would NOT be fun.
  • Relatively closer- less than 50 miles away from Lexington at most is what I'm aiming for.
  • AWD would be nice- but unlikely.
  • Not a truck or SUV- and probably not a true station wagon. I don't expect the Dancer to ride in whatever it is anyway, but she NEVER will if it's a station wagon. Plus, I want something a bit more fun- and station wagons generally don't fit that bill. Hot hatches are fine (at least for me).
 
Here's what I've found so far that seems to fit the bill:
 
2006 Cobalt SS
This would be the most fun of most that I've found, assuming that the idle issue isn't too terrible to fix (don't know how timing is on these, but gaskets/vacuum leaks should be easy to resolve). Toward the upper end of what I think I could get away with spending, but also one of the newer and more fun ones and also looks pretty good.
 
2007 Saturn Ion 2 Sedan
This is so far the one I think is probably one of the best balances of price and condition- whatever is wrong with the taillight should be easily resolved (there are several in the junkyard an hour away) as long as it runs and drives well. Not nearly as sporty/fun as some of the others, but also one of the newest.
 
2007 Cobalt Coupe (non-SS)
Just found this one- interesting that the Cobalts keep popping up. I do like the way that they look, and this one is at least a more interesting color. Kind of... quaint? that it actually has manual windows as well...
 
2002 Impreza Sedan (non-turbo)
I rather like this one- mainly because I REALLY like the idea of having the AWD such that it should still make it up the hill to the cabin if I don't need the capacity of the Infiniti, but it's also solidly up there in the mileage and the seller already lists some thing that need done. At the same time, I do appreciate the information.
 
Thoughts? Suggestions? 
 
Professor_Brap
Professor_Brap Dork
2/18/20 4:46 p.m.

1st gen neon in any flavor. 

Focus zx3 

 

Datsun310Guy
Datsun310Guy UltimaDork
2/18/20 4:48 p.m.

A guy at work is junking a 240,000 mile one.  He loves them and this one did him well.  
 

I'm not crazy about the Saturns. 

rob_lewis
rob_lewis UltraDork
2/18/20 4:50 p.m.

I'll second the Focus.  I'll be in a similar position in a couple of months, looking for a quasi-fun, manual transmission beater to use back and forth to work.  I've been surprised at the number of 2 door, manual transmission Foci for sale with right at 100k miles and under $2k.

-Rob

90BuickCentury
90BuickCentury New Reader
2/18/20 4:52 p.m.

I see manual Accords going for cheap around where I live. Not the sportiest but generally reliable and can be modified easily if desired. 

eastsideTim
eastsideTim UberDork
2/18/20 4:53 p.m.

Check the email I sent earlier today for a couple of options 

irish44j
irish44j MegaDork
2/18/20 5:31 p.m.

3rd gen Integra. Lots of them, still fun, cheap, Honda 

dculberson
dculberson MegaDork
2/18/20 5:37 p.m.

Just don't buy another cheap jeep!! cheeky

02Pilot
02Pilot SuperDork
2/18/20 5:50 p.m.

My GF ran a base 5MT Cobalt from new to 200k miles. It was remarkably trouble-free and generally pretty easy to work on, plus there's not much to go wrong. The front control arm design sucks, but they're cheap and relatively easy to swap out. I don't know that I'd go so far as to call it athletic, but it could be entertaining with half-decent rubber. You won't find much simpler from the last couple decades.

Mr. Peabody
Mr. Peabody UltimaDork
2/18/20 5:52 p.m.

We had the same experience with ours.

There's a lot of potential in the SS cars

ShinnyGroove
ShinnyGroove Reader
2/18/20 5:53 p.m.

NA6 Miata.

/thread

captdownshift
captdownshift GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
2/18/20 7:11 p.m.

The number of sub $2500 duratec manual zx3 focuses around me currently for sale is amazing.

Mx3 gs

NX2000

Tercel

Those are my suggestions for the moment. 

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
2/18/20 8:21 p.m.

Here is the answer you are looking for 

 

Similar but different answer

captdownshift
captdownshift GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
2/18/20 8:23 p.m.

In reply to John Welsh :

Heck I'm tempted by that if he isn't 

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
2/18/20 8:30 p.m.

