So I hate driving my cavalier, need high mpgs and something moderately cool

[pOrk]

I seriously HATE this car, is feels / drives / handles like shit and 27 mpg ain't enough for all the driving that I've been doing. I also HATE how this car looks. I'd like to find something that gets in the high 30's or low 40's that could look half way decent and be reliable. Auto or stick

I do like diesel vw's but cant find them cheap enough and not sure I want to dive into something with 250k miles since the maint. on these cars is far from cheap. Any suggestions?

[pOrk]

Oh yea, trying to stay less then 5 grand if possible, not sure if this is possible anymore as the used car market is seriously sucking

[DynoTom]

Oh yea, trying to stay less then 5 grand if possible, not sure if this is possible anymore as the used car market is seriously sucking


I agree with you on that Pork ! I have been looking at used cars and trucks for 6 months now and the whole freaking market really sucks....

[DerangedPony]

Focus ST or SVT? Contour SVT?

[UnderPSI]

My dad just got a 2007 Toyota Matrix XR with 62,000mi on it for $5500. Fun car to drive. Fairly fast too. Gets 38mpg. I would get one as a daily driver in a heartbeat, doesn't look too bad.

[pOrk]

Brad, your dad stole it at 5500. http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/2821283723.html 144k miles for 6500, lol

[pOrk]

Focus St gets that good of fuel mileage? I thought they were 27/31

[Nickerz]

Your budget is too low for anything decent. I just did this search with $7500 for a new daily driver and decided to keep my shitbox. Everything I saw was ROUGH ROUGH ROUGH in that range.

[GTSLOW]

I seriously HATE this car, is feels / drives / handles like shit and 27 mpg ain't enough for all the driving that I've been doing. I also HATE how this car looks. I'd like to find something that gets in the high 30's or low 40's that could look half way decent and be reliable. Auto or stick

I do like diesel vw's but cant find them cheap enough and not sure I want to dive into something with 250k miles since the maint. on these cars is far from cheap. Any suggestions?

:rolf quiter...... I got my TDI for $1,600 @170k with a full set of struts and shocks. Sold those for $200 used the money to fix some small leaks and I had a reliable <$2k 50mpg car. It did the Madison to Milwaukee drive probably 200 times and just drove to NC. pulling 51mpg. Deals are out there and they are bad ass. Just stay away from the auto TDI's. Also timing belts jobs are far from expensive when you do it yourself. Or find a local TDI Guru to do the job for FAR less than a stealership. Oh and the stock clutch lasted 200,000 miles.

It was going to be a simple winter beater that ended up being so much more.

Club TDI Cars Forsale/Wanted (http://forums.tdiclub.com/forumdisplay.php?f=51)

Fooberts TDI Hunt (http://www.foobert.com/carhunt.html) <- all TDI CL ad's updated regularly.

[DerangedPony]

I was able to get 34 mpg with mostly HWY miles without trying to hard (ST uses Reg. vs. the SVT's Premium gas only). For the price your looking at, it will be next to impossible to get anything that matches all of your criteria 100%. My wife has a 2007 Focus SES hatchback with the 2.0 which will fall into your MPG range. Throw on some SVT wheels, it will look kinda cool.

[BoosTT]

Volster... but that's like $20k.

[UnderPSI]

The Toyota Matrix my dad got was listed on Craigs list for $7,000 and he talked the guy down to 5500 lol. The car is really nice and I still think I would consider getting one for my self. It looks like they hold their value pretty decent by the one you showed me. Might be worth spending a little extra. I know what you mean about the TDI's I have been looking for a nice one for a while and they are all so expensive.

[GHOSST]

Damn, I'm in the market for a cavy... that sucks. Guess I'm on to something else.

[WhatsADSM]

Yea that's gonna be tough... Not really sure what vehicle to recommend?! Maybe an older civic ex, but then again they are nothing to look at :(

And yes that 07 matrix was highway robbery at $5500.

