I'm in the market for a new ride...

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Originally Posted by 14Accent
You expect to find a reliable German car for $5k? You can barely get a reliable German car for $50k.

Nice try, though.

He said "somewhat reliable." The OP is no stranger to German vehicles, so I'm sure he's aware of their quirks/characteristics in general.
 
2000-2010 Volvo S60.
Most can be had in your price range and are usually owned by the older demographic (dealer maintained, stock form).
Not sure if you'll be doing much city driving, but the auto trans seems pretty stoud as long as fluid changes are followed.

Since you seem to know your way around a garage, they seem to get pretty reliable as long as OIC's and PCV system is cleaned and maintained.
The turbo 5 is pretty reliable as long as the timing belt has been serviced, and can easily eat up the miles comfortably (with a little Scandinavian flair!)
I'd personally avoid the AWD versions. Just more stuff to fail on an old car.

Online you'll find many turbo upgrade options as well as suspension mods available.
It won't be something that's begging you to take it out to carve canyons, but if are looking for
comfort and something European that's a little different, I'd seriously consider one.

good luck in your search!
 
Originally Posted by rooflessVW

An E36 would be nice. Could probably get a ragged M3 for $5k, even!


I was going to suggest an E36 M3 as well, but it seems the prices have risen a bit lately. $5k doesn't quite go as far. I'm not sure how reliable one would be for daily driving purposes in that price range. They are a blast to drive though.

Since you were considering Cabriolet, I thought E30 cabrio might fit too. Probably a little heavier, but the the 6 is decent. They don't tend to have as many teenage drivers in their history. Top doesn't seal air/wind noise as well as the E36 and later cars though.
 
Originally Posted by 14Accent
You expect to find a reliable German car for $5k? You can barely get a reliable German car for $50k.

Nice try, though.

Dude, right now my daily driver is a 174,000 mile, 16 year old Porsche. Before that it was a Phaeton. And before that, and before that, and before that.

Nice try, though.
 
The OP is talking about 2 door sporty fun to drive cars and he's given Avalons and Camrys and Crown Vics as candidates. Only on BITOG.
33.gif


What about an MR2 or older Celica?
 
Originally Posted by AZjeff
The OP is talking about 2 door sporty fun to drive cars and he's given Avalons and Camrys and Crown Vics as candidates. Only on BITOG.
33.gif


What about an MR2 or older Celica?

That was alllll sarcasm. Note the posters of those "suggestions."
Originally Posted by typ901
Nissan 350/370 z's can be had for cheap. Manual or automatic or even convertible. Fun to drive, and pretty cheap to maintain.

I've always wanted a 350Z. The challenge is finding one that hasn't been beat down.
 
Dumb question but do you have a backup plan to this "somewhat reliable" car? 400 miles a week, so you are what, 30 miles each way, plus some side trips? If it breaks, and you have to order the part, how do you plan to get to work the following day?

Beyond that I got nothing--I'm one of those guys who'd suggest a 20 year old Camry.
 
Commuting 400 miles as week, $5k purchase price, somewhat reliable, and fun?

Maybe a late model Miata. I think you're asking for too much. For example I doubt you're not going to find a Z3 in that price range unless the cloth top needs replacing and it has cracked rear sub-frame mounts.
 
Look into a first generation Mazda RX7. They can usually be had for not too terrible expensive. Rebuild the Carburetor following instructions from the RX7club forum and put a Racing beat full exhaust on it. Then look into Racing beat springs or some form of coilover. Amazingly fun cars, reliable as can be as long as you feed them a quart of oil ever 1000 miles or so and put a little two stroke in the gas.
 
Originally Posted by rooflessVW
Long story short, I found a job that will allow me to use my talents to directly help people, instead of indirectly killing people.

I'm going to take the opportunity and run with it and use being at home to also give becoming a more present husband and father my very best effort.

Now, with the change in career comes a change in money, so instead of spending ~$55k as I planned (don't tell my wife!) on a new toy, I'm looking at spending ~$5k.

I'll consider anything really, AS LONG AS IT IS ENTERTAINING TO DRIVE and could be considered somewhat "reliable."

Right now I'm looking at Sciroccos and Corrados. I had a Corrado in Germany it it was an amazing car. I may do another Cabriolet. They can be bought and run for pennies and they're a blast. There is the temptation to buy another Porsche: I've always wanted an early 924 or a clapped-out Boxster.

I am also considering selling the Carrera - If I go that route I'll bump the budget to $15k, which opens me up to late model Z cars, Miatas, Z4s, etc.

I feel I may regret starting this thread, but:

What say you?


Cheap
Reliable
Fun
Porsche

Some of these are mutually exclusive terms, lol! [censored], it's not very original, but a C5 'vette checks a lot of boxes...
 
Originally Posted by rooflessVW
Originally Posted by 14Accent
You expect to find a reliable German car for $5k? You can barely get a reliable German car for $50k.

Nice try, though.

Dude, right now my daily driver is a 174,000 mile, 16 year old Porsche. Before that it was a Phaeton. And before that, and before that, and before that.

Nice try, though.


There a retired doctor in town that has a mint, and I mean mint Phaeton... the trunk hinges alone were a work of art.
 
Originally Posted by rooflessVW
Originally Posted by AZjeff
The OP is talking about 2 door sporty fun to drive cars and he's given Avalons and Camrys and Crown Vics as candidates. Only on BITOG.
33.gif


What about an MR2 or older Celica?

That was alllll sarcasm. Note the posters of those "suggestions."
Originally Posted by typ901
Nissan 350/370 z's can be had for cheap. Manual or automatic or even convertible. Fun to drive, and pretty cheap to maintain.

I've always wanted a 350Z. The challenge is finding one that hasn't been beat down.


When I was looking last year I settled on the 10-15k range where I felt comfortable I was not getting anything beaten down.
 
Originally Posted by SatinSilver
Here's an 04 Saab convt. for $5900 with low miles. The seller has an excellent reputation for sales and service of euro cars. They also have a nice 911 with ultra low miles but it's going for $30k.

https://www.iautocars.com/sales/inventory.php?page=2

Saw the silver 911 recently but no idea about the seller. Low price for the miles but it's an auto.

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/d/avon-2000-porsche-911-carrera/6902881566.html

SS, I am VERY into that Saab, that's what I'm talking about! I didn't even think about one of those!

It'd even match my Carrera:

[Linked Image]
 
Originally Posted by Audios
Older BMW 530i sport, and 540i are fun cars, easy to wrench, and probably in your rage.

There's a kid selling a nice E34 that I may go take a look at
 
Originally Posted by rooflessVW
Originally Posted by Audios
Older BMW 530i sport, and 540i are fun cars, easy to wrench, and probably in your rage.
There's a kid selling a nice E34 that I may go take a look at

Oh really, what year and which model? Manual or automatic? And a kid? What kind of a kid would be stupid fortunate enough to have an E34?
 
Originally Posted by kschachn
Originally Posted by rooflessVW
Originally Posted by Audios
Older BMW 530i sport, and 540i are fun cars, easy to wrench, and probably in your rage.
There's a kid selling a nice E34 that I may go take a look at

Oh really, what year and which model? Manual or automatic? And a kid? What kind of a kid would be stupid fortunate enough to have an E34?

They're not expensive cars. 1995 530i, automatic. Very clean, standard options, normal minor issues. $2,950.

Classic BMW/VW are very big in NC.
 
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