If I didn't want to be a self-Indulgent wiener with too much bloody money...what car? BUDGET EDITION

I was trying to think what car I would buy if I totaled my car tomorrow. Most new cars do nothing for me, with the exception of the new Fusion and possible a diesel Mazda 6. Even then, in a couple years they are going to be today's appliance in a sea of blue light specials. A lot of my friends, young professionals like myself, are slowly buying the newest BMW/Audi/Mercedes. In the interest of not racking up a bunch of debt, I would like to avoid this.

I was wondering, what do you think would be a neat 4 door sedan daily driver that would fun to drive, able to be wrenched on yourself and have that "cool factor" when parked next to the new A5? Maybe something like below? Let's say price limit of $12,000.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-BMW-2002-Base-Sedan-2-Door-2-0L-/251181404141?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a7b940fed

Is it wrong that I caught the Gone in 60 Seconds title reference?

CTS-V to answer you're question. The best one in your price range.

Pontiac GTO

/thread

DC Integra 4-door.

Build it with 350/500 springs, big swaybars at both ends, Hardrace bushings, Bilsteins revalved by the local racing shop with progressive Koni bumpstops, a Fidanza flywheel and clutch, a Garrett 2259 with appropriate intercooler and GM MAF, and a pair of decent seats that fit your body.

Paint in the main color of your preferred color scheme (take a look at railroads, fighter squadrons, sports teams, space organizations) and get decals cut for the rest.

Or you could startle the Yuppies by rolling up in your BMW 353i (e30 shape).

e28 Bavaria Volvo 122 SAAB 9000

Some of these can be found for a lot under $12k.

GTOs came with 4 doors?

Appleseed wrote: GTOs came with 4 doors?

Give the poor guy a break, he has an AMC.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/3439969231.html

Not a four door, but I'm not the best helper and I've never had a 12k budget to mess with. LET ME LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOU.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/cto/3430016735.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/3427961469.html Doesn't matter that it's not a four door. It would be the coolest thing in the parking lot.

Also, this. http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/3439954282.html

Appleseed wrote: GTOs came with 4 doors?

yeah.. but they put "G8" badges on them for some reason..

for me, the answer is 94 9C1 Caprice with a 6.0 and 6 speed swapped in...should come in far enough under the budget to allow some good suspension upgrades..

If I had to buy a new car tomorrow it would be either a Mazda2 or some Toyobaru variant (ideally BRZ STi), depending on how much money I have in this fictional scenario where I can afford a new car.

Tough question, I'm kind of in a similar situation, though I'll have a slightly higher budget. For a daily driver sedan with your criteria, the Mazda3 comes to mind but not sure it's got the "cool factor". Maybe Acura TSX?

Trans_Maro wrote:

Appleseed wrote: GTOs came with 4 doors?

Give the poor guy a break, he has an AMC.

Yup! They were called "G8".

Jaguar XJ6R (the X300 version) or SAAB 9-3.

/ thread.

Or a Bentley Turbo R (don't look at parts cost. )

I can't help but think that very few of the cars mentioned have that cool unique factor.

I'd be all over the G8 ( can you haz stick in those ?) or maybe a modified Fusion. Steeda and others were making some damn fast DDs out of Fusions.

ultraclyde wrote: I'd be all over the G8 ( can you haz stick in those ?)

Yes indeedy! In the G8 GXP. Mmmmmm....

Seriously though, G8 or CTS-V would be my pick, no question.

Appleseed wrote: Is it wrong that I caught the Gone in 60 Seconds title reference?

Is it wrong that I caught it while still half asleep and read it in Cage's voice he used when saying it?

Oh and what are these "new" cars you speak of? I like the old Charger suggested earlier, it is a classic. Most self indulgent wieners must have the latest and greatest "hot" item.

or it's sedan cousin

25 years - I think these are coming due

While buckets cooler than a new audi/bmw/merc - older stuff will seem primitive compared to a new appliance.

The IS300 is a great car if you can find a manual and are OK with lackluster gas mileage.

I will own another someday.

The answer is right here on the forum EDIT: jakeb's E12 5-series q/LQ4 swap; I hate making people follow a link to have any idea what I'm talking about...

You could go the other way, and enjoy your brand-new bright-green Mazda2.

Big cars are very rarely more fun than small ones.

oldtin wrote: 25 years - I think these are coming due While buckets cooler than a new audi/bmw/merc - older stuff will seem primitive compared to a new appliance.

The early ones are, but running one as a DD requires at least one backup vehicle, and that was in a country where you could actually get support for them.

Still loved the one I had in the UK.

chaparral wrote: You could go the other way, and enjoy your brand-new bright-green Mazda2. Big cars are very rarely more fun than small ones.

Or Fiat 500. That's what I did as a young professional earlier this year.

CTS-V, if it isnt fast enough to embarrass your friends, that's not hard to fix.