Quote from: sachu on October 19, 2012, 10:11:50 PM

So i'v been looking at cars lately and so far the following jump to mind:

G35 coupe 2005 and up
Pontiac GTO 2006
merc CLK500 2004-2005
Subaru WRX 2008 hatchback
Audi S4 2004-2005
BMW 330 series 2005-2006

Recommend me any other RWD cars and i am all ears... 20k and under used.

Addendum.. needs to have 2 seats in the rear..so a 2+2 config...mandatory. don't care if its made for spaghetti children or not but needs to have it.

I'm not a fan of the first generation G35. They're fun, but also crude. The interior is from a Nissan that barely escaped bankruptcy, and it shows. They were so cheap with the first few years that they didn't even bother to create different dashes for the left and right hand drive versions, they just covered the unused keyhole. I also thought the seat adjustments by the driver's right thigh made the seat uncomfortable. I'm glad Nissan saw through the error of that. Those years were not the best at Mercedes Benz. That's not to say that you shouldn't buy a CLK under any circumstances if you love it, but a *spotless* service record is an absolute must. Any holes in the history or a bunch of repair trips, and walk away. They'll only get worse.

The V8 B6/B7 S4 is a hoot. It doesn't handle like the current car with its torque shifting diff, but it's got a great engine. Audi guys will probably tell you to put in something like Koni FSD dampers and maybe different sways to improve the ride/handling balance. If you're after a 3 series, you need to decide which one you want. The 2005 and the 2006 are totally different cars. Personally I wouldn't recommend the '06, first MY Audi, BMW, or Mercedes is asking for it.

My pick of the group is probably the S4. As with the Mercedes a perfect service record is a must. The nice thing about them is that you can just swap in Audi's 2012 NAV system (runs about $1200) with the appropriate face plate for the S4, and you get the SD card slots and latest NAV setup, Bluetooth and everything else. The first gen G35 and 2005 3 series can't be modernized like that, the CLK I'm not sure about.

Thanks for the thoughts Dave.

What exactly do you mean by the sentence i have bolded/underlined?

So now I am getting my 96 subaru with the 2.5 engine worked on. Putting in a 2.2 liter blcok in it with 180k on it. Its going to be domewhat overhauled with new seals, gaskets and such.

I haven't decided if i will fix it up and keep it or sell it.

Now while talking to my subaru mechanic he had a customer there with a modified Subaru legacy GT. One option to cosider for me is to get him to custom build a EJ25 with turbowith a 5 speed short shift transmission with STI suspension package in a older style impreza body. I'd be looking at about 10k when all things said and done.. but with a 300BHP AWD car..

I know I am all over the place right now. But man i hate car shopping. Guess i better start driving a few and check it out and see what fits well for me. AM even considering a 2010 V6 camaro

Price of diesel and gas is separating a bit. We'll see how it is by the time the Cruze diesel is out in early 2013. The premium for the diesel bits and higher cost of diesel might put me in a 2013 Cruze Eco MT since I can run on regular which is running about 70-75 cents cheaper.

I do really like the diesel feel, but the numbers aren't adding up.

If you're even halfway considering a diesel, a Jetta TDI is a must-try.  I love mine, and the price difference between a Jetta TDI and an A3 TDI will pay for Stax 009s and a LL.

It's official.  280hp Turbo BRZ.


http://www.thetorquereport.com/2012/10/subaru_is_working_on_a_turboch.html#more

Not too surprised..was bound to happen..am sure a TRD package on the FR-S is probably on its way too.

So what year Legacy GT you got Anax? What sorta mods you got on it so far?

This seems interesting..
http://salem.craigslist.org/cto/3306146199.html

Yeah we knew, just didn't know if it would go Subie Turbo or TRD supercharger.  It has more room for the latter tbh and could probably use the more linear torque curve.

2005.  Just wheels and tires.  Had planned to rip out the engine when I got it all along.  Trying to figure out if what I want can be dropped into a FRS/BRZ later just in case.  Wasn't going to touch the suspension as it's my comfy car.  I might if I do a remote Tein electronic adjustable system from inside the cabin, but not touching the sway bars.  Needs to stay my comfy long distance car.  I'm looking into the new Legacy seats too, those are soooo plush.

I would be wary of buying tuner cars.  The probability they fucked it up is exponential.  I'd also want to see proof they passed smog/emissions testing.  Make sure you will.  He's likely selling because he's out of the smog exemption window and wants to pass on the future pain to someone else.

I would be wary of buying tuner cars.  The probability they fucked it up is exponential.  I'd also want to see proof they passed smog/emissions testing.  Make sure you will.  He's likely selling because he's out of the smog exemption window and wants to pass on the future pain to someone else.

Agreed. The more things that are on there the more chances they were done sloppily or on the cheap, and the more chance of major stress to the underlying hardware. Always buy stock.