It is time to get a car for MYSELF. The last car I did get, just for me, was the TransAm and that was 8 years ago. My current daily driver is a car I got from a "miracle" garage/used car lot (clunkerville, USA). It is a 99 Buick Regal with faded burgundy paint, passenger side keyed, some body damage, rear windows don't work, instrument panel don't light up, radio got a tape stuck in it, driver seat torn, tranny is slipping, and I just spent yesterday replacing the rack and pinion, (car did not like to turn right). It still runs decent, but I won't be picking up any babes with this pile of junk.
I am on a budget, but I do want to get something that I like, and looks good. It won't be a track car, (maybe 5 years from now it might turn into one, who knows) but I would like something that is fun.
So here is what I was thinking:
'04 GTO LS1 $14000-$16000 not to trilled about this one since the ones with more pep under the hood go for a little more
'05-'06 GTO LS2 $15000-$18000
'08 G8 GT LS2(I think) $20000 - $25000 I can't belive already see some used ones
'98-'04 C5 LS1 $15000 - $20000
'99-'04 C5 Z06 LS6 $21000 - $25000 is the Z06 worth the extra $?
'05-'08 C6 LS2 $27000 - $30000 go nuts, is 31 to soon for a midlife crisis?
'07-'08 C6 Z06 LS7 $52000 -$? go completely nuts and have no $ left to track the TA.
'04-'08 STI or EVO $17000-$25000 I don't know much about these other than they keep passing me on track (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif) on the con side the parts for these might get pricey.
'04-? BMW 3 series $16000-$20000 I know even less about these, exept people who see these think they special and people who drive them usually are aholes. I included it since it is in the price range, and I might be an ahole. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
EDIT:
Found something else with a V8 and RWD:
'05-'06 CTS V-type LS6 $17000-$22000 6-speed fun from Caddi.

I haven't been looking at what is out there, so just went with what I know....

Budget is around $15000 but willing to pay more for something better.
any other ideas?

This post has been edited by roadracetransam: Feb 9 2009, 01:04 AM

here is one more

'06-'08 STS V-type 469hp supercharged RWD caddy $29000- $? same price as a C6 on the luxury side of GM.

I'd be looking at a GTO or a CTS-V. I'd want an original unmolested car though, no hot rods. Both would be fun to drive, have the LS based motor and could probably be had for the price point your looking at. The GTO is kinda bland on the exterior, but the interior is very nice especially as a DD. The CTS-V is just a notch or two above in probably all catagories. The supercharged STS is not an LS base motor (I don't think), its the Northstar engine family which I don't know too much about. The STI/EVO/WRX stuff is way too easy to turn into a hot rod and become a second money pit, I'd stear clear of that stuff altogether. I don't speak Bimmer so I couldn't do that either. The Vette's are nice, no doubt, but I don't think I'd want to DD a Vette, but I don't live in California either so that might have something to do with it.

Good luck, there is no better time to buy than right now. If your in a strong position you can name your price on probably just about any of those cars on the list. Those bitten by the economy are practically giving stuff away.

That's my 0.38 cents

My vote is the G8GT, but keep in mind how much it will cost to operate the car (increased insurance cost, fuel cost) vs the current vehicle (style and girl appeal notwithstanding) and how that will impact the race budget.

Also, I think gas will go back up this summer - maybe not as high as 2008, but probably back to the 3.xx range. Might not hurt to look at some econobox either perhaps?

I'm a special a-hole with the BMW DD. I really like the car. Comfortable, great brakes, handles great, plenty of go. Mine is a 03 M3 SMG. SMG is a matter of taste and does take getting used to.

Tony

Careful of the G8 GTs you see used. Some of them have been rentals.

CTS-V is great. I have a 2007 Mustang, but I often think I should have gotten a used -V instead.

how about this:
'05 Audi S4 4.2 V8 AWD $17000

If you are single and looking for a vehicle that increases your attractivness, then BMW is way to go. 99% of all women think bmw is like awseome, like you know hehe. Getting it will increase your odds of getting lucky by 1%. That is more than the other cars.

But for a dd and usefulness g8 ctsv and bmw get decent mpg, are all comfortable, good handling and acceleration. can carry 4 race tires easily.

Neat car, but I've had several items in the VW (VW/Audi) family and I'd run far away from those. They are expensive and seem to demand monetary sacrifices to the god of "going anywhere at all" on a regular basis. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Some great deals can be had on C5s that are still in awesome shape. Even I have pondered them.

350Z? Nice lil car, and with the 370Zs coming soon their prices could see some downward pressure.


I'm weird in that I am looking for a tow rig and most likely a crotch rocket so my tastes in DDs are all screwed up right now.

'90s Saturn wagon. Dirt cheap, it'll haul a short block or a rear end and two transmissions, and take off-ramps at 50mph while getting 30mpg (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Quite lacking in the HP department though. I almost got wood in my buddy's Hemi 1500 pickup the other day...

I already got a shity car........

Every time I check the weight of the GTO's, it turns me off. Maybe it's just me.

