So I left the tight, twisty and relativity smooth roads of east TN and find myself on the arrow straight, rough and high speed roads of central Texas. Like I often do I've been daydreaming about getting a new toy. However this area is completely different from what I'm used to. A stiffly sprung, quick reacting sports car would be wasted out here. I mean I drive around in a 3/4t truck all day and feel more beat up at the end of the day than if I had been on horse back all day.
So I got to thinking back on what cars I've owned that would be fun under these conditions and so far the winner is the '96 Impala SS. Good power, comfortable ride, very stable at high speeds and still very fun to autocross in. But I don't really want to revisit a car I've already experienced with so many others I haven't tried still out there.
At this point this is all a mental exorcise but what other cars would be a good fit for these conditions?
Under 10k
fun
four seats
RWD is a plus
Comfortable on bumpy and pitching roads at 75 mph
fun
competent on an autocross course (not necessarily competitive but competent)
What ya got?
GTO
E36 M3
E46 330
The nicest E30 in the world
Mazdaspeed 6
Ok, this is over your budget, but I was doing a bit of research and found this:
http://classiccargallery.com/details.php?id=745&g=1
Cop motor, cop suspension, cop tires, cop .....
I wasn't aware these were out there for public consumption.....
This 1999 Porsche 911.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-911-Carrera-Coupe-1999-porsche-911-carrera-damaged-rebuilder-low-miles-manual-trans-export-/191130452494?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2c8043420e&item=191130452494&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
ryanty22 wrote:
455 trans am
I really like the way you think!
re SFO; I think you should buy that one and when the engine blows figure out how to stick a F2T in the back of it.
Infiniti G35 (coupe or sedan) or M35
MazdaSpeed 6
06HHR
Reader
4/10/14 2:48 p.m.
In reply to nicksta43: First year models (2004) are dipping down into the 10K range, based on mileage. Only has the 5.7 LS motor instead of the 6.2 and a couple of other subtle differences. 04' at a dealer lot in Jacksonville FL
And boy did I pick the wrong bike for this area. No suspension travel, feels stressed at 75mph and a small gas tank. But it's fun in town.
Look around you. Mustangs. Mustangs everywhere.
In reply to mazdeuce:
You are correct, I will never own one but they are every where here.
There's a reason for that. They really are the proper tool for this particular job, even if you don't want one.
Vigo
PowerDork
4/10/14 4:49 p.m.
LX mopar?
Where are you that the roads are so bad? Im south of you and most of the bad roads are confined to neighborhoods.
mazdeuce wrote:
There's a reason for that. They really are the proper tool for this particular job, even if you don't want one.
In my opinion a GM F-body trumps a mustang in every category that matters to me. So if I decide I want a pony car it would be a 4th Gen T/A.
But I've had pony cars so I feel like that niche has already been covered.
I like the GTO and sc300 suggestions so far.
I almost bought a 6speed G35 sedan a couple years ago but it didn't really grab me. I want something that I get excited about.
In reply to Vigo:
All of them, I swear I got air at 75 twice today. Though to be fair most east TN state roads are racetrack smooth. I think it's just what I'm used to.
How about a first Gen Jaguar XKR? Porsche 928? Mercedes SLC?
Four doors?
Jag S-Type or Lincoln LS.
Caddy CTS.
Any Volvo with an R badge.
Taurus SHO.
In reply to Mike:
I think you nailed it Mike. I've had serious lust for an XKR since I saw one sitting in a customers garage looking all sexy back when they first came out. Plus I've never ventured down the "luxury" car path let alone the fast luxury car path.
Does the Merc have four seats? I think the Jaaaag is in the lead so far though.
