Need a New Daily Driver

[Tobra]

I have heard Volvo and Saab are a PITA to wrench on, Volvo coupe would be cool though, list of cars to drive is getting long enough to keep me busy. I doubt if those mugs come down to a reasonable price on that 944, and they are smoking crack when it comes to their boxster prices.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Saabs are not hard to work on. You just need a set of torx drivers for everything. A 9-3 or a 9-5 is a pretty decent car. You can pick one up pretty cheap as well.

[mossguy]

Tobra, this is the one I had in mind for you:


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[Tobra]

If I wanted that, I would buy a subie wagon

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by RedBaron

The early 944s came with a rubber center clutch which can deteriorate with time. I know the car has very little miles on it, but I would plan to change that in the future...

Agreed - a 944 clutch job is not something you want to get stuck doing right after buying the car. If it's the original clutch it's probably a time bomb. In their defense, the rubber-centered clutch discs do hold up pretty well (all the failed ones I've ever seen were pushing 25-30 years of age, which is pretty good all facts considered). But yes, an original rubber-centered clutch disc is a time bomb. If it was done a while ago with a Sachs or similar spring-centered unit generally speaking you should be fine (depends on how well or poorly the PO could drive, as with any manual...)

[Tobra]

going to drive that 944, will find out about the clutch, doubt if they come down to a reasonable price though

will drive a civic si, an s2000 and a miata, if I can find one that isn't an auto tranny

how hard is it to put a turbo or a blower on one of those...

[Tobra]

that 944 was sweet, TB and WP just done, not sure about the clutch. They have a rubber center section that goes bad. Rest of the rubber looked good, little hose on the brake fluid reservoir looked new. The steering column, the glove box and switches are right out of my old super beetle, not great power, excellent, nimble handling and very good brakes, time capsule car, everything worked well. They had some Boxters there and at Carmax, all were base cars they wanted too much money for.

the civic Si had big ugly wheels, red badges installed poorly, sloppy shifter, felt heavy and slow, but it did have three people in it, when we took it back to Carmax, I saw the lady that hit me test driving a van, small world, don't think she recognized me. The Pontiac Solstice was just not large enough for a normal human to sit in the passenger seat,

Found a private party S2000 with 50,000 miles, will go check it out tomorrow if the guy is going to be around, no other ones.

Was not able to locate a TSX, RSX or Miata with a standard transmission. Have a lead on a 2006 TSX with a 6 sp, type S, A spec package, bunch of Comptech gear, including the exhaust and blower, sweet looking and sounding car, again with the big heavy ugly wheels.

The search continues

[Tobra]

Drove an S2000, 3 years old, not as impressive as I expected. Seating position in the it was sort of wonky for me, like the car didn't fit me or something.

Drove a pseudo-paddle shift miata, also 3 years old, very not bad. Not as much top end as the S2000, but decent low end and non-video game dash. Will need to drive one with a 6 speed, may just have to track down a Mazdaspeed version, or bolt a turbo on myself, do they make CARB Nazi approved kits? My inquiring mind wants to know, Flyin' Miata dot com, here I come!

How are boxters to maintain, is a valve adjust more or less of a PITA than a 914-4?

[onewhippedpuppy]

No valve adjustments needed in a Boxster, the advantages of a modern car. I did the full 60k service on mine, it's actually much easier than I expected to work on. Depending on what you're doing you may have to remove an access panel above the engine or behind the seats, but after that point it's easy. Honestly engine access is much better than in a 911.

You really owe it to yourself to drive a Boxster, they're a better car than anything you've driven thus far. They're also really reliable cars, especially compared to a Miata with an aftermarket FI kit. The only car you've listed thus far that might compare is a Mazdaspeed Miata, though you still won't have the balance of a mid-engined car.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Drove an S2000, 3 years old, not as impressive as I expected. Seating position in the it was sort of wonky for me, like the car didn't fit me or something.

Drove a pseudo-paddle shift miata, also 3 years old, very not bad. Not as much top end as the S2000, but decent low end and non-video game dash. Will need to drive one with a 6 speed, may just have to track down a Mazdaspeed version, or bolt a turbo on myself, do they make CARB Nazi approved kits? My inquiring mind wants to know, Flyin' Miata dot com, here I come!

How are boxters to maintain, is a valve adjust more or less of a PITA than a 914-4?

Miatas are fine autos. They are a whole lot of fun. I had an NA. Now I daily drive an S2000 when I am not driving my trucks. You have to get use to the seating and position. They don't fit like a miata. It hugs the body a little more. But then, its a high strung car. You will get use to the no torque feel, but in a split second, you are actually going pretty fast without the feel of being pin back into your seat. keep the rpm up (not at 9000, that gets old real quick) for daily driving and you will have no issue passing anything on the road or the freeway. I know there are turbo kits for those. the guy that maintain my S2000 is an S2000 nut case and know his stuff very well. He races them at our local track, Willow. and does support and build for many of his clients. I can get you his number if you like.

Jeff

[Tobra]

Matt, you have a PM

I was going to drive a Boxter today, but they sold the MFer, maybe I will go drive one out in Rocklin where they had the time capsule 944. That Miata is looking pretty good, nimble and made good sounds, but it ain't no P car. If'n the wife were to look over my shoulder whilst I was looking at that pretty yellow car, it would be all over.

A Porsche without regular valve adjustments, or timing belt tensioning, I already do the 5000 mile or annual oil changes, hmm, where is the wheels turning in my head smiley?
$2000 for a R+L chain tensioner? ouch, how often do you have to replace that?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Matt, you have a PM

I was going to drive a Boxter today, but they sold the MFer, maybe I will go drive one out in Rocklin where they had the time capsule 944. That Miata is looking pretty good, nimble and made good sounds, but it ain't no P car. If'n the wife were to look over my shoulder whilst I was looking at that pretty yellow car, it would be all over.

A Porsche without regular valve adjustments, or timing belt tensioning, I already do the 5000 mile or annual oil changes, hmm, where is the wheels turning in my head smiley?
$2000 for a R+L chain tensioner? ouch, how often do you have to replace that?

PM replied. In my reading I've never heard about anyone needing to replace a timing chain tensioner, those should be lifetime items.

[Tobra]

I was just looking through parts and that struck me, sort of like the TB tensioner for the 944, coil packs, which would actually come up, look to be cheap though

[onewhippedpuppy]

I had to replace one coil pack, I think it was a whopping $45. Actually the cheapest coil pack that I've ever bought.

[Tobra]

I finally got the F you, your car is only worth this much a week after they told me it was totalled. They got comps on 3 '98 hatchback cars, tough to determine condition, and not really the same car. They made like 3-4 times as many GSR coupes than sedans, or something like that. That, and the sedans tend to be owned by grownups a bit more. They are going to give me $12 credit for the $500 worth of tires with 1000 miles on them, and are pretty much telling be F Off on the new distributor.

Turns out, there is one outfit in Kalifornia certified to place a value on a car, wonder how much they "donated" to the right folks to get that gig.

[5String43]

Mini Cooper S.

[attamz]

Seriously, if you like the car, I'd buy it back! Slap a used right front susp. assembly and a after market fender on it and call it a day. You could probably get it all done for 3 months worth of car payments.

[Tobra]

I don't really want to have a car on a salvage title. I also lack the time or inclination to rebuild the front end myself. I suspect there is more than just suspension damage. That would not affect the A pillar or how the door opened on the passenger side, even after the fender was off the car.

[azasadny]

I have 32k miles on my 2010 Mazdaspeed3 it's great as a daily driver. Fun too!

[pwd72s]

Buy the latest AUTOMOBILE. Interesting test of six small cars...