Well AF, It's been fun...

[CivRacer95]

I could pick out the pros and cons of all cars I've owned as well. It's only natural to do so. NO CAR is ever made perfect to suit everyones entire needs. If there was such a car, we'd all be driving it. But that's how the cookie crumbles.

I still haven't gotten around to looking at that S2000 that's just around the corner. Oddly after I talked about test driving it, the for sale sign was taken off, rims were replaced with the factory ones, and every now and then it disappears for a day or two. Was wondering if they decided not to sell it. No biggie, though. I'll look else where for one.

Hopefully before the winter season comes I get a chance to drive each one of them. Can't imagine trying to test drive them during the slick and slippery season heading toward us soon. All RWD vehicles lol.

Just another week or two until my legalities clear up. Just waiting on paperwork and then off to the DMV! So close I can almost feel myself driving a new vehicle as I sit here in my chair

[Neutrino]

Well might as well put in my 2 cents....


As far as an evo 8, considering the demographic and how expensive some of the repairs could be I would only consider one If i would know personally the original owner or if the seller would let me test it very very thoroughly.


Another fun choice would be an SRT4 especially i you could find an acr version.

A vette should also be fun...in your price range you I think could get a c5 z06 or a regular c6....especially if you get one of some old guy that took super care of it (perfect seller)

You might also consider (I cannot believe I'm writing this since I'm not a mustang fan) a slightly used 2011 v6 stang....or if you could strech the budget a slightly used 2011 5.0 stang.(poly will so hate me for posting this....)

Disclaimer on this last paragraph....never driven those new stangs but from the reviews they really seem to be quite something (I've never ever considered a stang before these 2011s). If someone else has experience with them please chime in.

[CivRacer95]

You and your SRT4 Neutrino

I'm definitely staying away from the Mustang. Just never really been a fan of them. The only exception was Eleanor from Gone in 60 Seconds.

The Evo is in high consideration though. Apart from the other 3 cars I have been looking at, that choice is still there. I'm pretty sure I can handle maintenance/expenses with the car as well. AWD would be a definite bonus with the road conditions here in the winter. It's a toss up.

I'm trying to stay away from FWD vehicles. I've had quite a few up until this point in my life and I've forgetten the feeling of RWD. Not since my Trans Am have I enjoyed that feeling. That was high school haha

[Neutrino]

Hehe....yeah...i just love the fact that the srt4 is stupid fun...you should also see the focus rs (the one i had was a loud neon green too )...same thing stupid FWD fun...cars I loved on the spot

i had both an evo x mr and the rs for a week each...such different cars...the evo was just such an all around competent car no drama nu fuss...on the other hand the rs was just running around screaming all 300+ factory hp on the front wheels and all....as i said stupid fun...loved it on the spot though

but anyway back to your cars

the problem with the evo...if not properly taken care of there is just so much that might need to be fixed eg:

if the guy did not properly cool the turbo...the turbo is about to go bye bye
if the guy modded the car (very very likely) and did not do a proper job the internals could be overstressed if he overdid it, or cooked if he messed up the AF ratio
this is an awd car...hard launches will be very tough on it....stay away from evos with upgraded clutches

that being said if you can find a used evo in good condition....very good choice

as for the mustangs...i know I'm not a fan myself...its just that the new models offer very very good performance for the money(at least on paper)...motor-trend tested a 5.0 against a new m3 (with a perf package) and it matched it on the track...amazing for a 30k car brand new

If the budget is low...the v6 seems a very good choice...you can get an almost brand new car with a full warranty, 300+ hp, decent gas mileage all under 20k

It's weird, never thought the day would come when I would be recommending a stang, as i said I'm not a fan myself

[CivRacer95]

Any chance you had some seat time in a GTO, S2K or a G35. I'd really like your opinion on any of those cars.

Poly mentioned a while ago you were cruising in a Focus and I chuckled a bit to myself. I was trying to picture a guy as big as you are in a small car

If I were to buy any Evo I would be sticking with the VIII. Cheaper and more affordable for my price range. I've heard the horror stories of buying used ones by guys who have tortured them. The AWD thing is a major drawback as you said because launching them causes huge wear on the trannies. But it would be ideal for the winter road conditions here. But the modding capabilities and potential really tug at my strings.

Back to my other 3 choices. If I did own 1 of the 3 I would more than likely have to buy a second vehicle for the winter. No biggie. Was thinking of buying a cheap little truck like an old school Tacoma. Seasonal driving is my only worry.

Although, I have been tempted to buy another Eclipse. I miss that car more than anything. The little problems I had with it don't seem so big now that I have myself a decent job.

