Next Car Options

"MM54" (mm54mk2) 02/21/2018 at 19:00 • Filed to: CALIFORNICAR

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To make a long story short, in May I’m flying to CA to buy a replacement for my super-rusty crown vic. This new-to-me car will be its replacement as the all-around “this car works” car, which gets to do exciting things like sit in the airport parking lot and drive through salt brine 4-6 months out of the year.

Now, as we know, life is too short to drive boring cars, so the next one has got to be interesting as well. This is where I ask for Oppo’s collective car knowledge - to help come up with ideas of what to look for while out west for a couple days in May.

For a sample of my taste, my current line-up consists of:

2002 Crown Vic P71 - Old police car, beat to shit, I’ve had it for going on 5 years and it is super rusty. Seriously. The rocker panels are a distant memory, the pinch weld is falling off, and the exhaust is held together with good intentions.

1985 Mazda RX-7 - This is my summer daily, except for exceptionally bad weather days and long trips. It came from Georgia and is incredibly-not-rusty. I removed heat shields with hand tools the other day. It blows my mind, and is a fantastic car to rip around in.

1971 Chevelle - the much-unloved 4-door Chevelle Malibu, this was my first car, and I still have it. Needs a bit of body work, but it’s solid. I recently swapped out the Powerglide (2-speed auto) for a Muncie (4-speed manual) and plan to rebuild the engine this year... and maybe start some bodywork.

So what sort of thing am I looking for? Something interesting/fun, RWD or AWD (LSD preferred for RWD because snow), manual strongly preferred, budget of somewhere in the 5-7k region. This car will be purchased in CA, ideally somewhere between LA and Bakersfield or thereabout.

Here are the current front-runners in Things to Look For

First-gen IS300 - super rare in manual, but neat. The Sportcross is also very cool (though not manual). Should be very reliable and such. I accept that I will not find a manual one.

e36 328iS - much more common in manual, also has the benefit of “I’ve driven one of these before” so I know it’s pretty good. Should be easier to find, but not as reliable as the Toyota Lexus.

What do you think Oppo?

PS9 > MM54 02/21/2018 at 19:03

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But but but six speed coyote swap!

AestheticsInMotion > MM54 02/21/2018 at 19:18

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Great condition E46 manual wagon, well under budget. Worth coming up to Washington for...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/d/2000-bmw-323it-sport-wagon/6442043539.html

E46 in general seems good. Manual ones are common, and they’re a bit newer than the E36 (more comfortable) but still not modern enough to be scary. Bonus points for a wagon or convertible, or hotter zhp/cl version.

MM54 > PS9 02/21/2018 at 19:35

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I will have another crown vic in the future in much better shape, but I figure I might as well mix it up for the time being.

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion 02/21/2018 at 19:37

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I just can’t get in to the e46, styling wise. Comparatively, I think the e36 is one of the best looking cars bmw made. I do appreciate that one being a wagon though! Shame we never got the e36 wagon here.

AestheticsInMotion > MM54 02/21/2018 at 20:12

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Hmm. Than I’m going to say a manual E36 in the most interesting color/body-style/performance package you can find for a good price.

Or MR2! They’re spacious for a two seater!

Ohhh how about a police spec Charger? That would go great with the Crown Vic. Cheap and look to be pretty well built up over the run of the mill Chargers.

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion 02/21/2018 at 20:23

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Good suggestions!

I can’t afford a Technoviolet over Dove M3 but I can try to get close. As long as it isn’t silver, we’re good. I’ve already got a silver car and while some cars look good in it, it’s not the best for an e36.

I am a huge fan of the AW11 but I couldn’t live with myself if I were to drive one in 4-6 months of salt; they rust in the desert. The SW20 may be worth some consideration, though I don’t know much about them.

From my understanding, the police chargers have some very-dodge issues, especially with the transmission. I had a rental charger a year or two ago, it hilariously felt like driving my 15-year-older crown vic. If I were to go that route, I’d probably get a black 2011 (last year) police crown vic and do all the Performance Things to it I want to do to my ‘02, but haven’t since it’s so far gone.

