sanman
Reader
12/26/11 6:23 p.m.
Okay, so I've decided to become realistic rather than being ridiculous (as I tend to be..hence my presence here) and look for a weekend car/auto-x vehicle. My requirements:
- RWD
- Good (will do some local auto-x)
- Reliable and spacious enough to take the gf and I on a weekend trip in the summer.
- Coupe or convertible
- Easy to work on myself and not to expensive to send to the shop if I get too busy to fix it (as has been happening)
- I wouldn't complain about decent gas mileage, but not that important
- Budget is $10k
I had wanted a z32 300zx or sw20 mr2, but all the ones I am finding are clapped out or overpriced and it seems like I would have to put some serious work into them.
I has considered:
Early 350z - I hear the manual trans on the early cars is weak
RX-8 - The thought of a used rotary does scare me a bit, but I don't know a ton about the reliability of the car. Are apex seals the same issue they were on rx7s? Oiling issues in the car?
Mustang Cobra - I am only considering the 99-01 cars for the IRS. How are these cars? I have seen some for as little as $7k in the area. Seems like parts would not be bad and it would be easy to work on.
E46 BMW - seems like parts and labor (if I farmed it out) could get pricey
Miata - The obvious answer, but NB's are too cramped for my 6'1" 220 lb frame and early NC cars seem out of the price range.
MR2 spyder - I heard they are roomy, but there is little luggage space. They seem like they would be fun.
Anything else you can think of?
EvanR
Reader
12/26/11 6:39 p.m.
G35? Essentially the same as a Z, with a lil more room for traveling.
Really, even I can see where this one is heading.
Miata with a call to Flying Miata you could get a race ready monster
Keith, paging Keith
Sonic
Dork
12/26/11 6:49 p.m.
Z3 based M roadster, they can be found in your budget in decent shape.
Sonic wrote:
Z3 based M roadster, they can be found in your budget in decent shape.
What do you think of these? A low mileage example just popped up near me. A MY 2000 with some Dinan bits and only 36k on the clock.
To the OP, I would highly recommend an e36 M3. I've owned 2 different examples and loved both! Plenty of room for you, gear, the GF, etc. For $10k you could find a very nice one and have change left over.
I vote 350z, but then again I was outrun by someone in a mr2! Both are small cars with not much interior space for someone your size.
Woody
SuperDork
12/26/11 7:26 p.m.
EvanR wrote:
G35? Essentially the same as a Z, with a lil more room for traveling.
I think these are overlooked. And better looking than the Z.
Jarod
New Reader
12/26/11 7:30 p.m.
dyintorace wrote:
Sonic wrote:
Z3 based M roadster, they can be found in your budget in decent shape.
What do you think of these? A low mileage example just popped up near me. A MY 2000 with some Dinan bits and only 36k on the clock.
To the OP, I would highly recommend an e36 M3. I've owned 2 different examples and loved both! Plenty of room for you, gear, the GF, etc. For $10k you could find a very nice one and have change left over.
I second the e36 m3. I loved mine. Want another one bad.
Did I broke the internet?
mtn
SuperDork
12/26/11 7:34 p.m.
Save for another 6 months and go for a S2000?
sanman
Reader
12/26/11 7:56 p.m.
mtn wrote:
Save for another 6 months and go for a S2000?
I thought about that, but $10k is the most I want to spend and the s2000 felt fairly cramped as well when I sat in one.
Alfa gtv6 and just dont get busy enough to send it to a shop? They fit all the other requirements (yes, they are actually easy to work on) and a $10k one would be in pretty good shape.
amg_rx7
HalfDork
12/26/11 10:05 p.m.
Try driving them all to help decide.
How much are C5 Vettes going for these days?
I vote Cobra or G35. Paying for labor probably isn't bad on those. Not sure what labor costs would be on the Germans, but I would consider Porsche Boxster or E36 M3
lewbud
HalfDork
12/26/11 10:44 p.m.
amg_rx7 wrote:
Try driving them all to help decide.
How much are C5 Vettes going for these days?
Not in his ballpark yet. Good C4's exist there though.
I know that if I had 10k laying around for a car, I would be buying an e36 m3. they are THE E36 M3
Javelin
SuperDork
12/27/11 8:35 a.m.
The $10K question is the easiest one to answer.
GTO
Ten grand gets a really nice early 912 (my current obsession), and I think it would be a really cool weekender car.
My other current obsession is a Meyers Manx. Ten grand will get you one that is near perfect. Subie power would be awesome, Corvair power would be awesomer, and Porsche power would be perfection!
mtn
SuperDork
12/27/11 8:50 a.m.
Maroon92 wrote:
Ten grand gets a really nice early 912 (my current obsession), and I think it would be a really cool weekender car.
I like the sound of this.
what about a 944 turbo?!!!!!!
A quick E-Bay search shows not much in the RWD sub-$10K range that is decent. A few Mini Coopers, a Mustang or two and a Vette or two.
