Oppo, I need help choosing $15k car. Suggestions? 

Kinja'd!!! by "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
Published 10/05/2017 at 14:45

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STARS: 1


Kinja'd!!!

The Q45 has reached a point of no return, and it’s time to move on. I have an eclectic taste in vehicles and for that reason my #1 priority is finding something in great condition for a good price. Oppo suggested the Q45 and that turned out great, so maybe the fine folks around here can come up with something I wasn’t already considering once again? My requirements are incredibly broad.

Requirements:

- over 200 horsepower

- sedan or coupe

- either reliable or possible to work on yourself (the less reliable it is the closer to 10k it needs to be)

- manual transmission or shiftable automatic

- relatively easy to find, I don’t want to drive 200+ miles.

- decent interior

- must have less than 80,000 miles, preferably way less.

Absolutely No:

- front wheel drive

- I4 engines

- V6s

- non shiftable automatics

- live axles AKA Mustangs

Major Bonus Points For:

- track/auto x able

- nice comfy back seat because I’m the group day trip organizer/driver

- 300+ horsepower

- easy to modify/wrench on because my friends and I do all of our own work.

- dramatically different in some way from my previous cars (635csi, Q45).

The Current List:

- CTS-V

- C4 Corvette (92-96)

- C5 Targa

- V8 Genesis

- LS460

- 2008+ WRX

- Legacy GT

- Legacy 3.0R

- S60 T6


Replies (100)

Kinja'd!!! "For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
10/05/2017 at 14:47, STARS: 0

Instead of an S60 T6, S80 T6

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 0

Any particular reason? The S60 is already 3800+ LBS

Kinja'd!!! "Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
10/05/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 2

FRS/BRZ

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 1

That’s something to consider. I really don’t like the sound of the equal length headers on that motor though, and I assume it’d drive very similar to the RX8 I tried once (painfully slow around town). Though I guess an unequal header setup could solve the sound issue...

Kinja'd!!! "Stapleface" (patrickgruden)
10/05/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 2

Well, unique and relatively easy to find seem like they are opposite ends.

But one I will throw out there, that you don’t see too often. Volvo C30. I don’t know where you are, here was just a brief Carmax search to see what’s available nationwide. Seems like a nice looking car to me. Except for the fact it’s not RWD.

https://www.carmax.com/car/14142082

Kinja'd!!! "nerd_racing" (nerd189)
10/05/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 3

135i is a pretty fun, affordable car, with gobs of power.

Kinja'd!!! "Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/05/2017 at 14:56, STARS: 1

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Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 0

Great suggestion, but I’m not into the way they look and those motors aren’t particularly reliable. HPFP, carbon cleaning, etc.

Kinja'd!!! "Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
10/05/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 1

You’re right, UELs offer a good boost to around town torque too

Kinja'd!!! "Mid Engine" (jdlogan2006)
10/05/2017 at 14:58, STARS: 0

987.1 Cayman, Boxster if ya like drop tops

Kinja'd!!! "Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise)
10/05/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 1

I would go WRX or Subaru since I really want one but the CTS-V sounds like a good choice too.

Kinja'd!!! "Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
10/05/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 0

Like Decay said, the UEL will help out the torque issue and give it a nicer (IMO) sound. Also, if you have E85 around, that wakes the 86 up quite a bit as well.

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
10/05/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 0

Infiniti M45. Nissan’s luxury muscle sedan.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:00, STARS: 0

Yeah, it’s a little frustrating. The WRX is probably the easiest to find. I do like the C30 though, super unusual and it sounds like half of a lambo.

Kinja'd!!! "Milky" (jordanmielke)
10/05/2017 at 15:01, STARS: 0

What about a RX8 and a Crossfire?! Two for the price of one.

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Kinja'd!!! "William Byrd" (thedriver)
10/05/2017 at 15:02, STARS: 0

Why no live axle? Is it just the optic of it, the assumption that it’ll handle poorly? I won Street Touring X on AutoX season in a 2003 Mustang GT with just shocks/springs as far as modifications go (and decent tires). Most modern Mustangs handle quite well. If that’s the only issue, give them a look.

What about an IS-F? I hear the transmission is kinda meh, but it’s shiftable at least. Would be an amazing DD. G35/G37 would work as well, but may not be all that different from your Q45 (even though it is).

Kinja'd!!! "nerd_racing" (nerd189)
10/05/2017 at 15:04, STARS: 0

If you are willing to do something like 240 HP the 128i is even better. No carbon cleaning, no HPFP issues, and are very reliable. I liked mine a lot. I should have kept it.

