a realistic daily driver

[lazysmurff]

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.

[Neutrino]

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.

[v10_viper]

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.

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by v10_viper

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.

[DinanM3_S2]

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.

[lazysmurff]

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)

[kfoote]

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.

[crayzayjay]

E36 M3:



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.

[drunken monkey]

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.

[youngvr4]

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

[lazysmurff]

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....

[kman10587]

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.

[charlzneon]

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

[G35XAndTrailBlazer]

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.

[crayzayjay]

Originally Posted by G35XAndTrailBlazer

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?

Originally Posted by G35XAndTrailBlazer

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.