Car choices: what is he missing?

In reply to turboswede:

Styling mostly, never even sat in one.
Plus I'm hoping to get into something newer than my 20 year old miata.

6'2" here and my FR-S has been fairly unique among small economical RWD cars in that I fit, and it has a real roof. Better mileage than a Beamer or a rotary, too!

SnowMongoose wrote: Boxster no, Cayman... maybe, not sure a healthy example is in my price range. G35 huh... certainly not that many around these parts, that's appealing to me. Frisbee? Huh, not sure how I missed that one (quick CL search shows ... holy crap, they're all rebuilt titles around here) FD RX7 would be cool, too bad I've already confirmed that I don't fit. (plus possible reliability issues) MB isn't really even on my radar, for some reason only Porsche, Audi, and BMW come to mind when I think German... despite one of the fastest guys I autocross with pedaling an AMG convertible.

I have similar dimensions. I'm 6'3" with a 32" inseam. I think you'll have tons of room in a G35. I didn't like mine, but that's a dead horse now. At the least, if you decide you want one, drive several, and have it well checked out. I'm under the impression now, with the clarity that comes from this end of the ownership cycle, that the G35 probably could be a good car. It suffers from a rough first year or two of production, and disrespectful owners.

Check syncros, particularly on 4th and 5th. Check spark plug wells for oil. Check for accident damage. Check for power lock operation. Check the CD changer. Check OBD-II for readiness and a lack of codes. Look for stupid mods.

If you get a car that passes all of this, you have a unicorn G35, and I bet you'll have fun with it. Get the latest car you can afford. At this point, I'd think a G37 would fit the budget.

In my opinion, you won't find a better sounding car in your budget.

Thought of another car during this morning's commute - Hyundai Genesis Coupe. More similar to the G/Z as a plush car than the sportier Vette/FRZ/BRZ options

Go early 996, the better IMS, should find one under 20k. I have the later 996 with updates, it is a fantastic daily driver. Find one with higher miles and no failure.

Here is my take on IMS: there was some core shift on a small percentage of blocks. In those blocks the IMS is not perfectly aligned, leading to failure. The others will most likely be fine. Finding one with miles on it and no failure means it is a good one.

The way it slogs happily through normal traffic and then the level of performance you get when asked are difficult to comprehend. It plays way above what it's basic stats would indicate. Makes great sounds and draws a completely inordinate amount of attention for what you spend (if that appeals to you).

ae86andkp61 wrote: 6'2" here and my FR-S has been fairly unique among small economical RWD cars in that I fit, and it has a real roof. Better mileage than a Beamer or a rotary, too!

I don't know about that, I get 27 mixed mpgs with my E36.

Let's re-open this can of worms.

In light of recent.... reliability issues with ... every car in my fleet, I've definitely started pondering newer and newer automobiles.
What happens to this discussion if I start pondering the E46 M3 and shift the budget to 15-20?

Would still rather not go the 'spend 10 plus 5 in upgrades/repairs' route, I'm thinking more along the lines of 'fly and drive, good to go'

What about the newest SHO you can find? Are the AWD ones getting any cheaper or are they holding there value? I have not looked recently but when they came out several years back I took one for a test drive and it was a great car. As a DD it is a great car. Track usage probably not so much.

In reply to dean1484:

Two too many doors, doesn't check any coolness boxes, lack of ease in tracking situations...
I do like the out of the box thinking though.

FRC is now in B-Street, even better.

Regular E36 or E46 + STX build is not an awful way to go, but they do have a hard time keeping up with the Twins and RX8's these days.

Another option if you're willing to put up with an STX build is the 128i. I saw Kyle Herbst's car this weekend and it's a thing of beauty.

This popped up, it's right over the border from me.
2003 M3
So, once you convert from metric, looking at under $17k US (@ full asking price) for a car with 75k miles...
thoughts?

Just when he thought he was staying on target, the ADD kicks in ag-SQUIRREL!

05 Lancer Evo MR
Not perfect, it's several thousand miles away, certainly not an FRC or M3...
but it checks a lot of boxes despite extra doors, and is several thousand cheaper than even anything with 100k+ miles anywhere local.

Pros: Boost, AWD, low miles, around here everyone and their mom drives a Subaru - these are pretty uncommon, never had a six speed before, sedan means I'd probably fit in it despite my torso issue.
Cons: Too many doors, reported lack of interior quality, would need to replace those wheels right quick, 2600 miles away, not as much Chapelle 'ooh, nice Porsche' effect, Mitsu is going under.

Thoughts?

Vette...seriously...go drive one

I would do a boxster before a vette. Even though on paper the vette beats the boxster in every category.

The "feel" is just completely different. Although the shove from vette is always nice.

New Age Mustang V8 would fit in there, looks, sounds and good performance with much more easily available

In reply to Flight Service:

Convertible is a no go though I would consider a Cayman if I thought I could afford it.

Ford Focus ST, still in warranty

2014 Focus ST, 11k miles

335i might be a good answer

In reply to Flight Service:

The Focus is much closer, that's for sure.
FWD and even less sexy than the Mitsu though.
Not sure if it'd be easier or harder to resist the urge to upgrade all willy-nilly though.

The urge for that Evo has been squelched.
And by that I mean it already sold.

I need to spend a day in Seattle examining everything I don't have access to up here.
(That's everything BTW, yay not living in a big city)

2004 M3 in Seattle
Less than an hour and a half away and I don't work until Wednesday...

I need to stop trusting dealer listings.
Not only is that car an 03, but it's got the SMG.
SMH, this game sucks.

Anything I should change on my list if I up the ante to 25k?
With the exception of the RX8, all of my other front runners (E46 M3, C5, Lancer Evo 8/9) are, at 20k, all haggard/salvage titled/high mileage/automatics/heavily modified or some combination of the above.

Continuing on my trend of bad luck, went to look at an 02 Z06 two days ago, only to find it had been sold the day before.
Said car is STILL listed on their website and autotrader.

At $25k you should be able to get a pretty decent E86 Z4M-- pretty much a two seat E46 M3 in a fancy dress. And they are all manuals.