If you're considering the SVT focus, you can also consider the 2.3 duratec variant. SVT suspension goodies are cheap and the engine responds well to bolt-ons. Also better gas mileage and no timing belt IIRC.
If you're considering the SVT focus, you can also consider the 2.3 duratec variant. SVT suspension goodies are cheap and the engine responds well to bolt-ons. Also better gas mileage and no timing belt IIRC.
SlickDizzy wrote: I'm iffy on the Tiburon since timing belts on that V6 seem like a PITA. Prelude is worth considering if the right car comes along, I suppose, but I still worry...
A once every, what? 50k mile job is scaring you off a car? Factor it into the buying price if you don't have time. Pay the dealer to do it then forget about it for a couple of years until you graduate collage. I bought my Miata while living out of the country, I wanted to drive it when I got back not start off working on it so that's exactly what I did. I got my girlfriend to drop it at the dealer. Once timing belt later I never thought about it for my entire time owning it.
But don't let me put you off the SVT Focus, stupid amount of fun.
Also, I'd strongly consider an SVT Contour. TOm Spangler and I both miss ours. The stories of them being hard to wrench on are blown way out of proportion. Internet lore indicates an alternator change is an all day or longer job with tool and a lift. B.S. 4.5 hours with jack stands and hand tools. Also HEGO sensors are supposed to try the patience of a saint and need spider like double jointed fingers. Again B.S. from the top in less than 30 mins.
944 turbo....my first one was my DD back in the day and saw plenty of snow.
93EXCivic wrote: EG or EK Civic. Reliable as gravity, good gas mileage, huge aftermarket, fun to drive, easy to work on. I went thru a similar thing in my junior year in college and the Civic just made sense.
This would be stolen the instant you stepped away from it if you made it something other than a stock Civic.
If left stock it would be stolen a few minutes after you stepped away.
Cotton wrote: 944 turbo....my first one was my DD back in the day and saw plenty of snow.
Wouldn't an S2 or even an 89 2.7 be a better reliable DD with cheaper running costs if time and money are an issue?
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I like the late 6spd Celica GTS option.
I like this idea as well. I had the chance to get one many moons ago, but got a Dodge Stealth Turbo instead.
That was a mistake.
A $5000 E36 M3 is going to be whipped hard and put away wet. They're durable cars but it's worth spending more to get a well maintained example.
Adrian_Thompson wrote:Cotton wrote: 944 turbo....my first one was my DD back in the day and saw plenty of snow.Wouldn't an S2 or even an 89 2.7 be a better reliable DD with cheaper running costs if time and money are an issue?
You guys are insane 
The eye-watering cost of clutch and timing belt jobs make me never want a 944.
A $5k E36 M3 makes me nervous just seeing the idea put into print. A $5k 318ti seems much more non-horrible.
SlickDizzy wrote:Adrian_Thompson wrote:You guys are insaneCotton wrote: 944 turbo....my first one was my DD back in the day and saw plenty of snow.Wouldn't an S2 or even an 89 2.7 be a better reliable DD with cheaper running costs if time and money are an issue?
Timing belts are easy DIY. Clutch, find one with it done recently and you pay a premium, but easily in the $5k limit.
I still vote SVT product or a Tib
e_pie wrote:93EXCivic wrote: EG or EK Civic. Reliable as gravity, good gas mileage, huge aftermarket, fun to drive, easy to work on. I went thru a similar thing in my junior year in college and the Civic just made sense.This would be stolen the instant you stepped away from it if you made it something other than a stock Civic. If left stock it would be stolen a few minutes after you stepped away.
I have never been worried about either of mine being stolen but whatever,
BMW, but newer than an E30, even though I love them.
93EXCivic wrote:e_pie wrote:I have never been worried about either of mine being stolen but whatever,93EXCivic wrote: EG or EK Civic. Reliable as gravity, good gas mileage, huge aftermarket, fun to drive, easy to work on. I went thru a similar thing in my junior year in college and the Civic just made sense.This would be stolen the instant you stepped away from it if you made it something other than a stock Civic. If left stock it would be stolen a few minutes after you stepped away.
Found the reason: Madison, AL 
Adrian_Thompson wrote:Cotton wrote: 944 turbo....my first one was my DD back in the day and saw plenty of snow.Wouldn't an S2 or even an 89 2.7 be a better reliable DD with cheaper running costs if time and money are an issue?
probably but not as fun. When I used mine as a DD I was just out of school and broke ($$ wise) most of the time, but was still able to keep it going. They aren't nearly as scary as the (there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche) guys make them out to be. If I went off internet knowledge on auto purchases I'd be scared to buy anything but shoes for transport.
Good luck finding a Matrix/Vibe in that price range. Around here the regular ones go for $6,000 plus, and most seem to have salvage titles.
SlickDizzy wrote:Adrian_Thompson wrote:You guys are insaneCotton wrote: 944 turbo....my first one was my DD back in the day and saw plenty of snow.Wouldn't an S2 or even an 89 2.7 be a better reliable DD with cheaper running costs if time and money are an issue?
I did my tb, balance belts, rollers, waterpump etc for around $500 in parts. Neither of mine needed a clutch, but when the time comes I'll tackle that one too.
97-00 v70r
I would still rather have something newer. I've done the 80's RWD sports car deal to death, the only two I haven't had are the Starion and 944 and neither of those are on my radar for a year-round daily driver. Besides, it's not the money as much as the time - I can do a timing belt myself, but as my only vehicle and with no more than 4 hours of breathing room at any given time, I'd be paying a shop to do it anyways...
slopecarver wrote: 97-00 v70r
Yowza, are they really that cheap now? They made 5-speeds, right?
7 series bmw. V12 power, civic prices
bengro wrote: 7 series bmw. V12 power, civic prices
Um, no. Never sold as manual in any generation I'd actually want, and I'm not looking for a technoluxobarge as my city driver. If you mean that every part costs as much as a Civic, you're absolutely correct...
A 5k M3 can quickly become a 7 or 8K M3 if you need to catch up on differed maintinance. I initially was looking for ones in the same same price range but ended up spending more after I looked at a few rats and started mentally calculating what it would take to get them where I would reliably drive it everyday.
I love the car and would probably keep it forever if I didn't all of the sudden get the urge to buy a 911....
As far as the TT is concerned go sit in one. I drove one for a few days and the fancy silver things on the side of the center console dug into my leg horribly. I was so uncomfortable I refused to drive it after that. My leg is cramping just thinking about that stupid center console.
Regular MINI Cooper? They are getting down to around $5k from what I have seen.
Volvo 960 Turbo?
Accent GT (2nd generation) or Accent SE (3rd generation)? I know the GT was compared to the original Rabbit GTI and SE was the replacement for that one. Very underrated cars IMHO.
E36 325 or 328. spare rims with snows. update cooling system.
it's easy for me to say this as a 45-year-old, and it's easy for me to look back and see myself ignoring it as a 25-year-old, but i'll say it anyway because it is right:
stop spending money on autocross and other hobby stuff until you're finished with school and have a job that you love / like enough to see as a long-term proposition.
I see nothing wrong with your 9-3SS idea... our 2004 is north of 125k now and is a hoot to drive, even with the autotragic my wife wanted. I've done a track day with it and it did not in any way embarass itself. Wonderful highway car, we just saw 32mpg on a trip to my parents place for Thanksgiving. Personally I'd look for an Arc instead of an Aero just for the turbo 4, though you do miss out on the cool 2-tone leather. You can always swap interiors! 
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