a realistic daily driver

alright, here it goes. ive been trying to think of what i'd like to have as my next car, given that my prelude is on its last legs (just broke....yes, broke, the crankshaft pulley). and here are a few im thinking about...

93 era MR2 turbo (turbo=stock LSD) V6 swap
WRX
GTI
350z

now, ive started weighing some pro's and con's of all of them, and advantages one has over others. i'd like a car that:

*has room for groceries
*runs a respectable stop light race
*can handle like a dream (this is much more important than straight line performance)
*provides a bit of refinement.

id like your oppinions on the cars listed above, as well as anything i might have forgotten about that would be of interest. keep in mind, we're being realistic here. im well aware that a BMW M3 meets all my requirements...but you'll notice all the cars i listed are relatively cheap.

well the Mr2 can be made into a performance demon but from a practical standpoint it will not be fun: Insurance issues on a heavily moded car, old car = old parts that will often fail, you have to learn how to drive a MR layout car, and not what I would call spacious.

The 350Z will be a good performer but again its rather small so groceries is a bout the only thing you can carry in it. And to be quite honest stock its performance is good but it should be better.

the WRX will certaily be practical with 4 doors and a proper boot space. it will also be fairly easy to upgrade power and handling wise.


And if you would allow me to present two other options:

E36 M3, its a bit older so it will be in your price range, decently practical with proper boot space and decent rear seats, and it has excellent handling dynamics. Downside: upgrades will be a nightmare since BMW cost an arm and a leg to upgrade.

Srt4, can make massive power for very cheap. Factory upgrades will offer a fool proof upgrade path. Same goes for handling, and its been proven to be very comptetitive in numerous racing venues with minimal mods. Or if you would like it to handle perferctly from the get go get the new upcoming ACR version. Te car will also be very practical as the WRX.

Um.....basically what Neutrino said...but I'm going to add the Dodge Stealth/Mitsu 3000GT You can find some pretty decent ones out there for good price, they are a fast, let me rephrase, very fast car for what you can get one for and mods wouldn't be too bad. Get a later one with the 6 spd and I've heard of people hitting 60 in 5 second flat or less on stock motor. Neutrino might know more about this car then me but I dont think that they are a very bad car at all. 320 hp, all wheel drive plus i think the 96's maybe have that electronic ride control or w/e, and all wheel steer.

Um.....basically what Neutrino said...but I'm going to add the Dodge Stealth/Mitsu 3000GT You can find some pretty decent ones out there for good price, they are a fast, let me rephrase, very fast car for what you can get one for and mods wouldn't be too bad. Get a later one with the 6 spd and I've heard of people hitting 60 in 5 second flat or less on stock motor. Neutrino might know more about this car then me but I dont think that they are a very bad car at all. 320 hp, all wheel drive plus i think the 96's maybe have that electronic ride control or w/e, and all wheel steer.


yeah that would be another fast car. Its only downside is its weight. Btw between the 3000gt and the stealth get the stealth. Its cheaper, and it doesn't have some of the buggy weird gimmics (such as active aero) of the mitsubishi branded one.

Oh and make sure you buy the twin turbo version.

Like Neutrino said, an E36 M3 would cost you about $20,000, beat any car you listed in a straight (except the 350z), and handles better then any of them. It has much more room then a GTi, MR2, or a 350z, and its interior is much nicer then any of the other cars you listed. If you really want a great daily driver, I'd go for the M3. They are much more comfortable then any of the "sports cars" you listed. BMW likes to throw around the "Ultimate Driving Machine" slogan, but when it comes to an M car, any of them really, it really is true.

ok, you BMW guys are saying E36 M3...but E36 means nothing to me (im BMW stupid) what year is that? and does E36 refer to chassis type? or engine type? give me a little more info on it.

and arent BMW's expensive as far as insurance goes (im a 20 year old male...and lets just say the driving record isnt perfect)

E36 = 1995-98 3 series chassis

If you live where it snows, the WRX is the no-brainer choice, unless the VW Golf R32 is in your price range. If you want to have the ability to carry a lot of stuff, get the wagon.

