Cheap but fun daily driver - suggestions? | Page 4 | FerrariChat

Cheap but fun daily driver - suggestions?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by El Wayne, Apr 4, 2010.

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  1. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
    Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 1, 2002
    18,043
    San Marino, CA
    Full Name:
    L. Wayne Ausbrooks
    It's in great shape mechanically, but needs cosmetics. Fortunately, it's completely rust-free. It looks better in photographs than in person, though. I'm going to address each of its needs without doing any other mods. Right now the motor is stock and still has the stock fuel injection - I'd like to keep it that way. Only the suspension/brakes/hubs/wheels have been upgraded.

    I've already:

    Adjusted the valves.
    Repaired an electrical short.
    Replaced the windshield, which was cracked.
    Had the wheels stripped/polished/painted.
    Replaced tires.
    Removed an incorrect 911-style "PORSCHE" reflector panel from the rear and reinstalled an original push-button trunk lock. Have original "914" and "2.0" badges ready to install after a repaint.
    Replaced various trim pieces.

    I still have to redo upholstery and carpet, replace window and targa seals, deal with various dents/dings/minor body issues, and repaint.
     
  2. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
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    Very nice, enjoy it.
     
  3. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Sounds like fun :eek:

    What's the new color going to be?
     
  4. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    Staying with the original Bahia red.
     
  5. LightGuy

    LightGuy Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #80 LightGuy, Jun 23, 2010
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2010
    My first Porsche was a 914.
    Great little car and a fun choice.
    Plus ITS A PORSCHE ! kinda.
    I couldnt sell it. Literally. It is now a rust bucket in a farm garage.
    Mine had the Scheel buckets made specifically for it and the young of frame.
    http://www.pbase.com/9146gt/scheel_racing_bucket_seats

    Are those 5 bolt Fuch's wheels ?
     
  6. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 20, 2003
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    Oh - missed the update. Grand Theft Auto!
     
  7. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    Yep, little 14-inchers.
     
  8. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 22, 2007
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    Would appreciate some feedback on the 2.0ltr vs the TDI version. A longtime buddy is considering one as his dd for work, wants to spend around $14K, but he is worried about the maintenance cost of the TDI vs the gas version. I told him that I personaly would get the 2.0T.

    Anyone??

    Thanks,
    tex
     
  9. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Sorry it could be the 1.8ltr engine he has been looking at.
     
  10. SMS

    SMS F1 Veteran

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    #85 SMS, Jun 25, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Neat little 914. Very fun cars.


    A guy on another site is taking one to the Lemons race in Iowa tomorrow. He painted it up to look somewhat familiar...
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  11. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

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    Ha! Too pretty for Lemons, very clever sponsor name. Should be driven by Hand Stuck...
     
  12. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    Poorsche Löwbräu Special - love it!
     
  13. DaudiW.

    DaudiW. Formula Junior

    Jan 4, 2006
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    I'd look at an E36 M3 . . you should be able to find a mint one for under 10-15k ... probably the best option for what you're looking for. Unless you find a mint E30 M3, but chances are you wont... and if u do it'll cost over 15k because its been restored.
     
  14. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Always cracks me up . . .
     
  15. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    :)
     
  16. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    :D Here we go again...

    The 914 is much more fun to drive than I'd ever imagined, but the lack of rear seats is becoming an issue. Looks like I'm going to have to replace it with something a bit more practical (like we didn't see that coming), and I'm thinking either:

    BMW E36 M3
    Audi B5 S4

    Does anyone care to share their experiences with either? Anyone have a better suggestion (in addition to all of the great suggestions that have already been offered in this thread)?

    The new parameters are:

    1. Fun to drive
    2. Usable back seat (for kids anyway)
    3. Manual trans
    4. RWD or AWD
    5. Not terribly unreliable
    6. Decent example can be had for under $10K
     
  17. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
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    I had a relatively new E36 M3/4 in the late 90's. Car was constantly in the shop (still under warranty). Fun when it ran, but the damn check engine light came on what seemed like every Thursday. 2 gas tanks, 3 ECUs and god knows what else later, they claimed it was fixed, but the bridge had been burned and I have not owned another BMW product since.
     
  18. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

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    Mmmmm...1,2,3,4,5,6, check...

    invisible too ;)



    04/05 Goat ;)
     
  19. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Really, for $10?

    Didn't realize they dropped prices so quickly.

    Either that, or Husker would be impressed :p
     
  20. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    The only BMW I've ever owned was a '98 M Roadster that I bought new and only kept for 5 months. During that time, I had several defects repaired, including a faulty fuel guage. I realize that I'm looking at a car from the same era, by the same manufacturer, and with practically the same powertrain, but I'd hoped my experience was a unique one. From what I could find online, it sounded like the Audi was the less reliable of the two. Could they both be that poor?
    Apparently, they can be had for that much or a bit more depending on mileage. Here's an example. The General's cars just aren't for me, though. In fact, I can't think of any domestic car in that price range that interests me.
     
  21. agup48

    agup48 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Oops, $10K. :eek:
     
  22. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    #97 El Wayne, Sep 11, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hey, what do you guys think of an Audi TT Quattro 225 coupe? Fun to drive? Room for a car seat in the back and maybe an occasional 6-year-old? Anybody own one of these?
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  23. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

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    Hey Wayne, it's an import!!!! Holy Crossfire ;). Understand the basic tenet though.

    I think the TT is a blast to drive and have a friend who considered one until his 7 year old son climbed in the back.

    He believed it was a little too snug for junior (although his son was pushing him to buy it...), thinking it might require a roof blister in due course considering his son's need for upsized sneakers was bi-annual ....
    YMMV.
     
  24. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    Yeah, she's a tall 6-year-old. She'll sit up front most of the time though. It would be a rare moment when the four of us had to be in my car; most likely just myself and one or both of the kids.

    I'm more worried about getting the car seat back there, really. I'm sure I'd have to move the passenger seat pretty far forward to make that work, which only becomes a problem if the 6-year-old is in it. Then it's a matter of whether or not that would place her dangerously close to the dash and airbag.
     
  25. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

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    Same part suppliers, so very likely. I'm not convinced that either are really premium products, or at least worth the premium that they are asking.
     

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