Pls help me identify my dream car

[cantdrv55]

Below are my requirements, in no specific order. Is there such a car that meets most, if not all, my criteria?

1. An affordable used car. I know this is subjective but imagine you are the one making the purchase.

2. As "tossable" as the SC

3. Wonderful AC and heat. Mediocre stereo system OK

4. DIY friendly. I want to do the regular maintenance but for major service (every 15K miles), I'll take it to the dealer or independent wrench. I'll be putting about 5K miles on the car annually so even if major service costs $1000, spreading out the expense for 3 years won't break me.

5. 0 - 60 in 6 secs or less. 1/4 mile in 14 secs or less.

6. Reliable but not bland

7. An attention-getter either by its exclusivity or racing heritage

8. Two seater or 2 +2. Convertible or targa preferred but hardtop w/sunroof OK.

9. Stops on a dime and handles like or better than the SC

As you can see, with the exception of the creature comforts, the SC is my benchmark. How does your criteria differ from mine? So, is there a car like this out there for me? BTW, this is not an exercise. I will sell either my SC or Carrera to acquire my dream car.

[bigrubberjeep]

How about one of the last real RX7's with the turbo?

I think the last RX7 turbo was made in 1997

[Emission]

1988-1990 BMW E30 M3

Doesn't hit all your marks, but does pretty well.

Great car, but getting pretty hard to find nice examples...

[lateapex911]

I don't think it exists!

I thought of an early S or E, but AC and heat?? Not exactly...

Pretty fast accelration times. The 3rd gen 7 could make those, but it is NOT DIY friendly!

I thought, of course, of a Mustang, but exclusivity? Not much. Old ones have race heritige, but it's a stretch. And handling? No way! Esp the old one!

How about a Miata? With a Ford 5.0??? Sounds crazy, but it might do the trick...scratch that ...it fails in the 2+2 and exclusivity departments.

300ZX twin turbo? 2nd gen RX-7 turbo hotted up? Neither is too DIY friendly...The Corvette is simple but lacks the 2+2.

Trouble here is, cheap acceleration is the province of the American V8, but handling is usually lacking, as is panache.

Foreign cars can do it, but at the cost of complexity.

Truth is the 911 has always been considered the "affordable exotic" and there is no substitute!

[Porschekid962]

Renault R5 turbo? Cosworth Sierra, Supra turbo, bmw 2002 turbo, they meet most but not all of your crit. A good friend of mine has a supra turbo, the last gen and those cars are fun, plus its a bit exclusive as you really dont see many around, not like a miata at least.

Why not an E36 bmw those cars are wonderful. Its german, has ac and heat, decent stereo, great handling, strong motor, not incredibly expensive but most of them have been tossed around a good deal.

If you want an attention getter you should be willing to spend some money, my question is if your going to be drivin around at any rate why would you want more attention especially from police? I say the more subtle the better. You want attention go buy a Viper, you want a car you can drive everyday buy a Porsche. My neighbor has a viper, sure its fast as all stink in a straight line and is exclusive, gets attention, somewhat tossable, ac is pretty good, you wont need a heater in that thing though. My dad's car is driven every day with no complaints, the neighbor opens his up a bit and blows a coolant line and it disappears to the shop for another week or so.

I vote Porsche. The ac isnt like a cadillac but thats what windows are for.

[GeorgeK]

964 C2 with some suspension mods

[kaisen]

Porsche 951, or late C4/early C5 Corvette

[wholberg]

What you need is a 84-89 turbo-look carrera, and my reasons are below:

1. An affordable used car. --- Available from 19 - 30K, although a little harder to find than a regular Carrera. If you are willing to spend some time looking, 20-25K is highly likely.

2. As "tossable" as the SC --- Wider track and sport suspension standard. I've owned both and this is definitely true.

3. Wonderful AC and heat. --- In the Bay area both of these should work great.

4. DIY friendly. --- All the technical info for regular service is available on this site.

5. 0 - 60 in 6 secs or less. 1/4 mile in 14 secs or less. --- May be close for 207 HP CA models, but 49 state (217HP) or Euro (231HP) models should be no problem, and a little $$$ could improve this significantly. 84-86 models are a little lighter and faster than 87-89. 87-89 have G50 trannies.

6. Reliable but not bland --- Check!

7. An attention-getter either by its exclusivity or racing heritage --- Factory wide turbo fenders, far fewer made than Turbo models, and... it's a Porsche.

8. Two seater or 2 +2. Convertible or targa preferred but hardtop w/sunroof OK. --- Available in all these configurations. Convertibles most common, Targas least.

9. Stops on a dime and handles like or better than the SC --- Turbo model brakes (cross-drilled rotors, etc.) larger calipers than regular carrera, sport suspension, wider track and more rubber on the pavement than an SC.


The choice is obvious...anything other than a Porsche is just transportation!

[cantdrv55]

So far the M3 conv, Boxster S and 993 sunroof coupe is on my short list. In a couple of years, I may be able to find a used Elise but I've got the itch to get a car now.

[air-cool-me]

"bmw 2002 turbo"

i wil own one someday... i love 2002's!

[bigrubberjeep]

Originally posted by wholberg
What you need is a 84-89 turbo-look carrera, and my reasons are below:

1. An affordable used car. --- Available from 19 - 30K, although a little harder to find than a regular Carrera. If you are willing to spend some time looking, 20-25K is highly likely.

