Need some ideas on buying a particular car

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by Synack

He said 4 door might be fine. Just no 2 seaters. He wants a bit of practicality, which cars like the 350Z just simply do not offer.

FD RX7 is a two-seater.

edit: How much is a "good bit" of money, too? My vote goes with a 1 series M. If not, a 135i.

[MightyMeeple]

Supra Mark IV?

Back seat is as bad if not worse than the twins though.

[strat61caster]

I actually think his best bet is an RX8, it'll be more reliable than an RX7 and more practical and cheaper if he goes hunting properly. Nearly 400 and 600 lbs lighter than the Lexus and BMW respectively mentioned in the OP (By the way, BMW weighs too much for your criteria). More power than the Lexus and better chance of finding a manual (which apparently wasn't even offered in the car for awhile wtf). I'd put it on par with the BMW, more enthusiast interest means more manuals, more heavily abused examples but also more examples worth having than the trophy wife's Lexus.

In case OP hasn't seen it:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jImHTWfj8aM"]FRS (GT86, BRZ) vs RX8 vs S2000 Review - Everyday Driver - YouTube[/ame]

The RX8 kind of looks like the loser in this video but it comes out on top in terms of practicality and comfort, it could be car he loves to drive and will introduce him into performance vehicles.

Also, he'll be faster than any stock 86 in a straight line (presuming he gets the good engine) and around the bends if he works at it and puts on sticky tires.

Edit: But of course he could be a total asshat, blow the motor in 10k miles, get disinterested and move on. Or even worse do a motor swap. If he's kind of a tool I'd say go for the Lexus, if he's a poser go for the BMW, if he's actually interested in having a good time and he's rather cool than the RX8.

Edit 2: If he likes the FRS/BRZ but doesn't want to spend the money the RX8 is the closest car until you go back to the 240.

[ZionsWrath]

lol your list is what i was looking for a couple years ago and lead me to the twins. Now I have one so...........

GL

[Synack]

Originally Posted by n2oinferno

FD RX7 is a two-seater.

edit: How much is a "good bit" of money, too? My vote goes with a 1 series M. If not, a 135i.

Ah I never knew that, thought it was 2+2.

He doesn't want an expensive new car. He wants the above criteria for a car he can beat on that won't be horrifically expensive to fix.

135i is way too new and BMW is way too expensive on repairs.

Originally Posted by MightyMeeple

Supra Mark IV?

Back seat is as bad if not worse than the twins though.

Good Supra's are like 30k plus lol.

[Synack]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I actually think his best bet is an RX8, it'll be more reliable than an RX7 and more practical and cheaper if he goes hunting properly.

Myself, him, and many other people agree that the RX-8 is god awful compared to the RX-7 and many other cars of today. It looks terrible most importantly.

Also he isn't new to fast cars. We've been driving quick cars together for awhile. He went the FWD then AWD route with 500awhp STi. The goal is a RWD car with the above criteria, including motor swap, that can be beat on. He's been tossing around LS2 motor, 2JZ TT, etc.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Synack

Myself, him, and many other people agree that the RX-8 is god awful compared to the RX-7 and many other cars of today. It looks terrible most importantly.

Sounds like he's a BMW man (ironic for someone who cares about looks), best of luck.

:happy0180:

Surprised though as the RX-8 checks LITERALLY every box on your list, and the BMW is a pig in the weight department.

[Synack]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Sounds like he's a BMW man (ironic for someone who cares about looks), best of luck.

:happy0180:

Surprised though as the RX-8 checks LITERALLY every box on your list, and the BMW is a pig in the weight department.

I edited the post above a bit. He considers 3400+ a pig, which is why muscle cars were mentioned. It doesn't have to be AS lightweight as our cars. The IS300 seems to be fitting this bill nicely. Or E36/E46. I agree though a bit about the E46, it's a tad pigly.

[King Tut]

After reading this thread, I don't think there is a single car that meets his qualifications.

[Synack]

Originally Posted by King Tut

After reading this thread, I don't think there is a single car that meets his qualifications.

That's why the thread was started, just in case we missed something. Too bad Supras are too expensive.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Synack

I edited the post above a bit. He considers 3400+ a pig, which is why muscle cars were mentioned. It doesn't have to be AS lightweight as our cars. The IS300 seems to be fitting this bill nicely. Or E36/E46. I agree though a bit about the E46, it's a tad pigly.

To each their own, I just find it absurd to toss out a car based on looks alone, if you haven't checked out the video I posted you really should.

The Lexus and BMW do seem to be good cars to cross shop though if that's what's hitting the right buttons for him at the moment then go for it. Good luck finding a manual Lexus.

Originally Posted by King Tut

After reading this thread, I don't think there is a single car that meets his qualifications.

What criteria is the RX8 missing? Looks are subjective and not specified in the OP.

[Synack]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

To each their own, I just find it absurd to toss out a car based on looks alone, if you haven't checked out the video I posted you really should.

The Lexus and BMW do seem to be good cars to cross shop though if that's what's hitting the right buttons for him at the moment then go for it. Good luck finding a manual Lexus.


What criteria is the RX8 missing? Looks are subjective and not specified in the OP.

Your point is entirely valid. However, most car people will agree that if the car doesn't look good, then it's not worth buying. That's like getting a girl because she's awesome at sex and BJ's but she lacks in the looks department. Not GF or wife material lol. Some people can live with a fast ugly car. Some can't. I personally never liked the RX-8's, but he completely despises them.

[Synack]

So far IS300 is the winner. A clean low mileage manual IS300 goes for $10-15k. Already has a fantastic motor too.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Synack

Some people can live with a fast ugly car. Some can't. I personally never liked the RX-8's, but he completely despises them.

Hah, more examples of excellent cars for me, I think they look better than the 86. Like I said, good luck finding a manual, there are more posts LOOKING for a manual IS300 than people selling manual IS300's in my area.