| Author | Message | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
New member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 30 Registered: 5-2002 |
If your suggesting a tall, dark and hansome Italian guy from the Marinello factory, I'd say forget it and pay the extra money for clutch replacements | ||
| Nika (Racernika)
Member Username: Racernika Post Number: 545 Registered: 12-2001 |
James, James, James......(Nika shakes head) It's NOT that she needs LESSONS.......you may suggest a "high performance driving coach" to help her "expand her technique" at driving. MUST I teach you guys everything!?  | ||
| James P. Smith (Tigermilk)
Junior Member Username: Tigermilk Post Number: 78 Registered: 7-2001 |
That's right Nika. She just needs more grace when letting the clutch out. The clutch on the 308 is VERY stiff. I always think the clutch on our Saturn has fallen after driving the Ferrari. She'll put in the clutch, pop it in gear, and let the clutch out too fast with a sudden lurch of the car. I've told her it just takes a "lesson" or two, but that just pisses her off. | ||
| Nika (Racernika)
Member Username: Racernika Post Number: 544 Registered: 12-2001 |
I meant to say - James' wife already knows how to drive standard - he stated she has to clutch with more "grace". I learned to drive manual on beat up clunkers when I was a young pup. BUT I learned high performance driving in a Viper and loved every minute of it. | ||
| Chris Richardson (Boozy)
Junior Member Username: Boozy Post Number: 145 Registered: 11-2001 |
Out of the vehicles listed the M3 is the obvious choice. It isn't even close. Drive them all, you'll see. | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 257 Registered: 3-2002 |
Aaaaah, you're right Nika. That was weak. But I'm stunned you learned to drive a manual in a Viper! | ||
| Nika (Racernika)
Member Username: Racernika Post Number: 543 Registered: 12-2001 |
how to drive a manual trans (sigh) Pluuuease - we are out of high school right? | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 255 Registered: 3-2002 |
Learned what? | ||
| Nika (Racernika)
Member Username: Racernika Post Number: 542 Registered: 12-2001 |
Hey - I learned on a Viper - why can't she? Trust me - women drivers/racers are better kinder on machinery | ||
| Michael Yip (Mightyslash)
New member Username: Mightyslash Post Number: 34 Registered: 4-2002 |
If you dont want headaches, forget about the 93-95 RX-7s. Like Chris said, they require a lot of maintanence. However, the motors and turbos do last for 100k+ miles if you know how to take care of it and know what you're doing. Another reason why I dont think your wife should get one of those is because they are twin turbo charged RWD pure sports cars, which I think are not suitable for her. | ||
| chris purvis (Wrench_turner)
New member Username: Wrench_turner Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2002 |
...and no-one has mentioned a Boxster yet, so I will. You can find them for under 30k with pretty low mileage. | ||
| chris purvis (Wrench_turner)
New member Username: Wrench_turner Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2002 |
[Another good car that would save you some money would be a used 93+ RX7. They have similar looks to the Viper, fast little cars, and handle great. However it will have more down time than the vette...] Yeah - these are quick, fun cars, but Mazda really didn't think them through all the way and its not hard to cook the motors in them. You can actually blow your rotor seals at the factory boost setting. They are also notorious for eating turbos and require extensive modification to be long-term reliable if you drive them hard. If you think changing the belts on a Ferrari at 30k is excessive how do you think us 3rd Gen RX7 owners feel about changing motors and/or both turbos at 30k? | ||
| Michael Yip (Mightyslash)
New member Username: Mightyslash Post Number: 33 Registered: 4-2002 |
By the way, I'd suggest a Miata or an S 2000. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Junior Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 90 Registered: 1-2002 |
How about the new Nissan 350Z? Looks to be an exceptional deal, base model rings in at $26K, and the track version at $34K. Look up the specs here: www.nissandriven.com | ||
| Michael Yip (Mightyslash)
New member Username: Mightyslash Post Number: 32 Registered: 4-2002 |
If you think your wife cant handle a powerful RWD. Dont even consider the Supra twin turbo. An N/A Supra would be a good choice though. | ||
| Chris Coleman (Dmc4cc)
New member Username: Dmc4cc Post Number: 38 Registered: 2-2001 |
Or... (Please don't hate me) if your wife really want speed and style there's always the Toyota Supra. Its a toyota, it never breaks, its fast as hell, it looks really sweet, targa roof, and all under 30k, and they hold their value quite well!! | ||
| Michael Yip (Mightyslash)
New member Username: Mightyslash Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2002 |
Wait...Did I read something wrong? She's not good at driving a manual and she wants a Viper??? Say it aint so. Please, dont do this even if you have the money. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Advanced Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 2572 Registered: 2-2001 |
And the 1.8T is easier to make more powerful than the 2.8. | ||
| Chris Young (Bimmerboy)
New member Username: Bimmerboy Post Number: 39 Registered: 12-2001 |
I agree on the A4 aswell! I have an Audi for my daily driver--191,000 miles and still kicking. True Marcus, there is alot of aftermarket for the cars, however, there is more aftermarket for the 1.8T rather than the V6 engine. | ||
