I just bought an '05 Subaru Forester for $4k, it's been awesome so far. AWD, decent ground clearance, 4 doors, and 25 mpg. Just keep up with regular maintenance and they'll last forever.
03-06 Hyundai Elantra GT
35+MPG
NO Maintenance + very cheap parts if it does break
140hp/140tq+2400lbs=fun
"leather"
comes in a 5 speed
only problem I have had is the front lower control arm recall which was fixed by Hyundai with 120k miles on the clock. added a slew of parts and its one of the funnest cars I have driven in a while. handles like a go cart, makes more WHP than a swapped Honda and can seat 4 large men comfortably.
Where did the OP say he wanted good gas mileage? He wants something to beat on, not everyone wants to drive a ragged out Honda for thier DD.
I don't know many people(with a brain) that say, "I want horrible gas mileage for my DD". What constitutes ragged out? 5k will buy you quite a nice Civic, Integra or even an Accord in great condition. Sorry but these proposed Crown Vics won't be running nearly as long as a well-maintained Honda and ownership costs HEAVILY favor the Honda.
I hope you're joking... With 140hp that thing probably puts down 120-130whp. Ain't no swapped Honda making 120-130whp! :lol:
I think the lowest rated DOHC motor still makes 160hp, with the better ones making 200+.
160 in the proper car with the proper tuning....and that is at the flywheel. They make 120ft/lbs of torque stock, Hyundai has 140. Seen many guys get on a dyno to see 130-150whp with b16's. Ran a few and had quite a bit of fun with them too. I had a bit of nitrous on old large marge but that is besides the point.
Look around and you will see most b16 swapped Hondas that haven't been turboed make nothing to the tires. Let alone the 100wtq they make.
Oh and the Hyundai just put down 146whp/140wtq with the basic bolt ons. Nitrous will be going back on for a 200whp run coming very soon.
But bad gas mileage is bad gas mileage, regardless of how far your travel is. And it's not like being seen in a mint Crown Vic will win you anybody over as opposed to being seen in a mint Civic. :shrug: I'll take my "ragged out" Honda Civic over a Crown Vic, Escort, Focus, etc. any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
IF something catastrophic were to happen to any of the cars in here compared to a Honda Civic (with an exception to maybe a Escort), what do your repair bills look like? This is a daily driver after all. Things are gonna break and if you're not mechanically inclined and will be paying a shop for the repairs you need to consider that. If you are inclined consider which one is easier to work on physically and how abundant parts are.
But you're taking the most basic swap entry there is. I guess that's a fair enough comparison, but to someone like me who wouldn't jump into that scene with just a basic B16 it's a moot point. I'd have at least a GS-R (can be had for $5K or less), preferably a K20 (not so much a $5K car).
IF something catastrophic were to happen to any of the cars in here compared to a Honda Civic (with an exception to maybe a Escort), what do your repair bills look like? This is a daily driver after all. Things are gonna break and if you're not mechanically inclined and will be paying a shop for the repairs you need to consider that. If you are inclined consider which one is easier to work on physically and how abundant parts are.
But you're taking the most basic swap entry there is. I guess that's a fair enough comparison, but to someone like me who wouldn't jump into that scene with just a basic B16 it's a moot point. I'd have at least a GS-R (can be had for $5K or less), preferably a K20 (not so much a $5K car).
It may be OK to someone in terms of their thinking, but it's still a fact. Worse gas mileage is worse gas mileage no matter how you dice it. Location is relevant too. For me to really get anywhere I have to travel a solid 20-30 minutes. Even though my job may only be five or ten minutes away, it being my DD I'd have to use it for those 20-30 minute jaunts too. I guess living in a less rural area has it's benefits.
Either way I don't care. I used to DD my built Cobra with 4.10s. I worked a solid 45 minutes away.
If you're secure enough in your masculinity, go for a minivan.
I picked up a '97 dodge grand caravan for 1k. 185k miles, but single owner with proper maintenance. Took out the middle seat and now I basically have a pickup truck that is all sorts of versatile.
Yes, it's purple, and yes I get those "who the hell is driving this slow PoS" looks when ppl pass me trying to nurse the tranny along. But for what I paid, it's worth it to me. Gets me where I want to go.
I don't get the talking about Hyundai power vs Honda power. It's not like it matters and they will both feel slow anyways.
If you're secure enough in your masculinity, go for a minivan.
I picked up a '97 dodge grand caravan for 1k. 185k miles, but single owner with proper maintenance. Took out the middle seat and now I basically have a pickup truck that is all sorts of versatile.
Yes, it's purple, and yes I get those "who the hell is driving this slow PoS" looks when ppl pass me trying to nurse the tranny along. But for what I paid, it's worth it to me. Gets me where I want to go.