Daily Driver Help!
 

Hi all, I am in a bit of pickle: I recently got a new job that require a lot of driving (at least 50-80 miles a day mostly through out eastern MA). So far,I've been driving my boxster which has been fun with the weather getting nice. But of course I don't wanna keep doing it; don't wanna add crazy miles on it. So, I'm in a the market for a daily driver. i wanna spend 5-7k cash. I'm posting to see if you y'all can help me narrow down my list because it's kind of ridiculous right now. i started with the wrx and mini cooper s, but have since looked at saabs, volvos, Audi's a4, g35x, and even honda civics and jettas. i really wanna a wrx because of the awd and practicality, but finding a decent one that has not been heavily modified or has 150k miles is like finding a needle in haystack. i actually considered trading in my boxster for a newer WRX but i change my mind every time i get behind the wheel of my boxster. Don't think I can live w/out the Thrill! lol So, decided to just get a second car: My main three concerns are 1) I want something that is still fun to drive (stick shift is fine); 2) I want reliability and not too expensive to maintain; and 3) mpg in the 20s hopefully. Please Help!

MK3 golf that's what I daily :)

since you mentioned it, what's MK3? what does it stand for? Can you explain the different volkswagen model? the golf v jetta? gti? etc. I only know the R32. Thanks by the way.

Mk3 Golf/Jetta, sold in North America 1993-1999
Mk4 Golf/Jetta, 1999.5-2005
Mk5 Jetta 2005.5-2010
Mk5 Rabbit (Golf) 2006-2010 (North America)
GTI is a trimline of the Golf (like an S model, sort of), while the GLI is a similar trim to the Jetta.

Keep the 7k and save it to put down on a lower miles Boxster in a few years and enjoy your daily commute in your Boxster.

You bought it for the fun of driving so why not get that joy daily...how much is that worth?

I look forward to my morning and evening drive every day.

That's not a bad idea, any car you can buy for 5-7K is going to have some issues. Especially the ones you list, which aren't low priced econo-cars.

Why are you east coasters afraid to put a little mileage on your cars?
50- 80 miles commute is nothing, that's only a little less than 12-20k a year.
I'd put the 7k in the bank and save it for emergencies.
Otherwise sell the boxster and buy something newer that makes you feel more comfortable in winter months.

I'm agreeing with the peeps suggesting that you just use and enjoy the Boxster. It's not as if you're preserving its value by keeping the miles off it.

I run two vehicles, but it's a winter-summer thing. By mid-winter I wouldn't be able to get the Boxster out of the back alley, thanks to the less-than-stellar snow plowing efforts by the unionized DF'ers working for our city. My other vehicle is a Mazda B4000 truck. Don't know how I'd get by without it. I frequently have large objects and yard waste to move, and the 4WD is sure nice to have in the winter, given the situation with the aforementioned puppy makers.

Thanks for the input everyone! i'm in similar position as mark (better yet even worst). My car has a body kit and wheels (i know ... my stupid move in the first place lol). it's barely pratical for a daily drive to the office and back... now that i have travel all over MA, i just don't see how i can drive it everywhere. Case in point, i cracked the bottom of my front lip in a pothole in Boston. Getting into most parking lots is nearly impossible because of the high ramps. Let's not even begin discussing the winter months with snow driving. So, it's either second car or byebye boxster (letting go of it would be a heart break, but i've done it in the past - had to sell beloved m3 a few years ago).

what other option?
 

Steve, which low priced econo-car do u suggest?

I highly recommend a Mini Cooper S. However, with only 5-7k to spend, you'd be lucky to get a set of fronts seats for that.

I'm not sure I have any recommendations, though my wife's RSX S has been great (the ride's a bit choppy). I haven't been in the market for many years. I think the main point was that you will be able to get a car in better condition if you look for one that had a low initial sticker price.

It reads that you have your heart set on a WRX. If you can't locate a suitable one, you may want to consider any of the other AWD Subarus. They're great cars to have during a New England winter.

