As mentioned in another thread, due to my impending move across the Atlantic next April, I'm in a bit of a "what car shall I get" mood. Mainly to ease the pain that I'll have to sell off the 911 and the Elise over here as I can't take either with me. I'll probably keep the Integrale as it's left-hand drive and will be eligible for importation into the US in five years' time, but the rest has to go.
The wife has a '93 Jeep Cherokee that's a bit of a restoration project but I need to take care of that as she's wedded to that car. But that's the family type stuff mostly taken care off and potentially even light towing duty if I get the towbar electrics sorted out (but that's bottom of the list after sorting out the bent sheetmetal from driving into things, the non-death wobble and a couple of other things that get on my nerves).
For some reason I'm currently only allowed one car (well, the place we're currently renting allows two cars and one bike, she's got one car so I can have one car and one bike at the moment). So, I'm looking at something that would fulfil the following requirements:
- Good handling and fun to drive on the street, even longer journeys
- Decent enough handling for autocross and HPDE events
- Reasonably practical, but then again I can get the weekend food shopping in an Elise
- Preferably something with decent spares backup as I'm notorious for having something go wrong, drive 100 miles to the closest specialist who scratches his head going "I've never seen one of these break" and then wait six weeks for the part. Not good if you've only got a week's holiday
- Potentially quick enough to take part in the Silver State Classic as I definitely want to take part in that if we stay in Nevada - unfortunately that's not clear at this point in time
- The killer point - I've been driving for 23 years but most if not all of the US insurance companies will classify me as a new driver as I'll only get my US driving license in April. There is a potential workaround inasmuch as my 911 is insured with Hagerty (UK) and they mentioned that their US office would likely take it into account that they insured me on something like this in the UK.
P71s are out, The Wife already protested and suggested I can have one if I don't want to drive anywhere with her. Given that she's extremely tolerant of my AADD unless we break down in something I just bought, I really don't want to force the issue by buying one.
The current short list looks a little like this:
- Miata. I already know that that's the answer, I've had a few but I know if buy one I'll end up sending lots of money to Keith because the standard ones are just too underpowered for my liking. Nevertheless, a tastefully modified supercharged one might appeal
- I don't like E30s. I took my driving lessons in one back in 1986, don't agree with the ergonomics so they're out
- E36s might be an option. I like the e36 coupe and I might find one that appeals to both of us and a 328i might be quick enough. I'd like the M3 but that's probably out due to insurance costs
- Buy another 911, but that'll end up as a weekend car due to insurance restrictions. Maybe get one that's not such an original survivor as the one I've got now so I can modify it without ruining a low-mileage all original car
- I'd love an Acura NSX but I doubt I can get insurance on it unless I want to pay more for car insurance per month than I'd pay for health insurance
- I've driven a couple of Corvettes and actually did like the C4 I drove over here. Not sure what they're like insurance-wise, though.
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I do like the current Mustangs but I'm one of these cheapskates who don't like buying new or nearly new and then watch the car lose value like crazy
I also should point out that the budget would be around $10k, I can go up to 20 but I'd prefer not to. I also don't like borrowing money for vehicles, not that this would be an option due to lack of credit history in the US (although my wife has a decent credit rating, but I still don't like buying vehicles on credit).
Another restriction - I don't like FWD. I've owned what are supposedly some of the best FWD cars (Honda CRX and Integra Type-R) and I just don't get along with them. I tolerate FWD when driving to the shops but barrelling around Brands Hatch over here, I don't get along with them. Mainly because I can't 'read' them - I'm not that good at reading RWD vehicles either as I only got into track driving recently, but the instinctive reactions I have favour RWD.
Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.
I'm not gonna even factor that into it just to make it easier for me to suggest cars.
