Miata Replacment... suggestions?

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12-31-2008, 04:45 AM
MadMonkey

Miata Replacment... suggestions?

Following up my Hauler thread and keeping in the spirit of updating my garage, I'm now looking for suggestions on a replacement for my Miata.

It's not sold yet, in fact I haven't even posted an ad (it's my only vehicle at the moment).

But, I figure it's about time to get something else. It's had a good run and somebody else needs to enjoy it for a while. I'm sure I'll get another in the future.

Again, as with the van I'm looking to spend about $4000, preferably less.

Here's what I need:

1. Reliable

Obviously this is a big issue with me :D The Miata has given me VERY few issues, and it only stranded me once (when I ran out of gas). I'd like my next car to be somewhere near that level of reliability although I doubt I'll top it.

2. Economical

Another biggie... this will be my new DD, so I need decent mileage for running around the Metromess (my darn hobbies keep me busy). Nothing crazy, but over 30mpg on the freeway is fine.

3. Reasonably sporty

I'm not looking for another autocross car although I wouldn't mind being able to take it to an event now and then to get a fix. 4-door is fine, I just don't want something terribly ugly ;)

No real preference on auto or manual tranny. I can put up with either.

4. Fairly new

Preferably 1999+.

A few I've been looking at... Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda Civic, Eclipse, Celica, blah blah blah (yes, I know they don't fit the definition of "sporty", but whatever).

How's the reliability of Mitsubishi cars? I found a nice 2002 Lancer for $2550 on Craigslist but I know very little about them.... it had 166k, not sure if that's a "scary point" for them or not.

Thanks for any info :D
12-31-2008, 05:59 AM
cam76034

1 Attachment(s)

Deja vu
12-31-2008, 06:07 AM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam76034

Deja vu

Say what now?

Last thread I posted was for an Integra replacement to haul airplanes. This is for a DD.
12-31-2008, 06:18 AM
cam76034

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

How's the reliability of Mitsubishi cars? I found a nice 2002 Lancer for $2550 on Craigslist but I know very little about them.... it had 166k, not sure if that's a "scary point" for them or not.

Thanks for any info :D

Interference engine

http://www.gates.com/part_locator/in...cation_id=3598
12-31-2008, 06:40 AM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam76034

Interference engine

http://www.gates.com/part_locator/in...cation_id=3598

So the first thing to do would be replace the timing belt on a Mitsubishi?
12-31-2008, 07:11 AM
cam76034

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

So the first thing to do would be replace the timing belt on a Mitsubishi?

Depends on when it was last done. If the seller had documentation proving it had been done recently, say 10 or 20K, I wouldn't worry about it. Otherwise I'd be adding in the expense of a TB change as part of the overall cost of the deal. Don't know if it would be worth it on a 160K Mitsubishi.:confused:
12-31-2008, 08:30 AM
Radio-Active

My past experience with Mitsubishi's would tend to lean with 160k being about the overhaul time on the engine. The 2.6L G54b I-4 and the 3.0 v6 were the engines I had experience with. They were both 80's models and early 90's models.

I would suggest a Nissan Maxima or Toyota Camery if you are looking for longevity in a larger car.
12-31-2008, 08:41 AM
altiain

Instead of buying two sub $4k crapwagons, why don't you pool the money from the sale of both cars and buy one nicer, newer, and potentially much lower maintenance vehicle? In the current economic climate, you'd be surprised what you can buy for $8k.
12-31-2008, 08:48 AM
MadMerv

THat's a WAY too logical idea.......... :)
12-31-2008, 08:59 AM
POS Racing

+1!!

Stupid Monkey!
12-31-2008, 09:07 AM
HudsonHawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio-Active

I would suggest a Nissan Maxima or Toyota Camery if you are looking for longevity in a larger car.

I know you are not looking for new but the Camery we looked at while car shopping had a HUGE trunk. I am not a small man and you could have put 2 of me in there. And with fold down rear seats you could probably put your planes in there without a problem.
12-31-2008, 09:16 AM
Miatamoto

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

Instead of buying two sub $4k crapwagons, why don't you pool the money from the sale of both cars and buy one nicer, newer, and potentially much lower maintenance vehicle? In the current economic climate, you'd be surprised what you can buy for $8k.

I'm with Iain! My suggestion would be a Mazda Protege5. Nice looking car, fun to drive and cheap.
12-31-2008, 09:44 AM
redmenace

Who pays your insurance?
12-31-2008, 01:31 PM
CosmosMpower

This might work for you, and may even fit in your budget! Perfect bling for a former mall cop

http://www.foundshit.com/images/hummer-golf-cart.jpg
12-31-2008, 06:06 PM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

Instead of buying two sub $4k crapwagons, why don't you pool the money from the sale of both cars and buy one nicer, newer, and potentially much lower maintenance vehicle? In the current economic climate, you'd be surprised what you can buy for $8k.

