So, I'm buying a car next month... (evening crowd...)

"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy) 11/24/2014 at 19:50 • Filed to: None

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30

... or so...

Basically I have a few options: next month or January I can buy a car with the money I've made here in Japan, or I can wait, keep on struggling with these awesome cars that want to make me kill myself that are the Toyota Passo and the Subaru R2 and save a bit more to get something "nicer".

Here are the choices I have right now: (you'll notice I have removed the Cappuccino and Az1 from the list... I need more space. Just can't have those for now. Keep also in mind that prices are not the same here as in the US or in Europe)

- Miata: good ol' miata... Cheap and ton of fun. Would take one with a hardtop so I can install a small roofrack once in a while. Would probably chose one slightly trackday prepped too.: 4000$ max

- Mr2 GT or GT-S post 1994: 240hp, mid engine that will want to kill me but well, who cares... Cheap as fuck too: I can get a nice one here for less than 5000$

- Nissan GTR R32: Not much into 4WD, but at least I can transform it into a RWD car by removing a fuse. I like that. And I better snatch one before you americans jump on all of them anytime soon and drive the prices up like crazy. 9000$ or so for a decent one

- Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R: Meh, why not... Not a fan of how they look, not to mention that it's pretty hard to find one that is still stock and unabused, but there are some... It's fast and fun: 7000$

Or I wait longer and then:

- BMW E36 M3 with the proper engine: 14000$ for a nice one here

-BMW E30 M3: no need to describe it... 20000$ (yes they can still be found in pretty damn good condition at this price here)

- Alpina C2 2.5: somewhat rare, cool and fun: 16000$

- Alpine GTA V6 Turbo: 16000$ original and fun...

Also and last but not least, because it's next to my home and let's face it I love it:

- Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV 1.8: 12000$... I would have to wait a bit before buying it but not very much... I LOVE that car. Comes with a LSD and it's one of the very few RHD version of the car.

So? Keeping the prices in mind and everything and considering that yes, the car I'll take will be my daily driver, what is the best "fun/price/cost/resell" ratio of all those cars? Which one should be my daily driver? Is it worth waiting 4 or 5 more months to save for a E30 M3 or an Alpine GTA Turbo? or should I just go and buy a miata tomorrow?

(Ansers like buy the miata now and sell it in 4 or 5 months are not acceptable... If I buy something I keep it for a little while, whatever it is... )

Brian Silvestro > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 08:27

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Autozam AZ-1 or bust.

Or Alfa.

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 08:29

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Just go with the Miata or Mr2... You'll hate yourself in the long run trying to keep up the maintenance on an E30 or S50b32 m3. That said, I'm the guy who would buy the E36 anyways, but I'd strongly prefer the Spec-R S15, if they were anywhere to be found in the US... GAH!

Edit: If I were in Japan, my FIRST pick would be a GT-86 RC.

Toofdoc > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 08:40

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My God! You have fantastic taste! I don't think you could go wrong. Those Mr2s are pretty sweet. The R32 would be fun too. Good luck and post pictures when you start the search.

thedevilinside > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 08:45

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MR2 for the price sounds like a deal. Maintenance wouldn't be too bad right? I think one of the japanese cars that are so much cheaper there are the way to go if not the MR2

Flavien Vidal > Toofdoc 11/24/2014 at 08:45

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The r32 is tempting... especially since i know I'll probably be able to resell it here on Oppo when i will want to get rid of it as it will be importable by then :)

Flavien Vidal > Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge 11/24/2014 at 08:46

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They are the easiest to deal with... but... i don't know... so i really want a Miata? or a Mr2? Those are rather.... basic no?

Jobjoris > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 08:46

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E30 M3, for that kind of money! But that's not a RHD, is it? My choice would be that Alpina probably, especially when you daily it. Alfetta GTV 1.8 as a daily? Never. Same for that Alpine. Driving with your top down is always fun as well so maybe Miata is still the answer...

Flavien Vidal > Brian Silvestro 11/24/2014 at 08:48

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Creating my own company now... i need a minimum of cargo space... and let's face it, installing a roof rack on an Az1 is not easy lol

Flavien Vidal > Jobjoris 11/24/2014 at 08:52

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Meh I'm OK with the Alfa and its dual carb as a daily... i can deal with it. As for the Alpine, well, I'm from an Alpine oriented family with my father owning an A110 1600sc, and most family friends owning some other Alpine (a610, gta turbo or not...). I'm all set for parts and diy books haha

The e30s are LHD, but that's no problem here as even tolls are set for LHD cars which are very common here.