[MY FYN 79]

What are the specs on your Cavalier?

I dont believe I've ever gotten that bad of mileage with any of mine, and I've owned a lot. My current automatic 04 LS sport sedan Cav gets 28 mpg if the only run I do is the short back and forth to work. Gets over 30 if I do a few longer runs into town, and came just shy of 34 when I made a run upnorth.

[GHOSST]

What are the specs on your Cavalier?

I dont believe I've ever gotten that bad of mileage with any of mine, and I've owned a lot. My current automatic 04 LS sport sedan Cav gets 28 mpg if the only run I do is the short back and forth to work. Gets over 30 if I do a few longer runs into town, and came just shy of 34 when I made a run upnorth.

You got the 2.2 Eco?

I was looking into getting a cavy, because I don't have a DD and we have 2 gas guzzlers. But my buddy has a 99' 2.2 and loves the gas mileage, but he said to stay away from the Eco, stuff breaks, an isn't easy to fix.

[Prince Valiant]

Find an older Pontiac vibe..same as the matrix but usually cheaper. Wife has got one, 06 with auto...usually. gets 32-35 mpg,and can prob find for cheaper than the matrix. Good car...

Think. U can get as old as an 04

[GTSLOW]

Find an older Pontiac vibe..same as the matrix but usually cheaper. Wife has got one, 06 with auto...usually. gets 32-35 mpg,and can prob find for cheaper than the matrix. Good car...

Think. U can get as old as an 04

Those thing's have got to be the gayest thing next to a PT cruiser. The Matrix looks better than the Vibe.

[twicks69]

2002 Saturn sc2 twin cam. 35-39mpg for the last 100k miles with no trans or engine work other than a fresh clutch (to replace the original defective pressure plate; it still looked new at 90k miles LOL), a serpentine belt, a set of plugs and an air filter. This car is notorious for failing wheel bearings, but they are easy to do and cheap for parts.

You should be able to find one around 2-3k, and they are relatively quick. Way faster than my 05 Subaru Outback limited auto.

Tim Zimmer via Evo Phone

[wrath]

I had an 08 G5 with a 2.2L and manual. Beating on it in the city it got 25mpg. At 80mph it got 34mpg. Took it on a so-called Wisconsin highway tour and average 41mpg. Only had it for its first 6600 miles so I don't know if it got better or worse with age. The interior was cheap, but not Cobalt or Toylet cheap. But for $12k out the door, what do you expect?

I never liked J-bodies but in my experience the tires that were on it made the biggest difference. Jank $50/tire rubber at Pep Girls does it no favors but if you were to spend $120/tire on something decent it made them tolerable.

If all you've got is enough to purchase a single white mother mobile or a ghetto cruiser then that's all you're going to get.

[MY FYN 79]

You got the 2.2 Eco?

I was looking into getting a cavy, because I don't have a DD and we have 2 gas guzzlers. But my buddy has a 99' 2.2 and loves the gas mileage, but he said to stay away from the Eco, stuff breaks, an isn't easy to fix.

Yup, got the Ecotec. In 2002 there were 3 engine options (2200 OHV, 2.4TC, 2200 Ecotec), after 2002 its all Eco.

I'm still on the fence about the Eco. It seems like a decent engine thus far (just turned 90K on mine), but there are a couple fixes you can do to help it out. The upside is that SO many cars used this engine, I always tell myself if something internal happens to the engine I'll just swap a different one in. As for working on the ECO, its really no different than any other DOHC engine.

I honestly prefer the 98-02 2200 OHV myself. Its not quite as efficient or powerful as the Eco, but its just rock solid. Problem is that the supply of those cars is starting to dry up. If you want a better looking car like a Z24 or LS sport, the 2.4TC or Eco are your only options.

Wrath, which J-body are you referring to?

[wrath]

Wrath, which J-body are you referring to?

All of them, but especially the 95ups. The older crap including the cimmaron just handled like crap anyway.

[That_Guy]

You got the 2.2 Eco?

