OT- Another Car Thread

[fourflys]

Hello all,

Now that I'm finally out of Alaska, I'm actually able to get a fun car.

My budget is most likely under $10k and preferably lower ;)

Lately I've got 3 cars on the brain, two similar and one not so much.

1. Mini Cooper convertible (prob 05/06) or maybe Clubman (bike room)

2. 1st or 2nd generation Miata

3. early 2000s Mustang GT Convertible

I realize buying any older car is going to have some maintenance items needed. The reputation if the Minis really scare me but I don't know if they are really warranted... I've had a 2nd gen Miata and it was great. I've always loved the Mustangs.

Thoughts??

http://images.craigslist.org/00b0b_ja6HEEfrh7D_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00P0P_aUORs0gIyyp_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00V0V_9gDPHbKtmm8_600x450.jpg

[Louis]

Would this be in addition to your everyday car, or would it be your daily driver?

[malcolm]

You likely won't like my advice but at that budget I would buy Japanese. You'll likely have to be in a higher mileage vehicle and I think history shows they are the vehicles that will live to higher total mileages and maintenance costs will be lower. American cars may be equally inexpensive to repair but I suspect will be requiring many more repairs.

All the above is conjecture.

[fourflys]

Would this be in addition to you everyday car, or would it be your daily driver?

Good Question Louis!

I'll still have my Highlander to drive if needed, but I suspect this would be driven most days to work...

BTW- I do love Corvettes, but the cost of the tires and the frequency you seem to have to replace them put me off I think. Plus I have a teenage daughter that will likely get her license sometime in the next year or so...

Anyone know about excluding a driver from a particular car? I have Farm Bureau

[Louis]

Not knowing anything about reliability or other considerations like insurance, if I had to choose between those three I would pick the Mini. I'm not a Mustang type of guy, and since I used to own an '87 Alfa Spider I've already done the "sexy red convertible" thing.

Dave Kirk used to drive a Mini, so we know it has plenty of leg and head room. See what he thinks about them these days.

[FlashUNC]

The right answer is always Miata.

[fourflys]

The right answer is always Miata.

you must read Jalopnik... :D

[Louis]

The right answer is always Miata.

Didn't even have click on the thread to know that that was going to be your answer! :)

[Ken Robb]

The second generation of "new" MINI came in 2007 except for convertibles which continued the old model for another year. My opinion (as an owner of 2007 MINI Cooper S) is that the new model is superior to the earlier model and far more reliable. The early S was a supercharged French engine. The newer version is turbocharged and designed by BMW. At 49,000 miles mine has needed nothing but routine service and has averaged 31 MPG overall. It is FUN to drive, roomy for two, cramped but tolerable for four adults for short trips. I can squeeze my 62 cm bike in the back if I remove both wheels. I was surprised to learn that they recommend against using a folding rack (like a Hollywood) on the rear hatch.

Before I bought it I tried Miatas. They were fun to drive but I felt very nervous in freeway traffic because I was sitting so low I couldn't see around,over or through most of the other vehicles and I knew hauling a bike or my dogs would be difficult.

Mustangs are fun and the drive-train should be sturdy and cheap to maintain. They are pretty big outside without commensurate interior space but that may not be a big deal for you. Fuel usage would be higher than the others. You might want to check with your insurance agent for quotes on these three cars as there may be a significant difference. How about a quote from USAA? Their rates are usually hard to beat.

[Seramount]

1st choice Miata, 2nd Mini...9th Mustang.

[echelon_john]

BMW 3-series convertible

Audi A4 convertible

[thwart]

The right answer is always Miata.

Yep. Buckets of fun without a tendency towards those nasty speeding tickets.

But you've owned one, you know that.

[carpediemracing]

Anyone know about excluding a driver from a particular car? I have Farm Bureau

Not sure of other states but in CT everyone in the household that has a license counts as an additional driver, regardless of if that person will drive the car or not in real life. Was speaking to someone whose household has, in addition to him, two 21 year olds, a 16 year old, and a wife, all with driver's licenses. I think 3 of them had moving violations. Adding a mid 2000 mustang pushed their policy up $4.5k.

The only way I see around that, if that's the case where you are, is to register the vehicle to a business at a different address.

