[DSgraham]

Since my 951 has yet AGAIN pooped in my lap, I need to get a good line on a daily driver, soon. I had read around, and heard from a number of people that the BMW 318 could be a good, reliable daily driver. This would be a boon, with a manual, and rear wheel drive to keep some of the fun factor in my commute from Chantilly to Arlington each day. Does anyone have any recommendations for a cheap, reliable, manual, and if possible rear-drive daily driver? Better yet, anyone know somebody that knows somebody that might be selling something that falls into that category? I'd probably be looking a around $3K max. I'd just as soon pick something up from a Dorki, maybe a car where someone has actually had it a while and knows the history of mainenance...

A Daily Driver would actually let me either 1) Save money to fix this plagued 951, or..
2) Get my '74 2.0 914 put back together, and get it shipped from Phoenix Az...

ANY input or assistance would be appreciated. My 951 has literally bled me dry financially, and I can no longer afford to take it up the street and spend $1K every other week... So stand by to see an 86 951 parted out soon..

[markwemple]

Which body 318? I have a friend that may have an e30 fs.

[markwemple]

Oh, and PLEASE don't drive an Arizona 914 around here as a DD, atleast not in bad weather.

[smdubovsky]

The very late e30 318 (same as 318 e36 motor) is nice. An E30 325i is in the same price range. Both are getting very old so unless you can do your own work, not a good primary dd. E36s are getting to be the same way and prob what you were talking about for $3k. Nice cars, but getting to be about that age... Go buy a civic. Parts are cheap.

[HateDCRoads]

Or a Miata. Clean ones are pretty cheap and from what I hear pretty reliable.

And if you're up for bumper cars, put a roll cage in it and run it in the NASA Miata series.

[HoodPin]

I've said it before, though most probably ignore the suggestion......

But I'm a fan of the Ford Focus as a cheap, daily driver. We have 2. Our '02 ZX5 is a 4 door, hatchback. It seats 4 nicely, and can haul a bunch of stuff when necessary. Its also a tuff little bugger.....it was involved in an accident earlier this year, that totaled the other car (Astro minvan). I bought a used headlight, fender and door for around $400, and the Focus is still going strong. Ours is power everything, nice stereo, sunroof, ABS, airbags, and auto tranny. Manual tranny's are available.

Our other is an '04 ZX5 SVT. Small number of SVT 4-doors built. Very peppy "Shelby" tuned motor, and a 6 speed manual. HID lights, leather seats and 17" wheels. Nice car and fun to drive, but is pricier. My son, the Marine, has it now. But he can't sell it without my permission.

[QuicChic]

I agree on the Focus ZX5. I have several friends who use one as a DD and love it.

[DSgraham]

My roomie has an SVT hatchback focus.... Lately has had some issues, but otherwise I've driven it around a bunch, and it is high on my options list. Thing is, I enjoy driving quite a bit. I have driven 90's manual civics, and I found the experience terrifying. I'm also not so big a fan of Japanese cars (blame the whole "rice burner" fad... They were everywhere in Dallas, very bad examples of the breed) I could do a Nissan though.. always preferred them over Honda/Toyota.. Subie's I hear can be just as expensive as a German car as well

Main thing is I'd be needing a few weeks at least to build up a cash buffer. I'm not quite sure my paycheck Friday will help... Appreciate the input guys. Gimme a week or two and I should be able to pick something up if anyone spots something good. Not to mention whatever I get will go to Curry's first. No more buying without an inspection!

*BTW the 914 is not an original Arizona car. We got her in Dallas, still has wee amounts of rust in some cosmetic places. Definitely needs some body work as well. It would be my weekend/good weather car. Especially once I get the 2.0 back in her, get a Mallory distributor, get the Webber's jetted and tuned up right.

[DanJK]

...what about a late 90's VW GTI? Seems to satisfy a lot of what you want besides rwd. Fun car. As reliable as any nearly 10 year old car. Comfortable for commute. Low insurance. Lots to choose from. etc., etc.....

Might be able to stretch into a VR6.

Plus it's a Porsche. Kinda. urr, maybe not.

[smo]

How about a motorcycle:

Cheap? Check.
RWD? Check.
Manual? Check.
Cheap? Can be.

Fun? You betcha.