| Marcus Mayeux (Mmayeux73)
Junior Member Username: Mmayeux73 Post Number: 126 Registered: 4-2002 |
I agree with Ferrarijoe, go with an A4 and quattro-can't go wrong! lots of after market for these cars... | ||
| Najib Amanullah (Najib)
Junior Member Username: Najib Post Number: 130 Registered: 4-2001 |
How about the Mitsubishi Evo 6. It will eat anything on the road and is even better in the wet as the turbos like the spray. 0-60 in 4.8 max 150. Only drawback is the 250 mile tank. | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
New member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2002 |
I have an idea... why not ask your wife what SHE likes after SHE test drives the cars listed and others? Ah, what am I saying... asking the woman... such foolishness! Nevermind. ;) | ||
| F-J'87EuroTR (Ferrarijoe)
Junior Member Username: Ferrarijoe Post Number: 168 Registered: 5-2001 |
The Audi A4-V6 offers power along with a aoto/Tiptronic tranny that is sporty w/o the clutch and it has 4WD.  | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
New member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 17 Registered: 5-2002 |
I do feel an off lease 98-99 M3 coupe or conv't (auto or stick) would be a great choice. But for the same HP you can have a 4wd 2002 Subaru WRX.. I came very close to looking into a Black M3 conv't. Excellent choice for her. | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
New member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2002 |
Everyone else pretty much sums it up. Tried the WRX and M3..... the M3 wins hands down. Enjoy the Music, Steven R. Rochlin http://www.EnjoyTheMusic.com | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 667 Registered: 9-2001 |
lol | ||
| Nika (Racernika)
Member Username: Racernika Post Number: 540 Registered: 12-2001 |
Tom - you already upset me once today with Soccer! Don't poke the tiger anymore okay! LOL The Subaru is fun - she'll learn the term "all wheel-slide" the M3 is my pref.....sporty - and fun -- so much more practical than the Vette. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 666 Registered: 9-2001 |
I thought the mondial was the chick car - i.e chicks sitting in the front passenger seat and in the back two seats. | ||
| Nika (Racernika)
Member Username: Racernika Post Number: 539 Registered: 12-2001 |
JAMES, I say give HER the 308 (I can teach her to properly shift, blip, heel toe...even in heels) so no worries there - and then YOU can buy yourself a nice MB, Audi or BMW.......because in all seriousness a 308 GTS is a CHICK-car. (big GRIN) Nika www.racerchicks.com | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
New member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 27 Registered: 4-2002 |
I would get the auto for your wife, a stick for you. (your post gave me the impression your wife does not have experience with manual transmissions) Another good car that would save you some money would be a used 93+ RX7. They have similar looks to the Viper, fast little cars, and handle great. However it will have more down time than the vette... | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
Advanced Member Username: Bretm Post Number: 2570 Registered: 2-2001 |
Get a Vette. If not the e36 M3s are very nice. For a normal woman they might be a nicer car than a Vette. Either way get stick, don't get an auto, both are so easy to shift and have ample torque to pull in nearly any gear. | ||
| Chris Coleman (Dmc4cc)
New member Username: Dmc4cc Post Number: 35 Registered: 2-2001 |
M3 hands down!! I drove all of em before getting a 1995 M3. The MR2 is nimble but you feel unsafe in a car that small and its kind of rattley, the WRXis blast but its got a little too much turbo lag and no big smokey burnouts with AWD, the Corvette is kind of big and cumbersome for my liking if you don't go fast, the M3 is a bit harsh over bumps but other than that its quick as hell and never once had a problem. I got a 95' with 50k for $20k flat, and its been chipped: (G-tech says 4.9 0-60) | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
New member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 26 Registered: 4-2002 |
Honestly, if she wants a Viper a used C5 corvette will satisfy her more than a mid 90's M3. I agree the M3 is the better car of the two... | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 854 Registered: 9-2001 |
You can get a good used M3 or a new WRX for that amount. I would get the M3 although I have driven the WRX and it was a blast. I had a 1995 M3 and put over 75k miles on it including many track events with no problem whatsoever. The new Mini Cooper S is in that price range too. | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
New member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 24 Registered: 4-2002 |
I personally would go with a nice used 99 C5 corvette with auto and heads up display. A nice example can be had for around 30k. | ||
| James P. Smith (Tigermilk)
Junior Member Username: Tigermilk Post Number: 77 Registered: 7-2001 |
My wife hates high mileage cars, and so when I told her the '94 Saturn was down until getting a new radiator fan motor installed, she said "We need a new car." So I asked what car she thinks we should get and was floored with the answer - a Viper. Of course she backpeddled once I told her how much a new one runs, but I certainly appreciated her desire for something fun and sporty (I told her she can drive the 308 once she learns to clutch more gracefully). Any suggestions for sub $30K new/used cars that pack in the fun? Subaru WRX, MR2, M3, Vette? |