You mean like the $3200 "crapwagon" Miata that hasn't had an issue, or the $2200 Integra that stranded me only once due to a bad coil? :rolleyes:

$4000 can buy a decent vehicle... I need something large to carry planes (and it more than likely won't get great mileage) and something that gets good mileage for a DD. Both are for completely different purposes but both are a safety net in case one of them has issues... which I like, and it's worked for me in the past.

HudsonHawk, did the older Camry have a giant trunk and folding seats like that? It could serve as my small-plane hauler when I'm driving to a more distant event. I've actually looked at them but didn't want to admit to researching 30-year-old-professional-mom-cars ;)

MiataMoto, I'd love a Protege5 but I don't want to spend a pile of money on a single car, nor do I want to go into debt.
12-31-2008, 06:26 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

You mean like the $3200 "crapwagon" Miata that hasn't had an issue, or the $2200 Integra that stranded me only once due to a bad coil? :rolleyes:

Dude, you asked for advice. I offered you some. If you don't like it, don't take it. But there's no need to mock me for offering a legitimate suggestion.
12-31-2008, 06:41 PM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by altiain

Dude, you asked for advice. I offered you some. If you don't like it, don't take it. But there's no need to mock me for offering a legitimate suggestion.

Sorry I snapped. But when somebody automatically assumes that a sub-$4k car is going to be a "crapmobile" I don't really take it as a compliment considering what I already drive.

Also, I don't know how many people would be willing to hand me the money for the Miata and then wait a few days for me to find another vehicle before turning the car over to them... otherwise I might consider it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio-Active

My past experience with Mitsubishi's would tend to lean with 160k being about the overhaul time on the engine. The 2.6L G54b I-4 and the 3.0 v6 were the engines I had experience with. They were both 80's models and early 90's models.

I would suggest a Nissan Maxima or Toyota Camery if you are looking for longevity in a larger car.

Thanks for the info. I'll look for something under 100k if I go that direction.
12-31-2008, 07:05 PM
HudsonHawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

did the older Camry have a giant trunk and folding seats like that? It could serve as my small-plane hauler when I'm driving to a more distant event. I've actually looked at them but didn't want to admit to researching 30-year-old-professional-mom-cars ;)

Honestly, I really don't know. I really have never looked at them before this year.
12-31-2008, 07:15 PM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonHawk

Honestly, I really don't know. I really have never looked at them before this year.

Okay. I'll have to check them out.

Or, I could always just buy an NB. I've been craving one for some reason but I can't find one in my price range except for a single green one on Craigslist... and it was automatic ::Rant::
12-31-2008, 07:18 PM
HudsonHawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

Okay. I'll have to check them out.

Or, I could always just buy an NB. I've been craving one for some reason but I can't find one in my price range except for a single green one on Craigslist... and it was automatic ::Rant::

Here is a 96 on craigslist with pics of the trunk. Looks big and it looks like the seats do fold down.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/ctd/975453831.html
12-31-2008, 07:26 PM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmenace

Who pays your insurance?

Was that directed at me? If so, I do... why?
12-31-2008, 07:55 PM
Radio-Active

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMonkey

Was that directed at me? If so, I do... why?

If you are like most you are paying about $50-60/month more in auto insurance. That calculates out to $600+ per year, which would take an awful lot of mileage to recoup the extra expenses of the second "economical" vehicle. In otherwords it might be wiser to buy a car that costs a bit more that has fewer miles/problems and is less economical than keeping around two less reliable cars that raises your insurance costs and maintenance costs. Just in case you do have a breakdown, save a little bit of money in a savings account for the day you may need to find a taxi or a rental car.
12-31-2008, 09:18 PM
MadMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio-Active

If you are like most you are paying about $50-60/month more in auto insurance. That calculates out to $600+ per year, which would take an awful lot of mileage to recoup the extra expenses of the second "economical" vehicle. In otherwords it might be wiser to buy a car that costs a bit more that has fewer miles/problems and is less economical than keeping around two less reliable cars that raises your insurance costs and maintenance costs. Just in case you do have a breakdown, save a little bit of money in a savings account for the day you may need to find a taxi or a rental car.

I only have liability on my cars... when I had both the Miata and Integra (both well over 160k) I paid $375 on my last bill (6 months). Would it be that much different?

With my budget, paying $4k is a "bit more". Previously I was looking in the $2500 range... baby steps, baby steps...
01-01-2009, 09:11 AM
creek

Buy a single vehicle that you like and buy or build a small enclosed trailer for your airplanes. I was heavy into RC at one time and owned a motorcycle and a Beetle as transportation. I carried a giant scale Corsair in a little "tire trailer" I pulled with the Beetle. I enclosed the trailer with plywood and fiberglass. Perfect, made to fit and I didn't have to load and unload everything to go fly.