[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

I have a 98 Buick Lasabre, a ton on them were made, real reliable, except for the upper plastic intake plenum (it only screws up every 100,000 though). I see ton's of these cars in the pull a part yard, parts are plentiful. I've gotten 30 MPG once, 29 MPG can be had on the road, in decent conditions, and 28 in about any condition. It was my moms car, nobody wanted it when she passed, I was thrilled!!! rides great, takes me and my other 3 Pontiac fanatics to all the Pontiac events, in Okla., Tex. Kansas.....

Other cars get better MPG, but parts can bite you, when you least need it.....

I second this. Although I'd opt for a pre-'93 with the all aluminum intake.
I used to get 30-31 hwy MPG routinely with my 88-90 LeSabre 3800s. Now I think the reformulated gas is crimping that a bit. I averaged 29 On a trip to Illinois in my '89 LeSabre last month.
The beauty of these cars is they are way more roomy & comfortable than any other sedan that gets similar mileage.
Fyrffytr has the luxury of finding these cars with no rust where he's at. If you take care of the transmission, they'll go 300K.

[PonchoV8]

I've considered an electric bike or scooter along with a little hatchback like the Mazda 6.
I was attracted to the Ford Fusion 4 door, but we use one for work and in 6 months it has had several problems with the brake sensor, coolant sensor and the trans something-or-other just went out. The car was at the dealer for a week for that.

[vin63]

Originally Posted by fyrffytr1

I may be in the market for a daily driver in the near future and would like some input on what to look for. It will be mostly driving to and from work and that is only a 10 minute ride on city streets. Currently I am driving my 06 GMC crewcab.
I want something good on gas, dependable and inexpensive. Also, I am not looking for a new car. I would really like to get a motorcycle but the wife has vetoed that idea.
What do Y'all suggest?

How much are you looking to spend? I ask because for between $18K to $30K, you can find a 2010 or newer TDI (VW or Audi) in a Jetta or A3. I replaced our 3/4-ton Duramax with a 2011 Audi A3 TDI and cut my fuel bill by 70%. My commute was a little different - 20 minutes one-way per day during the week, but we make longer trips on the weekends to visit family, etc., so the diesel worked better for us. Here is my fuel mileage log - averaging just about 40 mpg combined and 50+ mpg on the freeway:
http://www.fuelly.com/driver/vin63/a3

[fyrffytr1]

Thank Y'all for the replies. You have given me a lot to think about. I know it would be impractical and probably hard to find but I would really like an early 60s Chevy II or Pontiac station wagon.
Other than that I would just like to have something mechanically sound. Not too concerned about looks but I don't want to have to do paint and body work to make it presentable.
I do a lot of relic hunting so I want something I can carry my metal detector and digging tools in. That's why I thought about a wagon. I don't want another truck.

[zeebo]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

I second this. Although I'd opt for a pre-'93 with the all aluminum intake.
I used to get 30-31 hwy MPG routinely with my 88-90 LeSabre 3800s. Now I think the reformulated gas is crimping that a bit. I averaged 29 On a trip to Illinois in my '89 LeSabre last month.
The beauty of these cars is they are way more roomy & comfortable than any other sedan that gets similar mileage.
Fyrffytr has the luxury of finding these cars with no rust where he's at. If you take care of the transmission, they'll go 300K.

ill third that..lol..and just to know, that the supercharged 3800s did not have the leaky plastic intake manifolds..they were aluminum, and not subject to leaking, or the recall...only caveat is that you need to run premium fuel. i have to say that those buicks n pontiacs of that era with the 3800 are hard to beat for a daily driver...like was mentioned, some cars' parts can really bite ya....

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by zeebo

ill third that..lol..and just to know, that the supercharged 3800s did not have the leaky plastic intake manifolds..they were aluminum, and not subject to leaking, or the recall...only caveat is that you need to run premium fuel. i have to say that those buicks n pontiacs of that era with the 3800 are hard to beat for a daily driver...like was mentioned, some cars' parts can really bite ya....

FYI...
But...the supercharged engines have a cast aluminum bracket that hold on the a belt pulley...it fatigues and breaks, but is generally good for around 100,000, kinda like that plastic plenum (I have changed mine, it's a good idea to yank the lower part of the intake also, when doing this, clean the gunk out of it). I still wouldn't own a ford...

[zeebo]

im not sure i follow you on what aluminum bracket i need to replace..do you have a pic? i have the supercharged 3800..almost 200k..runs great....

[GT182]

Originally Posted by goatless

Geo Metro

Now that photo was funny!

An 80 to 2001 Pontiac FireFly would be a good one too. Actually it's not all that different than a Metro.

3 cyclinder engine with great gas mileage. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymod..._Firefly.shtml
Now if they could do it back then, why can't they do it now? The Firefly and Metro were not nearly as gay as the Prius is. But just as laughable as Walter would say.