|
Other Vehicles & General Automotive Discussions Discuss all other cars and automotive news here. |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
10-02-2012, 11:12 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Drives: 2000 Olds Alero Sedan GLS
Location: Florida, USA
Posts: 33
Thanks: 12
Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Car Shopping - "Fun Daily Driver"
It's an exciting time in my household - we are shopping for a new car and my wife has agreed to let me purchase a "fun to drive" daily driver!
My brother-in-law got me interested in working on cars and autocross; he is very active in the enthusiast community up north. My wife and I agree that I should find a car that is fun in stock form; I have never driven this type of car and there is going to be a learning curve to make sure I can handle it safely. It also doesn't hurt that it gives me time to understand how the mods I eventually make will change the handling and performance! I was hoping to recapture the "magic" of my driver's education car - the sedan I drive now and the traditional American sports cars such as the Camaro just don't do it for me. My mom recently confirmed that the car I learned in was a Corolla GT-S. That's how I eventually ended up here. The 86 seems like a good fit but I haven't yet found one locally to test drive. I need to determine what other cars I should consider but it seems that this price range is pretty lacking in lightweight FR-style cars. I tried a tC since so many of you seem to have enjoyed yours; I'm also considering used cars such as the Mazda RX-7/RX-8. What other cars should I be considering? Do you guys think I have realistic expectations about the sports car experience and making the transition from "spectator" to car enthusiast? Again - cheers to you all - even if I don't end up in an FR-S this community is absolutely awesome and I have learned a lot just by reading along! Here are the rankings as they get test driven. Sometimes a car isn't on our "test drive" list but looks pretty interesting in person so it gets driven and added to this list. Sporty Cars
Family Cars
This is the original list - moving cars from here up into the rankings as we test drive them all. Sports Car Test Drive List
Family Car Test Drive List
Last edited by Toyota86Fan; 10-14-2012 at 12:00 AM. Reason: Updated to add ranking list; added to-drive list and updated it with forum member suggestions; FR-S test drive complete |
10-03-2012, 12:15 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Drives: 2001 Mr2 Spyder
Location: OC
Posts: 127
Thanks: 10
Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
I wouldn't consider an Rx7 or an Rx8. I love both cars, but not as a daily driver.
Since you're considering used cars as well, I would look at an S2000, Porsche Cayman, BMW 1-series, Genesis coupe, etc. It really all boils down to what your priorities for a vehicle are. If I were to consider a car for around $25k, my 3 choices would be the FR-S/BRZ, used Cayman, or used Elise. But hey, you're talking to a guy who has cubbies for "trunk space."
__________________
Member of Heya Project for Fr-S/BrZ.
Tire choice, Dash, Options list, Engine, Chassis, Suggestions; My fault Owned N/A '93 Mr2, N/A '91 Mr2, '98 Corolla, Mazdaspeed Mx-5, '07 Legacy Wagon, E90 328i well maintained and lit up on fire while driving on the freeway in traffic. |
10-03-2012, 01:33 AM | #3 |
Site Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2009
Drives: ichi 86 Project
Location: Middle of No where
Posts: 20,994
Thanks: 7,689
Thanked 19,157 Times in 8,347 Posts
Mentioned: 689 Post(s)
Tagged: 28 Thread(s)
|
Mx5, s2k, E36, 350/370Z, Supra, Corvette, Evo, STI, Z4, GC, Elise, MRS, Rx7/8, 240sx, 300z, 240z, Viper, NSX, & lists just goes on & on...
If you want some car that will keep you entertained & learn how to drive, go get Mx5. Cheap, can find a ton of mod options, & won't cry every time you/someone dent it |
10-03-2012, 09:32 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Drives: 4Runner
Location: N. Utah
Posts: 1,149
Thanks: 684
Thanked 392 Times in 252 Posts
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
I was looking for something similar and this is where I ended up. You really can't go wrong with a BRZ/FRS.
With that said, I think my 2nd choice would be a Mini Cooper S. There's a ton of goodies and they do well for track/autocross. Also are probably a little more practical then the Twins. In my case the Mini was eliminated because I specifically wanted a RWD.
__________________
diirk
waiting on a Neptune Premium MT |
10-03-2012, 09:42 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Drives: Ultramarine Blue Scion FRS
Location: San Gabriel
Posts: 122
Thanks: 45
Thanked 32 Times in 23 Posts
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
To OP are you looking for a specific type of config ig RWD or NA vs turbo? Is price a factor?
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2 |
10-03-2012, 03:57 PM | #6 |
Now w/ over 400 womprats!
Join Date: Nov 2011
Drives: BRZ LZR
Location: Texas/Illinois
Posts: 4,785
Thanks: 10,452
Thanked 3,420 Times in 1,424 Posts
Mentioned: 301 Post(s)
Tagged: 4 Thread(s)
|
Supra.
Fun, decently practical, super reliable, sexy, and it's legendary. You should be able to find a decent mileage 6-Spd TT for low 20s if you look hard enough. Supraforums would be the place to do so. I'm biased though...
