kaptinjak

iTrader: (2)

It feels like I've been reading threads on the .org since I was in high school (well I guess I was).

Now that I'm 28 years old and have a need, or technically 'a want' to get a new car, I have been going back and forth with several cars and have narrowed it down to two cars for the time being.

NOTE: I will be keeping my 2002 SE 6-Speed as a project car/semi-daily driver/bad weather car.

Key Criteria: Under $35k, fast, and fun to drive

1) Subaru BRZ, 6SPD


2) Cadillac ATS, 2.0T, 6SPD

I think these are two fun and fast (or potential to be very fast) cars.

Funny... I was close to following in Rochester's footsteps with a G37S but figured it was time for a change from Nissan (unless the 14' G is out of this world and reasonably priced). FYI - I had a 96' SE for 6 years and now an 02' SE for 5 years.

Thanks for your opinion guys.

ATL

Corvette FTMFW!

T_Behr904

If you want fun and fast under 35K i'd go with an Evo. The 4G63's can take alot and there's tons of aftermarket support for them. A friend of mine has a 500+whp Evo and it's insane. That car with 100hp less would still be lots of fun.

BigLou55

iTrader: (6)

agreed

MaxFiyah

what about a lexus is350? i was thinking g37 but i read the rest of your post lol

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Seems you're looking only at "new" cars?

If so, you're not going to get much of a car for under $35,000, IMO, unless power isn't high on your list of wants.

Now step into the lightly used market and you have a wide selection of great cars.

Toxic!

iTrader: (3)

I'd go for the BRZ. Screw the FRS. Haha

Shift_A32B

iTrader: (14)

I would go with something AWD, like the mentioned Evo or Sti.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

There's a long line of Maxima owners who've moved into the G. That path is well-worn, my friend. And for good reason... it delivers on most priorities for car enthusiasts: power, handling, RWD, manual transmission and luxury features.

I've not driven either of the cars in your sights; (BRZ/FRS or the new Caddy ATS). But like most people, I've followed their reviews with a lot of interest. My guess is the BRZ would be a better fit. Certainly a more affordable purchase.

When I was your age, I bought a brand new 1992 240SX 5MT, which seems very much the same kind of car as the BRZ. In other words, go for affordable fun now, because there's plenty of time later on for expensive fun.

zero2sixtyZ

iTrader: (30)

^ Agreed. BRZ is definitely on a fun car list, and with how the aftermarket / scene has taken to it, your options will be endless. I don't even see how the ATS made it to the list.

If not new, I'd look at a Honda S2000 IMO.

pimpin02max

iTrader: (6)

2013 Mustang GT with the track package...looks, speed, tons of aftermarket support, and tons of features.

greenmaximan

super snake all the way

greenmaximan

kaptinjak

iTrader: (2)

All good suggestions.

Just to clarify - I don't need anything new. I have just been burnt in the past with purchasing used cars that needed a lot of maintenance right out of the gate and I would also like the peace and mind of having a factory warranty for once. Certified Pre-Owned is another avenue I will look at.

I shopped the Mustang GT w/ Track Package and it gets decent gas mileage for a 420HP V8 but still, I drive 90 miles round-trip for work and don't need a gas guzzler with these prices. Also, not a fan of the retro styling.

The EVO/STi are great cars, especially for modding it seems, BUT I'm saving for a house and definitely don't need the temptation to go lighter, faster with those cars. The AWD is attractive and it's hard not to put them in the line-up for performance cars under $35,000. Decisions...decisions.

I will throw a lightly used G37S back into the list and see what kind of prices I can get a lightly used model for. The 10' and 11' Acura TL-SH AWD in manual also crossed my mind. I do like the idea of saying 'VTEC just kicked in, yo" with a 305 HP sedan though.

Purchase date will in April 13' so I have about 6 months. Any new cars coming out in that time frame that would fit the bill?

Thanks

greenmaximan

C7 comeing soon

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Corvette is always, always FTL. Always. Not to mention he clearly stated gas guzzler & expensive aren't on his list. The Vette is both.

