(photo courtesy of Flickr)
I was shooting pool a few nights ago with a friend. Among conversational tidbits like "How far would you go on the Olympic ski jump if you didn't jump at the end?" and "They're remaking Clash of the Titans? Really?" my friend let it be known that he was selling his 1974 Porsche 914. I just about whacked him with my pool cue. Dude, why?
Actually, he bought the 914 for his girlfriend (now wife) a couple of years ago. She loves the car and uses it as her daily driver, but they're thinking of selling it. He says it's not the most reliable car, and while he knows the mechanical basics, he isn't knowledgeable enough to do any major repairs. They haven't got the money to keep taking it to a specialized shop. Plus, his wife says she might like something a little bigger and with a backseat.
So I told my friend I'd use the infinite resources and powers of the WT3 come up with a few used-car suggestions that might still allow his wife to keep her car enthusiast credentials. I searched via the following criteria: 1) Fewer than $6,000 (that's the most they can spend); 2) Fun to drive; 3) Practical via a backseat and/or hatch; and 4) a reputation for at least decent reliability.
Here's what I came up with.
2002 to 2003 Mazda Protege5. The Protege5 was the small hatchback/wagon version of the regular Protege sedan. The hatchback added a bit of extra utility without diluting any of the Protege's fizzy character. When this car was in production, Edmunds editorial at the time commented favorably on its sharp handling and steering. The 5 also came standard with 16-inch alloy wheels and a body styling kit, making it one of the best looking stock hatchbacks out there. Antilock brakes and side airbags were optional, so I'd suggest looking for a used model with them equipped. Base Edmunds TMV for a 2002 Protege5: $5,753.
2004 to 2005 Ford Focus. Today's Focus is an also-ran in the small car segment, but seven or eight years ago the Focus was a fully competitive model. Blessed with a sharp handling, a spacious interior and a smooth ride, the Focus was a fun daily driver. Model year 2004 would be a good year to start looking. I was always fond of the ZX3 and ZX5 hatchbacks, and you could get them with the peppier 2.3-liter engine. The following year Ford made a number of interior and exterior revisions, but unfortunately the 2.3-liter engine was henceforth limited to the sport-tuned Focus ST sedan only. Reliability was never great with these cars, but it wasn't awful, either. Base Edmunds TMV for a 2004 Focus ZX5 Premium: $5,952.
2000 to 2001 Honda Civic coupe. Well, there's nothing terribly sexy about a Civic. But the usual Civic traits -- frugal, reliable and sportier than the typical small car -- could make this one a decent pick. Model year 2000 was the last year of the sixth generation, which I kind of prefer to the newer cars. A Civic EX had the 127 hp engine. A Civic Si coupe would be even better, but the odds of finding a clean Civic Si are, well, poor. A 2001 coupe would be a decent alternative. Base Edmunds TMV for a 2000 Civic EX coupe: $5,086.
So that's what I came up with. What would you pick or recommend?
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
By blueguydotcom
on February 19, 2010
06:15 AM
Protege. But I am biased as I had a 2003 ES for a few years and that car was great. Got horrible mileage on the freeway (Mazda gears their cars like idiots) but it was fun around town and in the corners.
By brn
on February 19, 2010
07:19 AM
2002 Mercury Cougar? Well under budget. Based on the Mondeo platform. Sweet 2.5L V6.
By trackwrex
on February 19, 2010
09:14 AM
i can vouch for 2 of those 3 cars since i personally owned them. I had the auto-tragic Pro5. I probably would've kept it if it was a manual transmission since I loved that car and had TONS of fun on the road. Lots of mod-ability for the Pro5. I'm a personal fan of AutoExe parts. :) (btw, i had a 2003 so i had the "shiftable" automatic- it doesn't help)
i also had a 1999 Honda Civic Si. I would extend those years back to 1999 (1999-2001) for the Honda Civic. That was the EK9 (chassis code) and it was a wonderful car. I miss that car although I'm sure friends of mine didn't due to mods we did to stiffen the suspension and chassis (seam-welded parts of the car). hahaha! But even with that, the car was comfortable- until i removed the front seats for competition race seats. LOL. I can't stop thinking fondly of that car...
Great picks Brent!
By drivendaily
on February 19, 2010
09:15 AM
Since you said 'backseat or a hatch' I'd have to throw the Honda CRX in there as an option. Known for their reliability, fun for a front-wheel-drive car, great mileage, and inexpensive to keep on the road. If a backseat is a must, the 4th generation Civic hatch (88-91) is a close second choice.
Later models of the Civic became increasingly complex, and got bigger and bloated.
By sabastian
on February 19, 2010
09:59 AM
I'll throw in the dark horse candidate and suggest a Saab 9-3 turbo. Sure, it won't carve corners like the Mazda, but the turbo works like a slingshot and trunk space is ridiculous. Plus, Saabs just ooze character. Look carefully and you may even find a Viggen in that budget!
By jederino
on February 19, 2010
10:13 AM
I always double-take the Protege5 when I seen one around the City. Sharp looking little wagon. Any character in the engine?
