Car Shopping / Mini-review thread

[RawrImAMonster]

I'm in the process of test driving a bunch of cars in an attempt to find what I want to get next. So far I haven't found anything I'm particularly in love with just yet. I feel like I'm forgetting some interesting cars, but in general I just haven't been too happy with most of the newer cars.

My requirements:
Not FWD
Manual, of course
300hp at a minimum
At least somewhat reliable
Preferably made in the last 10 years
Preferably uncommon (I have a thing for rare(ish) cars)
This will be my main daily driver so nothing completely crazy
If it's RWD, it needs to have a LSD.
Sticking to cars under $30k for now and nothing new, regardless of price

Having said that here is what I have driven so far:

Keep in mind all of these reviews are in comparison to my current daily driver, an Evo IX, and that these are all relatively short test drives and just my initial impressions.

2012 Subaru WRX STi

This one was kind of a let down for me having driven the older STi's before. They have really tamed it down from what it used to be. The old ones were much more raw and exciting to drive. This one feels more like an average family car than it does a sporty car to me. The suspension is fairly soft and it feels like it has a ton of body roll. The power delivery is very smooth and in stock form, it is not particularly exciting or fast. Having said that, all of the extra interior space is nice and the interior quality overall is certainly a big step up from my car. It is also something that is a little more mature looking overall than my current car or the older STi's.

2004 Corvette Z06

Let me start off by saying, I love the motor in this car. It has a lot of torque and it really has a lot of high end power. Not to mention it is one of the best, if not THE best, sounding V8 ever made. It has the growly SBC v8-ness while simultaneously being high pitched and exotic sounding. My main complaint with this car is the driving position. I'm somewhat tall, around 6' 1, and it felt like the roof of the car was blocking half of my vision. I didn't see a way to lower the seat, but maybe there is.

The suspension felt great, yet was very smooth and much more livable day to day than the bilstein setup on my car. The seats and overall interior quality wasn't quite up to the quality I expected out of a car that cost around 55k new. You also really get a feel for how big that hood is when you're actually setting in the car. Overall, it was definitely a fun car to drive, but I'm not sure I could live with the seating position on a day to day basis.

2010 Nissan 370z Nismo

My first impression of this car is that it looks much much better in person. The nismo body kit really doesn't do much for me in pictures. The front still is a little weird looking in real life, but the rest of it looks great. The wheels also look much larger and more aggressive in real life. I think pictures just distort this cars size for some reason.

The Nismo package comes with stiffer suspension, slightly more power (350 bhp), all the features of the sport package, and the body kit. I don't think you can get the touring package features on the nismo edition, but either way, the one I test drove didn't have them. This means no leather, no upgraded stereo etc. I wasn't much of a fan of the cloth material Nissan uses on these seats. It felt pretty cheap. The lower-tier stereo system also left a lot to be desired. I've heard the higher-tier one is much better though. Otherwise, the interior quality was the nicest of the 3 cars I've test driven so far.

Again, I was happy with the suspension on this car. It was much smoother than mine, but it didn't feel like there was too much body roll. The 3.7 v6 is about what you expect. It has a 7500 rpm redline and all of the power is past 5k rpms. It has plenty of torque in the lower rpms for what it is as well. However, the way this car makes power just isn't all that exciting. I feel like it would make a fun daily driver, but it needs something to make it exciting to drive. Maybe some light mods would fix that, maybe they wouldn't.

One thing to note is that with the nismo spoiler, you may as well not have a back window. You can barely see anything out of it as is, and with the spoiler, you've got a few inches of visibility out of the whole window. Considering that, I think I would rather have the normal 370z with the sport and touring packages. This way you get the nicer interior with most of the sporty features of the nismo including that automatic rev-match when you downshift.






Feel free to ask me anything about features I may have forgot to cover.

Some of the other cars I plan to test drive soonish are:

2011+ Mustang GT
E46 M3
Evo X
C6 Corvette

I will continue adding reviews as I drive them. Let me know if you all have any other suggestions of cars to look at.

[SlimKlim]

I started writing up another diatribe about the E46 before I remembered you're posting reviews here, not asking for em. I'm interested to see what you think of it though, just don't drive an SMG.

May I also humbly suggest an E39 M5 or a its little 2003 540i M-sport brother? They are somewhat uncommon, the M has 400hp and the 540i has 282 and they make for bitchin' dailies if you don't mind shit gas mileage. Which judging by your list, you don't.

A 135i might also be worth a glance. Its all the features and amenities of a newer car, but in the size of an E36 3-series coupe. But I'm not sure even I could buy one knowing how frequently they go through HPFPs, and if its enough for me to have a problem with it everyone else in here would melt at the sight of one. A co-worker just traded in his '08 after the 3rd or 4th trip to the dealer because of it, its really a shame, that twin-turbo 6 seems like such an awesome motor but they've been having these fuel pump issues since 2007. Like what the fuck.

