You also have an IS350 and drive a near 15 year old car as your DD?

I don't understand when people use beaters to replace a ~40k car that is already a relatively fuel efficient liveable daily driver, but thats just me.

To the OP, unless your GS is modded to the point where you have to steer around potholes and stuff I would just drive it. If you take care of it, it should last you long even with racking up miles.

 

I voted for late 80s Prelude. First car was an '88 Prelude. The handling of these vehicles is beautiful. Ours was yellow, originally my dad's. The downside to these is that they rust like its their job. We only had it for 3 years before the wheel wells began rusting. Its ashame.

 

IMO MR2 isnt a commuter car
it rides too rough for everyday driving IMHO

i would get an LS400 for that purpose instead for more comfort
or a corolla

but it all depends on how much you drive each day and how much luxury you want
how about 300ZX?

 

Rust isn't the only problem with older Preludes. AVOID the 4-wheel steering ones. They are miserable to deal with if they need repair or if the system fails.

 

And oil leaks can be catostrophic.

 

my is350 is for the weekends. and my deuce is far from a beater.

 

alot of great suggestions... thanks!

I am sticking to japanese cars at this point. I am also looking for something that will do well on gas, so probably the 400 is out.

I am considering at this point, older Toyota 4x4 or 4runner (pre 1990) with 4cyl and 5 spd. I know that 4x4 are not the greatest on gas, but my last one actually got in the low to mid 20's city with the 4cyl / 5 spd duo with a mild lift and 33" tires.

The other option is the older prelude that doesnt have the 4 wheel steering and is less than 100k.

The option of the MR2 is out as I dont want to deal with burning through tires and such, allthough I would love it as a toy. One of the reasons why I would like to let the GS sit. When I say that I want the GS to stay low mileage, I am thinking that I will probably keep it 10-12 years and with 50K on it now, I am thinking it will be nice to trick it out and make it the car that always stays super clean. Also, at almost $500 each, I dont want to burn through tires and see the car get the daily beating on OC freeways, although it could be worse.

I wil probably end up waiting for the right 4runner and do a mild lift and rims to it and swap back and forth between the two cars.

With all of this, it looks like my daily commute to work will become about a 5 mile round trip, so I am in no hurry, just want to find the right second car.

 

ST185 celica GT4/alltrac if u can find it is pretty bulletproof, ANY camry (most with HG issues have already had motors replaced), early '90s LS400 or GS300, or perhaps a relatively unmolested S14 240sx (if u manage to find one)

 

Do you plan on modding your next car? If not, then you might want to get something that you might not mod and good on gas like a mid 90's corolla, camry, etc.

I traded in my s2k for a GS430 and kind of regret it because now I'm spending money moddding the GS when I should be modding the SC. Sometimes I feel like trading it in for a first gen Rav4 or a CR-V that way I get better gas milage and I know for sure that I won't mod it.

~Josh

 

1992 Accord LX- Rosewood

I bought it off my elderly neighbor with 142k on it for $1400. She had every single receipt for the car and kept it in spotless condition. The only thing I did to it is replace the antenna because she broke it off in a car wash...oops. It's ridiculous how much these old Honda's are going for...I've had it about 6 months and I've had at least 20 offers for the car.

Everytime I drive the GS now it feels like a Ferrari

 

whatever you get, the mr2 isn't a good daily driver.

 

before i got my sc, I used to have a 1990 celica GTS and i loved the hell outta that car. It rarely broke down, never had any significant problems. Drove amazing

Looks nicer than any early 90's car IMO, and its one of my all time fav cars ever

I still have it only now my brother drives it and its has 200k+ on the clock and still running like a champ!

so my recommendation is for the 5th gen celica gts.

:edit: oh yea ive owned the celica for about 5 years

this was my celica =)

 

I used to have a 1992 Celica GT-S. Hard to find the GT-S and All-Trac trims though. Mine had 210k on the clock before I sold it. Same color Super White II. I drove mine hard and always got 20+mpg. It's pretty peppy as well. Handles like a champ. If you drive this thing nicely you'd probably hit very high 20s. Never had any major mechanical issues.

 

For $4k I think the best choice is a '99-'00 Corolla in terms of reliability and ownership cost. They get around ~ 30mpg and wont break down on you unless you never change the oil and even then youve got a shot LOL. I have a friend who has owned an Auto Repair shop for many years. I asked him once if he ever had a Corolla in the shop and he said NO, NEVER! He told me he's had plenty of Camrys, Accords, etc... but never a Corolla! Of course its not a sporty car but for $4k its the best way to go