Some of you are clearly wondering why I'm trolling Craigslist for post-riced Preludes. The rest of you probably assume I'm a huge car dork that does that sort of thing without any reason, and you'd be right.
But it turns out that I do have a reason this time: I've decided to sell the 3. I bought it originally because it looks great, sounds great, is an absolute joy to drive, and looked like a lot of fun to work on. But now that I've had it for 3 years, I'm finding that I'm obsessing over the paint more than I want, I never drive it on the higway anymore (work/home doesn't require it), and since the clutch change, it's been so damned rock-solid that there's nothing left to fix on it. Literally the only problem left is that the steering wheel makes a little bit of trim noise when you turn it.
I wanted to keep it as long as I needed a reliable commuter car, but I can walk from the house to the office without any problems and besides that, I've always got the Toyota to ensure I've always got wheels.
So I've decided that the BMW is too reliable for me to keep driving it. It's been a fantastic ride (and I love it to pieces) but it's time to let it go.
Accordingly, I've started my search for a replacement. The short list for now includes:
- AW11 MR2
- SW20 MR2
- Porsche 914
- Later-model (~1980+) Fiat X1/9
- De Lorean DMC-12
- Lotus Europa
- MG MGB?
- Not a baja bug with a Cadillac 472 stuffed in it (cached)
No luck on finding any of that last model just yet. Any suggestions?
P.S. Amended list in italics!
If you're seriously interested in the De Lorean - there's one at work right now that's got the front up on jack-stands (with the wheels missing, presumably due to flat tires). I'm fairly sure the guy has wanted to sell it before, and I (or Will) can probably scope out the owner if you want.
Other than that - the SW20 MR2 is the poor mans Elise - I may be in the market for one of those if/when I decide the Miata isn't going to get a new engine.
GRM did a sweet restore of a 914, and ultimately concluded that at it's best it's as good as an AW11 MR2 or something like that. Still very cool when it's done right.
And being the recovering Toyota fan-boi that I am, there are few things cooler to me than a clean White 88-89 SC MR2, with the "totota" visor on the back.
Really, on the De Lorean? I was halfway kidding that I hadn't seen one for a while (there's often one on the local CL) but I'd be interested for the right price. I'm not sure how reliable the PRV engines are, so driving it from there to here may be a bit of an issue.
Interesting about the 914 and the AW11. Definitely something to consider.
Let me sleep on the De Lorean. I may have one of you guys see how much he'd take for it.
--D
P.S. only if it's a 5-speed. Automatics need not apply.
--D
what about an older air cooled 911?
I've absolutely considered that, but I seriously doubt I can get into one for less than $10k. That's something of a consideration.
If you're looking for something thats always broken, fun to drive when its working, and has a cult following with parts readily available... Corrado.
BTW, my dads 914 is super fun in the twistys but a bit of a dog to drive. You want to rev it out into the upper rpms but the stock type 3 motor just falls on its face. I wouldn't go 914 unless you planed on an engine swap - wrx/sti engine swaps are fairly common - now that would be cool!
Raven-
I'm not really in the mood for another FWD. I'd like to get something with better handling than the BMW, not the other way.
My only experience with a 914 was one that was gutted with a 2.0 engine, and it was assnumbingly quick. You've got a good point that without the go-fast goods, the 914 is probably a big slug.
--D
Well if you are obsessing over the paint too much on the 3 then you obliviously need a car without paint, so get the DeLorean.
As an added bonus if you ever work on it and pull the body panels, you might win the lottery and find a few kilos of coke hidden in there as well !
For around $10k you can pick up a C3/C4 Vette, it should break down on you faily often to keep you entertained, and will handle well enough to be fun in the twisties, and a lot better acceleration than most on your list.
Justin does make a pretty good point. What happened to the big fancy brand new m3 idea?
Also, wasnt there something about a helicoptor? Layla? I dont know....
I say keep your 3, upgrade the suspension, and drive it a little more. Something else is bound to brake in the near future that'll be worth fixing - and in the mean time you can intertain you self installing small aftermarket upgrades and what not.
Jason-
Especially if I buy a New Mexican one.
Justin-
Where's my mullet?
Raven-
Waiting lists and Layla's MBA both make it painful right now. So I'll save myself some effort in the future by downgrading to something cheap.
