Another Daily Driver Thread - E30 vs Yaris?

[Julien]

vw tdi :-)

[Tbolt]

Rabbit!

[funcrew]

mini cooper s.

Used Yaris = $10K
Used Cooper Clubman (non-S) = $25K

The Mini is obviously a much better car, but I'm pretty much looking at what can I get for the money from selling my S52.

[416stroker]

vw tdi :-)

Best suggestion so far.

[funcrew]

Miata then. over 30 mpg, RWD, AC, and great commuter. Cheap too!

Miata is no doubt the best driving car for the money ever created, and you get econobox reliability and mileage. But I need 4 or preferrably 5 seats and decent trunk space. I view my E30/S52 cabrio as sort-of a 4-seat Miata, but with 100 extra horsepower. Except without the reliability, gas mileage, and A/C, of course.

[funcrew]

Don't overlook the Mazda 3's. If you hate the looks, fine, but they are fantastic DD's.

Every late-model sedan is going to be butt-ugly compared to the E30, that's a given. The Mazda3 with the 2.3 lump is almost the same in curb weight and power with a E30 325i, so that might be a pretty good match. I'll check the pricing on used ones.

[funcrew]

Fit!

Fit is a great car by all accounts. But having owned the tall, skinny Echo, I don't want another tall skinny car, like Fit, Aveo, Versa, Aerio, etc. I stand 5-10, so I don't need huge headroom. The Yaris sedan is 2 inches shorter, 2 inches wider track, and 7 inches longer wheelbase than the Echo. The only thing old Echo and new Yaris (sedan) share is the engine. Also note that the Yaris sedan and hatch are totally different cars. The hatch is still tall and skinny.

Also, I'm looking to spend roughly $10K, which rules out lots of otherwise great late-model sedans. I should have mentioned that up front.

[funcrew]

Look up Propane AC recharge

http://www.duracoolca.com/

The 'tuneup kit' should have you covered with two 6oz cans and a hose. You will also need an R134 adapter. They sell those at kragen. Better yet, you might be able to pull one off a JY car.
Two people I know have it, they blow FROST out of their e30. their temp gauge in the vents reads as low as 20º . I highly recommend it, it is freezing.

/keep e30

I'll look into that. I'm pumping Freeze12 into the S52 to get through the season, and it's only OK. The basic problem with E30 A/C is that they all (at least mine) leak like a bastard after all these years, and my geezerly back can't tolerate leaning into the engine bay to swap out all the o-rings. Plus, I'm told the compressor itself often leaks, so that's big money.

[fiftytakedowns]

I'll look into that. I'm pumping Freeze12 into the S52 to get through the season, and it's only OK. The basic problem with E30 A/C is that they all (at least mine) leak like a bastard after all these years, and my geezerly back can't tolerate leaning into the engine bay to swap out all the o-rings. Plus, I'm told the compressor itself often leaks, so that's big money.

My good friend has it in his 318is, and it literally gets cold in his car. in 105 degree heat. The propane AC also takes significantly less energy to compress, so gas mileage isnt affected when you run the ac with that stuff, its sort of a win win.

[ILoveMPower]

Get another echo, I've been dailying one while the M30 is apart, and holy shit is it amazing.

[einstein57]

I think the yaris is a clear winner. Definitely my commuter car of choice for cheap. When i start working the fisker karma would be my all around car of choice.

[rwh11385]

weeeeee, this is why I like the 5 series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcTf78b8WfY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLfK35O91gE

[funcrew]

Get another echo, I've been dailying one while the M30 is apart, and holy shit is it amazing.

Hard to tell if you're busting my balls or not. At R3V, it's always safer to assume yes. Anyway, I'm looking to trade my S52 cabbie straight across for a rust free, immaculate 3.7L M30/E30 with working A/C. Or a low-mileage Yaris. Pretty much a toss-up as far as I'm concerned.

[Jon325i]

Willing to give Hyundai a look? Plenty of lightly used cars in your price range. I know this brand has been trying to improve its image from its early years in the US market and the crap cars they made back then. They offer an outstanding warranty and I do believe their product quality has improved over the years. I've never owned one though....so my $.02 is only coming from articles I've read.

Someone earlier in this thread mentioned the Genesis. That new coupe with the turbo-4 + RWD + 6-speed manual + LSD looks promising.


Jon

[2002maniac]

I think the Hyundai Accent is a MUCH better value than the Yaris.