Catlas_Se7en
Catlas_Se7en Reader
2/20/20 9:03 a.m.

So I'm selling my miata to try and get a bigger daily (if anyone wants it, PM me). Cars I was looking at as a daily alongside getting a cheaper, not running project, are as follows.

  • 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 5 Speed ($2500 obo, 201K miles)
  • 1998-2000 LS400 ($2800 obo, 190K miles)
  • W124 Mercedes turbodiesel (no idea, haven't found one yet)
  • W124 Mercedes 300TE (same as turbodiesel)
  • BMW E36, E38, E39 ($2500-$3000obo 118-160K miles)

Potential projects with one of these:

  • 1981 VW Fox coupe with 4 speed.
  • 1993 BMW 328i manual that needs exhaust reinstalled
  • Some form of cheap truck

All of those can be acquired near me for $800 or less.

Teach me more about the Altima, as well as leave me other recommendations I missed.

AngryCorvair
AngryCorvair MegaDork
2/20/20 9:06 a.m.

i loved the E36 M3 out of my E38.  no manuals in US market though.

E46 is in your price and mileage range as well

pinchvalve
pinchvalve MegaDork
2/20/20 9:09 a.m.

The Altima SE-R was pretty hot, but the regular Altima could also be had with a V6. You could always swap parts.

Catlas_Se7en
Catlas_Se7en Reader
2/20/20 9:09 a.m.

In reply to AngryCorvair :

Reliable and easy to work on though? 

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
2/20/20 9:18 a.m.

The Lexus LS400 is probably the most boring choice but it also probably has the lowest operating cost.  

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ PowerDork
2/20/20 9:20 a.m.

LS400, Toyota Pickup.  Use the Lexus to make measurements so you can 1UZ swap the truck.

dculberson
dculberson MegaDork
2/20/20 9:45 a.m.

The 1998-2000 LS400 is a pretty sweet spot. It got the VVTi engine so hits 300hp and has the 5-speed auto while still being in the older, lighter long wheel base body so it's both big and quick and reasonably efficient. It's still what it is, which is a fully size luxury sedan, so going from a Miata to an LS400 will be quite a shift. I would try to get one without navigation - not that the navigation is unreliable, but it makes it harder to put in a more modern head unit. The stock one has a CD changer in the dash and no line-in, though line-in adapters and hacks are available, usually by leaving a CD in the changer and re-routing the line level audio to your input. The stock speaker locations and space available are great, you can end up with a pretty awesome sounding system without the need for a separate sub box or any hacked looking speaker grilles anywhere.

They're pretty straightforward to work on but parts are expensive. I loved mine. Only sold to get a faster Lexus (GS430). Then sold that to get a wagon once the second kid came.

mr2s2000elise
mr2s2000elise Dork
2/20/20 10:46 a.m.

We had a 99 LS 400 for 6 years. ours had the sport package with the factory 18 inch fat five spoke wheels.  We replaced our 93 LS with that. 

 

We replaced our 99LS with a 05 LS430 (best of the LS in my opinion).   

 

Get the 99LS!

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