If I do need a second vehicle for driving I might have to find myself a car in the price range of 15K, RWD, low/decent mileage and good performance. It's tough these days to find a newer vehicle with those qualifications. Be easy for me to save a few grand and buy a cheap and fun FWD car. I just want something with a little bit more style and power though.

I also think about my big three of the 90's. Toyota Supra, 3000GT VR4, and 300zxTT Fairlady Z. Although, the Z may be out because my cousin owns an NA version and I don't want the same car as him. My dad had an NA version of the 3KGT, so I might rule that one out. The Supra is way too much for price too. Sucks because anyone of those cars would be a blast to own.

I looked into Mazda RX7's and they just scared me. The maintenance and money you need with the upkeep. It just didn't seem worth it unless I was going to be a diehard Mazda fan. Anyway, there are still plenty of choices for me, just not sure. I look for cars that are uncommon in my area. That's my biggest thing. Just to have something that I know not many people see or are familiar with. Helps me stand out and give people something to think about when they see an unknown vehicle.

[Neutrino]

Nope unfortunately i never drove any of those, the GTO seems like a fun choice especially the latter model with the ls2, the scary thing about the s2000 is driving it surrounded by people with large trucks/suvs in a small roadster, otherwise it's quite a drivers car.

Btw since you mentioned it i had quite a soft spot myself for the 2g eclipse with 4g63 (que in people with crank walk jokes)

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And yes I do have an old diesel focus i keep around as a backup car, usually i just drive around a 2.0 TDI golf 6 (140hp/236lbs tq 45+mpg) when not using the subway (big city/ I work downtown) or when i don't have a demo car available for the week.

If you think me in a focus is funny just think about this: my summer vacation was in Monaco, the rental i got from Avis was a 1.2l fiesta ......BTW i did get my 3rd degree black belt in parking over there...had to parallel park over and over a manual car in tiny tiny spots on streets with 20+ degrees slopes common in the area

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As far as sport(y) cars what I can tell you from driving:

Both the focus ST and Rs are tons of fun (some of the best noise too) but not available across the pond, FWD too

The evo x is quite nice but almost too clinical (i had the dual clutch version so not being a manual took some of the fun away)

never tried the old evos....really curious how they measure up

the lancer ralliart is not bad basically a scaled down evo at half the price

had an 2006-ish sti (lease return)...quite liked it but it was just a tad too hash (ok for me but veto-ed by the gf)

the rest were euro luxo barges and suvs/trucks

I can give you plenty more details on those if you want since i had them for quite a bit to drive around

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hmmm...lets see if i can make some alternative suggestions about what you can consider around that budget:

2008-ish 3 series 328i with the 3L inline 6 230hp should prove decently sporty, with a bit of luck maybe you can score a 335i I6 TT engine 305HP underrated

BUT if you want something truly unique you can consider this: an rx7 with an ls1 transplant...Japanese chassis American power not more pesky tt rotary.

There was at least company making a kit for this a little while ago.

Just imagine people looking at your car and hearing a v8, before you ask the ls1 should not mess up the balance since it's quite a small compact engine

[CivRacer95]

Oh BMW's...I've always wanted one. But I just don't want to put up with the company that builds them. The costs, "special" tools for easy jobs. Man, just thinking about them and the way they actually take away the love the consumers want to show their own personal vehicles disturbs me. Friend of mine worked at a shop in SLC and he said some BMW's required a specific tool just to do an oil and oil filter change. I took his word for it though, never researched it myself. But he has been servicing all kinds of cars from the every day Honda to Ferrari's themselves, so...yeah.

I don't know why, but there is just something about the STi that I don't like. I mean, from what I've seen in road tests they are a bit faster than the Evo, but I just can't indentify what I don't like about them. I love the way they sound, even the way they look is fairly attractive too. No matter how many times I think about it though, I don't see myself owning one or driving one.

The RX7 with a transplant has been a dream. But I look and search my damn hardest at times to find just the proper body to dump an LS1 in to, but never have any luck. Most times when I do, it's too late and someone has claimed my price haha. If the chance ever comes up again, and I have the funds to buy it and start the project, you guys will surely hear about it. But at this point, I'd rather just get myself a car rather than building up a project that will delay me from driving any long

[-Josh-]

My vote is and always will be for a Scoob, STi....AWD 300 horsepower, balls to the wall and enough room in the back seat to put your groceries and a couple friends.

[CivRacer95]

Originally Posted by -Josh-

My vote is and always will be for a Scoob, STi....AWD 300 horsepower, balls to the wall and enough room in the back seat to put your groceries and a couple friends.

Go get yourself another one Joshy! You know you're just itching for one.

[-Josh-]

Originally Posted by CivRacer95

Go get yourself another one Joshy! You know you're just itching for one.

By the end of this summer (assuming i can find the right deal) i WILL have another one!