Thikning about getting a daily driver

[SaberX]

I've been using the NSX as my DD for a while now, and seeing as I live in Seattle - sometimes it just doesn't feel right to drive the car everyday. I also have to sit in a lot of traffic sometimes and driving a 5 speed can get kinda old. So I am thinking about getting something quite different than the NSX - I want good gas milage, 4 doors, some cargo room, automatic and 4WD. Also - I'm thinking I only want to spend around 8k. I'm thinking mid to late 90's Honda CRV and/or maybe a Rav4. Does anyone else have any suggestions? Also, I'm looking for used private party sales listings online - but everything seems to be overrun with dealer listings! Craigslist has some stuff but I need more places to check. Help!

 

[Hiroshima]

How about a scooby? An older WRX waggon has all but 1 of your requirements. AWD, cargo space, auto avalible, but from what I hear gas mileage is not great, but not horrible either.

 

[Da Hapa]

We had an 02 CRV EX that was a fantastic vehicle. Good room, great visibility, excellent gas mileage.

My two complaints:
1) Moderate power. The CRV had sufficient power for in town driving and getting on the freeway but really ran out of breath when you needed to pass. Esp. with the A/C on and a full load.
2) No moonroof available. Lame, I know but I really missed that.

I suspect the RAV4 or Subaru in the same price range will also lack power but the Honda was a lot bigger inside than the RAV4 was and super easy to live with.

 

[ecadwell]

If it doesn't need to be an SUV, then I would definitely get a Sube. They drive great, AWD, and good gas mileage. And if you don't need a WRX, you can get a very nice mid-90s one for half the price you're talking about. At first I was hesitant, but it has been great.

 

[zahntech]

Subaru 2.5GT..Great car and doesn't look goofy like an outback, lower to the ground, handles better, more power than most small SUVs and IMO small SUVs are not safe,,,,Death on a stick actually:frown:

 

[MJK]

late 90s 4runner? The gas milage is not great, but they are virtually bulletproof.

 

[djdrock]

late 90s 4runner? The gas milage is not great, but they are virtually bulletproof.

I agree. I have a friend who has a 97 with now over $140K miles. Runs great after 60K miles he has put on it.

 

[niranjan]

I've got a 97 CR-V as my daily driver. I bought it with 119K miles two and a half years ago and now have 165K. It still drives great and hasn't needed any repairs. It is a little slow, but that's what the NSX is for and it has a ton of room for a small SUV.

 

[Patdeisa]

Subaru 2.5GT..Great car and doesn't look goofy like an outback, lower to the ground, handles better, more power than most small SUVs and IMO small SUVs are not safe,,,,Death on a stick actually:frown:

I used to have a CRV. As everyone says, the power wasn't the best, but around town, it was great and could haul a lot. It also got pretty good crash ratings too (4 stars, I believe). Mine was parked on the street and had a Civic crash at an offset front (driver's side) at about 40 mph. The damage was contained to the front left, except for a little compression in the roof and floor, as indicated by slight rippling- noticeable only to a body shop (they had to show me where). I was surprised at how well it held up.

What about a 2000 A4 1.8T Quattro?

 

[zahntech]

SUVs in general are more likely to roll over in an accident....

A few years ago my wife and I were driving north on I5 in california.there was a huge back up..when we got to the problem it was and accident in which a ford contour (small/mid sized car) went across the median and head on into a Toyota Rav4 ..the Ford was smashed almost to the windshield ,,,the Rav4 was on it's side and everything in front of the driver's seat was destroyed..the Rav4 driver died (the remains of the body were still in the mangled metal) the ford driver was on a gurney but moving around....after seeing that and the small SUVs that came into the body shop that I worked with I would never recommend a small SUV..

 

[MJK]

I agree. I have a friend who has a 97 with now over $140K miles. Runs great after 60K miles he has put on it.

Yep, a friend of mine just traded in his 340k mile 97 on a new one. No trouble with it, ever. Just tires and oil. Milage is mid 20s with 2wd, low 20s with 4wd. Rattle free, just the right size. Great trucks. If I did not hate the idea of owning an SUV, I would pick up one of the old body style ones immediately.

 

[SaberX]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Now any places to look online for private party listings? I'm not a dealer guy.

 

[DrVolkl]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Now any places to look online for private party listings? I'm not a dealer guy.

Championship Motors in Redmond is a good dealership...they have all sorts of different vehicles...I'm not a dealership guy either, but these guys are pretty cool.

Otherwise, just use Autotrader....seems to work out pretty well.

 

[Joel]

S-U-B-A-R-U, in your situation anyway.