As a DD/commuter car, the Honda Civic is also very good. The later wedge types can be had at a reasonable price. 100K mile examples are almost considered to be new. If you get one, resolve any issues immediately, and the car will perform flawlessly with minimum maintenance. Oil and filter changes, tire rotation, etc. Just the basic stuff. After that, they're like hair dryers. When you want use it, just turn it on, and it works. Plus the gas mileage is super. 35-40 MPG easily.

TO

CVstarBoxster I guess having the kit on there makes you twice as likely to scrape on ramps? I scraped my bumper on a ramp once when I first got my car and I was not happy.

I would steer clear of the Cooper...Don't get me wrong, it is a great car and a lot of fun to drive. However, once you get outside the factory maintenance the car is a fortune to maintain.

Driving that many miles go with any VW with a diesel.

I'll second the Mini Cooper S! My 2002 has been very reliable. And as Johnny knows, chicks dig Danger Yellow.

Ok I commute INTO Boston everyday from out past Worcester. I currently do it in an '03 new Beetle Convertible. When you say all over eastern Ma, where exactly are you talking? Up and down 95/128 or 93 all day? I've done the pike for 20 years. I did it for 5 years in a 914, 5 years in a 944, 2 in a 951. I switched over to a Jetta for commuting until I totaled it and bought the bug. Not near as fun as any of the Porsche's. But more comfortable and gas friendly when sitting in our lovely MASS-hole traffic. Think about the type of driving you'll be doing.

Between the Danger Yellow, and TH's good looks, it's a formula for fatal attractions.

Yep! And i'm pretty good at going sideways to climb in and out. But sometimes it's impossible. and it's very incovenient.

how many miles on your cooper? Believe it or not i've seen many 02-03s going for around 6-7k with around 100k miles (more or less). is yours under warranty? how is the maintenance?

i live in Boston and my office is Copley. I have been to courts in Worcester, New Bedford, Framingham, Salem, Woburn and others... may go as far as springfield... so mainly 93, 95 and Pike.

He knows his vws

I feel ya. I'm taking a new job starting in July. My POS truck will not make the 45 mile commute so the Boxster will become my daily driver starting next week. I'm not looking forward to putting 100 miles a day on my car that previously only saw about 3-4k miles a year, but I'm kind of out of options.

Luckily, in December, I'll be purchasing my father's Chrysler 300 so hopefully, I won't have to worry about salt. (Please hold off Chicago winter!) Also I think I have just enough tire left to get me to December and I'll still have under 100k on the odometer. Barely.

I think the Acura EL is the ultimate commuter car- if, low cost and comfort are your needs. There's a lot of cars I'd rather drive but they all cost a lot more to buy and run. To me there's important and unimportant miles. I drive the Porsche for those that count most.

My other car is a MINI - love that car and it always makes me smile when I drive it.

Since you are in MA, go talk to Pete at Greasy's Garage in Worcester. This is the guy in NE for MINIs. In fact, he has just fixed one up and will be selling it soon.

The best year for MINIs is '06 - last year for the R53. The new R56 model engines just suck. Since I bought my '05 I have been slowly modding it from 180HP up to over 200. Maintenance is not bad, especially when compared to Porsche, and again, Pete is the guy when you need to get it fixed.

PM me if you have any questions on MINIs. I can give you some good hints.

Also, check out Mass Motoring club website as well. Great group of guys.

I also have a MINI Cooper S (2006) as my daily driver and it is great. My commute is about 15 miles each way and for that distance it is perfect. That said, if you have a long all-highway commute I think it might wear on you - the MINIs are fairly high-strung and not that comfortable just droning along on the interstate. And as been said before, $5-7K won't get you a good example if you can find one at all in that price range. I'm going to side with the others who are thinking "winter beater" and for the money a Subaru AWD is hard to beat for economy and fun.

I have an '04 BMW 325i that I use as my daily driver. I usually do anywhere from 80 to 150 miles a day her in Va. and MD. I currently have 139k on her and she is running strong. Knock on wood!