What Should The Next Daily Driver Be?
- Thread starter FastDriver
- Start date
BK_CAULEY
it's built for speed not longevity, woman
I'll be back in the states next wednesday, and it's gonna be game on looking for my next DD. Looking for more thoughts. I'm 6'3" tall w/ a 36" inseam. Think I'll fit in any of these cars?
This is probably way out there and I don't expect many to agree, but if I had the cash and ability to put together a late '80s Dodge Caravan with SRT4 drivetrain, I absolutely 100% would do it. I have 2 kids and a minivan has obvious advantages for hauling the family around, and I think you could build something like that and do it well enough to counter the shame of driving a minivan in the first place. But, that's just me and I did DD a Merkur for 2 years, so I enjoy driving strange cars.
I don't, but 3 friends have the newer style Jetta TDI. They all love the car (they were all purchased new from dealer, no worries on timing chain or anything), and will never shut up about their mileage. All have been reliable, no $$$ into then aside from maintenance schedule/diesel/insurance/oil. All get driven lots too, my buddy tossed 18,000km in the first year, no non-warranty problems.
DocG
5th graders > me. They're not bant
on you
I just wanted to follow up:
I chose a pretty boring car, but I think it's the right choice for me:
2002 Saturn SL2 - Listed for $4,300. Sold for $3,300 + tax/tag/title/Documentation fee (roll eyes). Total out the door $3,608. I could have done better from a private party, but I've been looking for the right car for a month, and the search was not as easy as I'd imagined. NADA Retail was $3,750 & clean trade in was $2,275. KBB private party in Excellent/Very Good/Good condition was $3,017/$2,868/$2,793. KBB suggested retail/Fair Purchase Price: $3,833/$3,508. I feel it was right in the range.
Facts:
- Curb Weight ~2,400 lbs
- DOHC 1.9L 4cyl w/ 124hp
- 5 speed
- updated EPA fuel economy ratings: 23 city/34 highway
- Pretty loaded for the platform (cruise, power locks/windows/mirrors, traction control, ABS)
- Mileage: 71,788 miles
- 1 owner car from NY, clean title, carfax verified
Issues:
- Right rear window doesn't roll up (dealer said it was a clip and gave me the part)
- Horn switch, wiring, or fuse malfunction. The horn itself functions when tested directly, but can't be used from inside the car
- Dash cluster needles difficult to see at night - they don't illuminate, and although the back-light for the RPM and speed is there, there should also be an overhead lamp in the dash cluster illuminating them. No biggie to me. So probably not going to fix soon. Just a little harder to see.
- squeak from tensioner or accessory belt - annoying. Will fix ASAP, but doubt anything serious
- Driver's mirror power adjustment only works left to right, but not up and down. (just use the ol' thumbs for that adjustment ;-)
Recent repairs (according to dealer):
- Top motor mount replaced
- New front pads/rotors, turned rear drums and pads
- Maaco paint job
- Other stuff didn't matter to me
- "Wheel cylinder" WTF?
Pros:
- Love the fuel economy, which is higher than all the other cars on my list except the Corolla
- Twin-cam motor actually feels as punchy as the old BMW 318i that I had in Germany
- Happy to have fold down rear seats for extra storage room.
- Price in comparison to other vehicles
- A bit more leg room than the 318i should help on longer trips, though it is still not a car I can stretch out and really feel comfortable in. I'm 6'3" w/ a 36" inseam.
- Twin-cam's extra power and reputation as a little less problematic than the SOHC 1.9L is worth the 2 mpg difference
- Timing Chain (hate timing belts)
- Polymer body panels will never rust. (Still have to pay attention to undercarriage, but they are not prone to)
- I like the way it rides. The suspension seems tight and there are no abnormal noises.
Cons:
- Rear wheel drums (oh well... I'll have to live with them until my next DD, I guess)
- S-series cars are prone to burn oil
- Styling is bland and interior is cheap, but seems reasonably comfortable
- No Aux cable input for stereo (will upgrade ASAP)
I chose a pretty boring car, but I think it's the right choice for me:
2002 Saturn SL2 - Listed for $4,300. Sold for $3,300 + tax/tag/title/Documentation fee (roll eyes). Total out the door $3,608. I could have done better from a private party, but I've been looking for the right car for a month, and the search was not as easy as I'd imagined. NADA Retail was $3,750 & clean trade in was $2,275. KBB private party in Excellent/Very Good/Good condition was $3,017/$2,868/$2,793. KBB suggested retail/Fair Purchase Price: $3,833/$3,508. I feel it was right in the range.
Facts:
- Curb Weight ~2,400 lbs
- DOHC 1.9L 4cyl w/ 124hp
- 5 speed
- updated EPA fuel economy ratings: 23 city/34 highway
- Pretty loaded for the platform (cruise, power locks/windows/mirrors, traction control, ABS)
- Mileage: 71,788 miles
- 1 owner car from NY, clean title, carfax verified
Issues:
- Right rear window doesn't roll up (dealer said it was a clip and gave me the part)
- Horn switch, wiring, or fuse malfunction. The horn itself functions when tested directly, but can't be used from inside the car
- Dash cluster needles difficult to see at night - they don't illuminate, and although the back-light for the RPM and speed is there, there should also be an overhead lamp in the dash cluster illuminating them. No biggie to me. So probably not going to fix soon. Just a little harder to see.
- squeak from tensioner or accessory belt - annoying. Will fix ASAP, but doubt anything serious
- Driver's mirror power adjustment only works left to right, but not up and down. (just use the ol' thumbs for that adjustment ;-)
Recent repairs (according to dealer):
- Top motor mount replaced
- New front pads/rotors, turned rear drums and pads
- Maaco paint job
- Other stuff didn't matter to me
- "Wheel cylinder" WTF?
Pros:
- Love the fuel economy, which is higher than all the other cars on my list except the Corolla
- Twin-cam motor actually feels as punchy as the old BMW 318i that I had in Germany
- Happy to have fold down rear seats for extra storage room.
- Price in comparison to other vehicles
- A bit more leg room than the 318i should help on longer trips, though it is still not a car I can stretch out and really feel comfortable in. I'm 6'3" w/ a 36" inseam.
- Twin-cam's extra power and reputation as a little less problematic than the SOHC 1.9L is worth the 2 mpg difference
- Timing Chain (hate timing belts)
- Polymer body panels will never rust. (Still have to pay attention to undercarriage, but they are not prone to)
- I like the way it rides. The suspension seems tight and there are no abnormal noises.
Cons:
- Rear wheel drums (oh well... I'll have to live with them until my next DD, I guess)
- S-series cars are prone to burn oil
- Styling is bland and interior is cheap, but seems reasonably comfortable
- No Aux cable input for stereo (will upgrade ASAP)
Last edited:
DocG
5th graders > me. They're not bant
Nice and clean! Don't know much about the Saturns. Hope it doesn't explode at 100k!
