Need new daily driver advice

[lanemeyer14]

Seeing as my latest dd got stolen the other day, I'm already searching the net for a new car. I had a 2000 Honda civic hatchback that nada values at $4500, so I'm hoping insurance will give me something close to that amount. I want something reliable, but I'm also a big fan of small cars.....oh yeah, I have to be able to afford it too! I've always wanted a honda del sol, so I'm looking at those, and I'm also looking at 98+ miatas (if I can afford one). Do you guys have any other recommendations? As much as I want a del sol I know it's probably not a wise choice since I've had TWO hondas stolen from me in less than two years. I feel like if I get another honda I might as well park it with the keys in the ingnition and a sign in the window that say "Free, take me!". Just looking for some input from my second family....share your wisdom!

[fattie]

i would recommend an 03 or 04 focus zx3 with the 2.3 duratec motor. i have 123k on my 05 2liter and its never left me stranded, also the duratec motor is a mazda motor so its kinda like our festivas.

[05zx4st]

. my 05 st had 80k miles of HARD driving,nitrous,prob-300 1/8 drag race passes,etc. nothing ever broke on it,but its hard to find a duratec focus for cheap last ive looked.

[lanemeyer14]

Yeah, main thing is I have to be able to afford it. I'm not swimming in money, so I'm pretty much only working with what insurance gives me. Oh yeah, also interested in insurance prices...gotta have full coverage in my area!

[fattie]

Yeah, main thing is I have to be able to afford it. I'm not swimming in money, so I'm pretty much only working with what insurance gives me. Oh yeah, also interested in insurance prices...gotta have full coverage in my area!

if you look around enough you can find one for around 4k private sale. i pay 120 a month for full coverage on my own policy with some speeding tickets and such on my record.

[muscle_Car1]

Early miatas can be had in the $2-4K range

[deathegg]

I'm thinkin' Mazda Protege, '94 and up, but preferably the '99-'03. Sedans are pretty cheap these days, and are reliable and fun to drive. Also, unlike Honda's, they aren't on anyones list of cars to steal.

[lanemeyer14]

Also, unlike Honda's, they aren't on anyones list of cars to steal.

Exactly why I was thinking of a miata!

[Roboskittle]

I recommend a Ford Festiva lol. No one wants to steal them, they get great gas mileage and you know a ton about them. Good luck man.

[yutz]

celica ?????????

i have a nice 1996 celica gt convert, automatic new timing belt under 130000 miles,

[lanemeyer14]

I recommend a Ford Festiva lol. No one wants to steal them, they get great gas mileage and you know a ton about them. Good luck man.

Haha, true. I'd love to just finish my festy and get back to driving it. But without a car to get up to Mark's (zanzer) house about an hour away, it's hard to get up there and work on finishing it up! My work schedule also screws me over on getting the time to get up there. It would be ideal to just get that finished and not even worry about getting another car though

[lanemeyer14]

i have a nice 1996 celica gt convert, automatic new timing belt under 130000 miles,

Tempting but I really want a 5spd, and I heard you live WAY out in the middle of nowhere, so it would be hard for me to get there. Haha

[eurotiva]

^buy casper

[lanemeyer14]

Apparently my car was recovered on friday night. I only know this because my gf's boss is friends with a cop and he took a personal interest and looked into it for me. So, my car has been sitting in the impound lot racking up storage fees yet NO ONE has contacted me! This happened last time my car was stolen. I didn't get a call until a month later and by that time the storage fees for my car were over $600! I swear the cops are working with thieves and tow companies just to make money! I'd like to say a few choice words, but since this isn't the arena I'll let it slide. I will be giving the "detective" that is in charge of my case and the person that's supposed to notify me when my car is found a piece of my mind when he finally does call me

[blkfordsedan]

Shouldn't insurance cover the impound lot & towing fees? It is a theft recovery and has saved them $4K in a claims pay-out. I would put pressure on your agent (unless you left your keys in it to start with).