Looking for a reliable work car

[karbine]

I recently got an on-call locksmith job, and I am going to be making something like 400-1200 a week. I need a work car, and I'm looking for a wagon (like an accord, but anything similar will do)

Something good on gas, preferably manual, wondering if anyone's got any ideas. Gonna be doing like 600-1000 miles a week.

Probably looking into a 95 accord wagon or an impreza, something good on gas, tune-able, fun to drive. any ideas? Right now i'm driving a 95 ram, 360 v8, gets fuckin' 12 mpg. Good for work but fucking destroys my wallet.

Plus it sucks to work on locks and shit in the sun.

also, I'm in florida, US

[Siminov]

Volvo 240 :p

[Deadman123]

Plymouth Reliant wagon, mid-late 80s

[editline]24th July 2013[/editline]

With a 2.2, the 2.5 wasnt as good on gas and wasnt AS reliable but its still not bad.

[editline]24th July 2013[/editline]

Wagons can be sort of hard to find though. They pop up decently often though I suppose.

[FordLord]

98-01 Impreza Wagon is what i recommend.
OBS version if you can find one.
2.2l Boxer engine, Symmetrical AWD, 23-30mpg depending on Where/how you drive.
Reliable As hell. My 99 OBS has 219k miles, has Seen everything From -25f to +110f temperatures, been rallied, jumped, ive Hauled 990lbs of Scrap metal in The Back several times.
Ive Had no breakdowns in 100k miles (since my parents Bought it), very Rarely have to replace parts.
The car is very comfy to drive, sporty Feeling And compact yet it has tons of Room Inside.
What is your local craigslist?

[Cinnamon]

[sp]I'd suggest a Chrysler Crossfire.[/sp]

I'd think an old Honda or Subbie would be just fine. Pretty much what FordLord said.

[Del91]

Legacy/Outback/Forester

[DPkiller]

If you can find a VW Passat with the 2.8L 4motion it will be fairly reliable.

But I do have to say I would suggest a Subbie over a a Passat 4motion.
Main reason is the vw gets 18mpg.

[clutch2]

Word, Subaru wagons!

Or an Accord wagon
or a Camry wagon

Or a .. Civic wagon. Mmm
[img]http://photo.netcarshow.com/Honda-Civic_Wagon_1988_photo_01.jpg[/img]

[FordLord]

[QUOTE=Del91;41573500]Legacy/Outback/Forester[/QUOTE]
The only downside is, the 96-99 Outbacks and the 98 Forester have the EJ25D. As mentioned in another discussion, its fine as long as the stock headgasket has been replaced. Until then, i wouldnt rely on one as a work car.
Fortunately, the 99+ Foresters and newer Outbacks have either the ej251 or ej253. Still has a possibility of gasket issues, but not nearly as likely.
Also, regular Legacy's have the 2.2 and are fine. They also come in a wagon model.

Still, i personally recommend the Impreza from 98-01. In 98 they updated the interior, making it much more appealing and sporty feeling. As a note, the 99-02 Foresters share the same interior and are pretty great as well. They are only slightly longer/wider than the Impreza, but quite a bit taller in suspension and body size. So if you like the Impreza but feel its not tall enough, try a Forester.

[Squirrel2531]

Personally I like the Subaru line of wagons the best compared to any other brand and that's coming from a person who doesn't really like Subaru's, the forester and wagon imprezas are nice.

[Del91]

[QUOTE=FordLord;41573892]The only downside is, the 96-99 Outbacks and the 98 Forester have the EJ25D. As mentioned in another discussion, its fine as long as the stock headgasket has been replaced. Until then, i wouldnt rely on one as a work car.
Fortunately, the 99+ Foresters and newer Outbacks have either the ej251 or ej253. Still has a possibility of gasket issues, but not nearly as likely.
Also, regular Legacy's have the 2.2 and are fine. They also come in a wagon model.

Still, i personally recommend the Impreza from 98-01. In 98 they updated the interior, making it much more appealing and sporty feeling. As a note, the 99-02 Foresters share the same interior and are pretty great as well. They are only slightly longer/wider than the Impreza, but quite a bit taller in suspension and body size. So if you like the Impreza but feel its not tall enough, try a Forester.[/QUOTE]

I see tons of Legacys on Clist with 2.2l's swapped in all day.

[n0cturni]

I drive a Protege5 and it might fit the mold. I hear they are particularly vulnerable when it comes to rust though.

I've got a complete aftermarket exhaust and I'm getting anywhere between 20 and 23mpg, so as far as that goes it's pretty average, if not slightly below.

I love the size of it though, it feels more like a hatch than a soccer wagon.