[RawrImAMonster]

I started writing up another diatribe about the E46 before I remembered you're posting reviews here, not asking for em. I'm interested to see what you think of it though, just don't drive an SMG.

May I also humbly suggest an E39 M5 or a its little 2003 540i M-sport brother? They are somewhat uncommon, the M has 400hp and the 540i has 282 and they make for bitchin' dailies if you don't mind shit gas mileage. Which judging by your list, you don't.

A 135i might also be worth a glance. Its all the features and amenities of a newer car, but in the size of an E36 3-series coupe. But I'm not sure even I could buy one knowing how frequently they go through HPFPs, and if its enough for me to have a problem with it everyone else in here would melt at the sight of one. A co-worker just traded in his '08 after the 3rd or 4th trip to the dealer because of it, its really a shame, that twin-turbo 6 seems like such an awesome motor but they've been having these fuel pump issues since 2007. Like what the fuck.

I might need to check out an E39 M5. I'm not sure how the maintenance is on those, but if it is like the e46 M3 where the motor needs to come apart for valve adjustments, that might be somewhat of a deterrent.

My main complaint with the 135 is that they didn't put a damn LSD in a 300hp rwd car. I don't get that decision at all. I hadn't heard anything about the fuel pump issues before now but I'll look into it if I decide to drive one. Eventually when the 1 series M comes down in price, I may look at one of those. I saw one in Harrisonburg the other day and they look awesome with the more aggressive body kit. It also doesn't hurt that BMW remembered to put the LSD in those.

[CaptainHenreh]

I might need to check out an E39 M5. I'm not sure how the maintenance is on those, but if it is like the e46 M3 where the motor needs to come apart for valve adjustments, that might be somewhat of a deterrent.

Chris Cobetto said he wouldn't own one if he couldn't get a hookup on parts and maintenance. I say, "3 words: water. cooled. alternator."

[SlimKlim]

I'm not sure if the E39 M5 motor requires manual valve adjustments. Is it that bad of a service to do on the E46? I haven't looked into it but it sounds pretty DIY-able. Maintenance costs will be high but not horrifying on either M car if you DIY. Those big ass brakes and tires ain't gonna be cheap come replacement time, but that goes for pretty much all the cars you've listed so far. Maintenance costs will be horrifyingly high on either if you just want a shop to fix everything.

FWIW you can get a very nice E46 M for ~$20k and a nice E39 M5 for ~$25k. The difference between those and a '12 STi, Evo X, or newish GT would cover a shitload of maintenance.

Yeah I'm with you on the lack of LSD, it doesn't make sense. An "e-diff" is no replacement for an actual mechanical LSD. I wouldn't hold your breath on the 1M prices plummeting any time soon. They only sold like 800 of them here and they're practically already collector cars. I have no idea what they're going for though. I rode in one at Summit earlier this year, definitely a wild ride.

[RawrImAMonster]

I'm not sure if the E39 M5 motor requires manual valve adjustments. Is it that bad of a service to do on the E46? I haven't looked into it but it sounds pretty DIY-able. Maintenance costs will be high but not horrifying on either M car if you DIY. Those big ass brakes and tires ain't gonna be cheap come replacement time, but that goes for pretty much all the cars you've listed so far. Maintenance costs will be horrifyingly high on either if you just want a shop to fix everything.

To be honest, I haven't looked into what it actually takes to do the valve adjustment. I could probably do it, but it is almost just the principle of having to take the motor apart as part of routine maintenance. I definitely want to test drive one, but if I don't absolutely fall in love with one, I'm not going to get one because of that.

And yeah I'm sure the 1 series M's won't come down for a while. That was more of a possibility for the car after next than anything.

[SlimKlim]

I believe you just pull the valve cover which is pretty easy on a straight 6, and then measure all the clearances and use the little special tools to pluck out the shims that need to be replaced. I've never done it myself though. I've never understood why the valves have to be adjusted manually on those motors, it seems pretty archaic. The Euro E36s are the same way, but my shitty US market, souped up 325i doesn't require it.

I wouldn't let a Saturday afternoon project every 40k miles influence my purchase decision if I liked the car otherwise. Even if you drive a good bit it'll come up maybe every 2 years? I'll have to borrow a VAG-COM and buy $150 worth of fancy fluid and a filter to service my DSG in 20k miles but I don't really mind. Different strokes for different folks I suppose. I obviously like to tinker given my vehicular history.

