Help me [maybe?] choose a new car:
 

So, the engine in my current car is, to save you from a sort of long winded explanation, in need of being replaced. On top of that, more and more quirks have began to surface. As I am going to be moving in the near future, I have started thinking about selling my car and looking for something newer. I absolutely love my car. But with my busy schedule, it's very difficult to find time to fix the things that need to be fixed. Also, I wonder, if I do fork out the coin to get everything fixed, how often will things continue to break; the car is now 20 years old.

So, reluctantly, I have started thinking of newer alternatives. This is where you guys/gals come in. Although I have spent considerable time thinking this through, it never hurts to get a few different perspectives on the matter.

To get my car where I would like it to be, and assuming that I would have to pay someone to do the longblock swap, it would be somewhere in between 12-15k. If I am going to make the necessary modifications/repairs, I want to make sure it's right [I have neither the time, nor the adequate space to work]

Or, the alternative would be to swap a stock LS1/6 and sell the car to mitigate the cost of something newer.

Here is my tentative list of things I have considered:

996 GT3
C6Z
'10/'11 GTR Although, I'm not sure if I could give up rowing my own gears. . .
BMW 135/1M
NA2 NSX

I love the idea of a Boss 302, but I can't stand the way the mustang looks. The idea of an Exige is also intriguing, but as this will likely be my daily driver, I'm not sure if it would be a good idea.

I would love to keep my car, but I can't say that I would be unhappy with any of the other cars. I can't seem to make up my mind: So, I come to you. If you were me, what would you do?

Anything I choose will see auto-x events, but will be primarily a street car.

Thanks in advance for your opinion!

Wait, so you don't already have an FR-S or BRZ?

Seems to me like he's aspiring a little higher than a FR-S/BR-Z can provide. Out of that list the 1m and the NSX pop out at me, maybe because they're both dream cars of mine. Can't give you any real idea though :/ Honestly just search around and if one comes up, test drive it and decide whether it's what you're looking for or not. Obviously you have the money for these cars so don't be afraid to kick tires (flashing cash always makes owners a little more eager to let you drive their baby...).

Effing GTR.

you are asking for advice of a luxury sports car on an frs-brz forum? lol...

you are going to get a lot of responses....

I would go with the GT3, that is a SEXY car. Porsche usually builds solid vehicles, too.

996 GT3


GTR average ownership lasts 1 year for a reason...

Definitely 1M , I used to own the 302.. It was an amazing car no doubt , but like you said it doesn't look very good

I vote NSX because I love those cars! not sure how they are at autox though haha

If a boss 302 peaked you're interest test drive a 1le camaro. I test drive one and they feel awesome, great power and 1g on the skidpad. I will most likely trade my brz for one.

What is the budget? 30 to 40k used?

^^^this. I was never a fan of the newer SS Camaro, but the 1LE package is freakin sweet. If I could have afforded it that is what I would've bought.

Of the cars on your list: 996 GT3, C6Z, and 1M. I'd test drive those three and pick the one you like best.

Godzirra

NSX, GT3, and 1 M are all excellent but very different cars. GTR is awesome but I agree with you on rowing your own gears.

The GTR tops my list out of the cars listed. The 996 was the worst body style ever on the porsche...even the GT3 looked bland. The C6Z is not a liveable car, it's a riot to drive, but if you plan on daily driving it, better prepare yourself. The 1M I am just not a fan of because i will never own a BMW due to some shitty customer service when i was looking to buy a new M3. A used NSX is fun to dream about owning, but from people i talk to it is much like the C6Z in that it's not a great DD, not to mention the fact that the car is starting to show its age. As for the Mustang...that's a choice only you can make, but i find the cars to be hideous and also heavy feeling cars. The laguna seca is a great track car but still wallows in turns compared to something like the GT-R, Z06, 996, NSX, and even the 1M.

After driving a few GT-R's they are amazing, they act like a *****cat driving around town but when you want to lay the smack down on pretty much anything with wheels, it can do that too. Also for it's size it handles superbly, it's almost magical how the car disappears under you...well when you are pushing it the car feels smaller and rotates like a smaller car. I want one pretty badly if you can't tell but it's on my "someday" list...not my "right now list".

Why does a longblock swap cost $12-15k for an FD RX7? Am I missing something? Are you wanting some custom 4 rotor swap?

http://www.rx7store.net/product_p/20b%20engine.htm
And that's a 3 rotor. Keep the 7, ported rotaries sound sick!

The FD is already set up for an LSX; sub-frame, trans, wiring, A/C, P/S, Cruise are already established. Personally, it would be more trouble than it would be worth to put a rotary back in. If I did something with a rotary, I would want it in smaller, lighter car; maybe like a Datsun 510? The cost of fixing it includes: a built 416 based LS3, with a 4" stroke, ported heads, cam, FAST 102 intake, &etc. Also, the cost I listed includes the prospect of an IRS Ford rear end. Since this setup would be easily capable of ~550/500, the factory rear won't cut it.

Although I am leaning towards keeping my car and hoping that it will be reliable, the prospect of a new car is intriguing. This is why I'm here: to get some fresh, new ideas. Thanks for all of your opinions so far.

As much as I'd like an NSX, NA2 prices don't seem to justify the product.
I'm not really fond of the 996 aesthetic, either, but the 997 GT3 is still a little out of my price range.

At this point, it is between keeping my car, a C6Z, or a 996 GT3. I guess I might still consider an R35, but the transmission and routine maintenance cost are two major negatives.

Am I missing any other viable alternatives?

You've got the 1M up there, why not the M3?

I can't really explain it, but while I like the 1M, I can't jive with the idea of an M3.

I guess I'm going to start looking for cars to test drive, but every time I pass my FD I wonder if I will ever be able to part with it. ;_;

If you like the idea of the Exige but want something more liveable, how about an Evora?

1M by a landslide for me.

I was thinking about a 996 or C6. Very glad I went with the LS RX-7 :)

Thanks for all of your help guys. I thought about it, and I just can't sell my car. I love it too much. If anything, after I throw more parts at the FD, I could keep it and get a second hand BRZ as a daily next year. :]