What's a good/cheap daily driver? - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

YELLOW_STL_MACH · 09-02-2006, 09:16 PM

What would be a good and cheap car for daily driving? (Don't need anything fancy, I just drive pretty far to work and want to keep the miles off the Mach.)

torchredmach · 09-02-2006, 09:24 PM

How cheap are we talking about here?

You can get a 99-01 V6 Stang in good shape for 5-6K

YELLOW_STL_MACH · 09-02-2006, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torchredmach

How cheap are we talking about here?

You can get a 99-01 V6 Stang in good shape for 5-6K

Looking cheaper. Around $2,000 or under.

Mustanger2 · 09-02-2006, 09:36 PM

Older Ford Escort...don't hold their value worth beans but seem to run forever...I have an old 98 Escort 128kmiles in perfect condition...up to 40+mpg.. 3rd one in the family

Ralph Greene · 09-02-2006, 09:38 PM

Then you need to look at cars no one likes and have low resale value. You probably won't like it either. Honda's and Toyota's are not on this list.

Example....you might find a low milage late 90's Ford Taurus for that amount, or something along those lines. A car like that will get mid to high 20's on hwy.

I recenntly decided I wanted a beater wagon of sorts to haul bicycles, go to HD, haul the grandkids fishing and to the beach etc. I didn't want to use one of our newer cars for that use. I found a spotless 54,000 mile 98 2WD Ford Exlorer XLT for $6000. It's not new, and doesn't drive like the new ones, but gets the job done for me. I can repair it forever, since I have no money in it.

G · 09-02-2006, 11:13 PM

I agree with Ralph on the Taurus. My son has a 94 SHO manual that does good on gas (needs premium) and it has just under 200K. It has some body damage so was a great buy.

gvervoren · 09-03-2006, 08:04 AM

I bought a 1993 Ford Probe for $2,000 a while back. It now has 165,000 miles and still purs like a kitten. Average 32 MPG. I drive 30 miles one way to work.

mach460 · 09-03-2006, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustanger2

Older Ford Escort...don't hold their value worth beans but seem to run forever...I have an old 98 Escort 128kmiles in perfect condition...up to 40+mpg.. 3rd one in the family

You got that right,my son has an 88 escort pony158000 he is the second owner
and it run's like new and the pony's only came as stick's............

73mach · 09-03-2006, 10:34 AM

i have an 89 mustang lx for a beater its a 4 banger 2.2 and it has 289k miles on it i just recently rebuilt the top half of the engine i get like 30+ mpg only paid 1200 for the car 4 years ago

1MEANSTANG · 09-03-2006, 11:03 AM

I found a 95 Honda Civic 4 door in good to excellent condition for $5,000. Seems a little high. The reason being is it only had 38,000 original miles.... And all the maintenance was just done including timing belt water pump and belts. Do to the time and age. All I had to do was sign and drive. Got it from a private seller. I drive it everyday to St. Augustine for work about 50 miles round trip. So far I have saved 20,000 miles on the Mach in one year. My wife and I use it everywhere. We keep the miles down on her new Volvo as well. My Tag on the Honda says "MY OTHER CAR IS A MACH 1" LOL Hell it's a Honda, It will last forever...

Mustanger2 · 09-03-2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YELLOW_STL_MACH

Looking cheaper. Around $2,000 or under.

I agree about the Honda BUT....$5000>$2000 by a bunch! Out of his price range

pic18 · 09-03-2006, 10:31 PM

A 97-04 Grand Prix with the 3800 V-6. Those motors are smooth, peppy, and durable.

SHKR281 · 09-04-2006, 01:24 AM

Honda, 4 banger manual, 4 doors, great gas. :THUMBSUP:

2k4mach · 09-04-2006, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sp3nis

Honda, 4 banger manual, 4 doors, great gas. :THUMBSUP:

Ralph Greene · 09-04-2006, 09:20 AM

4 cylinder stick shift small cab Rangers/Mazda's make good beaters also. (or 3.0 V 6 stick shift models) They also don't hold resale well. And are simple to repair. That would have been my favorite choice for a beater, except I neede back seat. Some base model V 6's have jump seats in rear of cab.

firebird1999us · 09-04-2006, 02:06 PM

If you want the cheapest, highest gas milage beater you can find nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close to the old Honda CRX! They get like 40+mpg and you could probably redo the whole thing for under $1000!

I've got a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2l auto that gets great gas milage that I drive 100 miles a day to work

I love it and have found that the J bodies sell for really cheap used: $2000-3000 will get you a good car! I originally paid $6000 for mine 2 years ago and have put a trouble free 75,000 miles on it since then.

