What car to buy with my NEW parameters
 

Having just suffered a major loss in the income department, my car project just got crucified. Way I see it, I am now probably limited to $5k. As in, $5k, no more. That throws out the Mazda 3 idea I was gunning for. Maybe I should revisit that $3500 scirocco in GA that I saw. Sure, the A/C is busted, but I guess I can sweat.

DD or not?

If not DD, why not a regular 44 ? 5K can get you a decent one , maybe not pristeen, but mechanically sound...Hell, even as a DD i'de be tempted, my black 85 served me well as a DD, and didn't cost 5K

80% DD. We can walk to work, but I don't want unreliable nonsense. To be honest, I was secretly looking at 968s before my cash requirements changed. Thing is, I COULD buy a 944, but why would I want the risk? Its not the cars fault, but they ARE over 20 years old now, and even a well maintained one is going to blow a $5 seal every other week, which isn't a big deal until you can't fix it yourself. If stuff DOES break, I have to take it to a shop becuase I don't have a garage, and a 944 will break more often and cost more than something newer and more Japanese. I've been perusing 240sx's, and if I found a clean one I'd likely snap it up, but the molestors have gotten to these pretty badly. I'm going to look into an Impreza RS, as they are getting pretty cheap, are unloved by ricers, and supposedly might be reasonable competitive in stock class of SCCA Autocross.

5k? if that is the limit, buy something super soul-less, but reliable. drop dead reliable. like a 1999 toyota camry.

hunker down, face the storm, and rebound later.

My thoughts? Put the money into your "car savings account". Wait out the downturn and buy when it is good for you.

5k?

Reliable DD "sleeper"

Take one:
http://www.auto123.com/ArtImages/410...olla_SE_01.jpg

Then add:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1232392951.jpg

and a couple:
http://i20.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/21/eb/9ba4_1.JPG

Then a decent set of wheels and tires. No flashy boy-racer stuff, just go-fast stuff. I remember either a R&T or C&D article back in the 80's or 90's where they built up a Corolla that spanked a BMW on the track. Always thought that would be a lot of fun

Tons of nice/dent bmw's in that range.

I'm with legion.

Unless you actually need to buy a car for transportation now, then rather than put $5K into a yuck car, put $5K into the bank and later add $5K and get an interesting $10K car.

If you don't have a garage and can't do repairs yourself, any yuck $5K car is one head gasket or timing belt away from being a yuck $10K car.

+1 what Legion says. Save it up.

I can't even think about new bicycle wheels these days, let alone a new project car.

"Good" bike wheels are about a fifth of your car budget, BTW. ;)

You might consider a Mazda Protege or Protege5. The Mazda 3 is much more refined but the protege was more sporty with the 2L and 5spd. I had my Protege5 for 230,000km and it was really really reliable. The Carolas and Hondas just seemed so bland and boring compared to the Mazda. Plus, Mazda doesnt seem to have the crazy high resales values of Toyota and Honda.

I am the king of buying just past what I can really afford. (But Rammstein already knew that. ;))

I was pleasantly surprised that when I got my CC statement after the HDTV, Florida, and Christmas, I was able to pay it off this month.

Assuming I don't go crazy next month, that should mean some sizeable coin that I have no designated use for. Time to start: "Legion's next car fund". :D

Well, I need to have SOMETHING, to ferry the dog to the park, and to get groceries and whatever. Otherwise, I would get nothing. Lord knows I've cut back on virtually everything else.

I think the key is something cheap, autoX-able, that ricers hate and will be reliable within reason. Protege is a decent idea.

If I were you I would hold out for a new Fiat-Chrysler :p

Cheap, reliable, cheap to repair.. I say get rid of the dog and get a miata :) Yes I've fit over $150 in groceries in the miata, from walmart. There is the CRX as well

The dog is the 2nd best thing in my life, I can't bail on her. Otherwise Miata is a total no-brainer.

Focus?

Focus, Civic Si/CRX Si if you can find an unmolested one and if the dog fits(not sure how big it is). I've got an unmolested 91 Si and it's a ton of fun @40mpg.

Protege5?

Getta Jetta, either with the 1.8T or VR6 engine.

Miata hands down. Plus a supercharger is a bolt on, and they are great AX/track toys.

More parts and accessories to modify them than even the 911, they make great project cars. I really enjoy taking Miata snobs out in my blown 93. They STFU right away. Probably the most fun you can have in a car that is not a 911.

Jetta/Golf's are tons of fun as well, though I wouldn't put it in the cheap category.
<- just had the timing belt replaced on his 1.8T.