I was looking into getting a cavy, because I don't have a DD and we have 2 gas guzzlers. But my buddy has a 99' 2.2 and loves the gas mileage, but he said to stay away from the Eco, stuff breaks, an isn't easy to fix.


Disagree. I replaced the motor in my cobalt for 1300 dollars. I started at 8 am and had the hood back on the car at 4 pm. The ecotec is solid as hell.

[Reverend Cooper]

the 96 corolla i got literally for 500 bux put about 350 into it gets 36 to 39 mpg when i drive like a retard it still gets 33-34 air is ice cold,has abs and power everything.i love it.

[GTSLOW]

Eric here is the TDI you'd be perfect in......

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ctd/2756670039.html

Or a sweet Mercedes I5 Diesel wagon:

http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/2770010163.html

[Lash]

You got the 2.2 Eco?

I was looking into getting a cavy, because I don't have a DD and we have 2 gas guzzlers. But my buddy has a 99' 2.2 and loves the gas mileage, but he said to stay away from the Eco, stuff breaks, an isn't easy to fix.

Your friend is full of shit.

[BR3W CITY]

idk, my girlfriend has had 2 cavy's both were great for throw away cars. She drove hers about 8 yrs (hs and college) and then gave it to her brother. Literally the only maintenance it ever had was CHEAP oil and brakes. Build quality on body and inerior was crap tho. She moved to a Mazda 3 but it was much more expensive.

P0rk, if you remember Todd Colondro; he's been daily driving a Toyota Echo and freaking LOVES that thing. near 40mpg. Ugly tho.

[GTSLOW]

Please delete

[GHOSST]

Your friend is full of shit.

Yea my friend is full of shit,

but the fact still remains "That_Guy" still had to have the motor replaced. Right? Ok.

My buddy just said go for the 2.2's that don't break over anything ecotec.

[Slow5oh]

although an SVT is a fun daily, the gas mileage isn't there and it takes 93.

[michelle]

Buy a SHO!

[BadAzzGTA89]

I get 34mpg in the buick on the freeway!

[Prince Valiant]

Those thing's have got to be the gayest thing next to a PT cruiser. The Matrix looks better than the Vibe.So one is a 4 door hatchback, 2 box shape with a Toyota shaped grille....and the other is a 4 door hatchback, 2 box shape with a pontiac grille...and it looks gay? Really nate? :alcoholic

The basic truth is there really isn't much difference b/w the otherwise mechanically identical vehicles in terms of looks, much less enough enough of one to make it look "gay" :rolleyes:


I'd be worried about people who would willingly spend a couple thousand for one over the other simply to keep from looking "gay"....but some people I guess are a bit different....

[MY FYN 79]

All of them, but especially the 95ups. The older crap including the cimmaron just handled like crap anyway.

What exactly is the problem you saw? I hope you arent trying to burn corners with a base model car running 65 or 70 series tires. I always thought the Z24 or LS sport cars with 16s handled fairly well for what they are. Even had one of my Z24s (2001) out on Road America and pushed it to its limits. Car only had 1100 miles on it and the brakes were just about on fire when I pulled off the track. :D

If you couldnt tell I'm a big fan of J-bodies (Cavaliers mainly) for drivers. They werent expensive cars so its no surprise they arent the best assembled or have the best interior, but they offer a lot of bang for the buck if you buy one with the right drivetrain. This is all providing you actually fit in the car. :)

[GTSLOW]

So one is a 4 door hatchback, 2 box shape with a Toyota shaped grille....and the other is a 4 door hatchback, 2 box shape with a pontiac grille...and it looks gay? Really nate? :alcoholic

The basic truth is there really isn't much difference b/w the otherwise mechanically identical vehicles in terms of looks, much less enough enough of one to make it look "gay" :rolleyes:
Nd

I'd be worried about people who would willingly spend a couple thousand for one over the other simply to keep from looking "gay"....but some people I guess are a bit different....

