"Budget" GT Car - I'm looking!

"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
03/10/2016 at 16:51 • Filed to: None

So I have a final interview as the sole candidate up for the postion with a company where my income would nearly double and with benefits, it will more than double. I’m about to explode in excitement!

That being said, it leaves me stuck in a city I desire to leave but it will give me the budget to purchase my ‘first’ car. As many of you know, I’ve had a number of pickups and suv’s but that was back in highschool and purchased by the family. Since moving to this city, I’ve basically had a different car every week, borrowing from friends/renting/etc. I’ve probably driven half the cars on the market if not more in the past year.

With the increase in income, I’m starting to think owning a car is worth the financial investment. It would be a weekend only car, battling mainly highway miles and road trips.

Without owning a car the past two years, with rentals and my friends cars, I’ve driven:
2014: 30,000 Miles
2015: 43,500 Miles
2016: 5100 Miles and counting

I’m a VERY high milage driver as you can tell. I’m 6ft3 and what I’m mainly looking for is a cheap GT car. I’d love a BMW 6 series gran coupe but I just can’t justify that sort of budget towards a car (I’m financially too responsible).

I’m 6ft3, in my 20s and my girlfriend lives 400 miles away and I visit at least twice a month so it’s a long drive. I’m looking primarily for comfort, decent highway MPG, and some sportiness for fun on the twisties and will consider new/used/lease. I’m not tied to any specific body type but sedan/coupe/wagon are my top three (hatches are just too small sorry).

Some misc notes: I prefer the feeling of a Camaro to a Mustang in terms of handling. I need four seats for insurance purposes.

I’m looking for the $20k range or lower in Canada. It will be winter driven (snow tires are required by law).

TLDR: 20K Canadian, high miles, highway bomber

DISCUSSION (37)

bob and john > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 16:53

if you can find a diesel golf or jetta for sale, there is your answer.

Moves-Like-Senna > bob and john
03/10/2016 at 16:54

True, I wasn’t a fan of how it drove but I’ll give it another go!

bob and john > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 16:56

for 20k, your not going to find anything that fixes all those. a TDI will be the closest. they are relativly comfy, get GREAT hwy milage (ask me how I kn0w) and you can get lowering springs/ new suspension if you REALLY want to.

fun fact: the TDI actually uses GTI suspension (at least up front) the stiffer springs and everything help compensate for the heavier motor

Moves-Like-Senna > bob and john
03/10/2016 at 16:57

Really? that’s actually pretty awesome about the suspension. You know looking at 2010-2012s they’re under 10K with about 60k Km on them... that’s ridiculously tempting

bob and john > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 16:59

I’m in canada too, you can use proper units.

the manuals are fun to drive, they get great fuel milage, and the motors are relativly bullet proof (our TDI has 200K km on it. never skipped a beat)

plus, with such low running costs and insurance, you can save up quicker for something more fun.

Moves-Like-Senna > bob and john
03/10/2016 at 17:02

Very very true, there’s a CBR1000RR with my name on it waiting ;) haha I’ll give it another go.

bob and john > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 17:06

dude, if you work you way up to something like that, i dont care. if you learn properly and arent an idiot, go for it.

my next bike is oging to be a liter bike. not of the SS variety, but not that far off.

Moves-Like-Senna > bob and john
03/10/2016 at 17:09

I’ve ridden bikes for a good chunk of my life, just often not on the road and allegedly without a license on the road. I went through the process of legalizing myself last year. I mainly just want something to compliment the car and SS bikes aren’t uncomfortable for me (then again I spend half the summer crushing my nuts on a road bike).

bob and john > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 17:11

dude, SV650. torque, reliable motor, you get to grips with the street right, and lots of mods you can do.

after a year or 2 (or 3) move on up.

Moves-Like-Senna > bob and john
03/10/2016 at 17:12

I’ll consider it but for highway pulls which is mainly what I’ll be doing and otherwise hitting the track I feel like going SS is the best option.

itschrome > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 17:12

there is really only one true GT car in that range(ish) and That would be a Dodge Challenger. mustangs and camaros are more sports cars than GT cars. An anything European is gonna set ya waaaay over budget.