Mk1 GTI?

Yep!! I've got an E-Stock autocross beater, the biggest issue I've had is a rod knock.. at 205K, and I'd estimate over 100 autocrosses. $1500 later and I had a new motor. $5-800 will get you a suspension that can get you into lots of trouble on the street.

Sell me your 91 Civic SI!!!

Seriously, right now in STX class 88-91 Civic Si's are THE car.

Problem is, they are all rape victims.

I can't get a miata.

Jake- Where did you find a pic of my moms car? One that new is probably out of his price range but.... With a stick they are rockets bone stock. Now lighten it up add go fast goodies and suspension and you would have and awesome car.

924, Vw parts, cheap as piss
don't know about the dog though, how big is the mutt?

Just bought my son a 1990 Jetta with a well done 98 2.0 crossflow engine/trans swap, new tires, full GLI interior in very nice shape from a 92, excellent suspension upgrades, techtonics exhaust. It's not perfect but runs great, looks ok from 20 feet, handles quite nicely and paid $2,200. The engine has tons of torgue and this thing is fun to drive.

ya they are the car to have.
This one might still be around. http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=21180

CRX is good. You can get a nice E30 for $5k. Protege and Focus can both be good autoX cars with a few upgrades. If you can find one, an MR2 would be a blast.

No brainer - The newest 5spd Civic you can afford.

Should be able to find a 2000 coupe for that price. Not ideal for a dog like the hatch would be, but those are really hard to find in nice shape and they seem to fetch a premium.

rammstein, I have found the perfect car for you and Fido... I know he will love it because you won't be worried about him messing up the upholstery... and it's got a hatch.

$2500

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/450866-fs-1980-porsche-924-turbo.html

Notice most of the carpet is already ripped out, so it's almost autocross-ready. :)

Oh my god- NO!! My wife would probably cry. The CRX that someone posted is intriguing... no back seat, but perhaps a greyhound could fit back there?

Ram,
The CRX back is similar in size to a 944 if you don't count the back seats in a 944. It's not huge, but it's not small either. I can get at least 6 225/50/14's in the back without trying.

The hatch area in the CRX is dogable no doubt. The molestation issue is the problem.

Yep, that is the issue. I jumped on this Si when it came up for sale cheap, completely stock with records. They're out there, but it's not easy to find.

I found a TRD supercharged 1998 Camry last night on a toyota forum. Its the v6 with the 5 speed. Guy claims 240 to the wheels. Might be interesting, so I emailed him and haven't heard back. What I like is that he left the outside totally stock- nobody would ever know it had that kind of power. I suppose with some suspension upgrades it could be doable in AutoX, no? Certainly would not be competitive as far as classes go, but if its fast and fun, at least I can get some seat time. Plus, if things ever got better ($ wise) it would be a fine daily and I could get a ratted-out Miata as an AutoX toy.

Let me find a link.

LINK:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282123

No opinions on this? I got an email back from the seller, and it had coherent words. He's going to send me a bunch of data this evening. Does anybody on this board know Camrys? This is just such a weird concept- a supercharged Camry. Its really got me interested. It sure would be fun to show up at Autocross with it. He has it lowered on TRD springs, so I assume putting some adjustible Konis on there would really get the body under control. Man, picture a champagne Camry tearing it up out there! Fun fun!

I have, or I should say my daughter has, a 98 Camry. It's a great commuter car with good mileage and so far has been bulletproof. My family has owned since new. I bought it from my father for my daughter. But, that's a different beast. Mine is a 4 cylinder, auto, std. model. I can say from driving it I'm not sure how you'd get that thing to handle at all like a sports car. Just lowering it isn't going to get you there. If that one is local to you I'd say go drive it but my gut says if you want something you can autox I'd stick with VW or Honda Civic.

Seriously, my son's Jetta with the aba 2.0 swap could keep up with my SC or close to it and probably gets 25 mpg or better, parts are cheap and lot's of aftermarket support.

Scores a 7-8 on the sleeper scale. Never heard of a boosted Camry.

I would still be a bit worried about it's long term dependability and if it was put together properly.

My parents have a V6 camry, I think its a 1997 or 1998. No stick or Super charger but it has been thier most dependable car they have ever owned. I drove it recently and its still very smooth, very quiet and very boring, but I bet the 5spd and charger would change that. I bet insurance on a 90's Camry would be about $8 per year as well

I'm surprised to see a v6 + 5sp. I always thought all their v6's were slushboxes.

I think it's neat, but I think it's a bit of a tank to be playing sports car. I still think a sleeper corolla would be a hoot.