Mazda3

Subaru STI. Would be good in a Maine winter too. I was going to go with a Mustang but high horsepower and a rear wheel drive is a no go until I get to a no snow climate.

I bet I could get my brother to part with his 1936 Ford coup he inherited. It’s in Roanoke VA, so you’d have to go trailer it home. It hasn’t driven since 1962, but after the bulldozer, fixing it up a little should be a breeze.

quote:

Originally posted by Bytes:
Subaru STI. Would be good in a Maine winter too. I was going to go with a Mustang but high horsepower and a rear wheel drive is a no go until I get to a no snow climate.

I dunno about an STI but 8K will buy you a good WRX...try to find a 2005 or earlier. The 2 liters are really good cars if you don't screw with them too much...

I know you fix stuff... too bad you ain't close to me. I got a '00 Miata with a broke engine. I think my grandson money shifted it, broke rod. Cheap. I have a removable hard top on it. Make a good project, but, needs a paint job, the rag top is toast and some upholstery work. Only thing is you could probably buy one running for what it would take to fix it proper. I didn't need another project so I just bought a new one.

I'll likely hit up the Nashville Miata club and see if anyone need a pars / project car.

Yeah, Subaru WRX would, I mean is my pick for fun car. Thing handles well, fast, good mpg. All wheel drive, great in foul weather ( as long as you have appropriate tires ).


ARman

Ford Fiesta ST. 2014s (first year) will obviously be the lowest-priced.
I have a 2016. Turbocharged, manual 6-speed, light.
It's a hoot.

The newer Mini JCW. Put a Dinan or NM tune on it and pushing 270 hp and almost 300 ft lbs torque in a 2700 lb car. Go cart.

I have an S2000 and a 2016 JCW. Love em both, but the JCW is a lot faster. Putting a bigger SC on S2000.

Mazda 3

My pal Rick, who is around seven feet tall and rangy with it, drives a Corvette from two past generations ago. Seems that the seat rails go back far enough to accommodate him. He DOES stick out of the top some, though.

Hmm, replacement toy for the motorcycle in standard.
Miata, keep the top down.
It’s essentially a motorcycle with sidecar.

I'd vote Jeep. CJ of some variety, since you can wrench.

The fastest pursuit I was ever a part of was with one of those Velosters. Speeds were north of 140mph if I remember correctly. I remember thinking that I couldn't believe the cars had the ability to go as fast as they hit (a police Tahoe was at 142 or something crazy).

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
I bet I could get my brother to part with his 1936 Ford coup he inherited. It’s in Roanoke VA, so you’d have to go trailer it home. It hasn’t driven since 1962, but after the bulldozer, fixing it up a little should be a breeze.

Hmmmmmmmm. Details? Pix? Wife would REALLY go for that!

Used Chevy SS. Australian design. European manual transmission. Looks smart but not attention grabber, until you see what the monster under the hood does.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
While I'm not at all sure it's here yet, I can see the time coming when the smart thing to do will be to quit riding motorcycles.

I have conditional permission to replace the motorcycle with a "fun car" when the time comes.

I was originally thinking Miata, but that's a pretty tight fit for a 5-11 and 200 pounds old fart that already finds getting in and out of a Corolla problematic at times (knees, hips, back).

So, what else is out there that is available with a manual transmission, is fun to drive and reasonably comfortable? Used, no doubt and in the $6000 to $8000 range.

I went through this exact scenario back in 2003 and ended up with a new Honda S2000. Friends teased that with the 9k rpm redline it was a motorcycle with 4 wheels. Still have and enjoy it and don't miss my old motorcycles (mostly big British twins) although I do reminiscence.

A nice used one would fit your bill perfectly. And oh yeah I had a 1996 Miata earlier.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
Ford mustang, get a convertible if the need is there and you have a garage to keep it in!

A 'Stang is on the short list, but I'd have to rent one or something first. I suspect comfort might be an issue, they're pretty small.

Never been attracted to ragtops.

I am 6’2” 245 and never had an issue in any of mine or other folks.
I agree to stay away from convertibles.

BMW 2 series.

quote:

Originally posted by kz1000:
BMW 2 series.

Keine deutschen Autos. Too expensive to buy and maintain.

allo stesso modo, nessuna auto italiana for the same reason.

Likewise, English cars.

Since you have ruled out older German cars, I would suggest the same as a few here have suggested. Subaru WRX. Don’t get anything older than a 2004.
02-03 Bugeye was a great looking car, with a glassbox transmission.
04-07 are pretty solid. They also have the 2.5. (06-07 STI is my favorite of the Subaru models.)
08 was a turd. Steer far away.
09 looks like an 08, but has a much larger stock turbo. Was a huge improvement.
If you can find one that hasn’t been molested and modded, that’ll be the trick. If some kid has slapped on a TBE and an Accessport and driven the dog piss out if it, you might want to steer clear.

02-03 had the 2.0 turbo.
4-13 had the 2.5 in both the WRX and the STI. Solid engine.
14 and newer I don’t know a whole lot about. The WRX went to a different 2.0 platform, not the EJ20. Engineers say it’s better, but if you want tunable cars and power, no thanks.

Have you considered a Honda S2000? You should be able to find one in that price range if you are patient. Also, Honda IN ITS INFINITE WISDOM didn’t offer the S2000 with an automatic transmission. Yep that’s right they are ALL MANUAL!

Fun fact. The Honda RC51’s dash is almost identical in design and aesthetic to the S2000. They are so close that I don’t think it was an accident.

If I had to give up my beloved motorcycles I personally would get either a S2000 or a Boxster S. Manual, high revving and able to carve up a twisty road would be my requirements.