zeitgeist57 Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 So...I received an unsolicited offer for my '95 BMW that I'm entertaining, but in having some fun researching another car that fits my wants/needs: - stick-shift - Preferably RWD - Convertible - 4-seater, for the kids - A/C, modern power accessories (cruise control, windows, stereo, etc) - Sporty, but reliability/highway comfort more important than track performance ...I am finding nothing I'd want to spend decent money on or finance for what I'd be getting rid of the BMW for (not a lot of money)! It's definitely not the fastest, and it does need some maintenance done, but I DD it with the top down most days and it's still a ton of fun for what I want out of a driver as a suburban family man with a white-collar career. Anyone else feel like this? You see a great car you'd like to have, but happily realize your current ride is great, especially for being paid for? "If you can't be with the one you love, honey...love the one your with." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwashmycar Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 Good spot to be in. The only fear is almost waiting for some cell-faced-jaggoff to T-bone it. Wouldnt be able to replace it very easily. I feel the same feeling towards this FJ of all things. Lot of stuff I would potentially like to have over it, but then again ....not at all when I think about it. Plus side, is if someone does total it, I can likely replace the thing, unlike that bimmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl1647545492 Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 Mabey go E 46? still look good and seem a good value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeto67 Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 it's a great car and you get a ton of use out of it. I get that it's not fast but you have a fast car already (CTS-V). Honestly, this is just the wrong time to be looking to buy, esp a convertible. I think you would find a lot more "deals" around October on "fun" cars. Knowing you, the only car I think you would find fun and a comparable improvement over the bmw would be an S197 mustang GT. Unfortunatly for a clean one that's a $10K + proposition. maybe finance something like this: https://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/cto/d/2011-ford-mustang-gt-premium/6611316458.html or this because Rare: https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/d/2009-mustang-gt-full-glass-top/6611021527.html I have a line on a local 996 convertible 911 in stick for pretty cheap, but it's still an over $10K proposition as well, might be worth looking into one of those because the value on them has really tanked. something like this maybe: https://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-porsche-cab-4-911/6594973398.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 While not sporty why not a Jeep Wrangler? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 3 valve s197 mustang is the only answer, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 F-body or Mustang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted June 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 (edited) Good comments, guys... - In UA, the answer should be Jeep Wrangler as there are a million of them, but the new JL is the only one I'd be interested in and it's out of my price range. Maybe if I get rid of the BMW I'll start trolling CL for some cheap TJ. - Mustang...man...I just can't get my head around that one. Maybe S550 in a few years? But the Lincoln LS-based s197 is such a BIG CAR to me. - I do want to drive a 911 sometime, but I could never do anything less than an S or 4S. Those base Carrera's look pretty silly to me without wide fenders. Porsche fixed that with recent generations but again, more than I want to spend. Edited June 8, 2018 by zeitgeist57 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5193&stc=1&d=1316707823 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeto67 Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 Good comments, guys... - In UA, the answer should be Jeep Wrangler as there are a million of them, but the new JL is the only one I'd be interested in and it's out of my price range. Maybe if I get rid of the BMW I'll start trolling CL for some cheap TJ. - Mustang...man...I just can't get my head around that one. Maybe S550 in a few years? But the Lincoln LS-based s197 is such a BIG CAR to me. - I do want to drive a 911 sometime, but I could never do anything less than an S or 4S. Those base Carrera's look pretty silly to me without wide fenders. Porsche fixed that with recent generations but again, more than I want to spend. clay, in this realm you can be - picky - frugal - having fun. pick 2. If you are looking at a TJ, the only one I would consider is the TJ Unlimiteds from 04-06 and wait till you see the prices on those. the extra wheelbase makes the ride so much nicer though. https://cleveland.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2005-jeep-wrangler-tj-lj/6610532858.html https://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/d/2005-jeep-wrangler-lj/6595800968.