I'll keep this brief. I *might* be in the market for a new (to me) car in the next 6 months or so. My budget will be $7-8k that can be used to either purchase in cash or used as a downpayment. My priorities are as follow:

- Available in a manual transmission.
- Performs well or has potential to do so without a crazy dollar/hp ratio. I'm especially looking into F/I cars and V8's for this reason, but I'm open to other suggestions.
- Reliability

Can't think of much else at this point. If you've got any good recommendations, I'm all ears.

And by the way, I would get an RDX, but I'm just not ready for that type of power. My apologies in advance.

*Edit - This vehicle is likely to be my only form of transportation, therefore it will be both my DD and my weekend warrior. I've got a decent commute with plenty of cars to play with on the way there and back, 3-4x per week.

 

What happened to the G37?

 

Still got it, I just can't justify spending so much money for such a small return in performance and I still can't come to terms with driving an automatic (my S2000 ruined me in that respect). It's a great car, no doubt about it. Just not the car I want right now. Especially when I factor in how it performs in comparison to what kind of gas mileage it gets. I'm all about smiles per gallon, but there are plenty of C6 vettes with way more power than my car getting substantially better gas mileage.

 

G37 offers a lot of performance for the $$. I do not understand. |

if practicality is not an issue and performance is the prioity, then go with a used Corvette, 300C, SRT or even find a used E55....

 

I suppose it's the of a 6MT that is bugging me then. I can't stand the 7AT most of the time and then I have days where I absolutely love it.

I've been looking at used Vettes and I'm still trying to get a feel for the aftermarket pricing for them. Meaning are parts stupid expensive or reasonable in relation to the car's value. The rest of the cars you mentioned only come in automatics to my knowledge, so they're definitely not my top picks but great contenders nonetheless.

 

M3? 335i? S4? S5?

There are not a lot of cars that have sticks anymore. New or barely used.

But it seems all the cars that have stick with decent performance and somewhat practical are all the Europeans... so your choices are limited which should make it easier.

 

Just keep your car man.

 

Test drive a 6MT G37 and see how that feels first. If your gripe is with the transmission, a manual one should be close to perfect.

Also, I think you should hammer out a set budget. How much of a loan would you want on top of a $7-8k down payment?

 

I was looking at 07-10 335i's, it seems that they have their fair share of flaws but after spending time on the forums they have great bang for buck in terms of performance and are actually more reliable than the general public is willing to acknowledge.

Any specific reason why? I'm curious. I know financially it would make more sense, but why else?

Something about picking up the same car again just turns me off.. Sure, if it was another S2000 (preferably boosted) I'd have no qualms about it but the G isn't particularly anything memorable or note-worthy. That's not to say it's a bad car, it just doesn't give you that some "ZOMG I love this car" feeling that other cars can give.

In total, I'd like to spend no more than $20k with T/T/L included.

Hell, maybe another bike and a couple mods to make this car a more exciting DD will be the perfect blend of luxury and performance.

 

I don't know. You just bought the car not too long ago, right?

FiST? FoST?

 

I've had it for roughly a year and a half, maybe two? I don't remember to be honest. . FWD tends to have trouble putting the power down above 300whp. I guess I'm just itching to do my first real build..

I was really focusing on the car on the drive home tonight and it just doesn't put that smile on my face. I don't know how else to describe it. For example, whenever I took the GSXR out, I was grinning ear to ear. Even after I went down haha.

FWIW, I'm considering giving the G to my younger brother for $3,000 + my old IS300 and then building that but he has just totally ruined it. The car was in great condition, inside and out, when I owned it.

 

So you're basically going to give him another car to destroy? Granted, I gave my FX to my sister who isn't the best at taking care of it

 

I saw the thread title...and I saw the member who created it and thought to myself...

fuck yes...S2000 time.

Find a clean low boost FI S2000...8K down payment. Done!

I don't need to tell you if it'll work as a DD as you already know that answer. If it doesn't, the first one that popped into my head was an SRT 300C, also...at least around that price range. C6 Vettes are fantastic too...but I'm not certain people get the same driving enjoyment. If you need to feel like you're road racing and beating people in the S2000...just take them to a curvy road!

I have found that when you try and satisfy an itch with a substitute you end up wasting more time and money and still needing to scratch.

 

You are 23? save your money and do it right when you have the means to. You just bought (presuming bought) a nice G37.

I had a civic Si before i got married and had a kid, then bought a TL... I had alot more fun in the Si with some light mods. If i wanted a cheap reliable fun DD I'd throw a SC on an 08-09 Si sedan. All-in likely under 20k. It would be a fun street car, not a track car.

Scratching a new car itch every couple years at your age could cost you life goals down the line be it housing, independance, travel, security, or new cars at an appropriate time. Just be smart.

 

You are 23. Do whatever you want to do. Sell everything and get a Vette. Enjoy the power.

 

If I were in your situation, I'd look for a nice used e46 M3. That would easily be my next car had they made a 4dr. 333hp, 6mt, and best looking 3-Series to date imo. And it's one of the most friendly gens to own for cost/maint.



