retiring mustang. help with economy dd

[pudman]

I've got a new job, and it's a good 60 mile one way commute in so. Cal gridlock. My ole faithful 86 gt vert has been my only mode of transportation for over 23+ yrs, and this new drive is just too much for her and myself. So I need to retire her, ( not get rid of ) and get me a 4 cyl economy automatic daily driver. Something that gets at least 30+ mpg. So I'm asking everyone for some suggestions on what to get. Not looking for new. Maybe around 1990-1995. As you can see by my sig my old mustang has been nothing but great to me. But this new venture is going to do her in. And me more so without an automatic, and better fuel economy. So I come to all my fellow stangers for some suggestions. I'm sure everyone here doesn't put that kinda mileage on their beloved mustangs. You all have steered me right in maintaining my baby, so I ask of you again

 

[50foxbody]

90 4 cyl mustang ha ha idk the mpg but would still be nice and good luck with the find

 

[EPIK]

Can't go wrong with a 90-93 Accord. They get great gas mileage, are very solid & reliable, comfortable, & cheap to fix. Plus they are readily available & you can get a clean one for $1,500-$2,500...

 

[Mustang5L5]

Budget??

Basically any honda, or even a focus or neon.

 

[pudman]

that's kinda what I was leaning towards....Honda or Toyota. If I get one of those would you guys still help me with my Mustang?

 

[DARCA]

90 4 cyl mustang ha ha idk the mpg but would still be nice and good luck with the find

This has my vote. Here in Big WA, I can get a 4 cyl from anywhere around$400-$1500. Thats what I would do.

 

[pudman]

how about I just quit and become a Stangnet moderator?

 

[50foxbody]

yea the only reason i say that is cuz im a mustang FREAK ha ha my dd is a GM only becuz i work for a GM dealer and get a killer discount . but besides that i would have ended up getting a 4 cyl mustang im thinking of getting my wife one since she doesnt like her neon cuz its a 5 speed ha ha

 

[1987LXragtop]

stay away from a neon..chrysler POS. Honda civic. cant go wrong. they last forever.

 

[50foxbody]

yes i agree with that we have been lucky with our neon though but not all are like this one i guess its the only good one they made ha ha

 

[1987LXragtop]

that's kinda what I was leaning towards....Honda or Toyota. If I get one of those would you guys still help me with my Mustang?

Yes. Hey my wife drives a Honda and my daily is a Dodge. Yeah I didnt stay away from POS chryslers. Wife honda has 80+ K miles on it and all ever done is tire brakes and oil.

 

[LarsD]

My Neon was alright, certainly no thrill to drive. Knocked down 30MPG even through stop and go (5 spd). Don't regret ditching it for my WRX though.

 

[S&B]

vw jetta diesel, 40+ mpg, but i dont know the budget.

 

[EPIK]

vw jetta diesel, 40+ mpg, but i dont know the budget.

I DD an 86 Jetta. Its not a diesel, but its very reliable, & gets 25-30mpg in stop & go traffic....

 

[nisreo]

If you need the room, get an accord, if not then a civic. Any of the mid 90's 4cyl honda motors are bulletproof.

 

[rbonella]

I would also consider a early -mid 90's toyota 4x4 truck, they are inexpensive, very useful, and with the 22re 4 cyl engine...run for ever!

 

[pudman]

I appreciate everyone's input. Between here and 4eyedpride I got quite a list. Going to start looking today. I will let you all know the end results.

 

[bentley429isBAC]

I just parked my truck last week and started driving my g/f's old car, 99 escort. She had it for about 3 years and I got her a new car so I am driving that bad boy. Never had any problems with it. Put about 50k on it, just change the oil, grease it and keep the filter clean. Prob should do plugs one day. You should be able to pick one up for $1500ish.

 

[rpk]

go with the 4cyl mustang. Replacement parts are cheap, and are readily available and in stock, try that with an import.You basically know all about the cars. And you can still customise it to look tasteful(like a 5.0) try THAT with an import!

 

[Decurion]

I have an 01 Focus zx3 that consistantly gets 30+ on the freeway, and thats at 85+ mph with the a/c blowin out ice cubes. If I slow down a bit and turn off the a/c its knocking on 40mpg. Thats with a 5 spd, so maybe a little less if you want an auto, but Ive put about 40K miles on it now for a total of 108k, and its done pretty well. For as reliable as people say Hondas are, I would still never buy one. The styling of the older ones looks like the designers only tool was a ruler, and here in the rust belt they like to rot. My g/f has an 02 civic, which to me was about when they started improving, but I would still take my Focus any day. I paid $5k for mine almost 4 years ago in above average condition, but I just saw a carbon copy of mine at a used car lot and the price posted was $4995, and it was a 2001. It could have been an auto with low miles which would of course raise its resale. Blue book is closer to 3500 for mine I think. Basically Im sayin keep it Ford.