Indecision + Cars= Headache

[Tyler.M]

Hi everyone,

So, I've been actively car searching for about 9 months now. I'm absolutely exhausted of this endeavor, and I was wondering if I could tap into the endless well of mechanical know-how and car judgment I've come to expect from MM.

Here's my dilemma, I need something that is either RWD or AWD, not too difficult to work on, manual and less then 100k. I'd prefer imports over domestics and coupes over 4 doors.

Price? lets say less then 6.5k.

Now, here's what I have in mind thus far:
300zx N/A or TT
MkIII Supra turbo
3000gt vr4 (fat chance, right?)
GTI with the VR6 engine

Cars I don't want,
miata,
240sx

I've been looking, but it seems like every example I come across isn't exactly right. I've been looking at a MKIII, but its an auto. I've looked at several VR4's but it seems they all have serious problems. I haven't looked at any 300zx's yet, so I don't know about those.

If you guys have any suggestions or find anything, let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Let the debate ensue!

[BLINGMW]

what are your plans for said car? Just driving around on the street? Autocross? Picking up chicks? Delivering pizzas? Track events?

[SlimKlim]

<fanboi>
RWD, Under 100k miles, less than 6.5k, sedan, easy to work on, manual transmission?

You just described a 1997 BMW 328i Sport Package 4 door. You'd start with an excellent stock car and over time you could add suspension, and a dozen other mod as time passes, and if you keep the car long enough to consider forced induction, the 2.8 is the most solid block to build on. 200hp/209ft-lbs, get to steppin son.

</fanboi>

[Tyler.M]

@ Blingmw

I need something thats a good DD first, maybe a track car later. I'm not too mechanically gifted right now, but I'd like to learn

@ slimklim

hmm.... interesting. I do like bimmers, and I do like the sound of BOVs....
What about you? I'm assuming you really like your M3

[Jeff]

Mustang? F-Body?

[Goodspeed]

Cars I don't want,
miata,
240sx

Any particular reason why? Those two are the best examples of

I need something that is either RWD or AWD, not too difficult to work on, manual and less then 100k. I'd prefer imports over domestics and coupes over 4 doors.

Price? lets say less then 6.5k.

[WRXtranceformed]

Maybe an older Suby 2.5RS? I'm sure you can find a nice GC8 for that much, but I've been out of the Suby game for a while so I don't know. The 90s BMW seems your best bet out of the suggestions so far.

[CaptainHenreh]

Maybe an older Suby 2.5RS? I'm sure you can find a nice GC8 for that much, but I've been out of the Suby game for a while so I don't know. The 90s BMW seems your best bet out of the suggestions so far.

Winna winna chicken dinna. GC8 = Most Beautiful Imprezar, And if you can't get in one for 4k or less it's because you're not trying.

And I know turbo swaps are doable, if not necessarily easy, and GC8's are lighter than almost any AWD car out there...

ETA: If you don't have at least some stirring in your loins over this, you should check your pulse:

[D_Eclipse9916]

El o El, not mechanically inclined and you want the 4 most unreliable japanese sport coupes imaginable, typical (and yes I wanted a 300zx twin turbo as my first car so im not making fun). Aside from the 240sx and miata (which are incredibly good choices):

Easy button: 90s 3 series

If you would open yourself up to domestic I HIGHLY recommend SN95 Mustang. Hit up a griggs or steeda suspension catalogue and go nuts. All you need in a mustang is some loud pipes and an intake and they sound glorious, spend the rest of it to make the car really handle. In fact I would recommend an SN95 mustang over a 90s 3 series for your first car simply for the fact that mustang parts are ridiculously cheap, and you can get a bunch of power really cheap (which matters more for a first car as you havent discovered tracking yet and youll want to show off to your buddies). And more power is moar fun on the street in getting around then a track car. Then if you hit the track, you can actually put some goodies on it that make it handle surprisingly well, but still will be no 3 series handling. For your first car though, a mustang would be ideal.

[ViPER1313]

Cheap / Reliable / Fast - pick any 2.

As for the 100k miles thing, I would trust driving my 178k mile SHO across the country before doing so in most cars with 100k traded into a dealership. Just bring someone along who knows what to look for. Receipts are always a good thing. 100k is actually about when everything starts to need replacement on a car (hoses, belts, struts) and there is a good chance most 100k mile old cars still have all the original parts (at least if they are newer.)

Have you considered a DSM, Integra, Firebird/Camaro?

[Jake]

I'm with Joey, if you are entirely turned off by an Otter or 240, then an E36 3-series would be great. They hold up well and are pretty easy to work on with a few common trouble spots that are easy to look for and fix up.