You mention that the dance would not want to be seen in a wagon but what self respecting woman wouldn't want to be seen here

CyberEric
CyberEric HalfDork
2/18/20 9:06 p.m.

Yeah, that Miata linked above is a great option if you want to go over budget a bit.  This is why it is always the answer.

If you want more practicality, I echo the first gen Focus c the Duratec/MZR.

The Zx2 is another good bet. I like the Tercel and MX-3 ideas too.

For another option, I LOVE my Ford Festiva. I picked mine up for $1,600 with 78k miles. It knocks down low to mid 40 MPGs, is fun to drive no matter how fast or slow (mostly) you are going. It is my "work truck" and can hall a lot of stuff with the back seat down or removed. The shifter feels great, the car is tiny and fun to toss around, it's just a hoot. As a side bonus, people regularly leave notes or make comments about how cute it is or tell me how silly I look driving it (I'm tall).

KyAllroad (Jeremy)
KyAllroad (Jeremy) UltimaDork
2/18/20 9:24 p.m.

I've been eyeing that 94 Miata as well.  It looks like a very nice driver and a good year.

lnlds
lnlds Reader
2/18/20 9:36 p.m.

Ion Redline -- seems well maintained

b15 Sentra se-r -- Slightly above budget

It seems like you live in a tough market or I'm getting older and supply of "favorites" are drying up.  Duratec focus, sentra se/se-r, mazda3, integra, accord, rsx, civic ex/si, infiniti g20, prelude, celica are all nowhere to be found or close to 300k miles where you are.

fatallightning
fatallightning Reader
2/18/20 9:46 p.m.

I picked up a Celica gts for under 2k, cheapest way to an 8k redline. Maybe look for matrix xrs/vibe gt too.

Those Cobalt ss/ion redlines have been tempting me too. 

Awd, any flavor of Impreza/fozzy/legacy. Or maybe a Suzuki aerio of some kind?

amg_rx7
amg_rx7 SuperDork
2/18/20 10:20 p.m.

That Cobalt SS looks like a winner 

TopNoodles
TopNoodles Reader
2/18/20 10:26 p.m.

Are you opposed to owning a Mustang with anything other than a V8? A stick shift V6 is a car you can realistically buy and drive home for under $2k. Easy car to maintain, parts are cheap and available EVERYWHERE. They are not slow cars, just slower than the V8. Enough grunt for passing on two lane highways, but the tall gears won't allow you to do a sick burnout if that's what you're into. If you're considering a non-turbo Cobalt, I have a hard time seeing how a Mustang would be worse unless you need 4 doors or 22mpg doesn't cut it for you.

Ashyukun (Robert)
Ashyukun (Robert) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
2/18/20 11:07 p.m.

In reply to eastsideTim :

I actually messaged the owner of the FC vert but never heard anything back. I'd LOVE to have another one, but at the same time I know that wouldn't stand a chance of making it up to the cabin- and she'd likely roll her eyes a good bit about it given I had my silver one when we first got together. 
 

I had seen the E36 as well, the main issue with it was the distance...

Ashyukun (Robert)
Ashyukun (Robert) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
2/18/20 11:11 p.m.
dculberson said:

Just don't buy another cheap jeep!! cheeky

I'm not likely to ever buy another Jeep PERIOD after the last two experiences... 

Ashyukun (Robert)
Ashyukun (Robert) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
2/18/20 11:26 p.m.

In reply to John Welsh :

That Miata is tempting, especially if they'd come down a bit- I doubt that I'd get it up the hill to the cabin without ripping half the undercarriage off, but technically that is why I bought the QX4 in the first place. 

The FC vert is one of my favorite cars- but I'm also not sure I want to go back to having yet another car over 30 years old that I'd have to find parts for. 

Ironically she likely wouldn't complain too much about that Volvo as it doesn't really look like a station wagon... but it also would be redundant with the QX4...

Ashyukun (Robert)
Ashyukun (Robert) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
2/18/20 11:28 p.m.

In reply to TopNoodles :

I'm not opposed to Mustangs. The Dancer doesn't much care for them (thinks they all scream 'douchey frat boy'), but I don't mind them. Unfortunately there really aren't any in my price range nearby. 

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