Login Register Sign up for the GRM e-newsletter

Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Which cheap car? (of these 3) « 1 2 3 »
  • Luke

    Oct. 31, 2009 7:08 a.m. Luke SuperDork

    I'm looking to buy a new car within the next two weeks, and these are the candidates. They each have their own certain appeal, but at the moment I'm stuck picking a favorite. The idea is to have a cool, fun, daily driver/occasional motorkhana car.

    First off is an AE71 Corolla (RWD), with a 4AGE twin-cam swap. It's the most expensive of the three, but the lower price of other two is negated by the fact I have to transport them across country, to where I'm moving. The owner is a friend of a friend, but I would be buying it sight-unseen. It's probably the best 'out of the box' autocrosser, but also the least comfortable daily driver (lowered, stiff, sketchy locked diff.)

    Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

    Second, is this AW11. Super clean and original, but does require some minor things attended to, (just routine stuff like a brake bleed, pads, fluid changes etc.) It appeals highly as the only proper 'sports car' of the three.

    Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

    Lastly, is this e28 528i (manual.) I've always wanted one, and I love the colour. It'd probably be the best "daily driver", but the least appropriate autocrosser, and the most expensive to fix.
    Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

    So, fellow GRM'ers, which would you choose?

  • pete240z

    Oct. 31, 2009 7:17 a.m. pete240z Dork

    go with the lower cost to own car. Family? go with the four door corolla. We never see those MR2's in the Midwest that nice.

  • DrBoost

    Oct. 31, 2009 7:18 a.m. DrBoost HalfDork

    Either the MR2 or the BMW. I guess I'd want to drive them both and compare. The yota 'should' be reliable as heck but the BMW still feels new I'm sure.

  • zoomx2

    Oct. 31, 2009 7:51 a.m. zoomx2 Reader

    MR2 4 WIN

  • jrw1621

    Oct. 31, 2009 7:54 a.m. jrw1621 Dork

    Oh how I miss the '88 MR2 that I owned. By US standards the rims shown in your picture were only offered here on the Supercharged models. If this one you are looking at is Supercharged, like my '88 was then the answer is a no-brainer.

    For resources on MR2's visit the MR2 Owners Club as www.mr2oc.com
    You will be required to register to get in but it is painless and well worth it.

    My second choice would be the BMW

  • 02Pilot

    Oct. 31, 2009 8:04 a.m. 02Pilot New Reader

    The BMW. It will do a respectable job at autox, is built very solidly, and while it may be the most expensive to fix, it is also extremely easy to work on and will last forever. Plus that particular example has the full Euro bumper, valance and lights, which is very nice.

  • Kia_racer

    Oct. 31, 2009 8:15 a.m. Kia_racer New Reader

    I would go with the MR2 but I don't have any other considerations.

  • pigeon

    Oct. 31, 2009 9:18 a.m. pigeon HalfDork

    I'd go with the BMW. You daily drive 99.9999% of the time, and autocross perhaps 60-75 minutes total per year if you're fairly active. Sure the BMW won't be particularly fast in an autocross but it won't be a total pig either, and you can surprise some people with the performance of a larger old car. Heck, I autocross my big 750Li and consistently beat 944s and Corvettes, and I'm waaaay more comfortable the rest of the time. If you don't have a wife or kids the MR2 would be more fun day to day but if you're seeking female companionship the ladies are more likely to be impressed with the BMW, and there's no rear seat in the MR2...

  • Raze

    Oct. 31, 2009 9:32 a.m. Raze Reader

    MR2 for the fun...

    BMW for the practicality...

  • mw

    Oct. 31, 2009 9:32 a.m. mw Reader

    MR2. I would love to find an MR2 that nice. The corola doesn't really do it for me. The BMW is nice, but that MR2 looks amazing.

  • ArthurDent

    Oct. 31, 2009 10:02 a.m. ArthurDent New Reader

    MR2

  • EvanB

    Oct. 31, 2009 10:26 a.m. EvanB HalfDork

    BMW...I love the color.

  • tuna55

    Oct. 31, 2009 10:27 a.m. tuna55 Reader

    Mostly DD? BMW, mostly HPDE and autocross, don't care about seats or cargo? MR2, want something in the middle? Corolla.

    I have a family, hence I am leaning towards the BMW. Also, the AW11 interior is crazy ugly 80's style.

  • mtn

    Oct. 31, 2009 11:32 a.m. mtn SuperDork

    E28. Color is awesome. Its a BMW. But you don't really have a bad choice there.

  • maroon92

    Oct. 31, 2009 11:43 a.m. maroon92 UberDork

    I am kinda leaning toward the rolla...

  • amg_rx7

    Oct. 31, 2009 12:10 p.m. amg_rx7 Reader

    MR2 hands down.

  • pigeon

    Oct. 31, 2009 12:24 p.m. pigeon HalfDork

    Wow, what a consensus here! We're not helping you any, are we?

  • 93celicaGT2

    Oct. 31, 2009 12:38 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

    That Corolla is THE BUSINESS.

    Hell, i want that. I would gladly ditch my Celica for that thing.

  • dxman92

    Oct. 31, 2009 11:17 p.m. dxman92 Reader

    I'd vote for the Rolla hands down..

  • ValuePack

    Oct. 31, 2009 11:35 p.m. ValuePack HalfDork

    In this order: 1. Rolla - old school, completely awesome 2. Beemer - fantastic color, classic/classy looks, great cruiser 3. MR2 - one of the best MR layouts of the 80s

    I guess I'd suggest hocking every material posession of yours and buying all three.:)

  • fifty

    Oct. 31, 2009 11:49 p.m. fifty Reader

    mr2

  • JetMech

    Nov. 1, 2009 12:00 a.m. JetMech New Reader

    There would only be one consideration for me: the MR2. I'm not fond of four-doors, and--I'm the voice of dissent here--the paint on that BMW makes me want to puke. (I'm also not fond of white, but it's at least easier to cover up.)

    And I'd much rather transport a car cross-country than buy one sight-unseen. Just my $0.02.

  • Luke

    Nov. 1, 2009 5:35 a.m. Luke SuperDork

    Thanks for all of your opinions!

    After a whole bunch of thinking, I've decided to go with the Corolla. Coming from driving my civilized, family-sedan, diesel Peugeot, I quite like the idea of getting into something a bit meaner, (older, louder, RWD, aggressive stance/suspension setup.) Admittedly, I am still taking a bit of a risk buying it sight-unseen, though I do very much trust the seller.

    BTW, jrw1621, the AW11 is only a 16V, not a GZE. If it were, then it'd more than likely be the top choice.

    Also, the BMW is actually incredibly cheap, and if he still has it before I leave (unlikely), and if I can swing the extra coin (might have to sell a bike), I'm thinking about snapping it up and sticking it in storage for a while.

  • tuna55

    Nov. 1, 2009 7:15 p.m. tuna55 Reader

    Enjoy it! And then tell us about it!

  • Luke

    Nov. 2, 2009 6:52 a.m. Luke SuperDork

    Will do!

    I won't be picking it up for a couple of weeks, but more photos and a drive report will definitely follow .

« 1 2 3 »  

You'll need to log in to post.