Party-vi > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 08:53

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$14k for an E36 M3? Cray cray.

Flavien Vidal > Party-vi 11/24/2014 at 09:01

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Proper 3.2 engine and not abused, it's a pretty good deal... I'm in Japan, not in Germany :)

Brian Silvestro > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 09:08

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but it would be hilarious.

Party-vi > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 09:19

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For $14k you can get a decent E46 M3 in the US. You could probably get an OK coupe and sedan for $14k total here as well.

Jobjoris > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 09:30

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Then my friend there's only one correct way to go: Go get that Alpine!!!

Dsscats > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 09:50

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MR2, R32 or S15.

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 10:10

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Where I'm from, you're the coolest guy around if you've got an NA or an MR2 GT-S. haha And with the MR2, you're basically getting Lotus/Porsche fun, for not much $$$ at all. Especially with the low maintenance costs. Money-no-object, which car on this list would you take home tomorrow? What does your heart tell you to buy?

Flavien Vidal > Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge 11/24/2014 at 19:35

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E30 m3 of course hehe :)

Flavien Vidal > Party-vi 11/24/2014 at 19:53

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In the US yes... but not here :)

Prices are interesting for some cats, less interesting for others... the used car market here is defiantly very different.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 20:01

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That list... I mean... all of my wants. But alas; Alfetta. You already love it, you're 90% there.

Funktheduck > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 21:05

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I'll have to think on it a bit before giving my choice to help muddy the decision making waters for you. But one thing to think about is maintenance. Some of your choices look like they'd be pricey to work on or have fixed. Or availability/ease of getting parts.

Roadster Man > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 21:07

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Go right now and get an R33 Skyline GTS-T. Angular 80's goodness and a turbo RB20...

Flavien Vidal > Roadster Man 11/24/2014 at 21:21

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not a fan of the r33... and I think you meant to say r31, as the r33 is from the mid 90s and not angular at all :)

Conan > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 21:30

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I think I'd look at the MR2, Alpina C2, or the Alfa Romeo. Some fantastic choices.

Roadster Man > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 21:47

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OOPS. I meant R31. The one before the R32.

BJ > Flavien Vidal 11/24/2014 at 21:58

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My pick would be the MR2 - for that kind of money it sounds like a great deal of fun.

Would it be sufficiently practical for your needs, though? I'm guessing the frunk isn't terribly spacious.

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > Flavien Vidal 11/25/2014 at 06:30

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Then that is what you must buy! There is no other option..... -_-

Especially if you can actually find a nice one for 20K. A half-decent runner costs 30K+ over here!

Flavien Vidal > Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge 11/25/2014 at 06:50

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http://www.goo-net.com/usedcar/spread…

Let's just say that this one is expensive (25K$) and that I know where to find a couple of cheaper ones in similar shape. 130000 miles for this one... The ones I've seen had around 90000 miles on them :)

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > Flavien Vidal 11/25/2014 at 09:12

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I'd say you've got it all figured out there, sir! haha Get you a 4-pot ///M!!

Flavien Vidal > Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge 11/25/2014 at 09:18

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But 5 to 6 months driving a freaking Toyota Passo and a Subaru R2... both autos. Do you know what I'm going through right now??? I mean DO YOU??? :)

Seriously I don't know what to do... I don't know if I can wait that long. Unless I make really good money in the next month, which may motivate me and significantly shorten the "saving money" time, I don't think I'll be able to wait.

Group B Enthusiast - Captain of the supercharged barge > Flavien Vidal 11/25/2014 at 12:54

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Hahaha I'm actually going through that same thing right now... I've been driving and fixing an '04 Buick Park Ave Ultra for the last year and a half. Granted, it's not a Passo, and I put a sweet stereo system in it, but I'm sick of spending $$$$$ to fix the damn thing every couple months, and still have recurring issues. But, I also have to continue saving for another 5-6 months before I can get something I really want. XD I think we'll both be glad we waited it out for the higher-tier stuff!