Finding a car to fit my life (aka...what car) thread

OK, my turn for a what car type thread. I'll try to keep the story as short and sweet as possible. Just sold the '65 Olds sedan. Sold it because we never used it. Also just sold the car in my avi (damn, I'll need a new avi), the '87 FX16 SCCA car. Sold it because I never used it…notice a pattern here? Just don't have a lot of free time, and don't have the budget to make a dedicated track car fit my life. Right now, I'm down to my '96 Volvo wagon, which is my DD. Definitely keeping that car, it serves many purposes. Also have my '91 Tracker. That's my "project car" that I'm learning mechanical skills on, want to keep it for now.

I need a car that's going to fit my current life situation. My budget is around $4000. Car must be a manual, no exceptions. Don't care how many seats it has, or what bodystyle. Don't want a "project". I don't have a lot of mechanical skills yet, and have very little free time to work on things anyway. I want something turn key, besides routine maintenance. So nothing a kid has hacked up and pieced together at Pep Boys. Just looking for something fun to drive to work when I don't take the Volvo, or go out on a date with the wife. If it's something I can use for HPDE once or twice, call that a "bonus". So whatever it is, it's gotta be a blast to drive, and be reliable. The more style/flare/interesting the better, I've got a plain box wagon already.

Here are the cars crossing my mind…and not crossing my mind.

No BMWs - sorry Bimmer fans, while I like them, they just don't "do it" for me. Plus the reliability factor scares me. No Civic hatches or similar - too plain jane for me.

NA Miata is of course at the top of the list - don't need to go into reasons why. Downside is they're slow.

Fox body or early SN95 Mustang - easy to come by, fast, cheap parts. They've got the power the Miata lacks. But interior is rental car grade, handling is a bit sloppy. Would consider a 'vert if it was right.

Integra - that was the first car I ever bought new…a '96 GS-R, it was awesome. Downside is it'll be hard to find one that hasn't been hacked to bits by a kid.

Open to other suggestions. Pros and cons?

It's tough to find a car with speed, handling and good driving manners for under $4K, and then you excluded BMW's. Have you thought about an FC RX-7, Fiat X1-9 or W20 MR2?

Don't know why, but the first thing that popped into my head reading this was a 1st-gen Celica. Of course, that's going to be slower than the Miata.

Fox-chassis Mustang is going to be a project if you're expecting to track it ever. You fix one thing and it snowballs into eventually replacing the entire suspension. Also, chassis are pretty flexy, and 'verts even more so.

Miata + turbo?

ReverendDexter wrote: Don't know why, but the first thing that popped into my head reading this was a 1st-gen Celica. Of course, that's going to be slower than the Miata. Fox-chassis Mustang is going to be a project if you're expecting to track it ever. You fix one thing and it snowballs into eventually replacing the entire suspension. Also, chassis are pretty flexy, and 'verts even more so.

I would bet an 18RG 1st gen Celica would feel quite a bit faster than an NA Miata.

I vote SW20 MR2.

nderwater wrote: It's tough to find a car with speed, handling and good driving manners for under $4K, and then you excluded BMW's. Have you thought about an FC RX-7, Fiat X1-9 or W20 MR2?

Yeah, I know. Can't find all the attributes I want within my budget. That's what I debate back and forth. Which ones are most important? Trying to find a car that's really good at one, but not terrible at the others.

MKII MR2 is a possibility too. Handles well, reasonably quick. Hard to find an unmolested one, or one that's been modified properly. X1-9s are super cool, but reliability...

I've had a couple of Fox body cars, and SN95s. Handling is definitely not a strong point without some mods. There are some out there with good suspension mods, but they're hard to find or out of my price range. Track ability is a plus, but not a must, hence why I'd consider a 'vert.

Klayfish wrote: MKII MR2 is a possibility too. Handles well, reasonably quick. Hard to find an unmolested one, or one that's been modified properly. X1-9s are super cool, but reliability...

Contrary to popular belief, X1/9s are deadnuts reliable. At least my two have been.

m4ff3w wrote:

Klayfish wrote: MKII MR2 is a possibility too. Handles well, reasonably quick. Hard to find an unmolested one, or one that's been modified properly. X1-9s are super cool, but reliability...

Contrary to popular belief, X1/9s are deadnuts reliable. At least my two have been.

