Should I get a (cheap) small FWD car? And which one?

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535) 04/08/2016 at 18:17 • Filed to: None

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I recently drove a manual for the first time, and was like “yeah, I could get down with this.” Right now I mostly drive an E34 535i, it gets shit gas mileage, I’ve got lots of work to do on it, and I think I’ve just been wanting something different lately. I don’t think I’d get rid of the 535i though, it drives well, and I think I’d need to do a lot of low cost work(rehab the interior and exterior) to get some money for it. If I had a second car, then I’d have something to drive when the 535 is laid up, and I could get a manual and start learning that.

Some contenders based on my small budget:

Acura Integra - there is one listed locally that has a long scratch that’s been poorly fixed but is otherwise pretty untouched, 1998, only 115k miles. Most expensive on my list.(looks pretty much like the above)

Contour SVT - Looks to be in unusually good shape. Also 115k miles, either a 97 or 98. Looks less cool than the Integra but a bit faster. $1000 or so cheaper than the Integra.

Sentra SE-R (maybe spec v) - nothing really nearby me but they appear pretty common within 100 miles, 2000-2004 models ranging from cheaper than the SVT to not much more.

I could also keep saving my pennies for something better like a Cooper S. Each car has their respective merits, the Integra is the slowest but potentially best handling and Contour SVT is more practical and straightline speed; and each would be a pretty easy resale as they each have their own, very different, followings. The SE-R would probably just be less maintenance as I could get something newer somewhere in between in terms of speed and size; not sure about handling.

Thoughts?

-this space for rent- > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:21

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The Integra was just stolen, so scratch that.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:23

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From everything I’ve heard, the SVT is pretty sweet, and very underrated as far as appreciation.

JDMatt > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:26

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Maybe the sentra? maybe save for the mini cooper?

XJDano > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:31

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Yes you should. Spend less than $2,000. Less then $1,000 if you are brave.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:34

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Did someone say integra?

Do you own some form of weapon to chase away thieves?

If yes, buy that

djmt1 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:34

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BTCC approved so that gets my backing.

itschrome > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:39

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Acura Integra: Hey guys come over and see my new... *looks around* hey, where did my integra go? shit some one stole it!

Contour SVT: hey, does any one have a spare haynes manual? Damn thing broke down again...

Sentra SE-R: Has any one seen my Headgasket bolts? also is it normal for my engine to sounds like and smoke like this?

There’s tons of fun good FWD drive cars. the Integra is one, but make sure you put in a kill switch no one can find or it’s gonna get stolen by some bored 12 year old. The other two I wouldn’t get close enough to shake a stick at.

itschrome > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/08/2016 at 18:39

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right up till it breaks down again. But yeah they are fun!

Steve in Manhattan > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:50

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What about the sport version of the Escort? ... can’t remember the designation. I’d like the Sentra, but there’s also a GTI out there somewhere. And hot Civics, if you can find a clean one.

E92M3 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:53

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I would say save more for a Mini, or a GTI. Be prepared though, they will require work too.

Bytemite > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 18:55

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Small, cheap, FWD cars are so fun to just pull the ebrake on.

Get yourself a Focus ZX3 2003-2004 with the aluminum block 2.3L engine.

Or you can go the cheaper economical route and get a Paseo or MX-3 or NX2000 or Geo Storm or CRX.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 19:01

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Don’t get the Integra. You don’t want a car you have to worry about when you run in the store for a pack of smokes.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Bytemite 04/08/2016 at 19:02

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A good NX is kind of pricey these days.

The Focus is a decent choice...

SVTyler > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 19:02

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I second passing on the Contour, the SVT forums are full of owners bitching about how unreliable they can be and unless you can thoroughly vet the owner and the previous work done to the car it’s just too much of a tossup. SVT-specific parts are also turning into unobtanium so even if you did buy it you’d have to spend a lot of time looking for replacements and spend a premium when you finally find them.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 19:03

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I’d tend toward the Sentra, personally. The Contour is pretty fast and fun, but they’re not known for reliability (not that the Sentra particularly is).

You need to balance fun and utility. Good utility cars for commuting can be very cheap.

Shift24 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 19:12

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Say no to Mini. Very similar to high mile German cars (because its basically German). I have never liked the Contours but that’s me. The Integra has way more possibilities and probably the best manual car here due Hondas having the best feel. If you really want to save your pennies for something nice looking for an 8th gen Si. Damn good cars just watch out for 3rd gear. The synchros can go bad. And you can find them around 6k.

Bytemite > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 04/08/2016 at 19:17

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Can you find a better choice for $2k?!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 19:21

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If you’re gonna keep the BMW and just need something cheap and reliable for now, just get a Toyota Yaris or a Corolla.

If you’re looking to replace the BMW with something cheap, reliable but still fun that you’re gonna keep for a while, my thoughts are to get a:

2005-2006 Corolla XRS (with the 170HP 1.8L Yamaha engine)

2009-2010 Corolla XRS (with the 158HP 2.4L Camry engine)

2002-2004 Focus SVT (170HP 2L Zetec)

2005-2007 Focus ST (151HP 2.3L Duratec)

Nissan Sentra SE-R (which you already mentioned)

Any Honda Civic Si or SiR.

Mazda 3 with the 2.3L engine.