[bart998]

I'm on my 2nd Mustang.... both have been great cars. I put 150k on the first one (1970, classic) and now have 60K on a 2010 with no problems. I also put 200k on a 2001 T-bird (similar Ford) ... nothing but oil changes. The Miata is a great car also...

[Ti Designs]

Whatever you get, don't forget to work on the driver's skills...

[SeanScott]

I would really throw a 330ci convertible in that mix.

I have a 330i sedan with a stick and suspension modifications and love it.

[Ralph]

Don't know anything about Mini's. But Miata is standard Mazda stuff, so will last forever, and cheap to fix. Whole cottage industry out there of enthusiasts to support that car. Every single part is still available.

Unlike new versions of Mustang, older models are very crude. But are pretty much standard Ford parts, easy and cheap to fix, whole industry out there of enthusiasts to support them, parts are easy to get, and they will run forever. Like the Miata, huge industry of aftermarket parts also.

While 10 year old Mustangs aren't sports cars, they will hold Mom and Dad and a couple kids, if that's important.

[many_styles]

How about adding to your list a 2001-2004 Honda S2000?

[fourflys]

How about adding to your list a 2001-2004 Honda S2000?

their prices have went through the roof! nice cars, but not worth what most are asking imho...

[fourflys]

I would really throw a 330ci convertible in that mix.

I have a 330i sedan with a stick and suspension modifications and love it.

possibly... an E46 would be nice and they are pretty affordable now...

[fourflys]

Whatever you get, don't forget to work on the driver's skills...


yep... probably get back into some autocross like when I had the Miata...

[ofcounsel]

Miata. A little searching might also turn up a decent 1st gen Boxster or Z3 within your budget.

[Ken Robb]

possibly... an E46 would be nice and they are pretty affordable now...

My 2004 330i ZHP required a lot of expensive repairs. It was a nice car but not worth all the problems after 60,000 miles.

[buldogge]

1999-2002 MCoupe...or...if you must, MZ3 Convertible.

-Mark in St. Louis

[ceolwulf]

This little guy always gets unfairly forgotten.

[fourflys]

This little guy always gets unfairly forgotten.

do you have one? I've never really looked into those much... I'd be interested in hearing the driving dynamic...

[fourflys]

My 2004 330i ZHP required a lot of expensive repairs. It was a nice car but not worth all the problems after 60,000 miles.

good to know Ken...

[ceolwulf]

do you have one? I've never really looked into those much... I'd be interested in hearing the driving dynamic...

They were never officially sold in Canada so they're pretty scarce here. Never have had one. Had an SW20 MR2 I imported from Japan, 1990 model. That was my favourite car ever and I will definitely have another at some point.

[many_styles]

their prices have went through the roof! nice cars, but not worth what most are asking imho...


I still wouldn't discount the s2000. Sure the prices are higher, but it seems you'd want something reliable based on your OP. All the German examples are going to be expensive to maintain, which would negate the initial purchase price. Also, if you can wait until winter, prices for convertibles will drop.

I'm biased because I have a 04 S2000, but for the price you're getting a really nice car, built from the same factory as the NSX. I've had it for a yr and the oil level hardly drops and stays clean for months (nicely spec'd engine), 50/50 weight distribution and low cost of ownership. I say my driving style is moderate, but planning to track my car next yr. The Miata is a 2nd and MR 3rd. The other other examples are underpowered but can be bought for cheaper. The 04' is a best as its the first gen AP2, which has larger displacement and address oversteer issues in the AP1.

You also don't mention where you moved to. If you are flexible, purchasing one from a less poplar locale.

I financed mine as I didn't want to use cash, PenFed is great as they many NSXPRIME member use to finance older cars. 15k can buy you a moderate miles, well maintained 04 AP2. If your credit is good, APR is super low.

[many_styles]

One more thing, the e46 has the same hp as the S, but weighs more.

[jwalther]

My 2004 330i ZHP required a lot of expensive repairs. It was a nice car but not worth all the problems after 60,000 miles.

Mine has been trouble free (knock on wood).

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s216/jeffw63/30B83936-23D0-4492-B387-3BEC1D8B117B_zpsstnxfocr.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jeffw63/media/30B83936-23D0-4492-B387-3BEC1D8B117B_zpsstnxfocr.jpg.html)

[oldpotatoe]

Whatever you get, don't forget to work on the driver's skills...

