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STM317
STM317 Reader
4/14/16 9:33 a.m.
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
STM317 wrote:
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
Tom_Spangler wrote: Having said that, Dean's suggestion of an Ecoboost S550 has some merit. Adrian does have an irrational love for underdog engines, and they seem to respond well to tuning.
Just priced an Ecoboost Convertible, even with A plan it's 35K
What did the options look like to get you to 35K with A Plan? MSRP for an Ecoboost car starts @ $25,6xx and I'd think you could surely get one for less if you looked around a bit.
That is A plan. I'm only considering convertibles and the Ecoboost only comes as a premium not a base. So even the A plan price for the convertible Premium Ecoboost breaks down like this: Base Premium 'vert Ecoboost $33,432 Reverse aid sensing $ 279 Performance package $ 1,890 Destination and delivery $ 900 Available incentives -$ 1,500 Total $35,001 BTW, even the base V6 convertible starts at $28,841 with A plan, no options, no delivery etc.

Didn't realize the convertible EcoBoost was only available with the Premium trim. I'm not a convertible guy, but that seems kind of silly even though I'm sure they have their reasons for packaging them like that.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/14/16 1:17 p.m.
Gearheadotaku wrote: Like most of us, you want more toys. Reality rears its ugly head and says "Do you have the time, space, energy, and money for them all?" I mis-read your Volvo intent. Sure hot rod the thing, but will it be the "same"? As far a Porsche are concerned, I have driven a 986 around the block once, that's it. Really can't tell you which drives better that what. As far a maintenance issues I'll assume you'll do most work yourself and not by OE parts. That will save you a ton of money. You already know the IMS game, so I'll leave that alone. Styling is a personal choice too. Concerns: 986 - least powerful, leaky valve covers/spark plug sleeves, smaller clutch. Ign coils like to crack. Water pumps and alternators are common fails in higher mileage cars. The idler pulleys should be changed while you're in there too. 2002? gets variocam, less prone to leaks, and IIRC some interior/exterior upgrades. Glass rear window in 2002? Plastic window in early cars not serviceable. Avoid cars with carbon fiber or wood grain trims. They crack, peel, and generally become an unsightly mess that is a fortune to replace. Use standard items and save big! Early cars had transmission issues, but most have been replaced so its not likely to be an issue now. Mechanical parts like brakes, bearing, and suspension seem fairly robust and not too bad to service but we are talking about cars that are pushing 20 years old. Not many electrical gremlins either. Here in the north most of these cars sit half the year so lower mileage cars aren't too hard to find. 987 - New body, better handling/brakes. More comfortable, better interior. 09+ car for extra power and no IMS, but $$$. Big fancy nav/radio combo is pricey if it fails. Go test drive several of each. They all take 9 quarts of Mobil 1 and a $30 oil filter

Well you're doing a great job of talking me out of Porsches That and I've just seen the specs on the new 4cyl Turbo Boxster, sorry 718 and it makes anything other than a cheap 986 series look like a waste of time. Damn, 350hp variable vane turbo in the S with peak torque at 1900rpm and only loosing 4% of peak power to the red line. Launch control and open throttle, cut ignition up shifts on the PDK with effectivley anti-lag. Those thing are going to be monsters on the used market in 5 years. I'd say anything other than a sub $15K 986 is obsolete right now.

turtl631
turtl631 Reader
4/14/16 8:06 p.m.

I don't know, 911 Turbos have been rocketships with the PDK for years now, but used GT3s are still getting more expensive and desirable over time.

Harvey
Harvey GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/14/16 10:13 p.m.
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
Harvey wrote: Focus RS, but not at MSRP, come on, you work for Ford. You can wait until the stupid prices are gone. My buddy knows a Ford dealer and is getting his at invoice. There must be some angle you can work.
Wow, where is that? There isn't even A price listed for either the RS or the Shelby on our internal site, let alone in the real world. I take it he has an in with the dealer, not just a guy who hasn't bought a new car from them in well over 10 years.

He does have an in with a dealer, but still, MSRP? Just wait that out and get an RS after the furor dies down.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/15/16 7:31 a.m.
turtl631 wrote: I don't know, 911 Turbos have been rocketships with the PDK for years now, but used GT3s are still getting more expensive and desirable over time.