2. As "tossable" as the SC --- Wider track and sport suspension standard. I've owned both and this is definitely true.

3. Wonderful AC and heat. --- In the Bay area both of these should work great.

4. DIY friendly. --- All the technical info for regular service is available on this site.

5. 0 - 60 in 6 secs or less. 1/4 mile in 14 secs or less. --- May be close for 207 HP CA models, but 49 state (217HP) or Euro (231HP) models should be no problem, and a little $$$ could improve this significantly. 84-86 models are a little lighter and faster than 87-89. 87-89 have G50 trannies.

6. Reliable but not bland --- Check!

7. An attention-getter either by its exclusivity or racing heritage --- Factory wide turbo fenders, far fewer made than Turbo models, and... it's a Porsche.

8. Two seater or 2 +2. Convertible or targa preferred but hardtop w/sunroof OK. --- Available in all these configurations. Convertibles most common, Targas least.

9. Stops on a dime and handles like or better than the SC --- Turbo model brakes (cross-drilled rotors, etc.) larger calipers than regular carrera, sport suspension, wider track and more rubber on the pavement than an SC.


The choice is obvious...anything other than a Porsche is just transportation!

I concur! (no afiliation)

[Doug&Julie]

*cough*Boxster*cough*...

[bitmit]

How about an MR2? My wife has a 91, and it's a super little car. Fairly quick (not Porsche, and a bit lawnmower-ey, but quick nevertheless), goes where you point it, good ac/heat & stereo, t-top, much quieter than my sc (and more comfortable), super-reliable. The turbo is reputedly a flying machine. I think they're pretty, too.
Not sure whether it achieves "dream car" status, but it hits most of your criteria.

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by cantdrv55
Below are my requirements, in no specific order. Is there such a car that meets most, if not all, my criteria?

1. An affordable used car. I know this is subjective but imagine you are the one making the purchase.

2. As "tossable" as the SC

3. Wonderful AC and heat. Mediocre stereo system OK

4. DIY friendly. I want to do the regular maintenance but for major service (every 15K miles), I'll take it to the dealer or independent wrench. I'll be putting about 5K miles on the car annually so even if major service costs $1000, spreading out the expense for 3 years won't break me.

5. 0 - 60 in 6 secs or less. 1/4 mile in 14 secs or less.

6. Reliable but not bland

7. An attention-getter either by its exclusivity or racing heritage

8. Two seater or 2 +2. Convertible or targa preferred but hardtop w/sunroof OK.

9. Stops on a dime and handles like or better than the SC

As you can see, with the exception of the creature comforts, the SC is my benchmark. How does your criteria differ from mine? So, is there a car like this out there for me? BTW, this is not an exercise. I will sell either my SC or Carrera to acquire my dream car.

I'll get crap for this - but 996 - not quite as tossable - but a very fast and capable car.

[Wavey]

Originally posted by bigrubberjeep
How about one of the last real RX7's with the turbo?

I think the last RX7 turbo was made in 1997

Amazing - before I read your response that was exactly what I was thinking. Last year RX7, "R" version, with the twin turbos. Drove one for a weekend once and never forgot it. The instant power delivery at any speed is amazing, and the brakes are awesome. Plus typical Japanese reliability, although I've heard the engines are only good for about 35K. If I didn't have my 911, that would be my next choice.

Late 944 Turbo S would be another excellent choice.

[jluetjen]

I agree. It sounds like your talking about a 944 Turbo. But if the only issue with your SC is the air conditioning, why not just pull together the pieces from the factory AC package and have it retrofitted onto your SC?

[adomakin]

TVR CERBERA. 0-60 low 4's 180+mph. look and sound amazing.
or perhaps a BMW M coupe. fierce car. was designed after hours by the tech guys at BMW after they realised that the Z3 would never handle without a roof. they took it to the bosses and they gave it the green light for production. great car, awesome performance and lots of comfort. (and quite different for the states i should think)

heres an article i found on the m coupe

Andy

[jluetjen]

Adomakin; Try to find a TVR in the states -- of any kind! Without too much hunting you can most likely find yourself a 2500M if you're east of the Mississippi, or a 280i, but nothing later then the "wedges" were officially imported. I can easily count the number of TVR's that I've seen in person on one hand...

1) A Vixen parked at a service station near my house when I was a kid. Picqued my interest in the cars -- but unfortunately at 12 or 14 I didn't have the money to buy it.

2) A 280i that I sat in at the Boston Car show back in the early 80's.

3) A 2500M that I sat in and looked at on a lark since it was for sale not to far from where I was living.

4) A 2500M that I saw for sale not to far from Lime Rock a number of years ago.

If there were one car that I'd like to have as a play car, a TVR would be it, even if it only has 2 cramped seats. Yank the Triumph 6 cylinder (even though it sounds great) and pop in a Ford V8 and the rest would be history. It's a shame really that so few made it into the U.S. The few that did though did a lot to keep TVR above water in the 70's and 80's. Given that you'd think that there would be more sentimental attachment to the U.S. market by TVR. But alas...





PS: Besides, cantdrv55 specified heat and heat. Everyone knows that the earlier TVR's only generated heat.

[69NineEleven]

How about:

3.2 litre V6 with an exhaust note just this side of Ferarri
240hp. stock and very easy to get to 300hp.
6spd. manual gearbox
all wheel drive
leather Konig race seats (factory!)
Great climate control / heat
Great factory sound system
2+2 configuration
Plenty of room for "stuff"
Great Brakes
Nice 18" wheels with sticky tires
Under warranty and under $30k new.

VW R32 !

If you want to run with the Enzo's and Vipers in a straight line just send it to HPA for an additional 300hp ;-)

[einreb]

90's 300z