If you want reliability, stay away from the Mini.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Steve in Manhattan 04/08/2016 at 19:24

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You’re either thinking of the Escort GT or the Escort ZX2. The GT was a hatchback, the ZX2 a coupe with a weird looking rear.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 20:09

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What about an Infiniti G20t with the stick? SR20, unassuming, LSD, and fun.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Bytemite 04/08/2016 at 20:13

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In good shape?! I’ve seen much higher prices on good examples. They were rare when new...

Wait, are you talking about the Focus ZX3? That'd be a great deal.

RacinBob > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 20:34

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I’d look at a K motor Honda -This is down the road. It’s $4900 with 200,000 miles. But my wife’s Si has 190,000 and drives like new. Edmund Wash.

Autotrader

Or you could go with this in Eugene, Low 187,000 miles $2900 Autotrader

Bytemite > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 04/08/2016 at 20:35

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Yes the ZX3...are usually 2,000. Theyre amazing value for money and fun.

Cash Rewards > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 21:02

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I’d save my money for a 2005-6 cooper s. Some people say they’re unreliable, but I sold mine with 98000+ and had literally zero hiccups. That included regular autocross too, that car was run hard. Ran like a clock, and was incredibly fun. Never driven the SE-r personally, but used to autocross with a guy who had one and it was a balanced car that performed very well. Better than expected, to be honest.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Bytemite 04/08/2016 at 21:30

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Definitely. A good NX2000 is expensive.

Shmevans > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/08/2016 at 21:45

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Go for the SVT Focus instead. Just watch out for the bottoms of the doors and hatch rusting out. Garbage window seals let water in.

Shmevans > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 04/08/2016 at 21:49

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I vote SVT Focus or Mazda3. Both get rusty but find a clean one and you’re good to go.

Rock Bottom > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/08/2016 at 21:50

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For a cheaper and pretty much equally fun Contour, shop for a standard SE with the V6 and a stick. I had one back when they were new and it was fantastic (when the IMRC wasn’t broken). From stop light to stop light it’s not really any slower than an SVT, it’s way cheaper, and all the same hot rod parts work on it. I loved the crap out of mine, and I’m convinced the only people who make fun of them are people who have never driven one.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 04/08/2016 at 23:24

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This is one I’ve considered but a Sentra se-r spec v would give me the lsd but 40 more horsepower and not that much more expensive.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 04/08/2016 at 23:26

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Apparently their proneness to theft is not underrated based on the responses here. Hmmm...

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 04/09/2016 at 00:49

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Good list, I want to keep the 535i for now. It’s got a charm I like, and it’s fun. Just needs some work that’s cheap but time consuming and I think I’d like something that’s a good contrast to it(small, light, manual, newer). The ZX3 mentioned above may be a good alternative.

I actually drove my mother in laws Corolla S with the 2.4l recently and I thought that other than the engine and the auto transmission not being in full agreement, that the car was pretty fun for what it is.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Bytemite 04/09/2016 at 01:01

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Oh, yeah I had thought about some of the foci from around that generation. I’ve always thought the ZX3 looks great. I remember having a hard time finding cars with the 2.3l versus 2.0, but this one looks nice for the money but it’s a bit of a drive from where I am... https://bend.craigslist.org/cto/5497507788…

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Shmevans 04/09/2016 at 01:03

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Man, the SVT focuses I’ve seen are just thoroughly trashed looking. I think the 03/04 ZX3 2.3L mentioned above is a good alternative though

Bytemite > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/09/2016 at 01:11

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The guy got his stats wrong. He has the 2.0 zetec iron block. U want the 2.3 aluminum block. You can tell easily by opening the hood. The 2.3 will have the engine further back in the bay and the battery will be behind the airbox, not in front. The 2.3 loses like 70 lbs off the front from the engine block alone, and then the better head and battery placement further betters weight distribution and handling. Thats why the 2.3L Zx3 with the SVT springs and shocks outcornered the SVT itself.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Bytemite 04/09/2016 at 01:23

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See I told you it’s hard to find the 2.3... Haha. Thanks for the heads up on identifying the differences.

This one is much closer and more miles (but not a ton in the grand scheme and considering my budget) but what’s up with the wrap, I don’t know. https://corvallis.craigslist.org/ctd/5512320264…

Bytemite > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/09/2016 at 02:09

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hey that looks really good. I’m sure you can take off that black wrap and negotiate down to $2,000-2,300.

Go get it!

tacogx > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/09/2016 at 02:39

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hey, at least it’s not a crx haha

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/09/2016 at 10:45

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A Corolla xrs will have more upgrades than just the engine. And if you like manual transmissions, driving one with an automatic will dull some of the fun.

Also I’ve driven the focus zx3.. It only has 130hp.... Which isn’t bad, but it will likely feel really slow to you given you’re coming from a bmw 535.

The cars I recommended will be slower too, but it won’t be as much of a power-to-weight performance gap... And thus, still entertaining in contrast to the BMW.

boxrocket > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/09/2016 at 13:24

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Mazda Protégé and MX-3 are also good choices. Damn near unkillable if you do just basic maintenance, aside from rust.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 04/09/2016 at 17:01

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The ZX3 can be had with the same engine as the ST that has 151 horses, so the power to weight wouldn’t be far off my 535. And you can get an SVT suspension kit for fairly cheap. Probably won’t feel quite as quick as the BMW because there is a point in that things torque curve when it pulls well but close over a range from 0-60 especially since it’s auto v. Manual. I think I’ll try and track down an se-r and a 2.3l focus(no matter the body style) and see if either feels good.

Sky Higa > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 04/09/2016 at 19:14

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