--D
Since you are looking at older cars, I would agree with Rob on a 911, I've seen them for around $10k. I dont know much about the 928s, but I've seen them for cheap. If you want soemthing really odd, go with a Merkur XR4Ti, and upgrade it with Cosworth RS components. A lot of engine parts are readily available as it was the same base engine found in turbo-4 Mustangs.
I was just thinking about it, and noticed you didnt have anything from the pacific on your list. Would you consider a 300XZ TT, RX-7, 3000GT VR-4, or Supra?
By Pacific, do you mean Japanese? Like the MR2s on the list?
Those are all bigger than I'm thinking, except the RX-7 (and an older 240Z) which are halfway on the list.
"Small, light, and mid-engined" is the name of the game. "Exotic" can be used as a substite for any of those.
Oh and I'm really not an XR4Ti fan whatsoever. If I wanted a Ford Sierra I'd just buy a Ford Sierra.
I guess I forgot about the MR2. After all, I was posting after midnight. If you are looking for looking for small, light, and mid-engined, I guess its my turn to give you the same recommendation you gave me. Get a Boxster. In my mind, its exotic. The car has been amazing, and you can pick up a higher milage one for just over $10k. If you think it will be too reliable for your taste, perform the 996 engine swap.
But alas, too spendy (it would be on the list otherwise). A big part of this is that the BMW is too nice.
It all boils down to this: I want a beater. Since I don't want four cars and don't need the BMW to ensure I can commute, I'd really like to trade down and take the remaining cash and toss it somewhere where it will do me more good than keeping it tied up in a car.
Perhaps you it would be easier to just wait for something to 'come along' as opposed to looking for something more specific.
Like an $800 VW.
FYI, my dad bought his 914 for like ~ $300.
Performance type3 parts are cheap and there's nothing like the sound of dual webber carbs.
Pick up a "hot vw" magazine and leaf though the clasifieds some time. They always have these ful color ads for performance built long blocks for
914s came stock with 4 wheel disks, so assuming the brakes are in good condition you could have a screamer for less than 3 grand.
my coment got choped because i used a less than sign. should have read:
"... performance built long blocks for less-than 2k."
Phil-
Yeah, and you can see where that got me!
Raven-
When did he buy it? The price of 914s has shot up in the last five years. I had a chance to buy one in acceptable shape for under a grand about ten years ago, but passed. The same car now would probably go for $4k.
--D
He has had the car for a a few tears now. I'd try to pick up a non running shell. Something with fuel injection problems (they are 1st gen, problematic) that the owner is fed up with. Dont bother with any of the fancy 916/911 motor conversions and maybe even opt for the 1.8 over the 2.0. Then like I say, swap out the engine for a carbed crate motor.
Watch for rusted floor pans.
If you are going to do a motor swap in a 914, drop in a Chevy 350. I guess that is actually a pretty common swap, and I am pretty sure a Chevy powered Porsche would qualify as a beater.
Unfortunately 914 shells in acceptable condition aren't particularly easy to find. These cars are either cared for, or they're not, and in the latter case they rust like crazy before the engine gives out.
Besides, any 914 shells that do go on the market are usually snapped up by yahoos who would turn it into some sort of ass-heavy overpowered beast, which (sorry to say) isn't exactly my bag.
--D
I looked up the GRM article on their 914 project car. Looks like I misquoted. Here's the bit I was talking about: "In terms of drivability, if [the 914] were equipped with air conditioning and a bit better shift linkage, a well-set-up 914 could pass for a modern MR2 Spyder."
They had a slightly modded and fully rebuilt 2.0 liter motor in there, with all the suspension goodies set up right. Here's another quote: "...the realities of a 914 restoration are complicated and expensive. If you are willing to buy wisely, spend some money and go through some work, however, you will be rewarded with a very nice sports and autocross car that certainly lives up to the Porsche name."
Ahh I get it. That's great perspective Rob, thanks!
--D
"If you are going to do a motor swap in a 914, drop in a Chevy 350."-JT
Justin, that comment... ugh. And 350 in a 914 is hardly common.
Dan, I'll keep my eyes open for a decent 914, I cant believe they're as bad as you say.
They're certainly not all bad. In fact, the majority of them are in really spectacular shape.
But the ones that are in good shape are tremendously expensive (for what is otherwise a VW tin-can).
--D
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=530185
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=561741
Well holy crap, those are actually pretty reasonable.
--D