So I'm selling my miata to try and get a bigger daily (if anyone wants it, PM me). Cars I was looking at as a daily alongside getting a cheaper, not running project, are as follows.
- 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 5 Speed ($2500 obo, 201K miles)
- 1998-2000 LS400 ($2800 obo, 190K miles)
- W124 Mercedes turbodiesel (no idea, haven't found one yet)
- W124 Mercedes 300TE (same as turbodiesel)
- BMW E36, E38, E39 ($2500-$3000obo 118-160K miles)
Potential projects with one of these:
- 1981 VW Fox coupe with 4 speed.
- 1993 BMW 328i manual that needs exhaust reinstalled
- Some form of cheap truck
All of those can be acquired near me for $800 or less.
Teach me more about the Altima, as well as leave me other recommendations I missed.
i loved the E36 M3 out of my E38. no manuals in US market though.
E46 is in your price and mileage range as well
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The Altima SE-R was pretty hot, but the regular Altima could also be had with a V6. You could always swap parts.
In reply to AngryCorvair :
Reliable and easy to work on though?
The Lexus LS400 is probably the most boring choice but it also probably has the lowest operating cost.
LS400, Toyota Pickup. Use the Lexus to make measurements so you can 1UZ swap the truck.
The 1998-2000 LS400 is a pretty sweet spot. It got the VVTi engine so hits 300hp and has the 5-speed auto while still being in the older, lighter long wheel base body so it's both big and quick and reasonably efficient. It's still what it is, which is a fully size luxury sedan, so going from a Miata to an LS400 will be quite a shift. I would try to get one without navigation - not that the navigation is unreliable, but it makes it harder to put in a more modern head unit. The stock one has a CD changer in the dash and no line-in, though line-in adapters and hacks are available, usually by leaving a CD in the changer and re-routing the line level audio to your input. The stock speaker locations and space available are great, you can end up with a pretty awesome sounding system without the need for a separate sub box or any hacked looking speaker grilles anywhere.
They're pretty straightforward to work on but parts are expensive. I loved mine. Only sold to get a faster Lexus (GS430). Then sold that to get a wagon once the second kid came.
We had a 99 LS 400 for 6 years. ours had the sport package with the factory 18 inch fat five spoke wheels. We replaced our 93 LS with that.
We replaced our 99LS with a 05 LS430 (best of the LS in my opinion).
Get the 99LS!
