What car post, #314159265

As mentioned in another thread, due to my impending move across the Atlantic next April, I'm in a bit of a "what car shall I get" mood. Mainly to ease the pain that I'll have to sell off the 911 and the Elise over here as I can't take either with me. I'll probably keep the Integrale as it's left-hand drive and will be eligible for importation into the US in five years' time, but the rest has to go.

The wife has a '93 Jeep Cherokee that's a bit of a restoration project but I need to take care of that as she's wedded to that car. But that's the family type stuff mostly taken care off and potentially even light towing duty if I get the towbar electrics sorted out (but that's bottom of the list after sorting out the bent sheetmetal from driving into things, the non-death wobble and a couple of other things that get on my nerves).

For some reason I'm currently only allowed one car (well, the place we're currently renting allows two cars and one bike, she's got one car so I can have one car and one bike at the moment). So, I'm looking at something that would fulfil the following requirements:

• Good handling and fun to drive on the street, even longer journeys
• Decent enough handling for autocross and HPDE events
• Reasonably practical, but then again I can get the weekend food shopping in an Elise
• Preferably something with decent spares backup as I'm notorious for having something go wrong, drive 100 miles to the closest specialist who scratches his head going "I've never seen one of these break" and then wait six weeks for the part. Not good if you've only got a week's holiday
• Potentially quick enough to take part in the Silver State Classic as I definitely want to take part in that if we stay in Nevada - unfortunately that's not clear at this point in time
• The killer point - I've been driving for 23 years but most if not all of the US insurance companies will classify me as a new driver as I'll only get my US driving license in April. There is a potential workaround inasmuch as my 911 is insured with Hagerty (UK) and they mentioned that their US office would likely take it into account that they insured me on something like this in the UK.

P71s are out, The Wife already protested and suggested I can have one if I don't want to drive anywhere with her. Given that she's extremely tolerant of my AADD unless we break down in something I just bought, I really don't want to force the issue by buying one.

The current short list looks a little like this:

• Miata. I already know that that's the answer, I've had a few but I know if buy one I'll end up sending lots of money to Keith because the standard ones are just too underpowered for my liking. Nevertheless, a tastefully modified supercharged one might appeal
• I don't like E30s. I took my driving lessons in one back in 1986, don't agree with the ergonomics so they're out
• E36s might be an option. I like the e36 coupe and I might find one that appeals to both of us and a 328i might be quick enough. I'd like the M3 but that's probably out due to insurance costs
• Buy another 911, but that'll end up as a weekend car due to insurance restrictions. Maybe get one that's not such an original survivor as the one I've got now so I can modify it without ruining a low-mileage all original car
• I'd love an Acura NSX but I doubt I can get insurance on it unless I want to pay more for car insurance per month than I'd pay for health insurance
• I've driven a couple of Corvettes and actually did like the C4 I drove over here. Not sure what they're like insurance-wise, though.
• I do like the current Mustangs but I'm one of these cheapskates who don't like buying new or nearly new and then watch the car lose value like crazy

I also should point out that the budget would be around $10k, I can go up to 20 but I'd prefer not to. I also don't like borrowing money for vehicles, not that this would be an option due to lack of credit history in the US (although my wife has a decent credit rating, but I still don't like buying vehicles on credit).

Another restriction - I don't like FWD. I've owned what are supposedly some of the best FWD cars (Honda CRX and Integra Type-R) and I just don't get along with them. I tolerate FWD when driving to the shops but barrelling around Brands Hatch over here, I don't get along with them. Mainly because I can't 'read' them - I'm not that good at reading RWD vehicles either as I only got into track driving recently, but the instinctive reactions I have favour RWD.

Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.

Out of nowhere suggestion: SW20 MR2? Insurance would probably be reasonable and spares (for the N/A at least) can be found in around 200 million beige Camrys. Sort of a poor man's NSX.

Did the US get the 170bhp engine in the SW20? I've driven a couple of them and quite like them, but then again they don't seem to be much quicker than a Miata in stock form, at least the earlier ones.

Well they got the turbo which makes close to 200 brake... Same engine as a GT-Four.

