Sporty Daily Driver...Options? | FerrariChat

Sporty Daily Driver...Options?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by ECExotics, Aug 20, 2005.

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  1. ECExotics

    ECExotics Rookie
    BANNED

    Jul 8, 2005
    27
    I'm in the market for a reliable sporty daily driver. I do not want to spend more than 35k. I want something fast, and fun to drive. 5 or 6 speed.

    I am looking at either a Subaru WRX STI, or an EVO 8 GSR, or MR.

    Anyone have any other ideas, or opinions on these cars?

    Thanks.

    Kyle
     
  2. scott61

    scott61 F1 Rookie

    Feb 11, 2004
    2,606
    North of Boston
    In a 5 year span I went from Honda S2000 to Boxster S to M3 to a Maserati Spyder. In the end I realized the cheapest (S2000) was the most fun and sportiest of all
     
  3. HarFerrari

    HarFerrari Karting

    May 27, 2005
    58
    Rochester, NY
    Full Name:
    Isaiah Harf
    While these don't have the rally-type handling, these cars have nice interiors and can come with a 5/6-speed.

    Acura TL or TSX (new)
    Infiniti G35 (new)
    2000-3 BMW 3/5-series
    2001-3 Audi A6 2.7T
    2000-2 Audi S4
    2003 Volvo S60R
    Saab 9-5 Aero (almost brand new if not brand new)

    Just a partial listing...If you go used, you can easily find a great car that will last you just as long, with just as many options - generally you can get a very late model $45-50K car with 20K miles on it for your price range - still under warranty.

    Just my two cents.

    Isaiah
     
  4. mchas

    mchas F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 5, 2004
    6,107
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Mark
    I'd like to second this. I just went through a 3+ month long car search with my girlfriend, and she literally drove almost everything we could get our hands on (M3, Boxter S, 911, S2000, Audi A4, Audi TT, WRX, Miata, Z3, Z4, etc etc). She ultimately decided on the S2000 and is VERY happy. We got it used, 2004 with < 3,000 miles on it for a great price. I'll be posting some pictures later this evening - we just washed and waxed it!
     
  5. ECExotics

    ECExotics Rookie
    BANNED

    Jul 8, 2005
    27
    I am looking for some AWD, so in the winter I do not have an issue.

    I've had a G35, didn't have enough giddy up for what I was looking for.
    I have an M3.
    Acuras, Sabbs, Volvo's and the like aren't "sporty" enough and fast enough to keep me entertained during my 106 mile daily commute.

    Any other options for aroud 35k?

    Thanks again.

    Kyle
     
  6. mchas

    mchas F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 5, 2004
    6,107
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Mark
    Hmm... manual transmission, AWD, more "giddyup" than a G35 and under $35K will be quite difficult, I think. The subaru might be one of your only choices. If I come up with any ideas I'll chime in.
     
  7. 911Fan

    911Fan Formula 3

    Apr 15, 2004
    1,294
    Southern California
    Mini Cooper S.

    Then you can spend the $10K in change on one hell of a vacation!
     
  8. CornellCars

    CornellCars Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2005
    1,102
    South Florida
    Full Name:
    Jason
    I'd second the vote for the S4 - a used one should be well into the 35k range and it doesn't take much to get them over the hump of 300hp (older TT, not the V-8 obviously). That said, the STi is a great choice, fun, reliable, fast. S4 is just more to my personal taste, although I would guess a bit below the STi in terms of long term cost of ownership and reliability.
     
  9. GT Fan

    GT Fan Formula Junior

    Jun 25, 2005
    312
    I had a 2000 Audi S4 and loved it.

    Replaced it with a Subaru STi, which was WAY too rough as a daily driver, plus I hate those blue seats, and the interior is just a little tight (I had to move my seat forward when 4 of us would go to lunch). I did buy the car without the dumb wing (the dealer swapped with a spoiler-less Impreza).

    I had looked a Evo's, the seats are better, but the interior is worse than the Subie. In terms of refinement, think of the STi as a $20K car with a big motor, and the Evo as a $15K car with a big motor.

    I'm now back in an Audi, bought a 2004 S4, white, with 13K miles for under $40K. I love it, but it does get lousy (16 or so) mileage.
     
  10. Evolved

    Evolved F1 Veteran

    Nov 5, 2003
    8,700
    I just went through this exact same situation and considered the exact same cars.

    Get the EVO GSR. With the current 0% financing offer the and 30k going rate the car can't be beat.

    It is expensive to insure and maintain but I do enjoy it. The car is not refined by most peoples standards but that is part of the fun.

    I have only had my car 5 days and I really love it. I have 600 miles on it already.

    The STI would be in my garage if it weren't for the finaincing offer though. The sixth cog and 2.5 liter is attractive
     
  11. Fred2

    Fred2 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 2, 2005
    18,189
    nj
    You can get a new BMW 325 with a 6 speed manual and the sport package for that amount, if you gett a good deal on a new one from the dealer.

    I got one, and it is a blast to drive.
     
  12. Dino Martini

    Dino Martini F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2004
    4,619
    Calgary Alberta
    Full Name:
    Martin
    I would also suggest, an Alitma SE.R, Volvo S60 R, Audi S4/A4 3.0, BMW 3 series, Nissan 350z, Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works Package. Dont forget, once you buy a car you can always place and exhaust system or a turbo or some other after market parts to make the car more to your liking.
     
