WTF should I buy (A consolidated list of bad decisions)

[Tyler.M]

As soon as you say RWD and in the $10k range you have to say miata. 3-4 years ago you could have added S2k (first two years) to it, but they are going up in price these days.

generally i would discourage anyone from getting into tracking with a AWD car. right wheel drive or wrong wheel drive, they both identify flaws and the AWD will cover them up to a point where an accident is usually catastrophic.

Yeah, that makes sense.  I don't really know how much real tracking I'll get out of it beyond auto-x for the time being but the AWD part is a good point.  I have trouble getting excited about Miatas but it would be a good learning experience. 

The C5 was also on my shortlist, too.

[Kaan]

As soon as you say RWD and in the $10k range you have to say miata. 3-4 years ago you could have added S2k (first two years) to it, but they are going up in price these days.

generally i would discourage anyone from getting into tracking with a AWD car. right wheel drive or wrong wheel drive, they both identify flaws and the AWD will cover them up to a point where an accident is usually catastrophic.

 

The C5 was also on my shortlist, too.

you said reliable... they likely fit that bill. not something i know a ton about. easier to maintain between the two would still be the miata. a lot less expensive for parts too (generally).

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you can get an NC Miata for cheap... ryan has gotten that car to scoot pretty quick.

[Tyler.M]

NB or NC both wouldn't be bad either. I'm in no rush to buy since I really don't have any plans to track it this year (corona seems to have derailed everything). The C5 keeps looking better too and I'm seeing decent examples close to my price range. Miatas are, of course, much cheaper though and probably less of a head ache. Also, FRS/BRZ would be fun or maybe even trying to find an E36 M3 since I'm fairly familiar with them.

[HAULN-SS]

First gen CTS-V..room in the budget for a few rear tires
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventoryl...=272483582

[Senor_Taylor]

You already had an FRS? Why consider another if you already got rid of one.

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[rherold9]

You already had an FRS? Why consider another if you already got rid of one.

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[Tyler.M]

You already had an FRS? Why consider another if you already got rid of one.

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I sold that car because I needed a truck if I was only going to have 1 car. I also wanted to move jobs and didn't want the burden of a car payment while I was trying to figure stuff out. 

FRS was one of my favorite cars I've ever owned.

[.RJ]

RWD + $10k = NC miata with a 2.5L swap and wheels/suspension. Easy.

[rherold9]

If NC Miata is serious consideration, just drive one. Unless you are a Miata purist or can't get by the looks you'll find it's a better everyday Miata from a comfort standpoint and that is just as fun and faster than previous generations.

Shoot for an 09+ though. They fixed the 'issues' by then. It should still be in the budget just don't be scared of mileage. They're dead nuts reliable and overbuilt from the chunky cousin chassis

Prices have climbed slightly from them starting to pick up in the track car world due to the price and easy swap option

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[Tyler.M]

The 2.5l swap doesn't look that hard and it looks like you can find 2.5l in literally everything.

Would this be a good example?

Edit: Scratch that. Too old. I'll keep looking. I don't really mind the looks though, it's really more about budget. NC and NB are both fine, although I like the NB a bit better, styling wise.

[rherold9]

The issue with the 06-08 is they burned some oil. The average buyer isn't checking their oil level. Rod bearings don't like not being oiled so rod slap happens and then goes the rod... it's a gamble of did the owner maintain their vehicle well enough without pulling the pan and checking the bearings for the earlier NCs

They made some engine updates in 09 and there hasn't been well known oil burning since then

Just some peace of mind there by buying a later year NC. Although, the good thing if you buy an earlier year and the motor goes poof then the 2.5 swap is relatively cheap and easy

FYI my 2012 NC has 100k miles and I bought it at 90-'something'K miles and really hasn't had an issue besides me trying to do track prep mods *knock on wood*

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[Tyler.M]

Z3's any good at all? They seem to be fairly cheap. 

Look at this one

[Sijray21]

I love that one [emoji7][emoji7][emoji7] (it's mine for now)

Fun Fact: it may be sold this evening.

[Senor_Taylor]

Z3's any good at all? They seem to be fairly cheap. 

Look at this one

In case it wasn't obvious, that's JayRay's

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[*insertusernamehere*]

You know my NB which is James old NB is also for sale right? Well within your budget.

[Tyler.M]

Bahaha, love it. Way to go JayRay, looks like the new buyer will get a stellar deal.

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You know my NB which is James old NB is also for sale right? Well within your budget.

Lemme take a look at that

[Senor_Taylor]

Buy this https://m.facebook.com/groups/4852204581...9760368922

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[Tyler.M]

I might have bought something.

[Senor_Taylor]

I might have bought something.

Fricking tell us

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[Tyler.M]

I feel like I'm threadjacking but, you know how this goes, once you start shopping you literally spend all your waking hours contemplating every data point. That's what I did tonight (gotta love them slow work nights).

Getting closer to an idea of what I want. I'm definitely narrowing it down after driving a few things over the last two weeks, and also thinking more clearly about my usage scenario. I went to the Verona BRR-SCCA autocross today and spectated and I definitely want to participate in next years season. Some of my cars I was thinking about wouldn't be properly suited for that sort of thing. I'm pushing back my buying window to next year which means that I can probably expand my initial budget to about 20k.
Here's my shortlist of cars I've driven I could definitely live with:
ND Miata
2017 + BRZ with the performance package
Fiesta ST (I drove Taylor's and it's stupid fast for what it is)
NB Miata (would love to try out a mazdaspeed)

Possible contenders:
1st gen IS300
WRX
C5/C6
Boxster
370z
Cayman (I don't think I can get into one of those in my price range)
Ecoboost mustang?

I still need to drive a lot of stuff. Definitely a WRX and a C5/C6. The Fiesta got me over my RWD superiority complex so a good FWD platform wouldn't be bad either.

The search continues.