[BLINGMW]

ehhh, don't be scared of valve adjustments, I wouldn't really consider that as "the motor needing to come apart", it's just the valve cover. And you'd check it once every 2ish years. Unfortunately, yes, it's with shims, which I find vastly more annoying than adjusters since you have to check and then order shims, but it's still fairly easy to check, and you might not have to replace any. Not apples to apples, but I can adjust an old 4-cyl BMW's valves on a lunch break (helps when there are only 8!).
As far as why they do it? Because it's better, obviously! :mrgreen: Well, ok, it's pretty silly for a street engine these days, I must admit. But hey, people want a racing engine in their street car? YOU GOT IT.

Back to the topic...
You have no number of seats/cargo requirements or preferences?
Also, you say you like something "rareish" but not completely crazy. Might I suggest removing your "made in the last 10 years" requirement? For $25-30k, you could pick one of many classic cars, older BMWs, Mustang, Porsches, find a restored one and DD it. Then you really have something unique but still reliable. Of course... you might be adjusting valves! :thumbup:

[D_Eclipse9916]

ehhh, don't be scared of valve adjustments, I wouldn't really consider that as "the motor needing to come apart", it's just the valve cover. And you'd check it once every 2ish years. Unfortunately, yes, it's with shims, which I find vastly more annoying than adjusters since you have to check and then order shims, but it's still fairly easy to check, and you might not have to replace any. Not apples to apples, but I can adjust an old 4-cyl BMW's valves on a lunch break (helps when there are only 8!).
As far as why they do it? Because it's better, obviously! :mrgreen: Well, ok, it's pretty silly for a street engine these days, I must admit. But hey, people want a racing engine in their street car? YOU GOT IT.

Back to the topic... you have no number of seats/cargo requirements or preferences?

It simply has everything to do with hydraulic valves and the forces generated on the actual valvetrain. As to how I understand it:

The E46 M3 motor/many M motors derived from actual race engines. Think of how many times a cam is rotating at 8,400RPM. PER MINUTE. Now imagine all the forces involved (lift of cam/duration, spring seat pressure, velocity). A hydraulic cam has a hard time "pumping up" so quickly, and also with enough force to keep proper tension.
A solid lifter knocks out this part entirely. Although it does require maintenance as things wear, it keeps "solid" tension effectively between the cam and the actual valve. Not only can the hydraulic lifter not keep up, but it also froths oil at such high rpm leading to increased wear on behalf of increase tolerances.

So that solid lifter at high rpms performs many functions, but the 2 most important are:
1. Keeps tension up resulting in increased performance vs. a hydraulic (aka more lift/duration vs the loss you would take with hydraulic
2. Keeps tension up to reduce wear on the valvetrain caused by, and I use the term loosely, slack.

BMW didnt worry about your US motor, since not only it revved much lower; but it was also not their main focus to make as much possible power out of a 3.2 like the E46 m3. Their flagship sports car. BTW- did you also know that the S54 was built as an "undersquare" motor to increase torque vs previous engines? That is why despite a Honda S2000 having a 9000RPM redline, the E46 M3 motor has about the same piston speed at less RPM. (more stroke for the folk :lol: ) And FAR more piston speed than a Ferrari 360 or Acura NSX.

[CaptainHenreh]

BTW- did you also know that the S54 was built as an "undersquare" motor to increase torque vs previous engines?

ORRRRRRRRR they didn't have any more room in the M5x block to bore it out safely beyond 86mm so they stroked it rather than design a new block.

[RawrImAMonster]

You have no number of seats/cargo requirements or preferences?
Also, you say you like something "rareish" but not completely crazy. Might I suggest removing your "made in the last 10 years" requirement? For $25-30k, you could pick one of many classic cars, older BMWs, Mustang, Porsches, find a restored one and DD it. Then you really have something unique but still reliable. Of course... you might be adjusting valves! :thumbup:

The oldest I'm willing to go would be mid 90's to get something like an LS swapped FD rx7. But I don't know that I'm willing to pay 25k for a car like that. If I could find one cheaper, I would definitely be looking at those more seriously. It doesn't help that they are pretty damn rare.

Not really into old cars for the most part.

Seats/cargo requirements don't really matter that much. If I get a small rwd car ill probably get an older jeep Cherokee this winter.

[fiveoh2go]

2004 Corvette Z06

Let me start off by saying, I love the motor in this car. It has a lot of torque and it really has a lot of high end power. Not to mention it is one of the best, if not THE best, sounding V8 ever made.

You have no number of seats/cargo requirements or preferences?
Also, you say you like something "rareish" but not completely crazy. Might I suggest removing your "made in the last 10 years" requirement? For $25-30k, you could pick one of many classic cars, older BMWs, Mustang, Porsches, find a restored one and DD it. Then you really have something unique but still reliable. Of course... you might be adjusting valves! :thumbup:

The oldest I'm willing to go would be mid 90's to get something like an LS swapped FD rx7. But I don't know that I'm willing to pay 25k for a car like that. If I could find one cheaper, I would definitely be looking at those more seriously. It doesn't help that they are pretty damn rare.

