hey everyone,
i'm looking to get a new (new to me, at least) daily driver pretty soon, and i'm not sure what to get. i need something that's both fun and reliable, and preferably somewhat cool or unique. i'm looking to spend no more than $10,000 and i'd prefer something with decent handling and 0-60 time in 8 seconds or less, and NO fwd. here's what i've come up with:

1995-96 Impreza L
1986 Mercedes 2.3-16 (167hp Cosworth engine)
1992 BMW 325i
1980's Porsche 944
1992 Toyota MR2 Turbo

any opinions? anything else i should be looking at?

BoomBap.

[This message has been edited by BoomBap (edited May 30, 2001).]

I can't really offer anything other than that, for fun factor alone, the Impreza would be the first car I kicked out of that list.

Personally, I'd go for the 325, but that's just me.

I got my 95 Impreza AWD 2.2L with 44K for under $10G.

Kevin

80's rx7, z car, supra, ae86, 323 gtx

Ok, daily driven, Decent yet don't care about, good gas milage...88-91 Honda Civic DX hatchback. With patience you can find one in good shape, cheap as hell ($1500-2000) easy to work on,Can't be beat.

Ken

Miata. In the fun-to-drive dept. it will beat all of those cars hands down. And be cheaper. And be more reliable. And it can be as fast as you want it to be. And it will seem even faster.

-J

P.S. - Heh. I just did a search on AutoTrader for 190E 2.3-16s and have to laugh at the descriptions: "1986 MERCEDES BENZ 190E 2.3-16, very nice, charcoal ext with black leather, chrome wheels, rare factory 16 valve COSWORTH VEGA engine, 5-speed" and "16V SHELBY VERSION RARE HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAR!" People are idiots...

you can find an old car that is fun and reliable, basically a grade A daily driver for well under 10grand... Look at your options some more in your local AutoShopper mag...
I just dont want to see you spend that much on a beater......
and whats wrong with FWD! if you dont want a gas guzzler than you dont have a choice bro!
(could be wrong, flame on RWDers)

I don't think the 1992 BMW 325i, being a first model year e36, would be a good choice.

What about a Subie SVX? Those are pretty unique http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Go drive an MR2 Turbo. If it's fun and performance your after, you won't look back. Oh yeah, you get Toyota reliability too.

How about the old GTX with a J-Spec front bumper and a 1.8L motor with alot of work and your still under the $10K range.
A 1992 Galant VR4 (4bolt rear end) and alot of mods is also under the $10K range.
Just what are you after all out speed or dependable? You know you will have to give up some of the one in order to get some of the other.

May I suggest a Legacy Turbo (91-94).
AWD, Turbo and for sure in your price range.

Dave

1990-1991 BMW 325is

SVX's are nice but they get 20mpg on premium gas, and the transmissions are unreliable in early years. Depends on what daily driving means to you. Great car for covering hundreds of miles.

I recommend the MR2 turbo. Bulletproof, bulletproof, bulletproof. Beautiful car. Stock, 0-60 in 6 flat. You can chop 1/2 second off that with cheap and free mods, and from there the sky's the limit. Great interior, great head turner, big following. Drive one and you might be sold.

IMHO, out of the cars you mentioned, only the 2 and the Impreza stand a real chance that you can buy one and drive it for the rest of your life and never need anything but scheduled maintenance. And if it does need a new water pump, etc, it's not going to bleed you dry like a Benz or Porsche part.

cheers
mbs
'00 mr2
'92 svx

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/513.html

-Nick

Suzuki Swift GT, about $2K or so, low gas consumption, easy to work on and good autoxer.

Definitely the MR2 turbo...especially since you are in a relatively dry climate in SF. Check out www.mr2.com (http://www.mr2.com) for quite a few ads of cars for sale in the bay area. The 3SGTE engine is a solid unit if taken care of. Ive seen them get to 250000 miles with few problems. The 88-93 Celica AllTracs have the same turbo motor in an all wheel drive platform...but are very rare and hard to find. You can try www.allwheelmotion.com (http://www.allwheelmotion.com) and http://alltrac.net for ads.

The older used German cars wont be as fun and will drain your wallet.

Mike

[This message has been edited by AllWheelsDriven (edited May 31, 2001).]

For the fun factor, go for the MR2... If you want it to last a long time or need luggage space, go for the Impreza or a Legacy GT.

Legacy Turbo

92 buick regal (haha its fast but ugly)

I second Sporin's suggestion: 1990-91 325is. I have a 86 325es myself with 207500 miles on it but still running strong. I only had to replace the timing belt and brake pads (nothing major) when I bought the car a year ago, and I have not encounter any major problems. the late model e30 325is is a even better street driver than e30 M3's.

Galant VR4's are nice too. Ooops I'm not suppose to say that to lower the already decreasing supply until I save up enough money to get one http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by bomberbboy (edited May 31, 2001).]

You're in Cali... get a bike. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif That's waaaay under 8s 0-60.

The only problem I see with all your ideas is high maintenance cost, except for the Impreza L which won't meet your performance goal. The MR2 is fantastically reliable but if something does need to be done in the engine bay, the labor hours can be high. It would be what I'd suggest if you absolutely must stick to your list.

Other than the "different" cause I'd suggest a manual tranny Mustang (pre-95, they suck since then) or 93-up Camaro. Cheap, cheap parts, sorry interior, but easily under the 0-60 goal especially the Camaros. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

1995 Jetta GLX VR6 or GTI VR6

http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif Jettas suck http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif
I know I used to own one.

Brian

Check out a volvo, try around a late 80's to early 90's 740 or 760 turbo. Your in san fransisco so volvos are very popular in that area.

get a Galant VR4. i used to have one (92 777/1000), but it got wrecked...so im looking for another one at this time...

cal