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4-banger as Daily Driver?

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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 06:33 AM
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Default 4-banger as Daily Driver?

Probably been asked before, but I'll ask it again:

How does a late model 91-93 Foxbody 2.3l perform as a daily driver? How do they do gas mileage wise for the auto and manual trannies? I'm familiar with the usual Foxbody and 2.3T quirks, but does the n/a 2.3l have any specific quirks? With good maintenance, how long would a motor last before needing a rebuild?


Guess I am finally "growing up". A home will be purchased in the next few months and I've been looking at ways for me to trim the fat financially. Finger points to the car payment and inflated insurance associated with having a brand new car. Car payments were fine while I am renting, but when I become a homeowner this will change my whole outlook on financial responsibility and the wise use of money towards investments. As much as I love my Scion, I'd rather have that money I pay every month to sink into home improvements. Plus I may be able to save away enough money to finish the project car within the year.

Please let me know your thoughts. If my car payment were lower, I'd keep the car. Unfortunately I got the shaft on financing and I pay much more than I should (another stupid decision on my part). Fortunately resale on the xB is pretty high, so I may get away with losing little to nothing even though I am so upsidedown on the loan.
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 06:43 AM
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my mom used to have one a long time ago..couldnt tell you exact milage but i do know it was WAY up there (well 150k ish) she didnt have to many problems from what i can remember, ran great till some duesch ran into it.
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 07:12 AM
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well ya know ya could always throw a dodge diesel wholeset on it
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 07:28 AM
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i had a 2.3 in my ranger pickup and beat it un-mercifully from day 1 when it was brand new. it never gave me a single problem, until it got struck by lightning. the elecrical system was shot after that, but not probs up until 83k when that happened.
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 08:07 AM
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Originally posted by Fordified
I used to drive my silver car daily with the N/A auto setup and I loved it. You'll be amazed how much more solid those cars are than the typical beat up 5.0. No squeaks and rattles, really cool. It made a great driver, but I'd probably do a 5 speed if you were getting it for that purpose. The auto is really a slug, and I didn't get much more than 20 mpg.

You can do some mild things to pep an N/A motor up. Obviously rear gears would be nice, you can run run an exhaust manifold from a later Ranger which is basically a cast iron header. There are some cams available, you could shave the head for higher compression.

Obviously it will never be a race car, but they do make for fun cheap, reliable drivers.
I'm assuming a 5-speed swap into a 4-banger is the same as it is with a 302? Guessing I wouldn't run into any issues using an automatic ECU with a 5-speed?
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 08:28 AM
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Originally posted by Alan
I'm assuming a 5-speed swap into a 4-banger is the same as it is with a 302? Guessing I wouldn't run into any issues using an automatic ECU with a 5-speed?
well nuetral safety switch............. but thats about it I think, cuz i mean the t-5 is not computer controlled lol
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 08:29 AM
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you want a good cheap car- that get good gas mileage- get a chevy cavalier...
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 08:33 AM
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Originally posted by s10_male
you want a good cheap car- that get good gas mileage- get a chevy cavalier...

bahahahhaha
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 09:44 AM
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Originally posted by s10_male
you want a good cheap car- that get good gas mileage- get a chevy cavalier...
I need something reliable...and at least something I wouldn't be embarrased to drive. Cavalier = shit
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