If you have to buy a DD for $6,000?

IS300 got my vote 60k ago, it's been a fantastic car. probly wont find a stick for that money but they are out there, autos are tiptronic and this money all day long. Mine had 100k when I got it, it's a little over 160k now and I've done brakes and tires. I think they're one of the best values in motoring right now. Mine is a sport package stick with an LSD, winter pgk, auto leveling xenons. 2JZ is a peach (better with vvt than without, all IS300s are vvt, early supras are not), and rock solid reliable. If you need more power, well, it's a 2jz, so sky (and money) is the limit. It is dynamic and balanced, predictable but fun. It's a nice car to drift, and steering is pretty feelsome. There is a strong aftermarket. It's very striking to my eye, and you don't see many of them around, so it feels unique and special. It's comfy, with alcantara seats and door panels, and awesome looking chronometer guages. It has an awesome stereo, just add a sub, and I can't imagine needing more, the nuance, clarity and detail are amazing and if its not loud enough, you have gone deaf. It even has a full size spare on a matching alloy. Parts are remarkably reasonable, the p/o had broken a plate light bulb holder, so I went to the dealer thinking it would be a fortune, it was $12 and they ordered it without prepayment, and didn't treat me like I was a scumbag when I walked in, like the last bmw store I visited. I was shopping e36m3s when I stumbled upon the IS and couldn't be happier that I made the choice I did.

I'd say E28/W124 and have $3k left over for maintenance.

I'd buy a 1k beater and have 5k for race car parts, because they make me happy.

I'm calling it quits on the 318ti as a DD - tin worm got a hold of it I'm seeing lots of 2000-2002 e46s in the 4500-6500 range with a few 2003s in the mix.

moparman76_69 wrote: I'd buy a 1k beater and have 5k for race car parts, because they make me happy.

Sounds like me but I'd be more in the 3k range. Once you get over 1500 and under 8 it seems like you are in the same quality auto... Just depends on your patience.

The idea of buying a BMW or Lexus with already 130,000 miles is worrisome. I'd rather not have to do the maintenance and fix stuff that pops up.

318ti are damn cheap for some reason.. like the looks of it.

Coldsnap wrote: The idea of buying a BMW or Lexus with already 130,000 miles is worrisome. I'd rather not have to do the maintenance and fix stuff that pops up. 318ti are damn cheap for some reason.. like the looks of it.

The list of repairs that have popped up on my relentlessly beaten 160,000 mile is300..... none. It's a toyota that they tried harder on, that doesnt rust. Also, how many miles are on the other $6000 cars you're shopping?

Every MX6 GT for sale in the United States.

novaderrik wrote: you can guy a dozen Cavaliers for $6k

It's really just a one letter typo but I still laughed.

I'll help throw in an idea, but let's hope this thread goes oh so much better than the last time you created a thread looking for a car... http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/best-muscle-car-for-beginner/59166/page1/

From what I've read in your posts, I'd go with something like a nice Mazda 3.

Coldsnap wrote: The idea of buying a BMW or Lexus with already 130,000 miles is worrisome. I'd rather not have to do the maintenance and fix stuff that pops up.

I would worry about a Lexus with that many miles at all. They are just fancy Toyotas and that is just getting broken in.

Also regarding your question on Impala versus Crown Vic. By '03 they were FWD. The last of the RWD Impalas were in '96. The Buick Roadmaster, Caprice and Olds Custom Cruiser from that period are based on the same chassis as well.

Spend $1500 for my Accent, Beta swap it for another $500 and spend $500 for better wheels/tires. 40mpg, indestructble, sleeper city and I get rid of the damn thing. Plus it leaves you with an extra $3500 to spend on a toy.

Coldsnap wrote: How do the '03+ crown vics compare to the similar year impalas?

Other than being completely different vehicles?

I think at this point I'm 100% in on buying a P71.

xflowgolf wrote:

Coldsnap wrote: How do the '03+ crown vics compare to the similar year impalas?

Other than being completely different vehicles?

Well I mean what is a better car in general. Since they were both cop cars at one point. From what I gather the crown vic has a superior drive train is a better car.