MR2 turbo has zero cargo space.

I think you would be surprised how much a 350Z could hold if you tried. This would be my choice of the group (Make sure you get the track model) if I lived in a warm weather climate.

The VW Golf, again unless you're looking at the R32, does everything OK, but nothing great. IMO, it's mediocre in this company.

E36 M3:

http://www.bmwworld.com/pics/3er/e36/m3/1906_832.jpg

It's a shame the US only got a 'diet' E36 M3(developing 240bhp rather than the Euro-321bhp). It's still a wonderful car but if it came to a choice between that and a 350Z i'd probably go for the Nissan due to it being much newer. Those would be my top two choices, i wouldnt look at the rest.

i'm assuming you mean the last golf GTi with the 1.8 turbo.
personally i'd go for the V5 instead.
it runs pretty much the same but the engine is more smooth.
they also hold their value slightly better then the 1.8T (around here) and they don't tend have been thrashed as much either.

i'm voting for the 350Z as a dailey driver and good all around car for you

i never considered the E36 M3...thanks for bringing that to my attention. It's tempting, but i would really like a new, off the lot, car. but if i can find one granny drove to work and back....its on.

damn the VW R32 for being so expensive....

The RX-8 sounds like a good choice for you. It's very roomy, and pretty refined for a sports car in that class. If you want a little more performance, WRX it is.

the WRX is perfect
a fast roomy good looking car, 4 doors, a boot, and great performance

WRX or 350Z

Did you notice that you say you dont want any M3? so what do they do? they bring an M3 to your viewing. LOL

Bmws suck so much. I have no idea why you guys like them so much.

Did you notice that you say you dont want any M3? so what do they do? they bring an M3 to your viewing. LOL

I'm completely fed up of your useless comments. Instead of going around posting rubbish everywhere, why don't you actually carefully read what is posted in a thread. Lazysmurf seemed to rule out the M3 because of the cost issue. A few members simply pointed out than an E36 M3 would be within reach, and he said "thank you" for presenting the new option. So if he has no problem with it, why are YOU so offended?

Bmws suck so much. I have no idea why you guys like them so much.
Again, talking absolute rubbish. I won't be lenient in the future so watch what you type.

WRX or 350Z

Did you notice that you say you dont want any M3? so what do they do? they bring an M3 to your viewing. LOL

Bmws suck so much. I have no idea why you guys like them so much.

I'm starting to get tired of this too. I think that its ok to like one car further above all others like you do with the G35, I do with the M3, Finally_Retired does with his Benzes, but you've taken it to the stage where you do not only promote the G35, but you bash other, incredibly good cars.

BMWs, specifically mid-90's E36 3-series and E39 5-series, as well as the E46 3-series are considered to be some of the most reliable cars on the road.

Consumer reports, a magazine that focuses on reliability heavily went so far as to say that the E39 5-series is the best car they've ever driven.

Car and Driver compared the handling of the E36 M3 to the Ferrari F355, Honda/Acura NSX, Porsche 911 and Boxster, and others, and the BMW came out on top.

Something like 75% of people who drive the 3-series say its the best sedan they've ever driven.

2004 Consumers’ Most Wanted Awards, BMW 3 Series, Most Wanted Convertible under $45,000.
- Edmunds.com, June 2004 - 3 Series

All-Star award for "Best Luxury Car Under $40,000"
- Automobile Magazine , February 2004 - 3 Series, M Models

“Best near-luxury sedan, under $30,000”
- forbes.com , April 2003 - 325i Sedan

Preferred Premium Car
- AMES Award, January 2003 - 3 Series

I think that we like BMW for the same reason everyone else does. Build an arguement by either promoting one car, or comparing the cars. Just saying that "BMWs suck so much" not only sounds dumb, but is useless to this thread.

i am not sure but i think the 350Z can pack quite a bit (since is 2 sitter and there's nothing behind it) i am really not sure just theory. anyway i will say 350Z. it should be easier to drive then the WRX (3.5 N/A=lower RPM for everyday driving). and plus is a pretty decent handling car too...I think i can match the M3 in cornering (Best motoring video proves it soo don't flame me for this)

MR2 turbo has zero cargo space.

