I don't know what I want

"The Real Dacia Sandero" (the-real-dacia-sandero) 07/01/2014 at 13:31 • Filed to: Miata

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I'm currently in that stage every car enthusiast faces. I'm bored with my car. Also, I'm about to leave home and not have access to a practical car when I need to carry more stuff than can fit into my Miata.

I love my Miata. It has a few issues and quirks, but is overall pretty great. There's no power, but she handles a treat and the tires have the perfect amount of grip to have fun but still grip well. I love the Miata community. The community in my area is so welcoming and the people are really great. There's regular hangouts and club drives on fantastic backroads. Plus, Miatas at the Gap is a fantastic yearly adventure.

But, it isn't practical. I'm a musician and can't carry my full setup in the car. The top leaks, which hasn't been an issue as I have a garage space. However, that ends soon. Also, there's no a/c, it's useless in snow, and not really fun even on rainy days.

Lastly, I'm bored with it. The only upgrades left to do on the car are 1.Forced Induction(don't want, too much money and fuss) 2.High end suspension upgrades(custom coilovers, etc) 3. Wheels/Tires 4. Paint/Bodywork. So, I can't waste money on mods anymore unless I throw down serious money. Almost everything sub $1k has been done. I know, first world problems....

I don't really know what I want. A clean e30 or 944 would be awesome. A Fiesta ST, Abarth 500, or BRZ would be unbelievably awesome. However, I'm 20 and have no credit, and nobody can/will cosign for me. And with school and living on my own, I don't need a maintenance pit that has german parts prices. Another option is to get a shitty Civic, Accord, Corolla beater. There's a few around that are cheap, but then I'll have to deal with the costs associated with two cars.

Anyways, if you've made it this far, here's a pic of one of my bucketlist cars for dealing with my bitching....

daender > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 13:36

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Time for a Miata trailer!

Jagvar > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 13:39

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I don't need a maintenance pit that has German parts prices.

Oh, but you do.

PheeNoIVI > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 13:41

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You should buy a used Z or Rx.

PS9 > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 13:43

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You may not know what you want, but I do.

Decay buys too many beaters > daender 07/01/2014 at 13:44

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Have you tracked and autocrossed your Miata? I was getting bored with my FR-S, but doing some real performance driving made me fall in love all over again.

As for more transport options, you might be surprised at how little a second car adds in recurring costs. I'd say (if and only if you have space for two cars) pick up an old beater volvo or work truck.

extraspecialbitter > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 13:48

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Well, if you're not sure, one place you should start is: how much are you willing to spend?

daender > Decay buys too many beaters 07/01/2014 at 13:55

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Autocrossed? Yes. Tracked? No and not planning to with this car. Although my friend bought a tire trailer for his tracked NB and it seems to do just fine. I wouldn't mind having two cars but I don't need a hauler in the immediate future (unless a cheap beater S-10 shows up).

twochevrons > Decay buys too many beaters 07/01/2014 at 13:59

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Seconded on the Volvo idea. Several Opponauts (myself included) have recently found out just how cheaply you can pick up an 850 for.

The 850 wagon is stupidly huge inside, well-built and easy to fix (although not quite so bulletproof as the RWD bricks), and, especially in turbocharged form, a thoroughly entertaining drive. Plus, even as a 25-year-old guy, mine costs next to nothing to insure. Sure, it isn't going to be as fun to drive as a Miata, but if you've got the space for a second car, they're well worth a look.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 14:02

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Buy a crappy beater Corolla or something for the time being. You're young, in school, and don't have the credit to get a loan on a car you'd really like. Stick it out for the time being, make it through school, get the good job, and then reward yourself.

That's what I did!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 14:11

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Have you considered putting it up for a trade? Might not get an E30, but an E36 could be doable. Then you get a new car AND it's a big bigger.