Also, off the bat they've got 130hp and a bit more torque, if you get the 5 speed you can swap the ecu from a MP3 for a better curve but you'll have to run it on premium. It's also worth mentioning that they don't seem to handle boost with stock internals very well. Mazdaspeed protege cams were about 250 last I checked.

Also also if you make a big deal about suspension, koni doesn't seem to make anything for it.

I'd be glad to give you a tour of mine if it ends up being a car you're thinking about

Hell, maybe even a Mazda3, same concept, better economy.

[FordLord]

[QUOTE=Del91;41574494]I see tons of Legacys on Clist with 2.2l's swapped in all day.[/QUOTE]
I usually dont see the swapped ones, though im pretty much in a dead area where theres no Subaru people.
The regular Legacy's came with the 2.2 stock, except the Legacy GT which had the ej25D. The Legacy Outback's all had the ej25D unless they were swapped

[Slayer3032]

Accord wagons are accords that are wagons, couldn't really go wrong with one other than honda auto transmissions don't last really more than 250k. F series motors/transmissions are cheap for them too. It'll hold value and if you clean it up a bit you can probably flip it for the same or more than you paid for it.

Ignore the slammed part of these, they can look pretty damn good for what they are.

[t]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4878566138_8e653d91f1_z.jpg[/t]
[t]http://ekhatch.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/0new1.jpg[/t]
[t]http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1130/573071791_129d43d23d_o.jpg[/t]

They even made a "SiR" trim level in europe and japan with a lip kit and the F20B which makes like 195hp on the manual version and is pretty much a destroked h series prelude motor.

[t]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3564/3809411913_a0b82c7a51_o.jpg[/t]
[t]http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii85/del_fast/AccordExterior.jpg[/t]
[t]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/3rd_Honda_Accord_Wagon.jpg[/t]

They're really kinda a cool niche car, I've always kinda wanted one as a DD that I could do long roadtrips, camping and the like right out the back of it.

[FordLord]

Shouldve thought to upload a few OBS pictures.
Heres a stock one; (hubcaps arent)
[t]http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9576/9pqy.jpg[/t]
Modified; (everything except rims are OEM parts or reproductions)
[t]http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/5659/adjy.jpg[/t]
[t]http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/3026/y4np.jpg[/t]
Heres my own OBS. Painted blue, bumper modified, roof rack removed, side moulding removed, modified grill, pink emblem, rally-style mudflaps, wheels from an '04 Forester, rallypig vinyl on mirror, im sure im forgetting many things;
[t]http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/2909/bjcj.jpg[/t]

[Slayer3032]

I've always really liked the first gen Imprezas, was looking at a few and contemplated selling my car a couple years back to get one. The earlier Legacy wagons and Foresters are really cool too. I have a buddy with a WRX and honestly it was pretty cool but things I wouldn't even think twice about on a Honda are maintenance items on his car. In comparison of a Subaru to a Honda it's really about what you're looking to get out of the vehicle, the Subaru is much more car and decently more complicated while the Honda is less complicated and most likely less cost and work to own.

However like with any car, it's really going to all depend on how well the car has been taken care of as well as how much you expect to spend on it and maintain it.

You might also want to check up on [url]http://www.fuelly.com/[/url] to see what owners of the particular car are getting for gas milage, EPA estimates are shit and worthless outside of being a ballpark.

[karbine]

i think i will probably go with a subaru. accord wagons are very nice but it's really hard to find 94-97 accords in 5spd.

[FordLord]

[QUOTE=slayer3032;41585386]I've always really liked the first gen Imprezas, was looking at a few and contemplated selling my car a couple years back to get one. The earlier Legacy wagons and Foresters are really cool too. I have a buddy with a WRX and honestly it was pretty cool but things I wouldn't even think twice about on a Honda are maintenance items on his car. In comparison of a Subaru to a Honda it's really about what you're looking to get out of the vehicle, the Subaru is much more car and decently more complicated while the Honda is less complicated and most likely less cost and work to own.

However like with any car, it's really going to all depend on how well the car has been taken care of as well as how much you expect to spend on it and maintain it.

You might also want to check up on [url]http://www.fuelly.com/[/url] to see what owners of the particular car are getting for gas milage, EPA estimates are shit and worthless outside of being a ballpark.[/QUOTE]

The non-turbo Subaru's have less maintenance than the turbo'd ones, such as the WRX. They really arent much worse than a Honda as far as regular maintanence, other than when you change your diff fluid, youve got a rear diff to change as well.
I know that with my car, maintenance is pretty low. Even at 219k miles, i havent had to replace much and havent had much issues

[Del91]

[QUOTE=slayer3032;41582579]Accord wagons are accords that are wagons, couldn't really go wrong with one other than honda auto transmissions don't last really more than 250k. F series motors/transmissions are cheap for them too. It'll hold value and if you clean it up a bit you can probably flip it for the same or more than you paid for it.

