[Spridgets] Thinking about buying another car

[Andrew Payne]

Bill, 
This is one of those times where I just want a few more eyes, because I have occasionally missed a very obvious or much better choice. But yes, I am hard pressed to come up with a better option than a Miata!
Drew
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Masquelier <billmasq at hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:00:58 
To: <andrewpayne at intrex.net>; spridget list<spridgets at autox.team.net>
Subject: RE: [Spridgets] Thinking about buying another car


So you are looking for and have specified a Miata- what is your real question? (and a good choice it WOULD be)
BillM 

> To: spridgets at autox.team.net
> From: andrewpayne at intrex.net
> Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:02:04 +0000
> Subject: [Spridgets] Thinking about buying another car
> 
> I've spent the past few days thinking hard on a cross country trip that I've wanted to take for years. Next year I may be able to do the trip. The basic idea is to be on the road for about 80 days and spend a day or two in each of the 49 states. (Hawaii until you build a bridge, you're dead to me! ;) I will camp most nights, stay with friends some, and a few nights in hotels.  I will likely do it in several regional trips so that I can keep my business afloat. 
> As a car guy, the question of what car to take has always been important. I had thought an Elise until yesterday when I came to terms with the prohibitive cost. I can do the trip, I could buy the car, maybe both. I can't afford to take that car on this trip. Tires, depreciation, maintenance, parts... So back to planning. 
> Years ago I thought a BGT was the perfect car. Fosters goodwill, fun, plus it would plan my trip: I drive till I breakdown, and I explore the town until parts arrive. I still think it would be a good choice. A Miata might be perfect. 
> So the open question is what car do I start looking for? Below is my criteria. 
> 
> *My budget will be a max of $5000. This is for road ready condition. 
> *Manual transmissions only!
> *The car must be fun to drive. 
> *The car must be reliable. 
> *Parts should be readily available, and affordable. This includes tires. 
> *I need a securely lockable trunk at least as big as a Miata's. 
> *I need to be able to reasonably expect 30,000 miles of mostly trouble free driving. 
> *A/C and cruise control would be ideal. 
> *25+ MPG
> 
> Drew
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>_______________________________________________
> 
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $12.75
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/spridgets/billmasq@hotmail.com