"highmodulus" (highmodulus)
08/14/2013 at 08:41 • Filed to: None
0
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"highmodulus" (highmodulus)
08/14/2013 at 08:41 • Filed to: None | 0
| 24 |
Good news everyone! In the home stretch on the home renovations, and it looks like I will have about $20k to play with for my next fun car. Already had an E90 and E46 M3, so those are both off the punch list. Any ideas?
I am Virginia based if that matters, and have the $500 4Runner completely fixed up at this point (its my DD right now) so hauling stuff and bikes is not an issue.
DasWauto
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 08:43 |
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Build a track toy? (tow with the $500 4Runner)
Spec e30 or spec miata perhaps. You might be able to keep the car street legal too if desired.
philipilihp
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 08:45 |
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Logical progression dictates a 135i, of course.
MBG141
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 08:45 |
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If you're near Eastern Tennessee in Virginia, there's an un-molested 1988 Honda Civic CRX for sale in Knoxville for around $600.
But if you're not, I'd go with a mid-2000s VW Diesel Golf. Those go around for about $12k used.
ncasolowork2
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 08:48 |
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Does it have to be 20k and under? BRZ? Maybe a slightly used BRZ on the market somewhere? I'm doubtful about finding an S4 in that price range where you want it.
Used STi?
Used CTS-V?
All 3 of those would be great for Auto-Cross.
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highmodulus
> DasWauto
08/14/2013 at 08:49 |
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Good idea, but I already have one expensive racing habit (bikes- bought a Pinarello with some of the money from the M3 sale). Two expensive racing habits might be bad- although I would like to try some autocross some time soon.
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highmodulus
> philipilihp
08/14/2013 at 08:50 |
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Nice choice- so far mid-20's so far for the decent ones I have seen.
William Byrd
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 08:56 |
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Looks like everything is coming up Milhouse!
What part of VA? Not that it matters, just curious if you are up near DC or further South.
I've been looking at that range for a bit. http://thedriver.kinja.com/tag/my20kchall… so you can read through the suggestions people tossed in. The E46 M3 was a heavy contender and I'm now hopefully waiting for an E90 to come down closer to $30K.
For a track car I NEVER had as much fun as I did with a Mustang. I won Street Touring X one autocross season against a bunch of prepped Mini's etc. in a 2003 Mustang GT with shocks, springs, tires and exhaust. Very minimal mods and it was a lot of fun. Cheap too, especially compared to zee Germans.
simpleisbest
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 08:57 |
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I am going to pretend that you live in Richmond so I can offer you these two for your consideration.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
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highmodulus
> ncasolowork2
08/14/2013 at 08:58 |
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I can maybe go up a bit for the right car, but trying to keep this one under control budget wise as I am paying cash. I love the BRZ's but have not seen one lower than around $25k, and the bigger issue is I don't fit. On the test drive (and in 3 others I tested), even at full "up" adjustment my left leg hits the steering wheel when I let the clutch out- every time . Its strange.
Love STIs- but finding a non-abused one can be a crap shoot, and they hold their value surprisingly well in the mid-atlantic region. Not sure I would be high 20's which gets you into some sweet cars.
Like all good Jalops, I love the CTS-V wagon- but that's probably out of budget.
Party-vi
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 08:59 |
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How did the E46 treat you during ownership? Any large issues come up?
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DasWauto
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 08:59 |
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You should be able to put together a solid car for $5-7.5K and keep the rest for another purpose. Running costs beyond that won't kill you either.
Also, I'm jelly of the Pinarello. I'm going to buy a road bike relatively soon; If I don't bother before the end of this season, I'll pick one up for the start of next year. I did a triathlon on my mountain bike and just got killed on the by all the road bikes. I'll probably end up with an entry level Specialized (Allez variant) or Trek (1.1, 1.2 or 2.1).
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highmodulus
> Party-vi
08/14/2013 at 09:03 |
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It was pretty good: minor oil leak I could never track down and shifting when cold at low revs could be an adventure. Mine was an 2005 with decent miles, so I avoided the worst of the E46 issues. Car struck me as one that would be a lot more fun as a track car than primarily as a DD due to the nature of the engine.
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Party-vi
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 09:06 |
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I always think I'd be happy with that M3 as a DD, but then it seems like a waste of a good engine on a short commute.
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highmodulus
> DasWauto
08/14/2013 at 09:08 |
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I like those Treks quite a bit. The $500 4Runner has spoiled me- I keep looking for good deals, but our local craigslist is truly terrible- usually nothing but overpriced hoopties. Usually the best cars come from places like this, or cars and coffee connections. Being a low stress buyer with cash helps I think.
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highmodulus
> Party-vi
08/14/2013 at 09:11 |
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Mine was under 15 miles, the E46 did not like that. That horse wanted to run.
ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 10:14 |
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Oh man I have no money and a ton of ideas. You have money but no ideas!?
125i and some mods. Everyone else will say 135i tho.
But if I had 20k I'd buy something cheap and mod the crap out of it as a weekend driver/track toy.
magman007
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 12:16 |
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I loved my SMG model as a DD, fantastic car.
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magman007
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 12:17 |
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One of the best performance buys at the moment out side of the e46 m3 would be an 06/07 subaru STI.
Evo's are too expensive and more beaten for the price. Plus, its the choice I just made. If you can hold off for a short while longer, the 5.0 mustangs will make their way down to that price, which who can argue e92 m3 performance for such a cheap price?
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highmodulus
> magman007
08/14/2013 at 12:28 |
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Interesting- off to the Carmax website to check prices
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magman007
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 12:35 |
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also, depending on your financial situation, if you were to finance you should consult Pen Fed as well. i got my loan for 1.49% on a used car, and tacked on their extended warranty good for 5 years 100k mi. for i think $1300? not a bad deal.
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highmodulus
> magman007
08/14/2013 at 13:20 |
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Situation is good, but I hated having car payment is the past so I save up and pay cash now.
TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> highmodulus
08/14/2013 at 21:35 |
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MIATA!
Inflame333
> Party-vi
08/15/2013 at 10:45 |
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I DD my E46 M3 right now, did some basic maintenance and it's been going strong!
Things I've done so far (some I didn't have too, but did anyway for piece of mind):
1) All 6 coil packs - 1 died, replaced them all. OEM units suck apparently.
2) Fuel filter
3) Spark plugs
4) valve cover gasket
5) Front rotors
6) tires all around
7) lowering springs on lower mileage oem struts (sold oem stuff for same price, so this ended up being free mod)
8) AR20 resonators to get rid of the rasp.
That was all done within the last 6 months, and I've done 5 auto-x's and 2 track days, doing my 3rd in 2 weeks! Parts are NOT as expensive or as hard as people make it all out to be, the most expensive part was the coil packs. Valve cover kit cost me $70 for everything.
The car is amazing, handles great, the power is awesome all the way to redline, comfortable as heck, gets 20-21 mpg city with some hooning, and looks STUNNING. I get compliments 2-3 times a week for how great the car looks.
Mine is silver with the OEM 19's and I paint the highbeam reflector bowls yellow, really gives the front end a unique look.
911e46z06
> highmodulus
08/15/2013 at 20:04 |
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You should get an e36 and an e30 to complete the set.
Or a C5 Z06 if you can find one. Bimmers are so refined and wonderful, but sometimes a man just needs to make a bunch of smoke and noise.