Not true, my trunk is approl 1.5ft x 2ft x 4ft. I can fit a dozen bags of grocery's in there, and then 3 30packs of burr in the frunk (front trunk)

But I vote either the highly practical and fast AWD Turbo's or an M3.

WRX or 350Z

Did you notice that you say you dont want any M3? so what do they do? they bring an M3 to your viewing. LOL

Bmws suck so much. I have no idea why you guys like them so much.
You're only 13, once you learn to drive you'll understand what makes BMW's so fantastic, until then shut your trap and open your eyes.



For the thread starter: I'd have to say an E36 M3 or an SRT4. If you weren't going to play around with much go for an M3, otherwise if you're wanting to build something up on the cheap go for an SRT4 OR an Acura Integra Type R

OR an Acura Integra Type R


This is an amazing car with a ridiculous aftermarket so its a very good choice except for one thing. Because its so sought after, my understanding is that they steal them like hotcakes. Especially because of its b18c5 engine that is under huge demand.

This of course its not a the cars fault but its something to be taken into consideration.

a relatively limited production run too wasn't it?
i seem to remember something about 400 for the uk market (and all in white)

or did they scrap that?

The production run of the "Round lights" version (The one that went to the USA, Australia/NZ and the UK) was indeed a very small one. Though the Japanese market model (With the long lights that resemble the 88-93 Integra) had quite a substansial number produced.

I can't believe there's not more support for the WRX?!! It's definitely fast off the line because of the AWD and will beat most things on the road (after mods - who knows!). It's got a huge boot, carries 4 passengers (who will be comfortable and less trouble getting in and out like in a coupe) and handles great. Refinement wise, that's just your taste I guess. The interior is quite "quiet" let's say ; ).The WRX's suspension is definitely a little stiff compared to other sedans and doesn't have that electronic tweaky stuff a lot of the euro cars have that can adjust the suspension settings at the touch of a button (like the M6). Let's just say you can feel the road as you drive : )

But of course I'm biased....but if I had the money, an E46 M3 any day!

isn't there normally quite a bit of difference between the japanese market and the UK cars?
again, i remember there being 'special weather' parts and different suspension settings...

anyway.
if a two door coupe like the intergra isn't quite right then how about the equally good, if a little bit slower, Accord Type-R (assuming you got that one in the U.S).

are you looking for a car that you can mod easily or something that will remain more or less stock?
how about an alfa romeo 147 or 156?.
not that fast unless we bring in the GTA models but they look fantastic and they all sound great.

anyway.
if a two door coupe like the intergra isn't quite right then how about the equally good, if a little bit slower, Accord Type-R (assuming you got that one in the U.S).

We did; it's called the Acura TSX. The problem is that we didn't get it until 2004, so he's gonna be paying at least $23,000 for even a used model. He could always get an Acura Integra GS-R sedan.

oops.
crikey.... i'll never get my head around the different names you guys have for the same cars....

I can't stand it either. I don't want an Acura Integra, I want a Honda Integra. I don't want an Acura RL, I want a Honda Legend. I don't want a Lexus IS 300, I want a Toyota Altezza. It sucks that Americans have to be so stuck-up and class-conscious.

Definitely confusing. Especially when most of the time there is no resemblance at all. Like the DC5 Integra Type-R is called the Acura RSX-S (or something like that), sounds like a totally different car. Then again, in Australia they butcher up the Japanese cars too, like calling the S15 Silvia a 200SX.

And to make things even more confusing, the US also got a 200SX, but it was a FWD Sentra coupe.

hahaha PWNED ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^