Kinja'd!!! "and 100 more" (nth256)
10/05/2017 at 15:05, STARS: 1

No I4s, but boxers are okay? Whycome?

Kinja'd!!! "Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
10/05/2017 at 15:05, STARS: 1

G8? GTO?

Also not sure why you’re so against live axle Mustangs. The S197 is probably the best live axle car of all time.

Kinja'd!!! "JR1" (type35bugatti)
10/05/2017 at 15:05, STARS: 3

From the list I would get a C5 or the CTS-V. Probably for a DD go with the CTS-V.

How can you say no to a 400hp V8 with a manual and 4 doors? Also it is a small block.

You might be able to find a good GTO in that price range as well and it would be a bit more stylish and might have a better interior than the CTS even.

Kinja'd!!! "and 100 more" (nth256)
10/05/2017 at 15:05, STARS: 3

Chevy SS?

(Just realized, these may be out of the OP’s price range.)

Kinja'd!!! "For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
10/05/2017 at 15:08, STARS: 0

because luxury

Kinja'd!!! "Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/05/2017 at 15:08, STARS: 2

Fancy way of saying only Subaru 4bangers are allowed

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:09, STARS: 0

I’d much rather have something with IRS because I live for bombing the mountain roads in Western MA/Northern VT and some of them are quite bumpy. Though hey I’m no pro, maybe I wouldn’t even notice? I do love V8s and that’d be epic with a manual. IS-Fs hold their values insanely well, they’re far out of the price range. G35/37 have the VQ V6 as you may know, which IMO is the worst sounding V6 of all time lol. I’ll add a V8 ‘stang to the list.

Kinja'd!!! "HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
10/05/2017 at 15:10, STARS: 2

E92 335i? that’s what I’d buy with your criteria.

Kinja'd!!! "William Byrd" (thedriver)
10/05/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 0

Ah, good call on the V6 for the Infiniti, missed that.

Oh, heck yeah, if it’s just for back road bombing, the Mustang will do great. I was surprised that I beat prepped Mini Cooper S’s and such with a lightly modified Mustang, pretty much sold me on the platform. The 2015+ is obviously better, but the stock exhaust note alone is worth a look. Add an aftermarket option and it’s addicting. Downshift in alllll the tunnels!  

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 0

I wish! I can’t afford the Porsche tax on parts and maintenance

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:13, STARS: 1

LOL ummmm I don’t even know what to say

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:14, STARS: 1

I actually think the CTS-V would be wayyy too much power for me haha, but they’re within the price range

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 0

nope no E85 but lots of 93, although I thought that’s just a turbo thing?

Kinja'd!!! "Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
10/05/2017 at 15:16, STARS: 1

I have something to say, don’t take anything I posted except the dollar.

Kinja'd!!! "AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
10/05/2017 at 15:16, STARS: 4

BMW E9x 335i. If you can DIY, they are dirt cheap to own and modify. Stock 300hp/300tq. Back seat in the coupe is roomy, I have 4 adults in mine all the time.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 0

So the dream there would be a 2006 330i, that one year they stuffed the Z4 3.0si motor into the E90. But IDK with a 328 or 128 you can still have nasty electrical gremlins, I’ve heard scary stories from owners. Though perhaps that’s something I should research myself instead of relying on hearsay

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 2

I love me some boxer rumble :) as a New England car guy, it’s in my blood

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 3

Yep haha wayyyy out, love them though

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 1

Yes! Brilliant. I’ve looked for G8s and they’re impossible to find but I forgot about the GTO...

Kinja'd!!! "Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
10/05/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 1

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=462191070&zip=48067&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D48067%26startYear%3D1981%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceDESC%26maxPrice%3D16000%26incremental%3Dall%26firstRecord%3D0%26endYear%3D2018%26modelCodeList%3DG8%252CGTO%26makeCodeList%3DPONT%26searchRadius%3D500%26transmissionCodes%3DMAN&startYear=1981&numRecords=25&maxPrice=16000&firstRecord=0&endYear=2018&modelCodeList=G8%2CGTO&makeCodeList=PONT&searchRadius=500&makeCode1=PONT&modelCode1=GTO

Kinja'd!!! "promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout)
10/05/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 1

MazdaSpeed Miata + Little Enchilada kit + Mazda hardtop.

It’s rare (a whole bunch of them burned up in a factory fire) and the Little Enchilada puts it at 200 HP.