I wouldn't buy either. Also same chassis or not ugly is ugly. Although this looks ok...

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Pontiac/pontiac_Vibe_manu-05_HR_01-1024.jpg

[BadAzzGTA89]

Yea vibes are not bad my wife drives one never had any issues ever got it new in 03

[Prince Valiant]

Yea vibes are not bad my wife drives one never had any issues ever got it new in 03As basic, unspetacular transportation, they really aren't bad. Wife and I took hers on a nearly 5000 mile road trip this summer....traveling 75+mph much of the time and never got worse than 28.5mpg, best of 34+mpg, and an overall avg closer to 33.5mpg. It kept us and the dogs comfortable enough, especially since I got the windows tinted...it's not the greatest thing in the world, but as cheap cars go, we couldn't find better.

The only minor downside is it's unfortunate name....

[Crawlin]

Pork...

how many miles per month would you say you put on?

[-stew-]

My crew cab gets 6.6MPG. I have no useful input on this topic. Pic some what related.

http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/imagebuzz/web03/2010/6/16/20/just-turrable-14153-1276733978-16.jpg

[pOrk]

Id say just over 2000 / month commuting to and from work, down from 2400 since I am quitting my parttime job

[Bobby "Big Daddy" Flay]

Too bad my Civic isn't for sale, that car is great

[Crawlin]

Ok, I know it was a silly question but we'd get the mpg complaint ALL the time from customer's when I was in the car business. And under "normal" driving conditions, the difference between a 35mpg car and a 25mpg car was $30/month in gas costs. (at 3.00/gal)

in your case I could understand because it's coming up to be about $70/month at 2000 miles per month.

no real other helpful input. Sometimes those GTP pontiacs and Regal GS's would be getting some mid 30's on just freeway stuff, but were high 20's when mixing in city. Downside was the premium gas then too so those may be out.

What do you consider "fun" I guess would be the question to ask. It seems like you can really only get 2 of the 3 wishes. "Fun" and cheap but mileage will suck, or fun and mileage but won't hit your $, or cheap and mileage but it sure won't be fun(ie. Geo Prism - same thing as a corolla)

What about a Subaru Impreza? Decent quality, AWD for those crappy winter days, decent resale value, good gas mileage. How much are those 2.5RS's with some miles on them?

[GTSLOW]

Id say just over 2000 / month commuting to and from work, down from 2400 since I am quitting my parttime job

You'd be using less than 3 tanks of fuel a month in a TDI. I always pull over 800 to a tank can't remember what the best was maybe 870 or something like that??

[pOrk]

I found a 2000 TDI with 136k for 5 grand in new york, just gotta find someone to drive it home for me. More then I wanted to spend but I gotta get something, should be able to get 2 grand for the cavi I think

[pOrk]

And I guess I don't need fun as much as I want nice, I hate having cars that look dumpy and this cavy is getting there. Started to rust on the rear quarters and its driving me nuts

[GTSLOW]

Mine had very little rust when I got it and some POR-15 cleared everything up. Porky if you post in the regional section on Club TDI I'm sure someone out there could take a look at it for you.

They are bad ass once you cut the cat off :D At least mine was but then again I' sure it was plugged.

[Waver]

Lol....Cheap, reliable, good gas mileage.....91-2003 Ford Escort 1.8/1.9/2.0 enough said.

[GHOSST]

Lol....Cheap, reliable, good gas mileage.....91-2003 Ford Escort 1.8/1.9/2.0 enough said.

Right on. The best gas saver I ever owned was an 86 Ford Escort, I picked up for $200! Miss that car..

[Wagonbacker9]

quality, AWD for those crappy winter days, decent resale value, good gas mileage. How much are those 2.5RS's with some miles on them?

Mileage on that won't be anywhere NEAR what he's looking for. 18-22 tops.