Interesting. I have been reading up on the 335i as I was considering it for my next car, I like the 09-11 sedan (facelift). But from what I read on Bimmer forums the TT 6cyl is expensive to maintain outside of warranty. Since then I wrote it off, but what is your understanding on it?

 

I say keep your car and save your money. G37 is a nice car, so ride it out for a while, save some money, buy our own place, then get another (or different) car down the road.

What's the point of having a nice car and bringing home some tail if you have to worry about your parent(s) yelling at you to keep your bedroom door open?

 

If you don't care about saving your money, just boost your car?

 

I am almost in the same situation as you. I am 24 and have seriously contemplated selling my 3g for something rwd, manual, and a more plentiful aftermarket offering. In the end I have decided to just keep the TL until it dies and move onto something else. Now I have a wife and kid too, but regardless it makes sense to save as much as you can when you're young. Your car is not falling apart and will last for years. Instead of a new car, I have a 1985 Rx7 I am building. Parts are cheap and I can do all the work myself. When it's done it will be stupid fast with the V8 I am swapping.

 

I wish someone told me this 10 years ago...

edit: I wish I listened to the people that told me this 10 years ago, because people certainly did. and I certainly did not listen.

 

One of the ST twins would be the best bet. The Fiesta is a party (as the name implies) and tons of cheap power can be had easily.

IMO, stick with what you have now. I've learned over the years that cars are a total money pit and you shouldn't screw around with your daily driver. Save your cash and buy a toy car in the future.

 

what kinda toy would you suggest, Sam?

 

A super perfectly clean S2K!?

 

revs high, two seats, no roof!

fixed.

 

seems reasonable, man!

 

Woo, this thread blew-up! Yeah, after playing with the numbers I will be going with one of the following

A) Low boost supercharger on the G - not likely. Price to performance ratio sucks.

B) Springs, fatter tires, sway bars, audio upgrades, test pipes and cat-back exhaust to make a semi-fun, reliable daily driver.

C) Keep it stock, do enough to keep it in good condition and pick up a bike again down the line for when I feel like hooning around.

Doesn't look like I'll be at home for much longer anyways, I should probably hold off on my horsepower related aspirations and focus on reality. Growing up sucks. I wish I would've known this when I was 12. Haha

 

you are only 23. You still have a good 5 years before reality really hits you hard.

 

I may have missed something but not sure where one can pick up a C6 or any of the other suggestions posted for 20k....TTL

Maybe you're talking about just the cost to get in and you still plan to do payments

And from your latest post I think unless you have gobs of money to build/buy a real HP beast, you best off stay with your stock G37 and get a bike. That is your BEST $$$/performance ratio right there.

You seem like a guy who's getting very tolerant of increases in power/adrenaline and I think unless you have the funds/situation to be able to afford a monster HP weekend (or even semi daily car) car better off do some more sensible in the mean time.

There was a video of a almost stock VMAX basically hauling ass and walking/keeping pace with a 700whp built C6. So spend $15k, not to mention VMAX are not nearly as easy to wheelie over probably like the super light sport bikes.

So yeah go with: stock car, get a bike. Later when you have the money and woman(or not, depends) and better living situation: get what you want.

 

True, but working 12-14 hour blocks in the ED are killing me slowly. I've aged a substantial amount since starting here. But, I know what you mean. I should be more focused on preparing for that hit instead of acting like it's never going to happen.

Yeah, I tend to get over large power jumps pretty quick. I remember going from my Civic to the G and feeling like I hit hyper-speed. Then I went from the G to the GSXR and almost soiled myself. Then as time passed, I started to feel like my bike was slow as well. Almost seems like it's never enough. I'm probably going to go down the route of lightly modding the Infiniti and picking up another sport bike. I've always wanted to do a cross-country road trip, I hope the Infiniti can haul a trailer with the bike on it. Haha

 

Everyone does, that's why it's best to just tell yourself OEM and reliable are super duper fast.

I think loving what you got is key...make it your own. I think we can all agree that the TL is no a "fun" car...but with all the mods I have, I certainly enjoy going to grab groceries with it!

 

True that.

 

cheap fast power? used vette.

 

 

So true

 

lol the G is a heavy gal, and handling isn't that great. I mean compared to its class and what it was designed to do, the performance is great...but definitely not a sports car, which I feel you're missing the most over anything right now.

Get the Vette!

 

M2 or GT350

 

If it's your daily I'd look into a TL-S, 335, 535 & maybe some audi's if you can find them in your price range.

IMO, get a TL-S, strip it and it'll run great. When you need extra space you have it for your DD, plus insurance won't be bad on it compared to a BMW.

 

you will be surprised how cheap insurance for BMW is (Non M Cars)

 

I think a Pontiac Aztek would be a good fit...versatile, good on gas, no need to lock since nobody would ever steal it. Great car!

 

they are super rare now. Try to find 1 with decent mileage and good ugly condition is not easy.