Chris

gbranton · 09-04-2006, 02:37 PM

I have picked up a couple of late '80s early '90s Buicks with a 3.8 liter engine in them for $1000-$2000 and hey made great daily beaters. I know they are ugly and they are made by GM, but I had cold air, plenty of room and they get nearly 30 mpg on the highway.

Pros:

Cheap

Cheap parts

Room

Power everything

Suprisingly good mileage

Can't bust 'em

Cons:

Ugly

GM

Ugly

The last one I had I kept it for two years and made money when I sold it, even taking into condsideration the plugs, wires and water pump I bought for it. You can't ask for more than that.

09-02-2006, 09:16 PM	#1
YELLOW_STL_MACH Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 515	What's a good/cheap daily driver? What would be a good and cheap car for daily driving? (Don't need anything fancy, I just drive pretty far to work and want to keep the miles off the Mach.)

09-02-2006, 09:24 PM	#2
torchredmach Stock Gatorbacks > Slicks Join Date: May 2006 Location: MN Posts: 1,441	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? How cheap are we talking about here? You can get a 99-01 V6 Stang in good shape for 5-6K __________________ 2004 Torch Red Mach 1 w/ Al Papitto 32-Valve 5.4L Jon Lund Tuned for E85 First '13 GT500 running on ethanol and stock fuel system. World's Fastest Standing Mile Stock Supercharger GT500 - 197.2mph Texas Mile 3/22/2014 www.facebook.com/jordanweirracing

09-02-2006, 09:36 PM	#4
Mustanger2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 1,777	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? Older Ford Escort...don't hold their value worth beans but seem to run forever...I have an old 98 Escort 128kmiles in perfect condition...up to 40+mpg.. 3rd one in the family __________________ I drive a slow Mustang....but I drive it Slow....HARD!

09-02-2006, 09:38 PM	#5
Ralph Greene Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Longwood Fl Posts: 3,724	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? Then you need to look at cars no one likes and have low resale value. You probably won't like it either. Honda's and Toyota's are not on this list. Example....you might find a low milage late 90's Ford Taurus for that amount, or something along those lines. A car like that will get mid to high 20's on hwy. I recenntly decided I wanted a beater wagon of sorts to haul bicycles, go to HD, haul the grandkids fishing and to the beach etc. I didn't want to use one of our newer cars for that use. I found a spotless 54,000 mile 98 2WD Ford Exlorer XLT for $6000. It's not new, and doesn't drive like the new ones, but gets the job done for me. I can repair it forever, since I have no money in it. __________________ Ralph Greene SOLD 03 Mach 1 (Torch Red) 5 Speed Manual Real Ford FR 500 18X9 Wheels 255X40X18 Michelin Tires Steeda Sport Springs (isolators in) Tokico HP Struts/Shocks Steeda 4 bolt CC Plates Poly Offset Steering Rack Bushings Steeda TriAx Shifter Magnaflow X/Cats Bassani Catback with Removable Baffles

09-02-2006, 11:13 PM	#6
G Undocumented Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Enterprise, AL Posts: 15,828	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? I agree with Ralph on the Taurus. My son has a 94 SHO manual that does good on gas (needs premium) and it has just under 200K. It has some body damage so was a great buy. __________________ _____________________________________________ 2003 Mach1 AB 5spd 2004 Mach1 TR 5spd (sold) 1933 Ford 3W Coupe (4.6 dohc Stack Injection) 2003 Cobra TR (sold) 2014 Mustang GT (Track Pack) in Black

09-03-2006, 08:04 AM	#7
gvervoren Garry Vervoren Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Green Bay Wisconsin Posts: 2,878	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? I bought a 1993 Ford Probe for $2,000 a while back. It now has 165,000 miles and still purs like a kitten. Average 32 MPG. I drive 30 miles one way to work. __________________ >>>Garry Vervoren<<< 2004 Dark Shadow Grey ORIGINAL OWNER!!!! *I USED TO THINK BEING LAZY WAS BAD FOR ME SO I GAVE UP THINKING.* *HOOFBEATS ARE LOUDER THAN HEARTBEATS* 5 Speed, IUP, Tinted windows, 3rd brake light decal, Sequential Tail Lights, Smoked Tail Lights, Black Stainless Steel Bumper Inserts, Anthracite 18" staggard FR500 Build Date 10/08/2003 #567 of a build of 7182

