DD.. which would you prefer ?

[Klint]

I'm looking for a DD. I'm not sure as to get one that is automatic or manual.

I've had Celica's in the past but I've for some reason always liked the MR2's.

I'm not sure which to get... if any. Since it's a DD, I don't need a top of the line car; just something that looks nice and is still kinda fun to drive.

Being a Toyota guy, I want either a Celica or MR2, but I also like the 350z ( although that may be slightly higher than what I want to pay. ~ between $5,000-$8,000 i guess. I don't want a Miata though.

I kind of do want it to be an automatic because of traffic and other reasons.

I still do have my lotus for fun. I need this DD because my new house doesn't have a garage , so I'm storing the Lotus at my parents house.

Bottom line, I just want something not totally boring and bland, but also fit in or around my price range for a DD. If you have any suggestions other than the cars I've mentioned, feel free to list them!

[GuppyCaptain]

My DD is an 08' Civic 5spd. with 117K on it. I drive about 26K annually so I need something super economical and reliable. Perhaps it's just me but when I seek out a car, whether it be a DD, work truck or sports car, I go with the very purpose built mindset.

My DD is a Civic. My work/homestead truck is a 93' Chevy diesel, and my sports car/fun car is a Lotus currently on order. To each his own. It's a free country........oh wait. Nevermind.

[RENDERMAN]

The Celica is the best on gas and more reliable but I say go with the 350Z hands down!

[gwkoch]

I am about like GuppyCaptain. I paid off my Elise earlier in the year and bought a new 12 Mazda 3 touring with skyactive. Since I already have the sports car I wanted something practical and with good gas mileage as my work commute is a 50 mile round trip daily. It all comes down to personal preference and what can be affordable in my opinion.

[aschen]

you could get a matrix xrs or corrolla with the 2zz. You already have an elise so a small sports car seems redundant. An MRs is pretty similar to an elise in ethos.

Of course the best cheap daily drive is a WRX. I am a bit biased and you would need to spend about 12k for a good one I think.

[Vulcan Grey]

02-06 Acura RSX Type-S. Great car.

[Lowtush]

im a BMW guy myself. you can pick up a used e46 with about a 100k miles for that price or a really nice e36 M3. I have had a couple of e36s and non of them have given me issues. I have a 540i now and that car is solid but guzzles gas like no tomorrow.

[Sven76]

Voted for other. Sell the Elise (assume you have one by looking at your avatar) and get an Evora. Other than that, the 350Z would be my favourite, cool car.

[TheKid#9]

MR2 Spyder with 2zzge would be a great daily driver. I was going to get one, but instead I got a Lotus Elan M100 for my DD, just because it is a Lotus and is very rare. Love the car btw! Lotus Collection is growing!

The MR2 Spyder with 2zzge is pretty much an Elise with luxuries haha

I've always loved MR2 Spyders, one day I will have one, just not yet. Don't forget S2000's either. I'd take the MR2 over the S200o just becuase of the mid-engine.

[Plackslayer]

Lexus IS-F.

edit: Yes I saw the budget constraints Just keeping inside the Toyota framework and picked the only one I would want as a DD from them.

[Korntera]

Why not something like a subaru impreza WRX? All wheel drive, fun to drive, fairly reliable, 5 seats and 4 doors, pretty good on gas and they come in automatic but they can be a bit hard to find.
Otherwise how about a Subaru Legacy GT? those are also in your price range and are almost all automatics but produce 250 hP and all wheel drive with leather heated seats. Now thats a daily driver!

[JavierBayArea]

Depends how much you want to spend.

but out of the 3 you listed i guess i would keep the 350z. The mr2 is good but it's the same type of car you already have, same reason why i didn't go for a Cayman. To me it was much more appealing to have two different types of cars.

And No to Celica since you already had a bad ass one, and there is NO way you will like a different celica with no mods.

[Midknight xrs]

I will say that my car, the Corolla XRS is a great daily, but i don't have the sports car to fly around in, so for me it is too much fun. The other car, the true dd is a 93 Del Sol. it's auto but it gets 31 combined.

[Gizmo3000]

Originally Posted by gwkoch

I am about like GuppyCaptain. I paid off my Elise earlier in the year and bought a new 12 Mazda 3 touring with skyactive. Since I already have the sports car I wanted something practical and with good gas mileage as my work commute is a 50 mile round trip daily. It all comes down to personal preference and what can be affordable in my opinion.

you sir, have excellent taste in automobiles!

I picked up 2012 Mazda3 Hatch with Skyactiv (& tech package) a year ago and friggen love it.
It's everything my Elise - ISN'T. (well, they're both black and have japanese engines I guess).
But that's kind of what my idea of having multiple cars is all about, each having a particular usefulness to compliment each other (I have my G37 as my luxury 2+2.. and my MGB as my "classic" unreliable)

But the Mazda3 is superb as a DD, - 4 doors, automatic, fantastic MPG (I'm getting 32mpg+), heated seats, navigation, plentiful room to haul stuff, holds 5 people! (which I did actually did just a few hours ago)
and looks pretty good with tinted windows.

While I guess it's no surprise that many of us have more than one sports car, I myself cannot relate to how some people get away with only owning 2- seaters. It's just too limiting. (for my lifestyle at least)

[Notorious]

BMW 3 series FTW!

[evilfij]

VW tdi

[lotusforsale]

Had a Mini Cooper S as a DD for awhile when I owned the elise. Great choice. Every bit as entertaining to drive as the Lotus. Reasonable amount of space for hauling stuff around (other than people), good fuel economy, even decent in moderate snow.

My beef with Mini has always been the really screwed up ergonomics of its interior. Hard to get used to and live with. But once underway the car is a blast to drive.

[amazingjason]

I'd get something like this:
Cars for Sale: 2004 Pontiac GTO in Turlock, CA 95382: Coupe Details - 331950437 - AutoTrader.com
It is nearby, too.

Jason

[jbs986]

+1 on the Civic and the Mazda3, also you may want to look at a Scion TC, also a great little car and sounds like it may meet your needs.

[chili07]

86-92 toyota supra. Had a 90 n/a supra before the lotus and wish i could of kept it. Got 25 mpg with it.