Thinking about a new beater
 

Help me find something. Here's my criteria...

Musts:
-Nothing from China, Japan, or Korea
-Must run 15.xx in the quarter bone stock
-Must get at least a realistic 23mpg with mixed driving
-Must be a 2000 model or newer
-Looking to spend $6000 or less

Prefer:
-American vehicles preferred, but will look into European cars
-Manual transmission HIGHLY preferred, however under the right circumstances may consider an automatic.

Help me out!

so you want a neon?

the thought crossed my mind...just looking for some more ideas

that's all that really comes to mind besides another crapalier

i dont think id mind a newer crapalier

All I can think of is Neon or Focus... i would say monte or lumina but they dont come in Manual.

im leaning towards a saab 9-3 or 9-5...anyone have any experience with these?

my aunt had one parts = $$$ and she had troubles with it....but she had a mid 90's dont know bout the newer ones id assume they are basically subie motors ect so shouldnt be a bad choice

you might be able to find a GTP for around that price...automatic but high 14's/low 15 stock...and they get decent mileage if you keep out of the boost

James is selling his 04 neon for $6500, manual, runs 15something in the 1/4 with minor mods. Check the classifieds :)

I was just thinking the same thing! You can rescue another car from BBBRacing. :)

I know, get an LT1 6spd f body!

stay away.

my buddy is selling a black 2000 Mercury Cougar with a manual if you are interested. ~86k miles and i believe it's in your price range. or if you are willing to go slower and automatic, there is a really nice silver 5 door focus hatch there. i actually just drove a focus for the first time yesterday and i was actually impressed with the car. i would definately check one of those out

he wants 00 or newer :lol:

get a ford exploder 5 speed theu are cheap and reliable

as cool as that car is, i don't see it meeting much of the criteria he was looking for.

ok so its a year older, 99-02 is all the same

ok its automatic, he said auto might be ok, tuning and a shift kit itll chirp 2nd maybe 3rd

it runs faster than 15.xx

i got 22mpg in my GT with mixed driving, the GTPs get better mileage cause of the lower final drive ratio

its under 6k

I immediatly thought of a GTP as well. Excellent suggestion. I used to get 27-30mpg on the highway till I did the 3.29 FDR. The car is fine in the snow, handles well enough, and is comfortable for long drives.

did the regular GP ever come in manual? like the GT or SE models?

nope only the turbo 2.3 back in the day came with a 5 speed

If this is a beater, does it have to be manual? Your choices really open up if you decide that a daily driving automatic is the way to go. Take it from us old guys, the daily commute with a stick gets old real fast.

Think about what the car is really meant to do, then decide what you really need. If you have the F-body as a second car, then just get a true commuter for the beater.

well when i daily drove the trans am(m6) i would sit in traffic all the time, especially on the ride to englishtown at 4pm. I never minded it at all.

psssst genie tell your hubby to check his freakin private messages once in a while...dee de deeeee

ill look into a gtp but it's going to have to be a steal of a price as well as amazing condition with all options and lower mileage before ill consider driving another automatic

PM sent :)

- Not from China, Japan or Korea
- Runs 15.7 w/ just a cold air kit (I'm not the best manual driver - put someone who can drive stick behind the wheel and it could go quicker)
- Gets anywhere between a bad 26 mpg to a best of 38 mpg - on REGULAR!
- model year 2004
- Priced.... well... pm sent

- Genuine AMERICAN made!
- 5 speed manual


It also has a Hot Rod Power Tour 2006 sticker on it!

My $.02, but get a DD you don't want to spend any extra $$ on. That keeps the $$ free for the Camaro. Nothing by fluids, cheap rubber and parts store shelf brake parts. Maybe a radio, but that is a one time cost.

BTW, you can carry lots of parts in a truck. :lol: