Recomendations for DD

[cshawkeye]

My wife and I just bought our first home which means I can now get a DD so the M3 can be kept at home. I do not have a super far commute however, I would like something that is AWD and better MPG. I will be commuting from Alexandria to Ballston (I know that's not far like most people in the DMW). Just wanted to gauge opinions. Also budget is 10K or under.

[abehwang]

Why not drive your M3?
I drive mine everyday. You could use that $10k on gas and other expenses or investments instead of on more insurance, tax, gas, etc...
Just my 2cents.

BUT if you do want to buy a gas saving DD, then you could always go for an elantra or civic?

[cshawkeye]

Originally Posted by abehwang

Why not drive your M3?
I drive mine everyday. You could use that $10k on gas and other expenses or investments instead of on more insurance, tax, gas, etc...
Just my 2cents.

BUT if you do want to buy a gas saving DD, then you could always go for an elantra or civic?

You make a valid point. Now I am moving to a townhouse from a condo so no more garage parking for me. Any suggestions to make sure my car stays in good condition??

[Red_Baron]

Just DD it. I daily drive mine and commute from the Tysons' area to Rosslyn for work. Bought it new in 2008 and now it has 62000 miles. No major problems so far *knocks on wood*. It's a pretty solid car. My advice to you for keeping the car in shape is to keep up with the maintenance and drive it on the highway whenever you can. The stop and go traffic coupled with the unnecessary potholes in the Rosslyn-Clarendon-Ballston area makes my car feel like its hurting every time I drive through that horrible area.

[MMME30W]

I get that everyone's situation is unique, but I've never gotten what is so special about these cars that they have to treated as garage queens.

Winter? Get a bag of sand and a good set of snows. Blustery wet fall? Make sure the tires are above 3.5 mm, and properly inflated.

Keep the car clean, and if you can't maintain it, take it to someone you trust that has a profit motive to keep it in shape.

Anyways, I'd suggest maybe an off-lease Civic or Tercel, still just within warranty. Either of these would be adequate, clean, reliable, and safe for a little one.

Good luck!

[MMME30W]

Originally Posted by cshawkeye

You make a valid point. Now I am moving to a townhouse from a condo so no more garage parking for me. Any suggestions to make sure my car stays in good condition??

I picked up a good clean BMW OEM Noah outdoor car cover from another m3post member this week. Just a thought.

[PhillyNate]

I was gonna suggest Honda all day and all night. I just bought one after my other DD got totaled while parked. I bought a 2006 Accord Sedan with a gazillion miles on it. I'm the 2nd owner and it even had a front end collision prior to my ownership. IT FEELS ALMOST NEW. Everything works and the car is smooth as silk, though admittedly not quick. I was NEVER a Honda guy before this purchase but the quality, durability, engineering and craftmanship in this particular car has won me over. This honestly feels like a "just keep oil in it" car. Moving forward I can't see a scenario in which I don't have a Honda product as a DD. I know you said you want AWD but do yourself a favor and give Honda a look.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I was gonna suggest Honda all day and all night. I just bought one after my other DD got totaled while parked. I bought a 2006 Accord Sedan with a gazillion miles on it. I'm the 2nd owner and it even had a front end collision prior to my ownership. IT FEELS ALMOST NEW. Everything works and the car is smooth as silk, though admittedly not quick. I was NEVER a Honda guy before this purchase but the quality, durability, engineering and craftmanship in this particular car has won me over. This honestly feels like a "just keep oil in it" car. Moving forward I can't see a scenario in which I don't have a Honda product as a DD. I know you said you want AWD but do yourself a favor and give Honda a look.

+1 on Honda..their the ideal choice for a DD..and you cant beat the lease deals

[SamS]

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I was gonna suggest Honda all day and all night. I just bought one after my other DD got totaled while parked. I bought a 2006 Accord Sedan with a gazillion miles on it. I'm the 2nd owner and it even had a front end collision prior to my ownership. IT FEELS ALMOST NEW. Everything works and the car is smooth as silk, though admittedly not quick. I was NEVER a Honda guy before this purchase but the quality, durability, engineering and craftmanship in this particular car has won me over. This honestly feels like a "just keep oil in it" car. Moving forward I can't see a scenario in which I don't have a Honda product as a DD. I know you said you want AWD but do yourself a favor and give Honda a look.

I have a 2006 Accord sedan for my DD. I bought it new, it's nearing 80k miles. Just change the oil and filters, it will run forever. Since I have leather, Nav, and a connection for my iPhone, it's very pleasant to drive.

My commute can be horrible, stop and go for miles. It is no fun in the M3. In the Honda, I just sit back and relax. 25+mpg, too. And all those door dings I get in the parking garage? Doesn't even bother me.

[kmarei]

Even for a DD, I'd still want something that's fun to drive
I'd wait and get something like this, but the Quattro version
Both the 1.8 and 2.0 turbos are pretty fuel efficient, but with enough pep to make it fun to drive
Plus you've got the convertible aspect too

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...077094960.html

[Kwando]

I can't imagine you need AWD in Texas tbh. Honda or Acura all the way.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Kwando

I can't imagine you need AWD in Texas tbh. Honda or Acura all the way.

The original poster is in Arlington, Virginia not Arlington, Texas. But you're right, AWD is not needed here. Once a year when we get ice or snow, they cancel school, and no one goes to work.

[PhillyNate]

Originally Posted by SamS

I have a 2006 Accord sedan for my DD. I bought it new, it's nearing 80k miles. Just change the oil and filters, it will run forever. Since I have leather, Nav, and a connection for my iPhone, it's very pleasant to drive.

My commute can be horrible, stop and go for miles. It is no fun in the M3. In the Honda, I just sit back and relax. 25+mpg, too. And all those door dings I get in the parking garage? Doesn't even bother me.

I've got 95k miles. I have the 4 cylinder auto. The gas mileage is unreal. Sometimes I swear the fuel guage doesn't move for days. I also don't care about dings...as much.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I've got 95k miles. I have the 4 cylinder auto. The gas mileage is unreal. Sometimes I swear the fuel guage doesn't move for days. I also don't care about dings...as much.

Yeh, I have the 4cyl auto, too. That motor/tranny is bomb proof. Mileage is great of course, but you know those F30 guys get 30mpg+? Somehow I'm trying to justify one to replace the Accord in 2-3 years.

[strummr]

CS... since you know I picked up the M3 as my DD, my sentiments are mirrored by some above. I will however add this - if you want to keep your M3 as more the 'precious' vehicle you don't want to tack day-to-day mileage and or wear - I've got some suggestions for DDs. I went through this the past 4-5 years when I had 'parked' my S4 for sale (and when I had moved to Capitol Hill for almost a year - would you really want to park a nice car on the street in DC?). I bought a crew cab Nissan Frontier LE... really nice having a 4 door pickup... for all the things you can't do with the M3 or any other space-challenged vehicle - also once you become a home owner, you want that bed (or if you own a motorcycle); then I picked up a Infiniti FX45 (representing a balance of some practicality, but still offering maximum performance for the class) - it was the highest performance crossover back in '04 (only to be outdone by the Cayenne Turbo); then I moved onto a X5 4.8is - thinking I wanted a bit more 'luxury'. I was mistaken with the last one, granted the 4.8is was a nice ride, it's awful on gas, and feels like you're driving a tank. I would highly recommend the FX45/35 if you can find something in the mid-teens - it truly does have lots of agile dynamics, while offering you ease of either carrying people or cargo, and fairly high in luxury as well.

[huyner328]

E30. Can get a great one for under 5k and ride it till the wheels fall off.

[richardbb85]

lease a car if you can find one for low payment and $0 pay at signing

that's what i plan on doing, leasing a civic or a hyundai

[baarii]

Originally Posted by kmarei

Even for a DD, I'd still want something that's fun to drive
I'd wait and get something like this, but the Quattro version
Both the 1.8 and 2.0 turbos are pretty fuel efficient, but with enough pep to make it fun to drive
Plus you've got the convertible aspect too

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...077094960.html

I agree with Kmarei, pick up an e30 lets say 325is and spend 1-2k fix it up . So much fun to drive.

[Nine]

Subaru Wrx or STI.

[skins333]

I was considering identical purchase few months ago (awd, <$10K, decent mileage).

In the end I was leaning toward getting a subaru (wrx/sti pretty pricy though), nissan xterra/pathfinder, or maybe 4runner (although these were little overpriced). I also found some g35x sedans for pretty good deals. If I didn't feel I needed awd I would have looked into sonata or maybe older acura tl. The problem with the honda's were that their resale value was so strong they ended up seeming like poor values (older or high mileage models only for the most part <$10k). I ended up getting an 2004 c320 4matic and it's been great.

Although, I don't disagree with the others telling you to DD the m3 and save the money you'd otherwise spend on extra tax/insurance, etc, I really like having another care to handle DD duties. I have 2 car seats in the benz and can drive it too work through construction zones, bad weather, tight parking areas, etc. Also, although an m3 may not be all that "special" to some, it most definitely is to me. I love being able to keep it fresh, clean, ding-free and keep the heavy miles off it.

[Raja Ventureshield]

buy a HONDA period. I bought a 2009 Honda Civic LX for 15k, drove it for almost 20k miles and sold it for 14,400$ 9 months later. Beat that! :-)

extra cars are more fun. Sometimes in nasty weather i don't feel like driving nice cars. You just want something to not worry about when going to DC, valet parking and grocery. DDs have known to lower blood pressure by a bit. Do it Joe.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield

buy a HONDA period. I bought a 2009 Honda Civic LX for 15k, drove it for almost 20k miles and sold it for 14,400$ 9 months later. Beat that! :-)

extra cars are more fun. Sometimes in nasty weather i don't feel like driving nice cars. You just want something to not worry about when going to DC, valet parking and grocery. DDs have known to lower blood pressure by a bit. Do it Joe.

Truth