What will I think of next?

Over the past month or so, I've been thinking about replacing the Miata. In that time, I have seriously considered the following:
C5 Vette
Z3 Coupe
Chevy Volt and a Miata/MGB/whatever
2008 Mustang Bullitt
2011+5.0 Mustang
2013-14 V6 Mustang
BRZ
Impreza
WRX
Roadmaster
GTO
Legacy GT and Spec B
G37 coupe
G25
Abarth 500.

Today, a 128i was added into the mix. My dad, who has been aiding me in my search, suggested that I probably need to go on some medication.

Obviously the next car for me to seriously consider has to be either a Yugo or a Plymouth Prowler.

The prowler is the obvious choice!

In reply to mtn:

I think you should add a Lotus Europa project to the list!

mtn wrote: Over the past month or so, I've been thinking about replacing the Miata. In that time, I have seriously considered the following: ... Chevy Volt and a Miata/MGB/whatever ...

That don't make no sense!

mtn wrote: .....Roadmaster .....

Uhhh, duh, obvious choice.

mtn wrote: Over the past month or so, I've been thinking about replacing the Miata. In that time, I have seriously considered the following: C5 Vette (only a Z06) 2011+5.0 Mustang BRZ WRX (only an STi)

That's what would be on my list, starting with your list.

Don't go drive the Vette/5.0 unless you intend on buying one. Otherwise you'll be wrecked.

No S2000 on there?

z31maniac wrote:

mtn wrote: Over the past month or so, I've been thinking about replacing the Miata. In that time, I have seriously considered the following: C5 Vette (only a Z06) 2011+5.0 Mustang BRZ WRX (only an STi)

That's what would be on my list, starting with your list. Don't go drive the Vette/5.0 unless you intend on buying one. Otherwise you'll be wrecked.

I've already driven an 01 Z06, and test driven a 5.0. Honestly, the Mustang was amazing, but I don't think it is quite for me. Still want to try the V6 though, just to try it. Haven't had the chance because every time I've been to the dealer they were super busy and I wasn't going to waste their time since I'm not a serious buyer yet. As for the Vette, I'd go with a non-Z06 because it is an interstate DD first, autocrosser second, and I'm not going to Nationals. Besides that, budget is an issue.

As for the STI, MPG grounds that before takeoff.

Beer Baron wrote: No S2000 on there?

No. The combination of not being different enough from the Miata, and not being a great highway cruiser are keeping it off this list. Not to mention, I'm tired of having to spend 1-2 minutes arranging my hockey bag in the trunk. I'd still have to do that in the Stook. Everything else on the list, it fits easily. Even in the Vette.

BiTurbo?

• Holds hockey bag without any futzing, check
• Can be bought for $17k, check
• Sounds like sex, check
• Will handle better than most of your list so far, check
• Will outrun most of your list so far, check
• Will go coast to coast in comfort, check
• Looks fan-berkeleying-tastic, check
• Can get 23-27 mpg is you can stop downshifting and wailing it up to 8k at every possible opportunity, check

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: - Holds hockey bag without any futzing, check - Can be bought for $17k, check - Sounds like sex, check - Will handle better than most of your list so far, check - Will outrun most of your list so far, check - Will go coast to coast in comfort, check - Looks fan-berkeleying-tastic, check - Can get 23-27 mpg is you can stop downshifting and wailing it up to 8k at every possible opportunity, check [picture of M3]

There are actually 2 of those at a dealership I'm going to tomorrow to browse. One has over 200k miles and is about $12k; the other is about 23k with low miles and is a convertible.

What is the maintenance like on those things though? An aging BMW M3 kind of scares me.

Just looked up some threads on the E46 M3. I think I'm going to rule that one out. Hard on consumables, high maintenance, and then VANOS just scares me too much to take that plunge.

mtn wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: - Holds hockey bag without any futzing, check - Can be bought for $17k, check - Sounds like sex, check - Will handle better than most of your list so far, check - Will outrun most of your list so far, check - Will go coast to coast in comfort, check - Looks fan-berkeleying-tastic, check - Can get 23-27 mpg is you can stop downshifting and wailing it up to 8k at every possible opportunity, check [picture of M3]

There are actually 2 of those at a dealership I'm going to tomorrow to browse. One has over 200k miles and is about $12k; the other is about 23k with low miles and is a convertible. What is the maintenance like on those things though? An aging BMW M3 kind of scares me.

It's a little on the high side but ... Toyota and Subaru parts on some of your other choices are just as scary.

Basically, it's cooling system and bushing stuff. Put an aluminum radiator and metal/silicone hoses in it when you do the overhaul and never bother with it again. Valve adjustments. It needs them. If you are beating on it pretty hard at the track there are issues you have to deal with - reinforcements and better-than-factory bushing upgrades. Drag launching on sticky tires can eat up rear axles... but increased costs for for any car being ridden hard is generally the norm. They last a long time when well taken care of.

