Ok Oppo. I admit it, I have no idea which DD I'll end up with.

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt) 08/10/2015 at 12:40 • Filed to: None

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My #1 priority is making sure I buy a safe car, in mint condition, with good maintenance history and a passenger airbag. Notice that I didn’t say reliable or fuel efficient . Lol. I will pull the trigger on something this month (FINALLY), and I have no idea what it will be!? This is a strange idea to accept, but I think my goal is reasonable. There are so many interesting automotive experiences out there! I think I would enjoy DDing/wrenching on any of these:

If I found an enthusiast owned and maintained 540i/6 I wouldn’t be able to help myself. My friends and I specialize in maintaining late nineties/early 2000s BMW garbage, we know it’s horrible but we love the cars. This would be something I’d stay away from unless it was a private sale with a stack of maintenance records, new gaskets, and a refreshed cooling system. Because anyone who owns one of these and hasn’t done that already is asking for it!

Kouki S14s appeal to me on a “build it from scratch” level. First handling mods, then interior, then POWAHHH. Also, I’ve never owned a Japanese car, and I want to get into it. And I could buy a ludicrously nice one with my budget. But those rarely pop up at non-CP prices.

MMMMM LS400s. I’ve never had a Japanese car OR a V8. These are major issues.

In the United States, all 560SEC and 560SEL models came with passenger airbags as standard after 1989! That’s one more airbag than my 1989 635csi had! And it’s the same exact brand of 80’s German barge fun, but with a V8 soundtrack.

2006+ LGT, because the earlier models are on the Takata list and I don’t want to deal with it. I learned to drive in a 2001 Outback, and I like the strange mechanical sounds H4s make. Also BOOST. Haven’t tried that either.

S40 T5. More boost and even stranger exhaust noise. The current frontrunner. Everything I want in one discrete little swedish package. I think I have to buy an auto and swap it because all of the manual examples are at 190K miles and very CP.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 12:43

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I'll just leave this here.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 12:45

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Wait, what about a P71?

Noah - Now with more boost. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 08/10/2015 at 12:45

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YEP that’s a good one. I have a fetish for quads lol:

Noah - Now with more boost. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 08/10/2015 at 12:46

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Allergic. Hate cops.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 12:47

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But if you hate cops and drive a black P71, you're pretty much invincible.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 12:49

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If you want safe, look into A GM G-Body. Riviera, Aurora, Bonneville, Seville - the unibody on these cars was so strong that they had to bring in a crusher designed for heavy duty truck frames in order to find their failure point, because tue regular car frame crusher wasn’t powerful enough. Between the Series II 3800 and Northstar V8 they had some pretty awesome engines as well.

Noah - Now with more boost. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 08/10/2015 at 12:51

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Oh don’t get me wrong I think they’re cool! I just would never ever spend my own money on one. And I’m very sensitive to the quality of a car’s interior.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 12:53

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Infiniti Q45?

Dunnik > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 12:54

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All good choices for an enthusiast DD (well, except for the S14, what are you going to do, drive to work sideways??). But had you considered the W124? Almost bought one myself. Quite safe for a car its age, including drivers and (optional) passenger air bag. Built like panzers back when Mercs were constructed to a standard and not a price, I still see quite a few of them on the road.

Tripper > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 12:58

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Here’s to hoping your find that E39 540!

Noah - Now with more boost. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 08/10/2015 at 12:58

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Damn! That is a fascinating fact. I appreciate the benefits but I will never buy an FWD car unless I get married some day and she requests one. And I don’t even have a GF right now lol. I’ve driven a 3800 before though, actually a surprisingly fun motor. My friend let me drive his Olds Alero (so comfy!) all the way down to NYC, where I was thrilled to be driving something torquey with soft suspension. He had previously sideswiped a gas pump with it so it was already ‘totaled’ and I was free to embrace my aggressive nature and drive like an NYC cabby. SO fun.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Tripper 08/10/2015 at 13:00

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I’m a BMW/German car guy at heart so YEP.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:02

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Sounds like you need a Lincoln instead of the Ford.

But wait, all panthers are too reliable for your needs.

How’s about something a little crazy but with American V8!? Lincoln Mark VIII

Horkin' Up Dangle Hams > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:09

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These are fantastic. Had a neighbor with a fleet that included one of these. I also had the privilege of washing and waxing it one summer. Thing as so damn big that it felt like it took longer to clean it then it did the huge delivery truck that he used for his business.

Noah - Now with more boost. > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 08/10/2015 at 13:11

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OOOOO yeah! Wow ok adding it. I’ve always liked these. You may have just made my day!