That said what about a first gen CTS coupe? they are kinda basically just like the camaro tho. Ugh as a fellow 6 foot 3 guy I hate that the personal luxury coupe is no longer a thing. I miss coupe Sedans. the space and size of a sedan but with two big ass doors, plenty of power and comfy for the long haul. That’s basically the Challenger..

bob and john > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 17:17

you wont be doing faster then 220, which the SV will do

track? HA. HAHA. set up the SV right, and on shorter tracks (under 180km top speed) you LAUGHING at the 600cc guys.

(this is assuming you can ride well)

Moves-Like-Senna > itschrome
03/10/2016 at 17:19

I wouldn’t mind sporty! haha I put nearly 4000 miles on a Camaro and Mustang (soft tops) this year (50/50) and found the Camaro comfortable as all hell. That’s true about the Challenger but something about it puts me to sleep, I don’t know why. I find a Civic more fun (yes I expect to be flamed).

CTS coupes are something I’d love! Unfortunately they’re pricey up here :( closer the 40-50k range which is an option but I’m not ready to invest that much in a car that I don’t need in the first place.

I’m glad I’m not the only one suffering! haha I miss those as well, fitting so comfortably. I find in most cars I sit in, I’m lucky if the headrest isn’t in the way of my shoulders and if my shoulders fit within the seat :/ I do have to say, lowering seats becoming mainplace has been a god send.

Sweet Trav > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 17:32

Taurus SHO for AWD stability in the Canadian Winter and 365 Turbo Ponies to get where you need quick regardless of arbitrarily low Canadian speed limits?

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 17:33

Genesis Coupe!

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/my-car-is-two-…

ly2v8-Brian > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 17:41

4series. I'm same height and that car was a great fit.

Master Cylinder > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 18:16

If you’re up for building it, I always thought these would be a good platform for a GT car, and something fairly different from the standard choices:

Kinja'd!!!

You can pick them up cheap as hell, throw a new suspension on it, and call it a day. Just shy of 300hp and RWD, with ~28 mpg on the freeway, the interior’s not a bad place to be, and the handling is surprisingly decent. Ditch the flaky air springs and put some moderately stiff coil springs in with good shocks and bigger swaybars and it even starts to approach honest-to-goodness sportiness.

Plus you could probably do all that for less than $10K. I happen to think they still look pretty classy but I know the shape isn’t universally appreciated.

Of course, there are TONS of options that fit your general criteria.

wiffleballtony > Moves-Like-Senna
03/10/2016 at 23:28

If you like the Camaro, buy that.

Moves-Like-Senna > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
03/11/2016 at 10:03

This was actually in the back of my mind and the older ones (2010) are running for 10k or less and I’ve always loved that first gen’s design (call me crazy). I think this actually may hit all the buttons, THANK YOU!

Moves-Like-Senna > Sweet Trav
03/11/2016 at 10:05

I wish! SHO’s are very rare up here and the only ones available locally are 30K for any 5 years old or 40-45k for a 2015 model. I’d personally love one, it’s basically a highway sleeper haha. I agree with the speed limits being too low.

Sweet Trav > Moves-Like-Senna
03/11/2016 at 10:08

Charger RT AWD?

Moves-Like-Senna > ly2v8-Brian
03/11/2016 at 10:09

Would be great but I’m trying to keep it under 20K :/ the 6 series gran coupe and 4 series are within budget but I just can’t justify it as I have zero need to actually own a car. (It takes 20 minutes by foot +subway to work vs 50minutes + a 300$ parking spot by car)

Moves-Like-Senna > Master Cylinder
03/11/2016 at 10:10

The interior of those always got me along with the V8 versions. I’ve also really liked the Riviera’s of that era as well. I don’t think I can do the project car thing at this point though, I plan to dump the car within 2 years and pick up something new.

