I just realized I can't afford an FR-S :/ What should I get instead??

[dtrop]

You made the mature decision not to buy something you currently can't afford, but I would look to purchasing something that fits your lifestyle more so than your desires in a car.

You should be looking for an economy car with great gas mileage. 25,000 is quite a bit of miles for one year and saving on fuel will help you build savings to maybe one day buying a more desirable car.

with your budget, you could get a barely used civic achieving 40 mpg while having decent storage space. It won't be a desirable car for you, but you'll save good money at the pump.

I can't think of any RWD car in your price range that will give you the same feel as BRZ/FRS AND with GOOD reliability while having good storage space. Now if you wanted to take out reliability......rx8, mini cooper

maybe consider a Veloster?


Maybe consider where you will be or where you hope to be financially in 3-4 years and then maybe consider getting a twin.


*I personally also would hate to see 25,000 be racked up every year on a little sports car (even though some members here already do).

[dtrop]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

That's the hard point to stomach about the 86. There simply are no lightweight RWD 2+2s for anywhere near the price. Everything RWD and cheap is either a piggish GT or a 2 seat roadster.

So I'd say give a Fiat 500 Abarth a good look.

Not RWD, but FUN and tunable with OpenFlashTablet for $500 to have very nice power (180 WHP/ 207WTQ) for a 2500 lb car. Lots of room for its' size. Good fuel mileage. Gorgeous exhaust sound from the factory. Chuckable. Huge aftermarket. $15k will get you a decent used 2012 - 2013 one all day. Great owner's community and IMO it's more interesting than a Fiesta ST.

I've put merchandise in a customers Fiat before.....sorry, but there is simply not enough storage space, especially for someone specifically looking for a decent amount.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by dtrop

I've put merchandise in a customers Fiat before.....sorry, but there is simply not enough storage space, especially for someone specifically looking for a decent amount.

Wrong.

I own an Abarth and have moved all kinds of large items in mine. Including music instruments, furniture, and audio gear that wouldn't fit in my FR-S. The car is taller than it looks inside and that's where you find the space. If an FR-S was big enough for the OP, than an Abarth would be easily.



One bike, two cars... which one fits better? Which car has more space left over?

[Brndn704]

Originally Posted by juliog

Miata. If buying new, the NC (3rd gen) is being replaced by the ND, and dealerships are giving them away.

Or just buy a used NA/NB/NC.

I wouldn't recommend a S2000 with a 15K budget. Mileage is pretty bad (20MPG) and any example under $20K will need work.

lol wut?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...99808119&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...05980396&Log=0

Thats just a quick search on Autotrader. There are plenty of them out there. Low mileage, no accidents, clean. Just got to look. It won't just pop up and slap you in the face.

The FRS doesn't get that much better gas mileage...

[strat61caster]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54356

My money would have been towards an RX-8 in all likelihood.

Another vote for checking out Hot Hatches, FWD cars can handle really well if you've got the skills to back it up. I saw a Mini Cooper run an AutoX about 0.5 seconds slower than a full up 911 GT2 last weekend.

Edit: I'd be wary of a $15k S2k, whenever I look they need several hundred dollars (if not thousands if replacing the top) of parts and inspection before I'd trust them to run at 10/10ths, RX-8 isn't any better but there's a lot more headroom in your budget.

[BlackJesus]

FWD=civic si-Most reliable
RWD=Rx8, g35, gti
AWD=WRX, impreza, 3series

[Pickleahoy]

The man is saying he drives 25k a year, needs something highly reliable and you all are suggesting an RX-8? Is this opposite land?

For 15k just get an S2000

[Brndn704]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54356

My money would have been towards an RX-8 in all likelihood.

Another vote for checking out Hot Hatches, FWD cars can handle really well if you've got the skills to back it up. I saw a Mini Cooper run an AutoX about 0.5 seconds slower than a full up 911 GT2 last weekend.

Edit: I'd be wary of a $15k S2k, whenever I look they need several hundred dollars (if not thousands if replacing the top) of parts and inspection before I'd trust them to run at 10/10ths, RX-8 isn't any better but there's a lot more headroom in your budget.

Sure, if you want to replace the engine, have to rev to high RPM's everyday, not being able to just crank the car up and back it out and shut it off without flooding the engine; get an RX8.

[mikool]

Are you not able to finance a car? or 15k is your finance budget?
I don't see why you wouldn't be able to put 15k down on a brand new 86.

[juliog]

Originally Posted by Brndn704

lol wut?

I own both, and I stand by my opinion. Common stuff:

Soft top tears
Worn clutch
Broken engine mounts
Worn tires
Fluids
Worn brake pads
Spark plugs
Valves clearances out of adjustment (need valve adjustment)
Suspension out of alignment, accelerating tire wear and impacting handling
Car untuned (or worse, running a bad tune) for aftermarket boltons

What I'm saying is, if you buy a $15K S2K, budget for a few thousands more to fix stuff soon after purchase. If your *total* budget is $15K, don't buy one. But that really should go for any used car, specially sports cars.

And while commuting I get 30MPG on my FR-S, and 20MPG on my 07 AP2.

[DannyQ86]

Why the fuck would you replace the engine? Revving to 9k is part of the fun. Have you ever driven an s2k..?
Wait, after re reading I think you are talking about the pos rx8 lol my bad

[e1_griego]

Focus ST? not rwd, small, whatever. But tons of room and they're fun to drive.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by mikool

Are you not able to finance a car? or 15k is your finance budget?
I don't see why you wouldn't be able to put 15k down on a brand new 86.

lol wut?

[DarkSunrise]

1 yo used Fiesta ST. It's not RWD, but supposedly a very fun car with decent cargo space for your gear. Also gets good gas mileage.

New they're going for ~$17k, so you should be able to get a lightly used one in the $15k range.