What to get?

In about a year I'll be coming back from basic traning and I'll have a bunch ove money in the bank and also need an new car. I've considered everything from SRT-4, Subie,Turbo Dodge Daytona, 240sx, BMW E30 and E36, RX-7, F-body, DSM, 3000GT/Stealth, Mini, GTi. The car has to be reliable yet quick. I'm not wanting a full out racecar just something to get me around but still quick enough to take to the track.

Price ranges:
Brand new - $20,000
1995 and newer - $15,000
1994 and older - $10,000
but really all depends on what it is.

So what do ya think?

i would go after a nissan 300zx (z32), or from your list, the nissan 240sx. they are both fast and i see a lot of people having them as a daily driver, as i will with a z32.

I'd go for an E36 M3. Fast, great handling, nice interior and very easy to live with day-to-day. If you can find a clean E30 M3 that would also be a good solution. 240SX will also be quick & reliable.

I have to agree w/Jay for the most part...the E36 M3 is a fantastic car both for handling and build quality...very good car...

Problem w/the 240SX is it's reliable...but not that quick...compared to the company you are putting it in...it needs forced induction...while the M3 does not...

I'd go w/an M3 for reliability and quickness!

I'd go for an E36 M3. Fast, great handling, nice interior and very easy to live with day-to-day. If you can find a clean E30 M3 that would also be a good solution. 240SX will also be quick & reliable.

That would be a good pick. Don't count out the SRT-4 either. Test drive both and see which suites you better. The fit and finish of the SRT-4 isn't going to even be comparable to the M3 but the SRT-4 will be more performance minded.

If you want to get into the older Turbo Dodges, be careful, and expect to be replacing a lot of parts. It is unfortunate, but there were a lot of people that owned these cars and didn’t know how to maintain a turbocharged car. They can be found in VERY good condition for between $1,500 and $15,000 depending on what Turbo Dodge you want. If you go the older Turbo Dodge route let me know and I can help you out.

a lot of these comparisons are a matter of personal preference cause only the person posting knows exactly what he/she wants. In this one i'd go with either a BMW, SRT-4, or a Z. Each one is good in its own way

With the 240sx I would prolly do an engine swap. So that changes things a little. I love everything about the M3 but everyone tells me that they cost alot to maintain and are not very reliable, but i dunno what to belive. The SRT-4 the only new car I'm considering be cause my uncle can get me a green sheet so it a little cheaper than some of its competition. And also another thing is getting around in the snow, so if i go with a RWD car ill most likly have to buy a winter beater which will take away from the money I can spend on my daily driver.

Thanks for your help.

I love everything about the M3 but everyone tells me that they cost alot to maintain and are not very reliable, but i dunno what to belive.
If well looked after the M3 is very reliable.

Problem w/the 240SX is it's reliable...but not that quick...compared to the company you are putting it in...it needs forced induction...while the M3 does not...

sure, but the SX has a huge aftermarket following, right?

well it really matters if you want to get greasy or not.

If you want a very powerful car with factory upgrades that will still maintain warranty get the Srt4. You will have power and no headakes due to the warranty.


If you love to work on cars all the time, tear them apart, do serious engine mods get one of the older ones and with the money saved you can get parts and work on them.

of the older ones quite a few would be good: Turbo DSM, 240sx, E36, Turbo Dodge.

A 240SX with a well worked (to about 300 whp) SR20DET is an awesome allrounder, you're also going to ant to change the suspension and brakes around- the stock 240 items are rubbish.

So if you want something rewarding to sump money into, then an S14 240 is the way to go.


New cars really don't have much going for them in that price bracket, except the Dodge SRT4, but FWD is FWD and the appeal of it is fast wearing off on me- but you're the one buying the car.


The M3 is probably the best stock all-rounder.

Well after thinking about this for about 5 months, I still haven't decided yet. I know that I will going to college in St. Louis, so I will want to buy/rent a house/apartment. So that kinda lowers the price ranges a bit.

I'm more worried about insurance prices than I am about MPG. And I would rather have something newer so that I can have all the power accessories and ect. I have even thought about getting a truck and a motorcycle or a project car, but with college I doubt I will have enough time to work on a project car.

I hope you guys can give me some more good suggestions before I leave (the 20th of this month) so that I can make up my mind now and make the search easier when I get back.

I would definitly go for the E36. Great car, good aftermarket, outhandles pretty much everything until much newer, more expensive cars. I believe it was C&D that did a handling comparison of a bunch of mid 90's cars including the Porsche 911 and Boxster, Dodge Viper, Toyota Supra, Acura NSX, and others. They ranked the E36 M3 #1 above all of these cars, most of which cost alot more.

Of the cars on your list, the E36 is probably the most reliable (i've seen 300,000 miler E36s), the most luxurious, the best handling, probably one of the best track cars on there too. The aftermarket for BMWs tends to be pretty good as well. Most BMW dealers directly support and sell Dinan Products, which tells you something about their quality.

If you want a Drag car, the SRT4 or an RX7 might be a better choice, but thats a pretty limited factor on deciding on a car.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and make sure you test drive all of your options before you buy. A car is one thing you dont want to regret down the road.