Farewell to my first car. Help me pick my 2nd.

[johnnyOcho]

Last week I may have put the final nail in the coffin for my 1994 Toyota Celica. Some black ice on a blind corner coupled with some tires that I should not have been running resulted in me taking out some PVC fencing and possibly totaling my first car. I've never had a car payment and my budget is between $4000 and $7500. I would like something fun, preferably rwd and manual but it doesn't have to be. Keep in mind it will be my daily driver and while I loved to work on my Celica, I don't want anything that I'm going to have to pull the motor to do sparkplugs. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

[AHFlynn]

youre a perfect candidate for



i vote e30

[Grip Driver]

rwd = yup
manual = yup
easy to work on = yup
can be had in your price range = yup

[Broduski]

4th gen f-body.

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/3520482297.html

[troyjule]

E36/E46 BMW. You know you want to.


No bias, I swear.

[johnnyOcho]

All viable options. I was prepared for for the e30, miata, 4.0L jeep rain. I have also been considering Saab 9-3's, 2nd gen WRX's(sedan or hatch) as well as w20's(MR2). I'm planning on scouring the local CarMax's etc to see if I can get in some of my top picks to drive before I bite the bullet. Does anyone know of any major issues with 9'-3's or the WRX's? Remember I do like to work on my vehicles but don't want to spend more time under the hood than in the driver's seat. This will be my daily driver so I want to be able to do tune-ups and servicing myself with little difficulty. Common sense tells me to stay away from modded wrx's and Mr2's if possible but I don't see that being an issue with the 9-3. Anyone have any bad experiences out of any of these platforms? Again all of your feedback is appreciated.

[r_fostoria]

All viable options. I was prepared for for the e30, miata, 4.0L jeep rain. I have also been considering Saab 9-3's, 2nd gen WRX's(sedan or hatch) as well as w20's(MR2). I'm planning on scouring the local CarMax's etc to see if I can get in some of my top picks to drive before I bite the bullet. Does anyone know of any major issues with 9'-3's or the WRX's? Remember I do like to work on my vehicles but don't want to spend more time under the hood than in the driver's seat. This will be my daily driver so I want to be able to do tune-ups and servicing myself with little difficulty. Common sense tells me to stay away from modded wrx's and Mr2's if possible but I don't see that being an issue with the 9-3. Anyone have any bad experiences out of any of these platforms? Again all of your feedback is appreciated.

Don't get an e30. If you want a BMW get an e36 instead. It's a much better daily car. I really like mine but have decided that if I get into an accident I would most likely go for a SAAB 9-3, but that's more because I would just want something different.

[redshift]

You're not going to find any 2nd gen WRX's anywhere near your price range. We paid $9,000 for our 2002 wagon last summer and that was about middle of the road for non-ufcked-up ones around here at the time.

We were also looking at 9-3's and there were a few early 2000's cars in your price range, but I just couldn't pull the trigger on a $4,000 Saab.

[B3passatBMX]

Don't get an e30. If you want a BMW get an e36 instead. It's a much better daily car. I really like mine but have decided that if I get into an accident I would most likely go for a SAAB 9-3, but that's more because I would just want something different.

It's true. Or get a nice clean E34 5 series. Has alot of the same character of an E30 but in a bigger more comfortable size. I have both . Although you can pick up a very clean E30 in that price range.

[sandiegan]

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/3516581781.html

[The Dubsta]

ls1 mazda b2200 in charlotte.
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/3515000951.html

Seriously I want this!

[The Dubsta]

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/3516581781.html

Wow that seems like a good price! As long as you can verify maintenance records and that is not beat to chit! That would be a great pick up!

[DubNMiatafan]

The answer to your question is Miata.

Get one with a hardtop if you don't like convertibles.

[johnnyOcho]

I found one of these not too far from home within my price range. It is an 03 3.0Lv6 and the 6-speed. It has 160k miles on it. Does anyone know of any reliability issues with these?