Roadster Man > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:12

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For what it’s worth, my buddy has DD’ed an (auto) S40 T5. He hates it. It handles like crap, things keep breaking, it’s just not a well-built car. I didn’t like riding in it either. Interior-wise, there’s no way normal humans can sit in the back seats and the center console is a total mess. He had to replace the turbo at 40,000 miles. Have you driven one? I don’t think it would be the frontrunner if you did.

I assume you’re in Canada because you have access to an S14? That’s my vote. Gosh I love S14’s. If I had the money I’d be paying the Takumi Tax and picking up an 86. That’s just my preference though. It’s the Tsuchiya Tax in my book.

EDIT: If you’ve worked on German cars, an S14 will be like a lego set. Nearly every Japanese car from that era can be taken apart and put back together with a metric set of sockets.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:13

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Do it

Roadster Man > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 08/10/2015 at 13:13

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Oh baby.

Noah - Now with more boost. > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/10/2015 at 13:14

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Closer! But not my thing. I refer to this era of American styling as the “bulbous blob” era. I think they’re cool from a LOL glad it exists perspective though.

Dusty Ventures > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:14

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This. Get this.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Dunnik 08/10/2015 at 13:17

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Totally would! I love this era of merc and I need one. They are SO hard to find in my area though, too much rust. But maybe if one popped up? Though I think I’d find 10 good 560SELs before I found one haha.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:18

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aww but no one would ever expect it when you flip the switch on cut outs and have a built Cobra motor under the hood.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Roadster Man 08/10/2015 at 13:22

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Wow ok - yeah there seem to a few key things that will grenade those motors if they aren’t addressed. Thanks for the advice! That is the kind of feedback I was hoping for. I haven’t driven one yet so maybe I’ll visit a dealership to see if I need to cross it off.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Horkin' Up Dangle Hams 08/10/2015 at 13:23

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That’s awesome! I would be SO thrilled to find a nice SEC. They look great with the euro treatment.

Sinanigans > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:24

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I’d say it’s a toss up between the LGT and the 540/6

Steve in Manhattan > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:30

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My thing has always been safety. If you can get something with side-curtain airbags that still entertains you, so much the better.

Luken10 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:33

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This one sounds great!

Noah - Now with more boost. > Luken10 08/10/2015 at 13:36

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So throaty!

Noah - Now with more boost. > Sinanigans 08/10/2015 at 13:41

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Yeahhh they are definitely the only actual performance cars there. Too bad most turbo subaru/manual V8 bmw owners are SO delusional about the value of their cars.

Luken10 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:42

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And really refined! Sounds like something that would come on a factory sports car.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Roadster Man 08/10/2015 at 13:44

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And nope they’re around! Mostly like this though haha: $15k and someone elses project https://newyork.craigslist.org/que/cto/515003…

Noah - Now with more boost. > Luken10 08/10/2015 at 13:48

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Yeah this is my favorite LS400 exhaust on youtube! I’d love to replicate that sound if I bought one. It does sound SO OEM+ you’re right, that’s what I love about it

Noah - Now with more boost. > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/10/2015 at 13:50

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Ok now THAT is hilarious. I do need a V8 with cutouts!! With a hidden switch in the ashtray...

Noah - Now with more boost. > Steve in Manhattan 08/10/2015 at 13:52

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Most definitely! I fantasize about DDing polestar Volvos once I get an MBA...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 13:54

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SEE

This pulls up with stock mufflers all calm.

“Hey man, let’s run”

“What in that Lincoln? Pshh”

“Put some money on it?”

“Sure what the hell, I can beat a Lincoln”

*Flips switch*

*VROOM*

Random street challenger craps pants

—

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There is no lose in this scenario! Could you imagine the sneaky cut outs and then tubbing it and putting fat tires back there?!

Noah - Now with more boost. > Dusty Ventures 08/10/2015 at 13:54

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H4 says BLUB BLUB BLUB. Most prices are CP tho..

Roadster Man > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 14:00

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I saw the Kouki front end on your post and my mind jumped to a Japanese import. Nice find! I honestly thought all the S14’s in this country either rusted to bits or got wrapped around telephone poles.

I would buy the S14 in that craigslist ad if I had $10,000 extra to fix everything and then give it a little paint.

