What car? These threads are so rare here

Bear with me, as I am a "What car?" virgin.

Seating for 4+

Decent cargo space

Reasonably new (exact year depends on make/model)

Enough hp to be fun on the street, but I am not expecting a new Camaro here

Decent handling traits, so I wouldn't be embarrassed to throw sticky tires and a swaybar or whatever on there and go autocrossing, HPDE, whatever ever once in a while.

Reasonably cheap to insure and keep up.

Not a major project - I need a 'car-project free' time period here for a few years.

Will be a DD

2k-4k

Decent (25+ mpg) fuel economy

I have no major brand loyalties, I recognize that almost every brand has made awesome cars and almost every brand has made crap.

Here is my short list so far: E30 E21 318ti Suzuki Swift GT Saab 900 (saabs version preferable, and turbo) Turbo Brick (no idea which years or models)

Wagons and hatches are a plus.

I am a rwd fan, but obviously I cannot limit myself to that given the other parameters. Having a vehicle that would potentially support a 'major project' upgrade (LS6 in either BMW, for instance) would be a plus.

I would consider an older car if it were especially desirable and fulfilled all of the other requirements, and wasn't rusty (510, 260Z, whatever).

Any other ideas, or opinions on those listed?

Focus SVT? Cosworth Merc? I know, a biturbo! Yes, that last one was a joke, a big one.

Please, please don't say P71. I'd consider a F body or Fox body, but just don't say P71 or 9C1.

Thanks -Brian

cts-v? You didn't offer a price range, but from your other suggestions, I'm guessing this is out of it. Otherwise, 02-04 wrx/wagon.

There's a real nice turbobrick up in the Classifieds. (Not mine.)

Not sure how you get from "seating for 4+" to "Suzuki Swift GT".

Subaru

I said 2k-4k for price, so you're way off on the ctsv.

Can't the suzi fit 4? Is it just too darn small?

What Subaru?

That brick is really nice, but I forgot to add a manual transmission is nearly a requirement. Hmm, pretty nice though. I will have to consider that one... I think the Lemons transmission would fit onto that B230...

I'll edit my post to be easier to read so the price sticks out.

-Brian

tuna55 wrote: That brick is really nice, but I forgot to add a manual transmission is nearly a requirement. Hmm, pretty nice though. I will have to consider that one... I think the Lemons transmission would fit onto that B230... -Brian

Shameless plug! Read through the whole ad "Included for the right deal: 5 speed conversion parts-everything but the O/D wiring.......snow scoop, sunroof visor, lots more I'm sure I'm forgetting. Lets say $3500"

That includes the trans, driveshafts, crossmember, pedal assembly, clutch cable and arm, bellhousing, shifter assembly, interior trim, and the correct LH2.4 FI flywheel along with an earlier LH 2.2 flywheel. Also the clutch parts but you'd want higher strength new ones anyway. All it needs is the wiring and relays for the O/D.Should be a nice weekend job, I just don't have a garage anymore or it would already be in there.

Yeah yeah, I read it. Sorta into "major project" territory, but I didn't realize how closely related that drivetrain is to the Amazon. We swapped engines in the Amazon in 90 minutes in the pits, and the transmission the night before in an hour, so theoretically it could be just that easy.

I will think about it. My wife likes it, that's a big plus.

Not sure about pricing but an e36 sedan sounds like it could fit the bill. I don't have any experience personally but they can fit 4 comfortably (I find the coupe doesn't have much legroom). So yea a 318t sounds good since it has the nice hatch.

I really like my SAAB 9000, they go for cheap and have a wicked kick with the full pressure turbos. The 5dr hatch has massive amounts of space and it returns around 24mpg in the city.

Alfa Romeo Milano Merkur XR4ti 90+ Volvo 740 turbo (or 940 turbo)

Buick Grand National.

Show me a Grand National in really decent shape for 2-4K.

I don't think of an Italian car as a DD, sorry...

No Merkur either, it's just not my thing, although the number of initials in the name is very convincing.

Another vote for the E36 sedan.

tuna55 wrote: Show me a Grand National in really decent shape for 2-4K. I don't think of an Italian car as a DD, sorry... No Merkur either, it's just not my thing, although the number of initials in the name is very convincing.

I have seen a few. It might take some looking. I got my Civic for about that price but it is a 2 door.

My dd is a milano, but anyone over 5 feet tall doesnt really fit in the back seat too well. They dont have much cargo space though, and while a good one is farily reliable and not that difficult to work on, they do require regular attention.

4 door protege, E36 bmw, EG civic, Escort LX-E, Tracer LT-S, Escort ZX2 SR, etc....

Two Miatas. There's your four-seat capacity right there.

Definitely the E36 BMW. Remember, though, that a supercharger will be needed to take the four cylinder car to a level where it produces I-6 horsepower numbers and those tend to be silly-expensive. I'd find an I-6 (323, 325, 330, whatever they decided to throw in there any particular year). If you do go with the 318, the auto transmission will KILL the fun of that car. I've driven both the manual and auto versions and that extra ratio really helps make that car move. I can fit comfortably in the back and I'm 5'10". Aftermarket support = awesome. Gas mileage will be in the 30s on the highway.

See if you can find one with a limited slip differential. You need that to do doughnuts.

you want fairly new... and only want to pay 2 - 4k..???

don't see it happening...

other than that... HONDA civic FTW

25+ mpg and fun on a roadcourse or auto-x

The Dodge Neon ACR that Per is trying to sell?

1985+ = fairly new, hence my selections, which are all 80s and 90s cars.

Sounds like: E30 E36 Brick

Neon? Hmm... I don't know. I drive a cruiser now, they're the same car really... How much does an ACR go for?

-Brian

I sold mine for in September for $2700. Look here on the $2009 classifieds and you'll find the project car for less than that. It has fresher parts than mine did. When it comes to Neons, you want an ACR or R/T.

I absolutely love driving my 96 civic hatch which was 3500 with 80k and unmolested when I bought it. It is a very well engineered machine, and the theft problem is so bad with civics that it is a large part of the ownership equation. I theoretically knew the problem existed, but having owned one for 3 years now and having had the car broken into 7 times and stolen once, it needs to be mentioned. Many people give up on them only because of the theft issue.

Not really interested in Civics unless someone sells me on an si or something, my wife had a 5 spd 98 and it wasn't fun in any way. It was especially not fun to replace the PVC valve on.

Scirroco?

I would highly recommend any of the Protege/Escort/Zx2 variants. Ever consider an Elantra 5 door hatch? They kinda remind me of a poor man's Saab. They have decent power, will fit the fuel economy requirement and you can make them handle due to Tiburon suspension parts bolting right on and I have seen them for $3-$4k..

Although I am somewhat partial to Dodges (I don't know how long that's going to last) the Protege/Escort/ZX2 suggestion is a good one. Lots of junkyard interchangeability. Isn't the same with Hyundai/Mitsubishi?

tuna55 wrote: What Subaru?

If you are wanting a hatch/wagon that is also auto/rallyx-able go with an Impreza Outback. N/A engine, easy to work on, great fuel economy and they can "take a lickin' and keep on tickin'". Most are AWD, too.

If you want something a bit larger there is the Legacy, and the Legacy Outback which has a bit more ground clearance.

(I don't love Subaru's or anything )