Enough about Attainable Dream Cars; let's talk Dream Attainable Cars

"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn) 03/30/2016 at 11:00 • Filed to: None

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In other words: what pretty cool car could you buy right now?

I’m a bit cheating here, because as a broke student I can’t really afford anything right now. But in a couple of years, let’s say I can buy myself something around €5k. Here are a couple of sweet options:

1. Alfa Romeo GTV with the sweeeet V6 3.0

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I know what you’re thinking: Alfas are unreliable, plus V6, boom. But I think it might actually be doable, and if so, what a great DD! I still think these are seriously underapreciated right now.

2. Porsche 944

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Base and un-perfekt 944s seem to still be attainable around here. But yeah, maintenance would be a bit costly.

3. Renault R5 (Phase 1)

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I don’t know why, I just love these. They are cheap and uncomplicated. Two problems: rust, and also I’d have to keep my current car if I want to travel around France. But as a second car, this is actually very tempting.

Oppo, what is your favorite car that you could buy right now? Fire up the eBays!

fourvalleys > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:05

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E46 M3? I don’t see them getting much cheaper than they are right now, unfortunately. If I’m feeling spendy, I’m going for Laguna Seca Blue. Oof.

Chariotoflove > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:06

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For me, the answer actually is Miata. Prosaic, I know. I want a sporty convertible. That’s at the top of my list.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:07

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http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/deta…

Far from special but my (affordable) dream car. The color combo, extras and the engine just fit great together.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:07

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http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5502928497…

I actually plan on buying a new car soon, but this is super tempting and I could pay cash.

Azrek > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:10

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Ariel Atom, because...man......some of the basic models are around 50k.

Lotus Esprit. If I was willing to get a high mileage one or one that required work, I could afford it.

I am a fan of the Masarati Giblet SQ4, but don’t wanna give up my manual.

Milky > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:11

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Same answer :)

Clemsie McKenzie > fourvalleys 03/30/2016 at 11:14

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Oooh yes. I want to quickly get enough money to get one, because yeah they aren’t getting cheaper at all.

Clemsie McKenzie > Azrek 03/30/2016 at 11:15

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An Atom would be an insane amount of fun.

Clemsie McKenzie > Milky 03/30/2016 at 11:16

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My dad is tempted to get one. I can absolutely see why!

Clemsie McKenzie > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 03/30/2016 at 11:18

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Damn, I didn’t think about these! They aren’t very common around here, but this is quite tempting indeed.

fourvalleys > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:19

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A Laguna Seca Blue E46 with a 6-speed and no major issues is easily a $20,000+ car at this point. Maybe $25k. I’d happily take one in any color with body issues for half of that, though!

Unfortunately the $10-12k range near me will get you one with the SMG (and a whole host of issues, probably). I could afford a nicer example, but I just can’t jump. It’d be a third (read: track) car... but I’ll probably regret not jumping.

djmt1 > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:20

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I’m not a broke student but I am a graduate with £10,000 worth of debt. So when that’s paid off. Mk3 MR2 since it’s one of the very few options I can insure for less than £1,500.

Clemsie McKenzie > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 03/30/2016 at 11:21

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That sounds like a lovely DD!

Clemsie McKenzie > Chariotoflove 03/30/2016 at 11:21

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Well, I don’t think you can go very wrong with that!

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:29

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Silky smooth I6 engine and manual plus a red interior = love. At least for me.

JR1 > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:30

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http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/550975…

A New Edge (only in better shape than that one)

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/550939…

A classic coupe land yacht like this one

http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/550440…

70s/90s SL or SEC or SLC

Clemsie McKenzie > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 03/30/2016 at 11:31

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Oh I understand. I too have a thing for 6 cylinders. I’d take a fruity 6er over a V8 any day.

Chariotoflove > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:33

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I feel the same way, but I wondered if I was the only one.

Clemsie McKenzie > JR1 03/30/2016 at 11:33

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Man I wish more Americana made its way this side of the Atlantic. There aren’t many way to get a fun V8 barge on a budget here.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:33

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I need more diesel in my life

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/549739…

interstate366, now In The Industry > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:35

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Once the hype dies down, these* will be pretty affordable.

*Non-GT-Rs

JR1 > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:35

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I wish more Alfas like those had made their way to this side of the Atlantic!

Clemsie McKenzie > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 03/30/2016 at 11:36

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That’s quite badass.

Clemsie McKenzie > JR1 03/30/2016 at 11:37

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Haha fair point!

Clemsie McKenzie > interstate366, now In The Industry 03/30/2016 at 11:39

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The question is: will the hype ever die down? Because as soon as these aren’t just hype-wagon, they’ll be considered as classics. Which is a shame, because I’d love to get one from England some day.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:43

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yes much nicer than my current 99 powerstroke haha

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:46

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A Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo. Another Chris Bangle classic.

Clemsie McKenzie > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 03/30/2016 at 11:49

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I love those! They are dirt cheap as well. There’s a yellow one always parked not far from my house, looks brilliant. Save the Bangles!

finn's arm > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:50

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Toyota 3rd gen TRD 4Runner

BMW E9 2000CS

+ this dance:

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misfitmascots > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:53

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The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 11:59

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There is one for sale close be (and LHD, yayyyyy) for $9000. It looks so bad, yet so good. http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Fiat/Coupe/T…

Chariotoflove > Milky 03/30/2016 at 12:00

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That green and interior color combo is fantastic!

