Help me GRM

I've been debating lately about selling/trading the miata for something a little more practical. Something not quite as loud or hot with 2 more seats. I do know that I would be rather displeased with front drive or anything that isn't the least bit sporty. I figure the easy answer here is a 325is of either E30 or early E36 variety but I'd like some more options.

Volvo 240 or 740 Turbo. Seats four comfortably, RWD, can be had with manual tranny, easy to add power. Stealth factor is high, especially in wagon form.

E34 BMW might be another option. Still sporty, but probably not something you would want to autocross. No saying you can't but it'll be hard on the consumables.

Why sell or trade the MIata? It's not likely worth that much. Can't you just add a second car to the fleet?

RX-7?

There are those who call me...Ross. wrote: RX-7?

good option here..

318ti. For that matter, any 4 cylinder BMW from 91-onward.

m0t0r1t3 wrote:

There are those who call me...Ross. wrote: RX-7?

good option here..

Umm... I believe he wanted more seats and quieter.

I've been thrilled with my E36 ('97 328is), and they've pretty much at the bottom of the depreciation curve.

P71? Of course the sporty part is in the eye of the beholder........

Swapped 318ti... or get one with a blown motor and do it yourself.

e36 m3 sedan sounds decent too... did they come in manual transmission flavors?

Budget?

Any manual trans E36 or even better early E46 are getting pretty cheap. E39 5ers are getting darned cheap too if you want a little more size. If you want to go big E38 7s can be had in good shape for under $7k.

Mustang? Alfa?

G-body. (Monte Carlo SS, 442, Grand National, etc)

pigeon wrote: Budget?

I was thinking around 3k or so. My somewhat halfbaked idea would be to sell the miata and get a new car with the same money with no additional cash or find someone to trade straight across. I already have two vehicles and a third is definitely out of the question.

subby legacy is one answer, cheap, sticks, awd, wagon or sedan, and can be modded cheaply.

Not cheap, but still the most fun answer I can think of, Mini Cooper S. Easily the most brilliant FWD chassis I've ever laid eyes on, BMW solid, and that supercharger whine makes me grin from ear to ear every time I wind her out. Does good burnouts too.

How about a toyota corolla from 2000-?. Not pretty but it is the most neutral FWD car I've ever driven. Cheap and plentiful. My mom has one and it isn't half bad. Give it a try.

I second the corolla thing. They're pretty strong, cheap-ish, easy on the gas, and prettty comfy. Kinda boring though.

Corolla, Celica, MX6.

I think you would have a blast in an MX6. 1st OR 2nd gen. Just make sure it's a 1g Turbo, or a 2nd gen V6.

Salanis wrote:

m0t0r1t3 wrote:

There are those who call me...Ross. wrote: RX-7?

good option here..

Umm... I believe he wanted more seats and quieter.

if you look long enough there are 2nd gen cars with back seats, and with stock exhaust they are quieter then a drafty rag top

2.0dohc wrote:

Salanis wrote:

m0t0r1t3 wrote:

There are those who call me...Ross. wrote: RX-7?

good option here..

Umm... I believe he wanted more seats and quieter.

if you look long enough there are 2nd gen cars with back seats, and with stock exhaust they are quieter then a drafty rag top

Yeah, but can he live with the massive decrease in gas mileage and more intensive maintenance schedule? I love my FC, but it's not an ideal DD. Plus, I've seen the rear "seats" in a 2+2 version and I wouldn't put anyone in them that didn't already have their legs amputated.

My vote is for GC Subaru Impreza. Decent handling on pavement, fun as hell in the dirt and snow, cheap, plenty of cargo room in the wagon, lots of suspension upgrades, and WRX swaps are almost passé at this point. Go for a 2.2L or 99-01 2.5L. 1.8L is too wheezy for my tastes and early 2.5Ls had headgasket problems. 2.2L is bulletproof and torquey but unmoddable and the head gasket issues were addressed in the later 2.5Ls.

I'm going to second the 318Ti vote