Let's say.... Part 1

"AM3R" (AM3R) 01/26/2014 at 20:41 • Filed to: Let's say

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Let's say you have $20k saved up. And let's say you're a young bachelor who now lives on his own, and you need a set of wheels so you can live your life.

You don't have kids or a wife/girlfriend to cart around. You're a one car kind of guy... Mostly because that's all you can afford and it's all you have space for. No restrictions at all..... buuuut you have to haul your stuff for work/sports around and it just won't fit in a Miata . You love Miata's, but you love playing hockey more, and you just can't fit your hockey stick in it! What would you buy?

Personally, I'd go for an E92 335i. It's fun, I can comfortable carry 3 friends (or lady friends) around with me, and whenever I have to get to that hockey game I can fold one of the rear seats down, or if I'm lucky enough my car will have the Ski bag option that came with the cold weather package.

Lets say is going to become a regular thing. Every night I'll give you a different scenario and you have to pick what you would do in that situation

Bandit > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:44

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A lotus esprit because why play hockey when you can ski.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:44

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S2k, much bigger trunk than a Miata.

twinturbobmw > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:44

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I approve of the 335i.

midengineer > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:45

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If have to go with a BMW M coupe. I do t play any sports that require large/lots of equipment. It looks like it can carry a 'decent' amount of things, at least compared to my MR2.

AM3R > Bandit 01/26/2014 at 20:45

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All I'm seeing is a great place to store hockey sticks!

GhostZ > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:45

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E28 535i + mods, gas, and maintenance

I'd suggest a Jaguar XKR, but I don't know if you could use the trunk/backseat of that thing for work stuff and avoid ruining the leather.

I'd also suggest a Ford Crown Victoria, but that may not be sporting enough.

I'd also like to mention that you can fit hockey sticks (and skiing equipment, AND golf back at the same time) in almost any generation of Mustang or Camaro. I used to haul 8-foot long 2x4s around in my 1998 Mustang just fine.

Ravey Mayvey Slurpee Surprise > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:46

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I'd go a bit different. Lexus IS300 in this colour. Either:
1. Get some tasteful mods with the remainder.
2. Get a weekend car with the remainder.

48 Spoons > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:47

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FR-S, which is what I actually did. Can hold quite a lot of stuff with the seats down, screw carrying people.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:47

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What about a Vortech Supercharged 350Z?

I saw one on Autotrader for $18,000 a few months back. It piqued my interest, so I googled it, and found out they make about 440hp and 350ft-lbs.
That's 140hp and 90ft-lbs more than a stock 350Z!

GhostZ > Ravey Mayvey Slurpee Surprise 01/26/2014 at 20:47

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wagonwagonwagonwagonwagon

scoob > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:49

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Ravey Mayvey Slurpee Surprise > GhostZ 01/26/2014 at 20:50

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If I could find one, yes. But finding one is like getting Jennifer Lawrence to go out on a date with me.

CPT Speedbump > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 01/26/2014 at 20:51

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The issue with S/C Z's is that people always end up removing the S/C and buying Twin Turbo's for it

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:53

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e46 M3. All the same goodiness, Much more awesome.

Brian Silvestro > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:54

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Yo dawg

davedave1111 > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 20:54

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You can easily fit hockey stuff in an MX-5 with the roof down. Quit your moaning about weather.

AM3R > scoob 01/26/2014 at 20:55

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Only if it's world rally blue, and has bronze wheels.

AM3R > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) 01/26/2014 at 20:57

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Exactly.

GhostZ > CPT Speedbump 01/26/2014 at 20:58

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Yeah, I would prefer a super charger but coming after the 300ZX TT, most people want turbos. Stillen does a badass supercharger job on the 350z though.

GhostZ > 48 Spoons 01/26/2014 at 20:58

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Fuck people, acquire Oppo

trynthink > GhostZ 01/26/2014 at 20:59

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IIRC the wagon only came with the autobox.

CPT Speedbump > GhostZ 01/26/2014 at 21:00

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Just can't get the power out with a s/c too though, people end up wanting more, I'm still trying to decide on mine what to do. That said, I've not scene or heard much on a built VQ running a s/c, usually only stock VQ's, so I'm curious as to how much power it could make on a built motor and different pulleys..

