Looking for a fun daily driver.

[slow&furious]

Hey guys, im hoping yall can help me out. Ive been stuck driving a 99 plymouth breeze while working my way through school, and i cant take it any more! Ive saved up $8000, and i think its time i had something a little more fun.
Id like to not use the whole thing on the car, id like to spend like $6000 or so and use the rest to fix it up a bit, maybe make it a little faster, new suspension etc... I dont want a drag racer, i like cars that handle well (so please dont suggest a 5.0 mustang lol, besides the looks, they're about as aerodynamic as a brick). Im open to all suggestions. I dont care about the year so much, but here are some things id like:

* Not overly expensive on insurance (i have a clean record)
* Parts are not really really expensive, and hard to find
* safe
* decent aftermarket
* manual (both for the fun factor, and gas mileage)
* rwd
* decent MPG (this will be my daily driver after all)
* reliable (same reason as ^)

I know its kind of a tall order, but show me watcha got people! Again, im open to all suggestions, so if it doesn't meet ALL of the requirements, please suggest it anyways.


Edit: Oh, and i wouldn't be opposed to a real sleeper car :D.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

S13, S14?

90s BMW 3 series, find one thats well maintained.

Miata

[drewb]

aw11

[89s1]

Why is RWD a prerequisite?

[A2VR6]

SW20 MR2?

[max_boost]

Originally posted by A2VR6
SW20 MR2?

That's probably the best bet.

[SRT10Killer]

your in abbotsford so check out tyeeimports.com , if you don't mind awd cars he has some nice sti's

[slow&furious]

Originally posted by 89s1
Why is RWD a prerequisite?

i suppose it doesn't have to be, im just not a big fan of fwd.

Ok, what if i take RWD out of the mix, and add in seats 4, any suggestions for that? About the bmw suggestion, aren't parts gunna be pretty expensive even for a 3 series? And Im pretty sure the bmw and mr2 are gunna be pretty expensive for insurance too right?

[maxomilll]

Subie!! wrx man. get a 1994 GC8 soild, fun, reliable cars. especially in the snow, and other wise lame driving conditions.
also not to bad on the insurance, four doors for practicality. fast, annd AWD. :thumbsup:

*edit.

parts aint so hard to find either. seeing as how we had north american imprezas, and the 2002 ej20 fits most of the JDM ej20 parts.. i think.. hrmm

[89s1]

Originally posted by slow&furious


i suppose it doesn't have to be, im just not a big fan of fwd.

Ok, what if i take RWD out of the mix, and add in seats 4, any suggestions for that? About the bmw suggestion, aren't parts gunna be pretty expensive even for a 3 series? And Im pretty sure the bmw and mr2 are gunna be pretty expensive for insurance too right?

I think your dislike of FWD may be rooted in the kind of car you associate it with, your old plymouth breeze didn't give much of an insight into what FWD cars are capable of. Hell, I can induce oversteer with a bit of trail braking in my civic.

FWD sporty cars handle very very well, and are more forgiving at the limit.

*plink, plink* there's my $0.02

[TE4MFaint]

SW20 wins on all accounts.
Never realized how much fun these cars were until I drove one last month.
Find yourself a nice left hand drive MR2, you won`t be disappointed.
Such clean cars too.

http://steer.ru/archives/29050608.jpg

[ShermanEF9]

Originally posted by 89s1


I think your dislike of FWD may be rooted in the kind of car you associate it with, your old plymouth breeze didn't give much of an insight into what FWD cars are capable of. Hell, I can induce oversteer with a bit of trail braking in my civic.

FWD sporty cars handle very very well, and are more forgiving at the limit.

*plink, plink* there's my $0.02

put coilovers on any civic and they handle like they are on rails.

[rizfarmer]

this is probably a good bet for you in your budget

http://forums.beyond.ca/st/283838/f-s-1999-civic-sir-ebp-193km/

[Dope7]

Bmw 325i E30...get a late model...they go for around 4-5k and that other 3k could go towards suspensions, and wheels.


dooo eeet. E30 ftw! so much fun to drive :devil:

[slow&furious]

Originally posted by Dope7
Bmw 325i E30...get a late model...they go for around 4-5k and that other 3k could go towards suspensions, and wheels.


dooo eeet. E30 ftw! so much fun to drive :devil:

again though, aren't parts for a BMW gunna be expensive?

[510-Trevor]

This thread seems awfully familiar:

http://forums.beyond.ca/st/287740/help-a-working-student-buy-a-car/

[01RedDX]

.

[slinkie]

Originally posted by 01RedDX

it drove and looked like a much more expensive car.





pics?

[01RedDX]

.

[89s1]

Originally posted by 01RedDX


eyes?

jk, I know looks can be debated, but its handling was so balanced and the V6 engine was so smooth, it felt like a true "GT" car.



That's pretty good. Still lots of good choices in this price range.

If you don't mind the wagon look, Pontiac Vibes are good too, cheap, fun, practical + reliable! Like getting a Matrix for half the price, same engine and platform. I just bought one a few weeks ago.

Having driven a matrix let me tell you they are totally gutless, and utter crap. As for the 3rd gen eclipse, its a girls car.

You don't sound like you have very good taste in cars 01RedDX, I would suggest you ignore him OP.

[01RedDX]

.