If you go with the Goodspeed school of thought, then you should consider Miatas and 240s. They aren't for everyone, but like the E36, they are popular in the motorsport/enthusiast communities because they are incredibly good at what they are and what they do. Adam says "cheap/reliable/fast" and pick two, which is also something to think about. With the Miata, I picked Cheap and Reliable. I got Fast because of seat time... I can embarrass faster cars with mega motors in the twisties because I can drive. So, I kind of have all three. Just don't get me in a straight line

An Integra would be a good choice but is Wrong-Wheel-Drive. They're good cars (and like the Miata, almost nothing breaks) but if you are dead set against FWD then it's pointless. I'm with DJ also... think about a Mustang. The SN95 is the ~1994-1999ish models.

Here's the thread from when I was On The Hunt ┬® a few years back.

[WRXtranceformed]

Maybe an older Suby 2.5RS? I'm sure you can find a nice GC8 for that much, but I've been out of the Suby game for a while so I don't know. The 90s BMW seems your best bet out of the suggestions so far.

Winna winna chicken dinna. GC8 = Most Beautiful Imprezar, And if you can't get in one for 4k or less it's because you're not trying.

And I know turbo swaps are doable, if not necessarily easy, and GC8's are lighter than almost any AWD car out there...

ETA: If you don't have at least some stirring in your loins over this, you should check your pulse:

FUCK that car makes me want to jizz right now. GC8s are what got me into the Subaru game. That seriously makes me want to give up my dreams of the Z06 and peruse the NASIOC forums for an STi-swapped GC8....AHHHH BAD THOUGHTS!!!

[CaptainHenreh]

I'm sure David would sell his STi/DCCD GC8. It'll cost real live money, but it's pretty sweet.

But there are more than a couple WRX swapped ones, once the wiring is done, the hard part is over...

[WRXtranceformed]

David is Acquacow right? Or am I thinking of someone else with an RSTi?

[CaptainHenreh]

David is Acquacow right?

Yep.

[WRXtranceformed]

Yeah I met him several times over the years at NOVA Suby meets. Really cool guy and I'm pretty sure I got a ride in that car too. That swap was meticulous from what I can remember....

MUST...STICK...TO...GAME PLAN.....





Ahhhh betterr!

[ScottyB]

*vast, sweeping generalities and possible bias below*
LT1 f-body - cheap, fast, can handle, engine not the easiest to work on and big/heavy, questionable build quality
00-01 2.5RS - pretty reliable, AWD, light, simple, but slow and most are overpriced
FB/FC RX7 - non-turbo actually pretty reliable, very light, RWD, cheap, sucky gas mileage, nearly antiques
SN95 mustang - cheap, fast, will need alot of work to handle and poor weight dist. for RWD
E36 BMW - coupe, sedan, or hatch. great handling, nice engines, crappy plastic cooling system,check subframe and bushings
E30 BMW - simpler than the E36, built like tanks, light, cheap. also old and getting hard to find decent ones.

the Supra and VR4/Stealth twins are complicated boat anchors, but the VR is the worst. 300ZTT's have one of the most cramped, complex engine bays of all time and they're heavy. GTI VR6's have a big heavy 6 in front of the front wheels...not exactly the best FWD handling. just making sure you know what you're in for.

if you're willing to try FWD you will open up a huge number of options that will get you alot of car for 5k or less. as much as you don't like them, the miata and 240 are ironically the best choices for what it sounds like you want to do. if you want to track it in the future...go to a track day and see what people are driving. see what cars are actually running and which ones are up on stands with a puddle of fluid underneath :lol: there's your answer.

[D_Eclipse9916]

if you want to track it in the future...go to a track day and see what people are driving. see what cars are actually running and which ones are up on stands with a puddle of fluid underneath :lol: there's your answer.

Quoted for Trufff, it may seem played out to get what everyone else has, but the answer is there. I could not be happier with my m3 decision. I breeak a part at the track, theres about 5 billion guys I can harass for parts/knowhow. I destroy a fender, quick stop by the local pick and pull and they have 10 e36 chassis just sitting there.

Same goes for E30s, miatas, mustangs etc. I would highly recommend any of those.

Plus ask any of the people that have driven or ridden in my M3 or Petes M3 swapped 325i. Their ridiculous for what they are.

[Jake]

I've heard the VR6 motor is the one to avoid if you ever plan on modding it for power. The little turbos are a better choice if you go VW.

Regarding the E30 vs. E36... seeing as I own an E30 at the moment (yes, mine is a pile but this still applies). I've driven both cars. I've lived with mine and seen a few people live with the E36. I think the E36 is a far better "only car" as it's more comfortable and a bit more plush on the inside. I get in the E30 and look around... and ask myself how the hell this was sold as a "luxury car" back in 1987. Standards were different but come on now. My E30 is not the "es" or "is" so it doesn't have some of the more luxo-features of those higher 'sport' trims (get the is though, the Eta motor is a slow sumbitch). Point is, either would be fun but the E36 is *just* nicer enough that I'd rather have one of those.

[caa337]

I would try to say 300zx TT but they can be unreliable if the previous owner didn't take care of it. You could always get a NA like me :thumbup:

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