Commuter car suggestions??

[Buoy]

With the new job, I'm running 60+ miles round trip every day. The time isn't bothering me, but, in the 3/4 ton Avalanche with the 8.1 ltr it's killing me. It's got to be about $120 a week just to and from... I love the truck, and will never get rid of it.
I need to get a little beater car.
I'm thinking something used, old, but still a bit cool...
Mazda RX7 is crossing my mind - have those always had the Wenkel motor?? (sp?). Maybe a mini convertible? I don't want too spend much, and I don't have kids to haul around, so I'm just looking for something a bit fun that could be my daily driver to the office.
Sand rail dune buggy? - I only want to spend 3-4K, beat the hell out of it for a few years, and then buy another.
Any suggestions?

 

[fund razor]

I had an RX7. There is a reason that they are now rare. Steer clear.

Most fun stuff gets crappy mileage. That applies to boats too.

 

[MacGyver]

I always liked the Saturn Sky Roadster.


Oooops, never mind. I missed the 3-4 grand part

 

[Bobcat]

There is a GEO Tracker down here for a grand,new clutch.

ROAD TRIP :hurray:

 

[teamsynergy]

I was in the same deal... found a 09 jetta tdi fully loaded with low miles. Flew out to NY to pick it.. not only does it get 45mpg, it looks sharp and is FUN to drive!!! Granted I only wanted to spend 10k or so but they were asking 23k for it and I drove it home for 17k out the door... :hurray:

 

[Ratickle]

The TDI's are all keepers if you don't mind driving an import, (I won,t do that yet).

Sandrails in Arizona in the summer are hot bastages (But I miss the one I had when I lived in Oregon), I'd look for something with air instead......

Probably the only thing decent for that price range would be an 03 or so Malibu with mileage in the low 100000's. The Fusions are in the 6's and above.

Met anyone out there who can get you into the local dealers auto auction?

 

[Griswald]

I was looking for a commuter recently too and found an 02 Impala with the 3800 for $2500. Gets 22mpg and isn't a bad car at all

 

[teamsynergy]

The TDI's are all keepers if you don't mind driving an import, (I won,t do that yet).

Sandrails in Arizona in the summer are hot bastages (But I miss the one I had when I lived in Oregon), I'd look for something with air instead......

Probably the only thing decent for that price range would be an 03 or so Malibu with mileage in the low 100000's. The Fusions are in the 6's and above.

Met anyone out there who can get you into the local dealers auto auction?

Actually... just because its a volkswagen, doesn't mean its an import. Mine was made in mexico lol... the wagons are made in germany..

 

[Ratickle]

Actually... just because its a volkswagen, doesn't mean its an import. Mine was made in mexico lol... the wagons are made in germany..

So far I've just stayed away from imports. Even Audi's and VW's; and my brother and his family have lived in Germany for the past 30 years.

 

[Buoy]

The TDI's are all keepers if you don't mind driving an import, (I won,t do that yet).

Sandrails in Arizona in the summer are hot bastages (But I miss the one I had when I lived in Oregon), I'd look for something with air instead......

Probably the only thing decent for that price range would be an 03 or so Malibu with mileage in the low 100000's. The Fusions are in the 6's and above.

Met anyone out there who can get you into the local dealers auto auction?

I'm actually thinking the sandrail may be the way to go - or an old school fiberglass tub VW dune buggy. I want something fun, but will also make a good commuter - the heat isn't bothering me. Motorcycles are OUT. I had a Harley a few years ago, and I realized I'm just not comfortable on a bike.

 

[fund razor]

I was looking for a commuter recently too and found an 02 Impala with the 3800 for $2500. Gets 22mpg and isn't a bad car at all

That was a good buy.

 

[fund razor]

So far I've just stayed away from imports. Even Audi's and VW's; and my brother and his family have lived in Germany for the past 30 years.