By mlh
on February 19, 2010
12:36 PM
Hang onto the 914! If they keep it in decent shape, it will not depreciate -- and may in fact go up a bit in value. Also it probably costs less to insure than the newer vehicles. Over time, those two factors alone could more than offset the cost of any major repairs that come up. Not to mention, a 914 is about 1000 times cooler than a Protege, Focus or Civic.
By brn
on February 19, 2010
01:18 PM
I partially agree with mlh. If they can afford it (and have a place to keep it), hang onto it. It will only appreciate in value.
I disagree about the appreciation outpacing major repairs. Keep it, but don't drive it (much).
Personally, I've always thought of the 914 as the Porsche I'd least want to own, but many feel otherwise.
By mlh
on February 19, 2010
03:42 PM
A few years ago, I was looking for a nice 912; back then, they were selling for around $5000. Today, nice ones are selling for at least twice that -- sometimes closer to $15,000. If the 914 is anything like that, the increase in value could offset at least a major engine overhaul. Not bad.
By misterfusion
on February 19, 2010
05:07 PM
Funny to think that the 914 is an admired classic to some people. From what I remember, it was basically considered an embarrassment when it was in production.
Another car like the Protege5 was the Mitsu Lancer Sportback. Not as cute, but I believe the performance was about the same.
By subytrojan
on February 19, 2010
07:17 PM
Porsche 914 + Subaru EJ20 motor = WIN
http://www.modified.com/features/0704_sccp_subaru_wrx_powered_porsche_914/index.html
By estreka
on February 20, 2010
01:09 AM
VW Golf GTI
Subaru Impreza
Honda Civic
Acura Integra
BMW 318is
Any of these can be had for under $6K.
By sabastian
on February 21, 2010
01:27 PM
How about Josh's Prelude (or one like it)?
By jstandefer
on February 22, 2010
10:43 AM
I went through a decision like this about 10 years ago. The car I had and loved was a 1982 Mazda RX-7. It was a great looking sports car that was a terrific driver, but I needed something more practical and reliable, preferably with back seats. What I ended up with was a '99 Mazda Protege ES sedan. It was a blast to drive and never let me down despite how hard it was driven.
Later on, we also got a 2003 Protege5. With the '99 sedan and '03 hatch in the driveway at the same time, it was easy to see the strengths and weaknesses of both cars. They were both built on the same generation platform, but the '99 was the first year of production and the '03 had been through the mid-cycle refresh ('01+). The differences were quite noticeable.
The '03 had the FD 2.0L engine out of the 626, versus the FP 1.8L in the '99. The '03 also had more sound insulation, but a softer suspension. As a result, the '03 certainly felt more refined: softer ride, quieter interior, more low-end torque. The '99 was definitely more the driver's car with sharper handling, quicker turn-in response, and an engine that was much more rev-happy (the 2.0L felt quite anemic in comparison). And despite the smaller the engine size, the '99 was definitely quicker as the mid-cycle refresh slathered on the pounds. And it's the engine feel that really separates the two cars: the '99 always felt like it was rearing to get up and go... begging to visit the redline. The '03 never had the same inspiration as the 2.0L always felt like it was gasping for air in comparison.
So my recommendation would be a '99-'00 Protege ES (not the small-engined, softer DX and LX), with a manual tranny, of course. It's not as refined as the later Protege5, loses a bit of storage space, and not quite the looker (although still a good looking car, especially in Classic Red like mine was), but it'll be less expensive and much more fun to drive. And I'm willing to bet 914 owners are more interested in the fun to drive part!
By ahightower
on February 22, 2010
12:08 PM
I don't see the point in trading one cheap car for another. Unless you really need a new type of car for more space or something, wait until you can get something more expensive. Far better options in the $10K range.
By creeper
on February 23, 2010
05:26 AM
brn- 2002 cougar, though a decent platform was riddled with gremlins. therefore out of the running due to lackluster reliability. might as well throw in a ford probe while your at it. what about a similar vintage celica?
By blueguydotcom
on February 23, 2010
07:06 AM
Yeah a last gen Celica has a hatch and can run like the wind.
By gearhead1977
on May 13, 2010
11:26 AM
I had an 01 Focus ZX3 and was luck to have a good one. I didn't have many of the problems associated with the early Focus.
Great little car, fun to drive and efficient, Not a burner with the 130hp 2.0 Zetec, but with the stick, lots of fun. Interior was funky looking, Fords Edge design gone wild. But it was solid and fun for four years.
Also had an 04 Mitsu Lancer Sportback. Traded the Focus for it actually (need more space for work). Not as responsive or as grippy as the Ford, but still a good chassis. 2.4 160 hp was great, if not terrible efficient, especially connected to a 4 spd auto. Cheap interior, seats weren't great ( mine was an LS, try to find a Ralliart) but the most reliable car I've owned. One trip to the shop in 80k miles. Got rear ended and it was totaled. Not a lot out there, I heard only 5,000 ever made it here before Mitsu stopped selling them.