Midwest RX-7 Forum Serving KY, IN, IL, MO, MI, WI, IA, MN, ND, SD, NE, KS

I need a commute car

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Old Jun 11, 2006 | 09:57 PM
  #1  
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I need a commute car

So I know this post might be a little out of place, but I want it here because of the target audience i'm hoping will respond to it.

This question primarily goes to FC fans/owners, but I suppose I'm going for anyone's opinion.

I have my FC, and I want to baby it. I don't want to break it down on my daily 60 mile commute. If I break it, I want it to be having fun on my weekend time, not on my way to me 9 to 5.

But I don't want to buy a damn civic. To hell with that. I want to drive something I still know I like, something that wouldn't make me feel like a retard. I really hated driving a damn auto 98 Jetta GL, or my sister's Echo. I'm sick of queer cars. I had so much fun with my FC on the freeway, I don't want to be dissapointed replacing it for that drive.

And I want to know, what do you think I would like, what do you think would be a good but fun commute car? the budget looks like it'll be about $2500. I like pop-up light bodystyles, I need at least 20 mpg, and I still want to be able to pass up that ******* that wants to be a **** block on the road. Obviously I'd want something that wouldn't be too much of a pain to work on, on hands and wallet.

I've got my eyes on the 240sx coupe (not the fastback) (what late eighties early nineties model?) But I know that might be a bit... of a high aim, and I really don't know amuch about that car. One buddie of mine keeps telling me I should get an AE86. I would, but I'm skeptical. Another suggests getting a CRX and swapping motors. I'm still skeptical.

I just want to hear opinions, suggestions, whatever - as I'm having difficulty making up my mind and I'd like to hear what other people think.
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Old Jun 11, 2006 | 10:36 PM
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Midwest 7's's Avatar
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just drive the 7, sitting 5 days out of the week would take more out of her than miles would.
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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by sykminded
not on my way to me 9 to 5.

ARRRRRRGH, matey!




Just drive the damn thing! They really don't like to sit around.

If it bothers you that much, take the 2k you'd spend on another car to get you back and fourth to long john silvers, rebuild your motor and fix a bunch of other stuff on your FC.

Then you won't have to worry about it breaking.
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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 07:28 PM
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Buy an FB a 12a last forever unless you turbo them.
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Old Jun 12, 2006 | 11:39 PM
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The motor isn't my entire concern. I'm not talking about blowing the engine. I'm talking about age, the whole car in general. If an engine blows, it can be a fixable problem. I'm talking more along the lines of just running the car into the ground, or crashing.

An FB huh? Not a bad idea to tell you the truth. haha.

But what would hurt it so bad by resting in my garage?

Last edited by sykminded; Jun 12, 2006 at 11:42 PM.
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 09:20 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by aussiesmg
Buy an FB a 12a last forever unless you turbo them.
that was my initial thought, lol.
everyone needs an fb!
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 10:39 PM
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anybody have anything actually constructive to say, or am I surrounded by a bunch of rotor-supremists no different than every honda-head? Is it really all or nothin?

Don't get me wrong, these are great cars an' all..... but that's the frikkin point. I don't want to drive this beautiful car to death. I want to grow old with it. I'd rather run down some other kind of car. And I am seeking opinion on what would be a good car to run into the ground. I want to keep my wankel. And believe me, the money will be invested. It WILL be invested. And yeah... i know technically, i'd get a lot more miles out of it on the freeway than I would in the back roads - and don't get me wrong, this car is great on the freeway, i'm sure anyone knows that .... I just feel that if I drive this thing tired on the freeway that I won't get out of it all that I'd like to when I really wanna have some fun - y' know? Not to mention that the whole 18 miles to the gallon is what's really driving me to look at other cars. I need to spend just a bit fewer bucks a month on gas. We all know the price at the station ain't goin' down.