I have a MB 560sl, but I don't drive it to Detroit for meetings. Although I'm sure it would be ok in Grosse Pointe. I have tried to stay with US brands because of the direct link to the auto industry that some of my constituents have.
I drive the Malibu to meetings. I picked up a used 2007 back in 2007 and now have 97,000 miles on it. Finally did the rotors last week. All in all... the cheapest car I have ever owned per mile. Gets 34mpg hwy at 70ish mph. Averages around 26mpg. I'd like a CTS though.

 

[rchevelle71]

I run 80 miles round trip every day, running a 1999 Mustang V-6 convertible, turned 194,000 miles today, not the best mileage, but not the worst.

 

[rschap1]

I have had the best luck with Taraus'es. I have had a couple and a couple wagons now. 120 miles daily for me. The wagon were so f'ing handy I could not believe it. I always had Expeditions and a utility trailer too, but you can fit a TON of stuff inside those wagons and on the roof rack. 3.0 v-6s got me about 24 mpg while I drive 75-80. Those were a 1996 and 2001. Now I drive the wife's old Grand Prix. 2000 with 3800 and nearing 180,000 miles. I get 22-25 depending on weather and my speeds. that has been a good car too, but I got pretty used to the goofy old ugly wagons and how handy they were.

 

[old377guy]

I have had the best luck with Taraus'es. I have had a couple and a couple wagons now. 120 miles daily for me. The wagon were so f'ing handy I could not believe it. I always had Expeditions and a utility trailer too, but you can fit a TON of stuff inside those wagons and on the roof rack. 3.0 v-6s got me about 24 mpg while I drive 75-80. Those were a 1996 and 2001. Now I drive the wife's old Grand Prix. 2000 with 3800 and nearing 180,000 miles. I get 22-25 depending on weather and my speeds. that has been a good car too, but I got pretty used to the goofy old ugly wagons and how handy they were.

I'd had 6 Taurus Wagons; my 1992 and 1993 approached 31 mpg on the highway (60mph) taking it very easy

 

[fund razor]

Looked on autotrader using 4k maximum and your zip code. 330 vehicles came up.

There were several Fieros, so I am sure that it is now just a matter of which Fiero.

 

[Bobcat]

:ack2::ack2::ack2::ack2:

 

[Buoy]

Looked on autotrader using 4k maximum and your zip code. 330 vehicles came up.

There were several Fieros, so I am sure that it is now just a matter of which Fiero.

OK, confessional time here...
I actually didn't mind the look of the Fiero.
But they are so f-in small, I don't think I could pick up a case of beer on the way home.
Just going back to a smaller car is gonna be tough for me. The Avalanche is a large vehicle, prior to this I had a Chevy 1500, and a Chevy 3500 Dually. I even feel a bit cramped in my wife's Hummer H3.
A wagon is probably a logical move, but a hard pill to swallow.
What I should really look for is a '69 convertible Dodge Dart with a six-banger (my first car was a '69 Dart GT with a 318). That would satisfy two of my wants.
Out here, cars last forever. Hell, I cross paths with at least 3-4 original VW bugs and mini-busses every week...

 

[fund razor]

Yeah, they have some cool junkyard/car lots out there.

Sound to me like you need two cars. One for cheap transportation and one for fun.

 

[Buoy]

Yeah, they have some cool junkyard/car lots out there.

Sound to me like you need two cars. One for cheap transportation and one for fun.

I can't be buying another 2 cars until the outbuilding is built.
I've got an area off the circular (dirt) driveway that drops off down into a wash (about a 40' drop). I'm eventually going to build a "toy box" (all glass - think about the Ferrari garage in Ferris Bueller) that cantilevers out over the wash a bit. But, that could easily be 5-10 years down the road. I plan on also putting a guest living area/Mother-in-law apartment.
Soooooo...
For right now I need to consider a beater vehicle that I can commute in that will allow me to save some gas money that I can eventually spend on the "toy box"...

Wow, this is starting to sound like the whole story of "there's a hole in the bucket"...