It sounds like you need to sit down and draw up a simple
WANT//NEED
list.

Because if you want a lot for a reasonable price, the only chance you'll have is if you get something used that is in in solid shape and reliable, and put a bunch of money in it.

You seem smart enough to know you cant have everything. Power & gas is a direct trade off, obviously. So is size/luxury and mileage.

The mustang has a little bit of every thing. I don't think I'd ever buy one, I just don't like mustangs much, but that car is impossible to keep off your radar once you've done a good need/want list. It really checks more of the boxes off than anything on the road even slightly comparable in price.

If you're fine for an Automatic, actually, there's more on the list to look at. A used G8 comes to mind

greenmaximan

brz all the way best on gas and probly way fun to drive

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

6MT Sedans are stupidly uncommon, so if that's the car you're targeting, give yourself a few months or more to find it, and be prepared to make compromises on color, interior and features. Today, 2009's go for anywhere between $23 and $27 as an asking price, with mileage between 20K and 50K.

Here's a link I used to troll with every day.

There's a low-mileage, Vibrant Red w/Stone Leather with only 20K miles for $25K. Not bad, considering it has the full Premium Package w/Nav. Nice catch, IMO... better even if you can knock a few grand off it.

The only reason I ended up with a 2011 is because I got tired of waiting for the perfect 2009, and found myself on the receiving end of a sweet deal. Patience has its rewards, however in my case it was impatience that led me to widen my net.

ATL

HAHAHAHAHA, says the guy with the 5th gen. Thats like someone on a $500 moped saying your maxima is "always, always ftl. always"... idiot, right?

your statement is asinine, 35k will get u a 2010 or so with low miles, so not too expensive(especially considering the performance you get). and a c6 doesnt get any worse mpg than our maximas, the ONLY reason it hasnt fit the OPs exact bill, is you cant get a brand new one for 35k. But theres a reason for that...

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Please show link of said $35,000 LOW MILE C6.
But you're half-way right about mileage, it can be tolerable if he's doing only highway driving and drives it like a grandma.

But what the heck is the point of buying a car like that then?

Either way, Corvette to me will always = Deuchbag. Stereotype? Sure. But that is how it is. The fact that the build qulity is 'meh', and the interior is about as nice as a cavaliers just kind of closes it out for me.

Anyways, I could be wrong, but it seems obvious to me that 2 door 1 season unrealistic sports car isn't really what this guy is looking for, but again, could be wrong.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

I may be misinterpreting things here, but the OP seems fairly aware of the practical requirements to a daily-driver, which are realistic constraints that fail with Corvette ownership. And while it's true that 35K USD certainly can buy you a new(ish) car that satisfies most priorities for your average auto enthusiast, describing Tuner's contribution to this discussion as "asinine" is... well, asinine.

This isn't the Off Topic forum. Play nice.

tseng1023

iTrader: (9)

'12 wrx

ATL

another asinine statement


and heres a 2009, first thing i saw when i searched, better deals can be found if you take your time

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/3232413392.html


but i wont sidetrack anymore, sorry. we all have our own personal preferences

T_Behr904

And this thread is going downhill, fast...

Wanting a daily driver that gets good gas mileage, fast and fun to drive, and under 35K. I'd rule out the BRZ/FRS since they aren't fast.

Since you're looking at a 2 door/rwd platform then I'd also suggest looking for a 350Z, preferably an HR. Those can be found easily under 35K, get good fuel economy, can easily be found with a 6 speed, and have lots of aftermarket support if you want to do any performance/suspension mods to it. And it has the VQ35 that everybody loves, and it makes a beautiful sound.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

Pretty sure there are millions of Miata owners who would chuckle at that assessment.

Fun > Fast, every day of the week.

ATL

lol, ive never even heard of the 2 cars mentioned in the OP. but a member here posted up some pics of his nismo 370z. it was really nice and under 35k. dont the 370s make some nice power?

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

And know how I know you probably have or want a Corvette? Because you already have the mindstate that the Corvette>All.