It matters not though, as a new 718 is out of the question for a few years.

Cheap three pedal 986 S though is very much still in play

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/15/16 7:31 a.m.
Harvey wrote:
Adrian_Thompson wrote:
Harvey wrote: Focus RS, but not at MSRP, come on, you work for Ford. You can wait until the stupid prices are gone. My buddy knows a Ford dealer and is getting his at invoice. There must be some angle you can work.
Wow, where is that? There isn't even A price listed for either the RS or the Shelby on our internal site, let alone in the real world. I take it he has an in with the dealer, not just a guy who hasn't bought a new car from them in well over 10 years.
He does have an in with a dealer, but still, MSRP? Just wait that out and get an RS after the furor dies down.

It's going to be interesting to see how long that takes.

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
4/15/16 10:10 a.m.

Nothing really to add other than I'm glad I'm not the only one with severe "What Car Next ADD". "Ooo... I want that! (ten minutes later) Wait - no. I want THAT!! (5 min later) No, no... THAT ONE!!!"

92dxman
92dxman SuperDork
4/15/16 2:16 p.m.

I think Miata in some flavor is the answer here.

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
4/15/16 2:22 p.m.

Gearheadotaku
Gearheadotaku GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
4/15/16 8:52 p.m.

I'll just leave this here...

http://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/5527130459.html

Tom_Spangler
Tom_Spangler GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
4/15/16 9:35 p.m.
Gearheadotaku wrote: I'll just leave this here... http://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/5527130459.html

Damn.... That's a good deal. It even has the IMS bearing done.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/15/16 9:42 p.m.

Wow, that's a he'll of a deal. Posted. You the person trying to talk me out of a 986!

Storz
Storz SuperDork
4/16/16 7:18 a.m.

BMW Z4 Coupe

ptmeyer84
ptmeyer84 Reader
4/16/16 11:39 a.m.

I just test drove a ND Miata yesterday and it was amazing. A louder exhaust and some upgraded sway bars is all it needs. The ND is tops on my list now.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/16/16 11:56 a.m.
Storz wrote: BMW Z4 Coupe

They've just noece pushed my buttons like the Z3 coupe did, but they are getting old and I want a drop top. Having said that I'm off to check on Z4's

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/16/16 12:19 p.m.

Hhmmm. 06 to 08 Z4 MRoadsters have the 330hp S52 and weighs less than 3,200lbs. You can get an 06-08 with sensible miles for less than $25k. This is looking interesting.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/20/16 6:32 p.m.

So, some sort of consensus is starting to coalesce in my mind with some input from the spousal unit.

In some kind of order, but don't read too much into it, things are looking like:

I'd say the current list in some kind of order is:

11-14 GT Premium convertible. YOu can get less than 30K miles for less than $25K, down as low as 15-17K if you get a standard GT, not Premium, all V8 Convertible for this. Auto is an option for this much torque, and as I've been on my back for 2 1/2 days with two slipped discs, auto seems rather appealing right now for a DD in traffic.
$10K Porsche. I'm asking for some more details on that S in Toledo that was posted last week up thread.
New S550. A full warranty has it's allure.
06-08 Z4 M Roadster. That sound, that sound. The last of the 'real' BMW's
NC PRHT Miata with Supercharger. Believe it or not this seems to be the favorite with the spousal unit!!
New ND Miata or wait for Abarth. If we get time we're going to the dealer to drive an ND on Saturday.

If we have time and my backs better we;re going to try and test drive a new ND on Saturday

Sonic
Sonic SuperDork
4/20/16 8:04 p.m.

I added my experiences about the Z4M in your other thread. I neglected to comment on the sound. Oh hell yes. 8000RPM straight 6 magic.

Mitchell
Mitchell UberDork
4/20/16 11:24 p.m.

Here's a nice '06 Boxster S for $19k: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/other-cars/513760-2006-porsche-boxster-s.html

The cars on fchat classifieds are usually really clean looking.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/21/16 8:48 a.m.
Mitchell wrote: Here's a nice '06 Boxster S for $19k: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/other-cars/513760-2006-porsche-boxster-s.html The cars on fchat classifieds are usually really clean looking.