__________________
"Sweet Subaru, sweet Subaru, send your BRZ unto me, for the roads of the unworthy must be baptized in speed and glory."
- The Ancient BRZ Sacrament by Zaku |
The Following User Says Thank You to Guff For This Useful Post: | Toyota86Fan (10-05-2012) |
10-03-2012, 03:58 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Drives: SWP BRZ LTD
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 889
Thanks: 637
Thanked 170 Times in 106 Posts
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
If you dont mind fwd, the new focus ST is supposed to be very good.
|
10-03-2012, 04:02 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Drives: '13 FR-S firestorm, 6 mt - '11 CR-V
Location: Tucson
Posts: 2,133
Thanks: 243
Thanked 1,387 Times in 657 Posts
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
There is only one model of an automobile that I ever bought more than one of and that is the Mazda Miata. I bought a new one in '99 and I bought a used '02 in '06. If you are a driving enthusiast you will appreciate what the Miata does. It's been compared more than just a few times to the handling characteristics of the Toyobaru twins. It also has a very good track record for reliability.
|
10-03-2012, 04:15 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Drives: several
Location: norcal
Posts: 903
Thanks: 421
Thanked 286 Times in 223 Posts
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
|
10-03-2012, 08:23 PM | #10 | |||
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Drives: 2000 Olds Alero Sedan GLS
Location: Florida, USA
Posts: 33
Thanks: 12
Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
As far as Turbo - I'm slightly leery of it as a friend with a Mini-Cooper S claims that every time the turbo kicks she almost gets tossed off the road from the loss of control. This type of behavior was also mentioned by the host of the recent review of the Mazda RX-7 Spirit "R". Quote:
Quote:
Here's a look into what's going through my mind as I search - hopefully this is all fairly reasonable and will clarify a few of the other questions you guys have posed. The most I'm comfortable paying is ~$35k Required
Wants
Last edited by Toyota86Fan; 10-03-2012 at 08:41 PM. Reason: Added price range cap. |
|||
The Following User Says Thank You to Toyota86Fan For This Useful Post: | Guff (10-03-2012) |
10-03-2012, 08:41 PM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Drives: several
Location: norcal
Posts: 903
Thanks: 421
Thanked 286 Times in 223 Posts
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to einzlr For This Useful Post: | Toyota86Fan (10-05-2012) |
10-03-2012, 08:58 PM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Drives: 2000 Olds Alero Sedan GLS
Location: Florida, USA
Posts: 33
Thanks: 12
Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Novice question here - from what I have read AWD is very difficult to use for drifting and would incur a lot more wear/tear on the car than using a RWD setup.
I can break free in my FWD but it never feels like the car really likes doing it; I've never figured out if it's because I'm "doing it wrong" or if it's because I drive a heavy family sedan that is 100% stock. |
10-03-2012, 09:51 PM | #13 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Drives: 4Runner
Location: N. Utah
Posts: 1,149
Thanks: 684
Thanked 392 Times in 252 Posts
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
That's exactly what I was thinking. Havng owned one and a WRX before that.
Quote:
Looking over your list, the only thing I think the BRZ/FRS will be lacking is in seating for 4. Unless all of you are 5' tall, there's pretty much no way to get some in the back seat comfortably. It's possible, but not for any length of time. I'd suggest going to drive a WRX or STI, a Mini a BRZ/FRS and Maybe a Mustang. Just to cover all the bases.
__________________
diirk
waiting on a Neptune Premium MT |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to diirk For This Useful Post: | Toyota86Fan (10-05-2012) |
10-03-2012, 10:47 PM | #14 | |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Drives: 2000 Olds Alero Sedan GLS
Location: Florida, USA
Posts: 33
Thanks: 12
Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
The only problem I will have in test driving some of these suggestions is that I don't know how to drive a manual transmission yet. The sales guy we talked to said he'd be glad to teach me; I'm still slightly in shock and can see why you guys gave Mastro such great reviews in the Southeast regional boards. I'll find out more when I go back for the test drive appointment I scheduled. Worst case - my brother-in-law has offered to sacrifice his 1992 Honda Accord when I'm up there visiting early next year. (This is the family joke - he's taught my sister, his son, and a few nieces and nephews to drive stick in this car and it's still going even though the odometer broke at 270k miles 6+ years ago...) So the "test drive" list as it stands now:
Glad I'm not looking to get into this car until March; I can already tell that I'm going to be spending a lot of weekends test driving! |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Toyota86Fan For This Useful Post: | Guff (10-03-2012) |
|
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Odometer Functions - "S" & "G" What are they? | kablammo | BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics | 59 | 12-01-2013 12:28 AM |
Will the BRZ be your daily driver | WRXGuy1 | BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics | 47 | 05-23-2012 12:15 PM |
Scion's "Pure Pricing": shopping logistics | Sport-Tech | CANADA | 9 | 03-22-2012 01:26 AM |
May 2010 Car&Driver issue FT-86 article - "25 Cars Worth Waiting For" | JDMinc | Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum | 76 | 04-17-2010 03:58 AM |