My first what car thread in 5 years.

5 years ago I posted a what car thread. In true GRM form, I ignored everyone and bought what I wanted anyway . Here I am asking again, maybe this time I won't ignore you :)

$5K or less
Reliable
manual
15.0 1/4 mile
Hatchback or Wagon (definitely no 2 doors)
<120k miles
track > height (no tall cars)

Mazda 3 is the top choice, but they don't do 15.0 in the 1/4 unless they are fed with a turbo. Of course a Speed3 will, but it seems they are not found in this price range with that many miles. I'm ok with adding go fast parts to achieve the speed requirement, but they would have to be done inside the budget.

Are there any other options? What if I only needed 2 of the 3 non-bolded requirements?

Edit: Must be manual of course.

Saab 9-3 wagon?

Not sure this will work. Closest thing I can think of would be an older MK IV GTI with simple mods, but that fails on reliable. It will. be interesting to see what people come up with.

Doing away with the hatch requirement, i would opt for a 1999-2004 Mustang GT. Should do the quarter mile thing, and be reasonably reliable.

PT Cruiser GT but that leaves me wondering if it meets your definition of Reliable.

Chevy HHR SS but also same comment on reliability.

Also maybe failing on reliability but a Chrysler Crossfire will do it all also.
Though it is a hatch it truly lacks in cargo capability.

ChrisHachet wrote: Closest thing I can think of would be an older MK IV GTI with simple mods, but that fails on reliable.

Here's a nice on in Atlanta:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5811097388.html

Interesting. Sorry, should have specified: no 2 doors, even if you ditch hatch requirement.

I will add another requirement as well: track width must be greater than height. I don't like tall cars.

9-3 wagon... what year/model would I be looking for?

How about the Saab version of a WRX?
This one asking $6k

Volvo v70 wagon nadd wagon for the win

Or saab

ProDarwin wrote: Interesting. Sorry, should have specified: no 2 doors, even if you ditch hatch requirement. I will add another requirement as well: track width must be greater than height. I don't like tall cars. 9-3 wagon... what year/model would I be looking for?

2003+ should be without the spending limit.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_9-3

I think the 2.0t made 210hp but I'd have to look it up to be sure.

Link

[URL=http://s265.photobucket.com/user/derekrichardson/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4199.jpg.html][/URL]

Hmm. I've looked into those 9-3s before. Maybe I'll look again. I kinda want to get away from GM, but I do enjoy ecotecs. In an "upscale" Saab wrapper it may be pretty nice. Is there a physical difference between little t and big T? Performance parts availability for these worries me (they aren't that quick out of the box) a bit.

Working no the 2.8 scares me, but I wonder how much more power one can make with one

DrBoost wrote: Link

Automatic :(

JohnRW1621 wrote: How about the Saab version of a WRX? This one asking $6k

Very tempting. I do like 2.0 WRXs

In reply to ProDarwin:

Lots of T vs t differences:

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17892#/topics/17892?_k=hmh6y5

Not sure if you could find one within your mileage constraints/budget but the Focus SVTs ran 15s didn't they, and came in a 4 door for a couple of years? It would have a better reputation for reliability than the VWs or Subarus.

Here's one a little outside of your mileage, but well within the budget: https://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/5813143597.html

red_stapler wrote:

ChrisHachet wrote: Closest thing I can think of would be an older MK IV GTI with simple mods, but that fails on reliable.

Here's a nice on in Atlanta: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5811097388.html

Now that is a clean little GTI!

STM317 wrote: Not sure if you could find one within your mileage constraints/budget but the Focus SVTs ran 15 didn't they, and came in a 4 door for a couple of years? Might be a bit more reliable than the VWs or Subarus. Here's one a little outside of your mileage, but well within the budget: https://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/5813143597.html

...and if you are looking for a true Unicorn, find on in Orange the rarest color made.

JohnRW1621 wrote: How about the Saab version of a WRX? This one asking $6k

I was just going to suggest that very car. I strongly encouraged DD#1 to look at it, but she's waiting a bit on making a purchase.

Biggest issue I have with the Saabaru is: its far away. I haven't come across anything reasonable like that locally on CL and I've searched for them on and off for a while. I don't want to fly and drive if I don't have to as the time/money to do so greatly increases the cost of the car. I will certainly keep my eyes open for one though.

SVT Focus kinda reminds me of the B15 Sentra SpecV rally car we have - odd performance version of an economy car, takes premium fuel, gets mediocre mileage, and is a bit slow in a straight line. I'm almost ok with the speed of it (SpecV is faster than the SVT though), but its got a lot of negatives for a car that only performs just slightly better than a typical econobox in a straight line.

Have come across a few of these Speed3s almost in that price range locally: http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/5794527443.html

Lots of these on CL: http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5809835942.html

About 1 out of 3 has had the engine replaced though. Why?

RSX type S should check all of those boxes, or an Integra GSR if you prefer the older style.

In reply to Sonic:

Other than the No 2 door requirement

In reply to ProDarwin:

Re: Distance
A quick look shows the Saabaru is about 1,100 miles away from your home.
Based on my actual experiences I bet you could get that shipped directly your front door for $500.
Just so you know.

That's a pretty tight set of requirements at that price point. An E36 328i would fit the bill, with right on ~15 second quarter, a manual, and four doors, and can be found that cheap. Not sure about number of miles, and of course we didn't get the wagon. BMW 540iT would fit every category, but not sold here as a stick. That Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon or any Subaru WRX-based wagon would probably get you there. Otherwise, everything I can think of is too expensive. You might be able to do a mid 90's accord with a homebrew J35 swap or something, but I don't know that much about Hondas.