What type of DD car should I look at? Opinions!

[Knucklehead97]

 

If I could find a good CRX around here then I would jump on it. Sadly they've all been ruined by the ridiculous number of ricer groups around here... and Miatas definitely not out of the game. In the end it is VERY high on my list of cars I want to own.

Check out redpepperracing.com on Facebook, there's lots of older ones listed that aren't "riced" out.

 

 

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nice! Thanks! I've been researching a BUNCH lately. And while I'm on the track of keeping the Contour and saving money, I have decided on my next car. A Ford Escort ZX2. I looked into them a bunch and they are apparently very reliable (ends up the 2.0 isn't as crappy as I thought...) and also great little project cars. I love how they look, as well. Upon looking around C-list they can be had for 1500-2000 for a clean low mileage one. Much better pricing than the Miata, and more room. Only downside is it is FWD. But I will survive. Plans for it would be a daily, of course. With as many slight performance mods as possible within budget and ect. Just gotta add my own little touch to it, ya know?

[cbreiter]

Sounds good, my sister has Ford escort wagon with the 2.0. It's got over 215,000 miles and hasn't had had any real engine issues, other than having to change the timing belt a few times. However, it is dead currently. It seems that they have electrical issues. Just make sure you get one that doesn't have issues like that. I personally think it's partial cause was driving a lot of gravel, and getting stuck in the snow a few times.

 

 

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[Goose_XJ88]

I had a 94 corolla wagon that I beat the snot out of for a little over a year. The best part was that it got 33-35mpg on the hwy and I was able to fit 4 33" tires in the back with the seats down. 

 

I used it as my parts runner so I cut up a pickup plastic bed liner to fit in order to protect the carpet from oil and grease stains. I loved that thing until a trans output bearing started killing wheel bearings left and right. Decided to sell it for half of what I paid for it.. Got 35k miles out of it in a year so I was happy with my investment.

 

 

 

[johnj92131]

 

 

If I could find a good CRX around here then I would jump on it. Sadly they've all been ruined by the ridiculous number of ricer groups around here... and Miatas definitely not out of the game. In the end it is VERY high on my list of cars I want to own.

Check out redpepperracing.com on Facebook, there's lots of older ones listed that aren't "riced" out.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

nice! Thanks! I've been researching a BUNCH lately. And while I'm on the track of keeping the Contour and saving money, I have decided on my next car. A Ford Escort ZX2. I looked into them a bunch and they are apparently very reliable (ends up the 2.0 isn't as crappy as I thought...) and also great little project cars. I love how they look, as well. Upon looking around C-list they can be had for 1500-2000 for a clean low mileage one. Much better pricing than the Miata, and more room. Only downside is it is FWD. But I will survive. Plans for it would be a daily, of course. With as many slight performance mods as possible within budget and ect. Just gotta add my own little touch to it, ya know?

 

 

We had a new ZX 2 in 1998.  Good little run about car. Even took it on some long trips.  Good MPG, remember 38 mpg on a run to Vegas. Low 30's were easy on a trip.  High 20's was the worst we ever got.  Gave it to sister-in-law in 2003, who drove it for another 10 years till it lost a head gasket at around 180K.  Would likely still be running fine if her hubby was not a total mechanical fool.

[87Warrior]

I know you have started to lean away from the Miata, but I have to say my 97 MX5 was a total joy to drive. Coincidentally, about the same time I had the Miata my college roommate had an Escort. I didn't care for the Escort simply because it was a run of the mill vanilla driver.

 

My Miata averaged 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway and was nearing time for a second timing belt replacement. It was bone stock and reliable. Had an external slave cylinder for the clutch too. The Miata rode like a roadster and was by no means 'quick', but was very comfortable to drive even being 6'3". At the time my girlfriend (now wife) hated the car because it sat so low to the ground. She described getting into as, "sitting on the ground and tipping over". The ONLY reason I sold that car was to buy my first MJ. While I am thrilled to be part of the MJ club, I really miss the Miata. I'd absolutely love to get another one but I have no reason to and with a garage and shop full of toys it would be hard to convince the wife..... Miata is the Jeep of the roadster world.

 

I don't have many pics online of the car, but this is a Photoshop I did.LOL

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You also can't go wrong with a 4cylinder Toyota commuter. @240k miles my wife's '02 Camry got a consistent 27mpg. That cars record was 42mpg in Wyoming on our way back home from Yellowstone. We would still have that car if it wasn't totalled by a red light runner. You could fit the whole shop in the trunk. I had a buddy across the state ask for some Jeep help one weekend so we loaded up the Camry and away we went.

[Knucklehead97]

I know you have started to lean away from the Miata, but I have to say my 97 MX1 was a total joy to drive. Coincidentally, about the same time I had the Miata my college roommate had an Escort. I didn't care for the Escort simply because it was a run of the mill vanilla driver.

 

My Miata averaged 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway and was nearing time for a second timing belt replacement. It was bone stock and reliable. Had an external slave cylinder for the clutch too. The Miata rode like a roadster and was by no means 'quick', but was very comfortable to drive even being 6'3". At the time my girlfriend (now wife) hated the car because it sat so low to the ground. She described getting into as, "sitting on the ground and tipping over". The ONLY reason I sold that car was to buy my first MJ. While I am thrilled to be part of the MJ club, I really miss the Miata. I'd absolutely love to get another one but I have no reason to and with a garage and shop full of toys it would be hard to convince the wife..... Miata is the Jeep of the roadster world.

 

I don't have many pics online of the car, but this is a Photoshop I did.LOL

Image Not Found

 

You also can't go wrong with a 4cylinder Toyota commuter. @240k miles my wife's '02 Camry got a consistent 27mpg. That cars record was 42mpg in Wyoming on our way back home from Yellowstone. We would still have that car if it wasn't totalled by a red light runner. You could fit the whole shop in the trunk. I had a buddy across the state ask for some Jeep help one weekend so we loaded up the Camry and away we went.

there's a Miata on Instagram that a guy actually lifted and put 31" MT's on, it's crazy! I'm not really leaning away from the Miata as much as I am postponing it until I get a little more settled down as a manager in a nearby store with Publix. Miata would probably end up becoming another big project car for me...