Need a new DD asap, need ideas!

[speedracing944]

If you are selling how about something low profile but yet fun. A couple cars come to mind.

1st generation Mazdaspeed 3
Mazdaspeed 6
Subaru Legacy GT with the turbo engine

All cars are capable of 5 sec 0-60 times and don't scream "look at me! I am a boy racer!"

Speedy

[scottmandue]

+ 1 on the Mazda.

I'm a fellow 944 owner.

Test drove a Mazda3 and steering/transmission were very tight. I imagine with the extra power of a Mazdaspeed3 it would be more fun than a barrel full of lesbians.

[sketchers356]

+1 on the 540, just bought one and every day am amazed at how great it is. Mine had every option, great condition, 100k on the odo, and only cost $7500.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

+ 1 on the Mazda.

I'm a fellow 944 owner.

Test drove a Mazda3 and steering/transmission were very tight. I imagine with the extra power of a Mazdaspeed3 it would be more fun than a barrel full of lesbians.

But at the end of the day... Its still putting power down to the rear wheels... Go drive an E36 M3.... It is very 944 esque, has a ****load of power, and is more fun than a barrel of lesbians....

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

But at the end of the day... Its still putting power down to the rear wheels... Go drive an E36 M3.... It is very 944 esque, has a ****load of power, and is more fun than a barrel of lesbians....

Very true, I guess this would come down to his budget... I haven't penciled out the numbers but I presume a Mazdaspeed3 is much less expensive to buy and maintain that a M3.

[porsche4life]

Can you get a slick speed 3 for 10k?

[ilikemy944]

The Mazdaspeed3 are about double the cost of an e36 M3.
The M3 does sound good but I worry about reliability of an older car.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by ilikemy944

The Mazdaspeed3 are about double the cost of an e36 M3.
The M3 does sound good but I worry about reliability of an older car.

What about parts/maintenance of a M3?

Don't get me wrong, all things being equal I would be on a BMW like flys on doggie doo.

[ilikemy944]

I did test drive a Mazdaspeed3 today.
It had 50k on it and I doubt it had much more. Felt like it had been driven hard and put away wet.... $16k.

Also test drove a couple GTIs - I think I may go this route...

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

What about parts/maintenance of a M3?

Don't get me wrong, all things being equal I would be on a BMW like flys on doggie doo.

If properly maintained they aren't that bad. I would venture to guess that the MS3 isn't near as much car. The M3 cruises down the highway amazingly and then you can throw it through corners and it will hang with the 944... and then theres the power...


Any extra work is totally worth it....

[ben parrish]

GTI is probably a great choice...so far, with 31k on my Jetta, I am very pleased with VW. The Golf won't raise anyones "radar"...including the cops.

[speedracing944]

Didn't you own a turbo VW before?

Speedy

[ilikemy944]

I did

An 05 with the 1.8t. Might even try to find another one of those.

[porsche4life]

I wouldn't dismiss at GTI either... They look like fun little cars...

Hell I've been eying a turbo Bug this weekend....

[azasadny]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3

Both can be worked over a bit, both have 4 doors and lots of room (hatch), both can be driven beyond the normal person's capability. Parts are actually not bad if you keep to the aftermarket stuff.

Yep!

[ilikemy944]

So far I am swaying towards the e39 540i.

Got to find one in a color other than silver though, which is proving difficult.

[porsche4life]

There are way too many silver/white/black BMWs. We hunted for a while to find the right color M....

[ilikemy944]

Ok. Car shopping officially sucks.

Went to look at 2 330s.

1 - Looked great in pics, gotta hand it to the photographer on that one. Talk about **** paint over an even worse bondo job.

2 - Even better in pics, not sure how I missed the whole guardrail-esque run in on the drivers side.

And WTF happened to car prices??? Guy at the VW dealer said after cash for clunkers a lot of prices went up....

I sold my 05 GTI for 6500 about a year ago... Can you get one now for 10k? No.

Grrrr.....


Bout to give up and go get a dang Corolla.

[porsche4life]

I'd sell you my Corolla... '07 with a 5spd... ~40k on the clock.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Lots of good suggestions. This would be my list:

GTi/GLI - subtle, the GLI is a bigger option
Audi B5 S4 - awesome cars, bring your wallet for maintenance
Audi A4 or A6 - good, AWD, not as good as a BMW
Mercedes C36, C43, E55 AMG - all rock solid tanks, my C36 was incredible.
Nissan Maxima - cheap, easy to find, subtle, but fast.
Subaru WRX, Legacy GT, Forester XT - turbo flat four, AWD, 5 speed, easy mods. Lots to love here.
Saab 9-5 Aero, 9-3 Viggen - cheap highway rockets, well over 30 MPG. Don't discount it until you try one.
BMW E46, 330i ZHP, E39, E36 M3 - you can find good E46, E39, and E36 M3s for well under $10k. That leaves money for repairs or mods, and they're awesome driving cars.
Porsche 944S2, 968, Boxster - more DD friendly and reliable than a 951.
Jaguar XJR - $12k buys a super nice one, mine was rock solid and freaking amazing to drive. I seriously miss that car.
Mazda RX8
Nissan 350Z
Infiniti G35
Acura TL or TSX
Mustang GT
Focus SVT

So I'd say you have plenty of decent options. Personally, at least of my list, I'd favor one of the AMGs or the XJR. Incredible cars to drive that are also great DDs.