Daydreaming about expensive cars

Well, not super expensive, and to be honest this is more than just daydreaming.. About every 4-5 years, I get a wild hair up somewhere and have to buy the "perfect" car. First time, I bought a 1994 Miata. 4 years later, a Mini Cooper S, which sadly I had to sell. Now, the cycle has repeated itself. I'm a bit older, have a bit better credit score than in my younger years, and I'm looking for something nice..

My short list includes the following:

2010 Subaru STI (front runner, hauls both its rear end, as well as a ton of gear in the back) Hyundai Genesis Coupe Track (2.0 vs 3.8? don’t like the 19” wheels however) AP2 S2000 (new-ish, want certified pre owned) BMW 135i (pricy, examples on dealer lots are all close to 40K) Boxter / Boxter S (CPO would be nice, Boxter S probably outside my price range)

For a few oddball cars, I’m also throwing the following in to the hat:

E46 M3 E36 M3 – want nice, clean, low miles, lightly used Z4M Coupe 911? 370Z?

Any comments on the above? I really, really, really like the STI. It seems like a perfect autocross/daily driver – enough space in the back to haul tires/autocross gear, as well as fun to drive. I want to like the 135i, but I’d have to special order one – the models on the lots locally are stocked with accessories I do not want/need, and I do not like its lack of a real LSD. The S2K – I’m sure its fun, and I can live with it as a daily driver, however I’d need a tire trailer to haul around necessary autocross stuff. Same deal with the Boxter, however with that car I’d worry about expensive repairs. I do like the Hyundai Genesis, drove both the V6 and 2.0T models at a driving event locally. Slick little car, very impressive. Not sure if the V6 or four banger is the best option.

Camaro RS V-6? I like the S2000, tiny trailer for autocross not a big deal. Yeah, Porsche = expensive. Start with 10 quarts of Mobil 1 each oil change.

Camaro RS V-6? I like the S2000, tiny trailer for autocross not a big deal. Yeah, Porsche = expensive. Start with 10 quarts of Mobil 1 each oil change.

I don't really see a bad option on your list. How many of them have you driven? There have been a few times when I lusted after a car that I had never driven only to be disapointed when I finally did (c4, wrx).

The 911 is... well, a 911. Buy the best air cooled one you can afford and there isn't much to say. Its not a great daily driver if its super hot where you live as the AC systems can only produce lukewarm air but otherwise - its what I bought at the last itch and I don't regret it in the least.

An E46 M3 is a great balance of awesome car, awesome looks and great value right now, the E36 is getting older and is very affordable but not as powerful or good on the street. I have had a fleet of E36 cars over the years and I chose the E46 (325XiT) for the mrs because its a better car.

The Boxster is sublime but I would only get the S. They are in E46 M3 money territory on the used market. Research the engine issues before you buy and make sure they have been addressed.

The S2K... love it but it needs a track or a lot of running room to be appreciated - I'd take the Boxster 1st but the honda is 1/2 the cost.

The Genesis looks fantastic and on paper is a massive value but I worry about the real cost... if you pay sticker there is a pretty good chance that it will be worth $6k on resale before the first set of tires wear out. The Koreans haven't quite got rid of the tin can image yet and its probably a few years before they start to gain some respect from the peanut gallery. That traps you into testing the 10yr warranty limits. Depreciation is my friend in 2yrs but in your case... not so much.

well, from the last BMW autocross i went to, the lone S2000 entered whooped up on ALL the BMWs and won, so i have much respect for them now, and would totally recommend one

So far I've driven the Genesis, both 2.0 and 3.8. I can get a decent deal on one through my credit union. Looks like I'd pay about $21 for a base model 2.0T, $25.5 for the track pack. There was a discussion on the SCCAForums about the Genesis as a potentially good STX car. Oppinions varried between 2.0 and 3.8, one idea was a base 2.0T with an aftermarket LSD and light wheels.

I'm test driving the STI tonight, I can get the STI for $33K, through the same buying program.

The 135i, while having a great motor, might be outside my budget. That and I hate that it lacks a LSD.

Acura NSX?

MS3?

not a bad pick in the bunch.

