Fantasizing about what car to get

[rammstein]

Our car's lease is up in February, and I am already having dreams (dilusions, whatever) about its replacement.

The current ride is a 2006 Honda Accord. It is leased. It is a flawless car and as much fun as a dishwasher. It served its purpose admirably when reliable transporation was a must.

Today, my wife and I both work in walking distance to our apartment. Therefore, an occasional vehicular hiccup can be tolerated because we can still get to work.

So I would like to get something that will be fun to AutoX and maybe even (gasp!) get onto a track now and then, seeing as how I may eventually have the money to do so.

Here are the requirements:

1) Must have a place for the dog to reside. This rules out pure 2 seaters. It is a greyhound, and she's too big for a lotus elise trunk

2) Must have A/C. Its not an option to go without one down here.

3) Must be reasonably reliable. I know an older car is going to have a seal go bad here, a window motor there... but I don't want an abomination, as I still don't have a garage.

4) Price- I think that north of $10k is pushing it.

I've seen some E36 M3s for good prices, although I have no idea if they are actually any good. I have had RX7 fantasies since driving Jims car, but I don't think the dog would do very well in the hatch.

Anybody have any cool ideas?

[Rot 911]

Can't go wrong with a E36. Plenty of online support and easy to get parts.

[Danny_Ocean]

If you look around, you can find one of these that needs a little work for close to $10k:





Easy/affordable to work on. Not a lot of electronics. Instant classics...

[Tim Walsh]

an E30 M3, rumors of engne rebuilds that equal 911 rebuilds would scare me off. An e36 m3 might be better, dunno but they can be had for under 10K. You might be able to get an Rx8 for that money, WRX, 951, mini cooper are all ideas

[rammstein]

The 951 was an awesome car, and in fact my old one is for sale as I type this. Problem is, it was in the shop about as often as it was on the road. Maybe I had bad luck, just a band string of breakdowns, but I can't bring myself to reconsider it... plus Chris took out the A/C!

Those older, boxy bimmers are SEXY! But I can't really get anything that needs serious wrenching. The WRX is an interesting choice. The RX8 can't possibly be that cheap yet- I also used to have one of those and its another GREAT car, but out of my range I think...

[m21sniper]

Get a used Mitsu Evo or a used Sube WRX.

[Rick V]

Well you did say fantasizing

[rammstein]

That Lambo doesn't look Greyhound friendly... sure does make purty sounds though

[Jims5543]

Why not buy a cheap Civic or something for driving duties ($5K most) and I will put my feelers out for a RX7 for you. I know of one that is set up really nice with a blown engine that you might be able to pick up cheap. An engine rebuild runs in the $2-4K range.


OR

Get a Mazda3 they are in your price range.

OR

An Infinity G35, 350Z performance with back seats.

[Zef]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Get a used Mitsu Evo or a used Sube WRX.

+ 1 for the subaru...and the reliability will be there.

[Jims5543]

10K price cap fellas, I too was looking at the Evo's and they are in the 20K range still.

[rammstein]

I've been watching vids of tricked out RX7 turbos, and they are awesome. But the reliability scares me a bit, and I can't remember if my dog would fit in yours.

I am searching around some scca forums too- seeing some cool civics and whatnot for around 5k well set up for their respective classes- good way for me to have some fun for cheap while I save my money for future endeavors...

the 10k cap is truly a cap- I'd like to come in way under that... Now that I have a legit job (another story) I could get dumb and lease/finance something awesome right now, but then I would perpetuate my lack of savings indefinitely, and I am trying to build up some money so that I am not broke the rest of my life.

Stupid money... really ruins fantasies.

[unimog406]

I vote against the rx7... reliability issues again [could be just me though]
you may want to try a honda prelude.... yeah yeah, its front wheel drive, but don't diss it until you drive one. Dead reliable, and in total honesty the second best handling car I've ever driven [behind the 911, but ahead of bmw e46, mazda miata, you name it...]
as for bimmers, an e36 m3 would probably actually be cheaper than a e30 m3, while being more reliable... how about a non m3 e30? you can get one pretty cheap, and save the money for go fast goodies!

[Jims5543]

Lets see, I am running 350RWHP or so on the street at 10PSI and I just did 2 trips to North Carolina where I put 1800+ miles per trip. I beat the snot out of the car on the mountain roads and on this last trip Bell co-drove with me at an AX in Tavares.

I would get in it tomorrow and drive back to North Carolina without hesitation. (I was getting 22 MPG on the way home BTW)

If you change the oil, tune them up, change the fuel filter and do not do something stupid like turn up the boost and get greedy for horsepower they are stout cars.

I have a friend that races SCCA ITS in his RX7 and did 7 season on the same engine and he was a top 3 runner.

They are only unreliable when you do not maintain them and get greedy for power.


BTW- Want to co drive Saturday night at an Equip Rapid event at Moroso go to drivers registration and sign up. I am registered and will be running my street tires since I discovered we were racing on greasy finished slicks that are slower than the streets, imagine that and we were right there with the fast guys.

[unimog406]

[Jims5543]

Willing to go 12.5K?

I would be all over this:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148491




There is also a JCW (205HP) Cooper S for $15K that I almost bought to replace my FJ.

Tone of room for a dog in the back and drives like a go cart. I was chasing down a C5 Vette with mine at a DE a few years ago,. They are great AX cars and fun track cars.

[Jims5543]

This is the JCW (205HP) that I almost purchased.

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136328&highlight=JCW%2C+John+Cooper+Works

It has been for sale since April and I would imagine 14K would take it home. This car is in "good" condition with some scatches but its a screamer and would be a hoot. I want it but we are looking at 3-series BMW's for the family car now, its just too small for the 4 of us.

This is a fun car.

[m21sniper]

It would be really hard to go wrong with a used WRX if you can get one for $10k or less.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

It would be really hard to go wrong with a used WRX if you can get one for $10k or less.

Link to one for 10K???

[aap1966]

The first and last real sports car. (with room for the dog.)

Problem solved.