Otherwise I’d say E90 coupe.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:19, STARS: 1

Yep someone else mentioned the GTO too, I really like that idea, definitely added to the list.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:20, STARS: 1

Valid point. Better back seat for my friends too. Added to the list. (I do love the way they look)

Kinja'd!!! "For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
10/05/2017 at 15:21, STARS: 1

Also Yamaha V8 if you so wish

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:22, STARS: 0

My friends and I are pretty damn good, but I’ve heard some scary electrical gremlin issues from E9X owners. That’s something I’d consider at 20-25K for a very nice low mileage example but at this price point I’m looking at cars with more mileage than I’m comfortable with if we’re talking E9Xs

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:24, STARS: 0

Unfortunately I can’t afford a low enough mileage car at 15k, it’d be closer to 100k than 50 and that’s no bueno

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:25, STARS: 0

oh WOW that’s cheap. a few people have suggested these already, I’m all about it

Kinja'd!!! "AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
10/05/2017 at 15:25, STARS: 0

Understood. Most problems are greatly overblown online for the 335i, but I understand where you are coming from. Honestly, I would suggest the S2000 but that has no back seat.. how about an Evo 9? Edit: missed the no inline 4's lol.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 0

An excellent suggestion if I liked the sound of an I4, but they really don’t do it for me

Kinja'd!!! "ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com" (ita97)
10/05/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 2

That price range puts you into nice C5 territory, and the C5 is a vastly better car to actually drive when not on the track. I’d take the C4 off your list if this a car you’re planning on using as regular transportation. Your price also puts into early Boxter and 996 land.

Kinja'd!!! "Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
10/05/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 1

GTO’s didnt hold their value for some reason. I’d snatch one up right now if i had the place to put it.

Kinja'd!!! "OKcarburetor" (okcarburetor)
10/05/2017 at 15:28, STARS: 1

996 911. You can probably find one with the IMS and RMS already done and the only thing on the list that might be as fun is the C5. I’d sy the mileage is irrelevant.

Kinja'd!!! "TomServo (Resides on the Satellite of Love)" (mk7silkblue)
10/05/2017 at 15:28, STARS: 1

Even though it is front wheel drive, you should look at a Honda Accord V6 coupe. Or an Mk6 R, but that could be a little over budget.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 0

Yep, those are super rare though it seems

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 0

Lol yeah evos are some of the better sounding I4s but still not my cup of tea

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0

Yeah the C5 would be ideal out of everything you mentioned, C4s are definitely a little old and probably not so safe either

Kinja'd!!! "TomServo (Resides on the Satellite of Love)" (mk7silkblue)
10/05/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 1

Used Caddy ATS?

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 3

Yep I just looked; incredible. 13k asking for 64,000 miles on an example near me. That is SO much car for the money

Kinja'd!!! "TomServo (Resides on the Satellite of Love)" (mk7silkblue)
10/05/2017 at 15:31, STARS: 0

https://www.carmax.com/car/15082934

Or this.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 0

I wish! I’m even involved with the PCA through a friend and also close with the owner/techs at a local Porsche race car shop, but I can’t afford the Porsche tax and I’d like a low mileage car not just for reliability’s sake, but for the condition of the interior too.

Kinja'd!!! "Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
10/05/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0

Golf R32?

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0

haha ummm that breaks not one but two rules, no FWD and no V6s. Just not my cup of tea. I’ve driven plenty of fast FWD cars and didn’t like any of them

Kinja'd!!! "Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
10/05/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 1

05 is the best year with LS2

Kinja'd!!! "AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
10/05/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 2

You could look for an Audi S4 with the V8.. those have a great aftermarket.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0

I don’t think you can get that with a V8?

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 0

super cool, I love the sound of the wookie, but sooooo hard to find

Kinja'd!!! "Mid Engine" (jdlogan2006)
10/05/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 0

Ya gotta shop around for parts, I buy ‘em on Amazon ($5 oil filters!), Pelican, or Sunsetparts.com. Truth is the cars are very reliable, in 66k miles the only thing that went bad was the water pump, everything else has been normal maintenance.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 1

I’d be all over that and not even making this post but those are interference engines with notorious timing belt/chain issues : /

Kinja'd!!! "Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/05/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 0

On your list I’d say the CTS-V and Legacy GT make the most sense with your criteria.

Among Volvos, the S40 T5 AWD would tick your boxes and is cheaper/easier to work on since it shares a platform with the 1st gen Mazda 3 and 2nd gen Euro-market Ford Focus. Someone else mentioned the C30 but it’s fwd.

I actually rather like the OG CTS-V. It’s kinda stupid looking, the interior quality is mediocre at best, and it could use a little tightening of the suspension, but it’s a good starting point.

Thankfully, the worst thing about the CTS-V interior, its truly horrendous infotainment...

Kinja'd!!!

