Mini? ST? Commuter vehicle with turbo vs FT-86 purchase thread

[gmookher]

So she is 5'1"

We originally got the brz for her commute but its too nice a car to burn up for commute needs :

100mph+ for 1 hour each way averaging almost 1000 miles a week.

we buy cars for $27000 to $29000 and burn them up. Our last one was a 911C4 we burned up in 2 years and bought for $28500

now, we are test driving the Focus ST which is faster than the FRS/BNRZ, and also very fun to drive, and also pitting it against Mini Cooper S(can be had for $25K)and the Fuckus ST $27600. I wish it werent 4 door, we really prefer 2 door but its torque is better than coopers and we have a hill climb on the way back from phx that gets hot, and fast. oh yeah.

We liked GTI but it had fit issues with her. None of the VW products are for us. We shop strictly manuals. The ford stick has much to be desired and steering feedback is nil, but that aside it get the job done. Help stop us from buying it.

Today I plan to test drive the bmw 1 series, tho it costs more at 31500 with all my discounts, after an extra $750 off for owner loyalty
also planning a trip to hyundai-eek- to drive turbo genesis

any feedback from previous owners of these cars or opinions welcome
we drove CC, ehhh
we drove a3 ehh
have yet to drive c30, none of these are really sporty enough tho

truth is something faster than a stock brz is whats needed. something with a turbo would be nice, and at our mileage we need it to be under a factory warranty.

right now the commute fleet has some nice but unwarrantied vehicle we wanna keep rather than burn 50k miles on to a year

audi s4 bone stock
bmw m3 dinan stg4
1983 turbo z car hks stg2
wheeling rig land rover heavily modded

this makes the miata a last choice since we have a faster convertible already

what else is there?
no we dont want a dart. or do we?

[dsgerbc]

What non-turbo 128i?
I wouldn't worry about this one being a manual, their auto is decent.

I tried my buddies ST several days ago and it's nice as a DD car, but I wouldn't say it's sportier than a GTI. Out of VW I did like the Golf R, but it's way overpriced new. I was really annoyed with Genesis 2.0T, it somehow fely very non-sporty.

Didn't try a Mini, their dash annoys me too much.

And Caddy ATSs in your area yet? I hear the shifter/tranny is marginal, but otherwise it's nice.

[diirk]

WRX

[PMok]

Originally Posted by gmookher

So she is 5'1"

We originally got the brz for her commute but its too nice a car to burn up for commute needs :

100mph+ for 1 hour each way averaging almost 1000 miles a week.

whoever 'she' is, she needs a different job/commute.

seriously though, unless she has her own private test track that stretches 100miles between home and work, I call BS on the 100mph+. Sure maybe she hits 100mph at some point but you make it sound like she floors the pedal down the whole way. Either way that also sounds like a recipe for disaster but I'm not judging.

When you put that many hard miles on per year, you kind of have to pay to play. None of these $30K cars is going to last that long with that kind of grueling commute/condition. And what truly sporty car is made for such abuse?

I'm with diirk, get a WRX and save money for maintenance/repairs. Or keep buying throw-away cars. Or move.

[chulooz]

Id probably go with a WRX or mini.

Hes in AZ, speeding is expected

[Iixii]

Move

[gmookher]

Originally Posted by Iixii

Move

No.

[PMok]

looking at your fleet, I'd say just divvy up the miles between the cars you have. The S4, M3 and BRZ seem like perfectly fine commute options at 17K miles each per year. Save the money you'd spend on yet another car and use it towards the upkeep/parts. Install oil coolers on the cars to help them handle the high speed/heat.

[diirk]

Originally Posted by PMok

looking at your fleet, I'd say just divvy up the miles between the cars you have. The S4, M3 and BRZ seem like perfectly fine commute options at 17K miles each per year. Save the money you'd spend on yet another car and use it towards the upkeep/parts. Install oil coolers on the cars to help them handle the high speed/heat.

I don't know....that all seems awfully logical. I refuse to accept that in place of buying another car. :happy0180:

[gmookher]

well, the e36 m3 is almost at 100k, its most likely to not be a good 50k a year commuter, a few months with her and its gonna be 'old' vs older. its the one that stands to be replaced by a e46 m3, but again, its our convertible, not a burn up commuter

the s4 is wonderful, but a wagon and a v8, lots of car for a solo vehicle, its a great long distance car, which is what we use it for, but not solo

the brz will be going away for a few weeks, it will be getting forced induction and more of a toy, its seeing some commute but not for long

the rover is purpose built for moab

I'd burn up another 911, since there is another one just like it but its not something we're ready to spend on now

we can spend $27k, mostly cash to get her something so she doesnt burn up the BRZ...or my m3. or our s4...get it?
for $27k, I cant buy another s4 avant, or e46 m3 new; and the goal is to get her something we can expect a cool 70,000 miles form hiccup free, she needs it reliable, fun and precise
(Insert whats she doing with me joke here)

I kinda want another brz, but the focus and mini are both faster with Forced induction coming up the hill

lets see how this 128 drives...

[BioRage]

Does she want something more girly/luxury?

I would suggest take the BMW 128i for a spin and see how she likes it.

[SkullWorks]

with so much "experience" and wealth, surely you do not need a forum full of kids deciding your next car...isn't that "her" job anyway?


lets cover some basics,

1.) highway miles are far less abusive on a car than stop and go.

2.) you shouldn't be wearing cars out at anywhere near the rate you describe if you have any semblance of a maintenance plan...and no i don't care that you are in high altitude AZ, im not sure why you think that matters...

3.) are you sure she can drive stick? a 911 in decent condition should have no issue handling any speed you can drive on US public roads...are you familiar with the autobahn?...yeah its in germany...where porsches come from...

[TSY]

Get a used G37. Should fit your budget. Should do fine as a DD at 100+mph. Trust me.
Also will be more reliable than anything European.

You could also try a Cessna.

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by TSY

Get a used G37.

Not a turbo though. Between G37 Coupe and Genesis 2.0T, I'd rather have the latter.