09-03-2006, 10:34 AM	#9
73mach Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: rock hill sc Posts: 257	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? i have an 89 mustang lx for a beater its a 4 banger 2.2 and it has 289k miles on it i just recently rebuilt the top half of the engine i get like 30+ mpg only paid 1200 for the car 4 years ago __________________ best of both worlds 73 mach1 and 2004 mach 1 mods mach 1 brushed door seals plates cdc sequential tail lights cdc honeycomb tail pannel mate black bumper inserts mach 1 id tag set mgw gripper mach 1 shift nob mgw emergency break handel K&N drop in filter slp loudmouth cat back blue stripes in seats 8" black antenna 3\4" shaker extension mach32 v shaker emblems eibach pro springs falken torque 5 rims

09-03-2006, 11:03 AM	#10
1MEANSTANG Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: PALM COAST, FL Posts: 938	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? I found a 95 Honda Civic 4 door in good to excellent condition for $5,000. Seems a little high. The reason being is it only had 38,000 original miles.... And all the maintenance was just done including timing belt water pump and belts. Do to the time and age. All I had to do was sign and drive. Got it from a private seller. I drive it everyday to St. Augustine for work about 50 miles round trip. So far I have saved 20,000 miles on the Mach in one year. My wife and I use it everywhere. We keep the miles down on her new Volvo as well. My Tag on the Honda says "MY OTHER CAR IS A MACH 1" LOL Hell it's a Honda, It will last forever...

09-03-2006, 10:31 PM	#12
pic18 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cumberland,RI Posts: 590	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? A 97-04 Grand Prix with the 3800 V-6. Those motors are smooth, peppy, and durable. __________________ Jeff's All American Car Page 2004 Black Mach1 Sold 2008 Pontiac G8 GT Magnetic Gray Metallic Sold 2009 Pontiac G8 GT Liquid Red 2011 Z71 Silverado

09-04-2006, 01:24 AM	#13
SHKR281 USCG Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New York Posts: 1,458	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? Honda, 4 banger manual, 4 doors, great gas. :THUMBSUP: __________________ 2004 Oxford White Mach1 M6 IUP "SHKR281" Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the outcome of the vote. -Benjamin Franklin

09-04-2006, 09:20 AM	#15
Ralph Greene Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Longwood Fl Posts: 3,724	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? 4 cylinder stick shift small cab Rangers/Mazda's make good beaters also. (or 3.0 V 6 stick shift models) They also don't hold resale well. And are simple to repair. That would have been my favorite choice for a beater, except I neede back seat. Some base model V 6's have jump seats in rear of cab. __________________ Ralph Greene SOLD 03 Mach 1 (Torch Red) 5 Speed Manual Real Ford FR 500 18X9 Wheels 255X40X18 Michelin Tires Steeda Sport Springs (isolators in) Tokico HP Struts/Shocks Steeda 4 bolt CC Plates Poly Offset Steering Rack Bushings Steeda TriAx Shifter Magnaflow X/Cats Bassani Catback with Removable Baffles

09-04-2006, 02:06 PM	#16
firebird1999us Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Waleska, Ga Posts: 975	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? If you want the cheapest, highest gas milage beater you can find nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close to the old Honda CRX! They get like 40+mpg and you could probably redo the whole thing for under $1000! I've got a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire 2.2l auto that gets great gas milage that I drive 100 miles a day to work I love it and have found that the J bodies sell for really cheap used: $2000-3000 will get you a good car! I originally paid $6000 for mine 2 years ago and have put a trouble free 75,000 miles on it since then. Chris __________________ 2003 DSG, 5-speed Mach 1 with IUP -- The Garage Queen BORN on June 16, 2003 BOUGHT at University Ford in Athens, Georgia on July 18, 2003 with 11 miles on the odometer. 2009 Toyota Yaris 2dr hatch -- The Beater

09-04-2006, 02:37 PM	#17
gbranton Speaking Cherry Red Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 3,476	Re: What's a good/cheap daily driver? I have picked up a couple of late '80s early '90s Buicks with a 3.8 liter engine in them for $1000-$2000 and hey made great daily beaters. I know they are ugly and they are made by GM, but I had cold air, plenty of room and they get nearly 30 mpg on the highway. Pros: Cheap Cheap parts Room Power everything Suprisingly good mileage Can't bust 'em Cons: Ugly GM Ugly The last one I had I kept it for two years and made money when I sold it, even taking into condsideration the plugs, wires and water pump I bought for it. You can't ask for more than that. __________________ 2003 Azure Blue Mach 1 10/15/03 - 12/23/10 1986 GT with T-tops (black)

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