I am looking for a do it all vehicle that is undervalued. It seems there are always a few vehicles that just get no appreciation. I have had some success finding manual vehicles that most people would want in an auto transmission. My last 3 cars have been 3-series. An E46 and 2 E90's. I am looking for something that needs a bit less maintenance this time around. I could live with an auto but would prefer a manual transmission. 4 or 5 doors. I need to get at least 23 mpg highway. Not something boring. Space is a plus, but I have been surprised, for example when I could get my 29er full suspension trail mountain bike to fit in my E90 with the back seat dropped, but not in my brother-in-laws Nissan Murano.
I also will be using the vehicle to hunt out of. I guess you could say I am a minimalist. I have fit some decent size deer in the back of my old Geo Prism, and the BMW's. I just line the back with plastic and cut the legs off at the knees. I saw a deal on a 2007 Forrester in decent shape with a manual transmission and 128k miles for $2800. Maybe it would be just not boring enough with the manual transmission?
Leather is nice, and so are heated seats and a sunroof. But lack of those options is not a deal breaker. 4K max budget.
Ideas?
I don't know about the mileage requirement, but what about the Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Suzuki SUVs.
Robbie
PowerDork
3/13/18 1:45 p.m.
Saabs are just about all undervalued right now
What's your budget range?
Price / age range? I picked up a GM W body when looking with a similar idea.
In reply to dculberson :Looks like my post was cut short. Budget is 4K
In reply to Robbie : How is Saab's reliability and Maintanence?
Sonic
UltraDork
3/13/18 2:09 p.m.
Mazda3 hatch
02-05 Civic Si hatch
both quite reliable, fun to drive, in your price range, get good mileage, and for a bike. The Honda has more performance potential with the Honda K series family but the Mazda is no slouch and probably handles a bit better. We have 212k miles on our 3 that we bought new, it is pretty heavily modified now but has been a great do anything car.
The Mazda can be had in GT trim with heated leather. Cargo room is ample, bigger than the brand new ones.
In reply to spitfirebill : I edited my initial post to include the info that was cut when I initially posted. Thank you for the response
This thing did it for me.
It was a 5 speed. Over the six years I owned it, I always got 25mpg. How, I don't know, but many owners complained of poor mileage from these. Mine was reliable as clockwork 25mpg. When the trip meter said 300 miles, it took 12 gallons to fill up.
And it would absolutely swallow three full size road bikes without removing any wheels or lowering the saddles. Just roll them straight in left, center, and right. Or a kitchen stove. Or a full size stand up drill press. It just ate cargo.
It's the vehicle I regret selling the most in my life. Big mistake.
8valve
Reader
3/13/18 2:18 p.m.
Manual xB's seem to be available in a skewed ratio of auto/manuals versus demand. 4k reliable do it all wagon I'd be looking for one of those. 2nd gen may stretch the budget but I'd prefer it for the size and motor. Then you said you're a minimalist. So you probably could get by with a 1st gen.
Do it all....do you need or want 4wd? how much payload? tow any? How many people to haul? is MPG a huge requirement?
first gen tahoes are quite reasonable for the utility you get. Might not tick the MPG requirement though.
upwardlymobilehome said:
In reply to dculberson :Looks like my post was cut short. Budget is 4K
That would get you a pretty nice W-body with the 3800 Supercharged. The Regal or Grand Prix wouldn't be too hard to find with heated leather seats, mpg meets your requirements, and the handling has more sporting pretentions than you'd expect.
Another option that fits better as a hunting rig than a highway cruiser would be a late '90s Kia Sportage. They're body on frame and pretty competant off roaders, and depreciated like, well, a '90s Kia.
I loved my 1st gen Mazda 6, 5 speed, v6 wagon . I paid 6.5k at the time (about five years ago). I imagine they'd be under 4k by now.
I am with cousin Eddie on this one. Get a manual element and never look back
Forester XT. 2004+. Has 2.5 Liter turbo. STI parts bolt right on. Available as manual. Cars around here (SE Wisconsin = Milwaukee/Chicago) are $5k. Run forever. Look cool lowered.
I think an 05-09 Legacy/Outback wagon or Forester would meet your requirements. The turbo cars (GT/XT) are fast but like gas and are a bit more maintenance heavy compared to the 2.5i's. All of these can be (and should be) manuals which helps the fun factor.
Adam
The Matrix, or whatever the Pontiac Version was, the Vibe? alwasy seems stupid cheap for what it is. It's a tall Corolla hatch with a great motor and a 6spd in the XRS trim.
In reply to onemanarmy :
I need to seat 4 comfortably. All Wheel Drive would be nice as I live near the mountains.....but I have been driving with rwd for a long time now and have made it. My mileage requirement is quite firm. I don't tow and am quite unconcerned about payload.
And off I go to craigslist.....some good suggestions here about things I have never even though of
Volvo S70/850. I once fit about 1.75 basket case dirt bikes in my 850, and that was a sedan. Pretty sure you could get half an Ikea store inside a wagon. A turbo should just barely hit your mpg requirements, and an N/A definitely will, but the turbo is a hell of a sleeper. Could buy several within your budget.
Honda Elements are very expensive in my area it seems. But I will definitely be keeping an eye out . Mazda 6 v6 wagons in a manual transmission as I suspected are a unicorn but I will also be watching for them. The other suggestions I am seeing available more readily. Not that I wouldn't travel for the right car, but in this price range I wouldn't travel very far unless it was an incredible deal. I am in the Hudson Valley, NY.
NGTD
UberDork
3/14/18 10:54 a.m.
If the Forester isn’t rusty and the head gaskets have been done, which at 128K miles, I would expect they have, then it would suit you well. They are tough little rigs that will take quite a bit of abuse.
