Yeah, yeah. A "what car" thread.

We've been talking about this for months. Still have 'till Fall, really, but looking at cars. This one is for my wife. Here's what we think she wants.

Something sporty.

Something somewhat luxurious.

Something kinda fast.

Manual transmission.

Not gray or silver. Every damn car on the road is gray or silver.

Uh, yeah. That describes a couple of cars. Budget? Eh, I'd like to stay under $15k or so. Could go a tic higher for something really nice. Not willing to take a loan, so absolute outside is maybe $17,500.

So, what have we looked at? Drove a Z3. Liked it, but the 2.3 is slow. Looking at a Boxster if the guy ever calls back. Just missed a nice one with a hard top. Dang. Hard top would be nice. She likes M3s. They're out there in our price range, but it's a tough price point for a reasonably low mileage, nice car. Back a few months ago, I was all about an IS300. I still like them. She does keep saying it would be nice to have four seats, so, who knows? Looked at Audi TT. We both liked it, but Consumer Reports wasn't so keen. I'd like to avoid anything that will be a PITA to keep maintained. SLK looked like a winner, but hear bad things about reliability there too. I saw a nice Supra that I could just about swing, but not sure if she'd go for it. Awesome, awesome cars. She kinda likes S2000s.

Oh, and, no. The answer is not Miata. She's just not buying it.

This week, Boxster is looking like the smart buy again. We were in the same place a couple of months ago. Kind of chasing our tails on this one. So what do you guys think?

E36 or E46 M3 ought to take care of your wants.

Out of anything you've listed, I vote S2000 by a mile.

It's way sportier than anything else you've listed, and it has the most amazing transmission ever.

Up at the top of your price range, but how about this? http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2013&zip=23060&maxPrice=18000&modelCode1=Z3&makeCode2=BMW&modelCode2=Z4&makeCode1=BMW&modelCode3=BMWROAD&startYear=1981&firstRecord=26&bodyStyles=CONVERT&makeCode3=BMW&searchRadius=0&listingId=321721542&Log=0

Man, i would hate to pay 17k for that

Mmm... S52 STR goodness... If I ever buy another BMW it'll probably be one of these.

I agree $17k seems a bit steep, but the miles are low so it sounds like it was always a w/e car. Still, it had better come with a stack of maintenance recipes for that price.

$500 (fav classic car here) and 15,000 worth of mods.

enjoy.

-J0N

Early CTS-V?

szeis4cookie wrote: Up at the top of your price range, but how about this? http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2013&zip=23060&maxPrice=18000&modelCode1=Z3&makeCode2=BMW&modelCode2=Z4&makeCode1=BMW&modelCode3=BMWROAD&startYear=1981&firstRecord=26&bodyStyles=CONVERT&makeCode3=BMW&searchRadius=0&listingId=321721542&Log=0

If that was here, we'd go take a look. That would fit the bill nicely, I think.

Bobzilla wrote: Early CTS-V?

Now that's a thought. We have looked at some of the sporty Caddys on the street and thought they were surprisingly cool. That coming from a couple of folks who have pretty much always driven Toyotas. So they definitely are on to something there. I don't know a lot about them, but they sure seem to tic a lot of the right boxes. Manual transmission? I bet if it exists it's hard to find.

V1 CTS-Vs are manual only. . . GRM did a editorial on them in the last issue.

A few of us have purchased a CTS-V recently . . . There are some factory issues to sort (squishy rubber mounts and factory radiator sucks) but I love mine

Going to see a 2003 Boxster in about an hour. Looks nice. Owned by a woman who seemed very nice on the phone. Under 50k miles. Could be good.

3000GT, Mazda6, Infiniti G35, Nissan 350Z, Lexus IS300, V6 Mustang, Impreza, Celica, 944, Audi A4.

In reply to EdenPrime:

Some good ideas there. Hum. 3000 GT. Hadn't thought of that. 350Z she mentioned before. Have to get her to have a look. I'm still keen on IS300. Neat cars. Celica was on my list, but she's not so keen. Mustang doesn't feel right. She won't like Impreza either, but I'll show them to her. 944? Probably older than she'd want, though they are very, very cool. A4- hadn't looked at them. Good thought.

Reading the OP, I was thinking G35.

I have an 06 S2000. It isn't what I would call "somewhat luxurious". Actually, the interior is kinda dull. My 91 Z32 interior was WAY better. I would imagine the G35/350Z would give you something similar with 15 years of improvements.

I'd say G35.

irish44j wrote: I'd say G35.

Thats what popped into my head first.

Strike_Zero wrote: V1 CTS-Vs are manual only. . . GRM did a editorial on them in the last issue. A few of us have purchased a CTS-V recently . . . There are some factory issues to sort (squishy rubber mounts and factory radiator sucks) but I love mine

StrikeZero -

Could you point me a thread on your purchase of a CTS-V? I'd love to hear what it's like owning one!

Thanks!

In reply to dj06482:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/so-uh-yea/44873/page1/

I haven't updated it since . . too busy driving

I've replaced the crappy plastic rad with an aluminum one. I'm ordering the mounts next week. Cadillac insistence of isolating the occupants from drivetrain means TONS of rubber that needs to be replaced. Yep . . . all the mounts: engine, transmission, and differential. After the mounts, I have to do the shocks.

But to date, I have done nearly 3K grin filled miles. I've gotten 24 mpg combined. Any gear, any speed . . . it GOES!!

fast_eddie_72 wrote: We both liked it, but Consumer Reports wasn't so keen. I'd like to avoid anything that will be a PITA to keep maintained.

With those listed as criteria, I'd think you'd want to stay away from anything German. Awesome cars from the driving standpoint, but unreliable and expensive to fix.

I like the G35 or IS300 idea. CTS is nice, but also not totally trouble free. Maxima? 6spd TL?

All good suggestions, what about the Legacy GT? I don't know much about them but it came to mind reading this thread for some reason.

EdenPrime wrote: 3000GT,

RUN AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!

G37 seems to fi the bill, no?

The world's nicest MKIII Supra with a big brake kit, coilovers and a bigger turbo. That should run you about 10 grand, assuming you go for top of the line everything.

28 mpg, all day comfy, tough as all hell (tighten the cylinder head bolts!), lots of torque, an easy 350-400 hp and it has the EXACT same suspension as the MKIV.

Supra porn.

HNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG

Mmmm.... MK3 supra is looking pretty tempting.