OK, I'm looking at three cars to replace my daily driver. And I'm having trouble deciding which to buy. Good sense tells me to buy the Caliber. The fun driver in me tells me to buy the 3000GT. The snow outside tells me to buy the AWD Mercedes.

First car:
1999 Mercedes E320 4Matic with 48,000 miles for $10k
Advantages: AWD, same motor as Crossfire
Disadvantages: car is over 10 years old, service could be costly, it's an automatic (BORING)

Second Car:
2008 Dodge Caliber SE with 6,000 miles for $11k
Advantages: it's basically a brand new car, its a stick, good gas mileage
Disadvantages: only 148 horse power, driving it could be annoying

Third Car:
1998 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL with 57,000 miles for $7k
Advantages: I love this car (I had one back in the 90's), it's a stick, it will be fun to drive, it was really good in the snow as long as you put good tires on it
Disadvantages: its over 10 years old and service could be a problem

To clarify the situation, I need a new daily driver to get me to work, even in nasty weather. I put about 1,000 miles a month on a car, just driving to work. I also can't afford a brand new car until I either finish my masters degree or finish paying for the SRT-6. So whatever I get needs to be around $10k or less.

So many cars, so little time (and money)!

 

That's a tough one but I would go with the Dodge if it has a good warranty. The other 2 could turn out to be money pits.

 

out of the 3, the 2nd one in my opnion. the 3000gt with nickle and dime you to death maintanace wise, the benz won't be too far off on that same scenario

id say get a late model dakota or similar as it'll go thru anythign, get decent mpg and be able to haul all kinds of 'ish. it woudl pull a trailer too

 

Yeah, I hear ya, Rob. But it's a 3000GT! I know you had one too. That was the first car I had that I loved. It's hard to pass it up. I know I should go with the Caliber out of the three. I need to drive it and see if I can live with the lack of power.

The Dakota isn't a bad idea, but I just don't like trucks. (which may exclude the Mercedes, LOL)

 

Daily drive,r got to get to work, the Dodge

 

ya i know they are pretty cars but parts cost 4 times what they should and thats when you get them at a mitsu dealership with a 3si discount. my stealth is being painted right now in prep for selling it (the clear coat came off the hood/roof/trunk).

i like ya too much to let ya get a 3000gt

 

if ya can handle the look of it grab a turbo pt cruiser with a warranty. we can throw a few little tweaks to it and really wake it up for cheap as it has the srt-4 motor in it. and ti will have lots of cargo room. ive been looking at them myself for a parts runner but im still not sure i can handle it being in my driveway, lol.

 

bow down,, get a 06 camry no recall on the 06 drive it forever 33mpg and the 4 cyl is faster than you think. I have one for when my crossfire needs work i have old reliable to drive,,on when i red lighted at the track my wife in the camry won the race, she ran a 18.60 ,, yet she won in our camry. she has a mustang i have the srt6 and we have the camry,, jim

 

I forgot about the turbo PT Cruisers...

Ballpark, what're we talking to get some pep out of them? I'm not talking dragster like Jim's Cruiser, but they do need some extra umph.

 

I'm not sure about the 3000GT SL, but the Stealth R/T twin turbo that I used to have was an absolute money pit. Of course it may have been more reliable if I didn't mod it ... but then again, maybe not.

I'd go for something like this: Cars for Sale: 2004 Volvo S60 2.5T AWD in Akron, OH 44312: Sedan Details - 272527504 - AutoTrader.com

 

Thanks Bill. I don't think I could drive a Volvo, plus it's not a stick, which is another hit against it. That one does look to be in good shape though.

 

Tom - Looks like I'm the only one voting for the Benz. Parts & service should be plentiful (although may be on the expensive side) and it should run forever. The AWD is a big plus for the PA winters.

Caliber - I've got a '09 Patriot (same as Caliber) for my winter beater with a 5 speed, and it's not a fun car to drive. Cheap and shifts poorly, however MPGs are in the high 20's to lower 30's.

Mitsu - Agree it will be costly, but the most fun of the three when it's running.

 

Tom I loved my 3000GT and my Stealth, but as the miles pile up (like everybody has said) so will the bills. The closer you get to 100k, the better the chances are you'll be spending BIG money.
You probably know where I'm going with this, find a good Civic. If performance is THAT important in your everyday driver. Look for an SI from an older owner. Even all stock and it will still out run 75% of the other "everyday drivers" out there.
Remember, (at your age) being considered a "Tuner Boy" could be a good thing. Check out a NOPI convention sometime.

 

I'm with Harbor. the benz is the best buy for your winter daily driver. the Caliber is rated about the same as the sebring, IE at the bottom of the totem pole, the Mitsu is a looker, but has a really good potential of eating you out of house and home, and that leaves just the benz if you don't want a small SUV like the trubute or escape, which are both very reliable, the tribute a tad more so, and I've have both. The alt went out on the Trib at 99K, but that's been about it for repairs on a 2002. But the AWD Benz would, IMO suit your needs better where you are, and when you want to sell it there will always be a kid who wants to impress that'll buy it.

 

Oh Tom...
I've got to say Rob is on to something here, I'm seeing you in a Dakota, roll bars , brush guard, big mudders... you know how the sweeties in the Confederate flag bikinis love trucks

 

OK, I stumbled onto to something that changes things. I had summarily dismissed the Scion tC because it is underpowered and there isn't crap for it in the aftermarket to add any power. But... I found out Vortec makes a blower for the tC motor, and Toyota even has a TRD supercharger kit (including the vortec blower).

Does anyone know anything about this kit? Pricing? Installation? I checked the Scion forums but it's hard to get past all the teenie boppers talking about the LEDs and stickers they put on their cars.

 

RickZ: you are a bad boy! LOL

 

Weekend s.........

You have to consider the storage and cargo room too as you new business activities begin to kick in. Possibly the idea of towing a trailer is not your first thought, but that may be helpful with the inventory and sales promotional materials.

Haven ( is that a word outside of PA?) started several business adventures, I know that growth can overwhelm your 'facilities' before you know it and then you stuck in that you can not make additional sales without more transport capabilities, i.e. Dragon, Carlisle and other sales venues.

Id go with the mercedes and who knows you may break into that group or club with the custom accessories, like you did for the Crossfire dash cupholders.

Weekend Woody, thats 48 hours you know .........weeeee

 

Tom, Tom, Tom......keep looking, please....

 

Well, the Caliber is a goner. I went to test drive it after work, and it had already been sold. I test drove a 2007 Chevy Cobalt with 20,000 miles. It was totally stripped down, but it is also $9k. I was surprised to find that it actually had some pep to it. I think there are some things you can do with that ecotech motor too, but alas, it's still a Chevy fart-can.

I'm still lookin...