[Russ Jerome]

Like Tim said Saturn, older the better modern science is still trying to determin how the old TBI Saturns got 41mpg freeway. Downside is they use the worlds most uncomfortable seats ever used in any automobile, steel bars of high milage cars require surgery and leave life long scars on your body. The answer? You buy a mint Saturn wagon and cut/chop/weld it into a mini El Camino, use the added seat room to install aftermarket seats. The little 40mpg truckster will get more use outa that bed than any soccer mom who drives a 40k$ crew cab diesel to go grocery shopping, those trucks always have shiny beds and hitchs are there for looks.

Mint old Saturn $2000, aftermarket E-bay seat $200, welding and rattlecan work free any thursday night :)

[GTSLOW]

Lol....Cheap, reliable, good gas mileage.....91-2003 Ford Escort 1.8/1.9/2.0 enough said.

LOL I think he'd rather have the cavi? Well at least in regards to older Escorts. Although I hear Escort GT's can be fun for what they are?

But again for what Porks looking for a I think a TDI would be the perfect car if he can find one. Problem is people just don't want to get rid of them.

[That_Guy]

Yea my friend is full of shit,

but the fact still remains "That_Guy" still had to have the motor replaced. Right? Ok.

My buddy just said go for the 2.2's that don't break over anything ecotec.

my motor blew because of a few things. it was just over 100k miles. 30k of those miles it had a zex wet kit on it. It also had a crap can tune. All the way till the motor died i got 38 mpg. Even with loss of compression in cylinder 1 was averaging 30 mpg. The motor when it grenaded had no supporting internals . I will stand behind my statement the ecotec motor is solid as hell.

[GTSLOW]

my motor blew because of a few things. it was just over 100k miles. 30k of those miles it had a zex wet kit on it. It also had a crap can tune. All the way till the motor died i got 38 mpg. Even with loss of compression in cylinder 1 was averaging 30 mpg. The motor when it grenaded had no supporting internals . I will stand behind my statement the ecotec motor is solid as hell.

You had nitrous on a stock cobalt? :stare

[That_Guy]

You had nitrous on a stock cobalt? :stare

gm build book

http://gmtunersource.com/racertech/ecotec-build-book/12-gm-sport-compact-build-book-chapter-1


stock internals can handle it. I had some some shenanigans.

[Waver]

LOL I think he'd rather have the cavi? Well at least in regards to older Escorts. Although I hear Escort GT's can be fun for what they are?

But again for what Porks looking for a I think a TDI would be the perfect car if he can find one. Problem is people just don't want to get rid of them.

Yes, the Gt Escorts are extremely fun, especially with a 5 speed. Same with the ZX2. However he didnt say he wanted fun. He said cheap, reliable, good gas mileage, all of which the 1.9 and 2.0 splitport engines are....It is not uncommon to see one with 200,000 to 400,000 miles on them with minor issues. Biggest things that go wrong on them are the rear springs and the tierods....cheap and easy fixes.

[GTSLOW]

I don't think I've ever seen an auto escort GT before.

[sloLs1]

Like Tim said Saturn, older the better modern science is still trying to determin how the old TBI Saturns got 41mpg freeway. Downside is they use the worlds most uncomfortable seats ever used in any automobile, steel bars of high milage cars require surgery and leave life long scars on your body. The answer? You buy a mint Saturn wagon and cut/chop/weld it into a mini El Camino, use the added seat room to install aftermarket seats. The little 40mpg truckster will get more use outa that bed than any soccer mom who drives a 40k$ crew cab diesel to go grocery shopping, those trucks always have shiny beds and hitchs are there for looks.

Mint old Saturn $2000, aftermarket E-bay seat $200, welding and rattlecan work free any thursday night :)


yes!!!

saturns are a good choice, cheap, great on gas, never rust.... and ive got a lot of spare parts! also the saturn ion's are decent... i would get a 5speed saturn... the autos are not that reliable.


good luck with your search!

[TheRX7Project]

Those thing's have got to be the gayest thing next to a PT cruiser. The Matrix looks better than the Vibe.