MusicalDeath107 > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 12:02

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A C5 Corvette, prices are very reasonable.

Clemsie McKenzie > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 03/30/2016 at 12:05

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Wow that’s expansive compared to the prices here! Of course rarity where you are will be a factor, but still.

Autohaus Derp > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 12:08

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BMW 135i coupe for me! I’m sure that by the time they are affordable to me though they will all be mechanical basket cases.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 12:11

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They also had to pay taxes, import fees, the difference in the dollar (the Canadian dollar is really low right now), and other things. It is the only one I can find for sale in Canada.

Alex Zapata > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 12:13

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Next year I’ll most likely be getting one of these, a 1.4 Sport, I know it’s a boring alternative, but I’d get a manual and I get all my RWD excitement from my Z.

Either that or one of these:

Also in a couple of years I’ll get an R32, when they are legal in my country.

Rainbow > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 12:16

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Well, let’s see.... I have around a grand in the bank and I’m currently working a minimum-wage, part-time job that pays me an average of, say, $250 a month .

I guess I’d go with an early-90s Aerostar panel van.

145hp, V6, RWD, 5-speed manual. Small enough on the outside to drive like a car, big enough on the inside for a mattress, a minifridge, and a CRT TV with a period-appropriate Supernintendo and VCR.

All it needs on the outside is a porthole window on each side, airbags at all four corners, and some bright pink, yellow, and blue minitruck-style graphics.

Also, screw you because now I’m looking for one of these and I’ve wanted one for a long time but I’ve been suppressing it...

Clemsie McKenzie > Rainbow 03/30/2016 at 12:21

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Damn, that’s a pretty cool project! Good luck repressing it...

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 12:21

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Anyone who has either heard or driven a car with straight 6, Boxer 6 or even V6 will just appreciate six cylinders. I like me a good V8 but I’d also take a 6 over 8 in a daily driver probably.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 12:34

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The GT-Rs will probably stay high, but I imagine once the R33 becomes importable to the US (~2-3 years from now), the R32 will be less desired and their prices will fall a bit. I could very well be wrong, though.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Rainbow 03/30/2016 at 12:44

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FORD GUYS UNITE! Then quietly go cry in a corner because our cars were designed by idiot engineers

Milky > Chariotoflove 03/30/2016 at 12:53

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It looks even better in the passing lane with no traffic!

Chariotoflove > Milky 03/30/2016 at 12:59

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Then that’s the car for me!

AfromanGTO > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 13:06

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2006 Pontiac GTO M6 Impulse Blue Metallic with a black interior.

2014 Chevy SS A6 Red Hot 2 with Holden conversion. I wish the headliner was black.

So my cars now for me.

Rainbow > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 03/30/2016 at 13:20

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On the plus side, I can impress my friends by taking out the key while driving!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Rainbow 03/30/2016 at 13:33

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That we can! I once pulled up next to my brother, threw my truck key into his passenger window and drove away.

nerd_racing > Rainbow 03/30/2016 at 13:42

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You should get this, won’t need to pay rent!

MGS315 > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 14:18

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I’ve been drooling over S40 T5s recently.

Now if only I could figure out the insurance..

Die-Trying > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 15:54

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almost got it whooped. i am $2850 into a short-bed step-side 4x4 manual transmission sbc 400........ need a few sunny days strung together, and tires.

i dream in attainability

Clemsie McKenzie > Die-Trying 03/30/2016 at 17:02

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Well, that’s how you do it! This is good jaloping.

Die-Trying > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 17:33

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thanks, it takes a lot of patience. took me a couple of years looking and asking around to finally find it.

if you keep piling the parts up closer together, before too long you have a finished project.

say Clemsie.... drive what you enjoy/enjoy what you drive

Die-Trying > Rainbow 03/30/2016 at 17:38

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you could find a way to build it.... those vans are still around, and you could source the driveline from a ranger.

IanZ - limited-slip indifferential > Clemsie McKenzie 03/30/2016 at 21:45

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I’ve always been a fan of the Volvo C30, especially in this gorgeous orange.

Toyota Sera. So much fancy for so little cash!

Saab 9-5

Karmann Ghia

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Clemsie McKenzie 03/31/2016 at 10:22

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~$22K Ram SRT-10 BABY !!! I love being an adult! I could realistically go out and buy this today. I just choose not to since I sort of like having money. But one day I will.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > interstate366, now In The Industry 03/31/2016 at 10:35

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If it follow the trend that happened in Canada you are 100% correct.

Here is the current pricing on Skylines in Canada.

R32 GTS $5-6K

R32 GTR $10-14K

R33 GTS $6-8K

R33 GTR $15-20K

R34 GT-T $12-14K

R34 GTR $45-75K

R32's and R33's are about half of what they were when they first became importable. R34's are still fresh so the price hasn’t gone down yet. Keep in mind R32's have already been around for 10 years here. so it takes a bit more than 2-3 years for the price to drop considerably.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 03/31/2016 at 11:13

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Good information, thanks. Toronto is within a day’s drive, so I could potentially get one from there when the time comes. Right now I don’t have room for one and I want to buy a new DD first anyway.