I think you're an anomaly. You managed to drive a BiTurbo for about 3 weeks longer than anyone thought you would.

What about an LT1 F-body?

Saab c900 turbo?

I feel like i've let myself and others down...

88-92 MX6 GT.

DO IT.

How bout something that looks good, gets 28mpg highway, pampers you in the lap of luxury, handles decently, and is a mechanical boost controller away from 300 hp?

I had one. It was awesome.

Just because i have a newly kindled love for MKiiis.

The only thing that could make a MKIII better is ....

In reply to DaewooOfDeath:

I asked a similar question with a 5k budget. I bought an 02 Protege5 with Racing Beat springs on KYB struts and Brembo blanks with bronze bushings in the B&M short shifter. Not a very fast car but I cant believe how it corners and brakes (and shifts).

If I was looking again it's be between another P5, A Focus or a Maxima.

Put the money down and step away from the temptation for a second.

I mean, usually I'm all raa-raaah over people buying more cars than is reasonable, but I think you have a problem.

You need to tell this board how long you've owned each of the previous cars, from my recollection you bought a 124 Spider to learn mechanical skill, gave up and bought the tracker (which isn't done yet), then bought the FX as a race car and didn't use it and now sold it, along with the 65 sedan, this was all inside of what, 1 year? Usually you have to buy a running car to drive, or buy a POS to fix, or a classic to do both, in your case it seems your answer has become: all of the above!

Now as for what car you should get, a good running driving MR2 (gen1) or X1/9 would be sweet!

Yeah, I know, I've been all over the map. Cliff notes of 2011... Got Fiats as learning projects, was doing great and having fun. But couldn't pass up the '65 deal, so I flipped the Fiats to get it. Regreted giving up my project, so found the Tracker. Never used the '65, so sold it. I've had the FX since mid-2010, so that was there all along.

Can't lie and say I'll keep whatever I get forever. I do switch cars a lot in general, but can keep a car I like and fits...I've had my minivan for 5 years now, our Fit for 2. Like lots of people here, I have automotive A.D.D., and an addiction to CL. But I want to find something that'll satisfy my itch for a fun car and keep me happy for a while. As much as I like my Volvo, it's an auto trans wagon. It's perfect for my needs right now, so it stays as my DD.

Money isn't burning a hole in my pocket, I can wait for the right car. Just need to figure out what that is and start looking. Miata is the leading candidate, especially if I can find one with the right mods. But still looking at options.

I will add vote for an X1/9 or MKIII Supra. The X1/9 will be a blast to drive. Biggest problem electrics. You will need to clean all the grounds. MKIII Supras are awesome cars. They handle decently and are quite a bit of fun probably not as much the X1/9. They were built when Toyota still knew how to build cars and $4k will buy you one of the nicest examples known to man. Only real problem is the head gasket on the turbo. The torque specs from the factory were not correct. Retighten with the correct torque specs and it will be good to go.

Another idea. TR7. Find a later one (they rust less). They feel like a proper sports car plus the look awesome. Electrics are great but get a Bosch dizzy from a Saab 99 and replace the alternator and starter with something not Lucas , clean the ground and it should be good to go.

1. There is a good article about what to look for here on the GRM site.

Oops. I wrote '944' but only '1.' showed up. Porsche 944 is what I mean.

I'll go against the grain here:

1. C3/early C4 Corvette

2. LT1 F-body

3. Higher Mileage LS1 F-body

4. SVT Focus

5. Z31t

In reply to DaewooOfDeath:

Pop the hood, pop the hood!

I know you said no BMW's, but this E36 M3 has me torn: great deal, terrible terrible color.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/2805861122.html

It is the right price though: $4k

What is it about BMW's that you don't like? I've owned basically all of the cars on your list, and really think that a 3 series would meet all of your qualifications as well or better than anything else. If you wanted something bigger and more classic, 635CSi's are just plain sexy.

Aside from that, I think you are on the right track with a Miata, they are just fun.

Other suggestions not mentioned: -Del Sol VTEC
-Nissan Maxima -Lexus SC300 (they did have a 5 spd) -Alfa Spyder/Milano/164?

Others that I will second:
-FC RX7 -Porsche 944

How about a z32 300zx? You should be able to find a nice one for that.

As far as the 4k M3. Ughhh I hate it when people paint the side moulding's body colored, it looks horroible.