Clown Shoe Pilot > midengineer 01/26/2014 at 21:00

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It can't. The cargo area is laughably small. Best sports for M coupe owners are things like hacky-sack. MAYBE some competitive pistol shooting, but rifle and shotgun are right out.

trynthink > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 21:02

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Came here to say this. Could also do the Mk 7* GTI, which feels a little more grown-up and less shouty.

* PSA: in case anyone didn't know, mk reads as "mark" not "m. k."

fhrblig > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 21:03

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Knowing me, I'd have gone for a used Jeep TJ Wrangler (probably an Unlimited) with the inline-six and a manual. Like this one. And then I'd have probably spent the rest on cigars to stink it up.

stuttgartobsessed > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 21:03

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Can't you just put the top down...? Convertible = great for hauling odd shaped/long things because no roof.

GhostZ > CPT Speedbump 01/26/2014 at 21:04

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You can totally get the power out of a supercharger, the problem is space and heat. A turbo doesn't get much larger to produce more power because it can take in greater amounts of exhaust.

A supercharger needs an under/overdrive pulley to spin faster than the engine, and even then, is limited by how large it physically is. A 700HP 350z would need a supercharger that was big enough that the hood would need to be cut up to fit, and then have even more cooling and plumbing to make it work. That's clearly a problem for most people, and it just gets too expensive. That's my theory, anyway.

But yeah, to break 500HP, you have to rebuild the bottom end of those motors I think. You probably know more about it than I do, I'm relatively unfamiliar (compared to other Z engines) about the specifics of the VQ.

Brian Silvestro > trynthink 01/26/2014 at 21:05

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More than 20K!

midengineer > Clown Shoe Pilot 01/26/2014 at 21:09

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Haha, well damn. Regardless, if I have to live with only playing hacky-sack to own one then play hacky-sack I shall.

promoted by the color red > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 21:12

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Ooh I know!

...oh wait, I live in North America. WELL FUCK YOU TOO, VAG.

Since I AM more-or-less that person you're describing (sans the $20,000), I can tell you I hate my eardrums and spine. So I'd take a race-base Integra Type-R in Performance Yellow. It's got space for stuff in the back, fold-down rear seats, and I can do MAD AUTOCROSS with it.

JR1 > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 21:19

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C5 Corvette and probably the hatch back for the hockey crap

CPT Speedbump > GhostZ 01/26/2014 at 21:19

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I know for sure the rods need replaced after 500, as stock rods just won't hold up past that point.

NotACactus > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 21:21

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W211 E55 or E63 if it one exists below $20k. All the space in the world, wrapped in leather. More than 450hp going to the rear wheels to ensure that you never have rear tires or go in a straight line.

472CID > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 21:22

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Truck with a couple motorcycles.

one "car" - check

haul you stuff for work/sports - check

faster and more fun than just about anything on 4 wheels - check

trynthink > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 21:41

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Sorry, I wasn't clear as to whether "$20k saved up" meant $20k down payment or $20k budget. Anyway, to get it under $20k, I'd just go for the Mk6 GTI.

More importantly, how are there all these STs for sale with 6000 miles that are a year old and under $20k when the car lists for $25k?

AM3R > 472CID 01/26/2014 at 22:03

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Hmm I like the way you think

Dunnik > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 22:04

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Your E92 is a solid choice. Lots of solid choices here.

But speaking as someone who has also lugged hockey equipment and sticks, and assuming that you are from a northern clime, what I think you really need is an AWD or RWD sport wagon. I think it's what I need too. I think it's what everybody needs. Sport wagon all the things!

Yes, yes, you can tie down your hockey bag to a trunk rack on a Miata, and you can, um, drive with the top down and the sticks poking up, but that's gonna be friggen cold, so let's do this properly, shall we?

RWD sport wagons tend to be old and slow or new and too expensive. And what with the winter we've been having, AWD makes more sense than ever, so what you want - what I'm starting to think I want too - is this:

The B7 A4 Avant. Both it and low mileage B6's are available for around $20k in Canada. Good luck finding a manual, though, most seem to be automatics (with tiptronic, at least).

Brian Silvestro > trynthink 01/26/2014 at 22:04

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I have no idea!

