Another, ANOTHER what car post

The recent discussion of Porsche's have got me thinking.

What sports car would you get that can be used as a daily driver?

Rules: Must be available in the U.S. market from the manufacturer (Just an example a John Cooper Works package would be allowed but a Stillen wouldn't.) Kit cars are excluded. Must be able to cross a speed bump and be driven comfortably for trips.

I won't put a price limit but the daily driver will knock out the ubber upper limits.

Simply state the car and why. Pictures are nice too.

The one you suggested: fun to drive, I can put my stuff in it--groceries, parts, people on occasion, good mileage, and seems to be holding resale well---and won't break the bank when repair time comes. I think. With the Union Jack on the roof, of course.

Miata, duh.

Or an Elise, but then my required comfort levels are less than most. You might want to specify what your comfort level is. It won't change my answer, just determine if you need an NA or an NC.

I have driven an NA Miata, I couldn't see it being a daily driver. Too small to carry anything other than one large person or maybe another small person. If I had an unlimited amount of money and wanted a new car, Id probably go with an Audi S5 and only keep it for about 75k miles. For an older car, it would have to be no newer than early 90s, probably older than that. Maybe a BMW 635, Mercedes 560sec, Volvo 1800, something like that.

I have used an NA as a DD, worked pretty well for me.

Late 70s/80s/early 90s 911 would do the job, as would a 944.

I'm with Junkyard Dog. Define "comfort" first. Crossing a speed bump without coming to nearly a dead stop disqualifies everything I own.

Obviously, daily driver duties mean different things to different people. We all have different needs, so I'll leave it as that.

That said, I'd buy an NSX in a heartbeat. I already daily a mk1 mr2, so back seats or voluminous storage isn't a requirement for me (although the "frunk" and trunk behind the engine together offer more storage than one would imagine on an AW11). The NSX would offer enough power, but not be a gas guzzler. It would be comfortable enough, but still offer everything that a modern mid-engine double-wishbone chassis should. Also, Honda reliability doesn't hurt either. Sign me up.

My idea of a sports car is a two seater. Miata is a fairly obvious answer, but for long trips, I'd say a C4 or later Corvette might be a better choice. They've got a more spacious interior, a longer wheelbase to soak up bumps, and more comfortable seats. I'd probably get the newest one the budget allowed, as they have just kept getting better.

I like the NSX it wasn't even on the radar.

I am 6'4" had fun with a Miata for about 6 monthes. Fun car but not a DD for me.

M5 or maybe a 335i sedan.

I like the WRX STi but too much fuel consumption for DD use, (I know I know, I listed an M5, not the most economical.)

Nissan GTR is a possibility, new Mustang (V6 track pack or GT)

The NSX is a really cool choice. Damn you Matt B, I have got NSX in my head, DAMN YOU!!! LOL

Merry Christmas everyone.

As far as a Vette, what about a Cadillac CTS-V or Pontiac G8?

I would agree with the Vette statement from C5 on; good choice and a FRC or an earlier 5.7L Z06 aren't that expensive.

911 Targa 4S, I have already thought about this. AWD for the winter. Targa top for the summer.

thinking a E39 M5, or a 1965 356sc

Rental car. It doesn't matter what they give you, a rental car with added insurance is always the answer.

FlightService wrote: The NSX is a really cool choice. Damn you Matt B, I have got NSX in my head, DAMN YOU!!! LOL

I'm good for that kind of damnation.

On the other end of the spectrum, I really really unexpectedly like the G8. Kind of an Austro-American M5. Of course, GM kills the one of the most interesting brands they had . . . whatever, they don't make the NSX anymore either. I don't buy new cars anyway, so I'm not sure what I'm complaining about in the first place.

Legacy GT can easily compete with some suspension tweeks. Already comes with 250hp, which becomes 280hp with a reflash. Less than $1000 in engine tweaks, and you'll be WELL over 300hp. Just about anything that will bolt onto an STI will bolt onto these, including the STI front limited slip diff.

STI power with cheaper insurance!

That Legacy Gt is hot!!

I have a 944 as a track car/Sunday driver and my DD is a 2005 Lexus IS300 5-spd.. IMHO both are very true sports cars while the Porsche is track fun, having 2 kids means the Lexus is practical while still feeling like driving a real sports car. Cost for both was $12250 all in.

Having come from owning a CRX track car and an RSX as a DD. RWD+manual trans.=Sports car to me.

Sorry I don't have any pics of my cars. I will work on it.

Derick Freese wrote: Rental car. It doesn't matter what they give you, a rental car with added insurance is always the answer.

LOL

I played jingle bells on a Ford Escort rental's parking brake.

Being 6'4" and very much anti-Toyota (wife's 4Runners rack and pinion split) I have always liked the Lexus IS300/Toyota Solara (Euro/Jap spec), but the flat roof line I won't fit :(

I like alot of cars that I don't fit in.

I am 6'3", 235 lbs. with a 32" inseam and I fit in the Lexus quite well, far better than my RSX.

I don't fit in most cars, my CRX was a horror show, but I LOVE smaller, more nimble cars so I put up with it. In my Porsche I will be using a Corbeau seat that is quite low and I made a 4" extension for the steering wheel so I can drive it with a helmet on.

BTW, I thought the Solara was a NA spec Camry coupe? In JDM land the IS300 is known as the Altezza, the car that gave us the nasty tailight trend.

Sorry post egg nog brain flatulence, it is the Altezza not a Solara.

My head slightly hits the roof in a IS300, unless I am laying down, no chance for a helmet, if it has a sunroof forget it completely.

I had to drop the seat rails in a Miata to fit, how are you extending the steering column in the Porsche?

I know it's already been said, but my vote is the CTS-V. If I wasn't the kind of guy who always drove a truck as my daily driver I would be buying one of these soon.

What and Why:

FlightService wrote: Sorry post egg nog brain flatulence, it is the Altezza not a Solara. My head slightly hits the roof in a IS300, unless I am laying down, no chance for a helmet, if it has a sunroof forget it completely. I had to drop the seat rails in a Miata to fit, how are you extending the steering column in the Porsche?

I custom made a hub from the stock hub so it still retains the stock spline, cover and collapsible mount. I'll try to get a pic up soon.

Woody wrote: What and Why:

I was looking at doing the exact same things.

Porsche +kids + car seat - wifes excuses = happy man

Took some pics of the hub, and my beaters:

1984 944 on jackstands while I get it ready for the spring. 2005 Lexus IS300 5-spd. Sorry for the steelies