...can be replaced by any number of modern double-DIN stereos with a dash kit. Only thing is the stock head unit is so huge that you end up with a bunch of blank space. The Metra 99-2006 kit puts the head unit dead center, but the color is lighter than the stock dark grey plastic. Meh.

Kinja'd!!!

Here’s a video of it with a double-DIN head unit.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Usually Scosche kits do a better job of matching factory trim, and the Scosche GM1586B looks to be a better match for the factory dash. This pic shows it with a single DIN headunit but you can take that storage pocket out for double DIN. Only thing is it puts the head unit higher up in the dash, which I guess makes it easier to reach, but leaves more blank space between it and the climate controls.

Kinja'd!!!

I’d probably still get the Scosche, that color on the Metra would bug the crap out of me.

Kinja'd!!! "For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
10/05/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 0

Somewhat, but they do exist. Autotrader listings

Kinja'd!!! "OKcarburetor" (okcarburetor)
10/05/2017 at 15:37, STARS: 1

This one is reallllly close to the mileage, but because of that probably needs IMS, RMS, clutch...

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=48067&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D48067%26startYear%3D1999%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceDESC%26maxPrice%3D16000%26firstRecord%3D0%26endYear%3D2004%26modelCodeList%3D911%26makeCodeList%3DPOR%26searchRadius%3D25&startYear=1999&numRecords=25&maxPrice=16000&firstRecord=0&endYear=2004&modelCodeList=911&makeCodeList=POR&searchRadius=25&listingId=462866263

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:37, STARS: 0

I’m super close with a local Porsche race shop and also involved with the PCA through a friend but still would be super wary of buying a Porsche, just doesn’t seem responsible at this point in my life

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:39, STARS: 0

There’s one with 50k asking 14995 but it’s 200+ miles away unfortunately. Though maybe I should make the drive, IDK

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 15:43, STARS: 0

Yeahhhh that scares me. Especially if you line it up next to a WRX with 60k miles on it. Beautiful color combo tho

Kinja'd!!! "gettingoldercarguy" (gettingoldercarguy)
10/05/2017 at 15:54, STARS: 1

Nc Miata + v8 swap

Kinja'd!!! "Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
10/05/2017 at 15:56, STARS: 0

Turbos multiply the gains, but the little FA20 has some pretty decent gains with a header + E85 + tune. My old BRZ was probably over 200whp with the header + exhaust + tune + E85.

Kinja'd!!! "AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
10/05/2017 at 15:57, STARS: 0

Hmmm. I’m curious to see what you’ll end up in. Also, how was your E24? I’m looking at getting one as soon as I can find a nice one.

Kinja'd!!! "davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction)
10/05/2017 at 16:14, STARS: 0

Styling. That’s the only reason they’re not coveted.

Kinja'd!!! "Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/05/2017 at 16:16, STARS: 0

I’ve bought multiple cars where I had to travel to get them. That’s what happens when you live in a place like Madison, WI and have a taste for interesting, less-common cars.

I bought 335xi from a guy in San Diego off pictures and a PPI at a BMW dealer, and had it shipped to me here in Madison. Because I just had to have a Le Mans Blue M Sport stick shift N55 335xi with oyster leather and aluminum (not wood) trim, and this dude had the exact color combo I wanted. It was the only car in the country with that color combo. So I said fuck it, lemme call this dude and see what happens.

The reality of looking for something specific, especially when you live in a smaller market (dunno if you do but I do) is you’re going to have to travel.

I bought a Mazdaspeed 6 from a dealer in a southwest suburb of Chicago.

I bought a Grand Cherokee from a dealer in a small town in Wisconsin about an hour away, because I wanted a Hemi but no navigation, and they had it.

200 miles isn’t so far that you can’t just make a day trip of it on a Saturday. If it’s at a dealer, you can always have them send you more/higher-resolution pictures, and any records they have of work they did to recondition it.

Kinja'd!!! "E90M3" (e90m3)
10/05/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 1

My 328i feels pretty slow, but you can upgrade that engine to make it the engine that’s in the 06 330i, I believe it’s exhaust, intake, and a tune, everything else should be the same. As far as electical gremlins go, this is really the first I’m hearing about for the E9X. Had my M3 for 3 years now and all the only weird electrical issue that I had was my drivers seat would move back while the car was in motion. It has since reverted back to working normally, this was like when I first got the car.

Kinja'd!!! "HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
10/05/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 1

That’s a good point. Same goes for E39 M5s as well. What about a Lexus Is300. Clean manuals are out there. But I guess that’s probably still a high mileage options.

