logan2z

I originally intended to buy my 993 as a daily driver, but I've decided to use it as an occasional car instead. So now I'm looking around for a decent daily driver that is fairly economical to run but is still kind of fun and sporty. I thought about a Mazda3 5-door or a used Miata, but was curious what others are using for DDs if they don't drive their 993s every day. Being the crazy p-car enthusiast I am, I thought that getting a used Boxster or even an '87-'89 Carrera would be a cool idea, although I'm not sure that either would meet the 'economical to run' requirement. My wife and I also recently adopted a dog, so buying a two-seater probably isn't the smartest idea (or so I've been told )

95FL993CAB

I drive a 2002 E55 AMG. It is an incredible car, and has been very reliable overall (I have 107K on it). On the HWY running speed limit with the cruise on I average 25-27 MPG. Not too bad for a big old V8 with 350 horses and GOBS of torque

Terry Adams

300 HP, 6 speed paddle shifters, disc brakes, 18" wheels, 18/25 mpg .......

Lexus IS 350, a hoot to drive.

chris walrod

My daily driver is a tipped over refrigerator, in GE white, no less.

Allen

You will get much better advice if you can give us the price range your looking at. If that range is below $25K, I would get the newest BMW 3-series I could find...and for $25K, you could get a pretty nice 3-series.

Everybody has their opinion, but as far as I'm concerned...if it's a road car (highway, daily driver, etc.) it needs to be a BMW. Plus, you get the "Maintenance Included" warranty if the car is less than 4 years or 50,000 miles. If you need a bigger car, get a 5-series, but you will find a smaller selection and a lot less care for at the $25K price point.

Ok....he showed his....so I gotta show mine...'08 535i, Bi-Turbo with 6-speed...it scoots too!

007DT

335i Bi-Turbo w/ paddle shifters. It scoots.

logan2z

Sorry, I thought mention of the Mazda3 and Miata would set a point of reference, but I should have been more explicit. I'm looking for something in the low $20K range, so I think the E55 AMG and the IS 350 aren't going to work, although I'd love to have either one That said, the point of my post was two-fold: to get some suggestions for a DD that meets my criteria, but also to find out what others are using for their DDs regardless if they meet my criteria or not. Just thought it might be interesting...

MarkD

In that range I'd like a Mini
but Boxsters are really cheap these days...

gonzilla

I have a 2002 540iT (touring/wagon). I bought it about a year ago for $19K with 58K miles on it and about 6 months left on the warranty. I spent about $2K sorting out the issues and doing all service right after I got it just to start from scratch. Only thing that has failed is the alternator so far (which was an expensive fix, but hopefully one I won't have to do that often). Overall, I love that car. 282HP and 300 ft/lb of torque, it's very entertaining to drive. The mileage isn't all that great (I'm averaging about 17 in LA traffic). But the car is very fast (for a station wagon), very comfortable and very quiet and has a ton of room. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. Especially now that they've depreciated even further. You can get a really nice one for around $15K I would think.

Allen

Assuming you have the same crappy run-flats mine came with...THAT's certainly a good to get rid of them...

95FL993CAB

Good News/Bad News (Bad for me) You can pick up an 02 E55 in the mid to high teens. Most of those will be fairly low miles and usually well cared for adult driven cars.

RickBetterley

Mini Cooper S coupe; really good power and handling (though front wheel drive still feels odd). Terrific in snow with Blizzaks. Plenty of room considering the exterior dimensions.
Weird interior, though.
I also could do without the constant 'cute' comments.

007DT

Yep! That pic was taken a couple months ago after watching that Ken Block video of him tearing up that abandon airport in the AWD Subaru. I tried my hand at it.. Good news is I won a set of Dunlops recently for that car but I plan on saving enough tread on the runflats to turn it in from the lease w/ them.


Back to topic. As another suggested I'd look at either a MiniS or Mazda

icelatte

2005 Subaru Legacy GT 2.5L turbo.

I tracked it before getting the 993. Still has pillowball mounts and camber plates on it. It's been very reliable and a cheap DIY for maintenance. Imagine - an oil change which cost less than $30 for materials, and that's with Mobil 1!

Also cheap to crank up the boost as you please.

JDHertz11

My DD is an '05 Chrysler 300C SRT8. Cheap horsepower but what a piece of ****. Once the lease is up I'm going for either a V10 M5, E55/63 or anything else that has already depreciated by over 60%......