Last edited by sykminded; Jun 13, 2006 at 10:48 PM.
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 10:41 AM
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I use mine for commute (about 40 mile a day). I just don't want to spend my time every day with something I don't want to drive.
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 11:49 AM
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In my experience, leaving a car to sit for a few days does bad things to it over time. We had this problem with my dad's 86 535i. If the thing sat for more than 3 or 4 days it would have problems starting and if/when it did would idle roughly, die, etc. I think that is what Midwest 7's is getting at. If you leave your RX boxed up she'll never forgive you when you want to go play. If you're looking at getting a commuter then at least go for some short drives with the RX....like if you go out to the movies or shopping or something, even just aimless driving like I do from time to time. That way nothing sits for too long "gunking up the works" as it were.

Back to your original question. I drive a 2k VW GTI. The VR6 under the hood gets me average 22-24 MPG and can blow by your average rice rocket and cell phone using moron in the left lane with ease. The 4th gen sounds like its out of your price range though. If you look for something a bit older you may find one inexpensive though I'm not certain on any gas mileage numbers. That's about all the advice I can offer. I've grown up with German cars and they have been reliable and efficient with few exceptions. If you can find something in your price range it should do well for what you're looking for.
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 06:12 PM
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I had a '95 Teg GS-R, that in the 11 1/2 years I owned it only had 2 problems, one of which was right before I sold it- bad clutch master cylinder (replaced under warranty), and ABS light (which, when I pulled the code was one of the wheel speed sensors....$110 part at the dealer). Either way, it was cheap to run, got 29-31 mpg warm weather and 24 to 27 in the cold. A nice compliment to my FD, but I replaced it with a new RX-8; so now I've got 4 rotors in the garage.
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by MisterX
I had a '95 Teg GS-R, that in the 11 1/2 years I owned it only had 2 problems, one of which was right before I sold it- bad clutch master cylinder (replaced under warranty), and ABS light (which, when I pulled the code was one of the wheel speed sensors....$110 part at the dealer). Either way, it was cheap to run, got 29-31 mpg warm weather and 24 to 27 in the cold. A nice compliment to my FD, but I replaced it with a new RX-8; so now I've got 4 rotors in the garage.
I had thought about an integra for a bit, but decided I don't want FR. But who knows, I can't exactly be picky.

And believe me man, if I could afford the insurance, an RX-8 would already be my daily.

Unfortunately, for now, I must look to other ... cheaper ... solutions. I'm driving my wife's Jetta GL right now, and it's driving me insane.

Oh to hell with it I'm just gonna get a toyota pick-up. lol.

And if I were to successfully get a 'cheaper to drive' daily - the FC would still be driven, believe me, just less. Still at least 4 out of 7 days a week. What's really ticked me off is the fact that I just don't have anything decent to run around in while my FC is wounded. My radiator is blown and I need a rebuild. Driving a slow *** auto Jetta just isn't my thing. I prefer to have options, should one car be down.

I know what I'll do. I'll betray all that I've learned, and get a 92 Civic. I'll rattle-can it orange, put some tezza's in the back, and grab an Autozone muffler. That should be hella fast, right? -oh and we can't forget the spoiler....

Last edited by sykminded; Jun 14, 2006 at 08:30 PM.
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by sykminded
anybody have anything actually constructive to say, or am I surrounded by a bunch of rotor-supremists no different than every honda-head? Is it really all or nothin?

Don't get me wrong, these are great cars an' all..... but that's the frikkin point. I don't want to drive this beautiful car to death. I want to grow old with it. I'd rather run down some other kind of car. And I am seeking opinion on what would be a good car to run into the ground. I want to keep my wankel. And believe me, the money will be invested. It WILL be invested. And yeah... i know technically, i'd get a lot more miles out of it on the freeway than I would in the back roads - and don't get me wrong, this car is great on the freeway, i'm sure anyone knows that .... I just feel that if I drive this thing tired on the freeway that I won't get out of it all that I'd like to when I really wanna have some fun - y' know? Not to mention that the whole 18 miles to the gallon is what's really driving me to look at other cars. I need to spend just a bit fewer bucks a month on gas. We all know the price at the station ain't goin' down.
drive a car to death??!?? what is that suppose to mean.
these cars are great but you dont want to drive it!!??
you got me totally lost dude.
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