Really? I like the Vibe better.

[Waver]

I don't think I've ever seen an auto escort GT before.

Yes they made them from 91-96. I had an x who owned one.

[Car Guy]

I always liked this generation Escort and specifically the GT. The next generation of 4dr Escorts are about as exciting as watching paint dry but the 2dr Escorts (aka ZX2) are greatly under appreciated. My ex had one with 250k and I could not believe how tight everything was, factory engine/trans and all. They bring surprisingly good money in above average condition with low miles......

http://www.myknownbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Ford-Escort-GT-3.jpeg

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/vehicle-pictures/2001/ford/zx2/00113001990001-480.jpg

[Waver]

I always liked this generation Escort and specifically the GT. The next generation of 4dr Escorts are about as exciting as watching paint dry but the 2dr Escorts (aka ZX2) are greatly under appreciated. My ex had one with 250k and I could not believe how tight everything was, factory engine/trans and all. They bring surprisingly good money in above average condition with low miles......

http://www.myknownbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Ford-Escort-GT-3.jpeg

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/vehicle-pictures/2001/ford/zx2/00113001990001-480.jpg

I agree with you on both accounts (probably why I had 3 91-96 escort gt models in 5 speed manual and one ZX2). Biggest problem these days if finding a GT in good shape....few and far in between

[88Nightmare]

yeah finding a 91-96 EGT is a tough find. I wish I never sold my 1993. Damn reliable car!

[GTSLOW]

yeah finding a 91-96 EGT is a tough find. I wish I never sold my 1993. Damn reliable car!

Ah yes my friend had a blue 93 GT in high school that car was like the greatest thing ever lol.

[88Nightmare]

I used my Escort for delivering pizza. I owned that car for about 10 months. Inside of 10 months, I managed to rack up 22,000 miles. When I bought the car, it was already approaching 200,000 miles, and the previous owner included a whole bunch of parts ranging from quick struts to ball joints, and tie rods. Additionally, all I ever did to the car was brakes. Other than that it ran like a dream. I don't ever remember changing the oil on it either. Beat the shit out of it, consistently shifted at 6,000rpms or higher while delivering pizza 4 days a week and it still pulled 25mpg doing a lot of stop and go and constant engine starts.

[twicks69]

I completely agree with Russ, the Saturn seats suck donkey dick. Most uncomfortable seats for a guy. My wife loves them somehow.

Tim Zimmer via Evo Phone

[Waver]

I used my Escort for delivering pizza. I owned that car for about 10 months. Inside of 10 months, I managed to rack up 22,000 miles. When I bought the car, it was already approaching 200,000 miles, and the previous owner included a whole bunch of parts ranging from quick struts to ball joints, and tie rods. Additionally, all I ever did to the car was brakes. Other than that it ran like a dream. I don't ever remember changing the oil on it either. Beat the shit out of it, consistently shifted at 6,000rpms or higher while delivering pizza 4 days a week and it still pulled 25mpg doing a lot of stop and go and constant engine starts.

I have been looking on autotrader off and on for a while. Keep comming up on a riced out over priced one on the east coast, and on average three others across the country.....I would of thought there would of been more out there available....When I lived out in Jefferson and worked on the south side of Milwaukee, I was averaging about 28-31 mpgs.....cant really complain about that

[88Nightmare]

Autotrader for a <$1000 car? Craigslist dude.

[pOrk]

LOL at people talking about ford escorts. If I wanted 27/31 mpg I would keep the car I'm trying to replace. I think I found a car, just trying to work out the details.

[Irish]

I agree with you on both accounts (probably why I had 3 91-96 escort gt models in 5 speed manual and one ZX2). Biggest problem these days if finding a GT in good shape....few and far in between

What about the Cosworth?

[BR3W CITY]

31mpg isn't enough? yikes.
I'm fucking ecstatic if I get better than 18. I don't practice practicality tho.
I though since you dropped the second job you were driving less. Are you still putting on like 500mi a week?