What would you buy?

"Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman." (ryanwacker02) 08/15/2013 at 18:38 • Filed to: None

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You have a budget range of $0-$16500(give or take) for a car. It will be driven about four days a week, so it need to be both liveable, and decently reliable. It will be modified over time with the goal of working well on mountain roads. Not as a horsepower monster or a circuit eater. Seats, engines, and drive wheels are all open categories.
What would you buy?

Lets Just Drive > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 18:40

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Qualifier question; $16,500 all in or as a downpayment?

Lets Just Drive > Lets Just Drive 08/15/2013 at 18:40

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Oh, and; actual cars found online or cars which should, hypothetically, be available in that range?

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 18:41

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I don't know if I'd use "livable" to describe the S2000. Not without "barely" preceding it.

Tempted to say IS300 but I've never driven one.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > Lets Just Drive 08/15/2013 at 18:42

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All in! I ain't made of money!
And things that should cost that much, in a hypothetical situation.

Casper > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 18:43

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I had an S2000 and loved it... just always wanted about another 100HP. Ended up selling it and building it's successor more or less from scratch to see if I could get closer to my ideal daily driver/weekend car.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 08/15/2013 at 18:43

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I find it liveable. On the far end, yeah. But It's something I could live my young single mans life in.

I wish I could speak for the IS300. But I've never so much as touched one.

Decay buys too many beaters > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 18:44

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Need more info.

What is the climate?

Will you need to transport others?

Will you need to transport things?

I ask because $16000 will put you among some of the very best motorcycles. I know a few people who DD a bike and are able to make that work. You could probably do under 10K for a top tier bike, and spend 3k on a decent beater car.

Lets Just Drive > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 18:44

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I know seats, engines and drive wheels are open categories so I'm gonna assume the same of transmission choice. But I do need to know one thing before I go on; how big are you?

As a former STi owner, and 6'5 Canadian, I loved that car I just hated being inside of it (it was like a poorly sized ice-skate) and, well, that's a real consideration for some people. If you're some big gorilla of a person, I don't want to recommend a Miata, for example (which is on the list, btw).

CB > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 18:45

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You can get some decent looking used Subarus for that price. Considering I live in Canada, all wheel drive is something I'd prefer.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > Decay buys too many beaters 08/15/2013 at 18:47

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Climate is a mixed bag! It's summers will be in a arid area that regularly hit's triple digits. It's falls and winters will be in the Pacific North West.

Maybe one other person. Any the biggest thing it would transport would be a tripod, or large video camera.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > Lets Just Drive 08/15/2013 at 18:49

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I'm about 6', but have comfortably fit in all varieties of Elises and Miatas and Stis, and the like.

Casper > Decay buys too many beaters 08/15/2013 at 18:50

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I ride my bike year round. A $16,000 bike puts you in S1000RR territory (or a touring equivalent).

Casper > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 18:51

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S2000s like snow. Mine made a great sleigh whenever it snowed.... and I never changed tires.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Casper 08/15/2013 at 18:51

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Toyobaru?

Casper > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 08/15/2013 at 18:54

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I bought my wife a BRZ. Not my cup of tea, but not bad. I'm building a 240Z again... but with as much money as my S2000 was worth (around $20,000).

Here's a pic of them mingling the night before I took the Z to start being gutted and rebuilt.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > Casper 08/15/2013 at 18:55

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RWD cars are usually very manageable in snow/rain for me. I wasn't sure how an S2000 would do however. Good to hear it does well.

Casper > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 18:58

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It's one of the easiest. Some cars... *cough* 300ZX *cough*... are a pain in the snow, but the S2000 is great. The diff responds really fast, the balance keeps the rear from kicking out unless you really try, and it has a lot of rubber under it for the weight.

Decay buys too many beaters > Casper 08/15/2013 at 18:58

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I can't ride year round (thanks Pacific NW!) but I do ride just about every day during the summer months.

Yeah, on the used market, you could pick up pretty much any bike you would want for that price.

apr10427 - Greedo never fired > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 19:00

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The A3 can get lost in a crowd, but an '06 2.0T will leave you some cash to make improvements immediately. With the same engine as a GTI, there are plenty a performance parts available.

