need a new daily 1:1

[ComingApart]

I'm shopping around for a new daily driver. I commute around 150 miles a day, so economy is important, but performance and comfort are important too.

I need a sporty, well built, somewhat efficient (over 25mpg) comfortable car (i'm 6'1).

I would also like something thats fairly tuneable and that has aftermarket performance parts available for it.

Ideally, it would be sub-25k too, if possible.

[PapaGeno21]

So im going to assume an 82 Chevy Pickup with a 454 and 5.13 gears with 44" Boggers is out of the question right?

As much as I HATE to say this, and I mean HATE becuase I HATE imports, the new Honda SI Civic seems to be quick, good mileage and they dont look that bad.

[Shaun]

I'm not a real big fan of imports, but for what your wanting a Honda Civic seems to fit. And the aftermarket for them is crazy huge.

[John Deere]

As papa said, the new Honda Civics are nice. I have a 2008 and love it man. It is very quick for what it is. You can get them for about 22k. I gave 20k for mine, but my cousin owns the honda lot. I am starting to see alot of aftermarket things for them. If you would like I can snap some pics for you and post them up. Has plenty of room for me and I am the same highth as you. I get 30 MPG on the interstate and only have 6000 on it. I bought it with 1 mile on it and it then still got 28 on freeway. I have big plans for it once the warranty is out.

[SaVaGe MaN SS]

i leased an 2008 focus hb for 193 a month not bad gets 35mpg fairly quick lil car im 6,3 and i fit well, it gets damn better mpg than my 99 xtreme with an sb v8 conversion an a leadfoot

[XSRCdesign]

How many seats and doors does it have to have??

[666]

Toyota!!!

Subaru!!!!

[SVEN]

Mazda 6.
I drive a Mazda 6S 5-door. The 'hatch' is great for hauling stuff (already moved a desk and a hutch in it), but it still retains the sedan look rather than a hatch back.
The 6 cylinder (6S) gets around 28 mpg, mostly highway miles. I'm sure the 4cyl would get better mileage, but I don't regret getting the 6cyl. Lots of leg room for you and passengers, as well as pretty comfy seats. There is also good after market support.

[BJoe]

I hear you on that for mileage, I wish I could still get my hands on any of the K-Cars or their offspring around here.

[fanke19]

How about a Pontiac G6? It's not a compact...plenty of room ( I'm 6'2" ) and with the V6 I get 30+ on the highway...and an average of 26+ between city and highway. I drive 45 miles one way, over 30 of it highway miles.

I picked up a Chevy HHR last fall thinking it was an economic and sporty car...with plenty of room for r/c equipment in the back. I was right...except for that I found it was just too small for me to be comfortable in. I've since traded it in for a Dodge Grand Caravan. Mileage went way down, but it still averages just over 19mpg between city and highway.

I'm more comfortable in my van...but to save money I take the wifes G6 half the time...kinda try to split up the miles between the two vehicles too.

[mudplower]

I was gunna say G6 my aunts got like 28 mpg and they're really nice

[STANG KILLA SS]

R6.

[rdtshaw]

I have an 2007 Accord 4cyl. I paid 26,500, but with navigation and leather. Easily under 25k without nav. I get 25/32 if I keep my foot out of it. The new 2008 accords look really nice, especially the coupe. It's putting out like 170HP with the 4cyl, nothing exciting, but gets up to speed and passes fine. Also handles decent for an average sedan. (I sold my Audi TT RoadsterQ to buy the Honda... :-( )I'm 5'9" but my buddy has the same car, 2006, he's 6'2". This is my 5th honda/acura and I've had ZERO problems with any of them. Gas, tires and oil. All the American and German cars I've owned have had various problems. Nothing major, but annoying. The build quality is good in the honda's for the price, and they are very confortable. The V6 had 240hp if I remember correctly? 21/29 on the mileage. Really got up and went when I test drove it. I like the civic's, nice tech package, etc. But the seats were really narrow in the Si. I'm not fat or anything, but the bolsters were a little too tight for anything for than an hour's ride for me. Really held you in the seat. I don't know the aftermarket upgrades etc for the accord, mine's leased. I can tell you all about the TT upgrades... Mine was putting out ~270HP. The civic is going to have alot more upgrades available for sure and the accord is new model, so the offerings in that department will be limited for the first year.

Also, Subaru WRX sedan is a good one(Not the STI, price wise!). Tons of upgrades and good mileage and realiability. I have 2 friends that have them and really like them.

The Ford Focus is getting good reviews and the Sync tech package is getting rave reviews. Also fits your list and has alot of aftermarket offerings.

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

R6.

mmmmmmmm.... R6... ...drool.....

Most the cars out there are pretty good, gotta get out and drive 'em, see what you connect with. I love shopping for cars. I buy one every other year between my wife and I and the business.

[montana.matt]

We've got a 2006 Dodge Charger R/T. It gets about 23 mpg on the interstate.... and that's with a 5.7 litre, 350+ HP V8. It's fast enough not to need any "aftermarket" crap on it. We bought it new and have 30000+ miles on it and no defects... You could probably get one for about the price range you want...

[sparky0068]

If your on a budget you could drive what I drive a late 90's Saturn SL Mine get about 30-34 in town and 35-42 hwy.

[Brenan]

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

R6.

X2

If you don't have to haul any kids, a bike rocks!

Wicked mileage, and with the proper radar equipment, cuts huge time off the commute....lol

[Skeeno]

I drive a 98 Mercury Tracer. I inherited it from my wife. It regularly gets 40+ on the freeway. Not the coolest car, but the gas milage rules. You could pick one up for under $3000.

[Col_Sanders]

Originally Posted by SVEN

Mazda 6.
I drive a Mazda 6S 5-door. The 'hatch' is great for hauling stuff (already moved a desk and a hutch in it), but it still retains the sedan look rather than a hatch back.
The 6 cylinder (6S) gets around 28 mpg, mostly highway miles. I'm sure the 4cyl would get better mileage, but I don't regret getting the 6cyl. Lots of leg room for you and passengers, as well as pretty comfy seats. There is also good after market support.

I have an 05 6S 5 door too. I average 20mpg but can get up to 28 if I drive 65, but that never happens. I can pull 25 on road trips driving 80mph loaded down though.

[Gula]

My understanding is that the new Cobalt SS is supposed to be the Chit right now. 30 MPG, 250 horsies and it's turboed now, brembo brakes as well and the turbo part makes it very tunable

[rdtshaw]

Originally Posted by montana.matt

We've got a 2006 Dodge Charger R/T. It gets about 23 mpg on the interstate.... and that's with a 5.7 litre, 350+ HP V8. It's fast enough not to need any "aftermarket" crap on it. We bought it new and have 30000+ miles on it and no defects... You could probably get one for about the price range you want...

+1 on this, or a Chysler 300C if you want a little more luxury. You can easily get a used one for low 20's with like 20-30k miles. Charger or 300C. They are very fast. Handling is great for a muscle car, but nothing like a civic si. I rented both of these cars (charger and 300C) on some business trips and I was impressed with the general build quality and interior layout. The MBZ design/build influence is really apparent in these cars. The 300C was a v8 and it hauled. period. The charger was the sxt? v6 model. Not crazy fast, but not dissapointing either. It's amazing that these cars can get 23-24 on the highway, but with the cylinder managment system; it works really well if you can keep you foot out of it and be consistent. great suggestion. Also has lots of upgrades and cheaper to repair than an import. (more than likely anyhow) I'd be buying alot of tires if I had one though. If you turn off the traction system, it'll light 'em up, no sweat.