Daily Driver - What would you recommend?

[NoPulp]

Going to ask the impossible question... What would you recommend for a daily?


I'll be graduating (MET) at the end of next month and I think its time to sell my 09 focus coupe. I would like an AWD or 4x4 vehicle , really the only fwd vehicle I'd be interested in is a super clean svt focus.

I don't think I want to buy a truck since I previously owned a supercharged f-150. Great truck and bullet proof, but I never really used it as a truck... so it didn't make sense to spend so much on gas. If I do find I need/want a truck it'll be an f-series.

I would prefer not to borrow money, or much money... so I think I'd like to stay under 10k... 12k max? I do all my maintenance/repairs myself, but I'd like something fairly reliable and not super expensive/hard to find for parts.




Requirements:
1. AWD/4x4 (SUV or Car)
2. Under $10k (12k max?)
3. Lower km (would depend on price... but would like under 150k. I don't think I'll consider anything over 180k). The lower the better.
4. Non GM... I think I'll consider anything but a GM.
5. No rust buckets. Condition is important to me. Even though it is a daily beater, I'm not buying a junker.
6. No rebuild titles
7. No RHD

Would be nice:
1. Sporty-ish.
2. Manual/ paddle shifters would be nice, not a requirement.
3. Power... Depends on size of car, but like 200hp? would be nice. Enough to reasonably pass someone on the highway lol.
4. Fuel economy, always nice but not a top priority.
5. Newer rather than older is better.
6. If AWD, it would be nice if it wasn't fwd bias. Really depends on the system design though.


I know this is really an open ended question...
What would you recommend?

This isn't a WTB thread, just a discussion to see if I missed a vehicle to consider.

Thanks!:thumbsup:

[Tik-Tok]

WRX?

[snowcat]

Graduate, get paid, Tesla.

[NoPulp]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
WRX?

A non rhd? Not sure if I've ever seen a decent priced "low" km wrx..

I should add no rhd to my requirements.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by NoPulp


A non rhd? Not sure if I've ever seen a decent priced low km wrx..

I should add no rhd to my requirements.

I picked my Saabaru up for under $12g, with less than 80k kms on it. Thing is freaking mint, even by my standards.

[lee88]

Toyota Tacoma or 4runner

[zipdoa]

I have a 6MT twin turbo station wagon with your name on it...

[killramos]

Now its not exactly sporty but older Ford Escape?

http://universalfordlincoln.com/used-2006-Ford-Escape-XLT-_U2059A.php

great winter car and has more room than your mustang for if you need to haul a couple buddies around. What i sent is just one example as a dealer.

Otherwise instead of wrx what about a hatchback impreza? Sure its not a race car but its sporty enough. Subaru's are pretty piss poor on gas though. They can definitely be found at your price range to.

[03ozwhip]

what about a TSX or an older(08ish) TL? They're great cars...

[killramos]

Originally posted by 03ozwhip
what about a TSX or an older(08ish) TL? They're great cars...

#1 requirement AWD...

TSX, nope

and considering they only started making awd TL's in '09...

[Sugarphreak]

...

[BavarianBeast]

The best awd sporty car I could find under $15k was a 2001 B5 S4.

Such a fun car. I have a 650hp M3 and the S4 is just as much fun to drive in the snow as the M3 is on pavement. Simple chip nets you 300hp/300tq. Quite a few available for $7-$12k. Beautiful interiors, looks great and they sound awesome with the 2.7 twin turbo engine.

[blitz]

As a new grad in this job environment I'd recommend sticking with the 09 Focus for a bit, especially since we're just heading into spring and you look to have a pretty nice summer car :)

[killramos]

^ a good point. The best time to buy yourself a graduation car is after holding your first job for the year.

Spend your "2015 Bonus" on it next spring.:bigpimp:

[EM2FTL]

Originally posted by BavarianBeast
The best awd sporty car I could find under $15k was a 2001 B5 S4.

Such a fun car. I have a 650hp M3 and the S4 is just as much fun to drive in the snow as the M3 is on pavement. Simple chip nets you 300hp/300tq. Quite a few available for $7-$12k. Beautiful interiors, looks great and they sound awesome with the 2.7 twin turbo engine.

Unless he's a Finance major a B5 S4 is a terrible option. Maintenance costs on those cars do not line up with a new grad's average income.

[NoPulp]

I've looked at escapes and fusions. Probably one of the best buys especially since I'm very familiar with fords. Boring, but at the same time a simple daily might be the best

Turbo Volvo.... No, especially with those KMs. I know they're built like tanks... But if something goes wrong...

Audi, I've researched them a lot. I'd be happy with a plain Jane audi. The maintenance cost is always a concern with German vehicles though...




Originally posted by blitz
As a new grad in this job environment I'd recommend sticking with the 09 Focus for a bit, especially since we're just heading into spring and you look to have a pretty nice summer car :)

This is probably what will happen, but I am planning on selling the focus right away... Cant stand fwd anymore, I don't want to do another winter of it. I'll just drive the mustang until I find the perfect deal. Also, I might have to travel to visit some projects and the mustang doesn't do gravel well. But I don't expect I'll travel much for the first few months.

[ExtraSlow]

Yep, get a job, pay some debts and accrue some savings for a year, than re-assess your needs and buy your "graduation" car at that point.