Thanks, looks like a great car, but 06/07/08 cars are off the table for me. The 91-99 cars had the duel row IMS bearing with low failures. the 00-05 cars had the single row bearing with about a 10% failure rate. The 06-08 M97 engines had a larger single row bearing but it's non serviceable unless you split the crankcase halves. The earlier engines are easily serviceable form the outside when doing a clutch job, not the later ones. I'd be looking 05 or earlier or 09 up when they redesigned the engine and went to the 9A1 engine with no IMS shaft or bearing.

Petrolburner
Petrolburner Dork
4/21/16 1:25 p.m.

First choice is an aluminum blocked GT500 convertible, second is 11-14 Mustang Premium Convertible, third is a C6 Corvette. I love mine. I'd recommend the convertible version to you instead of the targa though. It just kind of awkward to remove the top and put it in the trunk, and when it's stowed it makes lots of GM creaky plastic noise. Either version looks good topless or top up.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/25/16 8:05 a.m.

So things are slowly starting to come together and begin to move forward. My project Saab is now sold, which needed to happen. SWMBO was not going to go for four cars in the family.

First I'm not willing to afford $40K I'm setting myself a $25K limit. My wife already pointed out that we could use this money to put down on another rental house, so I can't reconcile myself to spending $40K on a third car. I'm going to keep the Volvo obviously.

Went to the Mazda dealer to look at the ND. They only had one in stock and that was in the middle of the inside showroom, test drives only with a firm commitment to buy. I could have gone and found a different dealer, but after we sat in it there’s no point. Although i want a sports car, it needs to fulfil Grand Touring duties as well. I want a car that the two of us can jump in and go away for a weekend and drive 5 hours at a stretch without feeling cramped. The Miata is just too small. Neither of us can even stretch out in the passenger seat and straighten out legs. Also with the top up it just felt too claustrophobic. I know JG drove one on a road trip and loved it, but I want more space. This also nixes the Fiat Spider no matter what the price.

I can't find an M roadster within 250 miles so I went to drive a regular Z4. The closest one was an 03 auto 2.5, basically the antithesis of an M Roadster. But I still really liked it. the car had 78K miles on it, but looked and felt like 10K, these things obviously wear well. The interior is a wonderful place to be. Some don't like the simplicity of the interior, but like the Volvo I love the elegant simplicity. The seats were hard but very comfortable, although lacking in support, the ///M cars get different seats though. Top up or Top down it felt open and airy, some people had commented they are small inside, but it felt like a place that you could happily sit for hundreds of miles at a time. The seat had a massive range of adjustment, I don’t' need it anywhere near the extent of its travel, and it can go down far enough that I could easily wear a helmet if I need too. Trunk isn't massive but could carry a weekends worth of stuff. Top down driving was nicely protected from buffeting even without the wind blocker in place. I really like these cars. I need to do more research on M Roadsters now, are they something worth PPIing at a dealer or will a normal car guy inspection work. I looks like they only ever sold just of 3K of them in three model years so they are not common used.

I’m following up on a 986S that’s having a 99 911 engine fitted. Hmm, 300hp Boxster.

I'm toying with the idea of trying to drive an early C6 as well.

wearymicrobe
wearymicrobe UltraDork
4/25/16 10:07 a.m.
turtl631 wrote: I don't know, 911 Turbos have been rocketships with the PDK for years now, but used GT3s are still getting more expensive and desirable over time.

Because Porsche people are weird and want to live in the past even though most of them were not alive at the time.

The Turbo is 10x the usable car of a GT3 and faster at the track as well in 95% of peoples hands. A used PDK Turbo is the best "car" that you can buy right now under 100K no question. But above the budget as you are not touching a good one with a PDK and a soft roof under 80K.

I say new ND miata but that is just me wanting one.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
4/25/16 10:21 a.m.
wearymicrobe wrote: I say new ND miata but that is just me wanting one.

See the weekend update, it's just too small for what I want

wearymicrobe
wearymicrobe UltraDork
4/25/16 11:45 a.m.

Crap. I was hoping to live though you on that one or maybe a 4C.

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