If you could build a daily driver...
 

If you could put together, realistically, a car to use as a daily driver, what would you do? Let's say the budget is $15K-$25k.

For example: You could put a six from a '98 E36 into an E30.
You could put an LSx engine in a 944.
You could supercharge a TSX.
You couldn't, realistically, put an LSx in a Boxster, but maybe you could put an STi engine back there.
You couldn't make a FWD car RWD.
You get the idea.

The point of the exercise is that I can't find a daily driver that I like, so I was thinking that maybe I would just make one.

How about a Twin turbocharged 600+ RWHP 928S4? :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1249986913.jpg

The 15-25k budget is for construction, not yearly maintenance. ;)
Mine would be a Mitsu Evo 8 with a few goodies and ~350 - 400hp.

I've owned my 928 for over 5 years and so far im into it for under $10k...including acquisiton cost for the car itself. (I am a DIYer though).

Actually, I was thinking of 15k-25k for the entire thing, not just construction! DIYers are clearly at an advantage here.

Remember, the car should be useful as a daily driver, meaning you could actually park it somewhere without checking on it every five minutes. That Evo would be long gone by the time you picked up your case of Red Bull!

Sounds great, but I'd prefer a 5spd.

You did that yourself?!? Wow. I wish you lived closer to NYC and were interesting in building cars for a living!

I know it's mixing Japanese w/ Euro, but I love the Supra 7MGTE engine. I had thought about seeing if I could shoehorn one of those into the front of an MG or a Fiat. Then I smartened up and bought a 911 :D. And yes, the 911 is my fair weather daily driver. Of course this week, I've had the pleasure of driving a 996 TT. The acceleration is addictive, but I miss the overall feel of my '85.

Lots of people have taken an old Westfalia and put in a Suby or other more modern and powerful engine. Me, I'd like to put a VW 1.8T in mine someday.

The car i pictured is a 5 speed, and belongs to a fellow Pelican (Herr Kuhn).

You can get a well sorted 928S4 for about $10-12k. The twin turbo kit was designed and is produced by Herr Kuhn, and costs $10k.

Can't claim the credit, but you can buy that kit on this very site in the 928 tech forums. :)
I was talking about my own 928S, not the one i put in the pic. Here's mine:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...er/GoldBBS.jpg

This is his 928:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1197002273.jpg

I was thinking about a more modern BMW 6 (like the 3.0 from the E46 330i) in an E34, perhaps.

I'm looking for a bit more comfort in my daily driver, with heated seats. It gets cold up here.

Bmw 2002 with a motor from a 90's 318is

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1251995087.jpg

This 2006 Mercedes Benz AMG E-55 is on EBay for $25,000. Still under warranty.

469 HP. Over 500 lb/ft torque. I have one. AMAZING car.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1251995705.jpg

Ls1 e30?

Here was mine, did it for about $18K total with all mods including nice respray and alcantera interior.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1251995819.jpg



In pick-up truck mode.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1251995922.jpg



Getting groceries. :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1251995976.jpg



Winter car.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1251996082.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1251996015.jpg

65-69 Corvair with SBC mid-engine (Crown) conversion.

I wouldn't build a DD. For a daily driver I would like to have either a 964C2 or an E36 series M3, which would probably be more practical.

I'd buy a used Gen 2 Prius and install a plug-in battery kit. Cost maybe $17K. And I would never buy gasoline again, for my daily driving needs.

Or, even better, a motor from an E30 M3!!! :eek:

For a daily driver I'd buy a Jeep that I could beat the crap out of, then pocket the rest of the money and dump it into 911 parts. ;)

That 2002 is close, but not so big on the fake Turbo look.

I'd like an all stock looking '73 2002 sunroof, with an E30 M3 engine and 5 speed, rear disc brakes, slightly lowered with Bilsteins, 14 inch BBS wheels.

Or a '73 BMW Bavaria with a 3.5 liter BMW 6, and 5 speed.

this.

Is an LSx e34 realistic? Are there kits for this?

I would just pick up something like this, put some money in a decent alarm system, and put anything left over into a "DD maintenance account"...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-325IS-E36-M3-5-SPEED-LOW-MILES-PERFECT-FALL-CRUISER_W0QQitemZ220473830785QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS _Cars_Trucks?hash=item335543ad81&_trksid=p4506.c0. m245#v4-37

Id probably build an sti powered legacy wagon with coilovers etc... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252007296.jpg

BMW //M Powered M52 Engine in a 944S2.

You would have a fun and reliable daily driver.

I changed my mind...

Sti powered legacy wagon
BMW //M Powered M52 Engine in a 944S2

These are two excellent ideas. I run across that type of modded Suby occasionally. I'm not sure the 6 in an S2 is feasible. Well, then again, as the above Z shows, if you have enough money, you can do anything.

the sti legacy wagon is actually a very easy swap the sti suspension and driveline will interchange with little mods.

i would also love an s2000 powered rwd delsol

porsche virgin i didn't know you lived that close to me.

924SLover, that M3 powered 325IS at the ebay link I posted is in New Paltz... had never heard of it until I clicked it.

it's a very popular place for city folk to see the leaves etc. if you want me to look at it let me know but i haven't seen it before.

Thanks, but it's not in the realm of financial possibility... I just posted it in response to the OP.

too easy!

1969 Z28 clone. modern, LS1 motor with updated AC...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252012345.jpg

or..............

1973 or so, BMW 3.0 CSi.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252012527.jpg

[QUOTE=vash;4875870]or..............

1973 or so, BMW 3.0 CSi.
[QUOTE]

Just saw one of these on the road two days ago. Very nice looking car.

I'm not a BMW guy, so I don't know if they're a POS or not, but the 633 CSi's look nice - how are those? That (looks wise) would be appealing, to me, w/ a more modern engine. I've seen a few locally selling for a few grand.

I'd find a nice 951 and then have a shopping spree on Lindsey Racing's website.

for me, in my perfect world all my cars would be smog exempt. so all older than 1975 or diesels.

Not sure about the E34, but I have seen a few reports of LS1 E30s.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=94451


A friend is building one of those:

http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37664

Why does the damn forum keep posting for me when I hit ctrl-v to paste? It is pretty damn irritating.

In Oz that's easy. I'd buy one these. FPV Falcon. Turbo 4.0ltr Six. Factory 270kw, 550Nm. With a few mods like the one below, they pull 390RWKW and over 600Nm. Factory standard with all the luxuries and Brembos to boot. With the 6 speed auto these make excellent daily drivers, with room for the whole family.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1252027274.jpg

For a daily driver? I'd throw out the E46 M3, E39 M5, 996, and an NSX. All would be fun, reliable cars that would be easy to drive to work. The E55 is another good suggestion.

http://www.racmonolites.com/cars/3.jpg
http://www.gt40se.com/bmwm5/bmwm51.jpg
http://www.deutschnine.com/porsche-9...orsche-996.jpg
http://lasvegasnevadaexoticcarrental.../acura-nsx.jpg


Some of the projects posted are super cool, but probably not the best DDs. Having to tweak the fuel maps on your standalone EFI to start your car on a cold morning could get a bit old.;)