Dusty Ventures > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 14:25

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Yeah, turbo Subarus really don’t depreciate. My ‘08 OBXT has a near identical KBB to my dad’s ‘12 Town & Country, despite my car having four more years and 40,000 more miles. The car’s an absolute blast though, and solid so long as you keep up on maintenance and knock off some of the potential trouble items before they happen.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Dusty Ventures 08/10/2015 at 14:28

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That’s crazy! I don’t know of many non-exotic things that hold value in the same way. Subaru has so many things going for them, they are such a strange and awesome company.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 14:53

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miatamiatamiatamiatamiata. Nah but seriously, any reason why you couldn’t go the two seater route? It’s a daily driver but that doesn’t mean it cant still be a race car lol. What about an older Porsche 911? Or an S2k? BRZ/FRS? Many other options out there too.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/10/2015 at 15:17

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NONONONONONO. Nah but seriously I’d drive an NC Miata! As for a 911, I dream of DDing one some day because I am a yuppie, but as I am a very young yuppie, I can’t do porsche part prices just yet. My friends and I don’t have a lift yet either LOL. Stupid plastic OEM BMW parts is my limit. My last DD was a coupe, which was awesome, and really makes more sense for how I’ll use it. Any more coupe ideas? Think sub $10,000

Dusty Ventures > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 15:28

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With the turbo Outbacks specifically rarity is a big factor, especially if you want the later (07-09) models that didn’t come with a cat on the turbo up-pipe (a known cause of turbo failures). When I bought mine there were only five 07-09 Outback XTs for sale on Craigslist+AutoTrader+cars.com+ebay in the entire country. Best guess based on some found ‘05 production numbers put my car at one of about 2,500 turbo Outbacks sold in U.S./Canada in 2008, and one of only about 800 manuals.

texasfordfan > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 16:35

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I bought this last month. 2006 T5 AWD. 6 Speed manual. Its not as fast as you think it would be.

Noah - Now with more boost. > texasfordfan 08/10/2015 at 23:06

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Good luck with it! That's disappointing though... Time for a chip!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/10/2015 at 23:07

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I can think of a lot of miata you could get for $10k haha. In that budget range you could find a mint NB, low miles, new hard top, supercharger, flying miata suspension mods, good tires, and still have leftover! But I’m sure other people could come up with more options, I'm slightly biased given my Miata ownership lol.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 08/10/2015 at 23:09

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Lol. Well I can certainly tell what you would do with the money haha

Dunnik > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/11/2015 at 01:44

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Same issues finding one up here. The cars had excellent factory rust proofing but that’s worn off by now, you’re hoping to find owners who rust-proofed them, or get/import a desert car.

I did in fact find a lowish-mileage, completely mint looking, 3 owner W124 for just under $10,000. A higher price from normal, but condition was great....except for the airbag light. Which was on. So it won’t pass safety.

Sure, coulda been a sensor: something cheap and easy. A cheap fix on a 30 year old Mercedes-Benz is to be expected, amiright? So I dialed up the absolute worst-case scenario. “Yes, MB? Hi, how much for a complete airbag system: bags, harness, sensors? Oh, 8 grand you say? khtxbai”

Tried to push the guy on price, but he wasn’t willing to budge. Was up for sale for a long time after that, was tempting to put in another offer but then....

...then I smartened up and bought this instead :

Noah - Now with more boost. > Dunnik 08/11/2015 at 02:04

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Lol! My favorite thing on those TLs has to be the body line that runs through the door handles, so clean

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/11/2015 at 07:47

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If I had $10k to spend on a car, I would probably get an '04 or '05 WRX wagon. The practicality would definitely be useful to me. But I would keep the Miata as well for sure.

Amoore100 > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/13/2015 at 20:59

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I have a V50 2.4 automagic. It is very nice, the manumatic shifting is not bad, and it sounds pretty good. There was a really nice V50 T5 with a manual and 80K miles a few months ago on Craigslist when we bought my car but unfortunately it was about $7k overbudget...

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Noah - Now with more boost. 08/14/2015 at 10:31

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Nothing wrong with keeping an open mind. I was the same way the last time I was looking for a car. All I knew was I wanted something different from what I’ve owned. In other words not a FWD, four cylinder, econo box. Also I refuse to have a automatic as my only car. So I wanted anything with, either some from of forced induction, or more than 4 cylinders(with a few exceptions ei Miata), and it had to be either AWD, or RWD. Oh and I kinda wanted something older than me. I’ve always wanted to be able to say my car is older than me.

I looked at everything from E30/36s to a Volvo 240 diesel, to a manual swapped 90 Cressida. I even looked at 88 Chrylser Conquest, but sadly came to the conclusion that it was going to be out of my price range. But I ended up with a car I never thought of because I didn’t know it existed. my 1991 Galant VR-4.