Not really into old cars for the most part.

Seats/cargo requirements don't really matter that much. If I get a small rwd car ill probably get an older jeep Cherokee this winter.

In your original post you stated that whatever car you end up with it's gonna be your DD. My main requirement for my DD is that it is reliable. To me, "swapped" = hacked up wiring harness, BFH engineered and all around very problematic. Not exactly the definition of reliable. My 2¢...keep it simple.

[D_Eclipse9916]

BTW- did you also know that the S54 was built as an "undersquare" motor to increase torque vs previous engines?

ORRRRRRRRR they didn't have any more room in the M5x block to bore it out safely beyond 86mm so they stroked it rather than design a new block.

Wut? Actually the s52 had a bore of 86.4 and can be overboard to 86.9. The s54 had more stroke to slightly increase displacement (less than .1 liter). It was actually less bored than the s52 because of the increased stress of rpms trying to make more power.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Btw not arguing with you, we are saying the same thing.

[CaptainHenreh]

Wut? Actually the s52 had a bore of 86.4 and can be overboard to 86.9. The s54 had more stroke to slightly increase displacement (less than .1 liter). It was actually less bored than the s52 because of the increased stress of rpms trying to make more power.

Blah blah blah, the S50 was 86mmx86mm, and the S52 (and S54) gain their displacement primarily by increases in stroke, not bore. My point was just that isn't a technical marvel, it's just how you normally squeeze the last bit out of an engine cheaply. High piston speed is *bad*...

[WRXtranceformed]

Lol @ the typical MM response to "what reliable performance car should I get"... "you should get a used BMW M-sploder it's awesome even though it runs on ground up baby goats and has a fuel system made of molted snakeskins"

I will give you a real suggestion to mull over:


The first gen CTS-V fits every single one of your requirements, has the same motor as that Z06 that you drove, a Tremec 6 speed with a Getrag LSD and a way nicer interior than the Corvette. They are also rare and I personally think they still look awesome.

I mostly just want you to get one so I can live vicariously and I would really like to see someone in the club have one

[WRXtranceformed]

Another thought is the G8 GT or a GTO...not sure if those are sub-$30k yet though.

[ScottyB]

if you're willing to consider semi-modern, rareish BMW's, how could we gloss over the M Coupe? one of the last great touring BMW's and a very unique personality. 2 seats but lots of cargo room with the hatch. with your budget you can probably get one with the S54 in it, which is 313hp yes?

are you willing to allow cars with less than 300hp if a simple modification or two would bring them up to the limit? Solstice GXP coupes are rare (less than 1000 made), solid performers, and the turbo ecotec is actually a sleeping giant....but i think they make like 270hp stock or something like that.

other possibilities:
- Genesis 3.8 Rspec
- LS2 GTO
- audi RS4

[Kaan]

Another thought is the G8 GT or a GTO...not sure if those are sub-$30k yet though.

gahhh i might have touched myself over that MURRRRDAAAAAAAred out CTS-V

and GTOs are sub 30k... and so tempting. they are heavy but sweet god they run.

[RawrImAMonster]

Lol @ the typical MM response to "what reliable performance car should I get"... "you should get a used BMW M-sploder it's awesome even though it runs on ground up baby goats and has a fuel system made of molted snakeskins"

I will give you a real suggestion to mull over:

The first gen CTS-V fits every single one of your requirements, has the same motor as that Z06 that you drove, a Tremec 6 speed with a Getrag LSD and a way nicer interior than the Corvette. They are also rare and I personally think they still look awesome.

I mostly just want you to get one so I can live vicariously and I would really like to see someone in the club have one

Those are sick and I looked at them. However, the 2nd gen LSA CTS-V's are getting close to 35k (along with the c6 z06's) so I think I'm also going to put one of those off until the car after next. I did see a 1st gen CTS-V on vadriven not too long ago for under 15k though.

- Solstice GXP
- Genesis 3.8 Rspec
- LS2 GTO
- audi RS4

Solstice GXP - Not a fan of the way they look at all, also no convertibles.
Genesis 3.8 - The pre-2013's aren't very great from what I've read on reviews.
LS2 GTO - A little dull looking, too heavy, too expensive for what it is. The motor is very accessible and easy to work on though. And the interior is one of GM's nicest. Those seats are lovely.
Audi - No audi/vw

Right now I'm leaning towards a low mileage 05 STi if i can find one unless I fall in love with one of the cars I'm planning on test driving.