[89s1]

Originally posted by 01RedDX


Yes, ignore me and listen to Mr. '89 Civic here. :rolleyes:

Actually, I would be happy if he ignored us both as long as he indeed ignored us both. At least other people will carry on and give like suggestions to mine, yours are just shit.

As stated, you have BRUTAL taste in cars, no surprise you fuck fat chicks, you just have bad taste overall. :thumbsdow

[Kardon]

Well I'm going to say what one of the first replies said, S13/S14? Fits your criteria quite well.

[bituerbo]

Miata, if you can fit in one.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by Kardon
Well I'm going to say what one of the first replies said, S13/S14? Fits your criteria quite well.

If the OP goes for something older the SW20 MR2 is a better bet as they are much more reliable. It may be the best built car I've ever owned from any decade.

[01RedDX]

.

[89s1]

Originally posted by 01RedDX


With all due respect, moron, but unlike me, you didn't give ANY actual advice. We shouldn't be talking about taste, his criteria is a 6-8 thousand dollar car, but evidently, even that is out of your price range. Tell ya what. Next time someone requests suggestions for salvage cars or some junkyard heap, or dating sea monkeys, you can give some of your invaluable advice then. How does that sound, sport?

No surprise you fuck swamp donkeys, you just have NO taste overall. :thumbsdow

What a joker, trying to make fun of me for driving one of the lightest and best handling civics out there. I drive what I drive for reasons you clearly can't appreciate.

As for my wife's car, its worth considerably more, as I want her to have a nicer car. Mine just needs to be functional on the track. 88-91 (hell 88-00 even) civics handle really well and make great track sluts.

Quit while you're ahead fool, you've already demonstrated your immense stupidity. :rofl:

[Clark-Kent]

Originally posted by 89s1


Actually, I would be happy if he ignored us both as long as he indeed ignored us both. At least other people will carry on and give like suggestions to mine, yours are just shit.

As stated, you have BRUTAL taste in cars, no surprise you fuck fat chicks, you just have bad taste overall. :thumbsdow

:rofl: :rofl:

[max_boost]

Wow, some beef between 89s1 and 01RedDX, is this going to spill over to other sections of the forum? Thanks for the good laugh. :D

[QuasarCav]

NA(89-97) Miata.


Not overly expensive on insurance (i have a clean record) - I pay 40 a month for full coverage as a 27 year old with a decent record

* Parts are not really really expensive, and hard to find - tonnes of them made and it shares drivetrain parts with other Mazdas

* safe - if you don't get hit

* decent aftermarket - one of the best

* manual (both for the fun factor, and gas mileage) - Check

* rwd - Check

* decent MPG (this will be my daily driver after all) - 10L/100km in town and a little better on the highway.

* reliable (same reason as ^) - Probably the most reliable sports car ever made. Stay away from the first 2 years of production and you are almost guaranteed not to have engine problems.

It is a Miata but it that bothers you I can't help. It's driven everyday and you'll be hard pressed to find cheaper fun.

[01RedDX]

.

[89s1]

Since I haven't actually given a concrete suggestion I will throw one in that meets all your initial criteria.

88.5-92 Mk3 Supra Turbo: (maybe not a reliable as a civic, but the fun is there for sure.) It's under appreciated behind the mk4 and somewhat of a sleeper because of this.

I used to wrench On a buddies and it surprised quite a few v8's. :)

[89s1]

Originally posted by 01RedDX


:rofl::rofl:

aww poor guy, I see what's going on here. You really took the Ask Leo thread and the small penis stuff to heart, didn't you. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Just realized that you were in that thread too, wasn't really addressing you since I don't usually read your posts. Apparently I struck a nerve. :rofl:

Now you're trying to have some kind of measuring contest (ahem) and bringing up your wife's car LOL. You say it's worth considerably more - what is that, a '91 Accord?

You sure like to laugh at yourself. Must be used to getting laughed at walking around with your scrawny arm around some whale of a chick.

You have some sort of a love-on for my dick? If you'd like I could send you pictures... You seem to be quite enthusiastic about it.

You drive a pontiac vibe because you can't afford a Matrix and you're going to try to tell me I'm broke-ass? lulz.

[Kardon]

Originally posted by heavyD


If the OP goes for something older the SW20 MR2 is a better bet as they are much more reliable. It may be the best built car I've ever owned from any decade.

Silvia's don't seem to be too un-reliable, no major issues that I'm aware of. I like MR2's and all, but they're strictly 2 seats..

[01RedDX]

.

[89s1]

Arm wrestle at the next beyond meet?

[slow&furious]

haha, i can feel the love here :D thanks for the suggestions. The silvia, thats a japanese import right? Are parts expensive for it? Or does it share parts with other nissans?

[Kardon]

Same parts as a 240sx, so you should also look at those. LHD is nice, but it can be hard finding a clean 240 w/o rust.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I have a 180SX and parts are cheap as anything and plentiful. Even the Nissan dealers can order anything even though its RHD.

[Dope7]

Originally posted by slow&furious


again though, aren't parts for a BMW gunna be expensive?
No...

if you buy from the dealer then ya of course, they will rip you off.

buy parts from online stores, so cheap.


and did i forget it's one of the easiest bmws to work on?:angel:

[aristocrat]

S14, or an aristo,
maybe a 3rd gen supra?