Casper > Decay buys too many beaters 08/15/2013 at 19:01

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I'm in the NW, Oregon... I just don't mind raid/cold/slush/snow. I try not to ride on ice much, I get tired of doing the supermoto leg out slides. One of these times I'm going to drop my bike hard.

dropthatclutch > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 19:13

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You can find some quality early to mid 00's WRXs and 350Zs in that range. If you dig you can find some GTOs or MazadaSpeed 3s for that.
Of course there are always GTIs and SIs.

Decay buys too many beaters > Casper 08/15/2013 at 19:13

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Also in Oregon, but my bike hates starting in anything under 50 degrees (actually she hates starting in general). Since, I don't own cold weather or wet riding gear, that's never really been an issue though.

Casper > Decay buys too many beaters 08/15/2013 at 19:17

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Ah, carbed? My last bike would act up in the cold from time to time, so far the Ninja 1000 doesn't mind cold or wet, but will sometimes take come coaxing when really hot (hard riding + 100F day).

RidgeFish > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 19:23

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I think the obvious 350z, WRX, GTO, Mustang GT, Mazdaspeed 3, etc... have already been mentioned so I will tell you what I did. I was in the same boat with a similar budget back in March and I settled on a Solstice GXP with low miles and a 4 yr warranty. It sounds like you value something RWD, light and nimble, and don't require much cargo space. I have a Mazdaspeed 3 as a DD, but find that if I don't require the extra space I usually grab the keys to the Solstice. I have driven it stock since I bought it and have been having a blast, but in the works are ~$400 worth of chassis bracing from ddmworks to improve handling, and a $200 Trifecta tune to bring crank power levels to ~320hp/340tq

Aloha Milkyway > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 19:27

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Default answer would be an E36 328i. This with a half cage, KW Variant 2 coilovers along with Rouge Engineering RSM's. Stopping power will be provided by either StopTech or, if it still fits in the budget, Brembos. Adhesion by Neovas perhaps. For power, Turner Motorsport with a stage 2 performance pack . If the budget still allows it, throw in Schrick cams as well. Also, replace the stock seats with Recaro NJoys. I'll just remove some of the deadening to try and make it lighter.

Decay buys too many beaters > Casper 08/15/2013 at 19:30

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Yep, 1982 Yamaha Virago. It has a starter that is geared poorly and on a good day has trouble turning over a cold engine. Once warmed up though, I've never had issues re-starting.

Eventually I'll get something newer, but my tendency toward utilitarianism will not let me get rid of vehicles while they are still able to move under their own power.

twinturbobmw > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 19:31

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I would go for the MazdaSpeed6.

Casper > Decay buys too many beaters 08/15/2013 at 19:32

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Well that Yamaha maybe able to move under it's own power for a very long time. A lot of those bikes were like the energizer bunny... they just weren't going to get there in a hurry.

I want to get an older bike like that to turn into a cafe racer one day. Of course that will be when I have more parking for all my projects/toys.

Saracen > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 19:40

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Decay buys too many beaters > Casper 08/15/2013 at 19:44

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Yeah, I'm also pushing the upper limits on number of vehicles (2 cars, 1 bike) for my apartment (which technically only allows one vehicle)

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > twinturbobmw 08/15/2013 at 19:51

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Oh snap! Forgot these were even a thing! Is there good aftermarket for them?

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > Aloha Milkyway 08/15/2013 at 19:53

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Interesting, interesting. I was recommended a very specific model of E46 as well, but it escapes me at the moment. 330i ZHP, I think.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > RidgeFish 08/15/2013 at 19:54

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Weren't those cool fastbacks too? I totally forgot about the Solstice.

oddhammer > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 19:59

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I'll take the white s2k in your postpic. HARDTOP cuz winter. (dusts hands off and walks away.)

jts2087 > Casper 08/15/2013 at 20:15

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I love your 240z... Life goal to resto-mod one, just a timeless look and so much potential to make them a great balance of power/handling. Good luck with the build!

Casper > jts2087 08/15/2013 at 20:17

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Everyone on here will be sick of it a week after it's built. I will be talking about it too much. It's almost a year in the making and I'm having clutch withdrawls.