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Brian Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 I think you would really like the 05-10 Mustangs. They're comfortable, roomy, sound great, and are stupid cheap since the coyotes came around. Slap an axle-back on it and be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 Anything's going to feel big after an e36, they're tiny. Mustang gets you 4 seats for your kids, convertible, RWD, V8 noise, and a manual trans. Oh and your favorite, cheap as hell. Lower it a bit with some decent shocks and it'll feel less like a boat. S550 is larger, and heavier than a 3V. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Alex- Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 I’m with ya. I’ve recently been thinking about selling both of my trucks and using the cash for a down payment on a new crew cab, but holy shit prices are asinine for anything more than a bare bones 6 cylinder truck. That’s when I start thinking about vehicles that are around the 5 year old mark now that I figure have taken a resale hit and might be a bargain by now...nope. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbs3000 Posted June 8, 2018 Report Share Posted June 8, 2018 Cts wagon? Audi something or other, some garbage product made by vw? Older Infiniti? Loaded maxima, SV premiums I think? 3000gt! Maybe just drive or sell something else in your horde? Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cstmg8 Posted June 9, 2018 Report Share Posted June 9, 2018 I go through this constantly with the 4runner. I've had people offer 5 times what I paid for it, but I just can't replace it for that. It's not that special of a vehicle, but it has just enough character and capability to keep me interested. I'd love to have a 5th gen 4runner or newer pickup, but I'm just not ready for the payment. My solution is to add another project DD to the stable (similar to someone else I know). When I'm modifying one I can drive the other. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted June 9, 2018 Report Share Posted June 9, 2018 Is there a budget ? E93 vert 328 or 335 manual. B6 a/s4 and swap to a manual. Either one should fit the bill nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POS VETT Posted June 9, 2018 Report Share Posted June 9, 2018 Clay, buy my manual and AWD station wagon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not Brian Posted June 9, 2018 Report Share Posted June 9, 2018 OP: "I want a rwd convertible" CR: "Buy an awd station wagon" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted June 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2018 If I went newer, I do like Lauren/Coltboostin's threads about the N54/N55 BMW...they seem to be relatively cheap and stick/hardtop'verts. Other car that's a little more of a unicorn is an Infiniti G37 stick/hardtop'vert. I probably wouldn't get a newer Jeep...I'm more of a lowered guy and would rather cruise more comfortably at 80mph on the highway than fake some off-road chops. Maybe just get some beater Wrangler and slowly fix it up over time down the road when my daughter gets closer to driving age...make it a daddy/daughter project. If the BMW goes, I'll definitely give the Mustang a drive, both S197 and S550. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted June 9, 2018 Report Share Posted June 9, 2018 If I went newer, I do like Lauren/Coltboostin's threads about the N54/N55 BMW...they seem to be relatively cheap and stick/hardtop'verts. Other car that's a little more of a unicorn is an Infiniti G37 stick/hardtop'vert. I probably wouldn't get a newer Jeep...I'm more of a lowered guy and would rather cruise more comfortably at 80mph on the highway than fake some off-road chops. Maybe just get some beater Wrangler and slowly fix it up over time. If the BMW goes, I'll definitely give the Mustang a drive, both S197 and S550. Lower a Jeep and piss everyone off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillJoy Posted June 9, 2018 Report Share Posted June 9, 2018 Lower a Jeep and piss everyone off. Hmmmm.... KillJoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbot Posted June 10, 2018 Report Share Posted June 10, 2018 Lower a Jeep and piss everyone off. Hmmmm.... KillJoy Wins the thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted June 10, 2018 Report Share Posted June 10, 2018 Wins the thread My evil plan also requires plenty of "It's a Jeep Thing" and "If you can read this flip me back over" type stickers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bastard Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 If you decide to go the 3v Mustang route one thing to consider is I bet you plan on doing your own work where you can. Iirc these have the 2 piece spark plug design (can be a real pita if they decide to not come out in one piece), but there is a kit for removing the stuck piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbot Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 My evil plan also requires plenty of "It's a Jeep Thing" and "If you can read this flip me back over" type stickers. Don’t forget “Mall Rated 4x4” also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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