Volvo 240 Turbo with a whole pile of iPd parts thrown at it?
Volvo 240 Turbo with a whole pile of iPd parts thrown at it?
How new/ reliable do you need? My 996 is 2900#, rwd, fits my 5 year old with car seat, manual transmission and was $16k. You can do a lot of preventative maintenance with the left over $9k. I really don't think its what you're looking for, but it ticks most of your boxes.
Wiki says that a manual IS300 is 3255 lbs.
Car & Driver claimed the '08 128i they tested was 3197 lbs.
I like newer for DD, but you're going to gain a lot more room on your requirements for going older. My 81 Camaro was only 3100 and my 86 only 3000 for instance, and those were not small cars, but could easily fit four (or 7 sometimes).
Everyone knows the answer is an e30. Sporty, RWD, room for kids in the back, bullet proof engine, and sub 3000 lbs. from the factory with more free weight reduction depending on how much has rusted off.
LS1 Camaro
Done
Sounds to me like you need a JDM WRX wagon. 300hp, 2800lbs, all the modern amenities, available for well under $10k and never over 60,000miles. ;)
None of those coupes are going to have a back seat your 6 year old could live with. Trust me...I'm 5'9" and have 6 year old twins. I had a MINI Cooper S for a while. The only way they fit in the back was if I was eating the steering wheel. If I put the seat back where I really wanted it, there was literally about 2 or 3" of legroom. Most of those coupes are going to be very similar.
If you can live with a larger and heavier coupe you've got cars like 370Z/G35 twins, GTO, maybe Camaro/Mustang. They will all have usable back seats. If you want 4 doors and need RWD/AWD probably STi or Evo (I would think Charger is too heavy). If you can deal with FWD, MINI Cooper Clubman (has more backseat room).
Or maybe go with a G35/G37 sedan? RWD, fun, manual, 4 real size seats, reliable. Only thing it's not is under 3000lbs.
travisb wrote:singleslammer wrote: The RX-8 is a good option if you aren't afraid of the occasional engine rebuildThat's one of the main reasons it is not on the top of the list. Prior owner maintenance is extremely important with this car..
I think the fuel economy is more of a concern than engine rebuilds. It was mostly the Automatics that had issues (slightly different engine design, not driven hard) and who wants one of those? Mine is at 86K and still going strong. (I'm selling it because of the fuel mileage 
)
I'm following up on my thread now that I purchased my new car. I went with a 2014 Subaru BRZ. I was able to get it for about $2,500 under invoice after several days of emails and phone calls back and forth with 6 Subaru and Scion dealerships to negotiate the best price. So far I am loving the car!
E36 M3 / 328i?
It seems like a 2008 (if you want to go STX) or a 2011 WRX (D-Stock) will be your best bets. If you remove a few things or replace the front seats they can get ~3000 pounds or even a bit less on the 2008. See this buid thread for example:
http://www.mnautox.com/forums/showthread.php?18718-Steve-s-STX-build-back-to-the-future
Others have mentioned the RX-8. They can be had well below your budget and the back seat is far more usable than the BRZ/FRS.
Off the top of my head those are the only two cars that are going to be near your weight/seat/drivetrain preferences...
So the guy updates his thread with his new car he just bought, and you both suggest cars for him to buy???
Lol, missed that part...congrats on the new car.
The nice thing about the Focus/Fiesta is that they are 5 doors. Makes back seat access much easier.
"only FWD" Ford has pretty much handled that.
Xceler8x wrote: Hey guys, I'd like a car that makes 600 hp and weighs 1500lbs. It has to fit 9 kids in the back and haul all my shoes and glasses. Must come in eye searing blue. GET TO IT!On topic. I think you're best bet is a Focus ST. If that doesn't work for you please let us know what car you purchase.
Pretty much this. Or the Fiesta, if you needed the back seat room. Enjoy the BRZ!
I know I sound like a broken record... but these can easily be 2900lbs, tick every box depending on your definition of new being "in the last 20 years".
travisb wrote: I'm following up on my thread now that I purchased my new car. I went with a 2014 Subaru BRZ. I was able to get it for about $2,500 under invoice after several days of emails and phone calls back and forth with 6 Subaru and Scion dealerships to negotiate the best price. So far I am loving the car!
Glad to hear that!
1966stang wrote:travisb wrote: I'm following up on my thread now that I purchased my new car. I went with a 2014 Subaru BRZ. I was able to get it for about $2,500 under invoice after several days of emails and phone calls back and forth with 6 Subaru and Scion dealerships to negotiate the best price. So far I am loving the car!Glad to hear that!
Ooops. Missed that before posting.
travisb wrote: I'm following up on my thread now that I purchased my new car. I went with a 2014 Subaru BRZ. I was able to get it for about $2,500 under invoice after several days of emails and phone calls back and forth with 6 Subaru and Scion dealerships to negotiate the best price. So far I am loving the car!
Congratulations! Sounds like you scored an awesome deal there getting that car for below invoice. What's your impression? Kid fits in the back ok?
tuna55 wrote: So the guy updates his thread with his new car he just bought, and you both suggest cars for him to buy???
I've come to the conclusion the vast majority of people on the internet don't bother to read a thread before they comment.
Xceler8x wrote: Congratulations! Sounds like you scored an awesome deal there getting that car for below invoice. What's your impression? Kid fits in the back ok?
My daughter fits ok in the back. As long as the front seat is up a few notches it looks like it will ok.
As far as the car goes, I'm loving it!
Oh, and thanks everyone for the continued suggestions.
I know they will be helpful for others.
I purchased my new car yesterday, so you don't really need to suggest anymore unless you just want to help the community in general.
Thanks again!
travisb wrote: Oh, and thanks everyone for the continued suggestions. I know they will be helpful for others. I purchased my new car yesterday, so you don't really need to suggest anymore unless you just want to help the community in general. Thanks again!
Wow man, you're way more eloquent with that than I was.
Take some pictures and tell us about your first trackday soon!
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