Milky > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 20:19

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I made this under 10k decision

But a couple more grand would get you into the SRT-6, just an option for ya.

mr. idk > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 20:19

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The E46 M3 is by a landslide the all-around best car under $20k, and many can be found for $12-16k

MountainCommand > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 20:31

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If i did it again. I wouldnt think twice about buying another Prelude (1997-01)

Its very usable, new enough for DD comfort, but old enough to where its easier to work on and modify. You can get a very very good one for about half that price. All you have to do is read the car magazine reviews to see how fun this car is in the twisties. Very reliable, and when you want, its good on gas.

If you plan on not going HP crazy, you should get a Type SH model. They have an ATTS system that puts lots more power to the outside wheel in a turn, giving you the illusion of oversteer. Downside, it can only handle about 250hp through the system.

Id reccomend an s2000, but if you have to live with the car as pretty much a semi DD, id want one with a real roof. And a bit more room for comfort and random do-dads you carry around.

Thats my opinion. I dont think im biased at all..... -_- not one bit.....

davedave1111 > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 20:31

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You can get a Lotus Elan for that money. So a Lotus Elan, obviously. Anyone picking anything else is just wrong .

LeadfootYT > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 20:55

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Legacy GT. This one sold for $13,500 with the wheels, had 70k or so on it. It remains the best car I've ever driven (and I've had the honor of driving CTS-V wagons, S4s, and my own E24 BMW, which I love, but isn't a winter car).

And thanks to BTLegacyGT (forget his exact username), you can now LS1 swap it when you feel tired of the over-100k maintenance (Subarus are generally impeccable up until the 100k mark, at which point they cost more to maintain than a high-end BMW).

twinturbobmw > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 20:58

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I'm not good with Mazda but a quick Google search says the aftermarket is good. Not as good as a Mustang or anything but there are enough choises for mods.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > davedave1111 08/15/2013 at 20:59

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Ya know,I've caught myself thinking about it. There was a red one in town I'd see from time to time.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > MountainCommand 08/15/2013 at 21:00

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I saw two Preludes today, more than I've seen in the past year, and thought of you and yours. I had a friend who had built a turbo one, and I remembered how much I dug that car.
And I agree. As for S2000s, I'm on the hunt for the rare bird that has a factory hardtop included. I actually HATE convertibles. Hate. But I have a big enough love affair with the S2000 to overlook it's stupid roof.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > mr. idk 08/15/2013 at 21:02

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That cheap? Really?
I'm sure insurance, and maintenance must be a killer though.

I have been looking for a techno purple E36 however...

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > Saracen 08/15/2013 at 21:03

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Can you really get them for that low? Not sure I would anyway. But I expected them to be getting up there a bit more.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > LeadfootYT 08/15/2013 at 21:04

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That cheap, huh? That is my favorite bodystyle. And I thing they did a GT wagon too, no?

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > RidgeFish 08/15/2013 at 21:08

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You pretty much ran off the list I've been looking at, as I'm working with same specs as the OP. Leaning toward the Z personally at this point. You're plans for the Solstice sound awesome, always loved the looks.

Saracen > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 21:25

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There were several on autotrader in the 10k range when I looked a few weeks ago. I just looked today and there is one for 17k and one for 20k. Soooo, I guess it depends on your timing and condition of the car.

MountainCommand > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 21:34

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The miata and s2000 are my only exceptions to convertibles. Though, try and sit in an s2000. I recently got to, and was disappointed that i am too tall for the car. My head is nearly above the windscreen. Oddly, i fit better in a miata. Apart from that, it was comfy, but very little room if you have a passenger. You will be in your trunk all the time.

If you havent sat in a 5th gen prelude, try to do so as well. Feel out your possible prospects because they may have just had a good cover to their book, but their plot was terrible.

The trouble with a prelude is finding them. They still exist, but can take a while to find that clean, low mileage gem.

Though what about an s14. or sc300. Those are two cars i completely forgot about before i bought a prelude.

