There has got to be a cheaper way to do this...

[lenny]

Ok,, so I am thinking that there has to be a cheaper way to 4x4 and DD at the same time.

Here is what I have,, 1999 Discovery. Operation costs for me:
$260 per month payment
$1400 per year insurance (no wrecks no tickets, EVER!)
14mpg average, 200 miles a week, $3.00 per gallon, $2057 per year to fuel not counting trips to Moab or weekend wheelin trips

So I have about $6,600 a year to pay for and drive the Disco, now factor in modifications and maintenance, give or take $1500 per year most of that being maintenance , and you get about $8100 per year

There has got to be a cheaper way,,,

What I am thinking is a cheaper DD that is fun to drive,, like something RWD or AWD, manual trans, good MPG and decent power. Maybe an 1995-1997 M3 or something similar. And then a cheaper 4x4 like a Samurai or a Yota.

Do you guys think its possible? Or is it a crap shoot? I think that with a cheaper DD I could save a good amount of money on insurance and fuel, and then having a cheap 4x4 I could insure with liability only and a Sami or Yota will get better MPG than the disco.

Any ideas for a fun DD? and no FWD cars, I have had one already and wont own another

 

[AINT SKEERED]

I have a '75 Chevy for wheelin. Im seventeen and insurance on my truck only costs me $350 a year. No payment. Gets 12 to the gallon. Mind you thats driving pretty rough and its 400 horse.

I have an XJ for DD duties, but Im looking for something smaller and faster to drive on longer trips. Probably an older Integra or a Harley.

 

[lenny]

I have a '75 Chevy. Im seventeen and insurance on my truck only costs me $350 a year. No payment. Gets 12 to the gallon. Mind you thats driving pretty rough and its 400 horse.

Haha,,, I don't think that a 75 Chevy would impress too many ladies...

And I don't really want a vehicle that I have to restore first to go wheeling, and I like smaller rigs, not much love for full sizes :greg:

 

[lenny]

I am thinking of a few different cars, help me add to my list.

E36 M3 (I really, really, really, want one of these)
E30 M3 (hard to find)
E36 328 (cheaper substitute for the M3)
300ZX (prefer the Twin Turbo model, but seem to be kinda $$$)
280ZX (rather have the 300 though)
RX7
Miata (maybe,, kinda girlie though)

 

[AINT SKEERED]

Haha,,, I don't think that a 75 Chevy would impress too many ladies...

And I don't really want a vehicle that I have to restore first to go wheeling, and I like smaller rigs, not much love for full sizes :greg:

Its okay.. I feel the same way about Land Rovers.


I dont need a car to impress the ladies, but if I did I wouldnt use my wheeler anyway.

 

[Brett]

Go buy a Civic if you want something cheap and high on mileage

 

[Stephen]

Miata (maybe,, kinda girlie though)

I want a Miata like a Ugandan refugee wants a loaf of bread! Anyone who says that they are 'girly' has never driven one. You can find a good Gen. One for around $5,000, just look around the Miata forums out there and you can get a good deal.

 

[JoeT]

Go buy a Civic if you want something cheap and high on mileage

Agreed. I'm selling my 05 Jetta GLI to the dealer. Great gas mileage (24-32) but gotta ditch the payment. I'm going to look for some in the $5k -$8k range for myself. No way is my Jeep gonna be my DD, 17-19mpg not good enough.

 

[DevinB]

Here's my answer to higher gas prices. Is it girlie? Yes. Is it horribly, horribly gutless? Yes. Does it go 35mph? Almost.

 

[Zombie]

No way is my Jeep gonna be my DD, 17-19mpg not good enough.

Quit crying.
5.9 limited DD = 12mpg lately. I'm shopping for a commuter car. No, not the jetta... I need something cheap.

 

[Stephen]

Here's my answer to higher gas prices. Is it girlie? Yes. Is it horribly, horribly gutless? Yes. Does it go 35mph? Almost.

