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

[BlackJesus]

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.

if you have terrible credit you have can 90% down and they still wont let you finance. Especially with people who filed bankruptcy.

[DannyQ86]

Originally Posted by juliog

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.

Most of the things you listed are normal wear and maintenance things. Any car will need tires, clutch, pads, fluids, a valve adjustment etc. don't really see your point

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Brndn704

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.

Wait are you talking about an RX-8 or 86?
Literally every descriptor you just said can apply to the Toyobaru, including the, at this point mysterious, starting issues.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37138
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25822
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22351
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18874

Not to mention the FA20 is still unproven, not many have exceeded powertrain warranty yet, they could all fall apart by 100k whereas the updated Renesis is pretty solid to 150k and RX-8's are cheap enough to buy one, replace an engine and have a couple grand left over for gas and consumables with OP's $15k budget.

OP wanted a car like the Toyobaru, the resounding answer is RX-8. If OP wants a reliable commuter I don't think I'd suggest anything anyone has suggested in this thread. S2k included as all the examples I've seen at $15k need a minimum of several hundred dollars worth of consumables and lots of inspection before I'd feel safe driving it as intended, not to say that isn't a worry with the RX-8 only that there's budget left to do so.

It's kind of like buying a Corvette or Porsche for economy car prices and expecting economy car maintenance, that simply isn't the case and you have to be extremely wary of whether the previous owner knows that or not, that goes for any performance vehicle that will see more than light street duty whether it's a CRX or Ferrari 458. I'm not the only person in this thread advising against a $15k (or cheaper) S2k.

What is best for OP is probably the nicest Civic Si he can find under budget so he's got some money leftover to keep the car in good shape. But that's not what was asked.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by DannyQ86

Most of the things you listed are normal wear and maintenance things. Any car will need tires, clutch, pads, fluids, a valve adjustment etc. don't really see your point

Point is that a $15k S2k is going to cost you much more than $15k at the end of the day. If OP doesn't have that money he'll have a car that could do damage to itself and he's SOL.

[Chad11491]

most rotary "issues" are because it's a different type of engine than what joe blow is used to dealing with, and they don't account for it's special requirements, thus leading to problems. If properly looked after (starting and stopping them correctly, letting them warm up before turning them back off, checking oil levels) they are damn reliable. Plus it's not a big deal to rebuild one after 150k miles or so. It takes much less time than a piston engine and is relatively cheap to do. It's cheaper than a clutch job on a 944 to completely rebuild a rotary engine. Seriously.

Although I still wouldn't DD one. If OP wants a sporty car with decent space I'd recommend an RSX or prelude for FWD, RWD I'd go with 300zx (TT even at his budget. They are reliable, but slightly expensive when you need to do major service, but not too bad), 350z, or if you don't mind mediocre handling a medium mileage mustang GT. Or just save your pennies for now and get an 86 when you can afford one.

[DAEMANO]

Sorry @Chad11491

Rotary as reliable powerplant for a 25k mi/yr car = pipe dream. I love RX-8's but let's not give this guy regrettable advice.

If you have to start it special, drive it special, and stop it special to keep it from leaking, burning or exploding, it's not reliable.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

Sorry @Chad11491

Rotary as reliable powerplant for a 25k mi/yr car = pipe dream. I love RX-8's but let's not give this guy regrettable advice.

If you have to start it special, drive it special, and stop it special to keep it from leaking, burning or exploding, it's not reliable.

We don't say special, we say "differently abled"



And at this point 25k miles per year may be inadvisable for an 86 as well, the one guy who's on here that's publicly surpassed 100k miles went through an engine in the process and he's not the only one...

[why?]

Honestly with your requirements op I would suggest a used Yaris. Dirt cheap to buy and own, sensational reliability, and they are actually surprisingly fun to drive. Plus in good condition you can get them for $5k, and they will last to the end of time.

And you can then save up your cash for a second car to use as a toy, so you don't need to put 25k miles on a sports car.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

We don't say special, we say "differently abled"



And at this point 25k miles per year may be inadvisable for an 86 as well, the one guy who's on here that's publicly surpassed 100k miles went through an engine in the process and he's not the only one...

Lol ok to that on the rotary.

On the 86, my only 2 peeps on the board that are over 25k mi/yr (one FR-S one BRZ) have neither had major engine issues. For as hard as these cars are driven, I think they're turning out to be decently reliable.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by why?

Honestly with your requirements op I would suggest a used Yaris. Dirt cheap to buy and own, sensational reliability, and they are actually surprisingly fun to drive. Plus in good condition you can get them for $5k, and they will last to the end of time.

And you can then save up your cash for a second car to use as a toy, so you don't need to put 25k miles on a sports car.

This is not a bad idea if he's got the parking. 5-8k reliable DD beater + 5-8k pure track toy. He could liquidate either in a few years for what he paid or a minor loss and then buy the next-gen 2018 86. Lots of fun to be had on this route.

[Zed]

Originally Posted by why?

Honestly with your requirements op I would suggest a used Yaris. Dirt cheap to buy and own, sensational reliability, and they are actually surprisingly fun to drive. Plus in good condition you can get them for $5k, and they will last to the end of time.

And you can then save up your cash for a second car to use as a toy, so you don't need to put 25k miles on a sports car.

Agree with this logic. Sounds like OP's driving lifestyle and limited budget pretty much prices out of these econo-enthusiast tiered cars. I'd be conservative and go towards a boring but reliable (read toyota boring, or honda snooze) sedans/hatches in the 5-10k range, save the 5k towards the 86's down payment later on.

Edit: DAEMANO beat me to it

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

Lol ok to that on the rotary.

On the 86, my only 2 peeps on the board that are over 25k mi/yr (one FR-S one BRZ) have neither had major engine issues. For as hard as these cars are driven, I think they're turning out to be decently reliable.

They've got posts claiming 100k miles with no problems? I'd love to have more confidence in the FA20 long term but Blaine's the only person I've seen beating on it with high mileage. I'll be up there about three years from now given my current habits, would be nice to know if I should budget for a DD if my engine is going to let go at 85k like his did and I will rebuild it in my garage, or sooner like others have. Feel free to PM me the links if you've got them.



Edit: One problem in the side racecar theory: You've assumed that OP is doing something intensive, I saw no mention of AutoX or HPDE or competitive events. Most people don't do that kind of thing even on this board. A side project car is likely more hassle than it's worth to the average Joe.

[dtrop]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

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?

You need to calm down.

I gave my personal opinion based upon what I believe is to be quality cargo space. I do not know what the op believes to be quality cargo space.

You don't need to get all defensive and butt hurt because my opinion is different than yours.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by dtrop

You need to calm down.

I gave my personal opinion based upon what I believe is to be quality cargo space. I do not know what the op believes to be quality cargo space.

You don't need to get all defensive and butt hurt because my opinion is different than yours.

Lol. If you go back and re-read your post, you stated your opinion as fact and provided an anecdote. I responded with an anecdote, but then also posted pics and evidence. I was probably more correct, no big whoop. That's about it guy. Don't worry, everyone is ok here. No more loud noises.

In case you don't remember

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.