Need a new car! Thinking of e36 M3!

[Bmod986]

Originally Posted by Crono0001

Test drove an RX8 today. I loved the high rev! Back seats are a little small, but they're big enough to fit someone comfortably. It was smooth and sporty, although not as tight as the Boxster (obviously). E36 has a contender alright, especially since they're newer, have more creature comforts, and just as cheap! A little hard to maintain with the rotary engine though.

I also had an idea looking for a 1985 Toyota Corolla GTS AE86 (tofu car!), but the chances of me finding that in good shape will be very rare.

Keep the ideas coming!

Initial D all day right hahahaha. I don't know if you would like a 240sx or sil80. They are very cool, have semi-usable back seats, and are quite reliable. EK are little bubble shaped missiles if done right. Integras are also nice but they tend to be in terrible condition from previous owners.

[The Radium King]

straight outta japan like a rocket from the crypt ...

Performance and Luxury Cars for sale | Supra, RX7, Skyline, WRX

[Crono0001]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

straight outta japan like a rocket from the crypt ...

Performance and Luxury Cars for sale | Supra, RX7, Skyline, WRX

Oh my god. This website is so much win. Thank you.

EDIT: Too bad I'm located in the states

[The Radium King]

there's jdm import places like this all over Canada; I presume the same in the us. my understanding is that the Japanese tax their vehicles based on age - the older they are the higher the tax, so cars over a certain age have no resale value within japan and get sold to importers. you gotta not mind driving on the right, however. the cool thing is that a lot of really tuned cars wind up over here; lord knows how hard they got rode in japan (old drift cars, etc.).

[Crono0001]

So, if anyone is still interested.

My Boxster ships off in about 1-2 months, and I need my 2nd car before then. I'm still looking for a fun and semi-reliable sports car that can still be practical for under $6k. I've made the following conclusions:

Any older European car is much too unreliable and expensive for me. As fun as it is, I am not able to financially support two old European sports cars that have high repair bills. This rules out old E30s, E36s, and other old Porsches.

I will not buy American. I hate Mustangs and Camaros. I hate that it comes with all that straight line power, and I have to stamp on the brake and hope I stop in time. I hate how they turn like a truck.

This leaves me with an old Japanese import. My choices, in preferred order:





1. Toyota Corolla GTS AE86


Pros:
This one is at the top for a few reasons. It's a good financial investment seeing as how the prices are continuing to get more and more inflated thanks to drifting pop culture. It was my dream car as a kid, and I would love nothing more to do something crazy like an f20c swap from an S2000. It's also relatively cheap to maintain, rear wheel drive, economic, and practical.

Cons:
It is EXTREMELY hard to find one in good condition. AC is a must since I live in Arizona, and most of them didn't come from the factory with AZ. Plus, all the ones that are nice and clean are inflated beyond measure. We're talking about a 30 year old car that can cost $10k easy. It's also a piece of crap to drive. Old and slow without any work done to it. Big word here is also old. The things fall apart as they drive.






2. Nissan Silvia S13/240SX


Pros:
This one, like the AE86, is cheap to maintain, rear wheel drive, economic, and practical. It also let's me have tons of modification options, from swapping a whole SR20DET, to a RB26 engine if I was to go really crazy. Lots of really cheap aftermarket mods that make the car unique and fun to drive. They are also really cheap to buy one... if you can find one.

Cons:
It is also incredibly hard to find one unmolested by the drift/ricer kids. These cars are the choice of weapons for high school kids to spend their paycheck, and I really dislike super loud exhausts and super flashy-yet-not-matching body kits.





3. Honda Civic (Preferably EK Hatch)


Pros:
This one, like the other two above, is cheap to maintain, economic, and practical. They are also incredibly cheap to buy. They offer tons and tons and TONS of modification options. A b18c1 swap only costs $3k including labor (that's a FOURTH of what my 3.6 will cost). A full body kit costs only $400 (you can't even buy one of my OEM 997 DRLs for that much). They can be made soooooo fast for sooooo little, it's ridiculous. It's also very easy to find one.

Cons:
Oh boy. Front wheel drive. Uninspiring driving. Common. ... but that's about it.





So that's basically where I stand. Hopefully a good AE86 or 240sx will pop up within the next two months, but the most probable choice is to get a Honda Civic. I know this might not sit well with many of you, knowing your hatred for them, but it's the most realistic and responsible direction for me.
Plus, I grew up JDM, so I absolutely love them I'm also young enough to pull the image. It'll be fun to have a Japanese project car again. I really miss my WRX, now in the hands of my brother.