I also found a 2003 Acura CL Type-S with a 6-speed within my price range. It has 180kmiles on it but seems to be very well maintained by the owner and serviced recently. Again any know problems or bad experiences with these? I know I said I wanted something RWD but I am looking at these two closely. Just based on looks I'm leaning more towards the Acura but I'm hoping to look at both in person this weekend. As always any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[jakellama123]

Don't get an e30. If you want a BMW get an e36 instead. It's a much better daily car. I really like mine but have decided that if I get into an accident I would most likely go for a SAAB 9-3, but that's more because I would just want something different.

true
e36's are easier to find, cheaper to find a decent example and a better daily
Just has to have m3 bits. Especially the front bumper lol

[volvohutter]

All viable options. I was prepared for for the e30, miata, 4.0L jeep rain. I have also been considering Saab 9-3's, 2nd gen WRX's(sedan or hatch) as well as w20's(MR2). I'm planning on scouring the local CarMax's etc to see if I can get in some of my top picks to drive before I bite the bullet. Does anyone know of any major issues with 9'-3's or the WRX's? Remember I do like to work on my vehicles but don't want to spend more time under the hood than in the driver's seat. This will be my daily driver so I want to be able to do tune-ups and servicing myself with little difficulty. Common sense tells me to stay away from modded wrx's and Mr2's if possible but I don't see that being an issue with the 9-3. Anyone have any bad experiences out of any of these platforms? Again all of your feedback is appreciated.

I'd run from any early 2000s 9-3. If you must, I'd recommend a 1999 or a 2005+.

Reasons: 1999 9-3 was T5, very, very solid. 2000, 2001, and 2002 had the T7 management system, lots of oil sludge issues. There was a PCV update that fixed it but you'll have to drop the pan to make sure that you don't have any issues. 2003 and 2004 were the first years of the 9-3 sport sedan and were notoriously unreliable, especially base models. You should be able to pick up a 2005 Aero or 2006 2.0T for decent money.

[compy222]

6k for a Miata gets you a really nice car.

[BRealistic]

You didn't mention fuel economy... so how about a Mustang?

$7500 will buy a solid 1999-04 Mustang GT, or even a 2005 V6.

[deagle]

unfortunately, most cars won't be as easy to just fix as compared to your '90's car

but if anything , another toyota might have similar engine features and characteristics

[Son]

"Clownshoe - That doesn't fit my needs - Your needs just changed!"

[BRealistic]

unfortunately, most cars won't be as easy to just fix as compared to your '90's car

but if anything , another toyota might have similar engine features and characteristics

I was spoiled by the first car I learned do wrench ona, a 1984 celiac gts.
it made me think all vehicles were made to be taken apart easily, fixed, and put back together.
wrong.

unfortunately the op's celica was just a few years shy of when toyota started serious cost cutting.
anything significantly newer is not made that way.



on a modern vehicle- information becomes valuable as issue diagnosis, part sourcing and repair information are harder to come by on less popular models.
being able to find out what to do and how to do it means more than a few extra inches in the engine compartment.

miata.. mustang if you like them.

[The Dubsta]

I found one of these not too far from home within my price range. It is an 03 3.0Lv6 and the 6-speed. It has 160k miles on it. Does anyone know of any reliability issues with these?


I also found a 2003 Acura CL Type-S with a 6-speed within my price range. It has 180kmiles on it but seems to be very well maintained by the owner and serviced recently. Again any know problems or bad experiences with these? I know I said I wanted something RWD but I am looking at these two closely. Just based on looks I'm leaning more towards the Acura but I'm hoping to look at both in person this weekend. As always any feedback is greatly appreciated.

I had an 03 accord v6/auto coupe. Great car but not a real blast to drive! Probably could change a great deal with the manual trans and some better suspension/tires. The j30 engine is a really great!

I have no experience on the CL so I won't comment. Make sure whatever you buy is something that you enjoy driving!

[johnny_p]

In addition to the Miata and BMW E36, I'd check out the SVT Focus and Honda Prelude SH.

Although SVT Foci are probably getting rather rare about now.