Forgot the :D

But for the OP...since others have 'suggestions', Golf TDI, gobs of fun, lotsa torque, roomy(more so than Mini).

[malcolm]

I love BMW and have owned several, M3X2, M5X2, 540i 6speed. In my opinion, for what I think you are looking for, fun to drive some degree of performance you would be out of your mind to buy a BMW. General maintenance is way expensive and if something breaks even simple things way expensive and if something big lets go you could buy a Miata for what it'll cost to repair.
If you have to have the BMW, of all the ones I've had the M3 with the straight 6 from I think '95 or '96, when they were first reintroduced was my favorite, only 240hp but all of it was very usable and car was well balanced. The M5s while great powerful cars always seemed front end heavy to me and reminded me of old American muscle cars except more luxurious.
All my opinion
I would go with the Miata or maybe try and find some of the older performance oriented acura's.
VW will be a lesser version of the BMW, more expensive to insure, maintain and repair.

[Ken Robb]

It seems some of us forgot that he wants to spend $10,000 or less.

[fourflys]

I still wouldn't discount the s2000. Sure the prices are higher, but it seems you'd want something reliable based on your OP. All the German examples are going to be expensive to maintain, which would negate the initial purchase price. Also, if you can wait until winter, prices for convertibles will drop.

I'm biased because I have a 04 S2000, but for the price you're getting a really nice car, built from the same factory as the NSX. I've had it for a yr and the oil level hardly drops and stays clean for months (nicely spec'd engine), 50/50 weight distribution and low cost of ownership. I say my driving style is moderate, but planning to track my car next yr. The Miata is a 2nd and MR 3rd. The other other examples are underpowered but can be bought for cheaper. The 04' is a best as its the first gen AP2, which has larger displacement and address oversteer issues in the AP1.

You also don't mention where you moved to. If you are flexible, purchasing one from a less poplar locale.

I financed mine as I didn't want to use cash, PenFed is great as they many NSXPRIME member use to finance older cars. 15k can buy you a moderate miles, well maintained 04 AP2. If your credit is good, APR is super low.

Good points and I'll certainly keep my eye out... the S2k is certainly a fantastic car and it's hard to beat a Honda, my father-in-law had a first gen Prelude and it was a blast.

I think the trick for an S2k is finding one that hasn't been modded and screwed up...

[fourflys]

It seems some of us forgot that he wants to spend $10,000 or less.


$10k is certainly a target, but it's a self-imposed target so if it goes a smidge over... like buying a house, you never spend just what you say you will ;)

BTW- I think I'm pretty set on a convertible...

[malcolm]

Was the MR2 ever offered in a rag top or removable hard top? I never drove one but some folks really like them.

Sounds to me like the Miata checks all your boxes. Low costs, fun to drive and rag top

[William]

The best, most DRIVE-worthy used cars you can get for around 10 grand....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo7H-2Xy-UQ


It's a talk show, just so you know going in...





William

[many_styles]

Good points and I'll certainly keep my eye out... the S2k is certainly a fantastic car and it's hard to beat a Honda, my father-in-law had a first gen Prelude and it was a blast.

I think the trick for an S2k is finding one that hasn't been modded and screwed up...


Correct about finding a stock one. That was also my requirement as well. It's not impossible, especially if you buy one from an original owner.

Sample search from Autotrader: http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?priceLabel=Any&zip=94086&endYear=2004&pageLayout=list&listingTypes=used&useGps=true&sellerTypes=p&totalResultCount=244&mmt=%5BHONDA%5BS2000%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&startYear=2000&longitude=-122.0563&latitude=37.384045&searchRadius=0

/preaching

[Dirtdiggler]

Unmolested Prelude with the h22 motor. Oh I miss that car. Also consider the Acura Integra Type R.

[many_styles]

Unmolested Prelude with the h22 motor. Oh I miss that car. Also consider the Acura Integra Type R.


Oh man... If you can find an ITR, stock and doesn't have salvage title for $10k, you would be god!

[Louis]

Also consider the Acura Integra Type R.

Now we're talking!