With over 10 years of ownership, wrenching on 944s, and enjoying the 944 Pelican community I am starting to think about getting out of 944s. My 2 children are getting older and are having a harder time fitting in the back seat and my wife and I are expecting another baby. This leaves us with a 4 seater car but with 5 people in our family. We all love the 944 and like to take it on day and weekend trips. It will be painful to not be able to take trips together. That is why I am tossing the idea around about changing to a different car.
I am trying to think of a different sporty car which seats 5 people and has a little more room in the back seat. So far the search hasn't turned up many choices. The list of qualifications are as follows;
1) Seats 5 people with room in the rear for an infant seat. The fronts seats can be moved up to accommodate the needed space. The rear does not have to be as big as a Cadillac but should be larger than the 944.
2) Light weight under 3000 lbs. A sporty car has to be nimble on its feet.
3) Rear wheel or an AWD system which behaves similar to RWD.
4) Manual transmission
5) I would like something sort of rare and or obscure. No cookie cutter Mustang type cars.
6) A lb/hp ratio of at least 15:1, 12:1 would be a more ideal starting point. Lower is better for obvious reasons. so a 3000 lb car needs at least 200 hp or 250 hp for the 12:1.
7) Good brakes and suspension to match its sporting nature
8) Fairly modern, equipped with seat belts all around. I am thinking newer than 1980.
Some wants which would be nice to have but would not be a deal breaker.
1) turbo charged
2) good aftermarket support for modifications
3) absolute bullet proof drivetrain
Please give any suggestions of cars which might fit my needs. Feel free to post pics of said car.
Here are a couple of cars which I have found.
First is a Audi Quattro Coupe from the '80s.
How about a Maserati Biturbo Coupe
There is the BMW M3 but this seems to infringe upon rule #5 as there are tons of these around.
Although I love the e30 M3.
1991 Mitsubishi VR4
Show me what you suggest.
Speedy
