The done school, have a job, want something fun and reliable, what car thread

As stated I'm done engineering, I recently sold my faithful and reliable 97 cavalier and just moved down to California for a new job. Right now my wife and I share a 94 accord sedan and we need another car in the next month.

I've been wanting to go racing all throughout university but never had the cash or time. I'd like something I can take auto crossing and build up some skill as well as have a ton of fun in. Something with a decent modification base would be a plus to build up over time.

My commute is really short, like less than 10 min but I'll be driving it every day so I'd like it to be somewhat comfortable. Since it will be our newer car we'll probably take it on any long car trip too. I'd also like it to get decent gas millage as well.

Working with $8000 or less.

I was thinking ep3 civic as I've always wanted to try a Honda but I'm open to anything really.

Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated, thanks.

• Paul

Be careful, try not to overspend, cut your budget in half. Most people who get out of school want to get something right away, unlike you, usually something new. Resist the tempation, especially with such a short commute. I too travel 10 mins to work, I got a turbo brick for half the cost and my needs have been met.

Duh. Miata.

Miata! Miata! Miata! It's the only answer in this case.

8k should get you a really nice one. 5k will also get a really nice one and leave money for anything else you want to do to it.

Miata.

You could get a really nice '99-00 Civic Si for a little less than that. It's a better car than the EP3.

Miata or E30. As you are in california, the only issue is CARB and not rust, cold weather, and a need for a winter daily

I'm even going to say it. Miata. You want to build up skill, its the perfect weight ratio. Plus any issues, WHO YA GONNA CALL?

There are those here that will pooh-pooh the notion, but I would argue that what you need is TWO cars. One economical and reliable daily driver, and one toy that you can modify and generally beat the snot out of.

I am going to put you in the poor house with this one.

1989 951!

Do it. Pansy!

(Actually, if I had that in my pocket right now, I would seriously be out looking for a ratty but reliable early 912. Those are REALLY calling my name right now.)

1988RedT2 wrote: There are those here that will pooh-pooh the notion, but I would argue that what you need is TWO cars. One economical and reliable daily driver, and one toy that you can modify and generally beat the snot out of.

thats what I dun and I'm in about 4 G

I agree about not dropping a mint on a car, I like the ep3 but it does seem difficult to find one with lowish miles for a decent price. Realistically I'd like to spend around 6.

The miata is a pretty awesome idea but I'd like to get something with more than two seats right now and two cars are out as I only really have the room for a dual purpose car. I would like to get something that wont bankrupt me in repairs and that I wont have to spend every weekend fixing.

I was looking at the 99-00 si but was originally turned off as so many are poorly modified/salvaged/billion miles. How are they from a comfort and interior point of view? It may sound lame but I've always wanted something with nice seats and I've heard these years aren't that great.

I like the idea of the 944 but what are these like to own? Am I going to go broke just keeping it running?

Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em coming.

Do you plan on racing the car? If so, what type of racing, what class-type, etc? If you do want to race at some point, look at what people are racing, don't pick a car and hope later that it is competitive.

Racing aside... Integra GSR would meet your needs nicely.

Miata is still the answer, two seats or not.

But if you must have more than two seats, I agree with ProDarwin. Integra will suit you perfectly.

How about a BMW E36? Your budget should get you the nicest non-M3 model you could find. Four seats (although don't try carrying four largish adults in one for more than a very short trip), comfortable, fun to drive, and not much to watch out for besides rubber suspension parts and plastic cooling system bits.

Integras are not bad choices either, although I'm not sure what the odds of finding one in California that hasn't had a ton of questionable mods installed and seen some street racing action is.

LS1 Camaros / Firebirds should be in your budget, and mileage is in the mid 20's - not sure on how comfortable they are, but they're pretty dependable and have lots of motorsports potential.

MadScientistMatt wrote: How about a BMW E36? Your budget should get you the nicest non-M3 model you could find. Four seats (although don't try carrying four largish adults in one for more than a very short trip), comfortable, fun to drive, and not much to watch out for besides rubber suspension parts and plastic cooling system bits.

They hold their value pretty well out here, but that's definitely an option. I occasionally see really nice 318tis go for less than the OPs budget (between $4k-$5k seems to buy a fairly low mileage (100k or less) one in good nick). Only problem seems to be that a lot of the nicer E36s have slushboxes. Yes, including M3s .

MadScientistMatt wrote: Integras are not bad choices either, although I'm not sure what the odds of finding one in California that hasn't had a ton of questionable mods installed and seen some street racing action is.

Seems to go for almost anything with a Honda badge out here (for us the major market to buy from is Norcal).

I'd buy:

99-00 Si
Any Integra GSR
RSX Type S
00-05 Celica GTS
Mazdaspeed Protege
Protege MP3
Sentra SE-R

Before i'd buy an EP3. (List not in any particular order.)

WRX? I've seen those get down that far.

If I had that short of a commute, I would have an early 70s full size GM convertible.

Or a 1964 Lincoln Continental.

personally.. if I had a 10minute commute that did not involve a highway.. I would be on my bicycle

I'd like to Autocross and potentially later on get into hpde's. Are gsrs no good for the this?

What makes the 99-00 si better than the ep3? And how does it stack up to the gsr?

PaulY wrote: I'd like to Autocross and potentially later on get into hpde's. Are gsrs no good for the this? What makes the 99-00 si better than the ep3? And how does it stack up to the gsr?

Better suspension, feels lighter. Engine is better suited to the car in my opinion.

The EP3 is annoying... it makes peak power AT the rev limiter, so when the party is getting started, it's time to shift. It also doesn't handle as well. It CAN be fixed, but i'd rather just start with the better handler.

Oh, and it feels like you're driving a minivan. Because.. well... it makes more sense as a 2/3rds scale Honda Odyssey.

I'd take a GSR over a 99-00 Si, but really, they're the same car, just different looks and motor for the most part. I wouldn't rule out one or the other, just buy whichever one could be had for a good deal.

Also: Seriously. 00-05 Celica GTS. Easy to find for cheap, less likely to be stolen.

I think you can get a decent E36 M3 for that cost, and not lose money on it in a few years when you sell. That's what I'm really looking for.

Miata.

Turn it into a Spec Miata when you are ready to take the next step.

So a quick look for a gsr came up with a ton of salvage, super high mile, swapped and Frankenstein'd buckets. There are a few really nice and clean em1 2000 civic si's for a decent price. Does anyone have any good info on them?