Coldsnap wrote: I think at this point I'm 100% in on buying a P71.

xflowgolf wrote:

Coldsnap wrote: How do the '03+ crown vics compare to the similar year impalas?

Other than being completely different vehicles?

Well I mean what is a better car in general. Since they were both cop cars at one point. From what I gather the crown vic has a superior drive train is a better car.

The Impala is a FWD GM W-Body with either a 3.4L (crappy) or a 3800 Series II (good) V6. It's a far, far different car than the Crown Vic (unitbody vs full frame, FWD vs RWD, V6 vs V8, light duty vs Police Interceptor duty, mid-size vs full-size, etc). There's pretty much no point in buying an ex-cop Impala, either, as they really didn't get any special equipment, and the civvie versions are the same price, and the sister W-Bodies are better (Supercharged Grand Prix GTP, etc).

Gotcha. P71 it is. Time to set up some craigslist and ebay alerts and get test driving. I contacted a guy about 4 marauder rims + tires (one is a none chrome spare) for $50. Will pick that up and store them at that price.

Javelin wrote:

Coldsnap wrote: I think at this point I'm 100% in on buying a P71.

xflowgolf wrote:

Coldsnap wrote: How do the '03+ crown vics compare to the similar year impalas?

Other than being completely different vehicles?

Well I mean what is a better car in general. Since they were both cop cars at one point. From what I gather the crown vic has a superior drive train is a better car.

The Impala is a FWD GM W-Body with either a 3.4L (crappy) or a 3800 Series II (good) V6. It's a far, far different car than the Crown Vic (unitbody vs full frame, FWD vs RWD, V6 vs V8, light duty vs Police Interceptor duty, mid-size vs full-size, etc). There's pretty much no point in buying an ex-cop Impala, either, as they really didn't get any special equipment, and the civvie versions are the same price, and the sister W-Bodies are better (Supercharged Grand Prix GTP, etc).

That's not entirely true. There were different brake/suspension/cooling options on the Imps as well as ECU programming (no 105mph limiter, WOT AC cutoff etc).

Damn you carbon. I suddenly want an IS300. Tough to find at the $6k price point though.

I'd go to the Texas Facilities Commition website and check out there Austin store inventory. It's at 183 and Balm rd. they have a ton of retired police vehicles there and it's a storefront, so you can go check them out and pick the best one. They have everything from Crown Vics to Chargers to Tahoes.

Wait what, you people live near me? Mancha and Coldsnap, y'all live in austin?

Also, it's a dead horse at this point but ive driven and worked on the Impalas and p71s in question and for an enthusiast there's really no comparison. The p71 is like a bank vault compared to the fwd impala. It's extremely sturdy which is helpful if you want to drive it like you stole it. It's also more balanced as far as handling, can do power oversteer (CAN /= easy), sounds better with exhaust, etc. Service issues are, imo, more annoying on the p71 than a 3.8 impala, but that's pretty subjective and totally irrelevant if you dont do your own work. It all adds up to the p71 being a better enthusiast vehicle in most cases.

ATX born and raised! Didn't we have a conversation over email about your healthy obsession with Chrysler K-cars? Anywho, I'd go Crown Vic any day of the week. There's a million parts cars out there should something go wrong, they tic all of the boxes for you, and the drivetrain has a healthy aftermarket for it. If you're worried about the spark plug spitting issue, save up and get some twisted wedge 2v heads. More power and more spark plug threads.

There is no such thing as a healthy k-car obsession.

I'm not sure how you start out looking for any 6k dollar car and settle for a Crown Vic. That's like going clubbing to find some chicks, walking in the door and going straight for a fatty.

In reply to FranktheTank:

Says the guy who drives a beam axle pickup truck?!?

FranktheTank wrote: I'm not sure how you start out looking for any 6k dollar car and settle for a Crown Vic. That's like going clubbing to find some chicks, walking in the door and going straight for a fatty.

It is sort of amusing but... If I was looking for a one night stand I'd pick the Mazda 3. I'd marry the fatty any day aka Crown Vic.