Ignore the slammed part of these, they can look pretty damn good for what they are.

[t]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4878566138_8e653d91f1_z.jpg[/t]
[t]http://ekhatch.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/0new1.jpg[/t]
[t]http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1130/573071791_129d43d23d_o.jpg[/t]

They even made a "SiR" trim level in europe and japan with a lip kit and the F20B which makes like 195hp on the manual version and is pretty much a destroked h series prelude motor.

[t]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3564/3809411913_a0b82c7a51_o.jpg[/t]
[t]http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii85/del_fast/AccordExterior.jpg[/t]
[t]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/3rd_Honda_Accord_Wagon.jpg[/t]

They're really kinda a cool niche car, I've always kinda wanted one as a DD that I could do long roadtrips, camping and the like right out the back of it.[/QUOTE]

I've seen those pop up occasionally pop up on Clist, usually with an Auto. :( I've always kinda wanted one too, they're a bit uncommon though.

[Slayer3032]

Yeah, it's hard to find them since people don't mention the wagon part anywhere on their posts too. I'd want to swap the motor out with something that makes a little more power or add something which makes a lot more power to one of them though so it having or ending with a manual would happen either way lol. That or I'd do the same to a first gen Acura CL for the fuck of it.

What's really going to matter is what vehicle you find for a better deal in better shape, they're all good choices.

[karbine]

i'd love to dump an F22-23 or a K series in an accord.

[A_Pigeon]

ford pinto

[Cinnamon]

[QUOTE=A_Pigeon;41605213]ford pinto[/QUOTE]

You just want to kill Karbine

[karbine]

welp, my ram eats about $20 a day in gas, and I make about $100 a day. cock.

[Slayer3032]

If gas is your primary cost, why not get something along the lines of a Civic Hatchback?

[t]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/2000-Honda-Civic-hatchback.jpg[/t]
[t]http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Hauling318-4-525x350.jpg[/t]
[t]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v375/tamadrumr88/2000%20Civic%20hatch%20for%20sale/cargo_area.jpg[/t]

You can always fold the seats down and the cargo cover keeps everything hidden.

All the non-vtec/vtec-e D series motors all get 40mpg+ highway.

[A_Pigeon]

Put a fart can on it too.

[Slayer3032]

[QUOTE=A_Pigeon;41679340]Put a fart can on it too.[/QUOTE]

Or you could just take the axleback off for free which makes the car sound less tinny and ricey(but even louder) provided you have the stock cat.

You could also go with a OEM Civic/Integra Type-R or 8th gen Civic SI muffler which don't have the restrictive effects of the stock mufflers. They provide a nice complementing noise to the intake over 3k rpms, have no drone and sound dead stock when cruising. I found my ITR muffler for $40, new from dealer they are $225ish and SI mufflers are generally like $50 on CL. There's also the Apexi WS2 catback and the Yonaka which is a knockoff of the WS2 for around $500/250.

I realize the comment was most likely just a poke at Honda owners but I find it pretty interesting how far Honda's engineering really goes. Most car enthusiasts are quick to toss out nearly anything stock for something aftermarket. The $227 Type-R muffler from Honda at on a stock 60mm size exhaust trumps nearly all other designs out there short of a big fat open ended resonator when it comes to performance let alone quality that will last 200k miles.

[t]http://passwordjdm.com/images/Products/2924L.jpg[/t]

[t]http://imageshack.us/a/img820/4288/screenshot20130405at114.png[/t][t]http://imageshack.us/a/img69/5536/156a013specs1.jpg[/t]

Another great example is how the ITR intake manifold shit on nearly every single intake manifold that was thrown at it and even when it was beat the overall powerband was better or the setup no longer suited it. Essentially unless you're spending 10k on a build, it's the absolute best bang for your buck. The JDM ITR's header is pretty damn good too. [url]http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2174099[/url]

It's not 4 cylinder motors that sound bad, it's the idiot owners that punch out the cat, use no resonators and use a shit muffler. This is the difference between a shitty custom exhaust with no cat with a ITR muffler and one which is using a cat.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqNkzfcUcLg[/url]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mtLJGGRVa8[/url]

[sHiBaN]

Subaru's your best bet. They're super reliable if you keep up on scheduled maintenance. Their AWD system is amazing and will make it feel like you're not even driving a wagon.