help Scott find a whip

[JohnC]

i don't like the milage and weight as much but i'd gladly trade that up for great reliability. it's mostly the wrenching thing - hard to change plugs, clutch, etc

My experience may be more traumatic than most (re: Z32), but I've found working on our WRX to be downright pleasant. Of course, all I've had to do is scheduled/routine maintenance. Oh, we've got almost 90k miles on ours now too. The only item that had to be replaced sooner than I would've expected was the battery.

[BLINGMW]

I don't know what you can get that really fits all those specs he gave under 10. What does an e36 get for fuel mileage?

318ti fits dammit. So does an E36 325i. 325i gets about 30MPG highway. About 7MPG on track. City...somewhere in between!

[WRXtranceformed]

My old WRX got 26.5mpg after I swapped out the entire exhaust minus the headers and replaced all of the cats with a high flow cat. Before that it only got maybe 21 at most, assuming I stayed out of boost.

[Feersty]

- Focus SVT. great handlers, great price point for comparatively low miles. simple, american, cheap.

The SVT is a very good deal for what you get. Getrag 6 speed, leather, 6 disc in dash, great handling, fun, cheap to own.

If you do end getting one I would suggest buying one from a dealer where you can look for issues 30 days after buying it. Get all those TSBs taken care of. I am so glad I bought mine from a dealer, and not a private party, because the dealership had to fix all the little problems I got. I have a few connections in the Focus community as well. You can get a great tune from Tom at focus-power.com for 4 or 500$ that really makes the Focus come alive. They were built in 2002, 2003, and 2004. I would get a 2003 or 2004. Euro package SVTs come with Recaros, HID, and the rims I have. Its a practical choice, and still fun. Takes premium gas though and gets about 25 or so mpg. Best i have gotten has been 27.7 mpg. Watch out for SVT rims though, they bend easily.

You can also get a unique certificate from SVT with your build number on there.

[ScottyB]

cool...thanks guys this is really helping.

so far it seems like my best bets are the mazdaspeed protege, bmw 328is/325is, focus (looking at ZX3 hatches, they're pretty cool) and the WRX although i'm having trouble getting into my price range.

so far i'm diggin the bimmer the best. i've lusted after RWD for soooo long.

[NTIman]

I don't know about any of the other cars, but I can say that the SVT focus is a really fun car to drive, especially for the money.

Another suggestion I have is the Scion tC, I think you could find one for under 10. They're one of Toyota's most reliable cars, they all have the huge ass sunroofs, easy as shit to work on, 168 hp, and its right on par with the SVT focus in terms of engine performance, handling, and fuel mileage. Parts for them are available through TRD, and include a supercharger, so if you want to hit that crackpipe, it might be a good choice.

[ScottyB]

Another suggestion I have is the Scion tC

aaaah, true enough...forgot that one too. i'll have to look into the pricing of these. i bet they'd be fun with some tweaks

[Goodspeed]

What about the Dodge SRT-4? I'm sure you can find them for pretty cheap, and they fit pretty much every one of your stated requirements...with the Mopar upgrade packages they can be pretty nasty

[Andy]

i don't like the milage and weight as much but i'd gladly trade that up for great reliability. it's mostly the wrenching thing - hard to change plugs, clutch, etc

My experience may be more traumatic than most (re: Z32), but I've found working on our WRX to be downright pleasant. Of course, all I've had to do is scheduled/routine maintenance. Oh, we've got almost 90k miles on ours now too. The only item that had to be replaced sooner than I would've expected was the battery.

On our outback, I changed out the filters and fluids. Nothing else. When we sold it, it had 104K. Even the battery was stock. This also included a 7700 mile roundtrip to Mexico. I DD a legacy wagon and it's been great with reliability too.

[.RJ]

Subarus are good cars - my dad works on them for a living and he owns two of them - thats a pretty solid endorsement. Its not a matter of being able to fix them, but he doesnt want to have to fix anything on his own cars, thats just more hours in the shop. He also works on Jeep and Kia... he never has anything good say about either of them. It pays the bills, but there's a lot of junk from those two.

[Jeff]

What about the Dodge SRT-4? I'm sure you can find them for pretty cheap, and they fit pretty much every one of your stated requirements...with the Mopar upgrade packages they can be pretty nasty

Come on Scotty,even Goodspeed holla'd at that SRT-4 Son. Come....come to the dark side my son....I will teach you the way of the Mopar boost.... :twisted:

[ScottyB]

don't get me wrong i have big respect for the SRT-4. i'm doing my research but if there's two things i'm hesitant about, it's finding a used one that hasn't been totally hosed and the issue of dealing with that much power going to the front wheels....LSD or not, i'm not sure i'd enjoy wild front end tire massacres.

but as a DD/fun car....it's compelling.

as for subies...my sister has a legacy and it's been real good to her -- i like it too. i'm being the devil's advocate in alot of ways with my choices so that i can hear what you guys have to say 8)

[Hunter]

The outback sport I've been driving around up here has been ridiculous reliable. It seems like nothing will ever break on that car. If you can find a WRX in your price range I agree that it might be the ideal choice, I mean who doesn't need more b00st in their life?

[WRXtranceformed]

Even an older Legacy 2.5GT would be a nice ride. They were reasonably luxurious and look great.

[.RJ]

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Go get it

[JackoliciousLegs]

Nice deal. What about a 2.5RS? Seems right in your range. Reliable. Sporty.
Edit: I know of a real nice '05 that I might let go to MM for 11k.

[.RJ]

Edit: I know of a real nice '05 that I might let go to MM for 11k.

I'll drive it to Va after I deliver Jack an M3....

[JackoliciousLegs]

I'll drive it to Va after I deliver Jack an M3....

Hahahaha!!! How perfect would that be?! RJ the delivery boy

[sk24iam]

Go with a 4th gen maxima. I used to have one. Once modded it can be quite the sleeper. With a stillen supercharger kit and 00ariable intake, you can be running in the 12's.

[Mike]

my problem with maximas is they handle like such boats. great motor, though...