Inferior newts with 'maximas' have no say in the superiority of the "Vette".

T_Behr904

They are fast if they're boosted. A while back, my uncle had a Miata that was supercharged with a long tube header and Borla cat-back. That made it fun, and fast.

On another note, I wouldn't compare a Miata to a BRZ/FRS since the Miata is a much smaller, lighter car. It's basically a modern day British roadster.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

That's a really solid point.

I still haven't driven a BRZ or equivalent, so I can't really comment on whether that'd be a good route to go. If it's as fun as a miata, just plan a turbo and different rims into the price and you'll be laughing your a$$ off.

(because ugly rims, )

ATL

i feel that corvettes are the ultimate sports cars. the only cars that compete are boosted, but once the corvette is boosted, the game changes.

and with the op saying he is keeping his maxima for semi dd and bad weather, what better to get than the ultimate sports car.

as for me personally, im still in school so i dont have 35k to drop. i have to substitute initial investment with alittle elbow grease. im trying to find a ls3 to drop in my cobra. love the 5.0 but its out of date

Tyrone

2000se maxima to a 2005 M5 )

T_Behr904

As far as the Corvette being the ultimate sports car, I have do disagree. The new ones are nice, and they're fast cars if you can afford to drop six figures on the good one. Finding an older Vette under the 35K range will set you back to the "old days" of the Vette, poor fit and finish, squeaks and rattles galore, terrible seats and so on, and the handling is quirky... An older Vette pushed to it's limits can quickly bring you a Darwin Award.

As far as putting an LS in a Mustang, i'm not even going to comment on that And what year is the Cobra? The pushrod 5.0 went bye-bye in 95 when the 4.6 OHC came out in 96. Besides, there are plenty of Ford crate engine options for those Fox bodies.

2damax

Then are you really qualified to say that the vette is the ultimate sports car?

I like the idea of the BRZ. I want to suggest 370z or g37 to the OP. But I feel that is borderline cliché around here.

ATL

lol, i understand why you disagree, although i dont agree with the reasoning, i see where you are coming from. the cobra is a 95, and no matter which way you go about building them, the lifter valleys split around 450-500hp. ls motors can hold 2k plus, and if you can deal with the ls1 instead of ls3, the pricing cant be beat with that power/weight.

for instance, $1k lq4 long block + $750 l92 heads + $200 cam = 550hp for around 2k. or leave the 317 heads on the lq4, add 5.5 psi, and you have the same 550hp. both of them will last 100k miles.

check out this little junkyard turbo motor article, 60 dyno pulls making 1200hp with a $500 4.8l lsx: http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/h...g_bang_theory/

T_Behr904

Now that we're on the path to going OT here, exactly how much power do you want your SN 95 Mustang to have? There are plenty of Ford engines that can be made with horsepower and reliability in mind.

T_Behr904

Well this is a Maxima forum, and there's nothing wrong with sticking with a Nissan product, whether it seems cliche or not. They are very good cars for the money, especially in the used market.

ATL

550ish probably. but im not a huge fan of the mod motors. they are getting better each and every yr, but not my cup of tea, i prefer pushrods. i daily drove a 90 lx hatch with a 408 for 4 yrs before i bought my denali

mrbat

At the end of the day it depends on what you see yourself driving. To me the ultimate driving machine would be a gtr but for under 35k ill do another g35 (mine got totaled). You have back seats, can get parts anywhere, and drift. Therr is a looong list of cars that could work rx7,rb26 240sx, 350z, supra, or you could always buy alot of drugs, flip em and buy a gtr but hey its all bout what makes you comfortable

T_Behr904

Personally, if I had a 35K budget for a 2nd car, I'd pick up a Grand National. They are easily low 12 second cars with minimal mods, and I'd freshen up the suspension with a Hotchkis Sport suspension kit. And you would have tons of cool points at a car show or cruise-in since 99% of people who are true gearheads know what a Grand National is, unless you're a teenage high school kid that faps at every Civic you see with a body kit...

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

What?

Really?

And there it is.