  13. scycle2020

    scycle2020 F1 Rookie

    Jan 26, 2004
    3,477
    potomac
    awd limits the choices significantly...the g35x was the best, and its quick , but not sports car fast....it also depends on ones age and how much refinement one needs...an sti is a fine , fast, reliable car, great for a 20 something guy....but if were to drive one to a meeting or to the club, people would think i have lost my mind...also the car is very tinny feeling and has a cheap interior....s4 is a good choice, esp with the v8, but its above your price range...the s2000 is a fun little car, but its not a daily driver for my taste...way too loud, and the engine sound is not that great...could also use a little more torque, you have to drive the heck out it just to get it to move...i know, i had one for 6 months....................
     
  14. asianbond

    asianbond Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
    1,276
    Full Name:
    Chris
    Forget the wannabes, go for the best.

    Porsche 993 or 996.

    Nothing is sportier and they are comfy enough for daily driver.
     
  15. Dan Ciezniewzky

    Dan Ciezniewzky Formula 3
    BANNED

    Sep 6, 2004
    1,351
    Indianapolis
    how bout an older NSX, can't go wrong there :)
     
  16. Evolved

    Evolved F1 Veteran

    Nov 5, 2003
    8,700
    Get a NEW car with a warrenty. You'll probably be much happier.
     
  17. ECExotics

    ECExotics Rookie
    BANNED

    Jul 8, 2005
    27
    I think I am either going to lean toward an STI or an EVO. I love the s4(00-01-02) models, but like Oppie said, I would feel better with a NEW car and a warrenty.

    Anyone have any experience with either of these cars? Which is better, faster, more reliable, cheaper to mod, etc etc?

    Any help would be great!

    Thanks.

    Kyle
     
  18. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
    71,892
    MidTN
    Full Name:
    DGS
    I went with an EVO. If you go that route, you might want the MR (or GSR?) -- with an unlocking center diff. If you can get the FQ330 kit out of europe...

    But I find that the mod I most think about is replacing the stock Recaros with something that's less of a pain in the a** -- literally.

    But then, this is the tallest car I've owned since Nixon was president, and the seating position has my legs far lower than I'm used to -- so it's not all the seat.

    But the good news is that any Recaro should fit on the mounts.

    The stock rims are fine, but you'll want a set of aftermarket rims for your snows -- those Yokos are ice skates below 40F.

    You need to order the sport gauge kit to get a boost gauge, which is a bit odd -- and even then you don't get an oil press gauge; just oil temp.

    You will want the cargo net. With those monster brakes and fat sticky tires, anything that isn't nailed down will rattle around.

    Check out the "Top Gear" segment about the FQ400 versus a Murci. Most of the complaints about the FQ400 are pretty close across the product line. The hydraulic damper in the clutch master cyl protects the gearbox, but makes it nearly impossible to work the clutch smoothly.

    But keep in mind that neither the EVO nor the STi are real rally cars -- just the parts that can be made into one. It handles snow well enough, but don't expect it to take impacts like you see on WRC. The street version will fold up on you.

    Between the EVO and the STi: the Scooby (with the 2.5L) has more straight line oomph than the "standard" EVO, while the EVO corners a hair better in the dry. But the differences are close enough that winter choice is more in the tires than the car.

    As a daily commuter, the EVO's front mounted intercooler handles stop and stop city traffic better than the STi's top mounted -- sitting at lights heat-soaks the scoobie's I/C.

    Both have HUGE turbo lag.
     
  19. Evolved

    Evolved F1 Veteran

    Nov 5, 2003
    8,700
    The 05 Evo I just got is a remarkable improvement in this regard over the 03-04 model I drove.
     
  20. Driversource

    Driversource Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Nov 8, 2003
    428
    Houston, TX
    Skip the EVO and STi, and get a Legacy GT. 0-60 is under 6 seconds, handling is very good, and the ride is surprisingly good. Oppostie end of the spectrum from the STi. Very nice interior, and loaded barely breaks $30k! Throw a couple of SPT/STi goodies at it, and you'll have a mid 5 second 0-60, AWD, near luxury car and have change to spare.
     
  21. LexusEnthusiast

    LexusEnthusiast Karting

    Aug 14, 2005
    140
    Long Island, NY
    It actually already does 0-60 in 5.2s, but granted most people can't get them to go that fast, so 5.4 or 5.5 is a bit more realisting, but it still hauls. Not to mention that it's AWD, so your handling is superb. Go Subaru, a fanstastic model. Here are links to the article on the Legacy GT from Autoweek in early July 2005.

    First page:
    http://premium1.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi//legacyarticle1.jpg

    Second page:
    http://premium1.uploadit.org/cultofthejedi//legacyarticle2.jpg

    Does the 1/4 in a hair under 14, at 97 mph.
     
  22. JBsZ06

    JBsZ06 Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2003
    761
    I agree the Legacy GT is a very good choice for a new AWD fast and COMFORTABLE Every day driver.

    Of course the Audi S4 is a great ride too but new its priced beyond the target you set.

    Comfort and speed in a daily driver make these two cars more livable then the evo or STi.

    I have heard the upcoming Evo X to be released might be the one for you but it won't be ready for another year I believe.

    http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/59242/mighty_evo_x_revealed.html

    http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000960055261/
     

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