I’m bad at this because all the cars I want/ cane even consider are closer to 10k. That 5000 dollar difference is surprisingly huuuge. Especially if this will be your only car.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 16:30, STARS: 0

Oh wow that’s impressive! Especially given the displacement

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 1

My E24 was lovely, I’ll always miss that car. Never left me stranded once and I DD’d it. Now is definitely the time to buy, they’ve already appreciated significantly since I had mine a few years ago

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 16:34, STARS: 0

Yep at some point I’ll probably have to accept that a lot more driving than I’d like to do is probably necessary. But I live near Boston so there’s a pretty big market, just gotta keep my eye out. That is some ultimate BMW nerdery right there, I approve!

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 0

Wait really? The si motor is just exhaust intake tune? Now that is something to consider. I bet I could find a low enough mileage 328 if I looked hard enough. Absolutely nothing in the area right now though.

Kinja'd!!! "AM3R, lost another burner" (am3r17)
10/05/2017 at 16:36, STARS: 1

Yeah, I’m just waiting for a nice manual one to pop up. How big of an issue is rust? I wouldn’t daily drive it, especially in the winter, but it would live outside (under a nice cover in the winter)

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 16:37, STARS: 1

Clean manuals are soooo hard to find, I think that would be impossible given my geographical constraints and how few they sold in the US. I do like IS300s though, super cool gauges.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 16:41, STARS: 0

Oh man. Rust is what killed that car in the end. The rear tail light surrounds tend to leak and let water into the rear panels. If they look rusty whatsoever you have to walk away, there will be massive rust holes behind the lights. Rust near the cowl of the windshield is a big one too.

Kinja'd!!! "Mid Engine" (jdlogan2006)
10/05/2017 at 16:46, STARS: 0

Life’s WAY too short to worry about being responsible. you know you wanna buy a Cayman, just do it

Kinja'd!!! "WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
10/05/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 1

I’m actually going to test drive a 2002 M3, 2003 M5, and 2006 CTS-V on Monday. All manual and around $15k. Good luck.

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 17:07, STARS: 0

I’m unemployed right now :..( gotta be responsible

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 17:08, STARS: 0

Good luck to you too! M5 would be my pick. Definitely the most expensive when things go wrong though.

Kinja'd!!! "WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
10/05/2017 at 17:10, STARS: 1

Its not going to be my daily, I just want something fun to drive on nice days. The nice thing is most of the issue have been sorted out by now, you’re not flying blind anymore. Rationally, the CTS-V is going to be newer and more reliable, but I’ve wanted an M5 since it came out.

Kinja'd!!! "OKcarburetor" (okcarburetor)
10/05/2017 at 17:37, STARS: 1

Oof I don’t know. I think I’d trust almost anything over a Subaru engine. The only plus the Subie has is that engines are extremely cheap haha.

I’m an drive old Audis though, so I’m clearly insane.

Kinja'd!!! "Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
10/05/2017 at 17:40, STARS: 1

Hat tip to the Saabaru. (Saab 9-2x) Essentially just a tarted up WRX, but how could that be bad?

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!! "The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
10/05/2017 at 17:43, STARS: 0

1st gen FX45, then use the left over $ to turbo it. V8, AWD (similar to R34 GTR awd), shiftable automagic, & looks like a space ship.

Kinja'd!!! "E90M3" (e90m3)
10/05/2017 at 17:47, STARS: 0

As far as I know, the head, block, pistons, crank are all the same. I’m not 100% certain, but through my limited research that’s what I’ve learned. I would look into it more, but I don’t have extra money to mod my cars; one reason I’m looking for a new job, for extra money not cause I can’t mod my car.

I believe they detuned it because otherwise it would have been too close to the 335i in power. The vast majority of people don’t tune their cars, so stock power is important. Why spend an extra 10k for only 30 more hp?

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 20:01, STARS: 0

The M5 is aging sooo nicely too. CTS-V not so much IMO (first gen)

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 20:06, STARS: 0

EJ motors are misunderstood I think. Lots of people tuning them improperly, beating on them, and slacking off on maintenance because “it’s Japanese.” Though I will have to look into this further now I guess

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 20:07, STARS: 1

I forgot about these! Thanks!

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 20:07, STARS: 0

username checks out :p

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 20:08, STARS: 0

I love the way they look, but supposedly the trans is a major achilles heel

Kinja'd!!! "Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
10/05/2017 at 20:13, STARS: 0

Hmmm it looks like manual examples are really hard to find in my area, there are only 4 within 200 miles, all verts, and one is an E36 lol. Rear wheel drive BMWs are much harder to find in New England, buncha cowards ordering X drives!