AM3R > NotACactus 01/26/2014 at 22:05

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These go sub $20k all day long. Good choice

AM3R > Dunnik 01/26/2014 at 22:07

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You can possibly find a B8 Avant around $20k if you look hard enough. Unfortunately auto only :(

Dunnik > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 22:10

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I'm really starting to think newer Audis with manuals are unicorns.

Oh, and obligatory:

BeaterGT > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 22:11

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I'm exactly the buyer this scenario describes. I'm stuck between the Audi S4 and BMW 335XI. Please put forth your suggestions Jalops

BeaterGT > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 22:14

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Why not S4 or 335XI? Both AWD and 6speed available.

AM3R > BeaterGT 01/26/2014 at 22:18

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Wow, even with the hockey gear?!

I might be a little biased as I own an E90 but get the 335xi. I'm assuming you need AWD as both your options are AWD.

Pros: you can go coupe or sedan
Huge aftermarket
Easily become an M3 killer
IMO looks better than the S4 (unless it's a B8, which I don't think it is for $20k)
All common problems have been found and DIY are easily found online
Reliability isn't as bad as you think

Cons: you'll have the urge to back into every parking space
You'll begin to double park
You'll spend too much on mods.

LoremIpsum010101 > 472CID 01/26/2014 at 22:18

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Abso-fucking-lutely

revrseat70 > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 22:20

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If this isn't hypothetical. I say get what you want, which sounds like it's the 335i. Used cars are all extremely different. Even in the price range. If it is hypothetical, I say BMW is too love it or hate it. Many of the kinda girls you actually want to be around don't like guys with them. I'd go a less flashy but newer route like the aforementioned Fiesta ST, GTI, or FRS. All of those are great cars and will be just as fun as they are reliable. Nothing worse than telling your lady friend she has to drive tonight because your car broke and you can't afford car parts. M3's are+$40k cars beat down to $20k, but still have maintenance costs of it's original price tag.

AM3R > Dunnik 01/26/2014 at 22:21

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I'd gladly trade in my E90 for a 6MT B8 A4 if I could find one local to me that was nicely optioned.

And I love that video! The guy is actually pretty local to me!

AM3R > revrseat70 01/26/2014 at 22:23

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It's completely hypothetical haha, although I do already own an E90 328i that's been very reliable so far (runs to the forest to knock on every piece of wood in sight)

revrseat70 > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 22:34

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No doubt BMW's are bulletproof. Just look how many classics are still running around. I just mean, when things do need to be done, it is a bigger expense than a warranted, cheap and cheerful fun-box

BeaterGT > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 22:40

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Not hockey gear, but camping/mtb junk which probably requires the same if not more cargo room. Don't really want to go with a wagon though. Good points on the 335xi, especially the coupe and sedan part; didn't realize that.

AWD is a must, have a Legacy GT now and back that into spots regularly.

BeaterGT > BeaterGT 01/26/2014 at 22:44

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Nvm you already answered

Milky > GhostZ 01/26/2014 at 22:56

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I want a sticker of that soooooo bad.

(I drive a 2 seater)

WhiskeyGolf > AM3R 01/26/2014 at 23:26

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I fit your criteria (male, single and I play hockey) and I drive a Golf. If I had $20k to spend instead, I'd probably get a 135i. My dad drives a 328 and I think I'd prefer the smaller size. You can get a hockey bag in there, right?

marshknute > BeaterGT 01/27/2014 at 00:00

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Get the S4. Used BMW's redefine the word "unreliable." Speaking from experience, they're in a completely different level of awful, even if you meticulously maintain them.

Audi simply does a better job of making a sport sedan. The B7 S4 is WAY more luxurious than any 3 Series, and be honest, comfort is what you really want 99% of the time (even if your inner Jalop pretends otherwise). Once more, the BMW's dynamic advantages over the S4 are unappreciable, especially since the S4 has one of the best sounding engines ever put into a road car.

The S4 looks better, sounds better, goes better, and is a better DD.

BeaterGT > marshknute 01/27/2014 at 00:11

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All that plus the idea of a V8 AWD is bonkers to me.

MDP310 > trynthink 01/27/2014 at 20:27

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I considered waiting for these to be on sale in the US but then got a Cadillac that cost twice as much instead because there's something wrong with me.