Next POS Commuter Car
 

I commute to work 160 miles per day. The current 97 SHO has 145K miles and I am thinking next year will be time for a new POS. Looking for some suggestions. I am really looking to go RWD next time as Frnt wheel is a PITA to work on and the only way to change a trans is by dropping the sub-frame.


Criteria:
-Manual trans(or a car with an easy to swap auto trans)
-22+ MPG HGWY
-Rear wheel drive
-Mechanic friendly(as in easy to work on not as in mechanics loved them because they always break down)
-200K+ mile capability
-under 6K in cost
-Must be "snow friendly"/ will be running snow tires.

Any suggestions? Smartazz comments welcome:mrgreen:

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

Lee I think you missed the boat on a Cash for clunkers candidate

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

Lee - if times were better I would look for employment closer to home:mrgreen: 180 miles commute:jawdrop: WOW!!

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

sounds Like you need another ZR1
Bob G
427 LT5

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

I doubt it got bad enough fuel economy. Our '97 Regal GS has 207k on it, thought about using C4C, but it's too economical to qualify.

There aren't many economical RWD manual cars. All I can think of is the 240SX?

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

mini pickup truck?

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

I got 385,000 miles out of a Ford F150 1994 straight six with a stick. Wish I never got rid of that truck. Got @20 mpg.

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

I have a Grand Prix, 3.8 V6 is good for one million miles. It's good in the snow, gets 30 mpg on pure highway driving and parts are easy to find. It's so practical I hate it - bores me to death.

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

How is the GM FWD tranny? Ford Sux, ask my wallet.

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

Don't cars back there in snow country rust out before wearing out?:mrgreen:

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

Hit and miss. I've heard of them going 200k before issues. I bought my 2001 with 78k miles for $3k because the OD didn't work. $600 under the table for a rebuild and it works great.

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

The 3800 is a rock. Very reliable. I loved my GTP.
Still running and still looks good after 13 years. Biggest issue with that motor us crank sensor and oil leaks.

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

Lee, take a gander for an old Chevy Beretta GT with a manual. It does well in snow and ice (It survived a few years in AK) and also survived me beating the **** out of it for 110k before I sold it.

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

The 4T65 isn't great in my opinion, at least not with the SC or V8 cars. Ours went about 170k in the Regal GS, but that seems to be uncommon. The 4T80 is pretty bulletproof, but only paired with Northstar based motors.

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

I don't know which engine a "GT" has (they had so many designations, GTU, GTZ, GT, I think even a Z26 I can't keep them straight)? I've heard the Quad 4's are prone to headgasket problems. Though on a 4-banger, perhaps thats not a hard fix.

The V6 that was available is the narrow-angle V6, which I think is just a POS. They seem to have lots of problems, don't make much power, and don't get that great of economy. I think the Buick V6 is a far superior engine personally.

That said, of the Beretta vintage, I always thought it would be cool to get an Achieva SCX W-41. 190hp 4-banger, limited slip diff, 5-speed manual, back in 1991. :D

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

Yeah the 4T65 and the 3800SC is not a good match.

I bought my 99 GTP with 37K miles, first trans at ~44K miles ( no clue on PO care)

I am now at 127K car runs great, trans seems good too. most of the mileage was work commute (65 miles a day on the highway @ 65-70MPH).

Now I drive 8 miles.

As Dominic said, yeah the 3800SC have gasket issues. I have replaced (mostly under warranty0 the following gaskets:
Valve covers
intake manifold
Oil Pan
Rear main
Timing Cover
front seal

installed new plugs and wires at 96K. replaced the Power steering pump and the ABS ECM (bought a good used one)

Car has been good though, I expect another 30K out of it I hope

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

I just drove my BIL's GTP the other day with 175K miles on it. He had used it to drive back and forth to Chicago working at Harpo. Motor starts right up with no smoke, no CEL. Idles fine but has a small exhaust leak. Jeff tells me its probably the exhaust downpipe. Fluids look good. I could shift the trans manually and no slip, no drips. Everything works including the sunroof and HUD. I would easily buy another one of these. I used to get 28-30mpg hiway at 75-80mph. Great car IMO.

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

Have you considered a powder blue Prius? j/k

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

Joking aside, I'd think hard about a hybrid for a run-around car. It is so financially hard to ignore. You get money from the fed to subsidize the initial purchase, you don't pay car tax here in VA, you don't have to emissions inspect it, and you can drive in HOV lanes here.

Between the up to $3400 tax credit and the car tax, over 5 years you are probably talking close to ten grand in tax saved. It's unreal.

You even get the smug "clean special fuel" license plate thrown in, though I've only ever seen them filling up with the same evil gasoline I use...

Re: Next POS Commuter Car
 

Well the winner was a 2004 Ford Focus with 63K miles....manual trans, roll up windows.....no tilit.....manual seats, cloth int....only option is AC!

So its a Superleggera Focus:cheers:

35MPG is saving me $250 per month in gas!