I also have owned a BMW and liked it quite a bit. It had it's own "ism"s just like GM cars that you have to get used to but it was reliable and fun-to-drive.

C6 - $$$

C5 - Yes, the Z06 is worth the extra cash. Remember, stock LS1 versus Z06 +400/400 hp/tq plus upgraded brakes and suspension. You can't upgrade a C5 doing the work yourself for the price difference on the market. Right now the C5 is probably the best deal out there if it is large enough for your DD requirements. I have been looking at them seriously myself recently. Also, since it's GM it will have all the things that you are used to being pissed off about. I think a Vette would be more interesting to the fairer sex than a BMW. Maybe I am just old.

350Z is an interesting choice. I don't know much about them but if I were in your position, I would at least try to drive one before including/excluding them.

I still think the LS1/LT1 f-body in good condition is the best value out there. Cheap, lots of power, reliable but I think the girl appeal might not be there. Dunno, I haven't been on the market for a long time.

Of the cars listed and being a DD ... CTS-V

2 reasons ... it's an oddity and a Caddi. So it hold it's value.

2nd is, it's a Caddi, so the chances of it being a flog and dog-mobile are pretty low.

Ignoring, of course, women who actually care about driving:

Women in dresses or heels hate Vettes, F-bodies, or anything else with a decent seating position. I think this (along with the huge blind overhangs) is a big reason the Mustang won.

Of the cars I've owned, the old MGB had the most double-X appeal by far, though a cute friend does tend to giggle a lot at every throttle movement when she rides in the Camaro.

For a convertible, the wind in a Miata isn't bad. Supposedly, leaving one and only one window up (passenger side, of course) makes a huge difference for some reason. I can't confirm this, since I'm just too cool to drive a convertible with the top down and a window up (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Actually, I just like the wind.

Chicks with long hair don't appreciate the wind in their hair nearly as much as I do. The wind in a convertible mostly flows forward.

A local autocross couple has been competing in C4s all along. When the husband decided to get an STS2 Miata (ST classes are where the growth is here), the wife announced that he could go rainbow if he wanted to, but she was keeping her Vette.

I gotta admit, I like the chicks in the Caddy commercials. I assume if I buy the CTS-V I'll get the hot chicks who like Kansas-city ribeye and recommend "quality time with a different sort of woman" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This is now all academic, of course. I have a Silverado, MGB, Miata, and Z28. Being married, it doesn't make one bit of difference which I drive.

Driving the Z28 and the Miata both put a smile on my face for different reasons. I live sort of in the country, so I do enjoy most of my commute. I'll just throw out that you can get LSx conversion kits for the Miata (or even turn-key cars) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banana.gif) I've looked at an LS1 RX7, and it actually fits better in that car than it does in the Camaro, dang it! I could actually see all eight spark plugs.

This post has been edited by sgarnett: Feb 9 2009, 02:27 PM

Do you list only cars for a reason?

I would suggest an SUV or truck personally. They get a bit less mileage than a RWD V8 car but have a lot of usefulness. Unless you have one already.

I was thinking about SUV/Truck for a little bit out of necessity, towing to and from track, but than decided that for the 7-8 times a year I can rent a u-haul pick up an be done with it. But now it looks like I won't be needing that either, since my pending ex-wife (with the Suburban) moved to Richmond as well, I can borrow the 'burb the few times I will need it. Also, I won't need a back seat to transport the kids, since they come with the SUV/child seat package when they are with me.
I am not a big fan of driving around in trucks. I prefer coupes an sedans.

As far as attracting women, run away from 'vettes. Too much stigma.

We had a 2001 330xi, great car. The '04-ish 2wd 3-series with the 18" wheels are the ones to get (ZHP package). Suede steering wheel and often alcantara seats. Chicks dig 'em and they are fun to drive. Never had any problems with ours, either, other than my wife being in a jaguar/silverado sandwich. She was rear-ended by a jag going posted limit at least (65mph) and she was sitting still. After the accident she crawled out the pass. side and called me. Yeah, I'd buy a BMW again.

BMW crash Pictures

Note imprint of receiver hitch in front of car.

You have a lot of choices out there around your price range. I just sold my '01 S4, and I miss it already. I've thought about one like you listed here, as I think it would be a great year round DD. I really liked my old S4 in that it didn't really matter much what the weather was like, I knew I could get home. That might not be of concern to you though. Either way, I really like the Audi's for fun, comfortable, year round car.

I'm having a hard time not buying something to replace the S4. I did buy a Camaro, but that's not even close for a DD. I only drive 1.5 miles to work, and maybe 10k miles per year right now. So I have a hard time justifying a 'nice' DD. Something else I've considered that you might look into is a BWM E39 M5. I'm seeing some smokin' deals on those right now.

I drive my WS6 most of the time as my DD, My wife drives a C6. I would prefer the WS6 over the vette any day for a DD. Extreme weather or the need to haul stuff around we also have 4Runner. The new G8's are pretty nice as well as the caddi's, Also what are you thoughts on the new Camaro? I had the chance to check it out in person in January, and I really like it. The SS will have an LSx motor in it if the 300hp V6 isn't enough for you.