"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
08/21/2018 at 19:49 • Filed to: None
0
18|
"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
08/21/2018 at 19:49 • Filed to: None | 0
| 18 |
Lease will be up and I will be l ooking for a new daily next year. The Z most likely won’t cut it for daily duties , and I’m kind of running down on motivation with it , maybe might sell it down the road (that will definitely push me towards something more sportier, but will have quite a larger budget as well ) .
I’ve stuck with JDM for quite a while, I’d like to forray into the German market next.
Requirements/restrictions:
Looking for something 2000-2010, (avoid the insane RTA tax)
Not FWD
Not something overtly large (7 series, S-class, etc), I tend to prefer smaller cars in general although I’ve grown to appreciate wagons and sedans lately.
Budget: ball park 10k or so at the rate I’m saving, I can spring for more, but I’d like to keep some in reserve for maintenance , we might revisit this if the Z goes.
Cars that have caught my eye:
328xit
335i, 335xi, 2 door or 4 door variant
535xit
E55 AMG 2004-2005
Porsche boxster S.
I’m quite enamored with the E55 AMG at the moment, good power, pretty good looks, decent drivetrain reliability. The Achilles seems to be the air suspension which could be replaced with standard type spring and shocks or Arnott springs. There was a nice local example with low miles, but searching revealed a mechanical damage auction.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
The milage on this one is high, but seems to have a much better history.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
On the other hand if we ever got the 335xit that would be at the top of my list, I know the direct injection causes problems with fuel pump, dirty intakes, etc and the turbos can be problematic, but seems like an awesome do everything mobile. However since we were never graced with that all the variants close to it are (328xit, 335i/335xi, 535xit).
The older Audi Allroad was on the list, but a friend had the roughest time with his which made me hesitate. I’ve read about some critical engineering failures with the engines in the year range I’m looking at so I’ve kind of kept them off.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
> StudyStudyStudy
08/21/2018 at 20:25 |
|
All the cars you’re looking at are great fun. When they work. Which isn’t often. Are you prepared to spend significantly more money on basic maintenance and odd, weirdly specific car repairs?
You are far better off sticking with Japanese cars in your posted budget range.
|
StudyStudyStudy
> ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/21/2018 at 20:33 |
|
I can turn a wrench and read an FSM. I understand that parts won’t be readily available and will cost quite a bit more when they are , I’ve been familiarized with places like pelican parts and such.
That is just money I will have in cash, if required/suggested I can finance part of the cost and keep extra in reserve for repairs , although short of a huge repair involving the transmission, or engine, I’m not sure what would wipe out my projected maintenance budget.
Nibby
> StudyStudyStudy
08/21/2018 at 20:41 |
|
Suspension work, electronics, transmissions etc. Just cause they're$10000 now doesn't mean it won't have the maintenance cost ofwhat it originally was... A $50k+ car
AM3R, lost another burner
> StudyStudyStudy
08/21/2018 at 20:44 |
|
I love my 335i and they aren't overly difficult to work on. Lots of places online to find OEM parts for cheap. They are pretty reliable if you take care of them and find a well taken care of one for sale. Be smart with the mods and it can be a fantastic, not too troublesome daily driver.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> StudyStudyStudy
08/21/2018 at 21:10 |
|
I’ve always liked the Audi S5. They have a great look and a v8.
syaieya
> StudyStudyStudy
08/21/2018 at 22:06 |
|
So it wont have the intoxicating power of the E55, but the W212 sedans have just recently snuck into the 10k territory for lower trims .
Theyre definately more contemporary in the interior design and theres been a good handful of O ppos that have picked one up in various year/trim.
Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
> StudyStudyStudy
08/21/2018 at 22:11 |
|
These are all TERRIBLE ideas.
The Boxster/Cayman might be found for under $10k. But that’s because the ones of this era? Major engine problems abound. Lots of ‘em. And if you need to do an engine out on one? One, it’s a massive bitch. Two, be prepared to fork over the purchase price of the car for a rebuilt unit.
The rest are just parts-chewing horrorshows that will bankrupt you with the most insane, needlessly over-engineered bullshit, at the highest markups imaginable. You MIGHT be able to get away with an SLK230 with the V6 and still have enough for the inevitable $500 only-from-the-dealer paper gasket that must be replaced every 40,000 miles or the car bursts into flames or whatever. But anything past that? Holy shit. Just... no. Seriously.
There’s a reason I have a very expensive German car with a clear and comprehensive service history and thousands in new parts already installed. There is NOTHING more expensive than a cheap German car.
AestheticsInMotion
> StudyStudyStudy
08/21/2018 at 22:28 |
|
I think the E55 would compliment the Z quite well. Any thoughts on what you'd get if the Z dissappeared?
boxrocket
> StudyStudyStudy
08/21/2018 at 22:55 |
|
They violate your no-FWD rule (though they come in AWD), but have you considered skipping the Germans and getting some sweet Swedish action? The Volvo life is calling....
|
StudyStudyStudy
> boxrocket
08/22/2018 at 01:08 |
|
Hmm I did forget about them. Might be something to add on the list.
|
StudyStudyStudy
> Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
08/22/2018 at 01:25 |
|
Oh I’m not even considering a cayman, but I think you can find a good boxster with an IMS bearing fix for under 10 that isn’t a heap.
I’m fairly resourceful as well, if a gasket was that silly, I would just make one as I’ve done for NLA gaskets before.
I would be doing my do diligence, I wouldn’t be looking to scrape the bottom of the barrel or anything, PPI’s would be done for sure and common problems looked up as well.
I do appreciate the perspective from someone who has taken the plunge though, thanks!
|
StudyStudyStudy
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/22/2018 at 01:26 |
|
Hmm I’ll have to do some more research into them that isn’t too bad, I know the earlier V8's were terrible to work on, I wonder if the newer ones are better.
|
StudyStudyStudy
> AestheticsInMotion
08/22/2018 at 01:33 |
|
I actually know 3 other people with the same setup, E55 AMG and classic Z’s, so there must be something there.
Depends on how much I could get out of it. Really clean examples are setting some pretty crazy records, mine is not clean,and could really use a bit of work, but a body shop and some focused weekends could fix a lot of the down sides.
Pipe dream would be a GTR of sorts, an R35 would be pretty insane , granted I’m not sure if I want that much money tied up in a vehicle. Although I have been eyeing the cayman and the 911's.
|
StudyStudyStudy
> syaieya
08/22/2018 at 01:36 |
|
The fear is the RTA being more than I’d be willing to accept. Newer vehicles are still being dinged far above their retail. Might be a silly reason, but it would add I think around 10% to the price, which is not a premium I would want to pay for something I wouldn’t really love.
|
StudyStudyStudy
> AM3R, lost another burner
08/22/2018 at 01:41 |
|
They have a special place to me being a factory turbo inline 6. If I did end up going that route, I would definitely go for reliability mods with additional cooling, and making sure it was walnut blasted if the mileage/use fits.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> StudyStudyStudy
08/22/2018 at 07:15 |
|
avoid German, stick with Japanese.
|
StudyStudyStudy
> pip bip - choose Corrour
08/22/2018 at 13:17 |
|
I’d like to broaden my horizons if possible.
|
StudyStudyStudy
> Nibby
08/22/2018 at 13:19 |
|
Fair point, granted I don’t have to also buy parts new for an older car.