AestheticsInMotion > MM54 02/21/2018 at 20:44

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I absolutely lived my one drive in an SW20, although I know zero about them.

I’m curious to see what you end up with, but you have to stop asking for suggestions! Every time I end up browsing Craigslist and considering a small personal loan to buy a cheapish fun car AND build credit at the same time. I’m close to talking myself into it as the “responsible choice” and that’s mildly terrifying

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MM54 02/21/2018 at 21:45

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Manual IS 300 sedans are listed more frequently than you might think, but they do sell immediately so you have to act fast. One with LSD will cost you between 7 and 11 grand depending on condition. Sportxeosses are rare but most of them are in California or Florida, I don’t think it will be too painful for you.

The interior of the IS 300 is a really nice place to be. An old E36 may feel like it’s crumbling apart in the cabin. But for what it’s worth (nothing), I still want a clean 318ti.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MM54 02/21/2018 at 22:07

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Clearly you need a Colorado.

MM54 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 02/21/2018 at 22:23

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I hope to drive through Colorado on the way home, but I am not looking for a truck at the moment (a squarebody s10 is in my eventual future).

MM54 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/21/2018 at 22:27

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Fast-moving sales do not bode well for “I’m in the state for 3 days” schedules. I have noticed the prices are, predictably, a good bit higher for the manual ones as well - I feel like for the same price as a mildly abused manual you could get a pretty decent sportcross if you can find it - and honestly that might be better.

As for interiors, the entire interior of the crown vic creaks and rattles over every bump - most things would be an improvement. Both of my other cars are considerably more solid inside! I do know what you mean about the e36 though, they are not the nicest interiors, especially compared to the is300.

shop-teacher > MM54 02/21/2018 at 22:46

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You should run the Crown Vic in a Gambler 500. Or sell it to me for beer money, and I’ll do it :)

gmctavish needs more space > MM54 02/21/2018 at 22:56

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E36s are really lovely to drive. Ever since I drove my friend’s 328is, I’ve wanted one.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MM54 02/22/2018 at 00:00

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As far as automatics go, you could do a lot worse. I can pull away from any shmuck on the freeway when necessary.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MM54 02/22/2018 at 08:09

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See, that’s where you’re going wrong :)

Though the squarebody S10 is definitely a well placed effort

MM54 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/22/2018 at 18:55

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The power is there for sure; being such a sporty vehicle I’d imagine it’s tuned pretty well, too. Don’t they have (maybe optional) paddles as well for when you need to change gear like you mean it? While a bummer, obviously the whole “it’s an auto” isn’t a deal breaker for me - I’ve got a couple manuals, and while it’s definitely more fun there’s nothing wrong with a good automatic.

One of my favorite things in the p71 is when you’re on the highway behind someone doing 55, turn off OD to drop into 3rd*, then floor it to kick down to 2nd (yes at 60MPH) and blast past them engine screaming - that thing is geared for 60-80 more than anything. It goes into 3rd WOT at 80 and kiiiind of falls on its face until you’re going faster than you really ought to be.

*You don’t have to manually go from 4th to 3rd if you don’t want to, but it will kick down straight from 4th to 2nd at highway speeds, which is something the 4R70W can only handle a finite number of times.

MM54 > gmctavish needs more space 02/22/2018 at 18:56

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I drove a friend’s 328iS a while ago (it is currently being fitted with rotary valves, that’s a story on its own; it was stock when I drove it) and it was quite good. By contrast, I’ve never driven an IS300 but they seem to be very good.

MM54 > shop-teacher 02/22/2018 at 18:58

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I always wanted to turn it into a rally car, but it wouldn’t be worth it at this point... so we’ll see. I really don’t know what I’m going to do with it once replaced, I have too much of a conscious to sell it to anyone, but if it still runs and drives it seems wrong to scrap it. In any case it’s only worth a couple cases!

shop-teacher > MM54 02/22/2018 at 19:00

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That’s the beauty of rallycrossing/Gambling in it. No prep, just hammer it until it won’t move under it’s own power. Then you can scrap it with a clear conscience.