Hey guys, I've spent over 3 months searching for a new daily since I sold my 95 Integra GSR and need some help still. I'm so confused and paranoid as to what to get next due to the fact that I've been reading and hearing a lot of negative feedback on major parts for the cars I'm considering getting. Here is a break down of what I'm really looking for and for what reasons, any and all suggestions as to what to get and what not to get would be greatly appreciated.

1st - GREAT RELIABLE MOTOR AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2nd - Fair price along with fair maintenance price
3rd - No more than 65,XXXmiles
4th - No recalls or common problems on expensive parts
5th - Something that wont leave me stranded and broke when I go back and forth to Vegas,Los Angeles and San Diego at least 2-4 times a month.
6th - Black or gray interior, open to exterior color,2 door or 4 door is fine,and trying to stay with a 4cyl.
7th -Nothing that looks like a older man would drive

Here are some of the cars that I'm considering but remember I'm not going to be racing anything just simply looking for the best reliable car for the price with the fewest headaches. They will all be AUTOMATIC so I would like to avoid transmission issues along with engine issues.
*Acura RSX
*Acura Integra LS 94+
*Honda Civic (Open minded to model) 96-00
*Toyota Celica GT 94+
*Any other car you guys might suggest?

Sorry if i posted this on the wrong section, feel free to move it if needed. I read the Type-S getting issues with bad transmission issues resulting in blown motors due to mis shifting but since I'm looking for a Automatic i would like some help and suggestions if there is any.

Thank you

 

96-00 civic for sure. if you leave it stock, the chances of it getting stolen will be much much lower. d series engines are reliable and cheap. parts for it are cheap. it'll be easy to find used parts. it gets great gas mileage.

the rsx would be the most comfortable, but given those choices, i would have to go with the civic.

 

Yeah, I would definitely opt for the civic if all you age going to get is an auto.

 

I was thinking the same, since it would just be an automatic daily, I just thought of the RSX automatic due to the more comfort and better stylish looks along with a few extra ponies to get in and out of traffic with that slow automatic transmission.

 

i'd go for the rsx. much nicer interior and newer than the 96-00 civic. they're getting pretty now too.

 

don't think it's worth the extra ~4000ish depending on year for a car just to go from point a to point b.

 

if everybody had that attitude we'd all drive rusty 88 civics. just because it's a dd doesn't mean it needs to be a pos.

 

i have a 98 dx auto right now and i would take the rsx if i had a choice.
i like the tiptronic and they are pretty quick to.

 

RSX I guess... But damn I hate auto's.... No real way of tuning them so moding them is pointeless past intake, header, exhaust IMO (no offense base auto owners)

 

the thing is, they're both going to be boring bland cars. why pay 4000 more for another bland boring cars? he is also looking for a budget car and parts for civics are much cheaper than dc5's. Good luck finding a k20a3 that is in working condition for 800 dollars.

if he was willing to drive stick, i would have said rsx-s for sure.

 

but the rsx is less boring and it does meet all of his criteria. you can't find a k20a3 for $800? i just looked at ebay and found one for that price. the k20a3 isn't exactly the most sought-after motor, making it cheap. if you can afford a newer car and it fits your criteria, i say go for that. it'll generally have less issues, a nicer interior, and a better engine. daily drivers don't have to be the most boring car you find possibly think of.

 

jw why would it be pointless? I no its auto and all but why pointless

 

I know a guy with an auto h22 ek

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I agree with just about everyone, I really want to stay away from a 5 speed or 6 speed due to the fact that I am not going to be fixing it up or racing, I just hate being in traffic going in and out of first gear for almost an hour. someone mention something that is a daily driver doesn't have to be the most boring car either,I agree with that but of course the main issue here is reliability and not having to spend a lot of money to maintain the car, I just feel like the K series will or can get expensive to maintenance or might have more issues, can anyone confirm that has had experience or have the car? I drove a 08 accord that I felt very comfy driving but the issue with that is well it's price is over my limit and budget. The only main issue I see with the 96-00 civic is the sluggish power for switching lanes when you are stuck in traffic and well the theft rate, of course it's hard to find a "perfect balance of reliable,good price,no major problems,good looks and not expensive to maintain" I'm over the tuning scene for now,I'll be back in a few years once I'm back on track with my life. But for now I want something that isn't going to end up being a POS and leave me broke or have the ladies looking at me like the wrong way well I drive around or go on a date. I might consider going 5 speed or 6 speed if i REALLY HAVE TO, to have a "Perfect car" to me perfect meaning, Not expensive to maintain,no issues(belts,plugs,filters is common so that's excluded),not a high threat to theft, and still decent milege with decent or good looks.

 

Civic. I honestly don't think the Rsx's are built that well. You will run into problems and it will cost more. For point a to point b...You have to go with the Civic. I'm currently trying to sell my Type S and plan on buying an 92-95 Civic Cpe. Just too many problems with the Rsx...And I'm tired of fixing them.

 

thanks for the feedback, can you get specific as to the issues and reasons why?

 

personal experiences!!!! i think the rsx is very well built and i have never had an issue with anything....i just dont think it really fits the needs of what you want the car for

 

96-00 civic hatch

light,available in auto, d series motor veryyyyyyyyyyyyyy pocket friendly. its cool cuz there are no power options [for people that know how gay power windows and sunroof are for civics, very fragile] best choice any civic

 

I think the main reason he talks about it having many issues is do to the fact that he has added a turbo there for braking the original balance and design of the motor, just like with any car that is modded it can either make the car better or worst just depends on if you know how to tune it and build it. I'm sticking to a pretty much bone stock car for now maybe some springs,better tires,brake pads and speakers just to up the "fun" of driving a daily. I even thought of going with a 5 speed if I can find a comfy car that meets my budget and requirements. I used to own a 94 Mazda Mx-5, just about everything done to it but finishing the build on the motor so going from that to a 95 GSR DB was very different the size and weight of the car was the biggest difference It was boring to drive as a daily I know If i would have put some aftermarket parts on it besides springs,intake and exhaust I could have been capable of meeting those standards but it was my daily so I understood I couldn't compare a weekend warrior to a daily driver especially if I didn't put the same amount of money into it. I want to find a good balance but at a good budget of course, my three main things I'm trying to avoid is Engine problems,Transmission problems and theft rates. Any other car suggestions besides what I have thought of are greatly appreciated and welcome as well.

 

You could always get another gsr and do a k motor swap if ur looking for a new setup or even look at the ep3. Its relatively cheap and very reliable. Would best fit what ur after i think!!

 

I thought about picking up a shell and building it but I'm really just looking for something stock that doesn't need work done till scheduled maintenance comes around.

 

I wud go ep3 then in ur situation. Reliable and decent power and if u want more power int the future u have endless options...turbo,sc,motor swap..etc...!! If u look around u will be able to find one with low mileage for a decent price. Best thing about the ep, not many people drive em so u will be unique!!

 

Youre going from a gsr to an automatic vehicle? Dude these are hondas they arent that annoying to shift a lot, the clutches are all so light...

if I was gonna get an automatic cruiser id roll around in a murdered out crown vic.

 

Automatic + reliable doesn't really go together when it comes to Hondas.

Sorry to have to say this, but Honda makes absolutely TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE automatic transmissions.

Figure a full trans rebuild into your scheduled maintenance scenario.

 

Is there a reason why many people don't drive them? I mean there has to be a catch or something, else a lot of people could be driving them all over