I have a 2002 one of these that I'm planning on selling to fix up an old Passport . If anyones interested. 100mpg!

 

[lenny]

Go buy a Civic if you want something cheap and high on mileage

I want something that is fun to drive though, and no FWD cars

I have my FZ6 for MPG if I really want to get serious about that :greg:

 

[lenny]

I want a Miata like a Ugandan refugee wants a loaf of bread! Anyone who says that they are 'girly' has never driven one. You can find a good Gen. One for around $5,000, just look around the Miata forums out there and you can get a good deal.

I have driven a Miata and think they are a hoot! I just think they are a little girlie most little cars like that give me that feeling

 

[Cody]

maybe spend less on a car and use that extra money every month to do something cool? I drove a $300 89 Sentra that got 35 mpg. It wasn't pretty but there was something endearing to it and fun about running into things. I had to upgrade a little bit because my job requires me to make calls and the drifter wasn't particularly handsome. I still have less than a $100 car payment and my car is reliable and gets 30 mpg....still won't pick up any ladies though but thats what personality is for.

I decided I was tired of trying to find ways to make more money, so I find ways to not need as much. Same net result

Why do I find no surprise in a sami guy thinking Miata's are cool?

 

[camcruiser13]

i pimp a civic during the week, great gas mileage

 

[Milner]

I have driven a Miata and think they are a hoot! I just think they are a little girlie most little cars like that give me that feeling

Yea, but they get damm near that same 35 mpg as the scooter. I still average 30mpg with 200500 miles on the ORIGINAL motor....I only add oil when in starts ticking, add coolant when it starts to heat up, and change the oil filter every few months Seriousely....I want to build a new motor, but it WILL NOT die!!!! In 200K+ all I have done is plugs once, a timing belt, thermastat, and a radiator. Oh and 1 clutch.
On on the upside it is like driving a go-cart to work everyday!!

 

[lenny]

Yea, but they get damm near that same 35 mpg as the scooter. I still average 30mpg with 200500 miles on the ORIGINAL motor....I only add oil when in starts ticking, add coolant when it starts to heat up, and change the oil filter every few months Seriousely....I want to build a new motor, but it WILL NOT die!!!! In 200K+ all I have done is plugs once, a timing belt, thermastat, and a radiator. Oh and 1 clutch.
On on the upside it is like driving a go-cart to work everyday!!

Haha nice!

I think that I would probably get a Z3 before a Miata, but I have seen some sweet Miata's! SCCA racing here I come :greg:

 

[lenny]

maybe spend less on a car and use that extra money every month to do something cool? I drove a $300 89 Sentra that got 35 mpg. It wasn't pretty but there was something endearing to it and fun about running into things. I had to upgrade a little bit because my job requires me to make calls and the drifter wasn't particularly handsome. I still have less than a $100 car payment and my car is reliable and gets 30 mpg....still won't pick up any ladies though but thats what personality is for.

I decided I was tired of trying to find ways to make more money, so I find ways to not need as much. Same net result

Why do I find no surprise in a sami guy thinking Miata's are cool?

See,,, I have a problem. I cant drive a beater car,,, its just not me even though its probably 100% smarter to do that financially. I just think I would be sick of driving it after 6 months

 

[jeepin4x4james]

I think you should get an M3... Mostly cuz I REALLY want one and I'd be totally jealous if you got one! But for SCCA, get a miata! Those lil buggers kick the sh!t out of people! It's crazy, 180 hp... Maybe... 2200lbs and just fun to drive! About the girlie thing, just put in a roll cage and throw on some R compound racing tires... No longer girlie.

 

[lenny]

I think you should get an M3... Mostly cuz I REALLY want one and I'd be totally jealous if you got one! But for SCCA, get a miata! Those lil buggers kick the sh!t out of people! It's crazy, 180 hp... Maybe... 2200lbs and just fun to drive! About the girlie thing, just put in a roll cage and throw on some R compound racing tires... No longer girlie.

Haha,, yes a roll cage sounds sweet!