Looking for a good reliable daily preferably stick, saves gas. I will be modding the daily eventually, so I dont want a total bucket.

Any input on what type of car I should get as a daily? What kinda DD do you all drive?

Some ideas that I had in mind were

- Mazda Miata (dont know how reliable it is, can anyone chime in on this?)
- Honda S2000 AP1 although on the pricey side for a DD



NO CIVICS / ACCORDS, DEL SOLS, CAMRYs please!! I will be modding this car.

 

2008 CaymanS?
Thoughts?

 

Miata is a good choice, especially in soCal. They are quick (not fast) and very fun to drive. (My late wife had a 92 and she loved it. I had to sell it after her accident in 96 as there was no room for her wheelchair.) There are tons of aftermarket parts, some even tasteful. There is a perception issue about guys who drive a Miata, but most owners ignore that and simply enjoy the fun simplicity of the car.

Avoid 1999 models (first year of the nb body style) as some had a crank bearing issue. Otherwise, they are quite reliable. The only issue with soCal cars is that many were used as daily drivers and show it. Buying a midwest Miata is great because most were 2nd or 3rd cars and only driven on nice days in warm weather.

 

Price limit? S2000's aren't super great on gas...

GTI comes to mind for a solid daily driver that is very mod-friendly, and solid comfort for daily driving.

 

I've always been partial to 4-door Integra GSRs

 

Since there is Cayman S, I say Scion FR-S.

 

I had a co-worker who used the California lemon law to give his Mazda MX-5 back to the dealer. There was nothing wrong with the drive-train. Just that the convertible top would not fully close.

 

You and me both...for some reason, 4dr teggy's look much better than the coupes


FRS wouldn't be a bad choice...


I used to own a G20...had a VVL swap, lowered n what not. Pretty quickly daily while giving me about 28mpg. You could also throw in a fwd DET motor and have a really reliable 275hp turbo G20. Many guys have simple setups around this range.

 

Miata / S2k are too cramped for DD. That being said, I still loved my S2k, so that gets my vote. 24 mpg combined isn't bad.

 

miata is a very reliable vehicle! and so simple to work on. and a hoot to drive.

i miss mine.

 

S2K FTW!!! I will eventually get a white on red for a fun car.

 

Miss mine too...


Miata's actually make great DD's.... IF:

- You don't need to haul anything around
- It's primarily just you, and maybe an occasional passenger
- You're not 6'4" an 250 lbs
- You're secure in your manhood


I drove o95 Miata as a DD for 4 or 5 years with no complaints. At 6'1" with a 34" inseam, I had no problem fitting into mine... but I'm also fairly slim, and had the seat all the way back. The car was rock-solid reliable from the day I purchased it, to when I finally got rid of it at 130k miles, needing nothing but oil changes and such. I regularly saw 30-35mpg (even with a heavy foot). And with decent snows, I got through the worst that Pittsburgh winters could throw at me.

The car was also a blast to drive!!! Extreemly well balanced to toss around in the twisties, and as long as you kept the motor spooled up a little, and the gearbox in the right gear, you never wanted for power. That's not to say it's got much power, just that you never really needed to get out of the throttle much. And it also takes to mods relatively easily if you'r so inclined.

If you're just going back and forth to work, want something relatively cheap, and still wanna have some fun driving, it's definitely not a bad way to go.

 

BUMP!

still looking for a DD

a FR-S is definitely not practical for a DD

 

Mazdaspeed 3

 

i only like the hatch and its definitely outta my price range!