by "DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
Published 11/14/2017 at 08:55
by "DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
Published 11/14/2017 at 08:55
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STARS: 0
Scenario time. You roll up to your local cars and coffee. You see people everywhere hard parking their cars and exiting them with a smile on their face. They talk to other owners about the great features of their cars and the not-so great. They gloat with pride over their babies. As you smile, you look back to see your car, parked alone on the other side of the parking lot. No one’s come to you to talk about it. You don’t have a fun car.
That scenario’s a bit of an overstatement, but for someone who’s active in the car community, it’s a harsh realization. You see, I love my Outback. It’s a great daily driver, but it’s just that. It’s a daily driver. A curse that’s set upon the mundane and the everyday, and while the Outback is
no
Camry, it’s not something you wake up in the morning yearning to drive. It’s a car that will get you back and forth to your destination in some comfort, with a little off-roading on the side if you want it.
The daily-driver conundrum is where my problem begins. I find myself looking on at others who deeply enjoy their fun sports cars, ripping up mountain roads, or gloating in a parking lot. Experiences that I can’t enjoy in my current position without some serious modifications and money. So, what do I do? What everyone does...I stare at Craigslist ads for cars that I can’t afford.
But that has to stop eventually. In fact, that has to stop soon. I have to stop torturing myself by looking at things from a distance and actually make the initiative. Why suffer and yearn when you can make the initiative and prosper? These are questions I’ve never asked myself before now, because before now, my answer for everything project car has always been, “you don’t have the money for that.” It’s time to stop talking myself out of it.
But what the hell do I buy?
Well, everyone who’s anyone that knows me, knows I have one major dream car: the Z30 generation Toyota Soarer/Lexus SC.
I suppose the lucky thing about these is the fact that they’re not that expensive, unless you get some low-mileage one with a manual, such as one I found in GA recently for nearly 10 grand with a stick. But I don’t necessarily need a stick, especially because the car I want features the 1UZ V8, which never came from the factory with a stick. There’s also the whole part about me not really caring what transmissions come with the car but that’s a whole other story.
However, I have found a few clean SC300s in the area for decent prices, such as the red one a few lines above, with new paint and upholstery, which takes care of two key common cosmetic issues of those early cars (seriously, I dare you to find a high mileage 90s Lexus without torn leather). So, I’m pretty much playing the market right now just waiting for the right car.
Also, for some reason, I’ve had an attraction to Miatas recently, but I can’t buy a Miata.
Basically, I’d love to have a Miata. I know they’re wonderful to drive and fling around a mountain road, and I have many friends with Miatas. But I’m a big guy (for you) and when you add that to an insanely small car such as the Miata, it doesn’t really add up. Not that I haven’t tried the Miata, I found one for sale in my town, but it was gone by the time I actually went to look at it. In the wake of the Miata, however, many people have suggested such alternatives as the early MR2s and others.
Honestly, at this point, who knows what I’ll buy. It could end up being something completely out of left field that no one expected at all, which would have to be pretty ballsy if you know my car tastes. But the hunt is on, and I’ll take any recommendations that I can get. So, I guess...happy hunting?
"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion)
11/14/2017 at 09:20, STARS: 0
Might not turn any heads, but I always look forward to hopping in my E46. If it was a 330 (mine’s a 325) and had 3 fewer doors, and 2 fewer driven wheels, I think it would be a blast without being any less of a reliable DD than mine is, and it would certainly be more fun on the weekends. In fact, losing the transfer case and 3 doors would only mean less to break.
A nice E36 might actually be more expensive at this point, while you could pick up a decent E46 for under $5k.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
11/14/2017 at 09:25, STARS: 0
My opinion from driving my Mom’s 2017 Outback is that I wouldn’t buy one as my personal daily vehicle but I wouldn’t mind having one as a family car for a significant other. Really good road trip car, boring daily driver.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/14/2017 at 09:30, STARS: 3
If you really want an SC, you should work towards one and get it. It’s a good, attainable car that should be reasonable to own.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
11/14/2017 at 09:42, STARS: 0
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/1989-bmw-e30-325i-sedan-white/6381117595.html
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/bmw-635-csi-1989/6346526286.html
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/1987-e30-bmw-325is-coupe/6373883203.html not sure wtf is going on with that ride height.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/e30-325is/6358987791.html
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/1982-bmw-528e/6356210066.html
Why are there never cheap e28s by me.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/bmw-318i-e30/6356748255.html
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/mercedes-300d-1975/6373752761.html
"KevlarRx7" (kevlarsupra)
11/14/2017 at 09:54, STARS: 0
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/d/1995-corvette/6385973231.html
I’d consider that if you could get it cheap enough, looks like the maintenance has been done, but those alloys are hideous.
"Cash Rewards" (cashrewards)
11/14/2017 at 10:15, STARS: 1
What if you made the outback interesting? Mild lift, skid plates, make it a rally cross car. Then you got daily+race car+all weather beast+interesting at C&C all in one.
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
11/14/2017 at 10:19, STARS: 0
Don’t let anybody discourage you. Find a good sc400 and put exhaust on it and call it a day. I swear when I was cross shopping them when I got my gs I could have picked up an excellent one for $3500 maybe even less. The only other car that was similar in overall package was the g35 coupe which is faster and more modern but just doesn’t do it for me like the sc400 does
"Chuckles" (chucklesw37)
11/14/2017 at 10:25, STARS: 0
As a big guy who drives a Miata, I would say don’t count it out until you’ve sat in it. It really does depend on what type of big guy you are. If you’re tall, you’re probably out of luck. But if you are like me (short and fat), you might be surprised to find that you fit.
"sony1492" (sony1492)
11/14/2017 at 10:33, STARS: 0
If you can find an SC without a sunroof that would be ideal, it really cuts into head room.
Also, if it’s your dream car definitely get one.
"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
11/14/2017 at 10:52, STARS: 0
I’m tall and fat, so...
"Milky" (jordanmielke)
11/14/2017 at 11:08, STARS: 0
Just get an SC, mod the exhaust and have a great time. It worked for me.
"Chuckles" (chucklesw37)
11/14/2017 at 11:24, STARS: 0
In that case it might not work for you. I just encourage people to try before counting it out. I can pull it off because I’m 5'6", but I’m also running about 315 lbs these days.