FutureBagdA4

Didn't see the MT part...still a good bang-for-the-buck in that price segment

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

the turbo's are a ticking time bomb in those things. I was looking at them, but I don't like the downside, especially since to replace them you have to yank the motor. If your going to go B5 S4 you better plan another 6K for that eventuality.

Eoanou

I would bump your price range a bit higher, if you want to stick to your budget for a RWD sports oriented vehicle than expect nothing much better than this http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Only if you can find a desperate private seller and low ball him will you find a decent car worthy of purchase.

NSX7

4 seats/2 doors is OK

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

But not all of them are plagues with issues. Similar to the 01-03 CL / TL. I know some guys that had them and never had issues, and I have read a lot of people complain about them.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

It wouldn't be so bad if Audi had designed it in such a manner that you drop the fender liners and get at them instead of having to gank the motor, or drop the sub frame. However when or if they blow, it's sure an opportune time to go stage 3 and put 500hp down for the few more bucks.

apnorm

iTrader: (3)

RWD, Manual, seats 4. Someone already mentioned this but the G35 fits this mold?

On a side note, I know everyone says RWD for the track but for beginners, is a FWD that bad? I'm thinking it's going to be a boatload of fun either way. I was looking into a daily driver/track car as well and was thinking about the GTI.

Also, there was a post that mentioned getting a BMW so you could join the BMW club and get involved in their track days. You don't need a BMW to do so. I recently joined up the Boston Chapter and I read about half the cars aren't BMWs. I can't wait to sign up for their driving schools!

charliemike

I'd think you'd need to find a G35 with about 200k miles to get one under $9k.

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

How about an older American such as 69 camaro ss? My favorite car of all time.

Costco

$9k for a 69 SS?

Maybe if it were a rolling shell.

dallison

what about an 87 monte carlo?

CocheseUGA

Really. If a 69 SS (or really, any 69) were available for $9k that wasn't a basketcase, it would be in my driveway already.

I'm hoping by 2020 I can make that a reality. Girls will be 14 and the boy 11. No carseats needed.

turkeybaster115

iTrader: (1)

1995-1997 Impala SS?

apnorm

iTrader: (3)

There's more than a few on autotrader with about 100k miles or so.

MiataNut

94 - 96

Joe5.0

Now, I'm a mustang guy, so my opinion is not completely (or at all) unbiased.

I guess it depends what the car is going to be needed to do.

Is it gonna be more cruiser or racer? Auto-x or road course or drag strip, or all of the above?

You can get a lower mileage 96-98 Cobra, or 99-04 GT Mustang for your price range. Most will likely have exhaust and lowering springs done, and the drivetrain is pretty bullet proof at anything under 450hp.

They come with LSD stock, all Cobra's are manual trans, and you can mod it crazy if you want, or leave it mostly stock.

I have spent ALOT more than $9k on my Cobra, but for the $$ I have spent it will run alongside a ZO6 at the 1/4 mile, is no slouch at the road course, and looks pretty decent (IMO again).

mrmako

Try this:

Higher mileage Legacy GT

These models only have to have their timing belts changed at about 60K intervals. Other than that, no head gasket issues and they are solid. The car can easily be modified with a COBB accessport tune, and you could have a great daily driver that will be AWD and 300HP (stock is about 250).

Maybe I have some bias, but you want the price to be below 10K. Here's another one that costs a bit more, but a lot less mileage: Legacy GT

Just a thought.

ghttf

sc300 with a 1jz

240sx

any gen mr2 n/a

impreza 2.5rs

fc rx-7

Good luck have fun

NSX7

it is still on my must have list as my dream car is still an NSX - I will never forget the sound of that 454 cu. in. in the red 69 camaro some 20 years ago when I was working in a gas station during my school years. The guy would not let me fill the car for him and when he left the station, I said I have to get one of those based on the sound alone - he literally woke up the neighborhood as it was 6.00am - one day for sure

NSX7

I have to admit that I have been thinking Mustangs lately as it maybe the only car that fits the criteria - I read somewhere that 05+ GTs are night and day difference compared to the 99-04s - can't remember all the details though - I never liked american cars (except the older ones such as a 69 camaro or cuda) - I also drove an automatic 99-04 GT a while back and remember telling the sales guy after that my prelude was faster than this so hopefully the manual is much better

NSX7

one of the options as well if I remove the RWD criteria - although I have to spend some $$ on the suspension which I don't like to do with cars - I test drove an 05 on the street and did not like how it handled the aggressive turns - way too much roll and just didn't feel right - I have to say that when it comes to suspension tuning, from all the cars I drove, BMW takes the top spot followed by Acura (compared to other FWD cars)

NSX7

[QUOTE=Joe5.0;11607881]Now, I'm a mustang guy, so my opinion is not completely (or at all) unbiased.

Is it gonna be more cruiser or racer? Auto-x or road course or drag strip, or all of the above?

occasional daily driver and light track use to learn how to drive a RWD properly - no auto-x for sure as I do not like it - drag strip is a no for now as I prefer the long track driving - technical turns, high speed straights, etc...

TheMirror

If that is the case then a pre-2005 Mustang is not the car for you. Take it from a former 'Stang owner (I had an older Fox body), those cars need MAJOR suspension tuning to be predictable and accurate on a road course.

With the criteria you've stated in previous posts, only 2 cars now really seem to fit IMO. Either a E36 chassis BMW 325i/328i (1992-1998), or a S14 chassis Nissan 240SX (1995-1998). Both have excellent, balanced chassis that need minimal preparation to be good track cars, both have good engines, and both make good street cars.

If it were me, I'd give the 240SX the nod due to the lower cost of servicing.

-Mirror

NSX7

or an E36 M3 which I had for a year before and I bought it for $10K - the BMW is more powerful but will bite me in terms of $$ if I drive it aggresively on the track and 240sx is way underpowered for me - I know that driving a slow car on the track properly is the way to go but after driving cars with 240+ hp for the last 5-6 years, it will very difficult to adjust to only 155hp

I guess the older mustangs are out of the question as well

Joe5.0

I agree that the Mustang will need some suspension mods, its not like it has to be completely re-engineered for the occasional track day.

A nice setup of properly matched springs/struts, Caster/Camber plates, and high performance tires make a world of difference.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1532129953.html

/thread

TheMirror

Don't know where to go from here, dude. It seems that you can't afford the cars you want, and you don't want the cars you can afford. Believe me, I've been there. Check mate, unless you can find something to compromise on.

ghttf

you can get an s14 with an sr20 for about 9k

LebaneseShowoff

get yourself a 1LE LS1 or a 98-02 Formula, they have plenty of power, with a cam and some bolt ons i made 396 whp on my 98 LS1, still didn't install my LS6 intake or P.P. Throttle body. By the way for those that don't know, 1LE is a road racing package from the Factory, it eliminates A/C, and a few power options, also the B4C Camaros which are the highway patrol cars have the 1LE package with A/C and and automatic transmission.