My turn! What car?

Purpose:
1. DD
2. Track day / driving instructor car

Needs:
1. Manual trans.
2. RWD or AWD
3. Track ready (only brake pads, tires needed at first, suspension mods down the road)
4. Low cost of operation (I currently have a Miata), low maintenance
5. 2004 or newer
6. Snow tires available
7. Under $25k

Want:
4 seater

I would be selling my Miata. I've raced/driven Miata's for 10+ yrs and would like to try something different with horsepower. I've gone over the 2 car, track toy and DD option and I won't be able to make it work right now.

Short list:
GTO
RX-8
E46 ZHP

I'm fully aware of the risks of tracking a DD (currently do it), and I'm ok with it. I'd probably get track day insurance with the new car and I'll be the only one driving it on track.

I've searched the forums, read the threads on these different cars, but I'm still open to other opinions.

Thanks!

WRX.

I've only driven the GTO from your list, but it was pretty amazing. The worst parts about it were the back seats (I was totally comfy in the RX8 back seats and couldn't really get in the Goat at 6'2") and the fact that to get in them, you need to use the worlds slowest seat adjuster to do it. Seriously, you wait like 45 seconds.

GTO > Mustang GT > WRX

+1 for WRX.

Ive been wanting to go down that path for a while now.

Cole_Trickle wrote: +1 for WRX. Ive been wanting to go down that path for a while now.

Keep in mind that the WRX hasn't added a huge amount since that comparo Hot Rod did a while back where it edged out the Mustang S-95. The Stang has come a long way. Plus, even in that test, the Stang won for fuel economy (I know, in Hot Rod no less)

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0401_mustang_cobra_subaru_wrx_sti/viewall.html

M3

I know the RX-8 has a mixed following here, but that's what gets my vote.

It has the best suspension setup and is the lightest of any of those cars, but has by far the least power. However, if you're going to be upgrading the car, I would really consider it. It's fairly easy to increase power output and much more difficult to reduce weight and improve on a poor suspension geometry.

I would only consider an '06+ RX-8 - I think the reliability improved markedly in the first few years of production. Oh, don't even consider one with a sunroof either - no room at all for a helmet.

On the downside, if you are moving away from a miata, then maybe this isn't for you. The RX-8 is basically a beefed up NC coupe, so maybe you won't feel that it's enough of a change.

Let me put some odd ones out (you will get some normal answers here and already have a few nice choices.)

CTS-V

SAAB 9-2x Aero

Audi S4

Audi S6

VW R32

Volvo S60R

Mazdaspeed 6

New 2012 Mustang V6 base w/track pack (you could negotiate to your price point)

E46 M3.

another vote for the ctsv purly a great all round car

Goat

Another E46 M3 vote here. Docile daily driver (though I don't use mine as one) and ferocious on track. Consumables aren't that cheap but will probably be less than the CTS-V and I just prefer the smaller size of the M3.

The M3 is well balanced on the track and semi-luxo on the street. Divetrain, brakes & suspension hold up too - what's not to like? RX8 will do the trick, but comments from racers are that they're underpowered (like a Miata...). The only GTO I've ever seen on track was overweight, under-tired and under braked. Nice street cruiser though.

as has been mentioned:

CTSV

GTO

M3

WRX

Mustang GT

not necessarily in that order...

GTO.

Next question?

I can't help but think any of the all-wheel drive choices would be a handling letdown after the Miata. The Speed6 and Audis are particularly porcine.

I second the V6 Mustang w/ track pack or perhaps the newest Hyundai Genesis coupe with the turbo 4-banger.

I was recently on a "new" car search and drove most of the cars listed here, some new, some used. I ended up with a Mini Cooper S, but my favorite of the bunch hands down was the RX8. It simply drove the best and was the most fun. Yes, even over the M3. The strikes against it were too much in the end for me, that being terrible fuel mileage (I have a long drive to work), and the fragality (is that a word? ) of it's engine.

But it was the only car that days after I drove it, I wanted to go drive it again.

FYI - If you have a long torso or are over about 5'10" and want to wear a helmet in an RX-8, you MUST have the hardtop, manual seat version. The power seats are taller and the sunroof really eats at the headroom.

This thread is very similar to a conversation I've been having with my roommate, although with a $15K price cap. My short list has matured to a ZHP (maybe, I can't quite justify the unreasonable premium they're getting, about $3-4K over KBB value) and '04-05 WRX.

Useless in the snow, but a c5 Z06 will hit that price point. I happen to know of a local monster that just threw 677hp down on a dyno BEFORE ported heads. it's 24k.

Time for the wildcard.

'00-02 Camaro/Firebird V8.

Best handling live axle car I've driven, tons of power, two difficult sparkplugs to get to.

I only suggested that one as a GM fan - the rear seats in a Camaro are terrible and the service accessibility is poor.

Your requirements document looks remarkably like a spec sheet for a Ford Mustang GT.

Javelin wrote: GTO > Mustang GT > WRX

That's my vote as well, but I'll substitute STI for WRX.

Regarding the headroom argument in the RX-8. It is possible to "flip" the rear mounting position of the seat which drops it by up to 1/2" and changes the seating geometry slightly. This depending on seat back lean angle will net up to an inch of extra headroom.