What car for a friend?

93EXCivic UltimaDork
8/29/12 7:43 p.m.

o my former roommate is looking for a sporty car with around $10k to spend. Ok what we have on the list as pretty good possibilities.

first of the new GTOs (seem to fall in price range)
last of the Firebirds (the WS6 models seem to be all over the place in value)

Maybes

BMW Z3 (6 cylinder, not sure about how hard/ expensive it is to maintain on of these)
S2000s (prices are all over the place on these)
MR-S (he is worried about practicality)

Not happening

Miata (he wasn't comfortable in one)
Mustang (he is just not a fan of the 'Stang)
RX8

Requirements around the same gas mileage as a PT Cruiser. Fun to drive and be ale to carry golf clubs. Post '00.

What does GRM say?

whenry HalfDork
8/29/12 7:47 p.m.

Depending on the golf bag, a GTO wont fit the criteria. The trunk size is the most ridiculous part of the car.

JK949 New Reader
8/29/12 7:49 p.m.

Infinity G35

Fun, fast, Japanese, impresses the ladies.

JKleiner New Reader
8/29/12 8:01 p.m.

I'd go Z3 and give up golf.

Jeff

TxCoyote New Reader
8/29/12 9:48 p.m.

S2000 or NC Miata (much bigger than NB). Give up golf and autos. Costs less and the only tools you interact with are for fixing the car.

93EXCivic UltimaDork
8/29/12 10:34 p.m.

An NC Miata isn't $10k I don't think.

moxnix Reader
8/29/12 10:44 p.m.

I have seen high mileage early NC's in the 10K range

pres589 Dork
8/29/12 10:51 p.m.

ZRX1200 w/ round headlight conversion (because I'm old school like that);

Argo1 Reader
8/29/12 10:52 p.m.

Wouldn't recomment the trouble prone late model Firebirds. Cheap interiors as well. Had a '95 TA. Didn't enjoy the experience.

GameboyRMH PowerDork
8/30/12 7:45 a.m.

Wait how is an S2K more practical than an MR-S? Anyway both are good options.

92CelicaHalfTrac MegaDork
8/30/12 7:46 a.m.

GameboyRMH wrote: Wait how is an S2K more practical than an MR-S? Anyway both are good options.

S2K has a trunk.

93EXCivic UltimaDork
8/30/12 7:48 a.m.

Argo1 wrote: Wouldn't recomment the trouble prone late model Firebirds. Cheap interiors as well. Had a '95 TA. Didn't enjoy the experience.

What is wrong with the late model Firebirds other then a cheap interior?

Argo1 Reader
8/30/12 9:33 a.m.

93EXCivic wrote: What is wrong with the late model Firebirds other then a cheap interior?

A good looking money pit that sucks you in. This was mine. They were not GMs best effort. It is possible to find a decent one but, if you browse the ads, most have some major problem or other - usually transmission, overheating, head gaskets. Because they were cheap and fast, many were abused and modified. Engines are generally good but GM cut cost corners almost everywhere else on the car. If you can find one driven by a little old lady - go for it. One that's been modded or driven hard - stay away, they can't take it.

clutchsmoke HalfDork
8/30/12 12:33 p.m.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:
GameboyRMH wrote: Wait how is an S2K more practical than an MR-S? Anyway both are good options.
S2K has a trunk.

A pretty big truck actually. IIRC it might be able to fit two sets of golf clubs.

92CelicaHalfTrac MegaDork
8/30/12 12:40 p.m.

clutchsmoke wrote:
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:
GameboyRMH wrote: Wait how is an S2K more practical than an MR-S? Anyway both are good options.
S2K has a trunk.
A pretty big truck actually. IIRC it might be able to fit two sets of golf clubs.

Yeah, it's surprisingly large. Good design. Gets MUCH bigger if you take out the factory tool kit, too!

93EXCivic UltimaDork
8/30/12 12:41 p.m.

So what about Z3s? How bad are they to maintain?