Moves-Like-Senna > wiffleballtony
03/11/2016 at 10:10

It’s definitely a consideration but I can’t get the refreshed last gen (I really don’t like the pre refresh) within budget yet :/

Moves-Like-Senna > Sweet Trav
03/11/2016 at 10:12

I was thinking that, but I really prefer the 2015+ models interior. No AWD isn’t a problem for me (I prefer the RWD charger). I’ve driven them on the regular as they’re often rentals and even with teh V6 they’re fun to get sideways :P

wiffleballtony > Moves-Like-Senna
03/11/2016 at 10:18

The new SS is blistering quick but expensive and I’m not a fan of the front fascia. The new Mustang has IRS but it’s also a lot heavier. I’m also not that much of a fan of its looks outside of the GT350. Quite a quandry.

Moves-Like-Senna > wiffleballtony
03/11/2016 at 10:22

I wish we got the SS in canada, did the G8 GT’s hold up their interior pretty well? I know they were available up here.

I agree, the IRS on the new mustang does make it heavier but oddly overall with the Turbo 4 I felt the mustang was a lot more agile than the Camaro, perhaps even ‘lighter’ feeling. But it just drove so poorly, the Camaro was more fun in twisties and more engaged. I felt I had to put work to keep the momentum up but if I wanted I could gun it and go. The mustang felt squirly and unsettled.

wiffleballtony > Moves-Like-Senna
03/11/2016 at 10:27

For the most part my G8s interior is holding up well. The leather shift knob has seen better days. I have one of the older S197 previous generation Mustangs. Maybe my roads are smoother but I haven’t ever felt the car was getting out of control.

Moves-Like-Senna > wiffleballtony
03/11/2016 at 10:31

I had no idea you had a G8! Lucky man!! Which model? (GT?)

I prefer the S197 to the S550 (which I had). I just don’t think Ford’s IRS game is ther efor the S550. The S197 wasn’t as ‘fast’ but from my experience was a lot more engaged and more of a fun driver’s car. Based solely on numbers, no suprise if the S550 would have a few to several seconds on the track to the S197 but they’d be boring laps.

wiffleballtony > Moves-Like-Senna
03/11/2016 at 10:44

I’ve got a 2008 G8 GT. It’s been cammed and tuned. It’s pretty nice. I prefer the looks of the S197. I’d be surprised if the S550s were any faster off the line. I’m sure they’re better around a track but I’m not good enough to notice.

Moves-Like-Senna > wiffleballtony
03/11/2016 at 11:04

Nice! The G8 GT has always caught my eye and a carb and tune is exactly what I’d do... It’s now getting tempting haha.

I was able to get 4 seconds better on my best lap with the S550 over an S197 on a public day. (both GTs). The thing is, I had a lot more fun in the S197... A LOT.

wiffleballtony > Moves-Like-Senna
03/11/2016 at 11:41

I haven’t driven the S550, but I’m not a sophisticated person. So I probably prefer the unsophisticated car.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Moves-Like-Senna
03/11/2016 at 12:19

I’ve seen a guy swap the newer tail lights into the 2010 model; looks gorgeous

Moves-Like-Senna > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
03/11/2016 at 12:41

I must now google this!

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Moves-Like-Senna
03/11/2016 at 13:16

It was somewhere on the GenCoupe forums, I think here:

http://www.gencoupe.com/#/forumsite/20…

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > Moves-Like-Senna
03/11/2016 at 23:58

Highway bomber, GT car, budget friendly, decent highway mpg? I do recommend the Gran Turismo Omologato, in Italian. More commonly known as GTO. A nicely driven unmodified one with a manual can do upper 20's on the highway, maybe even tipping into 30 now and again in the right conditions. More V8 thrust than you really “need”. Way more room inside, especially in the back, than you expect. And more comfortable seats than almost any other car you can find in something that would compare it with. Also, it handles surprisingly better than you’d expect when knowing its weight.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Moves-Like-Senna
03/27/2016 at 10:27

What about an AWD turbo police interceptor?