[87944turbo]

Early Wrx will have issues. My 02 wagon was dealer documented right up to 100k when I got it. One owner and maintained at the dealer where purchased since day one. 100% stock. Carfax listed every single oil change and all maintenance (timing belt, clutch, etc) A very good example bought for about 6k.

In my hands it still required a radiator (end tanks split) A/C tensioner pulley, front axles, had fuel leak when cold, engine/trans alignment issue which requires running alternate tire pressures front to rear. And fast growing rust. All this in the spam of about 8 months.

Liked it, but grew tired of working on my DD and got a new 2011.

My vote is Porsche 944. You can into a turbo at the high end of your range.

[The Dubsta]

Early Wrx will have issues. My 02 wagon was dealer documented right up to 100k when I got it. One owner and maintained at the dealer where purchased since day one. 100% stock. Carfax listed every single oil change and all maintenance (timing belt, clutch, etc) A very good example bought for about 6k.

In my hands it still required a radiator (end tanks split) A/C tensioner pulley, front axles, had fuel leak when cold, engine/trans alignment issue which requires running alternate tire pressures front to rear. And fast growing rust. All this in the spam of about 8 months.

Liked it, but grew tired of working on my DD and got a new 2011.

My vote is Porsche 944. You can into a turbo at the high end of your range.

complains about subaru reliability recommends porsche 944? lol wut?

[The Dubsta]

In addition to the Miata and BMW E36, I'd check out the SVT Focus and Honda Prelude SH.

Although SVT Foci are probably getting rather rare about now.

Yes OP go test drive a svt focus! Great vehicles to drive! I had an 03 svt focus with eap (european appareance package - hids, heated recaros, better wheels, etc).

[B3passatBMX]

Ohh SVT Focus, another great car. I had one for 7 years. Was supercharged for 5.5 of them. Sold it with 154k on it and it still ran flawlessly. Granted I took excellent care of it, but I sold it for well within your price range. It was my daily for 6 years and only left me stranded once and was quite cheap to maintain. Great cars

[bob570]

I would say a WRX, but I keep hearing bad things about them. And my buddy's '02 just blew up!

How bout a nice Mark 4 with a VR6 or a 1.8T?
*puts on flame suit*

[rynodyno312]

How bout a nice Mark 4 with a VR6 or a 1.8T?
*puts on flame suit*

Or he could put $5k into a blender. Same result.

Of everything posted so far I think the 6-speed CL-S is probably the best all-arounder. It will pick up 20whp with a set of headers, has a LSD, and should be extremely reliable. They are also rare with a 6-speed so it should be easy to sell later on if you must have RWD.

[The Dubsta]

Or he could put $5k into a blender. Same result.

Of everything posted so far I think the 6-speed CL-S is probably the best all-arounder. It will pick up 20whp with a set of headers, has a LSD, and should be extremely reliable. They are also rare with a 6-speed so it should be easy to sell later on if you must have RWD.

agreed!

[ryanpend]

complains about subaru reliability recommends porsche 944? lol wut?

my 951 has been rock solid.
though you'd need to spend double OP's top line to get into a well sorted turbo.. you could find a really nice late NA car for that price. I wouldn't completely disregard the notion...

[87944turbo]

^ word. Drive my 951 up to 5 hours one way to the track, beat on it for a day and drive home with no worries.

Or something like this for 6k. http://www.indianaimpreza.com/showthread.php?t=25372

[Impeccable]

Wow that seems like a good price! As long as you can verify maintenance records and that is not beat to chit! That would be a great pick up!

When a guy is selling that cheap you don't check for maintenance records, only thing i'd do is check the panels for serious prior accident damage

[C5 A6]

G35 Coupe/Sedan?

It's not likely you'd find anything low mileage in that range though.

[n0rdicalex.]

E36 328i.

add M3 cams, M50 intake manifold, chip, and LSD, and you have a great daily driver that's a riot to drive in all conditions.

source: i daily drive an E36 with similar mods, and i only paid $3k. 208,500 miles and it still pulls hard all the way to 7,000rpm with no leaks or smoke.