This is topic Daily driver, what would you buy for under $5,000 in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by stangin' (Member # 514) on :
 
If you had to buy a daily driver, either for yourself, your spouse, your child, or even recommend one to a friend, what would you buy that's under $5,000. If you can be specific about the year and model, that would be a plus. Also explain why you chose this car/truck/jeep.

Thanks.

[ February 27, 2007, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: stangin' ]
 

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Posted by eljefe (Member # 1753) on :
 
depends on who it's for, if it's for me i'd get a 5.0 hands down, if it was for a teenager or a female , a honda or toyota, civic or corolla anything from 90 on up.
 

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Posted by 66backinblack (Member # 5372) on :
 
i had a 94 cherokee that was very reliable and i actually smoked a v8 blazer in 4w hi one time. plus you can go in the mud

oh yea you can get one like that for about $4k

[ February 27, 2007, 01:21 AM: Message edited by: 66backinblack ]
 

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Posted by 88DroptopGT (Member # 2535) on :
 
I would get the highest year manual Civic or Corolla you can afford for reliability.
 

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Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :
 
I have a 1998 Nissan Sentra GXE. It's a 4 door with the smallest motor available and I've basically owned it since new. Car has had ABSOLUTELY NO problems EVER! I meticulously maintain it, change oil, tune up etc. 120kish and running strong!

1 thing, the oil pan was leaking oil, I had it resealed.

Otherwise I've stashed 8 ponies in it, 2 mustang doors, etc. Basically a great parts runner, daily driver etc.
 

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Posted by F8LSN8K (Member # 7080) on :
 
ya it all depends.....
 

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Posted by stangin' (Member # 514) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by F8LSN8K:
ya it all depends.....

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quote:

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Originally posted by cummins:
I would NOT recommend an explorer. They are Exploders not explorers. Probably one of the junkiest SUV's ever made. And for a daily I wouldn't recommend an suv either especially with gas prices these days. For a daily I'd say something economical, easy to find parts for and cheap to fix. Hondas and Toyotas are the best and like others have said Civics or Corollas. Nice lil 4 banger with an auto and a/c with power accessories. That's the shit right there for a daily! Nissans are cool too you can pick up a later model Sentra or Altima. But Hondas and Toyota are always the best DD's they are cheap to fix, easy to find parts for, economical and they are always hot sellers. You'll have no trouble unloading them. That's my IMO and its not H.

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+1 exploders are junk.


I would get a 92-96 lexus sc300 or sc400. they have the least amount of recalls and tsb's, are pretty sharp looking and they fit 22's
 

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Posted by N8 (Member # 6048) on :
 
I love those SC400's. They should have kept making those.
 

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Posted by COPFITY (Member # 1845) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by N8:
I love those SC400's. They should have kept making those.

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quote:

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Originally posted by COPFITY:

quote:

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Originally posted by cummins:
I would NOT recommend an explorer. They are Exploders not explorers. Probably one of the junkiest SUV's ever made. And for a daily I wouldn't recommend an suv either especially with gas prices these days. For a daily I'd say something economical, easy to find parts for and cheap to fix. Hondas and Toyotas are the best and like others have said Civics or Corollas. Nice lil 4 banger with an auto and a/c with power accessories. That's the shit right there for a daily! Nissans are cool too you can pick up a later model Sentra or Altima. But Hondas and Toyota are always the best DD's they are cheap to fix, easy to find parts for, economical and they are always hot sellers. You'll have no trouble unloading them. That's my IMO and its not H.

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+1 exploders are junk.


I would get a 92-96 lexus sc300 or sc400. they have the least amount of recalls and tsb's, are pretty sharp looking and they fit 22's

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Good suggestion. Those sc300s are bad ass! And guess what they are the same motors as Supras (na version), 2jz-ge. Not a bad motor and you can easily put a turbo kit on it and run 10s no prob.

SC400s are cool. If you plan to leave it alone and not mod it then the sc400 would be the way to go. They share similar gas mileage but the sc400 has a lot more power than the sc300 stock for stock.

The best year sc300 to get is the 1997. But you won't find one for 5k. You can find sc's 92-96 for 5k or under all day long. You can even get the front bumper and lights from a later gen and put it on an earlier gen.

I've had serveral sc's and many LS400s too. Great cars! The only thing that keeps me from saying its a great DD is the gas mileage. They eat gas. And with today's gas prices I think DD's should be somewhat economical. JMO.

[ February 27, 2007, 06:44 PM: Message edited by: cummins ]
 

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Posted by 92stangLX (Member # 3252) on :
 
Ford Ranger hands down. Mine has been a *great* DD. Get a 2WD with a V6. If you want more room get an extended cab. You should be able to pick up a late 90's Ranger for under 5k or so. Mine has given me no problems at all.
 

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Posted by stangin' (Member # 514) on :
 
great info guys, keep the suggestions coming.
 

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Posted by t top freak (Member # 6269) on :
 
ive got a 96 camry here

bought it off an elderly couple for 2 grand...96,000 miles.

 

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Posted by Black 02 SS (Member # 5939) on :
 
find the newest civic you can find for that price WITH service records. as long as they've done all the general upkeep and have had the timing belt/water pump replaced they'll run for daaayss and be pretty damn reliable. gas savers too. just keep on with maintenance and they should run well into the 200k mile range.
 

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Posted by cummins (Member # 5931) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by t top freak:
ive got a 96 camry here

bought it off an elderly couple for 2 grand...96,000 miles.

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quote:

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Originally posted by hidnn.o.s.:
I have a 1998 Nissan Sentra GXE. It's a 4 door with the smallest motor available and I've basically owned it since new. Car has had ABSOLUTELY NO problems EVER! I meticulously maintain it, change oil, tune up etc. 120kish and running strong!

1 thing, the oil pan was leaking oil, I had it resealed.

Otherwise I've stashed 8 ponies in it, 2 mustang doors, etc. Basically a great parts runner, daily driver etc.

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Those little nissan motors run great. My dad has a 94 frontier with almost 300k on it. Not to mention i beat that thing harder then hell. Still runs like the day he brought it home.
 

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Posted by phil a (Member # 6951) on :
 
I just got an infiniti g20 5spd for 2400, gets 28mpg at 95 mph down to LA
 

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Posted by AL STOCK (Member # 1852) on :
 
My friend, you want a car under $5,000 which will hold its value AND save gas, reliable?

Go look at Lexus ES300s, all my cousins have them, years between 92-96, one of my cousins has a 92 Lexus Es300, has over 318K miles and he drives it like a maniac..

Also consider, 94-98 Honda Civics, i had one and its one of those cars you can do whatever to blow the damm motor and it wont blow! I have a 2004 Civic and 05 Corolla and both are great, one is going to the dealership for a trade in soon.

Another one is a 94-2000 Camry, those cars are great! Gets 30-40mpg highway with the lowest headaches.

Overall, get a Es300 for looks, power and reliabilty along with 25-35mpg, get a Corolla, Civic, or a camry if you want to save gas 30-40mpg and drive all day and night
 

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Posted by Blue Oval (Member # 2548) on :
 
yeah i found my brother a 97 ranger 4cyl ext cab super clean with 80k on it for 3400. great trucks! Runs like a champ!
 

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