Anyone have a Daily Driver Recommendation?

[Subzero]

Off topic to bumpsides but I'm looking for suggestions. I've been looking for a good daily driver ever since I sold my diesel F250 I had, which was months ago. Can't seem to find one/a deal that works out. Currently I'm driving a lifted 1989 F150 4.9 that's getting a mere 13 mpg as my daily ride, not good for a person with a tight budget and another truck (my 72') to restore! The 72' is going to be a weekend warrior once I'm finished, I bought the 89' as I needed a vehicle to drive everyday and figured I might as well get something fun for a short term- but short term is tiring into awhile and it's time for a more practical daily. I spend a lot of time in my car on a daily basis so I'm looking for one that gets decent mpg, reliability ( the focus is on resorting the 72') , and comfort, I have a bad back and need one that's comfortable to sit. I'm looking on cars in the $5K-$8K range newer than 2000. Anyone have good luck with a particular daily driver you have?

[jzjames]

Either the '72 or the 4.9L '89 would be a good daily IMO. I'm betting the '72 is not a 4.9L inline-six.

Tune the inline six for better mileage, an '89 should do better than 13 mpg.

[HIO Silver]

A newer 4WD Ford Ranger with a 4.0.

[DuckRyder]

Does it need to be a truck...?

If not, and I'm sure this probably won't make me any friends here but: Honda Civic - at least a 2005 if Automatic, get one as not screwed with as possible.

Ford choices: Crown Vic, Focus... Do not buy a Focus with a DCT - they do dip down in the upper part of your range.

[sargentrs]

Here's mine Gets about 15-16mpg and a true joy to drive. I drive an 80 mile round trip to work every day. Are you looking for a more modern car? With your budget, the sky's the limit. How do you feel about imports? When I took my truck down for the rebuild, I bought a 1990 Honda Accord. Sold it to my brother a few months later. Then followed '90s Toyota Camrys. I was only paying around $1500-1700 for any car and if it lasted a year I felt like I got my money's worth. For that price I was buying high mileage cars that usually had issues I was unaware of till later. After 3 Camrys in as many years, I got tired of not being able to fix them when something went wrong, fuel injected/computer controls, and bought a rusted out '74 Dodge Dart with a slant six/auto tranny. Drove it for a year until I got my Fairlane. Have spent about $2000 on her but now she's a loyal, dependable driver. If you don't mind imports, I highly recommend a '92-'96 Toyota Camry with the 2.0L engine. For your budget, you should be able to find one with low miles in great condition and fully loaded. The 2.0L is not an interference engine (valve slapper) so if the timing belt breaks you don't lose the engine. They're easy to work on, parts are still cheap, and any garage is set up and knowledgeable for repairs. You'll get about 24mpg and a comfortable ride.

[ThinLizzy13]

You should be able to get decent mileage out of a 300, the lift is probably what's hurting you.

I've been using ford rangers as a daily for the last couple years. My 4cyl 5spd gets about 24 city and 30 highway. The 4wd V6 ranger I had was nice, but I could only squeeze about 15-16mpg out of it.

My wife has a newer Ford Focus. It gets 30+ mpg regularly and is pretty comfy. The dual clutch transmission is a little weird though. It's not a true automatic so it shifts different than expected.

I usually only buy Fords, but I don't think you could go wrong with anything made by Honda/Toyota. Their sedans seem to be pretty reliable and get good mileage.

[Subzero]

Thanks for the tips, and that's a really nice Fairlane! I got close to buying a 1969 Fairlane instead of the 89', kinda regret not getting it instead I really would like to daily drive a Falcon or something similar one day, but I need a newer car for long trips I might have to take right now. Doesn't have to be a truck, but I'm aiming for high 20s MPG atleast. Usual mileage for me is about 400 miles a week. I'm not afraid to buy an import, although I never have before. I actually been trying to find some Civics that are not beat up, usually someone who isn't very savy on repair owns them and doesn't keep it up well or they are "modified" and the reliable factor is ruined. I've actually owned a late 90s Ford Ranger this year with the 4 cylinder and a five speed. It was a great truck for $1800, but being 6"2' doesn't fit too well in a single cab so I sold it a month later, I've seen it rolling around here still. Camrys are definitely good cars, IMO better quality than a civic. My 72' has a bad engine, which is a 302. I expect about 10-12 mpg from it once it's rebuilt.