Have you considered the last of the Z3M Coupes? Those had the same engine as the e46M3 (with 20 less hp) so they are the last of the e36, but with the more powerful engine. For a LONG time they were the most rigid of the BMWs. Their values can only go up from here.

I also love the Z4 coupe'.

NSX - nope. MS3 - might check it out.

I'm really looking for something in warranty. BMW has a nice CPO warranty program, Honda is nice as well. Subaru's 3/36k warranty irks me, but from what I've read the STI is pretty reliable (better tranny than WRX).

I think the new camaro looks terrible, and I dont think id want a boxter due to the exploding engine problems (although I think the newer ones arent as bad), but any of the others sound decent. Of the ones you listed, my first choice would be a nice 4 door e36 m3, and second would be a new sti.

What I like most about the STI is its utility. Being able to haul around race tires and gear without a tire trailer is a big plus. Also, if the weather gets nasty, I can slap on a set of snow tires and pretend I'm a WRC driver. I'll just need to hire some drunk sweedes to stand on the side of the road and ring cowbells and blast airhorns while I drive past.

CraigKN wrote: I'll just need to hire some drunk sweedes to stand on the side of the road and ring cowbells and blast airhorns while I drive past.

Quote for the magazine....

CraigKN wrote: What I like most about the STI is its utility. Being able to haul around race tires and gear without a tire trailer is a big plus. Also, if the weather gets nasty, I can slap on a set of snow tires and pretend I'm a WRC driver. I'll just need to hire some drunk sweedes to stand on the side of the road and ring cowbells and blast airhorns while I drive past.

I can resemble that!

A coworker suggested the Lancer Evo, after saying the STI is "fugly". I personally feel ok with the STI's looks, but in the intrest of due dilligance, I might check out an Evo as well. Seems the only diffrence between GSR and MR trim models is the fancy TC-SST transmission in the MR - is that worth an extra few grand? I know I LOVE the DSG transmission in the Audi A3, if its anything like that it might be worth looking at.

I think your best bets are the STI or the Genesis. Depends on whether you want RWD fun or AWD fun/practicality.

The new NC Miata might be worth adding to your list as well. Buy them new for $25k with the right options. Add Konis and Springs and you are good to go.

I'd worry about repair bills with all of the German cars you mentioned but I'd probably trust an air cooled 993 series 911 over the others in your list. The bonus with the 993 is that it won't depreciate as much as the other cars. Its an excellent well rounded driver's car if you like the driving experience it offers.

I like the genesis too, although i would want to wait and see how many more of them catch on fire before i got one.

CraigKN wrote: A coworker suggested the Lancer Evo, after saying the STI is "fugly".

I don't agree with the EVO is better looking than an STI argument. I was completely underwhelmed by the latest EVO. The beltline is too high, the car looks too tall, aside from the grille it is way boring. I am in the minority, but I actually like the looks of Impreza hatch.I think the STI has a perfectly balanced sleeper look.

I am in that minority too.. I think the Impreza hatch is pretty good looking (aside from the lights)

what about a SLK 55amg?

I didn;t know MB cars were fun?

smoke monsters, but thats about it...

So I test drove the STI tonight. Sadly, instead of my dreams of driving like Petter Solberg turned into a recreation of Driving Miss Daisy, as the salesman asked me to keep it under 4K. Reasonable, since the car had all of 170 miles on it, the engine still needs time to break in. So, instead of evaluating the car's performance, I focused on its daily driver abilities. Felt a bit stiffer than my Audi A3 2.0T Sport Package. The interior was serviceable. Liked the cargo capacity of the hatchback layout. I think the car would make a good daily driver - only small issue is that there were no options for all season tires, I'd have to buy a set immediately, as Maryland's winters do require them. The only 'big' issue is that it felt BIG. Powerful, yes, but huge. This could be because I'm used to miniature cars - Miata's and Mini's - a friends E46 M3 feels like a (very fast) boat to me. The STI seemed very nice, but did not reach out and scream "BUY ME NOW". I'll have to drive the BMW's and Mitsubishi and see how I feel then.

If that Hyundai is seriously in the running, you'd be wise to check out a Mustang with the Track Pack.