Ok, done some more math and stuff like that and it seems like buying an older car seems to much of a risk for only saving a couple grand. Now I'm thinking I may just pick up something for $5k-$10k and drive that (saving wear and tear on the truck, and saving money).

Been looking at 2002-2006 Honda Accords with the 4cyl and A/T or Manual (6cyl isnt that great on gas)

2004-2005 Acura TSX

2004-2006 Jetta TDI or Gas


Any other suggestions? I am using this to save gas and wear and tear on my truck. I will be using this for a year or so (maybe more, but only a year right now). Dont want to drive around in something I hate either. Reliability and low cost of ownership is a concern. I figure the Accord would probably win out on that.

1/23/2011 8:01:08 PM

not interested in performance?

camry 4-cylinder all the way

1/23/2011 9:12:42 PM

^I mean I would love to have something with enough power to get out of the way of a semi or something like that, but I dont have to have a rocketship.

1/23/2011 9:24:25 PM

it can definitely do that

those 4 cylinder camries(?) pick up pretty well. it's just that there's not much difference between normal acceleration from a stop and pedal-to-the-metal acceleration

1/23/2011 9:26:21 PM

if you're only going to drive it for a year, you probably won't save much money

unless you get a steal and shine that bitch up and sell it for what you've got in it or more

you have to factor in taxes, tags, etc.

1/23/2011 9:45:19 PM

What truck are you saving wear and tear on?

If you want sporty, gotta go w/a manual, it'd get better mileage as well.

[Edited on January 23, 2011 at 10:19 PM. Reason : I was going to suggest a Golf turbo, but that might be a bit much for your primary concern.]

1/23/2011 10:16:29 PM

Its my Toyota Tundra. I got it new when I was 16, and want to keep it for a while. It already has 140k, but it is expensive to maintain (gas, tires, breaks, oilchanges etc).

1/23/2011 10:34:50 PM

All this for a Tundra? Unless it absolutely pulls at your heartstrings, sell it and get another vehicle more appropriate for your needs.

And I'm curious why oil changes are expensive for a run of the mill Toyota pickup.

[Edited on January 23, 2011 at 10:49 PM. Reason : k]

1/23/2011 10:49:15 PM

The Tundra meets my needs for my job. I use it pulling and hauling stuff for the construction company and using it for my detailing vehicle. However, as a daily driver to Raleigh and back it sucks.

1/23/2011 10:50:20 PM

Why are brakes and oil changes expensive for a Toyota pick up?

1/23/2011 10:54:46 PM

^20" wheels, lifted truck, bigger tires. Brakes wear out faster. Last break service I had was $300+ dollars, once a year. $800-$900 set of tires. $40 oil change.

[Edited on January 23, 2011 at 11:02 PM. Reason : .]

1/23/2011 11:01:17 PM

if you're looking to save money on gas and wear you need to go with a 4 cylinder economy car. they are more likely to have smaller, cheaper tires and they will get noticeably better fuel economy than larger 4 cylinder sedans. Believe it or not you're not going to average better than mid 20s combined in a lot of midsize 4 cylinder cars from the past decade. I would get a Civic-class car over an Accord. For that budget you will get a lower mileage car and you will have better fuel economy.

it seems like an all-or-nothing thing for you... either shitbox or keep driving this truck. or sell the truck and go another direction.

[Edited on January 23, 2011 at 11:34 PM. Reason : .]

1/23/2011 11:33:48 PM

Go cheap shitbox like a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic...

Honda Accords, even the four-bangers, don't get astounding mileage for what they are.

1/23/2011 11:45:09 PM

do your own brakes next time, its easy enough to learn

1/23/2011 11:54:51 PM

Quote :

"Last break service I had was $300+ dollars, once a year"

That's just rediculous.

1/24/2011 1:33:42 AM

Obligatory legacy gt. Mine gets 24 mpg if I can keep my foot out of it.
It drops off drastically if I can't but still well worth it.

1/24/2011 7:23:34 AM

I'm trying to understand why someone would mod a Tundra to the point that the yearly maintenance expenses are on par with a $100k sports car.

1/24/2011 8:44:07 AM

I know this is coming from left field, but have you considered an e30?

It's not going to save you a ton on gas, but they're great little cars that can be kept on the road very cheaply. Insurance is cheap, 15" tires can be had cheap, parts are cheap. They're not going down in value as long as you keep it up mechanically. If anything, you'll probably make money on it after you put your detailing talents to use. Best of all, it's actually a fun car to drive compared to most of the cars you're talking about.

[Edited on January 24, 2011 at 9:36 AM. Reason : l]

1/24/2011 9:35:42 AM

Quote :

"TKE-Teg All American 32685 Posts user info edit post I'm trying to understand why someone would mod a Tundra to the point that the yearly maintenance expenses are on par with a $100k sports car. 1/24/2011 8:44:07 AM "

You are vastly underestimating operating costs on a six figure sports car.

[Edited on January 24, 2011 at 9:59 AM. Reason : *]

1/24/2011 9:58:56 AM

Unlift the truck and put the stock wheels/tires back on. Your mileage will go up and your doucheyness will go down. Cut the cost of brake jobs in half by getting the parts online and installing them yourself.