If you "must" do this now, you need to narrow down your preferences a little. There's everything from an AWD Fusion to MDX to Escape to . . . . in your price range.

Also, you may want to figure out how much you care about having "low" km's and what exactly that means to you. Sometimes a car with high kms will be in better shape. I personally don't worry about kms.


If you take off the KMs requirements, you can get into a bunch of different SUV's that are 2008 or newer.

[killramos]

Originally posted by NoPulp
Also, I might have to travel to visit some projects and the mustang doesn't do gravel well. But I don't expect I'll travel much for the first few months.

If you are talking about travelling on gravel roads for work they likely wont even let you use your own car even if it was a brand new raptor. Liability and insurance issues. They would give you a company truck or let you rent one.

[SKR]

It's got 171,000km on it, but there's a 2003 Mercury Marauder on Autotrader in Calgary for $8500. That's what I would recommend.

[ExtraSlow]

If you might be putting a lot of miles on gravel, don't buy anything nice, just find yourself an Explorer and go to town. I personally have never lived the ride in the Escape, I much prefer larger vehicles on rough roads.

[NoPulp]

I appreciate the financial advice, but I'm really not asking for it... I'm well aware what I "should" do.



Originally posted by killramos


If you are talking about travelling on gravel roads for work they likely wont even let you use your own car even if it was a brand new raptor. Liability and insurance issues. They would give you a company truck or let you rent one.

Its all personal vehicles and it wont be much traveling. They'll likely just put me in someone else truck usually.

[schocker]

AWD & cheaper I would likely go subaru then make $$$ and get an audi :D

Volvo are not too bad but the cheaper ones have tons of KM. They are fairly easy to work on as you are obviously mechanically inclined. S60, V70 etc.

[Neil4Speed]

How about this, Infiniti M35x

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2006-infiniti-m35h-m35x-sedan/1056322267?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Edit: it has a rebuild status, but at that price range you should be able to get one that doesn't

[NoPulp]

Originally posted by SKR
It's got 171,000km on it, but there's a 2003 Mercury Marauder on Autotrader in Calgary for $8500. That's what I would recommend.

Rwd boat lol. Would love a marauder though, especially at that price.

[bjstare]

Originally posted by Neil4Speed
How about this, Infiniti M35x

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2006-infiniti-m35h-m35x-sedan/1056322267?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Edit: it has a rebuild status, but at that price range you should be able to get one that doesn't

Along the same lines, you might be able to find an 07 g35x sedan. RWD based awd system, all the updates of the G37 sedan except engine. Updated 3.5L (previous year had oil consumption).

The only reason I suggest this over the M35, is the M35 is a fuckin boat. The G35 is.... a smaller boat. haha

[NoPulp]

I do like G series.
I would love a g37xs, but that's out of the price range at this time. Might look out for a 35x

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by cjblair


Along the same lines, you might be able to find an 07 g35x sedan. RWD based awd system, all the updates of the G37 sedan except engine. Updated 3.5L (previous year had oil consumption).

The only reason I suggest this over the M35, is the M35 is a fuckin boat. The G35 is.... a smaller boat. haha


Thats a good idea actually, the updated 07 and above G37's are really nice.

[03ozwhip]

Originally posted by killramos


#1 requirement AWD...

TSX, nope

and considering they only started making awd TL's in '09...
lol I've been doing this a lot lately haha I gotta go back to school think and RTFQ

[riander5]

Originally posted by 03ozwhip

lol I've been doing this a lot lately haha I gotta go back to school think and RTFQ

I was just gonna say this seems to happen a lot haha

[snowcat]

I like the acuras. Honda reliability with leather.

[SKR]

Originally posted by NoPulp


Rwd boat lol. Would love a marauder though, especially at that price.

Whoops, I read your original post as considering RWD cars.

I might just go get it myself.

[Graham_A_M]

^ yeah man.... Shit I love those things. I worked at ford when they came out, and wow did I ever want one back then. Still do today

[dirtsniffer]

Originally posted by SKR
It's got 171,000km on it, but there's a 2003 Mercury Marauder on Autotrader in Calgary for $8500. That's what I would recommend.

Crazy. When I saw this thread yesterday it actually reminded me of this car. I looked on auto trader and they are going for more than I thought. Cool car though. Only 1 for sale in town I think.

[tehwegz]

Suzuki SX4 AWD
Toyota Matrix AWD
Impreza 2.5RS
Forester
Subaru SVX
KIA Sportage (early 2000s dirt cheap with reliable FE3 Mazda engines)
Chevy Tracker/Suzuki Sidekick
RAV/CRV
300/Charger
P72 Vic, Marauder, Towncar

uh, Jeep?

[downtime]

I am in the same boat as you but I want something with a hatchback.Have you considered a Nissan murano or infiniti x45?or lower end the xterra or x trail?I am currently thinking about the murano myself.

[ByTeMe]

Impreza, regular or WRX (obviously wrx if its a good one). Love my Subaru

[flipstah]

2004 Mitsubishi Outlander. Just basing it under 'requirements'.

A WRX is also nice.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

With a little patience you should be able to get an early 300C AWD for under 12K and with around 125,000km on the clock.

[M.alex]

03/04 cobra.

best daily driver ever. screw AWD and your other requirements :burnout:

[JustinL]

I've always found the Subaru Baja to be an interesting vehicle:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/2003-subaru-baja-sport-pickup-truck-awd/1040362863?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true