Normal DIY costs are in the ballpark with other late model BMW M cars with some of the parts drawing a premium and some being surprisingly cheap. So... not S2000 cheap but not terrifying compared to the rest of your list either.

disclaimer I haven't owned an E46 M3 yet but I know a lot of people who do. So... this is 2nd hand info.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

mtn wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: - Holds hockey bag without any futzing, check - Can be bought for $17k, check - Sounds like sex, check - Will handle better than most of your list so far, check - Will outrun most of your list so far, check - Will go coast to coast in comfort, check - Looks fan-berkeleying-tastic, check - Can get 23-27 mpg is you can stop downshifting and wailing it up to 8k at every possible opportunity, check [picture of M3]

There are actually 2 of those at a dealership I'm going to tomorrow to browse. One has over 200k miles and is about $12k; the other is about 23k with low miles and is a convertible. What is the maintenance like on those things though? An aging BMW M3 kind of scares me.

It's a little on the high side but ... Toyota and Subaru parts on some of your other choices are just as scary. Basically, it's cooling system and bushing stuff. Put an aluminum radiator and metal/silicone hoses in it when you do the overhaul and never bother with it again. Valve adjustments. It needs them. If you are beating on it pretty hard at the track there are issues you have to deal with - reinforcements and better-than-factory bushing upgrades. Drag launching on sticky tires can eat up rear axles... but increased costs for for any car being ridden hard is generally the norm. They last a long time when well taken care of. Normal DIY costs are in the ballpark with other late model BMW M cars with some of the parts drawing a premium and some being surprisingly cheap. So... not S2000 cheap but not terrifying compared to the rest of your list either. *disclaimer* I haven't owned an E46 M3 yet but I know a lot of people who do. So... this is 2nd hand info.

Hmm... This wouldn't be driven that hard, only autocrossed about 4-5 times a year, and never tracked. And on the street I'm easy with them. Still scary though.

As for the Toyota/Subaru options on my list, they'd have a warranty (except the Legacy).

I own an E46 M3, and it has been the best all-around car I've had. It isn't horrible, maintenance wise, but it certainly requires care and diligence. I did the valve adjustment called for last year -- it was due, but all were well-within spec. It was only pricey because I did gaskets, plugs, and sundries "while I was in there". I will be rebuilding the VANOS this spring, again because I am at the mileage where some seals may need replacing. The kit was under >100, and it is a do it yourself job if you are mechanically competent. I am also replacing the potentially troublesome VANOS parts for $150 after core charge. Hardly scary maintenance.

Tires are reasonable, plenty of brake options, so that shouldn't set you back too much. Oil changes are pricey if you use the Castrol 10w60; but Motul and Redline also make alternatives. Drive one before dismissing it. You'd hardly know it was a 3600lb car . . .

I use mine for autox, and for HPDE.

I think the "maintenance is scary" if you are taking it to the dealer. Mostly consumables if being used hard.

And aren't they more like 3400lbs? I was thinking the E90/2 M3s are ~3625.

Not to totally debunk what you're looking for, but driving an S2000 on the highway is a FAR cry from driving a Miata on the highway.

Very much in the right direction towards comfort.

Swank Force One wrote: Not to totally debunk what you're looking for, but driving an S2000 on the highway is a FAR cry from driving a Miata on the highway. Very much in the right direction towards comfort.

I'm aware. Been in one on the highway. Not what I'm looking for.

E46 needs more research. And FWIW, weight is not important to me.

"Pre-smiley faced" MS3? That's where I'd go in the parameters you mentioned.

kazoospec wrote: "Pre-smiley faced" MS3? That's where I'd go in the parameters you mentioned.

Bah. I don't think that I actually mentioned any parameters, but this one fails for a number of reasons, but the big one is "I flippin hate torque steer".

In reply to mtn: I've driven a few. Torque steer is almost non-existent, at least compared to the SE-R I used to have. Then again, that had "lane change" levels of torque steer. I think there's a boost limiter in the first couple gears in the Mazda.

"Parameters" were from indications above its to be a DD/highway/occasional autocross car.

z31maniac wrote: I think the "maintenance is scary" if you are taking it to the dealer. Mostly consumables if being used hard. And aren't they more like 3400lbs? I was thinking the E90/2 M3s are ~3625.

I've never weighed mine -- but I would be surprised if it were that "light". Especially since the majority I've seen are well-equipped, including an (ugh) heavy glass sunroof. They are heavy, regardless.

kazoospec wrote: In reply to mtn: I've driven a few. Torque steer is almost non-existent, at least compared to the SE-R I used to have. Then again, that had "lane change" levels of torque steer. I think there's a boost limiter in the first couple gears in the Mazda. "Parameters" were from indications above its to be a DD/highway/occasional autocross car.

What? My 2010 had LOADS of torquesteer. Like build up your forearms levels of torque steer.

I think you are the only person I've ever read say they don't have much.

In reply to z31maniac: Have you ever driven a Spec V? Everything's relative, I guess. I had to mentally "recalibrate" when I switched from the Nissan to my current Miata because I was so used to feeding in counter-steer in the first couple gears. I never minded it personally. You get used to it, you account for it. Its always there.

I do remember chuckling at Noobs on a now-defunct Sentra board. "FTW is wrong with my car?!??!??! As soon as I start to let the clutch out it tries to kill me??!!?!?!?"

Anyways, back the the regularly scheduled programming.