Looking at a possible total loss following a recent accident. In anticipation, I've started car shopping. If you had about $8,000 to spend, what would you look at. Must be reliable enough to be a daily driver (60 miles round trip), capable of occasionally carrying 2 kids in the back seat, and can hold it's own during autocrossing and track days.
I want fun, but my wife insists on a certain level of "practical".
E36 M3
Watch your language.
$8k E36 M3's probably aren't what I consider "turn-key"; don't these usually need the cooling system rebuilt and some other maintenance done before dropping into daily driver service?
I would like to think the Acura RSX for $8k would be a more viable candidate. $8k would also seems to be a good price for good condition Porsche 944's with some extra for maintenance. Perhaps the Acura Legend Coupe of the mid-90's? Not really a track car though...
Hmmm...fun and practical to please both you and the wife:
Thats what I can come up with.
fast_eddie_72 wrote: Watch your language.
lawlz.
pres589 wrote: $8k E36 M3's probably aren't what I consider "turn-key"; don't these usually need the cooling system rebuilt and some other maintenance done before dropping into daily driver service?
http://store.bimmerworld.com/e36-3-series-cooling-system-overhaul-kit-p1167.aspx
pretty comprehensive solution to the problem for an afternoon from a single source.
i'd definitely second the e36 M3 for that money.
When I was looking for an $8k car with those requirements (except carrying kids) I ended up with an 02 WRX.
$7500 got me a 74k mile stock wagon although I had to search for a few weeks and drive 12 hours one way to pick it up.
Mazdaspeed Protege. Turnkey for 8k all day, and the best handling FWD car I've driven since my wifes Cooper S.
E46 330i WRX Protege / Focus / Mazda3 also works
Decent Cooper S's are starting to show up for around $8K. When I sell my E30, that may be what I get next.
Do you have a preference in drives, front or rear wheel?
I like the A4 wagon.
SAAB 900s always turn my head.
Hondas are about as reliable as a hammer.
I've never heard anyone mention a Pontiac Vibe in these responses, is there a reason for that? Forget Auto-X, just as a driver.
Dan
mndsm wrote: Mazdaspeed Protege. Turnkey for 8k all day, and the best handling FWD car I've driven since my wifes Cooper S.
They're good. Just DO NOT TOUCH THE MOTOR. 
I gotta put this in so the normal people can call me a "toyota humper" again.
2000-2005 Celica GTS. One of the best handling FWD cars i've ever driven, and pretty damn quick. Nice interior, very light, etc etc etc.
914Driver wrote: I've never heard anyone mention a Pontiac Vibe in these responses, is there a reason for that? Forget Auto-X, just as a driver. Dan
Because there's the Matrix XRS, which is the same thing, but better. 
If you want a Toyota Matrix, definitely consider a Vibe, which is nearly identical but 20% cheaper.
An $8k E46 is going to be a 2001-2002 model. Drive one before buying - the power steering feels like it came right out of a 1998 Accord. Some were updated but most have not been. 2003-2005 are much better.
Mustang GT
944 Turbo
RX-8
8 clean Escort GTs.
93celicaGT2 wrote:mndsm wrote: Mazdaspeed Protege. Turnkey for 8k all day, and the best handling FWD car I've driven since my wifes Cooper S.They're good. Just DO NOT TOUCH THE MOTOR.
QFT the rods are made of glass. Anything above like 10psi is guaranteed to hole the block....
S52 E30. Buy it swapped and you can sell it for the same price later on.
Chauffer Kids ------------------------------------------------------------ Track Days
Opposite ends of the spectrum there! If you threw in Home Depot runs, then you would stretch it even further. What's awesome is the number of cars that can actually do it all in your price range.
I always think of the 5-Doors first; VW GTI, WRX, Protege 5, Vibe. (I got my butt kicked bad by a Vibe on the autocross track, they can haul apparently).
Then I go for the 4 doors: Integra GS-R, Civic LX, 3-Series, Protege.
Then I consider the hatchbacks with real back seats: Civic, VW GTI, Mini.
Price no object, I go for the BMW M5 Wagon, E500 Wagon, and Audi RS-whatever wagon.
02'-03' Maxima w/ 6spd. Seats 5 and has 255 hp iirc.
E46 sportwagon. I just saw a few manual legacy gts under 8K on SF CL. 4th gen LS f-bodys are roomy. Maybe a GTO?
Wow, you think a Mini has a real back seat? For who? Definitely not humans!
Neon SRT4 its the size of a Camry inside pleanty fast for any type of track work you want to do, cheap to buy and to own. Look for a 2004 late build (most acrs and comm. editions) 2005s have some trans issues. Watch for signs of abuse allthough I wouldnt count out a slightly beat car
You'll need to log in to post.