Decay buys too many beaters > daender 07/01/2014 at 14:13

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I'd say give it a try on the track (no need for a tire trailer, summer tires will do just fine). It's kind of like a really good (as in perfect smooth) canyon road with absolutely no chance of police or opposing traffic.

daender > Decay buys too many beaters 07/01/2014 at 14:18

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I've been to trackdays but I'm not ready to put holes in the Miata's pristine interior for a proper rollbar. Nor do I have the cash to purchase one yet.

Jayhawk Jake > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 14:49

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C5 Corvette

This is my Miata answer now. Look at the trunk!

SO MUCH ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES! Seriously, I looked at one of these yesterday, it's a cavernous area. You could easily DD a Corvette.

Decay buys too many beaters > daender 07/01/2014 at 15:54

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Oh sorry, I assumed the one up top might be yours. I can totally see not wanting to do that if not done already.

The Real Dacia Sandero > Decay buys too many beaters 07/01/2014 at 18:25

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I haven't tracked or autocrossed it yet. I'm too big to fit a rollbar safely, and don't have cash for autocross at the moment. Tuition plus now rent and all that will bankrupt me.

The Real Dacia Sandero > PheeNoIVI 07/01/2014 at 18:28

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I would love a 240z or 260z, but everything around here that's affordable is trashed. An Rx7 would be cool but I don't trust rotaries with my uncertain income. I do lots of freelance, so I never know how much cash I'll have.

PheeNoIVI > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 18:31

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Thats a good point. How much can you spend? Maybe a 350z?

The Real Dacia Sandero > extraspecialbitter 07/01/2014 at 18:37

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Well, if it's a beater, under $2k. I want something nice enough to trust, but cheap enough to just get liability insurance.

If an upgraded car: My Miata plus the parts I can sell would total $4-5k. There's some accident damage from earlier in it's life, so the value isn't all there.If I'm getting something nice, maybe swing $3-4k additional cash as christmas and my birthday fall around the time where I'd be looking at doing it.

So, I'd say a budget of $8k for something different I'd like to look at cars normally ranging $5-6k so I could buy a super clean model that has good service history.

Requirements:

Awesome handling

Manual

Cargo space for decent amount of stuff(no 2 seat conv.)

Awesome Handling(it's that important)

affordable insurance(sub $200mo for 21yo with clean record)

decent in winter

Working a/c

good mods/parts/community support

Wishes:

Sunroof or Convertible top

The Real Dacia Sandero > PheeNoIVI 07/01/2014 at 18:39

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$7-8k if I sold the Miata.

I don't care for the 350z, too heavy and not enough space. My Miata weighs about 2100lbs, I like that.

PheeNoIVI > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/01/2014 at 21:24

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Yeah imcthe same weigh with weight. What about an acura RSX type s?

The Real Dacia Sandero > PheeNoIVI 07/01/2014 at 22:36

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I've thought about it. The high redline is cool.

However it's a bit heavy for what it is and I'm not really into fwd unless I'm getting the real practicality of a hot hatch. There's other options I'd take for the money.

extraspecialbitter > The Real Dacia Sandero 07/02/2014 at 11:07

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Cool. What's your daily travel gonna be like? (MPG factor)

Are you open to financing, or do you just want to buy it flat out? I'm assuming the latter.

If you're really looking, I'd go as far as 200 miles for my search radius if your area is slim pickins.

I'm leaning towards suggesting a hatchback, but I think you can find something better.

The Real Dacia Sandero > extraspecialbitter 07/02/2014 at 13:32

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Daily travel will just be like 15-20 miles. Anything 20+ on mileage would be okay.

I can't swing financing right now.

I'm in Northern VA. Area code 22407

I've been thinking about either a e30 or maybe a clean s14 Silvia. A mk1 GTi could be cool too. I like fox bodies but insurance is insane. Sub 3000lbs is lightly on the requirement.

The Real Dacia Sandero > Jagvar 07/02/2014 at 13:34

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Never got a notification for this, BUT YOU STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!