RidgeFish > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 22:32

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They did make a coupe version that looked amazing, but they were pretty rare and are probably out of your budget used. Also, while it was hard to find a regular Solstice GXP with a manual, its nearly impossible to find a coupe with one.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > MountainCommand 08/15/2013 at 22:35

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Yeah. It's been a few years since I've been in a Prelude or a S2000. I've grown a bit taller and wider since then.
I have a friend who is quite the Nissan collector and has a very well kept Notchtop SR20 swapped 240SX hatch. Paints a bit rough, but its 29 year old oaint afterall. About four years ago he decided he had finished with it, a blue car, and a red twin with a CA swap. Just got done with the builds, and has them for sale. He isn't activly trying to sell them, but he said if I was interested in either they're still there. And really, how many turbo SR 240s that aren't totally wrecked drift nuggets can you buy for $4000 in 2013?

RidgeFish > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ 08/15/2013 at 22:37

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I loved the 350z on a test drive, it was a newer model with the Rev-up motor that made more power but was known to drink oil. The 350z and Solstice actually had a similar feel to me but the Solstice edged it out due to: drop-top fun (which also means no track time unless a cage is put in unfortunately), reliability (parts are cheap on the Solstice, and no major known issues), and ease of tuning with the turbo LNF motor. I am totally happy with the choice I made so far but would probably be just as happy with the Z.

Makoyouidiot > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 22:55

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Assuming the "not a horsepower monster" rules out the CLK 55 AMG I WOULD buy, then I would get a Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > RidgeFish 08/15/2013 at 22:58

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Yeah believe that would have been 05-06 model, in regards to the oil burning. I'm hoping to get into an 07-08 which apparently doesn't suffer from the ailments of the previous years.

LeadfootYT > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 23:23

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That was my reaction. He enjoys building the cars, and does all the work himself (he's a mechanic by trade), and sold it for what he put into it (making it quite possibly the only build I know of that technically made money). He only owned the thing for half a year or so after buying it stock, and is currently working on swapping a turbo M20 into his E21. But if you look around, you can find similar cars from similar owners.

And yes, they made a wagon, one of which I almost bought a while back (until I was advised by the owner of the above car to avoid performance Subarus with over 100k). But the wagons are awesome, and look great on 2011+ WRX wheels:

There was a beautiful lowered black LGT wagon with a subtle lip running these wheels that takes the cake on this (and almost made me go against my friend's advice).

Dammit, now you got me looking at them again.

Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. > Makoyouidiot 08/15/2013 at 23:37

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Had a 2.0 until about three months ago. Thought I nwas moving out of the country, so I gave it to my dad so he could trade it in to get a new truck. Plans changed very last minute and I now am without car.

Makoyouidiot > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/15/2013 at 23:48

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Man, that sucks.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/16/2013 at 02:21

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Easy
TOUAREG V10 TDI
you can find them for about $17K
put bigger turbos on it, there's the mods
comfort? need I say anything?
speed? well, it can do 130 mph!
cornering? slicks on it!
also, air suspension, so rides like a DS!

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/16/2013 at 10:13

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2006 Mustang GT. That is all I need. Find one cheap and use the rest for mods and ripping out the interior.

a cat named scruffy- live from Caldor > Spiderman, Non-Italian Imposter of Italian Spiderman. 08/17/2013 at 04:01

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I have an 04 IS300. Great car, very livable unless you have more than 3 in your family. The back seats are sort of cramped but I don't use them enough to care.

The auto trans isn't that great, it really needs 6 speeds instead of 5 and that's really my only complaint that I think about on a regular basis, the interior plastics are sort of crappy but I bought it for sport not luxury so I'm ok with that.

All of the manual transmissions I could find had been abused or CP priced so I ended up getting the auto which sucks when its hoon time but is decent 95% of the time.

I drove a manual car and the manual is good but not great, sometimes I wish I had kept looking (at hoon time usually) until I found one in good shape that wasn't CP priced.

The gas mileage isn't great for the amount of hp but any sporty car is probably going to be about the same. I get about 20mpg and it uses 91 octane.

To be honest the only car that I liked enough better in my price range that when I see one I sigh and think about what could have been is the RX-8.

I recommend finding both and trying them out. The RX-8 is going to be more high maintenance but it's still the most fun car I've ever driven.

I got the Lexus because I drive a lot and need something relatively low maintenance so that knocked a lot of cars out of contention.