My vote: C4 corvette

*EDIT....shoot....GTO

Insurance is making it all tough for you on this one I'm not gonna even factor that into it just to make it easier for me to suggest cars.

Ones I didn't see mentioned:

Corvette (C5's are getting into your range as well if you go to 20)
RX-8
350z, again with the budget thing
Honda S2000
Not sure on the price, hard to find in stick, might be too slow... Lexus IS300
Try the Camarobirds. Probably won't like it though.

Would you consider AWD? The Mazdaspeed6 is in the range.

FD RX7 make sure it has either a LS* or a single turbo conversion

Apparently you need pi. So, Mazdaspeed 3(.1415...).

2004-2006 Pontiac GTO There are plenty for sale in the mid-teens.

fastmiata wrote: 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO There are plenty for sale in the mid-teens.

You want the 05-06. Although I like the looks of the 04 better with the cleaner hood.

You can make a pretty fast Miata for 10k...

Why not get the '04 GTO? Bit more power with the later one but I believe fuel economy is better with the 5.7.

pres589 wrote: Why not get the '04 GTO? Bit more power with the later one but I believe fuel economy is better with the 5.7.

Well, if the fuel economy difference is noticeable then I guess that would be a very valid point. But the power difference is why not an 04.

Fuel economy is the same, if not better, with the 05-06. 400HP/400TQ, bigger brakes, and you could get the flat hood on the 05 (something like 24-25 were ordered with that option). Lots of 04 guys willing to trade though

P71 wrote: Fuel economy is the same, if not better, with the 05-06. 400HP/400TQ, bigger brakes, and you could get the flat hood on the 05 (something like 24-25 were ordered with that option). Lots of 04 guys willing to trade though

Huh, that was an option? That means you can leave it in stock for autocrosses. Not that its competitive, but good to know.

Yup, an option in 05 only (dropped for 06). Interestingly, the GTO's were all shipped sans-spoiler and they were installed at the dealer, yet nobody ever managed to get one before they desecrated the decklid. There's lots of pictures floating around of lines of them at the dock with perfect trunks. NHRA decided to allow spoilerless in Stock, etc so I wonder how hard that would be for SCCA as well?

I am pretty sure that US insurance companies are more concerned with your age than they are your years of driving

jrw1621 wrote: I am pretty sure that US insurance companies are more concerned with your age than they are your years of driving

I'm going to assume that Boxhead knows what he's talking about since he's the one doin everything...

But what jrw said makes more sense to me. I've had friends who didn't get their license until they were 18, and they commented that when they turned 25 their insurance went way down, the same as if they'd been driving for 9 years instead of just 7. Although maybe it takes something like 3 years of driving expience and being 25.

E46 BMWs are down well under 10k for even <100k mile examples, and they're more reliable than E36s in the ancillary electrics department and same or better in the mechanicals. Hard to argue with a GTO for the money unless you just don't like them or don't like the cost of gas and rear tires,,,

I bought mine after driving all 3 models and the clean hood was the major difference. Oh yeah, 2004 for $13.5k last spring. Plenty fast for me and 20+ mpg so long as you dont idle around town all day. I wanted the lower profile of the '04. Spend a few hundred dollars and there are no performance differences!

One stop shop, chevy van!

How is come this far with out the Porsche 944 being mentioned? Really fun, sturdy, and I've gotten 2 duffel bags and rucksack in one before. The 8v is a tad slow, but gets good gas mileage. Part are plentiful. But also expensive. But still!

We have the Elise here too you know.

Drewsifer wrote: How is come this far with out the Porsche 944 being mentioned? Really fun, sturdy, and I've gotten 2 duffel bags and rucksack in one before. The 8v is a tad slow, but gets good gas mileage. Part are plentiful. But also expensive. But still!

I think cause it needs to be a daily driver. Thats why I abstained from mentioning it.

Yeah, I kinda gave up the 944 as well. Everything looks great on paper, then you drive them. It just wasn't any faster than my RX-7 and cost way more for every little thing. I still like the damn things, but 8V isn't worth it without the turbo attached.