[thejunkman]

I suggest a crown vic. It checks the box on comfort, if you've ever driving one you would agree. It's got plenty of highway power, won't break the bank on gas mileage, and should be pretty reliable for you. And if you find one on the cheap, when you get bored with it or it blows up, you can cut the suspension out and weld it into that 72'. Just my

[Ranchero50]

Ditto on the PI CV. I chose a 2nd gen Lincoln LS and really enjoyed the car. The suspension was designed by a formula one engineer and it handles amazingly. Kid bought it from me and I really want a new stang. I think a '05 and up stang would fit the bill for the OP.

[tsherry]

Mine is a 2011 CV LX, not the P71 Interceptor. A bit more refined than the P71 (but not quite as spirited as the Interceptor). Still able to be worked on, does not require a second mortgage to pay for a water pump replacement (unlike virtually all of the 2007-up cars and probably trucks), does not require the cab to be removed to change the spark plugs (apparently this is an actual thing with newer F-series). We've had, or have currently (all the kids drive them, and my wife too) a '92 LX (lasted for 230K), replaced by a '97 LX (bought in 2010 with 49K on the clock). Son has a '93 that had 63K on it in 2015, dear wife has a '93LX that we bought in 2010 with 19K on the clock, and all service records since new. I also had a '98 LTC which was virtually the same car as the CV mechanically. Hated to sell that one, but it was a company rig.

Mileage is generally 18/23, but can go up to 18/27. Easily worked on, and I'll look for low mileage versions whenever I can.

[Subzero]

I've had quite a few cars this year actually before now, most had a lot of underlying problems that I discovered later on and I choose to sell them after having them a little bit. Unlike the POs, I told the new folks exactly what I knew was wrong with them. I'm trying to get one that I can keep for atleast 4 trouble free years. In my search I drove a CV P71 that was from Washington DC as my first choice of a car after selling my diesel truck, but the seller was a terrible liar and I got away from that deal as fast as I could. I do like them, and the body on frame design especially. The city mileage is a little on the poor side is the only downfall to those. It's hard to find a car that doesn't need a ton of work and is in good cosmetic shape in my area at my price range. But I'm pretty much open to any reliable model with good mpg as long as the color is black and the inside doesn't show dirt. I always say "No one sells a great car for a good price".

[Subzero]

Thought I'd follow up with what I got, Ended up with an unlikely ride to say. I kept looking for a Mustang actually, one of the newer 3.7 ones but I could never find one I exactly liked for the amount of money they are. Then my 89' F150 was acting up with the transmission and actually that night a family member offered their Mk4 VW Golf for sale. I've always avoided volkswagens before but the deal was good and it runs and drives fine. Does need a few things to pass inspection but all of it is under $300. So for $1800 I have a good daily driver! Happy to say I actually like the car a lot more than I thought I would.

[DuckRyder]

Cool... what engine?

[Subzero]

2.0 in it. Not the best engine ever but it gets 30 mpg and that's all I really need right now. I figure I'll run this one a year or so and sell and buy a mustang when I am done restoring the F100.

[DuckRyder]

2.0 in it. Not the best engine ever but it gets 30 mpg and that's all I really need right now. I figure I'll run this one a year or so and sell and buy a mustang when I am done restoring the F100.

That is a very good and reliable engine... It is roots go back to about 74-75 or so... Not the most powerful but quite simple and reliable at least the basic engine... not sure what injection system is on it though...