1/24/2011 10:10:20 AM

I am confused as to where in the original post I asked for opinions on my truck, my reasons for getting a new car, my maintience cost, where you stand on me being a douche or not, or the reason for getting a new car.

I was asking for opinions on cars between $5000-$10,000, simple as that.

1/24/2011 10:14:20 AM

^^^what am I missing? Dodge Viper, Corvette ZR-1, 911, GT-R...on a yearly basis you're not going to be spending more than $1200 on tires and brakes unless you track it regularly or enjoy doing burnouts at every stoplight.

1/24/2011 10:26:36 AM

not if you drive it regularly

1/24/2011 10:29:15 AM

I fail to see what would make their upkeep higher, other than getting ripped off by dealer labor rates.

1/24/2011 11:43:52 AM

Quote :

"2004-2005 Acura TSX"

I thought you were trying to save money, but don't these run on premium gas? And you're going to have to get a higher mileage one in that price range. why don't you get a shitbox? If the goal is to save money then you shouldn't get a lowend luxury car.

Quote :

"2004-2006 Jetta TDI or Gas"

only if you go diesel. otherwise there's no point

Quote :

"Any other suggestions? "

1998-2002 Corolla. I would say 96-2000 Civic but too many of them are modified. The Civic will get a little better gas mileage than the Corolla but the Civic is lower displacement and has less useable torque

1/24/2011 12:02:25 PM

^^ok, i'll play your game for a second.

if i had a 2010 ZR1:

from tirerack:

$2044, just for tires, no shipping, no installation

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=0&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoYear=2010&autoModel=Corvette+ZR1&autoModClar=&frontWidth=285/&frontRatio=30&frontDiameter=19&frontSortCode=57900&rearWidth=335/&rearRatio=25&rearDiameter=20&rearSortCode=60220&tab=All


and you'll probably need a couple of sets if you daily drive the car, not including track days or driving events. These tires are probably not gonna get more than 8k out of a 600+ hp car

[Edited on January 24, 2011 at 12:05 PM. Reason : sfd]






even cheaping out on a set of kumho's for a 2005 Viper is still more than $1200

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=0&autoMake=Dodge&autoYear=2005&autoModel=Viper+SRT%2F10&autoModClar=&frontWidth=275/&frontRatio=35&frontDiameter=18&frontSortCode=54400&rearWidth=345/&rearRatio=30&rearDiameter=19&rearSortCode=58200&tab=All

[Edited on January 24, 2011 at 12:08 PM. Reason : not even oem tires]

1/24/2011 12:02:52 PM

^^Dont want to drive around in a shitbox. I'm hoping to find a car that is decently inexpensive (under $10,000), reliable, good on gas, and not a shitbox.

[Edited on January 24, 2011 at 12:15 PM. Reason : .]

1/24/2011 12:15:07 PM

I second an E30.

1/24/2011 12:18:37 PM

not to mention that the insurance on that $100k car is going to be about ten times higher.

1/24/2011 12:21:44 PM

Quote :

"Dont want to drive around in a shitbox. I'm hoping to find a car that is decently inexpensive (under $10,000), reliable, good on gas, and not a shitbox."

ok so you're not really serious about saving much money over your truck then.

1/24/2011 1:01:34 PM

I see unmodified civics all day long ray. What are you talking about?

1/24/2011 1:28:53 PM

^ well you're right actually. it's only EF's and other really cheap models that are modified/trashed

1/24/2011 1:38:47 PM

Civics FTMFW

1/24/2011 1:51:49 PM

Ugh, I shouldn't have mentioned the ZR1 since it performs on level with $300k cars

I could argue some more but I'll concede b/c I am mostly incorrect.

'92-'95 Civic.

1/24/2011 2:37:35 PM

i wouldnt suggest an 06 tdi if the engine code is BRM (would be the MK5 body style). some of those had faulty camshafts (not properly hardened), and you would probably be better of just not having to worry about it.. there's a 100+ page thread on tdi club if you want more info

the 05 tdi would still be the MK4 body style. has BEW. pretty much the same engine without the potential for failure and 45ish mpg

[Edited on January 25, 2011 at 5:04 PM. Reason : ..]

1/25/2011 5:02:59 PM

Yeah, found a 2005 TDI and a 2004 1.8T. The 1.8T is cheaper, but the TDI is 10-15mpg better on fuel.

1/25/2011 5:22:39 PM

Guy's got $5-10k to spend on a "not shitbox", and you fellars recommend an e30?

e30 is too awesome, not everybody can handle it, please respect the e30. Kthx.

1/25/2011 5:38:06 PM

$500 '96-02 high mileage Ford Taurus.

1/25/2011 5:51:34 PM

E36?
Dohc nottashitbox.

1/25/2011 11:09:37 PM

thats true. there are plenty of sub $2k vanosless e36 325i out there.

1/25/2011 11:28:02 PM

I still want to make an m50b32 e30...

1/25/2011 11:37:10 PM

TDI would be sweet

1/26/2011 10:42:06 AM